ML Interest Tag: yellow

24 Games You Can Play in the Car on Your Next Road Trip

by Kate Loweth

Getting to your destination can be part of the adventure when you have this handy list of car games in your back pocket

If you’re heading out on a road trip soon and want to ensure that the trip will be spent making memories with the kids (screen-free fun in the car is possible!), then we’ve got a list of car games just for you. To make your journey as enjoyable as possible, you’ll want to print out this list of easy games to play in the car. They don’t require any special gear, there are no pieces to lose, and they’re actually fun for parents and kids alike. Be sure to check out our list of road trip hacks that’ll make the drive even easier. Win, win, win!

1. The Alphabet Game: Find all the letters of the alphabet on things you pass along the highway. Variation: limit your finds to license plates or road signs to make it harder.

2. I Spy: This road trip classic has players starting with a vague clue like, “I spy something that moves” and the other players guessing from there. Only yes or no questions are allowed. Tip: put a limit to the number of questions so the rounds don’t go on for eternity.

3. Would You Rather: This is a fun one to get the kids thinking, with great questions like: “Would you rather live in the desert or on a deserted island?” Another good one: “Would you rather be able to control the weather or talk to animals?” Check out our list of would you rather questions for kids and our list of would you rather questions for teens. We even have would you rather questions for adults!

4. Fortunately/Unfortunately: This story-creation car game for kids starts with a sentence like, “Mom came home with a chocolate cake.” The next person has to continue the story with fortunately like, “Fortunately, it had sprinkles on it.” Turn passes to the next person who uses unfortunately like, “Unfortunately, they were made of wax.” Hilarity ensues.

5. Story Volley: A similar game is story volley where you take turns creating a story back and forth between two (or more) players. This one can go on forever!

6. Open-ended Questions: Learn a little more about your car companions with this game where you can ask any question you like. Good ones to start with: What’s your favorite animal? What superpower do you wish you had? What TV character are you most like?

7. Alphabet Game (Version 2): The flow of this game is to use this phrase, “My name is ______ and I’m married to _______. We live in ______ and are shopping for ________.” All words have to start with the letter you are on like, “My name is Amy and I’m married to Al. We live in Arkansas and are shopping for apples.” Then you move on to B.

8. Letter, Word, or Sentence Guessing Game: For back seat players only, you have one kid draw a letter, word, or sentence (depending on age) on the other player’s back. Try to guess what was drawn.

9. License Plate Bingo: Using a little notebook to keep track, try and find all the state license plates. This game can carry over from road trip to road trip as who has ever seen a Hawaii plate outside of Hawaii? Parents should be ready to verify any rare sightings (to prevent cheating).

license plate bingo is a game you can play in the car
iStock

 

Related: 22 Creative Road Trip Activities (That Don’t Include Screens)

10. 20 Questions: This game has you thinking of an item while your opponent has to guess what it is. Limit your questions to 20 so you don’t go totally insane. This game knows how it is to travel with kids, clearly. For little kids, you can limit it even further to a category like animals.

11. The Name Game: Good for teens and tweens, this game has you name a celebrity like Oprah Winfrey and the next person has to take the first letter of that celebrity’s last name to start their turn and name another celebrity like Will Smith.

12. Hot Sauce or Chocolate: A variation on this or that, this game has you choose which item between two that you’d rather give up. Start with hot sauce or chocolate, choose one (clearly chocolate is the one to keep) and the next person has to add another to the pair like peanut butter so now you’re choosing between chocolate and peanut butter.

13. The Vacation Memory Game: This is a fun car game for kids! The first person starts with, “I’m going on a vacation and I’m going to bring . . . ” and then they choose an item like sunscreen. The second person starts, “I’m going on a vacation and I’m going to bring sunscreen and . . .” and chooses a second item like beach towels. The game continues until someone messes up the order and forgets an item. You can make it trickier by going in alphabetical order.

14. Count the Item: Choose an item like an American flag, tractor, or Starbucks sign and see how many your crew can find while on your journey.

15. Yes-No-Black-White: In this car game for kids, one player is the questioner and one the answerer. The questioner asks a question, trying to get the answerer to say the words “yes, no, black or white.” The answerer needs to answer verbally and truthfully, without using the forbidden words.

16. The Animal Name Game: The first player picks an animal like a squirrel. The second player has to pick an animal that starts with the last letter of the prior animal, like “lion.” And on and on!

17. Skittles: In this game, you are looking for the holy grail: the yellow vehicle. See one and yell, “Skittles!” and get one point. You may have to set your own rules about whether yellow farm equipment and buses count or should be excluded (as a fleet of school buses could cause an early end to your gameplay).

kids enjoying games you can play in the car
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Related: 16 Roadside Attractions You’ve Got to See to Believe

18. Cheers to the Governor (the kid version): This is a collaborative memory game you can play in the car to get to a certain number. So, if your goal is to get to 21, you start by counting one by one in order. You start with one rule, usually that 7 and 11 are switched (instead of saying 7 the person who is supposed to say 7 will say 11, and the person who should say 11 will say 7). If you make it through all the numbers, someone makes up a new rule (clap twice instead of saying three, make an animal noise instead of 15), and start counting back at 1 with the new rule. If someone misses a rule, you start back at one. The goal is to get to the point where all of the numbers are replaced with rules.

