The Grinch Podcast

So, guess what? We stumbled upon this super cool event the other day. It was all about promoting the brand new podcast by none other than the Grinch himself! And get this, it's a kids podcast! How awesome is that?

Now, I know what you're thinking - the Grinch doing a podcast for kids? But hey, even the grumpiest of creatures can have a soft spot for little ones. And let me tell you, this podcast is not your average bedtime story hour. It's filled with funny stories, catchy songs, and all sorts of adventures that will keep those kiddos entertained for hours.

So if you've got some little ones in your life who are always itching for something new to listen to, make sure to check out the Grinch's new podcast by Wondery. Trust me, they won't be disappointed!

Event Details

• Location: Century City Mall (First Floor) near the train station

• Date: November 1st - December 24, 2023

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 8 and 10. Photos from mom’s iPhone and taken from our @hellorascalkids Instagram.

Pool Floaties

As the temperatures begin to rise, I am waiting for the moment my rascals ask to go to the pool or the beach. This moment is how I truly know summer has arrived! My family loves swimming during the summer, so I rounded up a few of our favorite pool floaties that I make sure to pack for a day in the water.

Shop Our Favorite Pool Floaties

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Shop Our Favorite Pool Floaties ✨

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 8 and 10.

Halloween at Roger's Gardens

Southern California may not have much of a distinction between seasons, but I know Fall is here when pumpkin-flavored foods start hitting local menus and places begin to transform into spooky haunts that I can add to my “to-visit” list. I love when I have a full calendar of new things my family and I can experience together, and Roger’s Gardens’ Halloween boutique “Nightmare at Roger’s Garden” did not disappoint.

Read more about the Gardens and all the hard work behind the boutique’s annual spooky boo-tique below:

Roger’s Gardens is a Southern California shopping destination for creatively curated Halloween décor and one-of-a-kind Halloween artisan pieces designed in an unforgettable retail experience.

Planning for the boutique begins over a year in advance with the concept, which is defined by Creative Director, Eric Cortina. In January, the buyers start to work with collectible artisans to develop custom items for the boutique and build an assortment around the theme. Over 300 product styles and 15 collectible artisan pieces are selected. There is a wide assortment of décor with styles ranging from vintage to elegant, plus interactive, dynamic items.

In May, Eric starts to bring his vision alive by leading the Visual Merchandising team to create various props and displays that reflect the annually selected theme. Two weeks before opening day, a team of seven start to build out the space.

For over 30 years, Roger’s Gardens has been creating this amazing experiences for all to enjoy and shop. It’s a must-see event during the fall.

There are multiple curated themed Nightmares at the Gardens to see this year:

Bone Chilling Nightmare

Drift into this unstable, surreal dream space. Thunder cracks and the clouds part to reveal a bone chilling face. Emerging from the shadows is a medley of elegant décor. The nightmare begins here. Get out–there is more to explore.

Creepy Crawly Nightmare

Beware! Gossamer strands hide a chilling cave of remains, the memory of which will leave you unsettled. Poisonous spiders hide bones in this webbed abyss. The chill down your spine can’t be dismissed.

Neon Nightmare

Bright colors collide in a symphony of neon. Miscellany and curios fill this emporium, where you can seek out an assortment of rare treasures. A space where nothing is done in half measures.

Vintage Nightmare

Old haunts never leave you alone, so don’t get comfortable on the Pumpkin King’s throne. Benign faces smile, welcoming you inside, but beware of the deception and tricks they hide.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly Halloween-themed outing, you can visit Roger’s Gardens: 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road Corona del Mar, 92625. Open from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm daily.

Below, please find the names of the talent behind creating this spooky event for all to enjoy:

• Eric Cortina, Creative Director

• Hedda Staines, Head Merchant

• Crystal Pittman, Associate Buyer

• Visual Merchandisers & Prop Designers: Emily Morgan, Catherine Smith, Crystal Pittman, Morgan Palla, James Maxwell, Irineo Garcia, Ray Correia

About Roger’s Gardens:

Roger’s Gardens is a destination home and garden design center offering creative solutions and unique products for both outdoor and indoor living. Our outdoor environment inspires its visitors with beautiful foliage, flowering plants, creative plantings, seasonal herbs and vegetables, designer fountains, pottery, outdoor furniture and accessories. Roger’s Gardens indoor spaces present fine home furnishings and décor, gifting, women’s accessories, holiday décor, gourmet foods, children’s gifting and décor, artisan collectibles, and plein air art, brought together in a world-class creative and inspirational presentation. Roger’s Gardens believes that beautiful living environments are about a celebration of nature, sustainability, and emotional and physical health. As a family-owned business, Roger’s Gardens has been a landmark destination in Orange County for more than 50 years. We bring beauty into your home and garden. Located directly across from Fashion Island in beautiful Corona del Mar, California.

For updates and information, please visit https://www.rogersgardens.com/blogs/events. Follow them on http://www.Facebook.com/rogersgardens and @rogersgardens on Instagram.

Sponsor post written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 7 and 9. Photos by Adrienne Gunde Photography.

Benefits of the Arts for Children

All children can benefit from the inclusion of the arts in their education. Kids with learning difficulties can use the arts to help hone focus, use their brains in new ways, build confidence, and express themselves through creative means. Kids who struggle with learning in a traditional classroom environment enjoy the less pressurized environment typically found in an art class. It gives them the opportunity to see themselves as successful learners, and that confidence can carry over into other aspects of life.

