Trick-or-Treat in Style with Squishmallows Treat Pails!
Trick-or-Treat in Style with Squishmallows Treat Pails from Jazwares! by INBETWEEN Magazine Want to make Halloween a little more special this year? Up your kid’s trick-or-treating game with the Squishmallows Treat Pails. Leave it to Emily the Black Cat, Callum the Green Monster or Wakisha the Pink Devil to give your Halloween tradition a much-needed **upgrade** Just in time for the fright season, Sqishmallows is joining in the fun with its very own Halloween Squad. Made from high-quality, ultrasoft materials, Original Squishmallows Treat Pails are perfect for costume parties, trick-or-treating, or decorations. They feature a velvety exterior, a sturdy handle, and ample space for all your kid’s treats. Choose from Emily the Black Bat, Callum the Green Monster, or Wakisha the Pink Devil! Grab them at select Costco Canada locations now!
17 IKEA Dorm Essentials for Your Teen
17 IKEA Dorm Essentials for Your Teen by Arianne Granada Sending your teen off to university? It’s definitely a bittersweet milestone. It’s **the** time for excitement, new beginnings, and a little bit of stress—especially when it comes to creating a comfortable and personalized dorm room. You want their new space to feel like a home away from home, but let’s be honest, it can be a bit of a challenge. This is where IKEA steps in. With their recent $80 million investment in lowering prices, you can find everything your teen needs to create a cozy, stylish, and functional dorm room that won’t break the bank. Here are some of our best IKEA finds to help your teen get their dorm ready for the school year. For a Restful Night’s Sleep A good night’s sleep is crucial for any student’s success. Here’s a range of sleep essentials that ensure your teen gets to recharge after a long day. DVALA This soft 100% cotton sheet in light gray offers breathable comfort that only gets better with each wash. It's a must-have for staying comfortable during late-night study sessions and/or early-morning classes.STJÄRNBRÄCKA If your teen tends to get warm at night, this light-warm duvet is their new best friend. It features a lyocell and cotton blend that keeps away moisture, ensuring a dry and cozy night’s sleep.ROSENSKÄRM & RUMSMALVA Whether they’re side or back sleepers, these pillows offer tailored support with memory foam technology to relieve pressure and enhance comfort. For Keeping the Chaos Under Control A tidy room is key to a clear mind. IKEA’s smart storage solutions make it easy to keep everything in place. RÅSKOG This versatile utility cart can fit into the smallest of spaces. It’s perfect for storing anything from textbooks to toiletries and can be easily moved wherever it’s needed.SKUBB Time for your teen to maximize their closet space. This hanging organizer with six compartments helps them keep clothes and accessories neatly tucked away.BAGGMUCK Protect dorm floors from mud, dirt, and moisture. This easy-to-clean shoe tray is absolutely perfect for those rainy days.GÖRSNYGG Perfect for under-bed storage, this storage case helps keep seasonal clothes or spare linens clean and dust-free. For Building a Home Away From Home More than just a place to sleep, your teen’s dorm room should feel like a personal sanctuary. IKEA has plenty of options to help them add personality to any space. FLOTTILJ This sleek dark blue lamp is perfect for both late-night study sessions and creating a cozy ambiance.TVERSTED Here’s a helpful
9 Must-Have Back-to-School Essentials for Every Family
9 Must-Have Back-to-School Essentials for Every Family by Rachel Naud If there’s one thing everyone in the family wants this September, it’s to look and feel cool going into the new school year. Those starting fresh in a new school will want to make a great first impression, while others will want to impress their friends now that they’re reunited after a summer away! These suggestions are sure to make the grade for everyone in the family—from tots to teens! Keep Daycare Days ComfyWhile our littlest family members may not be hitting the halls this September, many babies and tots will be heading to daycare as the rest of the family goes back to work and school. You'll want to make sure they are also packed with all the supplies and essentials they’ll need while away from home. Huggies Skin Essential diapers are ideal for transitioning to daycare. They are Huggies’ newest product designed to protect against the top two causes of diaper rash—moisture and runny mess. They are crafted for baby’s sensitive skin, dermatologist-approved, and fragrance-free! You can find them at Loblaw banner stores like Shoppers Drug Mart and Real Canadian Superstore! Find Your Personal Style Trends may come and go, but one thing remains constant across generations—every tween and teen wants to express themselves by decorating their belongings to reflect their personal style. Fresh school supplies offer a perfect blank canvas for students to make their mark. Students will love StickerYou’s vinyl stickers for decorating everything from binders and lockers to water bottles and more!StickerYou offers trendy, unique designs that are durable, waterproof, and dishwasher-safe. Most importantly, they are sure to make a statement! Shop them in-store at Walmart Canada! Create a Fall Style Capsule One of the best parts about going back to school? Getting that new fall wardrobe! Today, it’s even more fun with SHEIN, which is launching an exciting pop-up activation at the CNE on August 29, August 31, September 1, and September 2. The CNE is often the last hurrah before school starts, making this a fun way for teens to prep for school and get excited for the year ahead! Adorned with a graffiti-inspired design in the signature "brat green" hue, the truck’s exterior will showcase SHEIN’s colourful, street-style aesthetic, complemented by splashes of hot pink.Whether your teen wants to get some new ‘fits or shop for cool items for their dorm, SHEIN has what they need to get back to cool this school
