10 Must-Haves For Back to School
10 Must-Haves For Back to SchoolFrom water bottles to skin care products to shoes and snacks, have your teens looking and feeling their very best for the new school year. This list has all the necessary things that they need to be fully prepared for anything that comes their way!S’well Water BottleThe perfect storage for hot or cold drinks, this durable water bottle lives up to the hype. With tons of colours and patterns to choose from, staying hydrated will be the fashionable thing to do. $45 at IndigoClarisonic Mia 2This is an absolute essential for teens to keep them looking fresh and feeling confident. The Clarisonic Mia 2 is a gentle machine that cleanses pores and keeps skin looking healthy and glowing. Comes in Pink and White $131 at Clarisonic.c. https://www.clarisonic.ca/en/face-brushes/mia-2-facial-cleansing-brush/CL367.htmlAdidas VL Court 2.0 Shoes These shoes are a staple for any teen’s wardrobe. With cushy rubber soles, these comfortable shoes are sure to be a popular choice for your teen. Comes in Black and Red. $49 at Mountain Equipment Co-opSimply Protein Kids Bars They are healthy snacks, peanut-nut free with quality ingredients and absolutely no artificial flavours. Only 4g of protein and 4g of sugar. These make the perfect, healthy alternative in your kid’s lunch. Just $5.99 a pack and available at Walmart, Loblaws, Metro and Bulk Barn.Mesh Shower ToteThis is the perfect shower accessory with numerous compartments and a waterproof pocket to carry all your teen’s shower necessities. $14.99 at Bed Bath and BeyondFjällräven Kånken Water Resistant BackpackThese backpacks have been so popular with teens and with good reason. With narrow back straps and a handle to carry the backpack, this is a lightweight alternative backpack to the ones on the market right now. With a large main compartment and two side pockets, this pack offers ample space for all their stuff. $99.99Yoobi Mini Supply KitThis little mini-office is a necessity for back to school. Housing everything from a pencil sharpener and scissors to a stapler, staple remover AND staples and more! It’s got everything! $9.99 at IndigoKeepsakes 2.0 Cloud Peak BootsPerfect for those chilly fall and early winter days, these boots have a soft suede-textured microfibre material and a cushy memory foam for the ultimate comfort. They won't mind walking to and from class in these comfy and stylish boots! $63 at Skechers.Lipper Bamboo Revolving Desk OrganizerTeens can keep their desk essentials organized with this handy desk organizer. With
6 Gadgets Your Teen Will Love for Back to School
6 Gadgets Your Teen Will Love for Back to School With all kinds of new tech coming out every year, your teen is bound to want something or the other and if it helps them get ahead at school – even better! Whether they are just listening to music on the go or writing essays, this list has everything they need for a successful school year.AirpodsRevolutionizing the way students use headphones, Airpods are wireless and connect to iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs seamlessly. $219 at Apple.caiPad ProMore powerful than most PC laptops and are extremely easy to use. The Apple Pencil feels natural and responsive on the iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard connecting easily for typing notes, essays and emails. Starts at $869 at Apple.caWireless SpeakerThis Outdoor Technology BuckShot 2.0 Wireless Speaker from MEC comes with a rubber-bar mount that allows you to mount to your bike handle bars or dune buggy role cages. It also has a built-in speakerphone so your teen can take calls on the go! $49 at Mountain Equipment Co-op.Fujifilm Wireless Square Mobile Printer With Polaroids and photography being all the rage among teens, this gadget is perfect. Snap pictures with your phone or a compatible Fujifilm camera and this wireless printer will print immediately. It’s completely portable and comes with a rechargeable battery. $249 at Best BuyTablet StandWith full 210 degrees rotation, this tablet stand is perfect for writing essays, watching movies, or simply having a safe place to store the device. $23.99 at Amazon.caReading Book LightFor a book that your teen just can’t put down, or late-night study sessions, this travel-size book light is perfect. Comes with a sturdy, bendy arm that clips to any hardcover or paperback. $10.95 at Indigo.
6 Decor Items for Their Dorm
6 Decor Items for Their DormMake your teen’s dorm room feel like home with these fun finds sure to liven up their new space! From sprays to water clocks, we have handpicked a diverse list just in time for back to school!Room SprayThis will become an instant favourite for your teen. Refreshes any dorm room with the sweet scent of fall. $7.50 at Bath and Body WorksNeon LightsA wonderfully bright addition to any study space – choose from a cat, a heart and a cupcake design. These neon light decorations feature modern LED technology for a warm steady glow. $22 at Indigo storesCalendar Chalkboard Perfect for organizing the week, your teen is sure to appreciate having this in their dorm room. Includes rose gold clips at the top for mounting notes. $34 at Urban OutfittersWater ClockFor the teen majoring in environmental studies! This clock uses water to run and batteries and electricity are never needed – only tap water. $33.80 at Amazon.caFloor PillowThese are essential for gatherings with friends or late-night study sessions. Comes in an assortment of fabrics and colours. $59 at Urban OutfittersLap DeskWhether your teen likes to lounge on the bed or the floor, this lap desk is perfect for laptops or notebooks. $24 at Indigo stores.
