Nickelodeon's #Kidstogether town hall for children discusses coronavirus concerns

By now your kids are probably just as tired of hearing you repeatedly ask "did you wash your hands well?" just as much as you are of saying it but we all understand it's just a small thing to do that will have a big impact on our new normal. Their daily routines have been disrupted so abruptly as we all seemingly try our darndest to get into a groove while working from home and distance learning. In the process, they're missing classmates, playing ball after school and so many won't get to celebrate milestones like birthdays and graduations with their favorite people standing by to love on them. 

All of the frequently updated news surrounding the globally widespread coronavirus (COVID-19) and practicing of social distancing may have them feeling confused, anxious and lonely. As parents, it's not always easy finding the words to ease their minds and while we may feel isolated, I'll admit I find some comfort in knowing that my family isn't going through this challenging time alone and have appreciated the phone calls, google chats and game nights with loved ones more than ever. 

To help families come to terms with everything going on Nickelodeon will present #KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall, an exclusive hour-long special offering a kid’s-eye view of life today amid COVID-19, on Monday, March 30, at 7 p.m. (ET/PT). 

Reel Families Watch: Must See Animated Movies Releasing in 2020

*This list has been updated with release date changes in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic as of May 2020. 

Are you looking forward to the new slate of family-friendly, animated movies coming to theaters and a couch near you in 2020? 2019 truly outdid itself, in good ways and bad and after watching underdog stop-motion/CGI movie Missing Link win the Golden Globe last night for Best Animated Film, we can't wait to see what's coming this year. 

There's a bunch of flicks giving new, shiny CGI life to favorite throwback characters that are over two decades old, plenty of origin stories, sequels, and some really exciting fantasy-based originals! Plus they are jam-packed with tons of your fave mega-talented (voice) actors. Surely there will be a movie out there to appeal to everyone's sense of humor (we should plan to laugh hard) or to tug at your heartstrings (we may cry even harder) or will have you raise an eyebrow in confusion. 

Movie watching has always been the ultimate way for us to spend time together as a family, with a teen, tween and threenager we have some really hysterical conversations and heated debates surrounding films we've seen. Get ready to mark your calendars, here's our list of upcoming highly-anticipated animated movies releasing in 2020. Stay tuned as we update the lineup with new choices and our latest trailer reaction videos. 

Must Haves for Lil' Monsters 2019 Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway for Tweens and Teens

And just like that Christmas is 1 week away and no thanks to me, our Christmas tree was finally put up on Monday! Every year I swear I'm going to do better and at this point, I don't think my 9-year-old believes a single word. With two visits to LA in just a month's time, somehow the holiday crept up on us but don't think for one second that the tween and teen haven't put in their wishlist requests from us and Santa already! 

We've had the chance to check out some of the coolest new toys for Gen Z kids in 2019 and have quite a few favorites that are definitely Must-Haves for your (not-so) Lil' Monsters. There are some pretty fun finds out on shelves and online and we've rounded them up in 6 categories: Trendy for Tweens, Trendy for Teens, STEM, Family Game Night, Video Games, and Books and Movies

Kid Reporters Attend NYC Premiere and Interview John Cena and The Cast of Playing with Fire

What's tougher, being a smokejumper battling dangerous wildfires, a wrestling superstar throwing down in the ring in front of thousands of audiences daily or juggling three witty, high energy kids who keep you on your toes? I'm sure if you ask the adult cast of Paramount Pics' new film Playing with Fire, they'd say that babysitting is no easy feat, even if they're just acting. This month NYC family bloggers and content creators had the chance to attend the Premiere of the family-friendly new film and our mini reporters were handed the mic to ask all the important questions to the cast and Director on everything from what inspires them, owning up to their mistakes & their fave hilarious moments in the movie.  

