Latest news with #Tonie
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Michelle Darmody: My fool-proof rainbow cake recipe for your Cork Pride celebrations
This is not a cake I would ordinarily bake, I find the amount of colour and faff off-putting. I am making an exception today to celebrate Pride. One of my old friends, Tonie Walsh was involved in the first Pride Parade in Ireland in 1983. It took courage and defiance to walk the streets of our capital at a time when being in a relationship with someone you love was illegal and posed a danger to your safety. We have not ironed out all of the negative attitudes in Irish society, I loathe to paint us as perfect, but we have come a long way. I have participated in many Pride parades over the past decades and seen first-hand the overwhelming support and joy that is spread on that day. In recent years, it has become less of a community event and grown bigger than Tonie, or any of his friends, could have imagined back on that afternoon in 1983, but perhaps this is a good thing. The wide reach, the big companies coming on board; let's take the positive from this and celebrate and embrace the energy, creativity and fun that opening up to inclusivity and diversity brings to a society. So, for today, I will tip a little extra bit of rainbow colouring into my sponge, and smile to myself at an Ireland I am happier to be a part of. Rainbow Cake recipe by:Michelle Darmody For today, I will tip a little extra bit of rainbow colouring into my sponge and smile to myself at an Ireland I am happier to be a part of. Servings 16 Preparation Time 60 mins Cooking Time 25 mins Total Time 1 hours 25 mins Course Dessert Ingredients for the cake: 420g butter, soft 420g caster sugar 8 eggs, lightly beaten 2 tsp vanilla 420g self raising flour for the icing: 420g butter, soft 840g icing sugar 2 tsp vanilla a dash of milk Method Preheat your oven to 160°C/gas mark 3 and line five 8-inch round spring form tins with parchment. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla to your eggs. Turn your mixer down low or use a wooden spoon to add half of the eggs into the butter and sugar. Add a tablespoon of the flour and then add the rest of the eggs. Add in the rest of the flour until combined. Scoop the mixture into five bowls and add a drop of different colour food colouring to each bowl and combine. Scoop each of the mixtures into the five prepared tins. Bake the cake for 25 minutes until baked through. Allow to cool in the tins until cool enough to handle then place onto wire racks to cool completely. To make the icing, whisk the icing ingredients until light and fluffy. Once the cakes have completely cooled, trim them and sandwich them together with the buttercream, one on top of the other, in a neat pile. Add a thin layer of icing to the outside of the cake and let it cool. Cover the outside of the cake in icing and smooth it out. Baker's tips: For the smoothest batter it is best to have all of your ingredients at room temperature. For the five 8-inch round tins use either spring form or loose base tins. It is unlikely that you can fit five tins comfortably in your oven so the cakes can be baked in batches. Keep the tin in the fridge or a cool place while you are waiting to bake them. In this recipe, I bake at a lower temperature than I would normally choose, because the sponges are very thin, this helps to prevent them drying out. Gel food coloring is concentrated so it allows you to use less than liquid colours. Gel food coloring is also thicker so will not affect the consistency of the batter. You can easily buy natural food colourings. It is important to properly cool the cakes as it improves stability when stacking and is essential for adding the icing. To ensure flat layers trim or level them by using a serrated knife to trim off any domed tops. Assemble the layers carefully. When icing, apply a thin layer called a 'crumb coat' to seal in crumbs, then chill the cake, if possible, in the fridge, or else a cool place before applying the final icing. Using a cake scraper and turntable can help get smooth sides and clean edges. Placing the cake in the fridge to firm up helps to make it more secure and easier to move and slice. Three delicious variations: Lemon layer cake This can easily be transformed into a lemon layer cake, with or without the food colouring. Add a generous amount of lemon zest into the batter. I would suggest the zest of 6 lemons. For the icing, use a mixture of the zest of 2 oranges and 1 lemon, this gives a nice colour as well as flavour. Chocolate buttercream You can use a chocolate buttercream to coat the cake and between the layers in place of the vanilla 420g of soft butter, with 800g icing sugar, 40g of cocoa powder and a dash of milk. Whisk until completely light and fluffy. Coffee layer cake Coffee butter cream is delicious! You can also make a variation with a coffee buttercream used to sandwich the layers. Whisk 420g of soft butter, soft with 800g icing sugar, 2 very strong espressos, making up about 30mls of liquid. Whisk until completely light and fluffy. Read More Ireland's best food trucks and street food stalls to try this summer