Would You Pull a Freaky Friday With Your Teen?
Fans of Freaky Friday get ready to experience déjà vu! The popular comedy about a mom and daughter who swap bodies is seeing its fifth iteration with the latest version appearing on The Disney Channel. The movie, which demonstrates the very real push-pull relationship of parents and their teens, stars Broadway veteran Heidi Blickenstaff as Katherine Blake and Cozi Zuehlsdorff (Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2) as Ellie Blake. In real life, Blickenstaff is a step-mom to two teenage boys and we sat down with both actors to ask: If you could switch places with the parent and teen in your life, what would you want them to know?Heidi Blickenstaff80s music is the best. Eat your greens. Spend less time on your phone and more time interacting, person-to-person. Wear sunscreen. Always be kind to people.Cozi ZuehlsdorffSometimes with teenagers, "I hate you" actually means, "help me" Take extra time to tell your kids they're beautiful. It means everything coming from a parent. My room may look messy but I know where everything is. Vegetables aren't really that important. If I'm on my phone, maybe I'm using it to achieve world peace so give me the benefit of the doubt.Freaky Friday premieres Friday, August 10 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.
3 Reasons to go to The Mosaïculture Gatineau 2018 Exhibit
3 Reasons to go to The Mosaïculture Gatineau 2018 ExhibitHave you thought about some places you might want to visit this summer? If so, here’s a site worth traveling to. Just picture being surrounded by luscious plants and flowers while gazing at the most beautiful sculptures of Gatineau, and spending some much needed time with your teen. From now until October 15th The Mosaïculture Gatineau 2018 exhibit is open to the public for viewing. This year’s theme is “A Marvelous Voyage” and consists of 45 magnificent floral pieces surrounding Jacques-Cartier Park. This exhibit is a must-see, with more than 5.5 million plants used to design such majestic sculptures each exhibiting a piece of Canadian history. Need a reason to take your teen? We have three.It encourages Canadian history Your teen will benefit from the history behind some of these figures such as The Man Who Planted Trees, The Drum Dancer, The Howling Wolf, and Mother Earth, just to name a few. Each sculpture represents a story, every piece brings the essence of the story alive in a remarkable, profound way that’s breathtaking to the eyes and engages questions that’ll manifest the curiosity in your teen to learn more. History has made a huge impact on the pieces they’ll witness throughout the exhibit; the plaques represent the story behind each sculpture to encourage learning every step of the way.It exposes teens to art Another great reason to bring your teen to the exhibit is for the exposure to art they’ll experience. 45 different pieces surround the park, all offering something quite unique, such as the Bird Tree: a sculpture that represents as many as 50 endangered species. This piece is 52-ft high and weighs over 100 tonnes. An astounding 350,000 plants were used to create such magnificent work that raises the awareness of such talents from the creators who have taken mountain climbing and trapeze courses to perfect the trimming of the trees. Whether it’s plants or flowers, each sculpture is handcrafted into something quite breathtaking that should be witnessed in real time. The sculptures have a way of sparking up creativity or inspiration and that’s something we want our teens to exercise, especially during the summer when all they want to do is shut their brains off and relax. It’s a perfect way to keep their minds stimulated.It fosters bonding time Finally, the third reason you should visit the Mosaïculture Gatineau 2018 exhibit
Top 7 things to do with kids in Montreal this summer
Top 7 things to do with kids in Montreal this summerHave kids and want to travel to Montreal? From toddlers to teens, Montreal is filled with activities that are actually fun for the whole family. Photo Credit: Claude Robidoux/VIA 1. Take the train. There’s nothing easier than rolling into the VIA station, grabbing your bags and walking to one of the many fantastic hotels in the downtown core. The kids will love the train experience and you’ll love the me-time to read, listen to music or catch up on some much-needed sleep.2. Old Port. Tuck into shops, have a drink on a patio, rent a bike, quadricycle or pedal boat, learn to Segway or Hoverboard or zip line across the water.3. La Grande Roue de Montreal. This highlight of the city gives you a panoramic, breathtaking view from 60 metres high in the air. Day or night, this is a magical experience.4. SOS Labyrinthe. This unique indoor treasure hunt located in the Old Port is fun for all ages — and great on a rainy afternoon. Find your way through a 2-km maze to the four longshoremen’s treasures, get your card stamped and get out as fast as you can.5. Biosphere. You can’t miss the white dome that is Biosphere, located on Ile Sainte-Helene. Built for Expo 67, it now hosts exhibitions and scientific events that highlight the ways we live as eco-citizens. Kids will love the interactive displays, games, videos, nature tours and more.6. Botanical Gardens. With more than 22,000 plant species, 10 greenhouses, and 30 thematic gardens, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to far-off lands while getting that much-needed break from the bustle of the city.7. Voiles en Voiles. This outdoor park, situated steps from the zip line and Ferris wheel, features aerial courses all aboard two massive ships — and a whole host of bouncy castles that’ll have the kids amused for hours. The ships are fun for adults too — or the perfect excuse for you to sit and read a book for a bit. By Chantel Guertin
