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Ground Up, the leading brand house of innovative and fashion-driven footwear, has everything you need to step into the theater in style this June. With Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5 hitting the big screen on June 19th, Ground Up’s latest lineup of Toy Story-themed clogs proves that showing up to the movies in style has never been more fun. From toddlers making their big-screen debut to adults who grew up with Woody and Buzz, there’s a pair for everyone!
 

Woody and Buzz Toddler Clogs – Target $20.00 

Two icons, two shoes, one fit. These navy Woody and Buzz clogs are the perfect pick for your little one  heading to the theater this summer. Fun enough to get your space ranger excited, comfortable enough to  last the whole movie, and cute enough to make every other parent ask where you got them.

Toy Story Jessie Toddler and Little Kid Clogs – Walmart $13.99

Yeehaw! From runways to street style, western fashion is taking over right now, but Jessie has always been the original trendsetter. Our Disney Pixar Jessie clogs have cowhide-print clogs with a 3D character charm that is the perfect crossover of trends and fandom. Dress them up with a denim set or let them speak for themselves. Either way, your sherif-in-training is the best-dressed cowgirl in the room.

Toy Story Aliens Toddler and Little Kid Clogs – Walmart $16.98 

"OOooh. Three eyes, three cheers – the Disney Pixar Toy Story Aliens have remained a fan-favorite since  1995, inspiring everything from memes to collectibles, and these clogs bring that nostalgic energy to  every step. If your little one is going to walk into the theater, they might as well walk in wearing the most  iconic trio in the franchise.

Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Men’s Clogs – Walmart $16.98 

Star Command, we have a shoe situation. Our Disney Pixar Buzz Lightyear clogs are the men’s footwear moment nobody saw coming! Full Space Ranger green, suit-panel detailing, and a caution-tape strap that makes quiet footwear feel like a thing of the past. This is the shoe that proves you’re never too old to suit up.

About Ground Up 

Ground Up’s brand mission is to fulfill the need for fun. They provide customers the freedom to express themselves through their favorite fandoms. The company fosters creativity and facilitates collaboration between its footwear and everyone’s favorite brands. Regardless of age, Ground Up is suitable for the entire family.

National Geographic Kids Submarine Busy Board

Dive into fun with the National Geographic Kids Submarine Busy Board!

This exciting board has more than 15 interactive elements designed to engage little hands and curious minds. From switches and dials to sliders and spinners, each feature encourages kids to touch, turn, press, and discover. The vibrant submarine design sparks imaginative play, while providing rich multi-sensory play that supports fine motor skill development and imaginative exploration. Play and Learn cards inside offer even more developmentally focused activity ideas, helping parents extend the fun with purposeful play. Best of all, there’s no assembly required!

Availability: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Marble-National-Geographic-Submarine/dp/B0H2BVKLFW

MSRP: $39.99/ Age: 12 months+

PRESTONPLAYZ PLEB SLAYER SWORD

Mobs chasing you down? Never get caught without the epic Pleb Slayer Sword! 16” long with light-up effects, this foam-encased plastic sword is perfect for roleplay slaying. Add it to your chest and check out Preston’s gaming adventures on YouTube! Ages 5+, SRP $19.99, Available now at Target.

GENEVIEVE’S PLAYHOUSE TREEFORT PLAYSET

Genevieve's Playhouse Treefort playset is inspired by Genevieve's vivid imagination and designed to encourage learning through experimentation. This modular treefort allows kids to mix-and-match movable platforms, ladders, and stairs to make the playset of their dreams! Includes 26 pieces and 18 learning cards to customize the fort's look and theme! Ages 3+, SRP $29.99, Available on Amazon and Walmart.

By: Leah Goebel, MS, RDN, CNSC at Northwestern Medicine

Nutritional Considerations for Kids and Back to School

It is that time of year! As back-to-school time approaches, parents are gearing up to ensure their kids have everything they need to succeed. Nutrition plays an important role in a child’s success, helping their growth, development, and ability to focus at school. That being said, packing daily lunches that are both nutritious and that your kid will enjoy can be difficult. Let’s dive into the perfect way to craft your kid’s lunchbox that is as delicious as it is nutritious!

