Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is back. So are the stars of “Wicked” and the animals of “Zootopia.”

Summer may be known as sequel season, but part twos, and threes, will play big roles this fall at the movies. That goes not just for the likes of Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Wicked: For Good” and “Zootopia 2,” but for new installments in family sagas, ranging from the Crawleys (“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale”) to the Na’vi (“Avatar: Fire & Ash”).

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cynthia Erivo in a scene from “Wicked: For Good.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

Still, much of the season will belong, as it always does, to original dramas and awards contenders. Hollywood tends to save its best for last. This year includes some already-seen sure bets (Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” ) and dozens of promising new releases from top filmmakers, such as Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” and Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet.”

Here’s The Associated Press’ guide for the movies heading to theaters and the home through Christmas.

SEPTEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Sept. 5

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” (Warner Bros., in theaters): The fourth entry in the James Wan-created horror franchise.

“Twinless” (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, in theaters): Dylan O’Brien stars as twins, one of whom dies early in James Sweeney’s darkly funny tale.

“The Baltimorons” (IFC, in theaters): Jay Duplass directs this quirky Baltimore odyssey about a man (Michael Strassner) and his emergency dentist (Liz Larsen) on Christmas Eve.

Sept. 12

“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” (Focus Features, in theaters): Julian Fellowes brings his Crawley family saga to a close in this third and supposedly final “Downton Abbey” film.

“The History of Sound” (Mubi, in theaters): Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor star in Oliver Hermanus’ New England-set period romance.

“Spinal Tap: The End Continues” (Bleecker Street, in theaters): Rob Reiner and company return for a sequel to the 1984 mockumentary classic.

This image released by Bleecker Street shows, from left, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, and Michael McKean, in a scene from “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.” (Kyle Kaplan/Bleecker Street via AP)

“Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” (Neon, in theaters): Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol bring their cult comedy series to the big screen.

“Rabbit Trap” (Magnolia, in theaters): Rosy McEwen and Dev Patel play musicians recording a record in the Welsh countryside who inadvertently stir dark woodland forces.

“The Long Walk” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Cooper Hoffman stars in this Stephen King adaptation, directed by Francis Lawrence, about a march across a dystopian America.

“Looking Through Water” (Good Deed Entertainment, in theaters): Michael Douglas stars as a father trying to reconnect with his son during a father-son fishing competition.

“Dreams” (Greenwich Entertainment, in theaters): Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud brings his trilogy to a close, following the 2025 films “Love” and “Sex.”

“Happyend” (Film Movement, in theaters): In filmmaker Neo Sora’s first narrative feature, set in a near-future Tokyo, a prank by high schoolers triggers a surveillance state.

“Tin Soldier” (Samuel Goldwyn Films, in theaters): Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, Scott Eastwood and John Leguizamo star in this action movie about mercenaries.

Sept. 13

“Lost in the Jungle” (National Geographic Documentary Films, streaming Disney+/Hulu): E. Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin and Juan Camilo Cruz’s documentary chronicles a dramatic rescue for a four young siblings after a plane crash in the Colombian rainforest.

Sept. 19

“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” (Sony Pictures, in theaters): Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell play lovers who travel back in time in Kogonada’s latest tender sci-fi drama. Co-starring Kevin Kline and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

“The Lost Bus” (Apple TV+, in theaters; streaming Oct. 3): Paul Greengrass directs this based-on-a-true-story drama about a school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and schoolteacher (America Ferrera) trying to save 22 children from California’s 2018 Camp Fire.

This image released by Apple TV+ shows America Ferrara, left, and Matthew McConaughey in a scene from “The Lost Bus.” (Apple TV+ via AP)

“Him” (Universal, in theaters): Former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers stars as Cameron Cade in this Jordan Peele-produced thriller fusing football drama with horror.

“Adulthood” (Paramount, in theaters): Josh Gad and Kaya Scodelario play siblings who discover a long-buried corpse in their parents’ basement in this dark comedy directed by Alex Winter.

“Predators” (MTV, in theaters): David Osit’s documentary looks at the NBC series on child predators, “To Catch a Predator.”

“My Sunshine” (Film Movement, in theaters): A coming-of-age drama from Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Okuyama.

