As a parent, it's not always easy to find activities that are both exciting for kids and truly educational.
I know the struggle all too well.
We recently tried Cocomelon Sing and Play with JJ on our smart TV and the change in our kids was immediate.
Instead of just watching, they were jumping up laughing, singing and clapping, along with JJ and the whole crew.
Thanks to the impressive technology, the characters actually reacted to our kids' voices and movements, making the whole thing more like playtime than watching a program.
Created with guidance from early childhood specialists Cocomelon, Sing and Play with JJ helps support vocabulary development, rhythm coordination and confidence.
The experience is safe, ad-free, and totally hands-free on the big screen.
Our kids loved feeling like part of the adventure and we loved watching them light up as they learned through upbeat music and playful movement.
So if you want screen time that feels like playtime you can feel good about, give it a try.
Available now in the Volley app on your smart TV.
Just search Volley in your TV's app store and start your free trial of Cocomelon.
Sing and Play with JJ today.
Volley.
The Rockettes are one of the most famous dance groups in the world, known for their sparkling costumes, perfect kicks and incredible precision.
When people think of the winter holidays in New York City, many picture the Rockettes performing on stage at Radio City Music Hall.
But the story of how they began and how they became a beloved part of American entertainment goes back almost 100 years.
The Rockettes were created in 1925 by a dancer and choreographer named Russell Markert.
He wanted to form a group of dancers who moved together so perfectly that they looked like one person.
Markert imagined tall, talented dancers performing high kicks and quick steps with exact timing.
He found his inspiration in a group of British dancers he had seen when he was young.
He believed that if American dancers trained hard enough, they could be even better.
The first version of the Rockettes was called the Missouri Rockettes, and they began in St.
Louis.
But soon they were invited to perform in New York City, where they became part of something even bigger.
In the early 1930s, a huge new theater was being planned in Manhattan, Radio City Music Hall.
It was meant to be the most exciting and glamorous entertainment space in the country.
When the theater opened in 1932, the Rockettes, now called the Radio City Rockettes, became one of its star attractions.
Radio City Music Hall itself has a special place in history.
It was built during the Great Depression, a time when many people were struggling.
The famous business leader John D Rockefeller Jr wanted to create a place that would lift people's spirits.
He hired skilled architects and designers to make something grand and beautiful.
The theater they built could seat thousands of people and had bright gold walls, deep red curtains and a stage as wide as a city block.
It quickly became known as the showplace of the nation, a shining symbol of hope during hard times.
Inside this grand theater, the Rockettes performed in shows called stage spectaculars, which combined music dancing, comedy and the short films.
They became known for their precision dancing, every arm, leg, and step moving in perfect sync.
Their most famous move, the eye-high kick line, became a symbol of the group.
No one dancer tried to outshine the others.
They were strongest when they worked together.
The Rockettes practiced for hours each day to make sure their timing was flawless.
They had to be the same height and have strong technique.
Their dedication set them apart from other dance groups.
People from all over the country came to see them perform.
Many young dancers dreamed of being Rockettes one day.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Radio City Music Hall became even more popular.
It showed movies on its giant screen and offered live performances between films.
Families made special trips to the theater to enjoy its beauty and excitement.
The Rockettes were a big part of the experience.
They appeared in hundreds of shows each year, performing dances inspired by the seasons travel, nature and American history.
In 1933, something new began—the first Christmas spectacular.
This holiday show featured singing, dancing, and special scenes to celebrate the season.
The Rockettes performed in sparkling costumes, and the show became an instant tradition.
One of the most famous scenes, the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, was choreographed by Russell Markert himself.
In this dance, the Rockettes dress like toy soldiers and fall down like dominoes in slow motion, a move that takes great skill and teamwork.
The number has stayed in the show for nearly a century.
As years passed, the Rockettes continued to grow in popularity.
They traveled around the world and performed for presidents, kings, queens, and millions of fans.
During World War II, they even helped raise money for soldiers.
But no matter where they performed, Radio City Music Hall remained their home.
By the 1970s, the theater faced hard times.
Fewer people were going to see live shows and movies there.
Some even thought Radio City might close forever.
But fans of the Rockettes and the theater worked hard to save it.
The building was declared a historic landmark.
And in the 1980s, it was restored to look brand new again.
Once the doors reopened, the Rockettes returned to the stage stronger than ever.
Today the Rockettes are still famous for their incredible precision and hard work.
Their Christmas spectacular draws people from all over the world each year.
They also perform at big events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Presidential Inaugurations.
New dancers audition every year, hoping to join the long line of performers who have made the Rockettes legendary.
For almost 100 years, the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall have filled New York City with music, sparkle and excitement.
Their story is one of creativity, determination and the magic that happens when people work together to create something beautiful.
