Battling Boredom: How to Keep Your Kids Entertained

August 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

how to keep your kids entertained

Every parent will need to find ways to keep their children entertained.  Unfortunately, kids can grow bored quickly with the same routine each day.  Especially, when they are young.  So, you might also want to provide your kids with healthier activities.  Healthy activities are better than spending all their time on a smartphone, tablet or TV.

Thankfully, there are some superb activities for kids.  Check out our tips on how to keep your kids entertained:

A Trip to the Movies

One activity that’s bound to make your children smile is a trip to the movies.  Let them snack on popcorn as they immerse themselves into an animated movie.  We’re sure mom and dad will probably love it too!

Organize a Play Date

Add play dates to your list of how to keep your kids entertained.  If you want to entertain your child while strengthening their friendships, organize a play date.  Contact one of their friend’s mothers about the best day for your kids to get together.  Building friendships is important.  So is laughing, talking, and playing.

You could even take turns hosting a play date.  This option will give each parent time to relax or catch up on chores.  Additionally, you can enjoy a little downtime yourself while the kids play.

Watch Live Entertainment

Allow your kids to enter a whole new world by booking tickets to a live entertainment show.  For example, Disney on Ice or a concert for their favorite singer or band.  Check your local listings for kid-friendly shows being held in your area.  You may be able to find the perfect event for your little one in your town or city at Ticket Sales.

Bake Cakes or Cookies

Baking delicious cookies or cakes is the ultimate activity for a rainy day.  And, a great way on how to keep your kids entertained.  The kids will be excited to try the treats  fresh from the oven.  And, they’ll also have fun learning how to make cookie dough or cake batter.

Turn it into an educational experience.  They will learn to listen, follow instructions and master the art of patience. You can also help them to unleash their creative side by experimenting with multi-colored icing, sprinkles, and cookie cutters.  Most importantly, the activity could help them develop a passion for baking or cooking.

Build a Fort

Next, the moment your children start complaining they are bored, you should encourage them to build a fort.  Their bedroom is the perfect place.  They will need to gather blankets, pillows, chairs, and sheets so that they can create a cozy, private space.

They will have fun building the fort with you.  And, they will also enjoy their unique hangout once it’s done.  It’s a great way to keep them occupied until bedtime.

Enjoy a Day at the Beach

Last, if the sun is shining, grab the kids,  beach towels, sunscreen and make your way to a local beach. Your children will love building sun castles and splashing in the water.  We suggest that also pack a picnic for the whole family.  The kids will love it.

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Tips for Helping Kids Excel at Sports

February 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

If kids are going to excel at a sport, they need to have a natural ability.   Additionally, they need to have a desire to take part in the sport of their choosing.  However, helping kids excel is not all about what the kids want.  No, parents have to be involved and help push them towards excelling too.  So, check out our parenting tips below on helping kids excel at sports.   

 

 

sports for kids

 

 

 

 

Make taking part in the sport a positive experience

 

The sport your son or daughter plays whether it is soccer, tennis, dancing or skiing needs to be a positive experience.  Additionally, your child must be able to maintain passion and love for the sport.  If not, it is doubtful that they will be able to carry on with it.  Furthermore, they must demonstrate that they want to be involved.  Helping kids excel is good.  But, only when they carry on when not required or asked to do so, will they be able to truly hone in on their skills.

So, make sure that you are not being demanding in regards to their performance.  If they have natural abilities, they will excel with the proper coaching and support.

 

children and sports tips

 

 

Have them play at the appropriate age level 

 

When you throw your child in at the deep end and they do not have the skills to play at that level, you will stunt their development.  Furthermore, they will miss out on the opportunity to acquire and improve on the skills needed for their personal growth.  Each age group provides the needed skill set.  So, if you want your children to truly excel at their sport, make sure you enroll them in age appropriate groups.

Also, if your child is interested in being developed in soccer check out FC Barcelona.  They are a powerhouse in the world of soccer.  You can find information at https://fcbcanada.com/fcb-academy/  They embrace the methodology of teaching children exactly what they need to learn, when they need to learn it and no sooner or later. By keeping to this myology, children learn the fundamental and basic skills needed for success in soccer.

Finally, helping your kids excel at sports will be simple with our advice.

