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39 best gifts and toys for 10-year-olds in 2023, per experts

39 best gifts and toys for 10-year-olds in 2023, per experts

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, 2023-04-03 02:00:00,

We’ve rounded up the best gifts for babies, toddlers and kindergarteners, now we’re bringing you a gift guide for the first year of a child’s double digits — 10-year-olds!

Also known as “tweens,” 10-year-olds are just a few years away from their teenage years and refining their interests every day, making gift-giving the perfect time to capitalize on their newfound interests and passions.

Whether you’re a parent looking for a few new toys and games to change things up during playtime or a family friend who has no idea what to buy a 10-year-old for their next birthday party, we’ve rounded up the best options according to toy experts, librarians and even a few recommendations from real-life moms, to make things easier.

Since “besties” are prominent during this age, finding gifts that they can share with their friends is always a plus, too. Board games, collaborative crafts, LEGOs are all great avenues to go in.

“They’re starting to spend more time with their friends and a bit less time with their parents, and their activities reflect this shift. 10-year-olds engage in a range of activities with their friends, from organized sports to video games to hanging out and talking,” Dr. Katie Davis, Associate Professor at the University of Washington Information School, Director of the UW Digital Youth Lab and author of “Technology’s Child: Digital Media’s Role in the Ages and Stages of Growing Up,” told the New York Post.

By age 10 they’re ready for more sophisticated board games, read on their own, work independently on school projects and can figure out how to fix mistakes without talking to mom or dad but it’s important to note that not every child’s development grows at the same speed.

“Some 10-year-olds are on the cusp of early adolescence, whereas others are very much still doing things they did at 8 and 9-years-old,” Davis said. “Some 10-year-olds will be happy playing with the toys of their younger siblings; others will be more interested in leaving behind their childhood toys for activities and toys  (though they may not call them ‘toys’) they associate with tweens and teens.”

The following gifts have all been hand-picked by experts, so rest assure you’re in good hands to find the perfect gift they’ll love. For more information about the…

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Charleston disc golf tournament boosts Montgomery County tourism

Charleston disc golf tournament boosts Montgomery County tourism

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, 2022-10-24 03:56:10,

At Burbine Memorial Forest Disc Golf Course’s 10th hole, the difficulty for players isn’t in the distance — 270 feet from the top of the tee box to the basket — or the pond hazard in between, or even in the many ladybugs that like to live and flay around there.

Success or failure for the par 3 hole is all about choosing how to play depending upon the way the wind is blowing.

Mark Hay, a member of the Capital Region disc golf club, DisCap, was in charge of the 2nd annual Blues at Burbine disc golf tournament on Saturday. The event with 10 different divisions of competition drew 72 players, including amateurs and professionals, from throughout the state and the region, from states like Vermont, New Jersey and Massachusetts, to a picture-perfect fall day at the Montgomery County-owned Thomas H. Burbine Memorial Forest in the town of Charleston.

Hay, who lives in the town of Carlisle in Schoharie County, watched as a professional player fail to get his disc over the pond hazard at the 10th hole, splashing his disc into the water, incurring a penalty stroke.

“The wind is a huge factor on this hole,” Hay explained.

The pond hole has become one of the more memorable features at the Burbine course. First prize among professionals in the tournament Saturday was $350, but every player got a knit cap, pint glass and a disc stamped with the tournament logo, featuring a picture of the 10th hole, all paid for from registration fees, donations from the Thomas H. Burbine Family Memorial Fund and political candidate Steve Helmin, who sponsored the 4th Hole, in honor of his run for Montgomery County’s 4th Legislative District.

Hay said disc golf players typically have at least 20 different discs they use of varying sizes and capabilities. He said in disc golf the environment itself is a player in the game.

“You are going to choose your disc based on the wind,” he said. “If there’s a headwind, you’re going to use a disc that is more ‘overstable,’ that can fight through that wind better. If there’s a tailwind, you’re going to pick a disc that’s more ‘understable,’ to let it keep going straighter. The guy who just threw it in the water, he can throw the disc like 400 feet. So, it’s not a question of distance. It’s just picking that right disc, and what the wind is doing at the time.”

One could say the same thing about Montgomery County’s choice of pick the growing sport of disc golf as the county’s first…

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Montgomery County to fund disc golf course upgrades in Burbine Forest

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, 2022-10-04 23:29:54,

CHARLESTON — Infrastructure upgrades are set for the disc golf course in the Thomas H. Burbine Memorial Forest in Charleston.