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ms. Rachel Tonie debuts with educational songs and stories for toddlers in screen-free audio format
Parents who have long awaited a screen-free way for their toddlers to enjoy Ms. Rachel can now celebrate — the official Ms. Rachel Tonie has been released. As reported by Country Living's Hannah Jones, the educational toy is now available for purchase and is already generating buzz among caregivers eager to reduce screen time while keeping their children engaged. The Tonie figure, priced at $20, features Ms. Rachel along with familiar characters like Mr. Aron and Herbie. The audio experience mirrors her well-known video content, combining interactive songs and storytelling as children are taken on a 'sound field trip' to a school, farm, and city. A full set, including the Toniebox player, is also available for $100. For many parents, the appeal lies in its educational value without screen dependency. Hannah Jones, a shopping editor and mother, noted that this release fills a much-needed gap for families trying to limit television exposure. She shared that although her own household minimizes screen time, her daughter remains captivated by Ms. Rachel's toys and books. The Tonie offers the same educational charm without requiring a screen, making it especially useful during rainy days or sick days when TV use can easily creep back in. Both parent and toddler are satisfied—something Jones notes happens less often than most would hope. The launch comes just in time for the hottest stretch of summer, when indoor entertainment becomes a priority. Many parents have reportedly been requesting a Ms. Rachel Tonie for years, and demand is expected to be high. Previous Ms. Rachel merchandise has frequently sold out quickly. With its engaging, audio-based format and learning-focused content, the Ms. Rachel Tonie gives parents a welcome screen-free option—likely making it a staple in toddler playrooms this summer.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Parents, Rejoice! The Ms. Rachel Tonie Is Finally Here
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." My fellow parents, the day we've all been waiting for is finally here. After years of us begging for our toddler's leading lady to make a Tonie, she's finally graced us with one. That's right: the official Ms. Rachel Tonie has hit the market!Ms. Rachel Tonie $19.99 at As if she doesn't do enough for us parents (one her books literally taught my toddler to count without me even trying), the toddler icon has once again added to her collection of toys, books, and videos. As a mom to a one and a half year old, I own my fair share of Ms. Rachel toys and books. Frankly, we don't even watch that much Ms. Rachel, but my daughter is still obsessed with her and will pick up Hide and Seek with Herbie or her talking and singing Ms. Rachel doll over just about anything else in her playroom. But out of my growing collection of Ms. Rachel paraphernalia, this new Tonie is probably the most excited I've been about a toy in a long time, which is saying something as a shopping editor. Why? Because as my toddler is getting older it's becoming more and more difficult to limit her screen time. In our household, we opt for no TV on weekdays and sparingly on the weekends, but one rainy weekend or day sick can seem to throw us back down the rabbit hole. This Tonie brings all the fun of Ms. Rachel's show but without the high-stimulation screen, so kids can really focus and engage on what they're hearing. Both Mom and toddler are happy, and that seems to happen less and less often these days. Similar to the format of Ms. Rachel's normal videos and shows, the Tonie will feature a mix of engaging storytelling and songs. Kids will join her and friends Mr. Aron and Herbie for a "sound field trip" to a farm, school, and busy city. The Tonie is being sold individually for $20 as well as part of a set that includes a Toniebox (in case you don't already have one) for $100. The timing of the launch couldn't be better, considering we're getting into the dog days of summer when it's just too hot to do anything but play inside. Once again, Ms. Rachel to save the day! So many of Ms. Rachel's toys have sold out quickly, but I'd expect this one to go especially fast considering so many parents have been asking for a Ms. Rachel Tonie for so long. Seriously, don't wait to buy! You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From ‘Lilo & Stitch' Plushies to Star-Loved Baby Monitors, The Best Prime Day Deals on Toys and Baby Gear