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Spending Quality Time With Your Kids

April 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment

 

spending quality time with kids

 

When you’re a parent, the days can seem repetitive. It’s like Groundhog Day, with deja vu cropping up at every turn. It’s not good – it can feel like you’re losing your mind!  However, you just need to embrace some new things and take another direction in order to mix things up a little.  Spending quality time with your kids is imperative.  Before you know it, they will be grown up and off to college.  Here are a few tips in getting you to spend quality time with your kids:

Start to Craft

Children love to craft at any age. It’s something about the combination of mess and creativity that blossoms into something beautiful  that intrigues them.  The pride that you see on your child’s face when they’ve finished a craft is something can’t be bottled up and brought.  Furthermore, there are so many crafts that are available on Pinterest.  Kids are happy with a piece of paper and some paint.  If you’re unable to run to the craft store, you can purchase craft items online at sites like www.hyglossproducts.com.  Making things like cards, posters and portraits for people that they love is personal, and you can’t buy in any shop.

Begin to Sing

Think you know all of the children’s nursery rhymes and children’s songs?  You’re wrong! Nobody knows them all, and it’s always fun to learn new ones.  Singing and spending quality time with your kids can put a bright spot in your day.  It helps break up the monotony of singing the same thing over and over.  And in more scientific terms it also benefits your child’s memory. Familiar rhymes and songs will help your children to connect.  It also helps them socialize at different events where they are being sung.  When they’re confident that they know the nursery or song, it helps them to be a part of the activity.  Check out www.YouTube.com and other video sites for children’s songs.  Have a sing along with your child.

Learn a Dance

With songs come dances! There are probably dances to some of the songs that you don’t know about.  If you can’t find any, make them up yourself. Not only do children love to express themselves with their voice, but they thrive off of being able to move their bodies to the beat.

Write a Book

Finally, sit down together and write down your memories.  Or create a story for yourself with all of the things that you love together.  It could be a magical tale of fairies and woodland creatures, or maybe you’d just like to detail down your daily walk together.  Additionally, a trip to a friends or family member will make a good story too. There are sites online that will help you to design a book.  Also, they’re very good at just jotting down thoughts and ideas to use at a later stage in the development of your project.  Spending quality time with your kids will create wonderful memories to look back on when they’re older!

 

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Letter A Activities: A Is For Apple

March 24, 2017 by 2 Comments

 

a is for apple activities

 

First, welcome to our Preschool/Kindergarten fruit and vegetable series.  We all have picky eaters.  But, just because they’re picky eaters doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be familiar with various fruit and vegetables.  As a result, I have created a series of printables that will help young children have fun with fruit and vegetables.  They may not want to eat them, but we can help them see what they look like, how they grow, and how they are used.

Our plan is to start with the letter A and work our way to the letter Z.  Can we find a fruit or vegetable that starts with a Z?  Stay tuned.

Second, our activities are designed to familiarize children with a fruit or vegetable that starts with each letter of the alphabet.  Additionally, the printables will help them with cutting skills, writing each letter of the word and than working their way to writing the actual word.  For example, this week’s word is Apple.

You will want to find magazines that have pictures of fruits and vegetables.  I requested catalogues from various on-line seed sites.  They are wonderful for this activity, and they are free.  If you have other magazines that you can use, that’s fine.

For this project, you will need to request seed catalogues.  In particular, I requested catalogues from Henry Field’s Seed and Nursery as well as a Baker Creek catalogue.  Another great catalogue is Seed Savers.  Each has great pictures and a nice variety of pictures.  Children will see that apples are not only red, but yellow, green and a mixture of reds.

These projects teach children that farmers grow apples in orchards.  But they are also grown in backyards.  Talk about how apples can be used.  For example, apple pie, apple sauce, apple cobbler, apple slices and apple juice to name a few.  Additionally animals love apples too.  Horses, pigs, rabbits, chimps, and birds love apples.  Be creative, and come up with interesting facts to share with the children.   Apples can be dipped in peanut butter, caramel and used for candied apples too.  Try serving a snack using apples.

  

kindergarten activities

 

Give each child a catalogue and a pair of safety scissors.  Have them search the catalogues for apples. Once they find pictures, have them cut out up to 4 pictures of apples if possible.  Their choice of course, and they don’t have to be cut out perfectly.

 

letter A activities.

 

kindergarten activities

 

Print the template below.  Then have the child paste their cutouts in the squares below.

kindergarten activities

kindergarten activities

 

Next, use our letter A activities to enhance your child’s writing skills.  Have your child practice writing the word. We have created a sheet that encourages them to trace  the letters in the word individually.  Once they get a good grip on each letter, have them trace the word.  Next, use the lined paper and have your child practice writing the word with tracing.

kindergarten activities

Finally, I hope that you find the letter A activities useful.  Most importantly, I hope your child enjoys the letter A activities too.  Remember, practice makes perfect.  The more they practice their writing skills, the better they will become.  You can download the activities here.  You may also like Fall Kindergarten Activities.