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins can help to ensure kids are getting all of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients they need for development. It is important to consider these essential components when brainstorming what to include un your child’s lunchbox.

1. Produce

While fruits and vegetables might not be every child’s favorite, they provide essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. Research has shown that continuing to offer vegetables and making them fun can increase consumption (CSIRO, 2023). Try cutting cucumbers into fun shapes or making veggie skewers to make it more enjoyable!

2. Carbohydrates

Carbs help to provide energy, which all growing, active children need to feel and be their best. Making a turkey, ham, or nut butter sandwich with whole wheat bread will provide both carbohydrates and fiber that can help to keep your child full and focused throughout the day. If you are looking for something more fun, try making pinwheels with a tortilla and deli meat!

3. Protein

Protein is essential for growth and development. While there are many protein options you can include in a child’s meal, deli meat is one of the most common proteins found in children’s lunches.

When it comes to deli meats, some parents may prefer products with less preservatives or additional ingredients. Prime Roots deli meat is a plant-based deli meat that is free from

nitrates, hormones, and antibiotics, components which may be found in traditional animal-based deli meats. That being said, it still provides a good amount of protein and other micronutrients that your child needs! Plant-based deli meats, like Prime Roots, can be a great alternative to traditional deli meats and provide your child a nutritious and delicious sandwich you can both feel good about.

Creating well-rounded, nutritious meals for children during the school year is essential for their overall health and academic success. By focusing on balanced meals that provide them with produce, carbs, and protein, you can ensure they are getting important nutrients while also introducing them to a variety of delicious, wholesome foods. Be it meat-containing or plant-based lunchbox ideas, remember that balance is key! With a bit of planning, you can make this school year both healthy and tasty for your little ones.

Source:

CSIRO. (2023, February 24). The science of helping your child love vegetables. www.csiro.au

Dream Pairs Kids is excited to announce the expansion of its performance-driven soccer footwear platform. Designed for young athletes, the collection delivers speed, control, comfort, and confidence on the field while tapping into the excitement surrounding the upcoming World Cup.

Created for the next generation of players, the kids’ soccer cleat collection combines lightweight construction, responsive traction, cushioned comfort, and durable, breathable materials to support speed, control, and stability across indoor and outdoor play. Designed for growing feet, each style features a secure, adaptive fit, enhanced grip, and easy on-and-off construction for everyday wear during training, practice, and game day. 

The collection includes the StarDrive Football Series, DotRush Series, GeoFlash Football Series, and StrikeLine Football Series, each built around key performance functions including speed, acceleration, control, support, traction, and more.

The collection is available in a wide size range for toddlers through big kids, offering inclusive fit options for every stage of play, and is priced under $40. Dream Pairs Kids soccer cleats are available now on Amazon.

About Dream Pairs Kids:

Dream Pairs Kids delivers performance-inspired footwear designed to support active play, confidence, and everyday movement. Combining comfort-focused construction with durable materials and accessible pricing, the brand creates kid-friendly athletic shoes built for real-life wear—on and off the field.

By Donna Rice Hughes

June marks Internet Safety Month, and parents are often left wondering what they can do to better protect their children from online harm.

Children who have unrestricted internet access are often exposed to illegal pornography, predators, traffickers,  sextortists and online hate groups who seek to destroy the innocence of children. Additionally, Big Tech companies prey on youth vulnerabilities by designing addictive algorithms to keep kids hooked and often exposed to toxic content and dangerous criminals.  Even seemingly innocent viral social media challenges can prove fatal.

Many parents know there are plenty of risks. In fact, new research found 88% of adults are concerned about the online sexual exploitation of children. A 2025 C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital national survey of top health concerns of parents found they are overwhelmingly most concerned about their children’s social media use (75%), screen time (75%), and internet safety (66%).