Kids with self-confidence tend to do better both academically and socially in school, and they are more likely to be honest and reach out for help when they’re having problems. Furthermore, confidence is contagious. Your child will be a better peer and friend to their classmates, even inspiring them to feel more self-assured in their own pursuits. Ready to learn more? Hello Rascal Kids invites you to read on for some ways to incorporate art into your kids’ lives!

Sewing

While many people today barely know how to use a needle and thread, sewing used to be a cornerstone in education. It’s the perfect extracurricular activity for the child who likes to use their hands to make functional items, be it clothing, pillows, or stuffed toys, and there are numerous resources available online to get your child started.

●     Benefits of sewing for kids

●     Basic sewing projects for young kids

Dance

Dance and movement classes are perfect for children who are dual diagnosed with a learning disability and a hyperactive disability, as it burns energy while enabling a child’s creative process. Furthermore, discipline of both the body and mind is the foundation of a dance education. Children learn how to follow instructions, remember sequences, and work with others when studying dance.

●     7 Ways Kids Benefit from Dance Lessons

●     Best types of dance for young kids

Visual Arts

If you hear “visual art” and conjure up images of oil paints and canvases, you aren’t wrong -- but that is a seriously limited view of all the visual arts have to offer. Ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, and graphic design all fall under the visual arts umbrella. Letting kids experiment with all of them is both fun and educational.

●     Sculpting and pottery ideas for kids

●     Creative craft ideas for teenagers

Playing an Instrument

Learning to play an instrument will help your child develop study and memorization skills while building their ability to focus. It’s also a good activity for kids regardless of how social they are, since it can be learned in a group setting or with one-on-one lessons.

●     Which instrument is best for my child?

●     How to set up a music room at home

●     Start a California business if lessons become a side hustle

Adding the arts into education is a way to enable kids with learning difficulties to express themselves in new ways and see themselves as successful learners. From dance to sewing to playing the flute, there are benefits from every different kind of art class.

Sponsored Post by Courtney Rosenfeld of Gig Spark.

Tips to Ensure Your Kids Stay Safe Exploring Outdoors This Summer

When it comes to getting kids to play outside, modern-day parents are at a disadvantage their forebears didn’t have to reckon with. There are lots of powerful attractions that keep children from engaging in outdoor play and exploration, the latter which adds so much to their summertime experience and fosters learning and a spirit of inquiry. Video games, social media, and streaming services, which let them play their favorite movies at will, lead kids to believe that all the entertainment they need can be had within the confines of their own bedrooms. Once school is over for the year, the idea of going outside to play may seem foreign and unappealing, but it’s important that children of all ages spend time getting their fingernails dirty and their hair mussed. This summer, try reintroducing your children to the great outdoors by helping them see it through fresh eyes and possibilities.  

A safe, green space

It’s remarkable how unfamiliar kids these days can be with their own backyards or neighborhoods. Help them engage with nature by identifying trees, flowers and birds, and encouraging them to touch and smell the flora they see every day. Make sure that any objects, natural or otherwise, which could cause injury or an allergic reaction are removed, fenced off or locked away. Don’t lose patience or force your children to do something that might make it difficult for them to engage their own imaginations and sense of curiosity. The objective is to encourage independent play and the involvement of all their senses in their own way.

Dig in the dirt

If you have young children, don’t underestimate the fun they can have just playing in the dirt, making mud pies, or creating things out of sand. Consider creating a sandbox or play area where your kids can use their imagination. A few pieces of smooth wood, some nails and a few pounds of dirt or sand can give your little ones hours of interactive fun with nature. Add a few play tools, such as plastic trowels, empty milk cartons, and a container they can fill with water to create a little moat or river.

Their own world

Kids can create inventive, imaginary worlds with some cardboard boxes, magic markers, and a little outdoor space. Suggest to your children that they create a town of their own creation with buildings, such as a bank, city hall, and library, and houses with addresses and yards of their own. Encourage them to come up with a name for their town and hold elections to see who will be mayor, sheriff, and head builder. The local grocery, liquor store, or big box appliance dealer are good resources if you’re looking for boxes of different sizes and shapes. Look carefully for any loose staples or sharp edges on your boxes before turning them over to the kids.

The joy of mud and water

Most kids can make a good time out of water and mud. If space allows, hold a touch football or baseball game in a mud-soaked yard created by your kids according to their own specifications. Break out the old, worn, clothing and shoes or boots and watch as the mud flies! Muddy clothes and shoes are easily cleaned once the mud dries out, as are children after a quick trip to the shower.

Pool safety

If you have a pool or take the kids to one in your area, make sure they understand the rules of pool and water safety. Kids should take swimming lessons and can begin learning as early as six months. Pool rules include no running allowed, no going in the water without supervision by an adult or lifeguard, and always keep breakable items out of the pool area. Your pool should have at least a 4-foot fence with a dependable lock on the gate.

Helping your children make the most out of outdoor play this summer will give them a healthy and enjoyable alternative to gaming consoles and an appreciation of nature. Kids need to spend time outdoors to get the physical exercise they need and for their cognitive development and motor skills.

Sponsored Post by Courtney Rosenfeld of Gig Spark. Image via Pexels

Board Games for Preschoolers

When we found out that we were expecting our first child, my husband and I started planning for Family Game Night. I’m not kidding. Baby was the size of a pea in utero and there we were, shopping for board games. Who needs diapers?!