19. State Capitals: Good for all you geography fans, get the kids to list the state capitals. You can do it in alphabetical order or quiz style.

20. Cows and Graveyards: You get a point for every cow you spot on your side of the car. Spot a graveyard and lose all points.

21. Name That Tune: Play a snippet of a song from the radio and try and guess the song and artist.

22. Restaurant Race: Each player gets a restaurant like McDonalds, Taco Bell, or Burger King and players count how many of their restaurants they can find along the way.

23. Rock-Paper-Scissors: This is a classic hand game that’s a perfect game to play in the car. Two players shoot rock (fist), paper (flat hand), or scissors (the peace sign) on the count of 1,2,3… shoot! Paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, and scissors beats paper. Try the best of three, or just keep playing down the road.

Our All-Time Favorite Games to Play in the Car

24. Off Limits: In this game, you choose words or phrases that are “off limits” like family member’s names, “hungry” or “are we there yet?” (Brilliant!)

25. The Quiet Game: The player who is quiet the longest wins! Save this one for when you are really desperate.

Related: 21 Clever TikTok Travel Hacks to Make Traveling with Kids a Breeze

 

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54 Easy Riddles (& the Answers That Go with Them) Perfect for Kids

by Amber Guetebier

Looking for some fun riddles for kids to keep those little minds sharp? Or maybe even a few hard riddles for kids? We’ve found kid-friendly puzzlers just right for your family. Share these riddles for kids with answers on the way to school or over dinner. And for even more, check out this adorable kid’s book.

Don’t stop here! Check out our trivia for kids and our ultimate list of jokes for kids for more fun.

What is a riddle?

A riddle is a brain-teasing question with a hidden meaning or answer requiring creative, out-of-the-box thinking. The answers are often things you wouldn’t think about, so be sure to take your time solving these easy riddles for kids!

Why should you share riddles with kids?

Riddles, and other brain teasers like hidden word puzzles, sudoku, and crossword puzzles help keep the brain sharp and help to develop problem-solving skills and creativity. Plus, it’s just fun to ask kids funny riddles and see their reactions!

One-Word Answers for Easy Riddles

1. What has hands but cannot write or clap?

A clock.

2. What has stripes and goes through the air?

Hint: It sometimes goes on the ground, too!

A basketball.

3. I am yellow, and I write, and my mate is white. What am I? 

A pencil.

4. What gets wetter the more it dries?

A towel.

5. What has a neck but no head and arms but no hands?

A shirt.

6. Remove my skin and I won't cry, but you might! What am I?

An onion.

7. What kind of ship has two mates but no captain?

A relationship.

8. I'm taller when I'm young and shorter when I'm old. What am I?

A candle.

9. What is always right in front of you, yet you cannot see it?

The future.

10. What has a tongue but cannot talk?

A shoe.

11. What is easier to get into than out of?

Trouble.

12. What always ends up broken before you use it?

An egg.

13. What begins with T ends with T and has a T in it?

A teapot.

14. What breaks as soon as you say its name?

Silence.

15. If you threw a yellow stone into a blue sea, what would it become?

Wet.

16. What number is odd until you take away one letter; then it becomes even?

Seven.

17. What runs but cannot walk, has a mouth but no teeth, and has a bed but cannot sleep?

A river.

18. There is one word spelled wrong in every English dictionary. What is it?

Wrong.

19. What goes in your pocket but keeps it empty?

A hole.

20. What has legs but cannot walk?

A chair.

21. I sometimes run but cannot walk. You follow me around. What am I?

Your nose.

22. What word begins and ends with the E but only has one letter?

Envelope.

23. What do you find at the end of a rainbow?

The letter W.

Related: Here Comes the Pun: 300+ Best Jokes for Kids

dad and daughter laughing at easy riddles
iStock

24. What are two things you can never eat for dinner? 

Breakfast and Lunch.

25. I can be cracked or played; told or made. What am I?

A joke! 

26. I give you one, and you have two or none. What am I?

A choice. 

27. What has four eyes but cannot see?

MISSISSIPPI 

28. What belongs to you but is used most often by everyone else?

Your name. 

29. I fall but I never get hurt. What am I?

Snow. 

30. What's full of holes but still holds water? 

A sponge. 

31. What has a bottom at the top?

Legs

Related: 18 Unique Facts About the Wright Brothers

Riddles for Kids with Long Answers

little girl telling her little sister an easy riddle
iStock

32. A man holds $5.50 in his hand but only has one coin. How is this possible?

He has a $5 bill and one 50-cent piece. 

33. How many months of the year have 28 days?

All of them (they all have at least 28 days). 

34. When is "L" greater than "XL"?

When you use Roman numerals.

35. What is always on the dinner table but you cannot eat it?

A plate. (Or a fork, etc.)

36. What can you hold in your right hand but never your left hand?

Your left hand. 

37. A cowboy comes into town on Friday. He stays two nights at a local hotel. He leaves on Friday. How is this possible?

His horse's name is Friday.  

38. A woman is sitting in his cabin in Minnesota. In less than three hours, she's in her cabin in Texas. How can this be?

The woman is a pilot and she's sitting in the cabin of her airplane. 

39. What is as big as a hippo but weighs nothing at all?

A hippo's shadow. 

40. What bank never has any money?

A river bank. 