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16 Budget Friendly Spring Break Ideas for Kids

March 15, 2017 by 7 Comments

Spring break is around the corner.  Vacations at the beach and Disney World are being planned.  But, not everyone wants to head to the beach or can afford a trip to Disney.  No worries, we sharing a few parenting tips on spring break ideas. 

So, having fun and getting a little R & R doesn’t require families to spend big bucks.  With a little planning, a staycation can be the perfect solution for a family.  Check out our list of spring break ideas:

 

spring break ideas for kids

 

1.  Plan a sleep over for the kids and their friends – First, put this idea at the top of your list.  Kids love spending the night with friends.  Have a few friends bring their sleeping bags.  Clip a few coupons from you local pizzeria.  Additionally, mix up a batch of punch and watch a few movies.

2.  Send the kids to grandma’s  –  Second, the kids would love to spend a few days at grandma’s.  And I guarantee grandma would love have them.

3.  Visit local museums –  Spend the day visiting a local museum, car show, or art gallery etc.

4.  Check the library for story hour or other programs –  Furthermore, many libraries offer preschool story hour and other activities.  For example, our local library is offering a Lego Challenge, Minecraft Computer, classes on Japanese Culture etc. So, hope on-line and check the activities.

5.  Plan a craft day for the kids –  Next, check out Pinterest for spring crafts that you can make with the kids.

6.  Go bike riding –  Clean up the bikes and helmets and head out for the day.

7.  Set up a Sundae Bar – Next, don’t spend money at Sweet Frog.  Make your own sundae bar.  I set up a bar with my grandchildren and they love it.  Check out my post How to Set up a Sundae Bar for Kids.

8.  Reward the kids with movie night in the backyard –  If you don’t have a project or screen, try to rent or borrow one.

9.  Visit your local Family Fun Center – In addition to playing games at home, spend the day playing games and snacking at your local family center.

10.  Play Miniature Golf – Kids love playing miniature golf.  Check out the local

11.  Have game day with yummy snacks –   Chess, Twister, Checkers, Operation, Candy Land and others make great game day games.  Also, it’s a way to unplug and spend quality time together as a family.

12.  Campout in the backyard  – Additionally, build a campfire and pitch a tent.  Plan a hot dog and marshmallow roast.  Use these Marshmallow Roasting Forks.  They’re great for roasting both hot dogs and marshmallows.

13.  Head to your favorite family restaurant – Plan a day to go out to eat. Check out our 22 Places Kids Can Eat for Free.

14.  Check out the local theatres – So, many of the theatres have matinees that are affordable.  Check out local theatres for a possible family outing for plays, concerts or shows.

15.  Plan a trip to a hotel – Also, consider booking a hotel room for a day or two.  Make sure the hotel has an indoor pool and a restaurant.  It’s a mini vacation away from home.

16.  Head to the beach or an amusement park– Last, if you live in a warmer area head to the beach.  Pack snacks and sandwiches and relax while the kids have fun.  Also, check out spring break discounts for your local amusement park.

Finally, we hope that you enjoyed our spring break ideas.  Most importantly, we hope that they inspire you to implement a few.

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22 Fun and Creative Winter Crafts For Kids

January 24, 2017 by 4 Comments

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on winter craft for kids ideas.  Winter can be a boring time for kids unless you have fun activities planned for them.  We have 22 fun and creative kid’s winter crafts that will get them off the electronics.  Our roundup of kid’s winter crafts will stop the boredom. Children need to be motivated, stimulated and encouraged to create.  Get out the craft supplies and lets get started.

 

winter crafts for kids

 

Winter Crafts for Kids:

 

kids winter crafts kids winter crafts

 

Winter Mittens for Preschoolers – First, this is an adorable craft for preschoolers and/or kindergarteners.

Plastic Bag Snowman – Second, do you have plastic bags filled with plastic bags?  I do.  I use them to transport food items or in my bathroom trash cans.  But they can also be used to make this adorable snowman.  Who knew.

Paint Stirrer Snowman – These adorable snowmen are made from paint stirrers.  Stop by your local hardware store and pickup a handful.

Cotton Ball Snowman – Fun and simple craft that’s perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Snowman Candle – This can be a fun craft for the adult while assisting the children with their crafts.  It’s perfect for a winter scene on a mantel or table.

Painted Mason Jar – Next, display this painted mason jar snowman on the mantel or a table during the cold winter months. This could be another craft that’s perfect for an adult or older children.  They would make great gifts.

Finger Paint Tree –  So cute and so simple.  A permanent marker, white paint and blue paper for the scene.