Five years later, we still have a handful of plastic-wrapped games in our bedroom closet waiting for the day our children are old enough to play them. In the meantime, we have found a number of board games that our kids enjoy that neither of us grew up playing. The special part of the games I am highlighting today is that they are cooperative play games, which means that all the players are working towards the same goal together. This encourages communication as we discuss the best way to meet the goal, cooperation as we allow each other to find their best way to proceed, and collaboration as we work as a team to win. Ultimately, we all win together and we all lose together.

HABA’s First Orchard was given to my oldest son on his second birthday. Players work together to collect the harvest (red apples, green apples, plums, and pears) by rolling a die before the raven enters the orchard through the gate and gobbles them up. A benefit to this game is watching my kids set it up and practice their color sorting skills.

About a year ago, we received Hoot Owl Hoot, winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. In this game, the players work together to strategize the quickest way to get the little owls back to their nest before the sun rises. Though there is a component of luck in this game (card drawing), which is ideal for younger players, there is also strategy to more efficiently usher the owls home. This is a great game playing skill for older players to learn and practice.

A month or so ago, my kids and I were shopping for a birthday present and while walking up and down the toy aisles, I inevitably heard statements such as “Mom, I want this!” and questions like “Mom, can we buy this?” Usually, when shopping for others, I try to restrict any purchases for my own kids, wanting them to instead focus on the value of giving thoughtful gifts. However, when they found this gem, I too was smitten. A Parents’ Choice Silver Honor by the Parents’ Choice Foundation, Dinosaur Escape Game combines luck (rolling a die) with skill (memorizing what each fern token is hiding) while working together to help the dinosaurs escape to Dinosaur Island before the volcano explodes.

If you have little people at home, I encourage you to take a look at these games and other cooperative play games to start your own Family Game Night tradition.

Written by Brandi Stanton, mom of 2 rascals ages 3 and 5.

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La Brea Tar Pits

Long before Los Angeles was known as the “City of Angels,” it was an ancient forest, sprawling savannah, working ranch land, and plentiful oil fields.  These lands provided a “natural source of asphalt for thousands of years of human use.” So, what happened to all the animals and organisms that were living there? Well, as we all learned in school, they became extinct, leaving behind fossils for us to discover to see how and when these amazing creatures lived.

Please Note: Photos below are from our trip there pre-Covid (therefore no masks). The museum at La Brea Tar Pits is currently open but advance time tickets are highly recommended.

Our rascals wanted to meet a woolly mammoth and the best place this mom could think of to accomplish this task was The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles. So, off to the Tar Pits we went, and who did they get to meet? A mammoth of course!

Since 1977, the La Brea Tar Pits have been open to the public as a museum for people near and far to visit and check out the over 1000 excavations that have taken place at the site.

We saw real-life fossils of mammoths and saber-tooth cats while enjoying a day of family fun and exploration. This museum has great hands-on exhibits; the rascals were able to run around and touch and feel all the things!

With exhibits both indoors and outdoors, you can spend hours at the Tar Pits.  Kids of all ages will be captivated by checking out the bubbling pit of tar and getting up close and personal with real fossils in the museum.

With the La Brea Tar Pits being centrally located and near lots of other fun activities in LA, we made it a day trip and also spent some time at LACMA’s Urban Lights and Hancock Park. We are so fortunate to live in a place where we can visit so many great attractions all in one trip! We love LA!

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 6 and 8. From our visit in May 2019, ages 4 and 6 at that time.

Hollywood Bowl

Right before Covid closures in March 2020, our family had a weekend Hollywood adventure starting with the Funko Hollywood store and ending at the Hollywood Bowl. On this random Sunday afternoon, we showed the boys one of our favorite places in Los Angeles. It was so fun for them to run around the bowl and up and down the stairs. It felt magical to get the entire place to ourselves. Please note that these photos are from our visit pre-Covid, hence no masks.

AJ and Ben ran from the very front row to the last row of the Hollywood Bowl, laughing and climbing the entire time. Albert and I were the ones trying to keep up with them!

We discovered that some venues keep their place open on days without a show so the public can walk around and explore. Who knew? Now we do! It’s been our tradition to watch a show at the Hollywood Bowl since Albert and I started dating in 2004. We had never taken he boys here until this trip. We hope to share this tradition with them and watch a show all together someday soon.

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 6 and 8. From our visit in March 2020, ages 4 and 7 at that time.

Southern California Children's Museum

Previous to the Covid closures, our family would spend the weekend exploring new and fun places. One of our favorite interactive experiences was at the Southern California Children’s Museum in Pasadena, CA. This place encourages our rascals to learn, create, and explore.

Please Note: Photos below are from our trip there pre-Covid (therefore no masks). The museum is currently open with social distance restrictions and masks required.

One of the best things about living in Southern California is access to so many activities, especially those to that cater to kids and families!  Of course there are the “heavy hitters” like Disneyland and Universal Studios.  What about the times when you want to get out for a fun-filled day, but don’t have the time, money, or energy for a big theme park?  Where do you go? 

One of my absolute favorite places to take my rascals is the Southern California Children’s Museum (A 501c3 non-profit founded by parents!) in Pasadena.

The Southern California Children’s Museum is conveniently located in Old Town and easily accessible from various SoCal neighborhoods, which is good news for those little balls of energy sitting in the back seat!