41. How do you make the number “one” disappear?

Add a “g” and it is “gone.”

42. If an electric train is traveling 60 MPH and going against the wind, which way will the train's smoke drift?

There is no smoke from an electric train. 

43. Why did the kid bury his walkie-talkie? 

Because the batteries died. 

44. Two fathers and two sons went fishing. They only caught 3 fish, but they caught one fish each. How is this possible?

It was a grandfather, a father, and a grandson/son. (Both the grandfather and father are fathers and both the father and grandson are sons). 

Easy Riddles Submitted by Readers

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45. I am loved, for I am sweet

I come in many forms

but I’m always a treat

before apple and after cotton

dentists contend that I’ll

make your teeth rotten

What am I?

Candy

—from young reader Gloria, age 8

46. There was a circle house. There was a chef, a nanny, a butler, two children, and a maid. The boy child was found dead. The nanny said she was playing with the girl, the chef said he was cooking dinner and the maid said she was dusting the corners. So who killed the boy? 

The maid because she was lying about dusting corners. A circle house has no corners. 

—submitted by Joshua Y., age 9

47. What has a head and a tail but no body?

A coin. 

—Young reader Katelyn

48. Mr. Red and Ms. Red live in the red house, Mr. Purple and Ms. Purple live in the purple house. Who lives in the white house? 

The President! 

—from young reader Gwen I

49. If you feed me, I grow, but if you give me water, I die.

Fire

—Young reader Sai Sri Vallabh

50. What has a mouth, a bed, and always runs? 

A river. 

—Chase, age 9

 

Riddles for Brain-Teasing Fun

51. What five-letter word gets short when you add two letters to the end? 

Short.

52. What type of cheese is made backward? 

Edam

53. A cat wants to get in better shape. She’s going to start by climbing the stairs. Starting on the fourth floor, she climbs up five stories, down seven stories, up six stories, down three stories, and up four stories again. What floor is she on?

The ninth floor.

54. There was a blue one-story house in a nice neighborhood. Everything in it was blue—the walls, the carpets, the furniture, and even the dog! What color were the stairs?

There are no stairs because it's a one-story house.

 

 

 

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Costco’s 2024 Valentine’s Day Rose Sale: 50 Long-Stem Roses for $64.99!

by Karly Wood

Need some roses for your love? Costco has you covered

News flash: Costco Valentine’s Day rose sale is back! Here’s the scoop on the sweet deals you can score on Costco roses, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

It’s true that rising prices are being felt everywhere in 2024, and Costco’s deal on roses is no exception. This year, the cost to pre-order the Valentine’s Day bunches (with guaranteed delivery) is $64.99—but it’s still an amazing offer if we do say so ourselves. You can’s get 50 long-stem roses for $64.99 anywhere else that we know of. And there’s a wide assortment: all-red bouquets, all-white bouquets, hot pink and light pink bouquets, lavender bouquets, and bouquets with shades of pink, red, and white.

Costco

Members and non-members alike can snag this preorder-only deal by placing their order from now until no later than Feb. 12 by 11 a.m. PST. But be forewarned, this is one hot deal and supplies are likely to run out before then.

Shoppers can choose delivery dates of Jan. 31- Feb. 2, Feb. 6-9, and Feb. 13. Deliveries may occur one day before or one day after the selected date (so if you want Valentine’s Day delivery choose Feb. 13). All deliveries include free shipping and handling (taxes still apply). Non-members can also get in on the deal, but they will have to pay a 5% surcharge.

Costco

These beautiful bouquets all have 50-centimeter stems, are Rainforest Alliance Certified, and come from Costco’s South American farms. Costco prides itself on running socially responsible farms, so you know these beauties are coming from a wonderful place.

The order of 50 roses comes in two bundles of 25 stems and without a vase. It’s probably wise to start shopping for a vase (or two) that can handle 50 of these gorgeous flowers!

Insider’s Tip: If you want to send someone roses “just because,” it’s only $49.99 for 50 roses, but remember, this deal isn’t available around Valentine’s Day.

 

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

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5 Button Crafts & Games for Kids

by Christal Y.

Have you ever played “Who’s Got the Button?”

If you have a box of random buttons, take it out because they’re your key to fun today. We’ve come up with a few engaging button crafts and ways to play with buttons perfect for toddlers and preschool kids. Each one will fine-tune their observation skills and help them think outside of the box. Bonus points for making gifts that the kids can give away, too.

Note: Make sure your child is old enough to know not to put buttons in their mouth. 

Button Sorting

This isn’t a trick to getting your kids to play Cinderella. Button sorting is actually a great way to teach your colors how to match by colors, shapes, or numbers (how many holes does the button have). Don’t forget to get a box with separate compartments so that you can keep everything organized.

Button Stacking Game

Take a page out of A Minute to Win It game and see how high you can stack those buttons! Let the kids practice and get a feel for stacking first before introducing them to concepts like thinking strategically (e.g. biggest buttons at the bottom). This game is also a great way to practice fine motor skills, especially if you have a box of tiny buttons.

Button Bookmarks

A little hot glue, a little button, a paper clip, and Voila! A little bookmark. It’s a craft that’s easy as one-two-three, all you need is a little patience. They make great trinkets, so as your kids hold their bookmarks together, waiting for the hot glue to dry, ask them to whom they want to gift a bookmark. Note: your crafter will need assistance with the glue gun.