“Swiped” (Hulu, streaming): Lily James plays Whitney Wolfe Herd in Rachel Lee Goldenberg’s drama about the founder of the dating app Bumble.

“Steve” (Netflix, in theaters; streaming Oct. 3): Cillian Murphy reteams with “Small Things Like These” filmmaker Tim Mielants in this drama about a reform college’s headteacher.

“Riefenstahl” (Kino Lorber, in theaters): Andres Veiel’s documentary is about the German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl whose films for the Nazis include “Triumph of the Will.”

Sept. 26

“One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros., in theaters): Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor plays parents with a vigilante past that reemerges in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest.

“All of You” (Apple TV+, streaming): Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots star in a sci-fi romance.

“Eleanor the Great” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): June Squibb stars in Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut about an elderly woman who pretends to be a Holocaust survivor.

“Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” (Universal, in theaters): A big-screen version of the kids series, from DreamWorks Animation.

“The Strangers: Chapter 2” (Lionsgate, in theaters): The second chapter of a new trilogy in the “Strangers” horror series.

OCTOBER MOVIE RELEASES

Oct. 1

“Play Dirty” (Prime Video, streaming): Mark Wahlberg stars as a thief trying for a major heist in a thriller from director Shane Black.

Oct. 3

“The Smashing Machine” (A24, in theaters): Dwayne Johnson stars as a mixed martial arts fighter in Benny Safdie’s film.

This image released by A24 shows Emily Blunk, left, and Dwayne Johnson in a scene from “The Smashing Machine.” (Ken Hirama Dunn/A24 via AP)

“Anemone” (Focus Features, in theaters): Daniel Day-Lewis comes out of retirement to star in this drama about family bonds, directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.

“Shelby Oaks” (Neon, in theaters): YouTube movie reviewer Chris Stuckmann makes his directorial debut in this horror film about a woman’s search for her long-lost sister.

“Orwell: 2+2=5” (Neon, in theaters): Filmmaker Raoul Peck examines the work of George Orwell, with reflections on recent and contemporary times.

This image released by Neon shows a scene from “Orwell: 2 +2=5 .” (Neon via AP)

“Good Boy” (IFC, in theaters): A haunted house movie from the perspective of a dog.

“Are We Good?” (Utopia, in theaters): A documentary about comedian and podcast pioneer Marc Maron following the sudden loss of his partner, the filmmaker Lynn Shelton.

Oct. 10

“Roofman” (Paramount, in theaters): Channing Tatum plays a prison escapee who hides out inside a Toys R Us in Derek Cianfrance’s film.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows, from left, Juno Temple, LaKeith Stanfield and Channing Tatum in a scene from “Roofman.” (Davi Russo/Paramount Pictures via AP)

“Kiss of the Spider Woman” (Roadside Attractions, in theaters): Bill Condon’s film, based on the stage musical stars Diego Luna as a political prisoner who grows closer to his cellmate (Tonatiuh Elizarraraz), with song-and-dance interludes with Jennifer Lopez.

“Tron: Ares” (Disney, in theaters): The third film in the futuristic sci-fi series, and a sequel to 2010’s “Tron: Legacy.”

This image released by Disney shows Jared Leto, left, and Jeff Bridges in a scene from “Tron: Ares.” (Disney via AP)

“After the Hunt” (Amazon MGM, in theaters): Luca Guadagnino’s psychological thriller stars Julia Roberts as a professor whose close friend and colleague is accused of assault. With Ayo Edebiri.

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (A24, in theaters): Rose Byrne plays a mother on the brink in Mary Bronstein’s drama.

“John Candy: I Like Me” (Prime Video, streaming): A documentary portrait of the great Canadian actor, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds.

“Urchin” (1-2 Special, in theaters): Harris Dickinson makes his directorial debut with this portrait of a drifter.

“The Woman in Cabin 10” (Netflix, streaming): Keira Knightley plays a woman on a cruise ship convinced she’s seen someone thrown overboard.

“Fairyland” (Lionsgate, in theaters): A daughter-father drama, starring Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy.

“Vicious” (Paramount+, streaming): Dakota Fanning stars in a reality-bending horror film.

Oct. 15

“It Was Just an Accident” (Neon, in theaters): Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning revenge drama.