Nickelodeon's Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader Returns with WWE Superstar John Cena

"You Can't See Me" is WWE superstar John Cena's infamous tagline, but it's the furthest from the truth because we can see him practically EVERYWHERE these days. From mainstream movies on the big screen to commercials w/ our favorite household brands on the small screen and even a children's book about a little monster truck with guts, the professional wrestler and actor has been solidifying his career outside of the ring as rumors swirl about his retirement. Nickelodeon is launching the family fun game show, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader, with a week of premieres beginning Mondy, June 10th, at 7:00pm. (ET/PT). Hosted by John Cena, who also serves as executive producer. We love this show and play kids against grownups while tuned in and can't wait for the revamped series to start!

Must Haves for Lil' Monsters 2018 Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway

 It's the most wonderful time of the year and we're beyond excited to be hosting our 4th annual "Must Haves for Lil' Monsters" Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway! All year we've been heading to our favorite toy showcases hosted by The Toy Insider and TTPM to check out the latest and greatest in toys and we've rounded up our favorite must haves for kids of all ages within 10 categories: Trendy Toys, Create, STEAM, Disney Lovers, Game Night, Video Games, Throwback, Books & Movies, Outdoor Fun and Stocking Stuffers.

This year we're offering 1 lucky reader a prize pack valued at over $400 and excitedly all of our giveaway sponsors have donated products to our #LilMonstersGiveBack Initiative where we will be donating toys to a local school, church and women's shelter! 

Disclosure: We have received review samples and donation contributions to facilitate this guide and giveaway. Opinions expressed are 100% our own and this post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support and Happy Holidays! 

The 91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and A Grandstand FlashBack #MacysParade

Before we can even think about digging into my hubby's or mama's mouthwatering, food-coma inducing holiday meal for lunch {LOL, yes I said lunch because it's rare that we actually start eating later than noon and by dinnertime some of us may be on our third helping} there is one activity that is an absolute must and that's watching the magical Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

This year marks the 91st year and there's always new floats, balloons, and appearances to get excited about. Since the hubby isn't a fan of crowds and he prepares the holiday feast, he gets a pass on attending, so I'm left debating whether or not the boys and I will see it all up close or from the comfort of our pj's at home this time around. 

Haus of JR x PAW Patrol Kids Clothing Line

PAW Patrol fans get excited! Children's brand Haus of JR has teamed up with Nickelodeon for a new collection of exclusive everyday pieces inspired by the network’s hit animated preschool series PAW Patrol. Available Friday, October 27, the Haus of JR x PAW Patrol collaboration consists of fourteen unisex children’s pieces including premium tees, hoodies, denim, joggers and a tracksuit featuring the heroic rescue pups from the series: Chase, Marshall, Skye and Rubble.

SpongeBob SquarePants Hits Broadway in December

Really, it's ok! Even if you're an adult with kids of your own, you can admit to being a SpongeBob Square Pants fan! You'll get no judgement from me. When the hit Nickelodeon show first aired back in the late 90's I was in High School and rarely watched cartoons but my sissy Nicole and younger brother Jay were obsessed with the hilarious sponge who lived in a pineapple under the sea with his pet snail Gary and got into all kinds of trouble with his best friend Patrick the starfish. It's no surprise that nearly 2 decades later, my own two boys and kids all around the world are still tuning in. 

On Broadway this December, fans of this long time running show can now get ready to dive to all-new depths of theatrical innovation at SpongeBob SquarePants, where the power of optimism really can save the world! Stakes are higher than ever before as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage.

Personally, all the quirky humor of this iconic pop culture show is a great way to detach from all the stress of adulting, so I can only imagine how fun it will be to watch live on stage. 

{VIDEO} Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ninja Superstars Stop Motion Action #MustHavesforLilMonsters #WWESuperstars

Disclosure: We were provided the action figures to facilitate the stop motion video, no other compensation was received and opinions expressed are 100% our own.

Hands down two of the most iconic brands that I obsessed over as an 80's baby were the WWE and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, can you blame me? Most people won't believe that my dad & gramps introduced me to what was once the World Wrestling Federation {The WWF} back in the day but it's true she loved watching legendary superstars like "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Sting in the ring. My grandmother would let us stay up late to watch pay-per-view matches, only for us to wake up early on the weekends to binge watch those pizza loving, bad guy fighting TMNT cartoons. I find it just a bit hysterical and pretty damn cool that I have two boys who are also huge fans of both lines, all jokes aside I seriously unwind from a long week tuning in with them and we have a blast! So imagine how hyped we were when we spotted on the Ringside Collectibles Instagram the new WWE Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ninja Superstars from Playmates & Nickelodeon.