On July 26, the Montgomery County Legislature approved $100,000 in funding to upgrade the park in order to accommodate the growing number of athletes participating in the burgeoning sport.

The funding, which comes from the county’s allotment from Congress’ 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, will expand the course’s parking lot to accommodate 40-45 vehicles at a cost of $45,000, with an additional $23,000 set aside to establish the site’s first restroom facility.

Additional improvements will include the installation of a new visitor kiosk, upgrades to the course’s pathways and the addition of a gazebo and picnic tables.

The course, which is managed by volunteers, is nestled away on two miles of county-owned property in the forest.

“We opened this thing a couple of years ago and it’s taken off around the country, a lot like pickleball,” county Legislature Chairman Michael Pepe said Tuesday. “So it’s growing in popularity and so we wanted to make the experience there more enjoyable and comfortable for people who get there to play or spectate.”

Pepe said the county hopes to complete the parking lot expansion before the end of the year, with additional work expected to continue into 2023.

Mark Hay, the course’s designer and volunteer manager, said the parking and restroom upgrades should serve as a selling point for the course.

After taking up the sport in 2018, Hay approached the county in 2019 with the idea of establishing a local disc golf course for enthusiasts to play rounds and host tournaments. County Executive Matthew Ossenfort was an immediate backer of the proposal and the 18-hole disc golf course opened in October 2020.

“There’s a pretty big community locally and there’s a lot of tournaments during the year and leagues,” Hay said Tuesday. “Just in the last five years, there’s probably been five or six other courses that have popped up in the Capital Region. So it’s been growing.”

The county executive joined disc golfers at the course on Sept. 28 for an event announcing the imminent park upgrades.

“Disc golf’s popularity has gone through the roof, and Montgomery County is a perfect place to capitalize on the newfound success of the game,” Ossenfort noted in a statement. “The Burbine Forest has long been an underutilized resource for our county, and the disc golf…

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9 Items People Always Forget to Pack, According to Flight Attendants

9 Items People Always Forget to Pack, According to Flight Attendants

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, 2022-09-08 18:27:00,

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It’s a travel scenario we’re all familiar with: You make it through the airport, board your plane, settle into your seat, and…suddenly realize you left something at home. It may something replaceable like a phone charger or toothbrush, but it’s still incredibly annoying to be stuck in the air without those essentials.

While you can easily make a packing list (and check it twice), there are still some basic items that travelers usually forget to throw in their carry-on bags. But what are the things people almost always forget to pack? To get some answers, we reached out to a few flight attendants with 26 years of combined experience. After so much time in the sky, they have heard every complaint and dealt with every request, and they were gracious enough to share their knowledge with us.

Read on for their carry-on packing tips, and be sure to revisit this list before your next flight.

Water bottles

“Water bottles are the most useful item that passengers forget or don’t think to bring,” says Sarah McWilliams-Guerra, who was a Delta Air Lines flight attendant for seven years before launching her own travel website, Airplane Mode. “By bringing an empty water bottle through security, passengers can fill up their bottle in the airport and not rely on anyone else if they’re thirsty or need water.”

McWilliams-Guerra says that while flight attendants can usually accommodate requests for water, many budget airlines don’t include free drinks. To avoid paying a hefty fee or having to wait to quench your thirst, bring your own travel-friendly water bottle—you can even find collapsible bottles that hardly take up any space in your bag.

Shop Reusable Water Bottles

Shop Reusable Water Bottles

Blankets & pillows

Ask any flight attendant and they’ll tell you: It’s impossible to please everyone on the plane. “One passenger will be hot and the other cold,” says Steven Daniel, who has worked on SkyWest Airlines for the past two years. “It’s important to bring your own blankets and pillows for your comfort.”

You obviously don’t want to fill up your carry-on with bulky bedding, so make sure to look for compact, travel-sized blankets and pillows. Many popular travel blankets fold down to a fraction of their full…

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Hill Country winery harvests new Italian restaurant with star chef

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, 2022-09-07 11:15:08,


An award-winning winery and vineyard in Marble Falls is adding to the long list of reasons Texans should head for the hills. Flat Creek Estate is entering a new season of growth, announcing new ownership, recent renovations, and a Michelin-pedigreed chef to boot.


Located within two hours of San Antonio, Flat Creek is nestled in a little pocket of the Colorado River as it winds through the Texas Hill Country.