This image released by Neon shows, from left, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr as Hamid, Majid Panahi as Ali, Hadis Pakbaten as Goli, in a scene from “It Was Just An Accident.” (Neon via AP)

“Ballad of a Small Player” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Oct. 29): Colin Farrell plays a gambler in financial trouble in Macao in director Edward Berger’s latest.

Oct. 17

“Frankenstein” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Nov. 7.): Guillermo del Toro’s Mary Shelley adaptation, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.

This image released by Netflix shows director Guillermo del Toro, left, and Oscar Isaac on the set of “Frankenstein.” (Ken Woroner/Netflix via AP)

“Black Phone 2” (Universal, in theaters): A sequel to Scott Derrickson’s supernatural horror film.

“Good Fortune” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Aziz Ansari directs this comedy about an angel (Keanu Reeves) whose body-swap lesson for a struggling worker (Ansari) with a wealthy venture capitalist (Seth Rogen) results in him losing his wings.

“Blue Moon” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): Ethan Hawke plays songwriter Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s film set on the 1943 opening night of “Oklahoma!” With Andrew Scott as Richard Rodgers.

“The Mastermind” (Mubi, in theaters): Kelly Reichardt’s 1970s-set heist movie stars Josh O’Connor as an unlikely art thief.

This image released by Mubi shows Josh O’Connor in a scene from “The Mastermind.” (Mubi via AP)

“Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost” (Apple Studios, in theaters; streaming Oct. 24): Ben Stiller profiles his comedy duo parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara in this documentary.

Oct. 24

“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): Jeremy Allen White plays Bruce Springsteen during the making of his 1982 album, “Nebraska.”

This image released by Disney shows Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in a scene from “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.” (Macall Polay/20th Century Studios via AP)

“Bugonia” (Focus, in theaters): A conspiracy-obsessed man (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin (Aidan Delbis) kidnap a CEO (Emma Stone) they’re convinced is an alien. From director Yorgos Lanthimos.

“A House of Dynamite” (Netflix, streaming): Kathryn Bigelow directs a thriller about the White House scrambling to handle an incoming missile attack.

“Mortal Kombat II” (Warner Bros., in theaters): The video game adaptation series continues with this sequel to the 2021 film.

“Hedda” (Amazon MGM, in theaters; Prime Video on Oct. 29): Tessa Thompson stars in Nia DaCosta’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler.”

This image released by Amazon Prime shows Tessa Thompson, from left, Nina Hoss and Imogen Poots in a scene from “Hedda.” (Parisa Taghizadeh/Amazon Prime via AP)

“Regretting You” (Paramount, in theaters): A romance adapted from the author of “It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover, starring Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace and Dave Franco.

“Last Days” (Vertical, in theaters): Justin Lin directs this based-on-a-true story of a Christian missionary attempting to evangelize to the Sentinelese people.

Oct. 31

“Nouvelle Vague” (Netflix, in theaters; streaming Nov. 14): Richard Linklater captures the French New Wave and the making of “Breathless.”

“Hallow Road” (XYZ Films, in theaters): Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys star as parents rushing to help their daughter after a tragic accident.

“The White House Effect” (Netflix, streaming): A documentary about a key moment in the climate crisis, during President George H.W. Bush’s administration.

NOVEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Nov. 7

“Nuremberg” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): A historical drama about the Nuremberg trials, with Rami Malek as the chief psychiatrist Douglas Kelley and Russell Crowe as the Nazi Hermann Göring.

“Die, My Love” (Mubi, in theaters): Lynne Ramsay directs Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, who play new parents in a rural home.

“Predator: Badlands” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): A new “Predator” film, this one rooted in the experience of a Predator and an android, played by Elle Fanning.

“Sentimental Value” (Neon, in theaters): Joachim Trier’s Norwegian drama about a filmmaking family, with Renate Reinsve as the estranged actor daughter of Stellan Skarsgård’s director patriarch.

This image released by Neon shows Renate Reinsve, left, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas in a scene from “Sentimental Value.” (Kasper Tuxen/Neon via AP)

“Train Dreams” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Nov. 21): Clint Bentley’s adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella, about a logger in the Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century.