Button Art

The supplies you’ll need for this button craft include a canvas, paint, glue, buttons, and endless imagination. A brown button can be the round body of a horse while a tiny yellow button becomes a bright flower of an outdoors scene. Group a bunch of green buttons together and style a Seuss-esque tree. Think outside of the button!

Who’s Got the Button?

Reign in those observation skills in this classic game. All you need is one button and it’s great if you’re having a party of kids over that day. It’s a bit like Duck, Duck, Goose but without the chasing. Have the kids (except one) get in a circle with their hands behind their backs. Then give the outlying kid the one button and have him or her walk around the circle. He or she should discreetly leave the button in someone’s palm and loop it around a few times before getting in the middle and chanting, “Button, button, who’s got the button?” Everyone will then take turns to guess and whoever guesses correctly gets to be the next person to hide the button!

Related: 27 Adorable Toddler Crafts You Can Pull Out Anytime

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5 Pride Trivia Quiz Questions to Test Kids’ Knowledge

By Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan

Test your knowledge about current news events like Pride Month and more!

It’s Pride Month in the United States and we’re celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with some Pride trivia questions. Test your knowledge below!

1. How many countries have legalized same-sex marriage? 

Answer: 30

On April 21st, 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Since then, twenty-eight other countries have done the same. While this is progress, there are many more countries in the world that don’t offer LGBTQ couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.

2. Why is the rainbow flag a symbol of LGBTQ pride?

Answer: Rainbows are a symbol of hope

Artist Gilbert Baker is widely known as the creator of the rainbow flag, which today is a symbol of LGBTQ pride. The idea of a rainbow came to him when he was dancing among a crowd of people. As he was spinning around, Baker noticed that the colors started blending together like a beautiful rainbow. At that moment, he knew he’d be making a rainbow flag—an object that historically represented hope. The original flag was eight colors with each color representing something different:

Pink = Sex

Red = Life

Orange = Healing

Yellow = Sunlight

Green = Nature

Turquoise = Magic

Blue = Harmony

Violet = Spirit

When demand for the flag increased, so did changes to the flag. First, hot pink was dropped from the rainbow because of the lack of supply of hot pink fabric. Then, turquoise was eliminated because an odd-numbered flag would obscure the turquoise stripe when hung vertically. In 1979, the Pride flag became a six-color striped flag: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

3. Why is Pride Month celebrated in June in the United States? 

Answer: In memory of the Stonewall riots that happened in June.

In the United States, Pride Month is celebrated in the month of June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, a series of riots that erupted throughout New York City in June and July of 1969. These riots were a response to the police raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village, a popular gathering place for the young LGBT community during the early hours of June 28th, 1969. The police arrested employees for selling liquor without a license and roughed up the many patrons inside the inn. As police dragged patrons out of the bar and into police vans, people outside the bar watched and grew increasingly enraged. A riot soon ensued and continued for the next five days. Historians mark the Stonewall riots as the turning point in the gay rights movement.

4. Which country holds the record for hosting the largest Pride parade in the world?

Answer: Brazil

Argentina may be the first South American country to legalize same-sex marriage, but Brazil takes the cake when it comes to hosting Pride parades! According to the Guinness World Records, São Paulo’s Pride Parade is the largest in the world. Every year, the parade welcomes millions of people from around the world to celebrate the LGBTQ community. In 2009, approximately 4 million people attended the São Paulo Pride parade, breaking a record of 2.5 million attendees that was set in 2006. Whose world record did they break? Their own!

5. Which three U.S. Presidents have officially acknowledged Pride Month?

Answer: Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden

While June is widely recognized as Pride Month in the United States, only three presidents have officially acknowledged Pride Month. In 1999, President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month”; he was the first president to ever make such a declaration. The second U.S. president to make such a declaration was President Barack Obama. In 2009, President Obama issued an official proclamation declaring June as Pride Month. He recognized Pride Month from 2009 to 2016, and every year he was in office. Last year, Joe Biden became the third president to acknowledge Pride Month.

Want to play more news-related family-friendly quizzes? Head to Newsicle, the news-related trivia game created by the team at Xyza: News for Kids.

Joann Suen & Sapna Satagopan
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We're two perfectly imperfect moms who have five very different kids between the two of us. We believe that topics in news are a fantastic way to spark conversations in families. That's why we started the Dinner Table Conversation series here at Xyza: News for Kids. Won't you join us in the conversation? 

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DIY This Non-Toxic Finger Paint for Kids

by Julie Seguss

We love finger painting ideas for kids like this one that’s non-toxic and safe for babies

Make your own non-toxic paint and you’ll be less worried about your kids putting it in their mouth. This easy recipe comes together with three ingredients you probably already have at home. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for making edible finger paint for babies and older kids, and you’ll be making art in no time.

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Warning: While this recipe isn't made with toxic ingredients, it does contain raw flour, which the U.S. Food & Drug Administration warns against eating. Keep a watchful eye on your child and a wet washcloth handy to clean off hands as you paint.

Save this recipe for edible baby finger paints.

Supplies You'll Need

1. Mix the flour and water together.

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Use warm water to help the mixture come together more easily. We used a whisk to get all of the lumps out. If you have older kids, this is a good step for them to help with.