Kids—they're adorable, sweet, and (let's be honest) surprisingly expensive. But some products actually make life as a parent easier, like the Frida Baby snot sucker (yes, it's exactly what it sounds like), baby monitors and high chairs. Then there are the fun things you want to splurge on—like toys, books, and plushies. Save your sanity (and your wallet) with the best baby and toddler deals from this year's Prime Day. These are the trusted, tried-and-true favorites we wish we'd snagged on sale. Plus, check out our full roundup of the best Prime Day deals here. More from Variety With the Release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch 1 OLED Is on Sale Online Bose's Bestselling Portable Speaker Offers Omni-Directional Sound and Is 40% Off for Prime Day Xbox Series X/S Deals: The Next-Gen Gaming Consoles Are Discounted for Prime Day $99.99 $179.95 44% off Buy Now On Amazon This screen-free audio player is perfect for toddlers who love music and stories. Just place a Tonie figure on top to start the fun—no complicated buttons or cords required. It's soft, durable, and a parent favorite for quiet playtime. $18.49 $24.99 26% off Buy Now On Amazon Bring Peppa's adventures to life with this adorable caravan playset. Packed with accessories and room for Peppa's family, it's made for hours of imaginative road trips and backyard camping scenes. $25.99 $29.99 13% off Buy Now On Amazon This huggable Stitch plush is as soft and squishy as he looks—perfect for snuggles, movie marathons, or tagging along on everyday adventures. A must-have for any Disney fan who loves a little mischief and a lot of cuddles. $54.99 $109.99 50% off Buy Now On Amazon A kid-friendly tablet built to withstand drops and spills thanks to its colorful, sturdy case. It comes with a year of Amazon Kids+ for access to books, games, and videos—plus parental controls to give you peace of mind. $9.49 $18.10 48% off Buy Now On Amazon Let your little one set sail on island adventures with this Moana dress-up trunk. It's packed with two costumes and lots of accessories that bring the spirit of the ocean and heroism to playtime. Perfect for imaginative fun and storytelling. $19.99 $24.99 20% off Buy Now On Amazon Bring epic battles to life with this detailed Optimus Prime figure that transforms from robot to truck in seconds. Durable and poseable, it's ideal for kids who love action-packed play and heroic adventures. $34.99 $49.99 30% off Buy Now On Amazon Yes the beloved toy for any toddler, magna-tiles is officially on sale. Every parent will tell you that they are the best and can kill hours of times building stack after stack of rainbow-colored building. Might as well get two. $16.49 $24.99 34% off Buy Now On Amazon Keep kids busy on the go with this compact Bluey activity case filled with 15 fun games and puzzles. Perfect for travel or quiet time, it sparks creativity and keeps little minds entertained anywhere. Buy Now On Amazon $32.99 $32.99 This adorable balance bike (perfect for 1+ years) is on sale, and if you're thinking about balance bikes definitely check out the kids helmets that are on sale for Prime Day. $99.99 $109.98 9% off Buy Now On Amazon Help your little one (and you) get better rest with this smart sound machine and night light bundle. With customizable colors, soothing sounds, and time-to-rise features, it grows with your baby from newborn naps to toddler sleep training—all controllable from your phone. Snag it now for Prime Day plus an extra 20% off with a coupon. $209.99 $279.99 25% off Buy Now On Amazon Make your own baby food with the Beaba, blender and steamer all in one package. The Neo Baby Food Maker is 20% off today and also comes with a glass food container and stainless steel steam basket. The entire line of baby cooking products is 20% off across their store site. Buy Now On Amazon $27.99 $27.99 Cold season is coming, stock up now. The Frida Baby brand is definitely a parent fav. It's full of gadgets and gizmos to help your baby when they're leaking, snotty, gassy or even flaking. The snotsucker is legend, and now they make an electric one (see below). But the thing every parent really needs is a plethora of thermometers (one is never enough). Thankfully, the