Back-to-School with Apple: The Ultimate Student Tech
Back-to-School with Apple: The Ultimate Student Tech by Arianne Granada As the back-to-school season approaches, students are once again faced with the challenge of finding the right tools to help them succeed. In today’s fast-paced world, students need technology that can keep up with their busy lives. Having a reliable, powerful, and portable device is now a necessity. Apple’s MacBook Air and iPad Air offer students the perfect blend of performance and portability. The MacBook Air: Your Everyday Companion Let’s face it, the demands of student life can be pretty intense. Between juggling classes, projects, and **maybe** even a part-time job, your teen needs a laptop that won’t just keep up—it needs to help them stay ahead. Apple has raised the bar once again, integrating the M3 chip into its newest MacBook Air. It’s faster than ever and can handle whatever your teen throws at it—late-night cramming, morning lectures, math homework, you name it. This laptop is all about balance—combining incredible performance with a design that’s so thin and light that your teen might forget it’s in their bag! But don’t worry, the Macbook Air is a lean, mean, fighting machine. With up to 18 hours of battery life, students can go from morning classes to late-night study sessions without worrying about hunting for an outlet in a nearby cafe. More than power, the MacBook Air easily fits right into your teen’s life. Need to quickly hop on Zoom? Its world-class camera and microphones have your teen covered. Working on a big group project? They can connect up to two external displays, so multitasking is a cinch. Plus, with four stunning colours to choose from, it’s not just a productivity tool—it’s a fashion statement! iPad Air: Flexibility at Its Finest For students who crave versatility and creativity in their tech, the iPad Air might just be their new best friend. It’s basically a digital notebook, sketchbook, and laptop all rolled into one. Whether they’re taking notes, sketching ideas, or chilling with a good book, the iPad Air adapts to whatever they need it to be. This new iPad definitely means business. With the Apple Pencil Pro, students can jot down notes, sketch out ideas, or mark up documents with ease. Add in the Magic Keyboard, and it transforms into a solid laptop alternative, complete with a trackpad and backlit keys. With its all-day battery life and super-fast 5G, students are ready to work, learn, and create, wherever they go. Apple’s Back-to-School
Two Kid-Friendly Eco-Activities that Will Help to Combat Summer Learning Loss
Two Kid-Friendly Eco-Activities that Will Help to Combat Summer Learning Loss by Dr. Sarah Habibi The long hot summer is starting to wind up. Our kids have been at home away from their traditional learning environments for many weeks. While this break is necessary for children, it’s also helpful to keep them stimulated during the summer months. You can do this with hands-on, fun activities that help to combat ‘learning loss’ — the loss of knowledge and skills due to the long breaks away from the classroom. Sounds valuable, right? It seems I'm not the only parent who could use a few tips and tricks for getting started! More than half (56 per cent) of parents are tired of this yearly struggle, almost all (94 per cent) want their kids to learn more about science, and more than three-quarters (81 per cent) are looking for activities that will keep their kids’ minds stimulated. To support parents on the quest for engaging in summer activities rooted in science, I have applied my scientific skills in partnership with Maple Leaf Foods and the kids’ conservation organization, Earth Rangers. Together, we’ve developed the Future Farmer Mission which is available free of charge via the Earth Rangers app. Why not log on and discover the many exciting and interactive eco-activities that can turn your kids into Future Farmers? Discover the Future Farmer Mission The Future Farmer Mission, which includes the two eco-activities outlined below, will introduce kids to regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices. Regenerative agriculture, also called ‘climate-smart agriculture’ is a farming practice that aims to improve the land by keeping the soil healthy. A big aspect of regenerative agriculture includes composting, increasing biodiversity, and rotating crops throughout each season to ensure the soil gets a mixture of vital nutrients. Regenerative agriculture practices aren’t just for farmers, they can be applied right at home and it’s a worthwhile eco-activity for kids! This practice teaches them that changes to how we grow our food can help sustain Canada’s food supply for years to come. Read on for two Future Farmer activities that can help you get outdoors, learn, and connect with your kids: Activity 1: Make a DIY CompostComposting is an aspect of regenerative farming that helps the health of our soil. Composting uses decomposed organic matter, often found in old plants and food scraps, to give the soil back vital nutrients it needs to grow. It also helps to reduce your
Finding Japan—and other cool things—in San Francisco