“Sarah’s Oil” (Amazon MGM, in theaters): A biopic of Sarah Rector (Naya Desir-Johnson), one of the first female Black millionaires in the United States.

“Peter Hujar’s Day” (Janus and Sideshow, in theaters): Writer-director Ira Sachs’ drama stars Ben Whishaw as ’70s photographer Peter Hujar and Rebecca Hall as his friend, the author Linda Rosenkrantz.

“Rebuilding” (Bleecker Street, in theaters): Josh O’Connor plays a cowboy whose ranch is taken by wildfires.

Nov. 14

“Keeper” (Neon, in theaters): Osgood Perkins, director of “Longlegs” and “The Monkey,” returns with more horror, starring Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland.

“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Nine years after the last “Now You See Me” film, more magician heist games, with Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman.

“The Running Man” (Paramount, in theaters): Edgar Wright adapts the dystopian Stephen King novel, starring Glen Powell.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Glen Powell in a scene from “The Running Man.” (Ross Ferguson/Paramount Pictures via AP)

“Jay Kelly” (Netflix, in theaters, streams Dec. 5): George Clooney plays a famous actor and Adam Sandler his manager in Noah Baumbach’s latest.

“Eternity” (A24, in theaters): A romantic comedy set in the afterlife, with Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner.

“In Your Dreams” (Netflix, streaming): An animated adventure in which two siblings travel into the world of dreams.

“Sirāt” (Neon, in theaters): Óliver Laxe’s Cannes prizewinner follows a father (Sergi López) and his son (Bruno Núñez Arjona) searching the Moroccan desert for his missing daughter.

“Left-Handed Girl” (Netflix, in theaters, streams Nov. 28): Shih-Ching Tsou, a regular collaborator of Sean Baker, directs a drama following three generations of women building a life in Taipei.

“Arco” (Neon, in theaters): A French, animated sci-fi adventure about a 10-year-old boy from the future who accidentally travels back in time to the year 2075.

“Come See Me in the Good Light” (Apple TV+, streaming): Ryan White’s documentary follows poet and activist Andrea Gibson navigating a diagnosis of terminal ovarian cancer.

Nov. 21

“Wicked: For Good” (Universal, in theaters): Part two of Jon M. Chu’s extravagant big-screen adaptation of the stage musical, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo in a scene from “Wicked: For Good.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

“Rental Family” (Searchlight, in theaters): Brendan Fraser plays an American actor in Tokyo who begins working for a rental family service.

“Sisu: Road to Revenge” (Stage 6 and Screen Gems, in theaters): A sequel to the 2022 action film “Sisu,” with Jorma Tommila returning as the Nazi killer Aatami Korpi.

Nov. 26

“Zootopia 2” (Disney, in theaters): Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are back on a new mysterious case in the animal metropolis.

This image released by Disney shows Nick Wilde, voiced by Jason Bateman, left, and Judy Hopps, voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, in a scene from “Zootopia 2.” (Disney via AP)

“The Secret Agent” (Neon, in theaters): Kleber Mendonça Filho’s ’70s-set Brazilian political thriller stars Wagner Moura as a technology expert returning to his hometown.

Nov. 27

“Hamnet” (Focus Features, in theaters): Chloé Zhao adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s bestseller about William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and wife Agnes Shakespeare (Jessie Buckley) after the death of their son.

DECEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Dec. 1

“Troll 2” (Netflix, streaming): A Norwegian monster movie and sequel to 2022’s “Troll.”

Dec. 3

“Oh. What. Fun.” (Prime Video, streaming): Michelle Pfeiffer stars an underappreciated matriarch in Michael Showalter’s Christmas comedy.

Dec. 5

“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” (Universal, in theaters): A sequel to the 2023 video-game adaptation, starring Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio and Matthew Lillard.

Dec. 12

“Ella McCay” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): Writer-director James L. Brooks returns with a comedy-drama about a young politician (Emma Mackey), with Jamie Lee Curtis as her aunt.

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” (Netflix, streaming): Daniel Craig returns as the investigator Benoit Blanc in the third of Rian Johnson’s whodunits.

“Scarlet” (Sony, in theaters): Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda’s anime is about a princess who transcends time and space.

“Silent Night, Deadly Night” (Cineverse, in theaters): A Christmas-themed slasher and remake of the 1984 film.

