Stop everything and watch Debbie Allen in Dance Dreams: The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker on Netflix.
The day it was released on Netflix, I watched Shondaland’s Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, the new documentary about Debbie Allen Dance Academy and their annual production. Before I knew it, I was crying. While I danced as a child, I was never a ballet...
Explaining Hanukkah to kids: Start with this PBS documentary
Living in New York, I kind of take for granted that everyone knows what Hanukkah is, and we don’t need help explaining it to our kids. But last night on Twitter, I came across a thread started by a curious mom asking for documentaries or other resources to help...
We found the very best Schitt’s Creek gifts for all the fans on your holiday gift list
Well of course we had to share our favorite Schitt’s Creek gifts this year! After all, you might realize that one of favorite holiday gift recommendations each year are the up-to-the-minute pop-culture gifts, like Fleabag gifts in 2019, 90’s TV pop culture...
Roald Dahl’s The Witches is great campy fun, and don’t believe anyone who says differently.
As a movie buff, I tend to be skeptical of reboots. Especially reboots of movies like Roald Dahl’s The Witches which became an instant Halloween classic in the 90s. But the 2020 version, now on HBO Max, is more of a reimagining than a reboot. And a needed one,...
How to throw a Mandalorian watch party with your family that still feels like a party
I’m throwing everything into a Mandalorian watch party when season two launches on October 30th (whoo!). because to 2020, we haven’t had many reasons to celebrate. Of course, I’m using the word “party” loosely here — I’ll be...
Safe trick-or-treat alternatives for a very 2020 Halloween. It can still be fun, promise!
It’s official: I’m writing about safe trick-or-treat alternatives after weeks of putting it off. The CDC has even officially recommended against trick-or-treating during COVID-19, at least in the traditional way, and oof. I need some safe trick-or-treat...
10 books kids and teens should read before they become movies and TV series in 2020.
This year, even though we haven’t been able to go to actual movie theaters, we’re still seeing plenty of great movies from home. Yay for film companies adapting! And yay for me spending less than $50 to get everyone popcorn! If you’re big on reading...
The best presidential election resources for kids: Reader Q&A
Q: I’m looking for good resources for talking to my 11- and 12-year-olds about the presidential election, like candidate platforms that are kid-friendly reads. – Monica, via our Spawned Podcast Community. A: Well, this certainly sent me down an enjoyable rabbit...
Scrambling for summer activities? These fun, affordable online coding camps for kids just got even more affordable.
This is a sponsored message from Coding with Kids With all the gaming kids are doing this summer, it’s pretty cool that there’s a way parents can help turn their love for say, Roblox or Minecraft, into an educational STEM opportunity — all at an...
3 excellent educational videos about Juneteenth for kids. Watch and learn.
I’m trying to do a better job of raising anti-racist kids, and I believe that starts with learning more about the history of the Black experience in America. An essential part of that education is the understanding of Juneteenth, a holiday that I was certainly...
The long-awaited Hamilton film is coming this summer to Disney Plus! Here’s how to watch.
It’s hard to argue the fact that Hamilton has done for musical theater (and for American history) what Harry Potter did for reading a decade or so before, turning an entirely new generation of kids — and especially kids of color — into fans of the...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
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