Hot Cocoa – Who doesn’t love hot cocoa.  Whip up a batch for the kids to enjoy after they finish this adorable craft.

Marshmallow Snowman –  This adorable guy is made by dipping a large marshmallow into white and black paint.  Paper accessories give him the finishing touch.

Newspaper Winter Landscape – This scene is made from newspaper and bubble wrap.  How creative, right.  I love it.

Shredded Paper Snowman – Put the paper in your shred bin to good use.  Make this shredded snowman.  The kids will love the shreds and the end result.

Hot Chocolate Mug – Fill the popsicle stick cup with lots of cotton ball marshmallows.  So cute. A plate of cookies and a hot cup of hot chocolate afterward is a good idea.

Sugar Snowflakes – Powered sugar and a few teaspoons of water make the paint for these adorable snowflakes.

Tin Can Snowman – Empty can don’t have to go to waste.  so, save a few tin can of various sizes for this snowman’s body.  A coffee, large vegetable and soup can would be good.

Paper Mache Snowman –  The site lacks step by step instructions; however, you can goggle paper mache and get creative.  The snowman is adorable.

Puzzle Wreath – Stop, don’t throw out the kid’s puzzles because they’re missing a few pieces.  Make this adorable wreath instead.

Marshmallow Snowman and Pretzel Snowman – Next, make sure you have enough marshmallows and pretzels for the kids and the projects.  Doesn’t it look delicious.

Doily Snowman – Purchase a pack of doilies in various sizes and get creative.  Perfect craft for a snow day.

Fingerprint Snow Globe – This snow globe is so cute.  Imagine those tiny fingers creating this adorable snowman and snowflakes.

Cardinals – So, my state bird is the cardinal.  Their beautiful red color against the fresh snow is a sight for sore eyes.  Sadly, this piece of art doesn’t have step by step instruction.  However, you can figure out what needs to be done by looking at the picture.  Get creative, you can do it.

Popsicles – Who doesn’t love popsicles?  Even in the winter they can tasty or help you think of summer when its so hot. Gather up pompoms, buttons, stones, glitter and glue.

S is for Snowman – Last, this is a great craft to teach preschoolers and kindergarteners about the letter S.

Last, we hope that you will find a few winter crafts to occupy the kid’s this winter.  Have as much fun on the inside on snow days as the outside.  Finally, you may also like Winter Word Search For Kids and Preschool Snowman Math Game.

 

 

 

 

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Kid’s Christmas Craft: Christmas Tree

December 9, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on a kid’s Christmas crafts.  It’s easy and would be perfect for little hands.  It makes a beautiful Christmas card for parents or grandparents.  Furthermore, it is also a great project for first or second grade students. 

 

Kid’s Christmas craft:

 

 

kindergarten Christmas crafts

 

  • Cardstock or construction paper  (I purchased a pack of construction paper from Dollar Tree)
  • green washable paint  (I purchased the paint from Michaels)
  • brown washable paint
  • glitter (optional)
  • gold or silver star

 

Kindergarten Christmas crafts

 

 

Step 1 – Fold your stock card in half.  Use any color that will make your days jolly and bright.  Just make sure that you Christmas tree will show well on whatever color you choose.

Step 2 – Next place a few dots of brown paint on a paper plate.  Add green paint to your plate as well.  Instead of making a circle, you will need to form a straight line on the plate.  You will be dipping the toothbrush in the green paint, so you will need the line long enough so you can cover the toothbrush bristles.

Step 3 – For your information, I found it easier to draw the tree truck on the cardstock in pencil.  It’s easier for the kids to try to paint inside established lines rather than trying to paint the tree truck freehand.  You can sharpen the outline of the tree truck with a small brush once the kids finish painting it.

Step 4 – Allow the tree trunk to dry completely before you proceed.  It should take approximately 10  – 15 minutes.

Step 5 – Once the trunk has dried, dip the toothbrush into the green paint.  Help the children move the toothbrush up the paper to make strokes for the tree branches.  Dip the brush back into the green paint and move the toothbrush down the opposite side of the card to make a branch.

 


 

 

Step 6 – Repeat Step 5 until the tree is complete.  Allow the paint to dry completely.

Step 7 – Once the tree is dry, add a star to the top.  (This step is optional).

Step 8 – Add glitter to the branches (This step is also optional).

 

We hope our kid’s Christmas craft will be a fun family activity.  Last older children can write a message inside the Christmas card wishing mommy and daddy or their grandparents a Merry Christmas.  Let the smaller children write a message or their name as well.  Most importantly, they will be sure to put a smile on the recipient’s face.