2. Divide the flour and water mixture.

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Pour the mixture into four bowls, cups or containers of your choice.

3. Add food coloring to each container.

We stuck with the basics, making our paints red, blue, green and yellow. That way we could talk about color mixing as we played, showing how red + yellow = orange and blue + red = purple.

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Pro tip: We used only three drops of food coloring for each small bowl and still ended up with bright colors. If you go overboard with the food coloring, you may end up staining your fingers. But we promise it will wash off eventually!

4. Let your baby get creative!

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Our little tester isn't sitting up on his own yet, so we made this a tummy-time activity. You can use any type of paper, but we like finger-painting paper (like this one from Melissa & Doug). It's glossy and non-absorbent, which helps the paint spread easily across it.

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Pro tip: Let your baby paint in the high chair (as long as it's easy to clean), lay down a waterproof splat mat, or make this an outdoor activity to keep mess and cleanup to a minimum.

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Post-painting clean-up: Set out your artwork to dry, and be prepared to give your baby a bath after your art session. The flour-water mixture should wash out of clothes and off of floors, splat mats, etc., but it's easiest to clean up with warm water right away. Happy finger painting!

—Julie Seguss

featured image: iStock

RELATED STORIES:

16 Baby Games for Every Age from Newborn to Their First Birthday

Let’s Play! Sensory Activities for All Five Senses

The Best Age for Baby’s First Music Class, Flight & More

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4 Indigenous Food Recipes to Add to Your Table

by Amber Guetebier

These Laxota recipes will appeal to everyone at your table this holiday season

November is Native American Heritage Month and it’s an important opportunity to recognize and honor the original inhabitants of North America. Help kids (and their grown-ups) make that connection by filling their tummies with indigenous cuisine. These Native American recipes are also great for cooking with kids. We caught up with Chef Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart of Etiquette Catering in Rapid City, SD for some mouth-watering menu items that incorporate traditional Lakota ingredients.

“As the original inhabitants of this land, it is important to teach all children the significance of indigenous foods, history, and existence,” says Chef Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart. “We all reside upon the ancestral lands of indigenous people.”

With full recipes below, Chef Tilsen-Brave Heart has curated a special menu for Native American Heritage Month and beyond. The following mouth-watering dishes incorporate ingredients like pumpkin and bison, which are major food staples for the Lakota people. You’ll also find foods like cranberries and rice that are also indigenous ingredients.

Magic Pumpkin Squash Soup

Magic pumpkin squash soup is a Native American recipe from the Lakota nation.
Etiquette Catering

Ingredients:

  • 1 large butternut squash

  • 1 tbsp. garlic powder

  • Kosher salt

  • Black pepper

  • Olive oil

  • 1 stick of butter

  • 1 medium yellow onion

  • 1 can organic pumpkin puree

  • 2 cups coconut milk

  • 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable stock

  • Roasted pumpkin seeds (for topping)

Instructions:

  1. Roast a large peeled and cubed butternut squash at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

  2. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp of garlic powder, sprinkle kosher salt, and cracked black pepper

  3. Toss with olive oil and put in on a baking sheet before putting in the oven

  4. 1 stick of butter melted with a chopped medium yellow onion, sprinkle with some salt until translucent.

  5. Add 1 can of organic pumpkin puree

  6. Add 2 cups of coconut milk

  7. Add 4 cups of chicken broth or vegetable stock

  8. Add the roasted butternut squash

  9. Simmer for 30 minutes

  10. Then blend with an immersion blender

  11. Top with roasted pumpkin seeds

 

Related: 10 Ways to Honor Native American Heritage Month with Your Kids 

Wild Rice, Cranberry, and Bison Stuffed Mushrooms

Etiquette Catering

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground bison

  • 1 lb Italian sausage

  • 3 tbsp. butter

  • 1 yellow onion

  • 6-8 baby portabella mushrooms

  • Qtr. cup dried cranberries

  • 1 cup wild rice {optional: purchase wild rice from: https://redlakenationfoods.com}

  • 2 cups bone broth or vegetable stock

  • Olive oil

  • Kosher salt 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  2. Melt 3 tbsp. of butter with a half-chopped yellow onion Sauté

  3. Wash and clean 6-8 baby portabellas remove stems and chop add to the butter and yellow onion

  4. Add qtr. cup of dried cranberries

  5. Add 1 cup of wild rice, and continue to saute all together (you are popping the wild rice, so it will become fragrant)

  6.  Add 2 cups of bone broth or vegetable stock, lower heat, and cover to simmer; set timer for 25 minutes

  7.  In another pan saute  2 tbsp of butter and the other half of your chopped yellow onion, cook until translucent

  8. Add 1 lb of ground bison, 1 lb of Italian sausage, and 1 tbsp of garlic 

  9. Cook until brown over medium heat 

  10. Add wild rice and bison mixture together

  11. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle kosher salt over portabellas 

  12. Stuff with bison wild rice mixture

  13. Bake for 15 minutes; serve warm

Related: 13 Children’s Books That Celebrate Native American Cultures & Authors

Bison Stew

bison stew is a Native American recipe from the Lakota nation.
Etiquette Catering

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs buffalo meat

  • 3-4 tbsp. olive oil 

  • 1 tbsp. garlic powder

  • 2 tbsp. kosher salt

  • 1 tsp. black pepper

  • 1 tsp. paprika

  • 1/2 tsp. turmeric

  • 3-4 bay leaves 

  • Mirepoix (chopped onions, carrots, celery)

