Barbie Wants to Teach Girls to Code With Its New ‘Career of the Year’ Doll

Barbie has long been an aspirational figure for young women, and her latest career update is hoping to encourage girls to realize the opportunities available for them in the STEM fields.

The latest “Career of the Year” Barbie was revealed by Mattel on Tuesday, and holds the job of a robotics engineer. The doll comes with safety goggles, a little laptop, and a small, bendable robot. While this isn’t Barbie’s first role in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics realm, this time, the brand has partnered with gaming platform Tynker to make the career more accessible as they aim to introduce more girls to coding.

“For almost 60 years, Barbie has exposed girls to roles where women are underrepresented to show them that they can be anything,” Lisa McKnight, Barbie General Manager and Senior Vice President, said in a statement. “By playing with Robotics Engineer Barbie on and offline, we are giving girls a new platform for play in their imaginary world and teaching them important skills for their real world.”

Barbie is also partnering with Black Girls CODE and releasing a coding e-book, Code Camp for Barbie and Friends, as part of the program.

The STEM doll and accompanying programming is the latest commitment by the iconic brand to improve representation and inclusivity in recent years. In 2016, the doll’s figure, which had long been criticized for its unrealistic proportions, got a body-positive makeover.

What do you think of Robotics Engineer Barbie? Let us know @BritandCo!

(photo via PRNewsfoto/Mattel, Inc.)

Kids are some of the most discerning peeps on your holiday list so you want to find something that will really tickle their hearts and brains. An indoor swing? Stilts? Creative forts? STEM kits? We have it all right here so you don't have to dig deep for the perfect gift, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the season. So go ahead and bake holiday cookies and binge on the latest holiday movie because here are 25+ gift ideas for kiddos that are still in stock and fun for all ages.

Personalized Alphabet Zoo Story Book

Personalize their first ABC book with this zoo-inspired storybook that gives a nod to their cute little name!

Rainbow Unicorn Tea Set

A great way to bond with adults and flex their pretend play muscle is to serve up some scrumptious unicorn tea! The carry case fits everything neatly inside so they can bring it anywhere for an impromptu tea party.

FAO Schwarz Glow Brights Plush Disco Ball

Get ready to party with this ball drop -- a plush disco ball that lights up with dazzling LED lights and sound. It's huggable too;)

Musical Chain Reaction Construction Set

Kids can construct this super cool domino-meets-music-meets-car construction set and play with it for hours after.

Floor Surfer

This roller board helps train motor skills and is totally safe with a design that helps protect their arms and legs. Plus, it's totally fun!

Hearthsong Gymnastics Tumbling Mat

For tumblers and little yogis alike, this mat is perfect for getting their wiggles out.

Learn to Mix & Spin DJ Pad

Aspiring DJs can learn to mix and play with this creative portable music studio.

Cable Transport

Perfect for a treehouse or fort, this crate and pulley system lets kids transport things old-school style, teaching them adventure, creativity, and cooperative play.

Hazel Village Kid Dolls

Made in Brooklyn, these organic handmade dolls are designed to look like kids of all shades, with adorable outfits and accessories to choose from for endless pretend play, or just to cuddle with at bedtime.

Magnetic Color and Number Maze

Toddlers can brush up on their colors and numbers with this magnetic color maze toy where they put beads in the matching paint can.

Montessori Arch

Part lounge chair, part climbing arch, this wooden structure from Etsy works both ways for chill and play time.

Geospace Original Walkaroo Durable Steel Stilts

What kid wouldn't want to play around with these stilts, and thankfully they're way more comfortable than stilts of yore with under arm foam and handles that add comfort and grip.

Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Supply Library

Fill your kiddo's craft stash with this 1,000-piece library of all things DIY and watch their creative juices flow.

3-in-1 Wooden Montessori Toys

Just as they're sitting up and tinkering with everything in sight, this 3-in-1 toy comes to the rescue for keeping them engaged and curious.

Weird & Wild Animal Facts Gift Set

Kids who are obsessed with wildlife can learn all about big cats, slithering snakes, mammoth elephants, and manic monkeys in this unique bingo, book and bath fuzz gift set.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Amazing Chemistry Set 

Kids can make bubbling, color-changing, and glowing experiments in this amazing science kit.

LEGO Classic Creative Party Box Set

Get your builders ready for a day of lego building with 12 mini builds and 900 bricks to make their own.