Parents are often overwhelmed at trying to protect their children in the ever-evolving digital world.

Enough Is Enough offers parents easy-to-follow, navigable guides about Smartphones, Social Media Apps, Online Gaming, and AI Assistants to help them ensure their children are safer online. Each guide is a one stop shop comparison guide of platforms and products with live links to the most important safety tools including privacy settings, parental controls, time monitoring tools as well as safety tutorials provided by the platform/device company. Companies not offering these safety features are denoted with a red x. The comparison of features provided by various platforms and devices empowers parents to make informed decisions before choosing what to allow their child to use.  

EIE urges parents to implement both the Software “Tools” (defensive)  as well as  Safety “Rules” (offensive) on all digital devices, online platforms and services used by their children to help to ensure a safer online experience for them, and peace of mind for parents.  One without the other is ineffective. (See THE TEN "Rules ‘N Tools®" FOR CHILD ONLINE SAFETY)

Smartphones
Parents can help their children use smartphones in a safer way by talking to them about online risks, which include contact with strangers and exposure to inappropriate content, setting rules, and using parental controls. Our guide includes valuable information about disallowing the sending and receiving of texts, along with information on the basic parental controls available on Apple and Android smartphones.

Social Media Apps
Social media sites provide kids with a way to communicate, create, and connect with others, but also present risks, including contact by sexual predators, exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, sharing of personal information, and harm to mental health. Parents should talk to them about the risks, set rules, enable social network safety and privacy settings, and use parental controls. Our guide lists the most popular social networks used by teens and how to implement safety settings. Note that new profiles created by youth can bypass most settings, so device-level parental controls offer stronger protection.

Online Gaming
Online games are a great source of enjoyment for children, but parents need to understand that online gaming environments can also expose children to strangers, bullies and inappropriate content including violence and pornography. Online games can be accessed on dedicated gaming consoles, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Our guide lists the most popular gaming platforms used by teens, along with links that explain how to implement safety settings.

AI Assistants
Conversational AI assistants, also known as AI chatbots, are programs that can talk with you or your child using text or voice to answer questions, create documents and images, and more. While these tools are highly useful, they are not designed for youth, lack adequate parental controls, and therefore are not considered safe for children and teens by Enough Is Enough® and other child safety advocates. Our guide provides an overview of the six most popular AI assistants.

Every child deserves to have their innocence and safety protected online, and Enough Is Enough is standing on the front lines to create a safer digital world for them.

Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO of Enough Is Enough®®, is an internationally known internet safety expert, author, speaker, media commentator, producer and host of the Emmy-Award winning PBS Internet Safety series and host of podcast, “Internet Safety, with Donna Rice Hughes”. Under her leadership, EIE created the Internet Safety 101 Program with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Harvest Snaps Kids Crispy Fruit. A cleaner alternative to sugary fruit snacks, gummies, and candy, the lineup is made with 100% whole strawberries, apples, or bananas that are freeze- or vacuum-dried to lock in natural nutrients and create a light, crispy bite that feels like a treat. With no added sugar, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, the single-serve bags are an easy, grab-and-go upgrade for school, on the go, or whenever kids want something sweet, but parents want something better.

https://shop.harvestsnaps.com/collections/kids-snack-crisps

Young readers are invited to rev their engines and join a delightful parade of construction vehicles in a brand-new interactive board book that asks one simple question: Who is speedy? Are You Speedy (The Collective Book Studio/May 12, 2026), the latest book by Tim Button, is packed with charming illustrations, playful sound words, and sturdy board pages. The book is designed to captivate toddlers and preschoolers who love things that go.

From digging excavators and mixing cement trucks to towing vehicles hard at work, each character shows off its own unique motion through expressive artwork and lively, read-aloud-friendly text. Just when it seems that none of the vehicles are especially speedy, a race car zooms onto the scene—leading to a joyful, surprise ending. A novelty mirror on the final page reveals the speediest one of all: the reader!

Perfect for story time, lap reading, and repeated reads, the book combines vehicle-themed fun with an interactive twist that encourages children to participate directly in the story.