4 Reasons To Take Your Teen To Clear Lake, Manitoba
4 Reasons To Take Your Teen To Clear Lake, ManitobaFamilies looking to experience a quintessential Canadian beach town need look no further than Wasagaming in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. As soon as you enter the log cabin-looking gates of the provincial park, you will be transported to a place that’s packed with adventure, wildlife, amazing food and scenery that will leave an imprint on your memory for years to come. Surrounded by lush forest, Wasagaming, otherwise known as Clear Lake, is located about three hours northwest of Winnipeg. During the summer, the hotspot is bustling with vacationers — young and old. If you’re looking to impress your tween and teen with a family getaway they won’t soon forget, don’t miss out on these four things to do and see in Clear Lake.The Lakehouse Before you begin exploring the area, stake your basecamp at The Lakehouse. Located in the heart of the main stretch of Wasagaming, just steps away from the beach, this boutique hotel is not only the perfect place to stay, but it also serves as a hotbed for entertainment. Whether they are staying there or not, the main lobby is bustling with vacationers lined up at the ice cream, coffee and smoothie bar. The adjoining lounge, fitted with sink-into chocolate leather lounge chairs, a cozy fireplace and reclaimed wood bar and tables, is the ideal setting for the lodge’s trivia, boozy bingo and live music nights. In the back of the resort, where you access the hotel rooms, is two hot tubs, barbecue stations, and sitting/lounging areas, all underneath a canopy of twinkle lights, that look nothing less than magical on a warm summer’s night. The rooms are comfortable and contemporary with reclaimed wood headboards, brightly coloured furniture and convenient amenities every family needs, such as a microwave and fridge. Don’t leave without picking up a Lakehouse souvenir — the stylish logo is printed on everything from candles and coffee cups to T-shirts and sweaters.Clear Lake Marina You can’t help but be drawn to the crystal clear waters of Clear Lake. It’s the perfect place to swim, water ski, wake-board, canoe, and paddleboard. To soak in the scenery from a whole new perspective, head to the Clear Lake Marina where you can rent everything from a motorboat to a paddle boat or take the family on a dinner or sunset cruise on the Martese. Not only will your teen capture some
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch 13 Reasons Why With Your Teen
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch "13 Reasons Why" With Your TeenNetflix’s 13 Reasons Why has gained an incredible amount of popularity and criticism ever since its debut in 2017. The show tackles difficult issues like sexual assault, suicide, gun violence and bullying. Because of the explicit content of the show, parents have remained wary about their children watching it. However, Gary Direnfeld, counselor for over 35 years, says parents should not only let their teens watch the show but they should watch it with them. Here’s why.YOU CAN DECODE WHAT’S HAPPENING: The first reason to watch it together would be to help your teen decode some of what is happening on screen. “Sometimes watching intense, graphic scenes can be traumatic for people and it can overwhelm them,” says Direnfeld. “Having a parent there to help interpret what is going on, to provide support and emotional safety, can help the child integrate the experience without it being traumatic.” YOU CAN ASK HOW IT AFFECTS THEM: Talking to your child about how the show makes them feel is another good reason to watch it together. “Asking about the kind of impact that it has on your child is important because they could be going through something similar and it would be unhealthy for them to go through it alone,” says Direnfeld. “The thing that 13 Reasons Why teaches us is that children are exposed to explicit and extreme material on the Internet and we want to help them cope with that stream of material before they are actually exposed to it.” YOU CAN ASK WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH: Watching the show together can be a catalyst to discovering what your teen is going through. Some teens suffer from anxiety or depression or have gone through traumatic experiences and may feel shame and embarrassment, but having a parent to talk to offers them a way to figure those experiences out. They can learn how to manage and respond. YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AT SCHOOL: Watching the show together gives parents a chance to ask their teen about their experiences at school, while also being able to instill their own morals and values, says Direnfeld. “Regardless of how a drama is critiqued, the explicit content is still there, and it exposes our children to behaviour that can be frightening and overwhelming,” he says. “From my perspective, it is what