With galleries dedicated to Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Farm to Table, and Imaginary Play, kids of all ages are sure to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience! Our personal favorite exhibit is Coloring Without Borders; there were pages from the book available for the kids to get creative.

We love that this museum is easy to navigate and small in nature.  It’s hard for kids to get lost here, so it is very manageable for parents to keep an eye on their rascals as they bounce from exhibit to exhibit. Free parking is also a major PLUS for any family activity!

With exhibits being changed out every few months, there is always something new to see and experience! 

As a bonus for parents, the Southern California Children’s Museum also has a top-floor workspace that can be rented out as a co-work station!  I sense many “brain breaks” in my future!

Our family photos in the front of the Oh Joy Mural

Written by Ngoc Nguyen Lay, Head Rascal. Mother of two rascals, ages 6 and 8. Photo by Simply Adri Photography. Review on Southern California Children’s Museum. From our visit in August 2019, ages 4 and 6 at that time.

Father's Day Creative Kit

Back by popular demand with volume 2 of our creative kit collaboration with Cottonwood Home.

The love you have for your dad or any other father figure in your life is priceless! Show Dad how much he's loved with this 6-in-1 craft kit that's easy for kids of any age to create. Meaningful gifts are all about thoughtfulness and tapping into your creativity and we're certain any father figure in your life will absolutely adore these unique gifts crafted by his favorite people!

Each activity comes individually wrapped with step-by-step directions and a video tutorial to guide the way!

The 'Handmade Happy' Kit - vol. 2

• paper maché frame - includes wooden frame, tissue paper, mod podge, paint brush

• dad joke fortune teller - includes fortune teller template

• backpack charms - includes wooden beads, paint, key ring, string, mini tassle, charm

• the perfect snack mix - includes chex, pretzels, goldfish crackers

• silly face pizzas - includes recipe only

• you're a star rice crispy treats - includes jumbo marshmallows, crispy rice cereal

Pre-Sale Price: $24 single and $34 double child kit (until May 31st)

Use Code for Free Shipping: hellorascals

Need more materials for a sibling? Select "double" for double* the quantity! Suitable for ages 4+.

Sending it as a gift? Let us know if you'd like to include a message in the personalization box! 

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 6 and 8. Collaboration with Cottonwood Home. Photos by Simply Adri Photography.

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Strawberry Picking at Tanaka Farms

We are city folks. Maybe that’s why we think going to the farm is an adventure. Yes, there are farms in Southern California and we went to Tanaka Farms for a little bit of strawberry picking.

Strawberry season is normally April through June, although at Tanaka Farms, you might be able to get some specialty pickings all year round. This is one of the best places to go for strawberry picking; there’s so much to do and see, including land to explore, rows and rows of sweet fruit to pick, recipes to taste, and animals to pet (please note that some activities may not currently be available due to Covid guidelines). It is right down the street from my alma mater, UC Irvine, although I never went when I was in college. Life is circular, and I’m so happy to return now that my kids helped me find this local treasure.

If you’ve been following our blog for awhile now, you’ll know that I love taking my kids to farms, farmer markets, and anything that let’s them learn about where their food comes from. Since May is peak strawberry season in California, it was the perfect time to take our boys to see how the strawberries they eat at home end up on our table.

Did you know that California is the largest strawberry crop producing state, and supplies more than 80% of all strawberries we eat in the U.S.? The California Strawberry Commission says that “every strawberry plant is hand-picked approximately every three days. This is the time in which it takes for strawberries to complete their cycle of turning from green to white to red. There is no storage of fresh strawberries. After picking, they are rushed to coolers where huge fans extract the field heat. Then they are delivered to supermarkets across the country via refrigerated trucks.”

The start of this process, the picking during harvest, is what the Lay family set out to see.

Please Note: These photos are from our visit in 2019, currently Tanaka Farms is still open for strawberry picking with masks and social distancing in place.

At Tanaka Farm in Irvine, there was so much more to do! The rascals got to ride in a wagon, learn where the fruit comes from, and sample plenty of sweet, ripe strawberries, all before we even picked one off the vine. Even though AJ didn’t eat any of the fruit, Ben was able to “save” his big brother the burden of finishing those delicious red bites (they are his favorite, after all). Once we were done, there was even a petting zoo for them both to enjoy. We highly recommend making a day out of it and exploring our California strawberry farms!

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 5 and 8. Farm visit in May 2019, ages 4 and 6 at that time.

How to Choose the Right Games to Incorporate Into Your At-Home Learning Strategy

Remember when your parents told you that playing video games too much would “rot your brain?” Things have changed a lot since those days, especially when so many parents are using computers, laptops, and other electronic devices to help their children learn at home. Today’s parents realize that games can help them fulfill the teaching responsibilities that come along with parenthood.

While most experts still recommend that you limit noneducational screen time (especially for children between 18 months and 5 years old), professional recommendations have changed over the years. Now, the general consensus is that there is no set-in-stone screen time recommendation that everyone should follow. Instead, parents should use their best judgment when setting boundaries with electronics and try to make sure screen time is as educational as possible.

Hello Rascals wants you and your family to thrive; read on to learn more about choosing the right games for at-home learning.

The Increasing Role of Games in Education

While computer games and programs used to be viewed primarily as a waste of time, they’ve come a long way since those early Atari days. Nowadays, there are plenty of ways to use games as part of an effective and well-rounded learning strategy at home. They can also help your kids develop a strong sense of community if they play with friends online.