  • 6-8 cups of beef broth/stock or water

  • 6-8 russet potatoes

Instructions:

  1. Braise 2 lbs of Buffalo meat (1-inch cubes) with half an onion (fine chop), in a warmed stockpot with 3-4 tbsp. olive oil 

  2. Spice 1 tbsp. garlic powder, 2 tbsp. kosher salt, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. paprika, 1/2 tsp. turmeric, and 3-4 bay leaves 

  3. After browned, add Mirepoix (chopped onions, carrots, celery), and a can of diced tomatoes 

  4. Add 2 cups of water or stock/broth and simmer on medium-low heat for 30-45 mins or until tender. (Stir occasionally, more water or stick/broth may be needed) times will vary with the size of the meat and location

  5. When meat is tender add 6-8 cups of beef broth/stock or water and bring back to boil 6-8 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces or bigger 

  6. Cook an additional 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender 

  7. Remove from heat and let stand for 10-15 minutes, serve

Related: 7 Places to Visit to Responsibly Experience Native American Culture

Buffalo, Cranberry, and Wild Rice Meatballs with Blackberry Wojape

Etiquette Catering

Ingredients:

Meatballs

  • 1 lb Buffalo (Can be substituted with beef)

  • 1/4 lb Italian Sausage

  • 1 cup Wild Rice

  • 1/2 cup Yellow Onion

  • 3 cups of Chicken Bone broth

  • 1/2 cup Rehydrated Cranberries

  • 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

  • 1/4 cup Breadcrumbs (optional)

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp. Salt

  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder

  • Dash of Paprika

Blackberry Wojape 

  • 1 cup Berries

  • 1 cup Sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups Water

Instructions:

Meatballs

  1. Clean wild rice with cold water 

  2. Saute wild rice with 1/2 cup of yellow onion and some oil for 5 minutes, allowing the rice to gently pop

  3. Add in 3 cups of bone broth per 1 cup of wild rice

  4. Add in rehydrated cranberries, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes 

  5. Add in 1 cup finished wild rice to buffalo 

  6. Add 2 tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce

  7. Add 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs (optional) 

  8. Add 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. garlic powder, and a dash of paprika 

  9. Place meatballs on a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until internal temp is 165 degrees

Blackberry Wojape

  1. Add into a pan: 1 cup of berries (of your choosing), 1 cup of sugar, and 1 tbsp. of cornstarch and 1 1/2 cups of water 

  2. Render down for about 10 minutes

  3. Drizzle blackberry wojape on top of the meatballs and enjoy 

 

 

 

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The Bay Area’s Best Spots to See Pretty Fall Foliage

by Amy George

Favorite fall destinations include Montalvo, Filoli Gardens, and Golden Gate Park

Fall is on its way in and now is the perfect time to pack a picnic and the kids, and head out for some outdoor fun and great seasonal pictures! The Bay Area is known for its redwoods and other giants, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get to see the yellow, red, and orange hues of autumn. Keep an eye on the California Fall Color Map and our list of spots from Napa to the South Bay to know where to find fall colors and roll in some leaves.

San Francisco

Ajay Anthony

The SF Botanical Garden offers an array of colors in the fall, with golden-fanned ginkgo trees, deep purple vine maples, and the Persian ironwood tree with leaves that take on a spectacular rainbow of shades at this time of the year. Be sure to check out the garden’s Facebook page for updates on changing leaf colors.

The Moon Viewing garden with its Japanese Maples is a great spot for a picnic. Or, walk to one of the many kid-friendly restaurants around 9th Ave in the Sunset District.

Showy maples can be found across the street in another park gem, the Japanese Tea Garden. While you take in the autumn scene, the kids can have fun challenging themselves by walking up and down the famous drum bridge and finding their fortune in a cookie at the tea house.

And don't forget to book your tickets on the Golden Gate Park’s Music Concourse, Skystar Wheel. Each gondola can seat up to 6 and you can see the changing colors for miles.

Related: What’s New and Open in Golden Gate Park

East Bay

boy on a man's shoulders walking through fall leaves
istock

The Oakland Zoo's gondola is the place to be this fall when the leaves start changing color. Where else can you get a bird's eye view of the zoo and surrounding landscape? During your visit, take the opportunity to view the California Trail exhibit, where you can see grizzly bears, bald eagles, California condors, gray wolves, mountain lions, and even jaguars.

Up in the hills above Berkeley, Tilden Park is another go-to place for fall color. Stroll through the Botanic Garden to find changing colors, or hike around Lake Anza. Keep your eye out (not your hands, please!) for the flaming red leaves of poison oak, which add some of the most striking colors to the park. In November and December, head downhill to the UC Berkeley campus, when it’s ablaze with lemon-yellow ginkgo leaves; maples and myrtles add some flair. 

Slip through the Caldecott tunnel to find canopies of yellow leaves in and around the trees of Orinda‘s Community Center Park (perfect for making piles and kicking) and along Camino Pablo. 

Another great East Bay spot is the Sunol Regional Wilderness which welcomes a kaleidoscope of color as soon as you hit the visitor's center. Find out if they are offering any naturalist-led hikes while you are there or head out on your own. The Indian Joe Creek Nature Trail is a short, self-guided walk that provides loads of information about the park, its animal inhabitants, and the foliage there.

The Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont is another great spot for leaf peeping. Make sure to check out their Naturalist Program page for a variety of seasonal activities including apple cider pressing. 

Peninsula/South Bay

person hiking through park in the fall
Aaron Burden/Unsplash

Driving along Skyline Boulevard as it dips, rises, and weaves through the Peninsula can be visually rewarding on its own, as you pass by stands of sycamores and big-leaf maples. But 5-point harnesses can only contain kid energy for so long. Happily, there are 26 open space preserves in the mid-peninsula region, offering easy hikes, picnic spots, and stunning views. Mount Umunhum offers breathtaking views on non-foggy days. In the Santa Cruz mountains, the Sanborn County Park offers shaded and picturesque trails. And while there, you might catch sight of wild turkey and deer. 

A favorite at this time of year is the Rancho San Antonio Preserve, with its maples, oaks, and flowering persimmon trees. Make sure to visit Deer Hollow Farm for self-guided tours to see cows, chickens, and other farm animals, historical buildings, and a barnyard. 

While you're in the neighborhood, a side trip to Los Altos is worthwhile to see the Chinese Pistache trees (donated to the city by Los Altos Nursery in the 1950s) dropping their vivid orange and red leaves on Main and 2nd streets. 

For a view of the whole valley, head to Montalvo in Saratoga and follow the Lookout Trail to Lookout Point. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the bay. Walk through the grounds on your way down to see some rare trees like the ginkgo tree that turns a glorious gold in the fall.

Woodside is home to the Filoli Gardens and fall is a great time to plan a visit there. Fruit trees abound at Filoli, including pears, plums, apricots, and apples. Check their website before you go to see what colors you can expect.

Marin

A great spot to find that heady mix of fall colors and evergreens is Samuel P. Taylor State Park, with its oaks, firs, and old-growth redwoods. Throw the bikes on the rack, and take a Sunday drive along bucolic Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to the park entrance, 15 miles west of San Rafael. Samuel P. Taylor boasts a few great trails for biking and hiking safely with kids, especially the dog-friendly (and relatively flat) Cross Marin Trail that winds alongside Lagunitas Creek. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a relaxing lunch at the Azalea Picnic Area to complete the day. Or better yet, pitch a tent and stay a while.

Head south for an hour and you will hit Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve, home to redwood, oak, maples, and other deciduous trees. Kids will enjoy some creek romping while they search for the red, orange, and yellow leaves that blanket the floor. Adventurous hikers should make Dawn Falls their destination.

Wine Country

Napa Valley Wine Train

Crush season in the Sonoma Wine Country and Napa Valley is a not-to-be-missed sight, as the rolling green hills of grape vines turn to blankets of burgundy and orange. 

It is a great time to visit Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, where the cooler fall temps make the park's wooded trails ripe for exploration. In addition to its namesake trees, the peaceful scene on the Redwood Trail includes autumn-gold maple leaves fluttering down alongside Ritchey Creek. Rent a bike from one of the numerous outfits around town and try your luck at Napa's Bikes and Sights Scavenger Hunt! Take in extraordinary views of the county and vineyards at the North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Reserve. Big leaf maples and oak woodlands can be found at Spring Lake Regional Park in Sonoma County, and the kids might enjoy riding their bikes or boating on the lake. 

Related: The Family Guide to Wine Country

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Hair We Go! The Best Salons & Barber Shops for Kids

by Meghan Yudes Meyers

Whether you’re headed to the salon for your baby’s first haircut or your tween wants to balayage their hair, we’ve taken the guess work out of where to go. We’ve rounded up the best DC barbers and DC beauty salons that specialize in kid-friendly hair cuts and trendy tween styles so your child will leave looking picture perfect.  If you just want to do a quick trim at home, we’ve got the 411 on at-home hair cuts, too. Read on to discover the best places for kids haircuts and trendy teen salons in the DMV.

In the City

Sports Clips

Sports Clips
This hotspot doesn’t just cater to the over-35 NASCAR fanatic or Nationals-loving grown-up; it takes rookies, too. Billed as a sports-themed franchise with “guy smart” stylists who will make your dude feel right at home. Got extra time? Feel free to linger and watch some ESPN after a quick trim. Time-crunched parents will be happy with speedy service. Tip: “Lil’ Jess” is amazing with both clippers and scissors if your little dude needs some clipping in the back and shaping on top.

3307 14th Street Northwest
Columbia Heights
(202) 318-5302
Online: sportclips.com

Bravado Hair Design
Located just above the grown-ups’ salon, Bravado Kids caters completely to the younger set. While you’re getting gussied up, kiddo can get a cut, trim, or deep conditioning treatment–all while watching TV on a personal screen, doing a puzzle, or burning rubber in a racecar seat.

655 C St. SE
Capitol Hill
202-543-6118
Online: bravadohairdesign.com

Kids Paradise 
With its whimsical décor, including Ariel and all of her friends from A Little Mermaid, Lightning McQueen, Wonder Woman, and more, Kids Paradise sets the tone for a joyful haircut experience. Little ones will be fascinated with the “ocean floor,” complete with King Triton, personal stools, and tons of books and toys to play with during their visit. Bonus? Adults and wee ones can all get their hair done together. Tip: Looking for cornrows, beads, braiding, or other fancy styling? Yvette (the owner) is a magic-maker.

