It’s official — game night just got a glow-up. Mattel, the iconic toy company behind family favorites like Barbie and Hot Wheels, is bringing one of its most beloved games into a whole new arena: the Las Vegas Strip. In a move that blends nostalgia with nightlife, Mattel has announced it will open the first-ever UNO Las Vegas Club, offering an immersive space for fans of the classic card game to gather, compete, and unwind in true Vegas fashion.

Dubbed UNO™ at AREA15, the club promises to be a far cry from your average family living room game session. Think high-energy gameplay lounges, thematic cocktails, live entertainment, and larger-than-life installations inspired by the colors and chaos of UNO itself. It’s equal parts party, pop culture homage, and competitive playground.

According to Mattel, this isn’t just about playing cards — it’s about social play.

“In a world of digital everything, people are craving real-life connections. UNO is already a game that brings people together,” said Josh Silverman, Mattel’s global head of consumer products and experiences. “We wanted to take that spirit and blow it out into an experience you can’t find anywhere else.”

Beyond the Draw Four

The concept is part of a growing trend of brands transforming childhood favorites into experiential venues aimed at adults. The Barbie movie may have dominated the box office, but now Mattel is betting that adults want to step into the world of their favorite games — cocktails and LED lighting included.

The venue is being developed in partnership with IP2Entertainment, a company known for turning intellectual properties into entertainment destinations around the globe. Together, they plan to create a club that merges competitive play with the social energy of Las Vegas nightlife.

So what can travelers and visitors expect from an UNO Las Vegas Club?

Picture immersive, tech-enhanced gaming tables where groups can play UNO in themed rounds, surrounded by music, performers, and signature drinks (we can only hope for a spicy “Reverse” margarita or “Wild Card” mojito). Private event spaces and interactive zones are also planned, offering options for everything from birthdays to corporate team-building.

From Tabletop to Trendsetter

While it might seem like a bold move to launch a card game club in one of the most entertainment-saturated cities in the world, UNO has the kind of cross-generational appeal most brands dream of. It’s simple, social, and fueled by a touch of chaos — the kind of gameplay that sparks laughter, rivalries, and plenty of Instagrammable moments.

Mattel has been expanding its presence in the live experience market in recent years, with Barbie-themed pop-ups, Hot Wheels exhibits, and even plans for a Mattel Adventure Park in Arizona. UNO at AREA15 is the next logical — if unexpected — step in turning toys into immersive entertainment.

If all goes well, it might not be the last. Could we one day see a Pictionary-themed karaoke bar? A Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots fight night? Stranger things have happened in Vegas.

For now, Mattel is betting that a little nostalgia, a lot of neon, and a deck of cards might just deal them a winning hand.

Summer road trips have a magic all their own—spontaneous stops, scenic routes, and the kind of memories you talk about for years. But there’s one thing that can derail the fun fast: dehydration.

Whether you’re driving through dry desert heat, humid coastlines, or winding your way into the mountains, hydration needs change with the environment. Air conditioning, salty snacks, and fewer bathroom breaks can sneakily dehydrate the whole car—especially kids and older adults, who are more vulnerable to heat and altitude shifts.

Why It Matters: Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, irritability, and even heat exhaustion. Not exactly the vacation vibe you’re going for.

3 Smart Ways to Keep Everyone Hydrated on the Road

1. Start the Day Right
Before you even hit the road, drink 8–16 oz of water or a hydration-boosting drink. Products like HYDRATED are loaded with hydrating ingredients and electrolytes to replenish fluids and set the stage for optimal wellness. Whether you’re an athlete, professional, or busy parent, HYDRATED delivers crisp, revitalizing hydration with every sip. Enjoy a burst of flavor that quenches your thirst, leaves you feeling renewed, and energizes your day.

Bonus: Less liquid = fewer bathroom stops.

2. Make It Easy (and Fun) for Kids
Water bottles like the CamelBak Eddy+ Kids are spill-proof, colorful, and just the right size for little hands. Create a hydration game—like “sip every time you see a red car”—to keep it top of mind.