Kids Pod Swing Chair

Give them a private hang-out and reading spot with this indoor swing made in 100% cotton, perfect for bedrooms and play rooms.

Space World Play Tent Galaxy Dome Playhouse

Space explorers can pretend they've rocketed to outer space in this cool tent for secret astronaut missions.

Melissa & Doug Sort, Stock, Select Wooden Vending Machine Play Set

Vending machines are practical for adults but totally fun for kids! Here, kids can stock the machine, insert play coins and press buttons to their watch items fall out and in their hands.

Tiny Land Kids-Fort-Building-Kit-80 Pieces-Creative Fort Toy

Any parent who has tried to build a fort with pillow cushions alone will appreciate this gift that makes fort fun so much easier, and long-lasting. Kids can assemble it themselves too for an added adventure.

Klutz Mini Clay World Pet Adoption Truck Craft Kit

Kids can sculpt puppies, birds, bunnies, and guinea pigs from oven-bake clay and then pretend they're driving a pet adoption truck that they'll also construct!

Friendship Bracelet Making Kit

Remember these? Friendship bracelets for besties and more will never go out of style. There are endless combinations too!

Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)

Introduce readers to the world of Harry Potter in this first-time ever paperback boxed set!

Wooden Puzzles Blocks Brain Teasers

Challenge kids to a puzzle duel with this brain-teasing game that helps them focus and train their imagination.

​KiwiCo Craft & Carry Supply Station

We love KiwiCo STEM kits and this one has more than 1,000 pieces with a 33-page book chock-full of crafty ideas.

Personal Laptop Kids Chalkboard

No charging station needed here. Let kids pretend they're working like mom and dad with this chalkboard-style laptop for loads of pretend play ideas -- store owner, schoolteacher, writer, and more!

Find more holiday inspiration on our Holiday 2023 page and subscribe to our email newsletter for more holiday gifting ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Main image: Hazel Village Kid Dolls

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

'90s babies, the time has come: we're now officially a part of a historical American Girl doll timeline. The company announced their newest historical girls, fraternal twins Isabel and Nicki Hoffman, on February 22 and Twitter went wild over the fact that the 1990s are now "historical" (although...they were almost 25 years ago).

The twins are giving us some major Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen vibes, and in addition to the dial-up computer and Pizza Hut dinner, the 18-inch doll collection is a treasure trove of details, looks, and toys from our childhoods (including the dolls' own American Girl magazine!). Let's take a little trip down memory lane with the American Girl '90s dolls.

Meet Isabel + Nicki from the American Girl Doll '90s Collection

Isabel™ & Nicki’s™ Ultimate Collection ($326): Isabel Hoffman™ Doll, Journal & Accessories ($151); Nicki Hoffman™ Doll, Journal & Accessories ($151); Isabel™ & Nicki's™ Pet Set ($34)

The American Girl dolls have everything from composition notebooks and overall dresses to flannels and chokers. If we flipped through our childhood scrapbooks, we could point out these exact details in our own lives!

Isabel™ & Nicki’s™ Bedroom Bundle ($641): Isabel™ & Nicki’s™ Computer & Desk Set ($145); Isabel’s™ Floral Dreams Pajamas ($34); Nicki’s™ Skater Dreams Sleep Shirt ($28); Isabel’s™ Bed & Floral Dreams Bedding Set ($150); Nicki’s™ Bed & Animal-Print Bedding Set ($150); Isabel’s™ Bedroom Accessories ($50); Nicki’s™ Bedroom Accessories($50)

Reversible bedspreads, funky pillows, and animal slippers? Cute bedroom accessories and inflatable chairs? Their own dial-up computer? These girls are living our childhood dream.

Pizza Hut® BOOK IT!™ Set ($32)

We'd eat pizza everyday if we could, and we're certain those childhood trips to Pizza Hut is where our love for the cheesy dish began.

Isabel™ & Nicki’s™ Sports Bundle ($255): Isabel™ & Nicki's™ 2-in-1 Tennis Court & Skate Spot ($175); Isabel’s™ Tennis Outfit ($40); Nicki’s™ Skateboarding Outfit ($40)

Whether you dreamed of skateboarding around town or you played tons of tennis à la Break Point, you don't have to pick when you have a 2-in-1 tennis court and skating rink.

What do you think of this new American Girl doll collection? More importantly, what do you think about the fact that the '90s were almost 25 years ago?! Whew. Let us know on Twitter.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.