6 Ways to Protect Your Teen Against Fortnite I.D. Theft Scams
6 Ways to Protect Your Teen Against Fortnite I.D. Theft Scams Have you played Fortnite yet? If you haven’t, you probably know someone who has as the game’s popularity has exploded in recent months, attracting celebrities, professional athletes, and gamers of all ages. Unfortunately, Fortnite’s mass appeal is attracting hackers and scammers too. Players and parents need to pay attention in order to reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud. Part of the game’s attraction is that it’s free and available to players across multiple video game consoles, PCs, and mobile phones. The Hunger Games-like world of Fortnite allows players to showcase their creativity while playing. However, scammers are also getting creative. Fortnite creator Epic Games recently warned about the most common Fornite scam on its Twitter account for players: “Say NO to scams! Beware of scam sites offering free or discounted V-Bucks.”How Big Is Fortnite? Fortnite: Battle Royale has more than 45 million players worldwide as of January, according to Epic Games. Those numbers are sure to have grown since the game’s popularity has jumped: A recent live-streamed game set a new Twitch record for individual online streams, with over 600,000 people watching. The game featured rappers Drake and Travis Scott, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and one of the game’s popular players, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins. Professional athletes are using the popular Fortnite dances in their own game celebrations and Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price missed a start because he had carpal tunnel syndrome from playing too much Fortnite. SuperData, a research firm that specializes in video games, estimates Fortnite generated nearly $296 million in April and has the possibility of generating $3.5 billion in annual revenue.A Common Fortnite Scam: YouTube Free V-Bucks That kind of money and the addictive nature of the game has drawn criminal elements to the Fortnite universe. New players mean new opportunities for fraudsters who promise something free to help elevate your game. In Fortnite there are V-bucks, the virtual money that players can use to buy new gear. While recently playing the game with my son and wanting to help advance “our Battle Pass” standing, I did a search for “free V-bucks.” I found results promising we would win huge amounts of Fornite V-bucks. My son suggested I check out those third-party videos on YouTube and what came back were more than 4.6 million various videos promising players to get free V-bucks by following their instructions or tips. Most send you to a website where you share an obscure code from your
10 Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts He’ll Love
Are you stuck on what to get Dad for Father’s Day? Picking that perfect gift for him can be tricky — especially if you really want to surprise him with something special. Whether he loves to grill or take on weekend projects, we put together a list of gift ideas every Dad will love, all available at RONA.FOR THE MASTER GRILLERHe will love grilling his favourites on this Broil King Signet™ 320 Propane Gas BBQ. It fires up with a simple touch of the Sure-Lite™ quick start button and with its three Dual-Tube (TM) dual tube stainless steel burners, it delivers 40,000 BTU heat efficiently and evenly.While he’s out there grilling, let Dad keep quenched at arm’s reach with this Master Forge modular outdoor kitchen fridge. This gorgeous fridge, punctuated with stainless steel, comes with a granite top, which can be used as a counter surface or cutting board, as well as adding a touch of elegance to this modular unit. He can prepare the food and wash up with this unit comprised of a large-sized sink with premium faucet, two 12,000-BTU side element burners, and one 12,000-BTU cast iron burner with griddle. Enjoy the durability and elegance of the black granite countertop. It’s also equipped with a slide-out tank tray (tank not included) and two drawers for storage. Includes a cutting board and cover.For some extra work space, this corner unit is made of black steel. Its black granite top will add to your countertop space, while its lower allows you to store an extra propane tank (tank not included).To round out his outdoor kitchen, this Master Forge(TM) quarter-round corner table is an attractive and practical component of an exterior kitchen. The table adapts to each module to create a more flexible configuration. FOR THE DAD WHO MAKES THE CUTThis Remington® gas lawn mower is a great combination of efficiency and power. The durable 159 cc PowerMore OHV engine delivers great performance, while the 21" cutting deck lets him cut more in a single pass, with an option of rear bag, mulch or side discharge clippings to suit his preference. The loop with indent handle offers comfort and control, making it easier to care for Dad to care for his lawn this season. FOR THE WEEKEND WARRIORThis lightweight Karcher "K2" Compact Electric Pressure Washer has the range to gently clean delicate paint jobs or blast away hardened dirt and grime. Its upright and compact body is