Finding Japan—and other cool things—in San Francisco by Rosalind Stefanac Whether it’s the anime films now readily accessible on streaming services like Netflix, or the uber-cool street fashion made popular by celebrities this side of the world, Japanese culture is an ongoing interest for my teenage son these days. So, when I got an opportunity to visit a Japanese-inspired neighbourhood in San Francisco, California, we could visit over a long weekend instead of trekking across the world, I knew I had to check it out. Best of all, we discovered so many other cool teen and tween-appropriate sites and activities in this dynamic and culturally diverse city. Here are some highlights. Where to stay Japantown in San Francisco is one of the oldest and only still thriving Japanese neighbourhoods in the US. We stayed at boutique Hotel Kabuki which is ideally situated for exploring the scene by foot. It’s also right beside the Japan Center, a shopping complex bustling with Japanese food stands and retail shops for teens and tweens to explore. The area hosts many festivals throughout the year too, including the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in May (which we got to check out) and the Nihonmachi Street Fair in August. From Japantown it’s easy access to Chinatown—the first and largest in North America—which features delicious eats and a bustling Friday night market that happens throughout the year. What to doPark yourself at the parks: An abundantly lush green city with a temperate climate rarely rising above 24C or below 7C, San Francisco has 3,400 acres of city parks ideal for exploring by foot or bike. We started at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park which includes the on-theme and Instagram-worthy Japanese Tea Gardens. But we especially enjoyed the Sales Force Park in the middle of downtown San Fran. This 5.4-acre, plant-filled rooftop oasis is located 70 feet up above the Grand Hall and is a perfect place to escape the city hustle. There’s even a venue up top for live music and children’s activities throughout the day. While downtown, you’ll likely catch site of one of San Fran’s self-driving cars too, which have been operating commercially since last year. On our way to check out the infamous Golden Gate Bridge, we stopped in at Presidio, a former military post-turned-national park site that blew us away. It features the Tunnel Tops, a 14-acre space located over and around the tunnelled city parkway that leads to the bridge. There is
Benefits of Team Sports with Dr. Cassidy Preston, Mental Performance Coach
Benefits of Team Sports with Dr. Cassidy Preston, Mental Performance Coach With warm weather rolling in, kids are itching to get outside and back to their favourite sports. We know that participating in team sports can positively impact children’s health and provide social benefits. We spoke with Dr. Cassidy Preston, Mental Performance Coach who has partnered with Sport Chek to share his insights on character-building benefits, like teamwork, resilience and leadership, that go beyond the sport for kids that parents should know about. Q: Why is it important for kids to participate in team sports, and for families to prioritize playing together? A: Prioritizing team sports as a kid can provide health, social and character-building benefits that go beyond the sport itself. Some of those skills include: Building social connections and communication skills Working with team members and leadership skills Developing healthy habits around exercise, sleep, and nutrition Fostering life skills such as confidence, resilience, and focus Q: What are the psychological benefits of participating in team sports programs? A: Research shows it can have a positive impact on people outside of the traditional sense of the sport. Psychological benefits of team sports may include:Stress reliever and a sense of purpose Social connections and a sense of belonging Feeling of competence and confidence as they develop Q: What are the life-long values and habits that sports teach children, that they can take into adulthood?A: Team sports provide life-long values that you can bring well into adulthood, from leadership and communication to teamwork and physical health. I’ve partnered with Sport Chek because they believe in the valuable life lessons kids learn beyond the field. Lessons like sportsmanship, communication, resilience, determination and leadership – all skills you can take beyond a sports game and into your everyday. Other examples include:Social Connections Character-building skills Time management skills Q: How can parents help prepare their kids for team sports? A: As parents prepare for the upcoming sports season this summer, whether it be baseball or soccer, there are a few ways to help prepare your kids:Don’t over-focus on the external results like winning and rankings, instead, prioritize the mental skills sport that your child can develop through sport Help manage expectations about the range of results and develop a growth mindset by encouraging effort and normalizing failure as part of the development process Make sure fun is not tied to just the results, but rather focus on the enjoyment of the game itself; the
Gift Ideas for Moms Who Embrace Self-Care and Self-Love