Frida lets you test the baby's temperature in their ear, forehead and there's also a touchless option. Other great Frida deals include: Grow-with-me Bathtub (30% off) Baby Toothbrush (30% off) 3-in-1 Humidifier, Diffuser + Nightlight (30% off) 2-in-1 Portable Sound Machine + Nightlight (40% off) Frida Baby Baby Basics Kit (30% Off) Electric Snot Sucker (32% Off) Hand-held Snot Sucker (30% Off) $269 $399.00 33% off Buy Now On Amazon If you want even more intel on your baby's sleeping methods and habits, may we suggest the Owlet? dam Levine and Behati Prinsloo have both used it with their little ones, and for good reason. This set tracks and notifies you of pulse rate and oxygen levels, as well as your infant's sleeping trends. The bundle comes with the FDA-approved 'dream sock' that connects to the monitor and your phone. It also keeps tabs on humidity, temperature, and noise levels in your nursery. $159.99 $199.99 20% off Buy Now On Amazon The all-in-one pack 'n-play set from Graco. This three-piece staple has a diaper changing stand, a portable baby bassinet with canopy and the traditional crib at the bottom. Perfect for traveling, visiting guests and will grow with baby. And if this pack 'n-play isn't to your liking, there are a few other Graco deals going on this Prime Day. $13.59 $24.99 46% off Buy Now On Amazon If you're a big wuss (it's OK) and afraid of cutting your kids nails, behold the baby nail file. Prolong the inevitable by adorably buffing your little one's claws with this spinning contraption. $180.00 $225.00 20% off Buy Now On Amazon This stunning high chair from Lalo, along with several children's plateware sets, are all 20% off. Do not sleep on the children's table and chair deal below as well. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Buzz Feed
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
23 Target Toys That Will Actually Give You A Short Break From Entertaining Your Toddler
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Think of it as an investment in some you-time. 1. A sing-and-speak Ms. Rachel doll for the Ms. Rachel enthusiast in your life. Honestly — this will be their entire personality for a while. Just embrace it. Target 2. A screen-free alternative to story time: a Tonie box bundle. Each figurine plays stories, songs, and between 30 and 45 minutes of content. They're going to love all of the options, playing with the figurines and kicking that tablet to the curb (for a little while, that is). Target This bundle includes three figurines (Stitch, Tigger, and Woody), making it a perfect starter set. Promising review: "We have had our Tonie box for over a year! Both of my kids are obsessed! Even my 1-year-old will spend countless hours playing in his room just listening to the stories! Must-have for us! It has made me a happy mama." — Karlie 3. A sink with a faucet that actually cycles through water because they just want to be a mini-adult and *THIS* IS THE SOLUTION. Plus any water play is a total mood booster for the under-5 crowd. Target Each set comes with plates, cups, forks, knives, two pieces of play food, a colander, a sink caddy, a scrub brush, dish soap, and a decorative flower. In order to get the water flowing, put water in the basin and let it run. And don't forget the AA batteries to make the faucet work. Promising review: "I don't know if my daughter or I love this more. She happily plays at her sink, and I'm able to cook and clean. It's been so helpful for getting things done!" — Amy 4. A Little People school bus they can pull around for each stop on the route. Look. I don't know what it is about this toy, but it's one of three toys we have where I look at my husband and say, "They're STILL playing with that?" Just add to cart and trust me: they're gonna love it. Target Promising review: "My daughter loves this. She plays with it almost every day. She initially saw it at a friend's house and it would be the only toy she stuck around with so we ended up getting one for her. She loves pretend play. The amount of things she does with the Little People and the bus while incorporating her other toys too — it is endless. Super sturdy! We don't care too much for the sounds, we like imagining, but it is an added bonus. Love that she can pull it around the house as well." — Cece 5. A play kitchen — aka the ultimate imaginative play station. They'll love serving meal after adorable meal and embodying a one-small-person waitstaff. This model also comes with lots of storage, meaning the food and dishes can easily be stored away rather than turning the room into a toy food-speckled obstacle course. Target Promising review:"Perfect gift for