3. Pack a Backup Plan
Sometimes you forget. Or traffic hits. That’s when Liquid I.V. comes in handy. These single-serve packets mix into water and hydrate faster than water alone—perfect for emergencies or hot afternoons.

Quick Tips by Age

• Toddlers (2–6): Offer sips every 30–45 minutes. Make it fun with straws or “vacation cups.”

• Kids (7–12): Let them help refill their own bottles. Stickers as rewards work wonders.

• Teens: Remind them hydration = better mood, better skin, and more energy.

• Adults: Don’t just manage hydration—model it. Set reminders, monitor urine color, and stay ahead of fatigue.

Travel Smarter with Routine

• Morning: Everyone drinks before departure, bottles filled and placed in cup holders.

• Pit Stops: Pee, refill, stretch, sip. In that order.

• Evening: Rehydrate with dinner and prep for tomorrow’s drive.

Climate & Altitude Considerations

• Hot Weather: Increase water by 25%, freeze bottles overnight, and carry a misting spray for quick cool-downs.

• High Elevations: Start hydrating the day before. Drink more, skip the caffeine, and pack extra electrolytes like HYDRATED.

A hydrated family is a happy one. A little planning, the right products, and a few clever tricks can make hydration feel effortless—and your road trip more enjoyable for everyone.

Safe travels—and sip often!

As the 78th Cannes Film Festival rolls out its red carpet from May 13–24, 2025, the world’s most glamorous celebration of cinema is once again bringing together film legends, rising talent, and international storytellers in a lineup that feels both grounded in tradition and thrillingly fresh. For movie fans and travel buffs alike, Cannes is a destination worth adding to your list.

A Daring and Dynamic Official Selection

This year’s main competition showcases 22 feature films, each offering a distinctive voice. Wes Anderson returns with The Phoenician Scheme, a stylized espionage drama, while Ari Aster’s Eddington blends Western tropes with biting comedy, anchored by stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone.

Julia Ducournau, who won the Palme d’Or in 2021, is back with Alpha, a provocative exploration of human transformation. Richard Linklater debuts in the main competition with Nouvelle Vague, a love letter to the French New Wave. And Carla Simón’s Romería completes her trilogy about rural Spain.

One of the most historic entries comes from Akinola Davies Jr., whose film My Father’s Shadow marks Nigeria’s first-ever inclusion in the Official Selection—an important milestone for African cinema.

Spotlighting First-Time Directors

The Un Certain Regard section is brimming with bold directorial debuts. Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great tells the story of a grandmother chasing her dreams in New York, while Kristen Stewart adapts Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir The Chronology of Water, a raw portrait of resilience.

British actor Harris Dickinson directs Urchin, a gritty, character-driven film inspired by his volunteer work with London’s homeless community. These entries highlight a growing trend: actors stepping behind the camera to deliver personal, genre-defying stories.

Star Power Returns to the Riviera

This year’s Cannes will not be short on red carpet heat. Tom Cruise is back with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, while Spike Lee screens his latest, Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington.

Robert De Niro will be honored with a lifetime achievement Palme d’Or, celebrating a career that has defined generations of cinema. Jury president Juliette Binoche leads a panel that includes Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong, offering an international perspective on the year’s top contenders.

A Global Lineup

From Iran to Japan, this year’s lineup reflects a deep commitment to stories from around the world. Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident and Sergei Loznitsa’s Two Prosecutors offer complex takes on justice and political morality, while Renoir by Chie Hayakawa bridges cultures through a French-Japanese biopic.

Expanding the Cinematic Experience

Beyond traditional screenings, Cannes 2025 includes an immersive competition of nine entries that experiment with virtual reality and collective storytelling. Meanwhile, the beloved Cinéma de la Plage program continues to deliver beachside screenings of both classics and contemporary gems—turning the Mediterranean coast into a community theater under the stars.

Cannes 2025 isn’t just a showcase—it’s a statement: the world’s stories, from the familiar to the unexpected, belong on screen. And there’s no better stage than the Croisette.