Gift Ideas for Moms Who Embrace Self-Care and Self-Love by Frances Go Celebrate Mother's Day by spoiling the special women in your life with the gift of pampering. Explore our curated selection of luxurious skincare, hair care essentials, cozy sleeping kits, and rejuvenating spa getaways. Show her just how much she's cherished and appreciated with these thoughtful tokens of affection. Care BasketCraft a skin care and hair care treasure trove just for her, filled with goodies that reflect her unique style and cater to her skin's needs. Handpick her favourites or choose products highly recommended for her specific skin type. RecommendationsSkin Care: Hydrating Facial Mask by Dr. Jart, Advance Anti Aging Program by Vivier Hair Care: Lush Super Milk, Gisou Mini Honey Infused Hair Oil, The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density Ultimate Sleeping KitAn embodiment of care and comfort tailored to her. Picture her sinking into dreamland with the help of a delicate lavender bed spray, the gentle embrace of a weighted blanket, fresh, crisp sheets, a soft eye mask, and other sleep-enhancing delights. RecommendationsLavender Vanilla Bed Spray from Bath and Body Works, Dream Away Weighted Blanket, Aroma Diffuser with essential oils, Beji Bed Sheet Set, Sunrise Alarm Clock A Spa Getaway Crafted to sweep her into a realm of tranquillity and personal exploration, whether through an intimate overnight getaway or a tranquil day retreat. Provide her with the opportunity to envelop herself in the comforting embrace of nature, allowing her to seek solace and rediscover inner harmony. RecommendationsElmwood Spa Package, Scandinave Blue Mountain, Thermëa Spa Village
5 Gift Ideas for the Mom Who Seems to Have It All
5 Gift Ideas for the Mom Who Seems to Have It All by Frances Go Have you ever found yourself thinking, 'What do you get for a mom who already has everything?' It's a common challenge, but don't worry! There are plenty of ways to show her how much you care. Whether it's a heartfelt gesture, a personalized gift, or just spending quality time together, there's always something special you can do to make her day. We've compiled these gift ideas for you to try: Craft a Personalized PhotobookCompile cherished memories from recent family adventures or the past year into a stunning photo book, offering her a timeless keepsake she'll treasure forever. Pour Your Heart into Handwritten LettersExpress your deepest emotions and appreciation through heartfelt letters, letting her know just how much she means to you. Share stories of special moments you've shared and the impact she's had on your life. These personal touches will make your gift truly memorable. Gift of RelaxationEase her stress by giving the house a thorough tidy-up, allowing her to unwind without the worry of chores weighing on her mind. Consider adding small touches like fresh flowers or lighting her favourite scented candles to create a tranquil atmosphere she'll appreciate. It's these thoughtful gestures that show her just how much you care.Breakfast Fit for a QueenKickstart her day with a decadent breakfast served in the comfort of her own bed, a thoughtful gesture showcasing your culinary skills and love. Quality Time TogetherPlan a special outing with Mom, because no gift compares to the gift of time. Whether it's a scenic picnic or trying out a new hobby together, create unforgettable moments that'll stay with her forever.
How to Cope with Your Empty Nest
How to Cope with Your Empty Nest By Favour Jonah One minute, we hear the sound of children's laughter echoing through the halls, and then suddenly it fades into a lingering emptiness. A calm understanding sets in—our children are all grown up. Parenthood, once characterized by a hectic schedule of early weekend practices, school concerts, birthday parties, and field trips, shifts into a new period of tranquillity known as empty nesting. Empty nesting is defined as a period of transition when children are prepared to move out and start living independently. It could also mean an empty house without the children present. This may happen when they go to college, leave their parents' house, relocate to a different city or country, or begin a family. Suddenly, the home seems quieter, and there is a feeling of change as parents adjust to life without their children always around. For Danielle Miller, a Toronto-based mom who just went through the empty nest stage, the change was emotional and difficult. Reflecting on being a mother of two amazing boys, she acknowledges that her daily life was centred around her sons' schedules and activities. "When they departed for university, I found myself struggling with feelings of emptiness and doubt." Similar to Miller, a lot of parents experience strong emotions during this stage, which can make it challenging for them to cope. Over time, it impacts not only their self-relationship but also their relationships with others, particularly with their significant others. Tim Albert, a father of one, and his wife, Jules, residing in Mississauga, found it challenging to reconnect with each other after their child left the nest. "We were often unsure of what to do most times," he revealed. We reached out to Krista Huyer, a certified psychotherapist who focuses on supporting individuals, specifically women, in navigating healing and empowering themselves to enhance self-esteem, to learn more about empty nesting and how it impacts people, as well as coping mechanisms to adapt. Understanding Empty Nesting Huyer believes that empty nesting goes beyond a quiet house; it signifies a significant change in family dynamics that results in a sense of something being absent. “Nesting is such a natural human instinct for us to create a home, not just a home, but a safe space for the children,” she says. "When this home that we've created doesn't have what we had filled it with, that's going to feel unfamiliar for people, and perhaps create