“Dust Bunny” (Lionsgate and Roadside, in theaters): A young girl asks her neighbor to help her kill the monster under her bed, with Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver.

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Dec. 19

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” (20th Century Studios): James Cameron extends his sci-fi epic in the third film of the franchise in which the Na’vi encounter an aggressive tribe called the Ash People.

“Is This Thing On?” (Searchlight, in theaters): Bradley Cooper directs and co-stars in a comedy about post-divorce life, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern.

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (Paramount, in theaters): SpongeBob travels to the deepest depths of the ocean to face off against the Flying Dutchman.

Dec. 24

“The Plague” (IFC, in theaters): A socially anxious 12-year-old boy encounters hazing at an all-boys water polo camp, with Joel Edgerton.

Dec. 25

“Marty Supreme” (A24, in theaters): Timothée Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, an aspiring table tennis player, in Josh Safdie’s ’50s-set drama. Co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow.

“Anaconda” (Sony, in theaters): Childhood friends (Jack Black, Paul Rudd) travel to the rainforest to remake their favorite film from their youth.

“The Housemaid” (Lionsgate): Paul Feig’s psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.

“Song Sung Blue” (Focus Features, in theaters): Two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson) form a Neil Diamond tribute band, directed by Craig Brewer.

“The Choral” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): Ralph Fiennes stars as the leader of a Yorkshire choral society in 1916, during World War I.

By Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — For Rebecca Zeitlin, packing her 5-year-old son’s school lunch is always full of surprises. Offer him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at home and he won’t touch it. But pack it in his lunch with fruits, vegetables and a small treat and he’ll dive in.

He will “chow down” on applesauce at preschool parties. But if she served him applesauce at home, “he’d look at me like I was crazy,” Zeitlin said.

Like many parents, Zeitlin has been thinking about school lunch ahead of her son’s first day of kindergarten. Lunchtime will be different than it was at his small private preschool, where teachers could more closely monitor whether he was eating. She’s already been eyeing school lunch conversations in mom groups on Facebook, and she’s has new lunch boxes ready to pack.

She plans to start off with some of her usual go-tos. Perhaps she’ll pack him chicken nuggets or pasta alongside strawberries, oranges or watermelon.

“I think it’s going to be real interesting to see what next month is going to be like,” Zeitlin said. “I’ve got my plans for now, but when reality hits, his lunches might look different.”

For parents of children 5 and under, navigating school lunch can be challenging. Colorful videos fill TikTok and Instagram showing off creatively shaped sandwiches and neatly cut vegetables laid in bento box-like containers. Lunch box styles can make a difference, influencers advise, as they share school-friendly recipes.

It’s easy for parents to worry that they got it wrong when a child returns home with uneaten food, said Anet Piridzhanyan, a clinical dietitian at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. But there are a few basic steps to make school lunches a success.

Zeitlin and son Will in West Hills, California, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

What should parents put in their toddler’s lunch box?

It’s important to remember that the start of the school year is exciting, but can also be overwhelming for a young child, said Lori Russell, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic. It may not be that they don’t like their food — they may simply be distracted. Either way, lean into familiarity to encourage them. And don’t offer too many options.

“We have this tendency to overdo it,” Russell said. “If parents want to fill that lunch box with everything that that kid might possibly consume that you have in the house, that’s stressful.”

Kids should have one main item in their lunch box and two or three snacks, which could include carrot sticks or an apple and perhaps a small treat such as a piece of chocolate, she said. Piridzhanyan agreed, recommending that parents rotate through the five food groups throughout the week, packing different fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy.

Consistency is key. If a parent plans to offer something new in their child’s lunch box, they should pair it with a food item they know their child likes, she added.

“Every day is a new day,” Piridzhanyan said. “They’ve only been around for two to five years, so it’s not like us where, when we see food, we’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I know what that is.’”

That’s something that Gabriella May has learned as her daughter has grown. May, of Fresno, has been making videos of her daughter’s school lunches for TikTok since she started kindergarten. She’s now in fifth grade. Her daughter has always been a picky eater, so introducing new foods at school without the pressure of having mom and dad nearby was helpful — and still is, she said.

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What’s the best lunch box for toddlers?