2016 Must Haves for Lil' Monsters Holiday Gift Guide and #Giveaway

What's on your Lil' Monsters must have list to receive for the holidays? Whether you're looking for the perfect gift to encourage their love for science and the arts, or If they've been crossing all their little fingers and toes hoping to see some of their favorite television and movie characters recreated as brightly colored, fun toys under the tree, there seems to be some pretty amazing products out this year that we've had the chance to preview and play with. Last Year we had so much fun hosting a giveaway for all of our readers, we've decided to do one again!

Disclosure: There are affiliate links within this post

New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles App Helps Teach STEM Concepts, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

Naturally, seeing as the hubby and I grew up watching the Ninja Turtles as 80's babies, it only makes sense that we are all for our boys loving them just as much, if not more than we did at their age. Nickelodeon has launched its first app based on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Half-Shell Heroes, a preschool and kid-friendly property inspired by the hit animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In the TMNT Half-Shell Heroes app, kids can join Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo on an action-filled quest through the sewers and streets of New York City. Boys and girls alike will surely love this new action packed app that will have them engaged in the educational games that helps teach STEM concepts, problem solving and critical thinking.The TMNT Half-Shell Heroes app is available now to download on all iOS devices, Google Play and Amazon. 

Join Laurie Berkner & Nickelodeon to Support the Children's Museum of Manhattan at Sunday Funday #CMOM

Yes you could stay home in your pajamas while catching up on your favorite shows with your lil' monsters over the weekend, but why on earth would you do that when you could just grab the kiddies and head to Sunday Funday at Chelsea Piers in support of CMOM? With that snowstorm behind us, I think it's time for some family fun for a good cause!

The Children's Museum of Manhattan has been a fun and educational resource to NYC families and visitors. All funds raised during this adorable indoor picnic event will go towards the cultural programming offered to 350,000 people a year, with free access given to 50,000 low-income individuals.  And for the second year in a row CMOM is hosting Sunday Funday for hundreds of families with children ages 0-12, who'll enjoy food, live entertainment, obstacle course, sports celebrities, costume characters, arts and crafts and so much more!

I'll never forget how much fun my oldest Cj and I had visiting their Eat, Sleep, Play exhibit as part of one of my Graduate Studies papers at CUNY Queens College while working on my Masters in Elementary Education. It was a phenomenal, interactive experience where we both learned a lot and CJ begged for me not to make him leave. Essentially last year CJ felt the same way about he and his little brother ending the day after a fun-filled afternoon of activities - thanks to Adam at DadaRocks.com for hosting a ticket giveaway we were able to attend the inaugural year and the boys begged me to let them stay just a few minutes longer. 

Take a look at our pics of all the fun we had last year: From watching Dan Zane perform to showing off their dance moves wit the Super Sprowtz (who we met on our first visit to the museum nearly 5 years ago) to shooting hoops with WNBA stars and getting their face painted - to say the boys had an awesome time is an understatement.

What's cooler than a life size game of Connect Four?

11 year old CJ has been a fan of Dan Zanes since preschool so it was fun introducing his little brother to some fun live tunes and to tell Dan how much they loved the show

  

A video posted by Danielle (@dellahsjubilation) on Apr 19, 2015 at 10:05am PDT

There was fun to be had at every twist and turn, even on the way to the restroom!

Mini basketball and football fans had the chance to hoop it up with alumni from our home teams and toss around the ball.

If you can't tell by his face it's definitely a great experience for the kids and a way for the grown ups to support a community establishment that brings smiles just like his to the faces of littles that visit the museum regularly.

So what are you waiting for? With a little less than 150 tickets left grab yours to support this wonderful Museum and it's programming, it's such a great way for the entire family to spend their weekend, especially as the weather gets a little colder and you need an escape from cabin! What would be a highlight for your family to see of do during Sunday Funday?