There are a number of games that teach kids a variety of things, from coordination to coding. Codewars, for instance, allows users to solve algorithmic problems while learning coding. With skill building like this, It’s no wonder parents are incorporating games into their homeschool lessons plans, after-school routines, and remote learning programs. The key is to learn how to choose games that check all the right boxes for your family.

Tips for Choosing Effective Educational Games

Whether you’ve made the jump to homeschooling your kids or you’re just looking for some educational after-school activities, don’t underestimate the teaching capabilities of computer or video games. The right games can teach certain subjects to your kids as well or better than you can. Plus, why not take the opportunity to relieve your burden as a parent by allowing your kids to learn new concepts in fun and engaging ways?

When selecting educational games for your homeschooling curriculum, remote learning approach, or after-school routines, look at the following:

•       Instructions and/or Rules: The most effective instructional games are those that require the player to follow clear instructions or rules. Gamers need to know exactly how the game is played and what they need to do to be successful. If a game has no parameters that need to be followed, it may not be the most effective educational tool for your kids.

•       Goals and Objectives: The best learning games have goals and objectives that require players to use their brain power. Try to find games that back up your predetermined learning objectives (such as enhancing certain skill sets, improving knowledge of specific subjects, or learning perseverance).

•       Interaction: For an educational game to be entertaining, it must also be interactive. If your child plays a game that requires little to no interaction, they are unlikely to learn much from it. Examples of highly interactive games include role play, competitions, puzzles, reality testing, sports, and building games.

•       Feedback: Games that offer feedback are important because they tell the player when they are wrong and why. These types of games include sports, simulation, game show, timed, and detective games. They offer feedback that helps players self-correct and learn from their mistakes. Keep in mind that the feedback should always be encouraging and motivational.

Now that you know what to look for in the best educational games, make sure you set yourself up for success by ensuring your internet connection can handle the workload. To do this, look into upgrading to a connection with minimal buffering and lag. 5G internet can facilitate smoother online play and help you download - and play - games much more quickly and efficiently.

Smart choices will make your children’s screen time a more valuable experience. By choosing effective educational games and a frustration-free internet connection, your kids will be happily plugging away and learning all the while.

Subscribe to Hello Rascal Kids for fun family ideas on creating, playing, traveling, eating, and much more! Sponsored Post by Kris Louis from Parenting with Kris.

Funko Hollywood

Our weekends now look different then pre-Covid weekends. This fun Hollywood outing took place in March 2020, one year ago this week, and one week before California had it’s first shut down.

When my husband suggested we take the boys to Funko Hollywood, I was confused - “you mean, the bubble head toy stores?” He heard it was more than a retail shop and a great place to roam around. So, we packed up our rascals and headed off to Hollywood.

Funko Hollywood has since revised their store hours and operations to meet public health standards and make it safer for their guests. They are currently open and we want to encourage families to visit this during this time when a bit of fun is much needed.

Please Note: Photos below are from our trip there March 2020 (Pre-Covid, therefore no masks)

This is Funko’s second brick-and-mortar location. Funko Hollywood is 40,000 square feet of whimsy, adventure, fun, larger-than-life photo opportunities, and immersive sets inspired by your favorite worlds, characters, and moments.

Smile! There were plenty of photo ops around every corner of the store. As a bonus, their friendly employees are happy to help with family photos. We arrived when it opened at 11:00am and did not experience an issue with crowds.

Our two rascals were so happy about our little trip to Hollywood and their souvenirs from this special retail experience. They have a collection of Funko Pop toys and I see them playing pretend with all their superheros often. I’m glad these toys are not just in a box but out and encouraging imaginary play. After Funko, we had lunch at a nearby pizza place and then drove by the Hollywood Bowl. The Lays’ day in Hollywood was filled with surprise and fun.

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 5 and 8. Age during our visit, 4 and 7.

Farmer’s Market with Kids

The farmer’s market has always been a favorite pastime of mine. There’s something special about walking through the stalls, smelling the combined sweetness of the dirt and vegetables, and seeing the results of weeks of hard work. It is calming and lovely, like a little present at the end of a busy week. 

Recently, AJ (my oldest rascal) came to me and asked if he could spend the few extra coins/dollars he had left over from a field trip on honey sticks at the farmer’s market. He wanted to buy them himself, with his own money. 

I was a little surprised at his request because I had always assumed, as I dragged my boys with me, that they were simply tagging along. This request got me thinking, so I asked him if he knew how much they were, and he said no. 

“They’re five for a dollar,” I responded. AJ looked at what he had in his hand and then told me that if they’re five for a dollar, then he can buy ten. Oh, dang. My son knows math! I honestly didn’t think that he would be so quick on the uptake. How could I say no? 

The next time we were at the market, AJ was on the lookout for the honey stick vendors. Ben (my littlest rascal) got into the search too and asked for AJ to buy him a honey stick. This request was sweet, and, if I’m being honest, a little funny.

Finally, we found one of the vendors and AJ expertly exchanged his money for some sweet sticky goodness. Then he said he wanted to go to the other honey stick vendor too. At first, Albert and I thought he was price shopping for the best deal until AJ turned to us and said that he didn’t want the vendors to be sad because he only bought sticks from one of them. 

I love my boys, and this is one example of why. On one hand, they show signs of maturity, knowing how to do math quickly and making grown-up requests. Then, they turn around and show me their sweet innocence and sincere kindness by making sure no one gets left out.   