my nieces. Compact, so it fits nicely against a wall or in a smaller space. Very easy to assemble as well!" — MK 6. A train set perfect for any train lover. They can creatively set up their own tracks and play whichever way they choose. AND it comes with its own storage case — double win. Target Promising review:"This train set rocks! Love that the packaging works as a storage bin and integrates into the set. Thoughtful details like the detachable cargo that can be lifted with the crane or helicopter make it versatile and fun. Great price and quality. My 3-year-old loves it — would be a fantastic gift." — Vantip 7. A mess-free coloring book set they'll love coloring, but that doesn't include the added fear of a toddler who can't or *won't* color on the page. These markers only color the page and are invisible otherwise — a truly overdue innovation. Target Each pack comes with five markers and 18 coloring pages. Promising review:"The Color Wonder packs are our go-to for little kid gifts, and the Bluey coloring sheets are so fun. They're a safe bet for gifting to toddlers (and not being responsible for giving something that'll ruin the walls). We have several packs in our house and feel comfortable letting our own young kids enjoy these without much supervision." — Mamasaur 8. A versatile balance beam kit to help them set up an extra awesome obstacle course or an epic game of the floor is lava. This beam has eight bars and five sensory step-stones that can be set up in any number of fun combinations — keeping things interesting and definitely memorable. Target Promising review: "This balance beam has provided countless hours of entertainment for my 3-year-old! We love that the pieces can be made into different configurations and that they don't slide around while using them. We love it and use it daily!" — Dearaby Price: $37.99 9. A delightful bouncing bee toy that'll have them *buzzing* around the room and burning off energy. This simple toy is ridiculously fun and incredibly durable — ours is going on year three. Target 10. A Target cash register set for the next generation Target lover. If they're already calling it "Tarjay" and walking around with a latte in hand, they're definitely going to love this. Target If you truly want to commit to the fantasy, a Target cart is a must. Promising review:"My 3-year-old loves this toy! It's always a hit when friends come over. I love that it can be in English or Spanish and that the numbers pop up and are spoken aloud when pressed. I don't buy electronic toys for my kid often, but this one is an exception because I do feel it's educational and not overstimulating." — Mieka Price: $29.99 11. A Kinetic Sand construction set perfect for any kid who loves construction. They'll love the working crane, wrecking ball, and digger and when they're done, it's self-contained it can pack up easily. Target Promising review: "Best toy ever! My 3-year-old will sit there and play with it for hours! I mean, like, four hours straight! He loves it! His big sister will even play with it for a little while. And I like that it's an easy cleanup!" — S 12. A low-to-the-ground wooden play structure which can help them burn some energy without worrying about height. It converts into a climbing structure, a slide, a rocking arch, or a fun place to calm down for a bit — making it a versatile option for keeping them entertained. Target Promising review:"Great product. Easy to piece together. Sturdy enough for young children. It can be adjusted to meet our toddler's physical needs and challenges. As he thinks more, we can add bigger steps or other obstacles to it. That's great!" — Tarin 13. A Hippo-themed keyboard perfect for any budding musician. There's nothing quite like real music coming out as they bang on the keys with reckless abandon — once again proving to themselves that they truly are *magical*. And the best bonus for the adults around them? It turns off automatically when they move on to their next activity. Target 14. A monkey climber for the little climbing monkey in your life. If they're a risk taker who loves to climb, this is significantly better (and safer!) than finding the halfway up your bookcase. 🫠 Target Promising review: "This is huge and sturdy. My 2-year-old is absolutely obsessed with it. Perfect for climbing and swinging. This is sturdy and meant to be taken apart if you absolutely need to. But I'm going to keep it up until we no longer use it. Grateful it's so sturdy. I'd rather have something that I trust than something easy to break down but flimsy. My toddler has used this several times a day, every day since we got it. Worth every penny if you have the space. Also, a fantastic footrest for the supervising adults. 