 Are You Speedy joins the beloved and growing board book series by author Tim Button and illustrator Ana Larrañaga, following the popular titles Are You Wiggly?, Are You Giggly?, and Are You Snuggly? Together, the series celebrates movement, emotion, and imaginative play for the youngest readers. Ideal for ages 0–3, this joyful board book is sure to become a fast favorite for families, libraries, and gift-givers alike.

Are You Speedy by Tim Button

Illustrations by Ana Martin Larrañaga

The Collective Book Studio/May 12, 2026

ISBN: 9781685555528

Board book/$12.95 US / $17.95 Canada

Tim Button began writing as a child when he and his grandmother exchanged letters written in rhyme. Today, he advises businesses on technology and continues to play with words and voices as a writer and voice-over artist. A lifelong sports enthusiast and youth coach, Tim lives in Moorestown, New Jersey, with his wife, three no longer-wiggly children, and two dogs.

Ana Martin Larrañaga was born in San Sebastian, Spain, and grew up in the countryside of Castilla, in a huge family, surrounded by cousins and animals. At school, she drew little stories on every possible piece of paper. In Salamanca, where she studied Fine Arts, teachers told her to draw very big things. When she finished her studies, she returned to her small drawings and became an award-winning illustrator. Ana lives in Germany with her husband, three sons, and one cat. She likes swimming in the sea in the summer and knitting in winter.

New research commissioned by Melissa & Doug, finds that for most (59%) families with young children, going to the dentist or doctor can be challenging. * Parents in those families cite fear of the unknown as the top contributing factor to children's challenges when learning of an appointment. Dr. Tyler Hanks, D.M.D., of the pediatric dentistry practice Happy Tooth is here to share strategies and tips for preparing young children for appointments.

“A child's first experience visiting the dentist can have a lasting influence on how they view dental health for the rest of their lives. Helping children understand what to expect can go a long way to ensuring they have a positive experience and begin to build healthy habits at a young age,” says Dr. Tyler Hanks. His tips include:

1. Set the scene early: If possible, stop by the office before the appointment so your child can see the space and meet the team. Familiarity reduces fear.
2. Schedule smart: Avoid appointment times when your child is hungry or overtired – a well-rested child is a more confident patient. 
3. Explain the “why”: Help kids understand that the dentist keeps their teeth strong and healthy. When they know the reason, they’re more likely to cooperate.
4. Role-play the visit: Take turns being the dentist and the patient using Melissa & Doug’s Smile Dentist Kit, talking through what’s happening. Narrating each step helps make the real appointment feel familiar and less intimidating.
5. Be strategic with siblings: Let younger kids observe a calm sibling first to build confidence. 
    

*Melissa & Doug "Children's Checkups Survey" Methodology
Commissioned by Melissa & Doug, the "Children's Checkups Survey" examined how children and parents feel and behave before, during, and after medical appointments as well as strategies to prepare. The research included analysis of completed responses from nearly 1,000 U.S. parents of children ages 1-5. The online survey was fielded by Dynata, LLC, Jan. 25-Feb. 7, 2026, with a margin of error of 3.1%.

Autism Acceptance Month: Resources Supporting Neurodiverse Children and Families

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time dedicated to celebrating neurodiversity while promoting understanding, inclusion, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum. For many families raising neurodiverse children, acceptance also means ensuring access to the services, tools, and resources that help children thrive.

As a Connecticut-based autism provider, parent, and advocate, I’m excited to share several resources launching this spring that are designed to support families, providers, and communities during Autism Acceptance Month and beyond.

The Challenge Many Families Face: Long Waitlists for Autism Services

Families seeking services such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, autism evaluations, and speech therapy often encounter long waitlists. In many cases, families may wait months or even years before services become available.

During this waiting period, parents frequently find themselves calling multiple clinics, filling out numerous intake forms, and checking back repeatedly for openings. The process can feel overwhelming and uncertain.