This experience also taught me a valuable lesson. As the farmer’s market junkie I am, I thought that the boys were simply following me around spending time with the family, not paying much attention to what was happening around them. I learned that day that the farmer’s market is actually the perfect place to teach our little rascals about different life skills. 

First, they can see where foods come from. You can’t buy or eat something from the farmer’s market without telling them how it got there - that people worked hard to plant a seed, work the ground, and then wait until food grew big enough to pick and bring to the market. It’s a conversation that the vendors like having with the kids too - sharing what their individual farms or practices are like. This is very different than when you go to a grocery store.

Second, it allows the boys to see and talk to the actual people who grow the food. Sometimes AJ will ask “are you the farmer?” and then vendors will have a wonderful conversation with him. Especially if you go to the same market over and over, your rascals will see the vendors not just as merchants, but actual people doing hard work behind the products

Third, you can teach them life skills such as how to introduce yourself to others, how to respond to questions asked, how to share with others, and even how to do math. Learning about how the value of money, and the exchange of money for goods, is equally important in the classroom as it is in actual practice. It makes me happy to be able to show our boys what that looks like in the real world. 

Finally, it can teach them kindness in interacting with others. Sometimes as adults, we whittle down our conversations with others into transactional interactions, and that’s okay. Sometimes, it’s running into the store with two minutes to make that return. Other times, you are running late to work and have no time to chit chat with the barista making your coffee. I find that our interactions at the farmer’s market are observed very closely by AJ and Ben, and that they are responding to the calm environment and kindness that the merchants show to us as we ask questions and walk through their stalls. These trips give us the opportunity to teach our boys about people different from ourselves. 

The farmer’s market will always be one of my favorite places, and it is my hope that my boys continue to appreciate these trips as they grow older.

Please Note: These photos are from our visits pre-Covid and therefore no masks were required. Check your local farmer’s market for new health guidelines before your visit.

If you have a favorite place to take your kids to teach them life skills, please let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear about how you teach your rascals some of these same (or different) lessons. 

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 5 and 8. Photos by Simply Adri Photography.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Rainy days and young kids are often a combination that leads to pent up energy, frustration, and acting out. It can be a challenge keeping little bodies moving and minds active when they are contained to a smaller space. This is one of the tools in my bag of tricks for exactly this occasion.

Begin by reading We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen. This is a cute story about a family embarking on an adventure - they are looking for a bear and they insist they are not scared. The author describes the family traveling through various landscapes (such as mud piles and snow storms) and the sounds that accompany them as they keep moving forward. Upon finding a cave and the bear inside, the family turns around and retreats back the way they came in a hurry - with all the same sounds to describe the path.

After reading the book, pick one or two or a few of the below options to keep the bear fun going.

1. Act out the story. As you read the book, encourage your child to imagine the landscape and move their body as they would if they were really going through the tall grass or the forest.

2. Make binoculars out of toilet paper rolls, stickers, markers, and construction paper. Encourage your child to use these to spy the bear (or really anything).

3. Watch the actual story being read out loud on YouTube.

4. Make a map of the story. Use construction paper, markers, crayons, tape and glue. Allow your child to have maximum imagination and control over this map. Accuracy is not as important as creativity and ownership. If you prefer a coloring page, use this link to access a printable map that can be colored.

5. Hide a teddy bear (or paper bear) in your house and make a map that your child can use to find the bear. Encourage climbing over the sofa (like a mountain), swimming on the floor (like going through a river), spinning in a circle (like going through a wind tunnel), and so on. Be creative.

6. Watch and act out this variation of the story. Keep the body moving.

7. Consider doing all the above with the story We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger. Not as scary as looking for and finding a bear, but just as creative. On a non-rainy day, take the leaf hunt outside.

Happy Hunting!

Written by Brandi Stanton, mom of two rascals ages 3 and 4.

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Wizarding Wands Inspired by Harry Potter

For Maddie, 9 years old, and Alli, 7 years old, starting a business isn’t just a dream: it’s their current reality. When you think of a business owner, the image of these two young sisters entering the 4th and 2nd grade may not come to mind, but, with the help of their parents’ experience, Maddie and Alli have become a couple of mini entrepreneurs creating Wizard Wands inspired by Harry Potter.

Through their parents’ history of operating a business, Maddie and Alli were able to pick up some skills along the way. Their mother, Tina Li, saw their interest in starting a business as an opportunity to teach her children valuable lessons about planning and marketing. As huge Harry Potter fans, they knew they wanted to incorporate their love for the series into their business. Their idea grew from a school event, Trunk-o-Treat, where they decorated Tina’s car with Hogwarts-inspired owls, cauldrons, letters, and, of course, wands. They made all the wands themselves and they were an absolute hit at the event. Now, their handmade wands are the stars of Maddie and Alli’s business.

With first-time little entrepreneurs, there have definitely been some issues to troubleshoot, but they take it all in stride and laugh through the hiccups. For Tina, it’s a definite effort to push aside the perfectionist in her and let her girls take the lead. The first round of “production” was a mess of paint and sticky hands, and their wands didn’t turn out as expected. “The clay looked like poop after we painted it brown,” Tina recalled. After sharing a laugh, Maddie, Alli, and Tina went to work learning how to perfect their wands.

Although running a business is hard work, Maddie and Alli love the opportunity to share this experience with each other and their mom. Their favorite part is making the wands. “Doing the planning with mommy and making the wands was fun!” exclaimed Maddie. Alli loves being able to get her hands dirty throughout the process.