😂" — Mandy 15. A toddler-size trampoline to help them get some energy out no matter what the weather looks like out there. Honestly, who doesn't love trampolines? Talk about a home run. Target Promising review: "My 22-month-old loves this trampoline! It was easy to put together myself in just a couple of minutes and my son has been using it since. It doesn't have too much bounce where he'll go super high (which is a good thing!). The bar is great for added safety to hold on to. Would be a great thing to have for any 1–5-year-old!"— Target Customer 16. A large water doodle mat that *magically* becomes a blank slate every time it dries. Just fill the pens with water and let them be as creative as they wish without having a huge mess of papers and markers to clean up. Target Promising review: "This is fantastic! My 2- and 4-year-old love it. They have played with it multiple times since purchase, it's easy to set up, cups have an inner lip that limits spilling, which is nice, it dries relatively quickly to allow for continued play." — Nicole 17. A pretend woodworking set so they can fully embrace their inner Ron Swanson. Better than a standard play toolkit, this set includes a C-clamp, a workbench, and a measuring surface along with the regular hammer, saw, and nails. Robust mustache and love for steak not included. Target 18. A deli counter complete with everything they need to run a sandwich shop. If a play kitchen doesn't work for your home, this is a great alternative for enjoying lots of foodie fun without sacrificing floor space. Get ready for that cute little "order up!" Target 19. A convertible play couch that'll make fort building quick, easy, and creative while avoiding mess and flattened couch cushions. Plus, once they're done with the fort, it converts back into a kid-sized couch for some relaxing, quiet play. Talk about easier than cleaning up an entire room of cushions and blankets. Target Promising review:"My kids use their sofa everyday. The slipcover is machine washable, which is great!" — Jess Price: $126.99 20. A versatile doctor kit with plenty of accessories so they can run their very own make-believe clinic. This set has them covered with everything from a stethoscope to wound care, to ear exam utensils. Just be prepared to have emergency "surgery" from here on out. Target Promising review:"My 3-year-old has had endless enjoyment playing with this medical kit. It also has helped significantly to diffuse his fear about visits to the doctor and injections. The set includes safe, mostly plastic versions of all of the instruments typically used during a pediatric appointment — stethoscope, tongue depressor, syringe, etc. All of our family members and a group of stuffed friends now regularly receive at-home check-ups. Highly recommend!" — Jennifer 21. A Yeti In My Spaghetti board game they'll want to play again, and again, and again. Take turns pulling noodles out one by one and make sure the lil' snowy creature doesn't fall in the plate — whoever removes all the pasta first wins! It's less complicated than Jenga, quieter than KerPlunk, and destined to stay fun longer than an enthusiastic first day. Target This is the first game I ever got my kids and it's still a favorite several years later. They still enjoy it and when it's not used as a game, they have been known to "cook" bowls of spaghetti in their restaurant. Gotta love a multi-use toy. Promising review:"Really fun game for the whole family! I love how simple and easy it is to play this game. My 3-year-old loved playing it!" — michelle90 Price: $9.99 22. A car wash and service station which is simple enough for imaginative play and sturdy enough to withstand whatever a young kid will — probably literally — throw at it. Target Promising review:"My son got this for his second birthday. It is high quality construction and comes with two cars, but he would often use his Hot Wheels/Matchbox cars with this as well. Has a car wash in back and storage/garage in front. Includes a carrying handle. All kids love opening and closing doors, so this was a hit." — Missg Price: $34.99 23. A ride-on excavator for any construction enthusiast. The sit and scoot design means they can zoom with ease and it has a storage container built in for whatever it is they dig up. The only difficulty is getting them to stop playing with it. Target Promising review:"The 1-year-old and 3-year-old are in love with this toy. It is great for different ages. Only downside is getting them to share it." — BestAuntEver Price: $59.99 The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