It’s important for parents to make sure that the food they pack is accessible and that they have the utensils and napkins that they need, the dietitians said. Parents should practice opening containers with their child and make sure the lunch box isn’t too heavy.

“We tend to focus on what’s in it and what’s being consumed, and not the actual container,” Russell said. “And does the child like it? Are they enjoying opening it? Carrying it? All that really makes a difference.”

That’s where, for many parents, bento box-style lunch boxes come in. The compartmentalized containers have been popularized on social media.

For Zeitlin, the PlanetBox lunch box has been a great go-to.

“It’s just kind of convenient,” Zeitlin said. “Everything’s in one place.”

Russell, who has a 4-year-old, said that when a child likes their lunch box or container it can encourage them to eat. That’s why options with beloved characters can be a good choice.

“It’s not just about the food, it’s about the favorite cup, the plate,” Russell said.

How to get your kid to eat lunch at preschool

Parents should ask their children why they did or didn’t eat their lunch, Russell said. Sometimes the bread might have been too soggy, the apple slices may have browned or the texture of the macaroni and cheese may have changed after spending all day in a lunch box. If the answer isn’t satisfying, ask the teacher what they have observed, she said.

It helps to know how the teacher or child-care provider stores the food, Piridzhanyan added. Sometimes kids will have access to a refrigerator, other times the food may be left out in the sun, so it helps to be able to plan accordingly by adding an ice pack or a thermos to help keep food safe and appetizing, she said.

“A lot of times the lunch box bags are left out in the classroom, so that part’s really important,” Piridzhanyan said.

Presentation does matter to a degree, but there’s no need to go overboard. If parents want to do something special, Russell recommends quickly using a cookie cutter on a sandwich or adding a sticker alongside the snacks.

Zeitlin can’t wait until her 5-year-old son learns to read. Then, she’ll start leaving notes in his lunch box expressing encouragement and telling jokes. She’s held on to a book of dad jokes for 20 years just for the occasion.

Sequeira reports for The Times’ early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5. For more information about the initiative and its philanthropic funders, go to latimes.com/earlyed .

©2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By JESSICA DAMIANO, Associated Press

If you spend any time gardening, you probably understand what I mean when I say it feels good — despite the lifting, sweating and straining involved. Yes, exercise is good for our bodies, but there’s something about digging in the dirt while listening to a bird soundtrack that lifts my spirits. Even the scent of the soil and mulch makes me happy.

As it turns out, there are scientific reasons for this.

In fact, there’s an entire field called horticultural therapy that’s dedicated to using “plant-based and garden-based activities to support people who have identified treatment needs,” according to Karen Haney, a horticultural therapy instructor at UCLA Extension in Long Beach, California.

“Research suggests 20-30 minutes (of gardening) a few times a week can reduce stress and lift mood, with benefits increasing the more regularly one gardens,” says Sarah Thompson, a professionally registered horticultural therapist in Boise, Idaho.

This Aug. 21, 2025, image provided by Jessica Damiano shows a woman gardening on Long Island, N.Y. (Jessica Damiano via AP)

It’s not just about being outdoors

Yes, the simple act of being in nature can improve mood and restore focus, she said, but “the active engagement of nurturing plants, making decisions and seeing results over time adds a unique layer of meaning and satisfaction that passive time outdoors does not.”

In addition, Thompson said gardening has been shown to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and fosters a sense of calm, purpose and accomplishment.

A recent study at the University of Colorado-Boulder backs this up.

The researchers there provided one group of participants with an instructional gardening class, seeds, starter plants and a community gardening plot. They had a second group refrain from gardening for two years.

The gardening cohorts reported stronger social connections, lower stress levels and about a 7% increase in fiber intake, which have been shown to reduce risk factors for some physical and mental illnesses, including depression, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer. They also reported a 42-minute weekly increase in physical activity, which the non-gardeners did not.

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A mindful, rewarding and versatile activity

Previous studies have arrived at similar findings. In 2020, for instance, researchers at the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society in the U.K. found the health and well-being of gardeners over non-gardeners to be similar to that of residents of wealthy communities over those who live in poorer areas.