This endeavor has helped Maddie and Alli see themselves as strong, creative entrepreneurs, and has taught them many valuable lessons:

• One of the biggest lessons learned so far is the importance of math. They use it every day in their business, from repaying their mom for the materials to calculating the profits.

• The girls have also learned the difference that attention to detail has in the quality of the end product. At such young ages, they are able to understand that the better the product, the higher the price their customers were willing to pay.

• This process has taught the girls the importance of patience through the mistake of not waiting long enough between drying and painting times.

• Perhaps the best thing this business has taught these entrepreneurs is confidence! When their first order came in, not only were Maddie and Alli excited, but they also felt a big confidence boost from their accomplishment.

Here is the step-by-step wand-making process from Maddie and Alli:

Supplies needed:

• Long chopsticks (we use ones that are 13” long)

• Paper clay (this type of clay is lightweight and easy to shape)

• Hot glue sticks

• Glue gun 

• Acrylic paints (flat, metallic, and pearlescent colors)

Instructions:

1. Browse online for wand inspiration. Pinterest is a great place to start! The handle of the wand is where you want to focus the design.

2. Heat up the hot glue gun (with an adult’s help!) and add glue to the thick end of the chopsticks. You can drizzle, wrap-around, stud, or crisscross to create different textures. Have fun with it!

3. For extra detailed wands, we used paper clay to shape the handle. Wet the clay and carve it out as needed.

4. Let the wand dry completely before painting

5. Paint the base color, then allow time to dry.

6. Add layers of paint to create shadows and highlights. Get creative with your wand design!

Visit their website HERE! Currently, they are only accepting orders via email.

Our wands arrived creatively packaged with a personalize note. We loved it!

Thank you Tina, Maddie and Alli for sharing your business with our readers.

Shared by Tina Li of In The Cloud Events. Mother of two rascals, ages 7 and 9.

Bob Baker Marionette Theater

I wrote this post last year, before COVID and before the Bob Baker Marionette Theater was on the brink of permanent closure. It didn’t feel appropriate to share our fantastic adventures at the theater at a time when we were not able to enjoy live art in person. However, we are now on a new mission to make sure the BBMT is saved!

In today’s technology-focused world, our lives are run by screen time.  Computer, tablets, TVs, and phones are constantly on and connected. It is truly a treat to take some time away from the glowing blue light and enjoy “real life” fun in a place filled with so much history. We attended our first puppet show at Bob Baker Marionette Theater two years ago. The show was called “Something to Crow About” and it really WAS something to talk about.

Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles is the perfect way to spend an afternoon laughing and enjoying the simple joys of life. The Lay Family attended our first show in March 2018 with our friend Wilmarose and her family. She introduced us to this magical place and we are so thankful to have experienced it together; the arts are always more fun with friends!

Bob Baker Marionette Theater has entertained over one million children since its opening in 1963 (the original building closed at the end of 2018 and they recently reopened in a new location). The theater takes families on a storytelling journey though music, scenery, and puppets. They have over 3,000 puppets that have performed the classics like Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker as well as an original shows like one that documents the history of Los Angeles. New puppets and new shows are continually being added. After our first show, we were hooked! The boys even came home with their own horse puppets to practice their puppeteering skills. They loved their first show so much that they wanted to return immediately, but then we heard news that the original theater was closing it doors. In November 2018, our family returned to the original theater for the farewell show called “The Future is Sweet!”

These photos are from their farewell show in November 2018. The cast and crew were hopeful that they would get funding and re-open at a new location. We were hopeful for them too! This theater, a place that fosters imagination, would be always be valued in our hearts.

One year later (2019), I received an invitation to the soft re-opening of Bob Baker Marionette Theater at their new location in Highland Park. We took our rascals to this new theater for some classic fun.

We now have been to a total of three shows and hope to attend more! Ticket prices range depending on the specific show, but are usually free for the under 2 crowd and up to $20 for the “big kids” in your life. Each show ends with an ice cream treat, which always leaves our rascals raising their hands for more!

We had to share about our time at BBMT, because we believe together we can #KeepImaginationAlive with all of the joy, love, and creativity that Bob Baker Marionette Theater provides to children of all ages, every day.

Written by Head Rascal (Ngoc Nguyen Lay), mother of two rascals, ages 5 and 7. Visit when they were 3 and 5.

Mystery Box: Preschool Activity

After being furloughed from my job as a result of the pandemic, I made the decision to fully dedicate myself to homeschooling my son, Kaison. As I transitioned from my 10-hour workdays at a corporate job into a full-time homeschool teacher, I scoured the internet for ideas that would help me teach Kaison a variety of skills and lessons in ways that would engage and interest him.

So far, we’ve accomplished a ton, but our favorite of the projects we’ve tackled during quarantine is the “Mystery Box Challenge.” This project has the added bonus of being the easiest activity as well, so it won’t be hard for you to replicate this for your little ones!

For the “Mystery Box Challenge” project, all you need is a box and any sensory items you can find around the house! Cut a hole big enough for your child to comfortably fit their hands, then fill the box with various items and watch as your little one has a fun time trying to guess what each item is! We spend about 30 minutes each time we play this activity because Kaison really enjoys guessing.

