In today’s work of smartphones, on-demand television, and electronic distractions, kids’ sing-along songs sometimes feel like part of a different era. They don’t have to be though. Kids of all ages still love to sing, whether they’re belting out a tune at a karaoke party or singing around a family campfire. The Benefits of Singing Singing teaches children many of the skills they’ll need in school. When you sing, you need to consider patterns
Travel, they say, broadens the mind. This is as true for kids as it is for adults. Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean children must stop learning. Use these suggestions to help keep little minds active while you travel. Find the Color I Spy is a time-honored road trip game, but it can get a little too complicated for younger travelers—not to mention how difficult it is to play I Spy when
School’s back in session, and the novelty of seeing old friends, a new classroom, and a new teacher has begun to fade, to be replaced by the hard work of studying. We’ve collected a few studying tips for kids to help keep them on top of their homework, reading, and test preparation. Keep Them Organized A planner is an excellent tool for tracking assignments, quizzes, and to-do lists, and teaches children the value of
The changing seasons fascinate kids. Watching the green leaves of summer turn to golden brown and yellow is exciting—and a reminder Halloween is just around the corner (and then Thanksgiving! And then the winter holidays!). Help your little ones welcome the new season with these three fall crafts for kids. Leaf People Fall transforms gardens and familiar parks as the leaves turn color and fall. Take a walk with the kids to look for
*This article was written by Scott Smith and originally posted on Consumers Advocate. For centuries, people have wondered what their dogs are thinking. Sure, we can all translate when our dogs’ tails are wagging — it means they’re happy. When they’re barking and circling the front door, it means they want to go outside. Sometimes our dogs swat their paws at us because they want us to pet them. But still, seeing life through
There’s nothing like the unconditional love of a dog! When our kids have had a bad day—or when I have, for that matter—hugging our dog and receiving love back can be just the thing needed to turn the day around. Dogs have a calming effect, despite how hyper they may be as a puppy. When our kids are scared or nervous about something, they think about our family dog and it helps them to calm
Baby’s first year is an exciting time, filled with memories you’ll want to cherish for a lifetime. In response to this, the market overflows with baby albums, many containing space to record weight, height, and other important information, such as first word, favorite toy, and so on. Commercial baby albums have serious limitations. For one thing, their question and answer format feels more like you’re filling out forms than documenting baby’s first year. Commercial
Independence Day is one of the most exciting days of the summer for children, with parades, marching bands, family BBQs, and, of course, firework displays. Use these four 4th of July crafts for kids to channel some of the excitement they feel when America’s birthday rolls around. Popsicle Stick Flags 4th of July crafts should be patriotic, and what’s more patriotic than Old Glory? Have your kids create their own flags with this simple
It’s important for kids to know even small acts can make a difference. Volunteering teaches this lesson and builds caring and empathy in children from an early age. Even toddlers are capable of learning about compassion and community responsibility through volunteering. Finding the Age Appropriate Volunteering Activities Choosing the right volunteer opportunities for kids helps keep them invested in charitable activities. Start by calling your local volunteer center. Describe your own interests and your
Summer is coming, and with it the demands for ice cream—from children and adults alike. Very little tastes better than some creamy vanilla ice cream on a hot day. We’d like to share a recipe we found that explains how to make homemade ice cream in small amounts within a few minutes. It also doubles as a neat (and tasty!) science experiment. How to Make Homemade Ice Cream You’ll need: 1½ cups half-and-half cream