In addition to encouraging mindfulness, grounding people in the present moment and providing a sense of achievement, Thompson said, “research has also shown that exposure to sunlight can boost serotonin levels, while contact with soil introduces beneficial microbes linked to mood enhancement.”

So, it seems you just can’t go wrong with gardening.

“Physically, gardening improves strength, flexibility and balance. Socially, it can foster connection. Cognitively, it engages problem solving and creativity,” Thompson said, adding that it’s a highly adaptable activity.

“Gardening can be scaled to any space, ability or age, and its benefits are accessible to everyone,” she said.

Deep down, we gardeners have always believed this. Now, we have the science to prove it.

Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.

By JOSH JACQUOT for Associated Press

Buying a new car has never been more financially daunting. A 2025 analysis from Edmunds found that a record 19.3% of consumers who financed a new vehicle in the second quarter of 2025 committed to a monthly payment of $1,000 or more. That’s nearly one in five buyers taking on what was once considered an extreme car payment — driven by high interest rates and rising vehicle prices.

While it might be tempting to stretch your budget for the car you want, locking yourself into a high-cost loan can be a painful mistake. Before you sign, here are five common car-buying missteps to avoid.

Buying a car you can’t (or shouldn’t) really afford

There’s a difference between being able to buy something and being able to afford it wisely. With an average new vehicle transaction price of approximately $49,000, many buyers are truly stretching their budgets. It’s not uncommon to see buyers opt for extended 72-month or 84-month financing terms.

That shiny SUV might seem within reach thanks to flexible financing, but the long-term hit to your financial health could be considerable. Buying within your means — ideally targeting a loan term of no more than 60 months and keeping your car-related expenses under 15%-20% of your monthly take-home pay — is smart shopping in an era of rising interest rates and ever-increasing car prices.

Not shopping around for a loan

One of the most costly and common mistakes car buyers make is waiting until they’re sitting in the dealership finance office to think about a loan. Dealerships may offer convenience, but their financing may include marked-up interest rates or hidden fees.

Instead, walk into the dealership with a preapproved loan offer from your bank, credit union or an online lender. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, this move can save buyers hundreds to thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. When you do this, the dealer can still try to beat the rate — and sometimes will. But now you’re negotiating from a position of strength, not desperation.

Rolling negative equity into a new car loan

If you owe more on your current car than it’s worth — a situation known as negative equity — trading it in for a new vehicle can be a financial landmine. This commonly happens when people take out a six-year loan, trade in the vehicle after just three or four years, and carry the previous balance into the new vehicle. Rolling that deficit into a new loan just worsens the problem, guaranteeing that you’ll be underwater for even longer.

According to Edmunds, 28.2% of trade-ins in July 2025 involved negative equity, and the average amount buyers owed above the vehicle’s value was $6,902. That sets the stage for a vicious cycle, especially if buyers trade cars frequently or face unexpected job loss or repair costs. If you’re in this situation, consider keeping your car longer or making extra payments. If you can get a better rate, even refinancing can get you back to breakeven.

Skipping the sales department

Most major dealerships now have dedicated internet sales teams that exist to sell you a car quickly and often at better prices than you’ll get face-to-face. If you already know what make, model and trim you want, you can save hours — and hundreds or even thousands of dollars — by working with the internet sales department instead of walking onto the lot.

Sites such as Edmunds can help you compare pricing between multiple dealers, and many will show you real-time inventory, rebates and incentives. This lets you shop from the comfort of home and make dealers compete for your business. It also gives you a written quote you can bring with you — a powerful tool when negotiating.

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Overlooking used alternatives

Buying new is tempting — it smells great, it’s under warranty, and no one else has touched it. But it’s not always the smartest financial move. Today’s certified pre-owned vehicles often come with extended factory warranties, undergo rigorous inspections, and cost thousands less than their new counterparts. The rapid depreciation of most new vehicles only worsens the picture. Most lose 20%–30% of their value in the first year alone, according to Edmunds. Avoiding that depreciation hit can save thousands.

Edmunds says

Buying a new car is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make — second only to purchasing a home. Avoiding these five common mistakes won’t just save you money — it has the potential to help ensure your long-term financial security. Take your time and do your homework. The right deal isn’t just about the car — it’s about the life you want to live after you drive it off the lot.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Josh Jacquot is a contributor at Edmunds.