I chose this project because it’s a sensory activity that builds on Kaison’s natural curiosity and enriches his ability to connect different sounds and textures to different materials. It encourages him to not only recall what things like his favorite food or toy look like, but also what they feel like. Another skill Kaison is able to build on through this project (that I didn’t expect, but am very grateful for) is a better sense of self-control. Kaison has been able to develop more self-control because rather than just pull the object out of the mystery box when he gets stumped, he pushes through and keeps on guessing.

We’re always trying new activities to keep Kaison entertained and engaged in the learning process. The selection process for what new activity we’ll take on is primarily trial and error, but there are a few factors I take into consideration when browsing the Internet or just brainstorming ideas:

• This may seem a bit selfish, but I first pick activities that I get energized by. Kaison, like many other children, feeds off of and responds with the energy that you’re putting off. If I'm enthusiastic about a project, that positive energy rubs off on him (most of the time). After all, we are dealing with a "threenager," and his moods can be all over the place!

• The activity must be interactive, STEM-related, and/or have a game-like element to it. While I personally love to craft, Kaison appreciates things he can play with during and after the project is complete. This way, it’s just like adding another toy to his collection. Crafts that are just hung on the wall aren’t as fun for him.

• The activity must be flexible. This way, we can modify the activity to Kaison’s needs and ensure that it’s easy enough to be fun but challenging enough to push him and teach him perseverance. Kaison has a very tight sweet spot where, if it's too easy, he just looks at me like, "Really mom? This is silly." On the other hand, if it's too hard, he gets frustrated and loses interest.  Either end of the spectrum results in him walking away (cue the "mind blown" emoji for me).

• Preferably, the activity we choose can be done with items we already have around the house. Since this all started, I feel like our home has become a recycling/upcycling center!

• Timing is everything!  I started this whole quarantine homeschool/preschool deal trying to enforce a schedule and routine for us, but that was met with a lot resistance because it wasn't "real school."  He didn't have his teachers, his classmates, or all the audio and visual cues that came with his previous routine. I've learned to observe what he naturally gravitates to.  We have a variety of things at arm’s reach that he can do independently, but the moment he seeks some variety, I jump on it to introduce something new! Whether it's playing pretend in his kitchen or mixing colors with paint, I have a couple ideas ready to start once he's in the mood to do something a bit more structured. 

There are countless ideas out there to try with your family and kids. Don’t be discouraged if your trial-and-error seems to be a lot more “error.” There are always a million more ideas to try!

Shared by Danae Lee, mother of 1 rascal, age 4.

Ideas for Outdoor Play

We love the simple pleasures of playing outside. Take the time to encourage unstructured playtime moments for your kids. But, if you need a little help thinking like a kid yourself - we are here to help. These are our three favorite outdoor play ideas:

Collecting Treasures

My youngest son loves collecting rocks. Every day I find his special treasures in his pockets. As long as it doesn’t weigh him down, who cares?! Together we decide what we will keep and what may go back to nature. What parent hasn’t found a treasure in their child’s pocket?

Building Mini-Universes

A little stick can transform into a character or be used in a pretend battle for the kingdom. Only children know the secret to symbolic playtime when things around them cease to exist and their imagination goes wild. It’s a childhood delight!

Build a Fort

There are forts that look like “forts,” with walls made from dirt and a roof constructed from branches. Then there are forts from my kids, which are made up of “imaginary” elements. Children can spend hours and hours “building” a fort without actually setting up anything real at all. It’s a magical experience. Once completed, their finished fort can become a special, private place in which to spend their days. Many of us still remember the forts we built as kids.

Give kids time outdoors, accept their need to explore, and help them through their bumps and scrapes - which also means washing off their dirty hands and knees when they come home covered in mud! Create simple and clear guidelines in advance to make sure that they’re safe, and then stand back to watch the magic of being a kid unfold!

Written by Ngoc Nguyen Lay, Head Rascal. Mother of two rascals, ages 5 and 7.

Glitter Globe Craft

More than anything, my kids love creating. Whether it’s a quick craft using supplies we find around the house or something we buy to work on together, creating is a huge way that I bond with my boys. Because of this, I was excited to learn about Cottonwood Home and their activity kits.

Cottonwood Home is the dream-turned-reality of mother-daughter duo Alice and Kari. Alice’s background includes over 20 years of interior design, while Kari is a former Kindergarten teacher of 8 years. Cottonwood Home is the product of their passions and experience. Together, they created a company that strives to build meaningful connections between parents and their children through daily life and celebration.

Cottonwood Home’s three core values are live, party, and learn. Alice and Kari sought to find a way to make these values easily come to life for busy parents. From this goal, the idea of Cottonwood Home’s “kits” was born. Through these kits, including birthday kits & other creativity-focused kits, Alice and Kari take care of the planning so parents are able to spend more time making memories with their children.

Through parenthood, we all learn to look for the silver lining. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alice and Kari were able to find theirs by shifting to a stronger focus on education. With children now doing their learning at home, Cottonwood Home is grateful to continue to share their Creative and Activity Kits with families so children can channel their creativity and be more engaged in their learning. 

The Cottonwood Home project my rascals tackled was the glitter globes. This was such a fun project for us to work on together and it was a great activity for my boys’ age group: 5 – 8 years old. The project was easy enough that they could be in the forefront of our mission: creating dinosaur and astronaut glitter globes. My boys loved this project, and I know other families who discover Cottonwood Home will love it too.

Written by Ngoc Nguyen Lay, Head Rascal. Mother of two rascals, ages 5 and 7. Sponsored post by Cottonwood Home. Photography by Simply Adri Photography.