1215 Brentwood Rd. NE
Brentwood
202-832-1299
Online: yelp.com

 

Virginia

Samantha Sophia via Unsplash

Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
Whether you have toddlers or teens, Sharkey’s caters to every child. Younger kids can sit in their favorite vehicle (ride-on cars vary by location, but selections include a Dodge Police Cruiser, Barbie Jeep, Lightning McQueen Race Car, Buzz Light Year Vehicle, Hummer, #8 Dale Earnhardt NASCAR Race Car, and/or Mini Cooper) while watching cartoons or Netflix. Older kids will jump at the chance to play Playstation 3 or 4 or X-box 360 on 40-inch screens while getting a new ‘do—or they can just watch their favorite sporting events or music concerts. Looking for a glamorous birthday celebration? Consider hosting a party in Sharkey’s special ‘Tween Lounge, where each guest will be pampered with a hair style, makeup application, and mini-manicure.

14260-C Centreville Sq.
Centreville, VA
571-655-2356

8971 Ox Rd. #170
Lorton, VA
703-690-0900

21800 Towncenter Plz., Unit 271
Sterling, VA
571-500-5859

Online: sharkeyscutsforkids.com

Sweet and Sassy
For a total transformation, head to Sweet and Sassy where every little girl is a princess. This salon is worth-the-drive for an extra special back-to-school hairdo (or for a milestone birthday celebration). You can add glitter spray and stars to a blowout, get your toes and fingers painted and even create your own custom blended sugar scrub or lipgloss at the DIY station. When you're all done, strut your stuff on the runway!

1601 Village Market Blvd. SE, #124
Leesburg, VA.
703-552-8390
Online: sweetandsassy.com

Maryland

iStock

Friendly Faces Kid's Salon and Spa
Toes tap and little hands clap at this music-friendly salon where kids are encouraged to move and shake and show off their new 'do. There are also toys, games and video consoles to keep little ones entertained. For a special treat, Friendly Faces offers manicures, pedicures and face painting for an afternoon of pampering and fun. Friendly Faces is conveniently located in the Westfield Wheaton Mall.

2511 University Blvd. West
Silver Spring, MD
301-942-0554
Online: ffkidssalon.com

B.R.A.T. Box Kids
Short for “Babies Receiving Attention Too,” kiddos are the priority at B.R.A.T. Older ones can take on the Wii or Play Station games, while little tykes can read books, color, or play board games—fans of dress-up can even don a fancy gown while they get their hair done. A stash of kid-friendly DVDs and stuffed animals are available to distract the smallest skeptics. Parents can take advantage of the Adult Den, where stylists are at the ready to make even the most haggard among us look like a million bucks, too.

3652 St. Barnabas Rd.
Hillcrest Heights, MD
301-423-1297
Online: bratboxkids.com

The Yellow Balloon
From first haircuts to first fancy updos, The Yellow Balloon serves all your pint-sized grooming needs. And they do it with a keen eye for detail: the waiting area has toys, books, coloring books, and fun rides; each styling station is outfitted with a TV; and customers leave double-fisting a lollipop and a yellow balloon after hairstyling. Your freshly-coiffed little one won’t want to leave.

255 Market St. West
Gaithersburg, MD
301-569-6756
Online: theyellowballoonmaryland.com

Kidville Salon
Here is a place where your kids can get a great haircut AND take a dance class or romp in an indoor playground. Book online to get your mini-me ready for the first day of school tear-free. Prices are ridiculously reasonable ($22 for a cut), and members receive additional discounts. Services include a bang trim, full cut, and even a matching kid/doll updo. Customers can sit in airplanes, suck on a lollipop, and watch TV while they’re shedding a few inches.

4825 Bethesda Ave.
Bethesda, MD
301-656-5030
Online: kidville.com

Multiple Locations

Cartoon Cuts

Cartoon Cuts via Yelp

Cartoon Cuts says, “That’s all, folks!” to family hair woes—they welcomes customers of all ages. They can host parties, braid to their hearts’ content, fix damaged swimmers’ hair, and even give your little one some scalp therapy if he’s been a tad itchy lately. 

1619 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD
301-816-3098

6511 Springfield Mall
Springfield, VA
703-719-9791

11784 Fair Oaks Mall
Fairfax, VA
703-359-2887
Online: cartooncuts.com

At Home

A DIY 'DO

Sharkey's via Yelp

If you're going to attempt a haircut at home, you'll want to invest in quality tools. Grab these clippers that produce a low buzz sound; perfect for infants and children with sensory issues. These fun & flashy hair cutting scissors let you trim longer hair with style. And to make sure you're getting an even cut, grab these colorful combs. Not sure where to start? Check out these tutorials for tips and tricks for at-home haircuts.

Online tutorials: tinybeans.com/how-to-cut-hair-at-home

—Meghan Yudes Meyers, Katie Brown and Hilary Riedemann

featured photo: Pexels

 

RELATED STORIES:

Our Favorite Back-to-School Kids’ Haircuts & Hairstyles

3 Uber Important Things to Think About Before Dyeing Your Kids Hair

Easy Hairstyles Dads Can Do for Their Daughters

Goodbye, Mom Bun

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