At the same time, providers and agencies are working hard behind the scenes to manage large waitlists while responding to inquiries as quickly as possible. Many organizations want to help families access services sooner but lack a streamlined way to collaborate with other providers.

Seeing these challenges firsthand inspired the creation of a new solution called CollabWait, designed to support both families and service providers.

CollabWait: Improving Access to Autism Services

CollabWait is a new software platform created to help agencies manage waitlists more effectively while improving collaboration between providers.

The platform allows organizations to:

Organize and manage waitlists more efficiently
Coordinate referrals with other providers in their network
Provide families with greater visibility into their waitlist status
Families can also request services from participating agencies that may currently have openings, helping them find care sooner instead of navigating the system alone.

CollabWait is currently being rolled out to provider cohorts state by state, with the goal of building a stronger collaborative network of providers that families can access. By improving communication between providers, the platform aims to reduce uncertainty for families waiting for autism services.

To further support this effort, CollabWait has partnered with Rethink Behavioral Health, one of the leading ABA software platforms used by providers across the country.

Together, these partnerships aim to strengthen care coordination and improve access to services for families.

Promoting Autism Acceptance Through Everyday Advocacy

Acceptance and advocacy can also be part of everyday life.

The Collaborative ABA Store was created to promote inclusion, neurodiversity awareness, and autism acceptance through apparel and merchandise. The collection, called “Step Into the Spectrum,” encourages individuals, families, educators, therapists, and advocates to show their support for neurodiverse individuals.

The merchandise is designed for both professionals working in behavioral health and individuals who simply want to celebrate acceptance in their communities.

A New Children’s Book About Autism and Big Feelings

This March also marks the release of a new children’s book designed to help young readers better understand autism and the experience of big emotions.

It’s Okay, Mattie: A Story About Autism, Big Feelings, and Learning to Cope, releasing March 24, 2026, introduces readers to Mattie, a thoughtful and bright girl who experiences the world in her own unique way.

For Mattie, everyday situations like loud environments, unexpected changes to her routine, or even small disruptions to her plans can sometimes feel overwhelming. Through Mattie’s experiences, young readers gain insight into how everyday moments can feel very different for children on the autism spectrum. When a difficult day brings big emotions, Mattie learns that it’s okay to need support and that there are ways to work through those feelings.

Through gentle storytelling and relatable experiences, the book encourages empathy and helps children understand that people may experience the world differently. It also opens the door for meaningful conversations about neurodiversity, emotional regulation, and acceptance.

The book concludes with parent/caregiver tips and discussion prompts, offering parents, educators, and therapists' practical ways to continue talking with children about autism, emotions, and coping skills.

At its heart, the message of the story is simple but powerful: every child deserves to be seen, understood, and supported just as they are.

Supporting Families During Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month is an opportunity to continue building communities where neurodiverse individuals are supported, understood, and celebrated.

Whether through improving access to services, creating resources for families, or helping children learn about neurodiversity, every effort contributes to a more inclusive world.

Learn More About These Resources

Individuals, families and providers interested in learning more can explore the following resources:

CollabWait
www.collabwait.com

Collaborative ABA Services
www.collaborativeabaservices.com

Collaborative ABA Store – Step into the Spectrum
www.collaborativeabastore.com

It’s Okay, Mattie will be available beginning March 24, 2026, through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers where books are sold.

You can also follow updates and advocacy work on Instagram (@LeadingwithAlisha) and LinkedIn.

ANIMAL ADVENTURES is a beautifully designed board book series that invites little ones to explore the natural world through playful language and stunning photography. Each title follows animals through a day in their environment, offering a gentle rhythm that’s ideal for both daytime discovery and bedtime snuggles.

With gorgeous full-spread photos, rhythmic storytelling, and durable, high-quality construction, these books are designed to captivate curious babies while supporting early language development. School Library Journal calls the series “an absolute thrill for children,” praising its glossy photography and poetic tone.

Durable, beautifully designed, and developmentally engaging, these books make a thoughtful gift for baby showers, birthdays, and first libraries