 

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Alice Through The Looking Glass Activity Pack

June 5, 2016 by 1 Comment

 

 

family night, movie night

 

In Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass,”Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter.

“Alice Through the Looking Glass” reunites the all-star cast from the worldwide blockbuster phenomenon, including: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter along with the voices of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. We are also introduced to several new characters: Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father and Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.

Alice Kingsleigh (Wasikowska) has spent the past few years following in her father’s footsteps and sailing the high seas. Upon her return to London, she comes across a magical looking glass and returns to the fantastical realm of Underland and her friends the White Rabbit (Sheen), Absolem (Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (Fry) and the Mad Hatter (Depp), who is not himself. The Hatter has lost his Muchness, so Mirana (Hathaway) sends Alice on a quest to borrow the Chronosphere, a metallic globe inside the chamber of the Grand Clock which powers all time. Returning to the past, she comes across friends – and enemies – at different points in their lives, and embarks on a perilous race to save the Hatter before time runs out.

Disney is giving kids a treat with coloring pages, a maze, spot the differences printables, and book marks. This pack will keep them busy for hours. 

 

Image-AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Coloring-Page1 Image-AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Coloring-Pages2 Image-AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Coloring-Pages4

AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Coloring-Pages5

Image-AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Maze -1

 

Disney movies, Disney activities, Disney book marks, Disney books AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Book-Marks2 AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Book-Marks3 AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Book-Marks4 AliceThroughTheLookingGlass-Book-Marks5

One of my favorite movie quotes is “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.”  –  Lewis Carroll.  I can relate, can you? Be sure to set some time aside to go enjoy this family movie and print the activity sheets to get the kids excited before you go.

 

 

 

 

 

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Jungle Book Printables For Kids

February 28, 2016 by
Jungle Book

 

Disney’s Jungle Book will be opening in theaters April 15, 2016.  We have 2 Jungle Book printables for your children to enjoy, Spot The Differences and a Maze.  Feel free to print and have a little fun.

The Jungle Book” movie is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli, a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. The main character, Mowgli, finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan, who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turnedstern mentor Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear Baloo. Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa, a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie, who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.   

The characters and stories of “The Jungle Book” have reached people from all parts of the world. Bombay-born English writer Rudyard Kipling channeled his love of India in 1894’s “The Jungle Book,” following with “The Second Jungle Book” in 1895. Though considered children’s books, the stories—with their lush landscapes and talking animals—sparked interest in young and old alike—often introducing readers to India for the first time. Kipling, who wrote the stories while starting a family in Vermont, published additional books and short-story collections, and ultimately became the highest-paid writer in the world at age 32. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907.  

Be sure to mark your calendar for April 15. Make movie night a family affair  and enjoy the printables.

kids activities, Jungle Book games,
 
Image-Jungle-Book-Maze
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                             

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Winter Word Search For Kids

January 21, 2016 by 1 Comment

kid's winter activities, kid's word search, kid's activities, kid's games

 

 

Winter doesn’t have to  mean boring.  Because it’s too cold for your children to play outside or they’re just about frozen because they’ve been out too long doesn’t end the excitement.  Just pull out Mother 2 Mother’s winter activities.   We’re developing a series of winter activities for preschoolers and up. Our games will be a nice change from normal indoor games like Monopoly, Uno and the list goes on.

Our Winter Word Search game and our Winter Craft Ideas will keep them busy for hours.  Associating words with winter can be fun and can occupy your kids for some time.  Pop a bowl of popcorn or serve their favorite hot chocolate drink. Top off the hot chocolate off with creamy marshmallows or this delicious whipped cream star.  Additionally, you can print off several copies and play as a family.  It’s also the perfect game to play when it’s snowing and the wind is howling.


 

For example, play in teams.  Give each team member the game and set a time limit in which they have to find the word.  There’s educational value in the hunt too. Use the word search game to enhance vocabulary words and spelling challenges.  There are 24 words in the puzzle. So be sure the kids find all of the words to complete the puzzle. Word search games also enhance problem solving skills.

Most importantly, word search helps with creative thinking skills.  Creative thinking requires us to look at problems in different ways.  When searching for words, you must look forward, diagonal, up, down, and backwards to find words.  Creative thinking includes using and looking at idea differently.  Playing the game in team with a time limit is a unique and creative way to play the game. 

Another way to use the game is to have your child challenge themselves.  Have them set a time limit and go against the clock.  If they’re not successful, they can set the timer again.  Be creative.  Just have fun.  Download the game here.  You may also like African American Inventors and Inventions Game. 

 

 

 

 

 

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