Outdoor Summer Life Science Activities, Biology Nature Crafts for Kids

Life science, or biology, is an essential school subject. But kids often hate science because it's taught from boring textbooks in meaningless paper-and-pencil activities. Whether you homeschool or not, summer is a great time to explore life science with kids--outdoors, up-close and personal! Rediscover the inherent fascination of life science this summer with hands-on experiments and crafts. Teach green, using recycled supplies.  Outdoor Summer Life Science Activities, Biology Nature Crafts

How Parents Can Manage Free Summer Childcare Plus Teach Kids Accountability

Kids are rejoicing that "school's out for the summer" but parents who face three months without childcare may be singing a different tune. How do you juggle daycare if you can't afford a babysitter (which many work at home parents can't)? You think like a detective and ask who, why, where, when and what. Then based on your answers, you develop a plan for free and low-cost summer childcare.  How Parents Can Manage Free Summer Childcare, Teach Kids Accountability

Free (or Dirt Cheap) Children's Summer Enrichment Activities

Hurrah, summer vacation! Yikes, summer vacation! Why yikes?? As much as we parents enjoy school holiday, it means entertaining children for three long months. And work-at-home parents have to juggle home business and kids every day. Plus, time away from the books can sabotage learning retention. As a teacher, SAHM (stay at home mom), homeschooler, WAHM (work at home mom) and tightwad, I know how to productively occupy kids cheap! Here are free and low-cost summer enrichment activities for children from A-Z.  Free (or Super Cheap) Summer Enrichment Activities for Kids

Survival Tips for Memorial Day Weekend Travel with Kids, 2.0 Parent Version!

Memorial Day weekend is here. Your family is heading out for a much needed vacation. But wait--traveling with kids--that sounds like more headache than holiday. And it will be, if you don't follow these parent survival tips. Enjoy stress-free car travel with kids. Follow my lead. Parent Survival Tips for Memorial Day Weekend Travel with Kids

Easy, Homemade Mother's Day Party Dads and Kids Can Make

As a 25-year mom of four, I've been the guest of honor at many child-hosted Mother's Day and birthday parties. Our children learned to throw a budget, homemade bash from me and my husband. For a guy, my husband is great at party-planning. Dads, here are tips from the master's knee, on planning an inexpensive Mother's Day party with your kids, that your wife will love!  Dad-Inspired, Kid-Friendly Mother's Day Party, Homemade and Cheap

Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day, Mardi Gras Activities for Families

Mardi Gras, (Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day) anticipates Ash Wednesday and Lent. Although used synonymously with the Carnival ("farewell to the flesh") celebration, Mardi Gras is one day. It is also called "Shrove Tuesday." "Shrove" or "shriven" means to be purged. Here are activities for Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Mardi Gras is the last day of ordinary time before Lent, the 40-day spiritual pilgrimage that follows Christ on his journey through the desert and temptation by Satan. As Jesus was tested and tempted and fasted, Catholics are called to refrain from self-centered practices. The principal virtues of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. At Ash Wednesday Mass, the first religious event of Lent, the faithful are marked with ashes and told to "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."  Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent Activities

Montessori Mom--at Home Preschool Science Learning Center

From 27 years in Montessori and special education, I've developed a learning center approach to parenting. From the time our kids were toddlers, I arranged their play area with learning stations. When I home schooled, I did the same with the school room. If you've got preschool age kids or are homeschooling, I highly recommend at-home learning centers. Here's how this Montessori mom set up a science learning center. Montessori Mom--at Home Preschool Science Learning Center 

Best Black Friday Toy Picks from Parent Gurus

Best Black Friday Toy Picks from Parent Gurus With Black Friday this week, parenting gurus are exploring toys and creating shopping recommendations. It has asked kids to test and evaluate various toys. Parents look not just for low prices but also lots of educational bang for their toy-buying buck. Here are the top picks for games, crafts, building sets, dolls and toy car sets. Read more...

Free Printable Crafts for Bored Preschoolers

Free Printable Summer Crafts and Activities for Pre-Schoolers
Keep little ones productively occupied with free printable craft projects! Builds fine motor skills like cutting, pasting, sequencing, folding, assembling, sorting and coloring.
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How to Organize a Childrens' Party

How to Organize a Holiday Party for Kids of Any Age!
Need ideas for holiday activities for children? Here is the definitive guide! Compiled by a 22 year veteran teacher,and loaded with time, money and energy saving ideas, you can host a party that every one will enjoy (even you!)Games, crafts, food, decorations, clean-up, activities and more!
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