Perhaps that’s what first attracted Eva Horton, the estate’s new owner, who is leading Flat Creek into this next elevated era. With a strong background in real estate investment and development, Horton is helping the estate implement enhancements to its facilities and staff, as well as a new line of fresh grapes. 


“I loved Flat Creek from the first time I came to visit. I saw so much potential for its growth, but I also want to preserve all the things that make the estate so special,” says Horton, a partner with Austin-based real estate firm Post Lake Capital Partners. “I am honored to continue the family legacy and further the vision of this beautiful winery.”


Part of that vision is the hiring of executive chef Tim Lane to helm the property’s onsite restaurant, Ellera. (If you recognize that name from Bee Cave and South Lamar spots, those concepts are now called The Garden, and this transplant is now the only Ellera location, complete with separate menu and dining concept). Lane served as co-executive chef at the Bee Cave location, and previously studied Italian cuisine under a Michelin-starred chef in Rome for 10 years.


Lane will infuse that experience into his new menu for Ellera, anchored by Italian-style dishes with Roman-style pizzas to showcase his ingenuity and talent while enhancing Flat Creek’s award-winning wines. Featuring herbs grown onsite for an authentic farm-to-table feel, Lane’s thoughtfully crafted three-course pairing meals will include mouthwatering hand-rolled pastas and genuine North End Italian cuisine.


“There’s something so magical about the way food can bring people together. I am extremely excited about bringing Ellera to Flat Creek,” says Lane.


Also new to the Flat Creek team is consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger, who brings experience making wine all over the world. Working with winemaker Bob Wonacott and the entire Flat Creek Estate winemaking team, Hoefliger will lend his expertise to farming practices, production procedures, and final blending.


“Our goal is to…

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An array of fun awaits in Angleton, home of Stephen F. Austin’s statue

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, 2022-08-26 12:06:19,


In the heart of Brazoria County is Angleton, where you and your family will be within minutes of beaches, history, wildlife, and nightlife.


Forty-five minutes southwest of Houston on SH 288, the historic town has reinvented itself and is now stuffed with boutique shopping, live music, a farmers market, kart racing, crocodiles (you heard us), and so much more.

What to do in town

Stroll through historic brick stores downtown that now house unique shops and restaurants.


Tex-Mex is the state cuisine, and Angleton has no shortage of restaurants featuring fajitas and ceviche. You can also enjoy Italian food, sushi, Gulf seafood, Texas-style barbecue, and good old Southern home cooking.


Wander through the Peach Street Farmers Market each Saturday, where there’s homegrown produce, baked treats, live entertainment, and handcrafted goods — or just pull up a chair and visit with some friendly local folks.


Looking for some boot-scootin’ and great Texas country music? The Dirty South offers live music several nights a week.


If golf is your thing, Mulligan’s Golf Center offers 54 bays on two levels. Select one of the most famous courses in the world, tap into some technological magic, and swing away.


Wave to the Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin, when you visit his 72-foot statue park facing SH 288 at Munson Historical County Park.


Come for the Concert in the Park series every Friday in May and September — everyone brings their lawn chairs and coolers and sits out at Veterans Park to watch the local artists perform.


Angleton features plenty of parks, including a great natatorium with an awesome splash zone and slides. Check out Bates Park and enjoy a picnic lunch after a game of disc golf on the 18-hole course.

Don’t miss nearby attractions

Angleton and the surrounding area have an abundance of attractions for everyone in the crew. Popular locations include:


• Brazoria County Museum

• Stephen F. Austin Statue

• Ring of Honor

• East Columbia Historical Homes

• Columbia Historical Museums

• Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Park

• Rosenwald School

• Lake Jackson Historical Museum

• Abner Jackson Plantation Site

Embrace the great outdoors

Being in such close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico offers visitors numerous outdoor activities or simply a great day at the beach. The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is another interesting location in the area.


In addition,…

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Utopia Fest ends with a bang — or eclipse — and new Austin-area venue

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, 2022-08-23 14:07:31,


Ending a more than 14-year event called Utopiafest while camping under a total eclipse in semi-remote Texas is total cult behavior. Sign us up. The Utopiafest crew announced in July a two-year plan to close out the series, returning to the initial venue in Utopia, Texas, and opening a new permanent venue in Buda, for continued fun with a lower buy-in.


First comes Utopiafest 13 (stylized UTOPiAfest Thirteen), at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet County, much closer to Austin. The October 14 and 15 festival in 2022 is penultimate in the regular series, which ends with Utopiafest 14 on May 5 and 6, 2023.


Eclipse Utopia: Annular, moves the venue back to Four Sisters Ranch in Utopia on October 13 and 14, 2023, with views from the camping area that extend 30 miles over the stage, Utopiafest co-founder Wayne Dalchau narrates. Finally, Eclipse Utopia: Total coincidentally describes the total end of the multiday festival, on April 7 and 8, 2024.


The next event, Utopiafest 13 (if you’re keeping up), will feature big names in Austin and the country on two stages. Among the 20 artists on the lineup, folk duo Shovels and Rope bring more than a decade of raw, high-energy folk songwriting. Victor Wooten, the legendary bassist known for his creative adventurousness, is touring with his Bass Extremes in support of the August 26 release of S’Low Down. Austin solo artist Sir Woman, in the middle of rising to national prominence with just one LP released in 2022, is also on the bill.


Nestled into the 1,000-acre Reveille Peak Ranch, which is popular for mountain biking about 60 miles northwest of Austin near Buchanan Lake, Utopiafest is as much about the camping as the tunes. Bikers can take off as usual, or can try hiking, swimming, disc golf, and workshops with community artisans. The event is BYOB, local vendors are handling most food needs, and cooking at the campsite is encouraged. Kids are not just welcome, but taken care of at the Kids Camp with special programming.


“We had initially agreed on five Utopiafests at Reveille, and then we were going to revisit and decide what we were going to do next,” says Utopiafest co-founder Travis Sutherland. Factoring in pandemic cancellations, this four-part schedule allows Utopiafest to fulfill its plan with Reveille before pivoting to smaller parties multiple times per year — to start, those are the Eclipse events, organized around actual astronomical events crossing over Utopia. Once those…

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Small-town charm permeates Rockwall, just 30 minutes east of Dallas

Small-town charm permeates Rockwall, just 30 minutes east of Dallas

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, 2022-08-19 12:00:00,


Picturesque sunsets at the lake, great golf, and small-town charm are par for the course in Rockwall, which is just 30 minutes east of Dallas. Live music is also big — there’s a reason why Rockwall was voted the Free Live Music Capital of North Texas.


From unwinding at the water to savoring the local dining and music scene, discover these summer-perfect possibilities in Rockwall.

Discover — and dine in — Historic Downtown Rockwall

As a designated Texas Main Street City, Downtown Rockwall is a revitalized, historic gem that’s home to shops and boutiques, a majestic Art Deco courthouse, and must-try restaurants, all perfectly set within old-fashioned brick storefronts.


The Book Club Cafe specializes in down-home food with a twist, like sweet and savory takes on waffles and the best scratch-made biscuits and CFS (chicken fried steak).


Look for artisan-style wood-fired pizza and a solid wine list at Zanata; street tacos on hand-rolled tortillas and craft beer at Charlie’s; and an impressive array of burgers and all the fixins’ at the rancher-owned Wells Cattle Co. Word to the wise: Get the PBJ bacon burger for a delicious twist on the norm.

Downtown also hosts a charming Farmers Market from May through September, along with the San Jacinto Plaza Music Series on Friday and Saturday evenings from May through October.

Get a lake life

For beautiful sunsets, Lake Ray Hubbard views, and dining and entertainment, The Harbor is another district that’s not to be missed.


Thursday nights mean Concerts by the Lake, a free series that’s held through July 28. The 2022 lineup includes bands like Dunn & Brooks (a Brooks & Dunn tribute), Back in Black, (AC/DC tribute), Desperado (Eagles tribute), Escape (Journey tribute), and Warehouse (Dave Matthews tribute) along with party bands like crowd favorite Limelight.


While you’re there, grab food and a ’rita or beer to-go at Dodie’s Cajun and creole restaurant.


If it’s not Thursday but you still are craving some music, you can often catch a band or karaoke night at Sideways BBQ, where they sling the smoked goods in a casual, lakeside setting.


Or BYOB for a relaxing night on the lake. Sail with Scott’s 40-foot-long sailing catamaran has starlight cruises along with family-friendly daytime options.


Or book a sunset cruise on one of DFW Boat Ride’s two double-decker boats like the Harbor Lights.

Tee off

Line up your tee shot down a lush, rolling…

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Dallas neighbor unlocks honor as one of America’s best places to live

Dallas neighbor unlocks honor as one of America’s best places to live

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, 2022-08-08 13:08:23,


It’s no wonder so many people are moving to McKinney. A new ranking from Livability, whose research generates lists of the best places to live, work, and visit, puts McKinney at No. 18 among the country’s 100 most livable small and midsize cities.


That’s a significant climb up the charts from last year’s ranking of No. 60.


McKinney is the only DFW city to crack the top 20 in the new rankings, but not the only one to make the top 100. It is joined in the 100-best list by Plano (No. 29) and Denton (No. 83). They’re the only Texas cities appearing in the top 100.


To come up with the top 100, Livability examined more than 2,300 cities based on more than 50 data points grouped into eight categories, measuring a city’s economic stability, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, and health care, they say.


“This year, we focused on mid-sized cities (generally defined as 500,000 population or smaller) that are attracting big waves of young people,” the study’s authors say. “We also added more weight to some of our measures of diversity and inclusion in order to reflect what millennials are looking for in the cities they choose to call home.”


Madison, Wisconsin, took the top spot for the second year in a row.


McKinney (population 202,690) scores especially well in the categories of economy, education, health, and demographics. Livability praises the city, 30 miles from Dallas, for offering “a quaint hometown feel and big-city amenities.”


“This fast-growing suburb makes the list as one of the best places to live in the U.S. because of its great schools and strong economic backbone,” Livability says. “Tech and aviation industries flourish in McKinney, with Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems’ headquarters providing lots of jobs. In addition, McKinney has an exceptionally low crime rate, making it a great place to raise a family and sleep well at night.”


The city earns applause for its many parks and trails; historic downtown square with shops, galleries, and restaurants; ample opportunities for remote workers; and low cost of living. Local attractions that earn a mention in the write-up include the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary; the 18-hole disc golf course at Towne Lake; the restaurant CT Provisions Cocktail Parlor and Kitchen; and Adriatica, a 45-acre Croatian village in the middle of McKinney’s Stonebridge Ranch Development “oozing with European…

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Lewisville: Lake adventures galore with a side of art and history

Lewisville: Lake adventures galore with a side of art and history

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, 2022-07-12 12:08:27,


There’s plenty to love about Lewisville, from its charming and historic downtown to the sparkling lake that’s made for boating, fishing, and water sports. And even better: it’s all within a quick 10-minute jaunt from DFW International Airport.

Plan an outdoor adventure

Lewisville Lake is the crown jewel of the area, and there are abundant ways to enjoy it. Start by swinging a club at Lewisville Lake Park, a 622-acre park on the south shore that has a nine-hole and 18-hole course along with swimming beaches, campgrounds, boat ramps, and a disc golf course.


The lake is also considered the “Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas,” so you can’t go wrong spending the day at Safe Harbor Pier 121 Marina on a rented watercraft or with a fishing rod in hand.


If a brunch or dinner lake cruise is more your speed, Sam’s Dock has you covered. They also have boat rentals available, if you prefer to chart your own course.


And there’s not a more fun place to grab a burger and beer than Sneaky Pete’s, the “Sunday Funday” headquarters that encompasses four boisterous bars, sand volleyball courts, a giant pool deck, and a carefree attitude.


More outdoor adventures can be found at LLELA (Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area); it’s a nature preserve where you can go fishing, hiking, birding, camping, and paddling, or sign up for guided activities like bird walks, campfires, kayak tours, nature walks, night hikes, and more.

Fest with the best

Lewisville is home to events year-round. During the summer, beat the mid-week slump at The Sounds of Lewisville concert series, hosted in Old Town Lewisville’s Wayne Ferguson Plaza every Tuesday in June and July. The opening act performs at 7 pm, followed by the headliner at 8 pm.


Bring your cowboy hat and boots for Western Days in September, a two-day festival that celebrates the history and spirit of the Wild West with music, food, attractions, and even a World Tamale Eating Championship.


And ring in the holiday season with the Old Town Holiday Stroll in December, a family-friendly event that includes Selfies with Santa, a Motorcycle Toy Run, Huffines Christmas Parade, Elf Scavenger Hunt, and the Lewisville Lights! Tree Lighting ceremony.

Find art (and history) in Old Town

The many charms of Old Town Lewisville are yours for the taking, including its colorful public art displays. There’s an impressive collection of indoor and outdoor pieces that pop up everywhere,…

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