Polls and Tips for Tweens and Teens
The tween and teen years come with new challenges, but you don't have to figure it out alone. We're collecting the questions that we're all wondering about.
158 Funny Jokes for Kids...Got One to Add?
What did the shark say when it ate the clown fish? Tastes funny.
Why does a duck have feathers? To cover his butt quack
Dorm room essentials for college students
Basic OTC medications and first-aid kit, like Tylenol, Advil, Zyrtec, Benadryl, bandaids, Neosporin, hydrogen peroxide.
Surge protector
What are some good pool games for kids to play?
Categories - pool style! - is a variation on pool tag, where the player who is "it" stands outside the pool, facing away from it, while all the other players remain inside the pool next to them. "It" chooses a category - colors, animals, states, Harry Potter characters, etc - and all the other players have to pick something from that category, without telling anyone what they pick. "It" starts to call out names/things related to the category, and if a player's selection gets called, they have to try and swim to the other end of the pool before "it" hears them and jumps in to tag them.
Popsicle tag is the swimming pool game version of freeze tag. The player who is "it" tries to tag all the other players, who freeze in place with their hands in the air - like a popsicle! - whenever they are tagged. Players "unfreeze" other players by swimming under their legs.
Best durable backpacks for school that will last more than one year?
Our Pottery Barn bags were great, and seem to be a popular choice at our elementary school. We never had a chance to wear them out, but they definitely were in good shape after 2-3 years (when grandma wanted to get new ones!). Fun designs and personalization available, too. I wouldn't recommend getting the smallest size (as we did in Kindergarten), as kids outgrow them quickly and they really will last a long time.
I bought my son a Nike backpack two years ago and it is still going strong. It has a front pocket which is great for little items and side pockets for a water bottle. He loves it!
Life skills for teens to learn before leaving home?
How to do laundry!
How to change a tire and jump start a car.
What are the best Broadway shows for kids?
Annie! A classic for the whole family, always. Kids were 7 and 9 when we saw it, and we were coming out of an obsession with the movies, which made it extra fun!
I love the stage version of Beauty and the Beast! It's just similar enough to the familiar Disney movie for kids to understand everything, but just different enough to keep it fresh. The extra songs are some of my favorites.....and there's nothing like the magic of watching the beast turn into a prince right before your eyes!
How do you handle screen time over the summer?
Try to keep them outdoors as much possible. I try to take my kids to a local libray, outdoor park to play at. Also look up for any family friendly events that are free or vey low cost to keep them busy and less on screens!
We've experimented with no screens for a set time (a week, a couple of weeks, a day), with the length of time determined by our goal. For example, when it seems like the kids are getting too dependent on their screens and it is becoming difficult for them to have healthy limits, we'll do two full weeks with no screens. The first several days are rough, but just before the 1 week mark, we see that they "re-learn" the ability to play on their own and otherwise entertain themselves without screens. It makes it really tempting to swear off screens altogether, but they are such useful and versatile tools I doubt we'll ever truly go there.
What are good jobs for teens?
Academic tutoring. If a teen excels in a particular subject, they could help younger students by offering tutoring services.
Groundskeeper for local baseball/softball organizations. Concession stands at local pools.
Experience Gifts for Kids (That Aren't Toys)
museum membership
Zip line adventure gift cards
Family Road Trip Tips & Hacks from Parents
I put together little gifts (think Dollar bin) wrapped up in bags with a time on them. My kids look forward to these gifts and it helps to pass the time on long trips!
I like to spread out the distribution of any new activities or road trip toys over the course of the trip, and find that my kids enjoy them longer this way. If they start the trip with unlimited access to all of the new stuff, they blow through it pretty quickly and there's not as much to look forward to.
Conversation Starters for Kids of All Ages
How were you kind to someone today?
If you were an Olympic gold-medal athlete, which sporting event would you want it to be in?
Birthday Party Ideas for Teens & Tweens
An escape room and dinner is a hit for my tween!
Last year for my oldest daughter's birthday I threw her a surprise slumber party and decorated our entire place with some of her favorite colors and had the cutest backdrop for pictures with her friends. We had cool foods and homemade glittery pouch drinks. I set up a cute make up station and did all of the girls makeup which they all enjoyed so much. We played different games and a special "Do You Know The Birthday Girl" game which she really loved.
What are some good ideas for first day of school traditions?
First day of school photos on our front steps, and couple more in front of the school too.
My husband and I will usually take the day off work (when we can) so we can be there for drop off and pick up on the first day, which makes it feel extra special for all of us.
What are some ideas for free kids activities?
Take a tour of a local firehouse. Many offer free tours if you call ahead and ask.
Cook together! This is an activity my kids have loved at every age from toddler to tween, and the bonus is you end up with a yummy (usually!) meal or treat at the end of it.
What is a good activity for kids who don't like team sports?
I am a huge fan of martial arts. I love that they provide great physical exercise, but also promote and support important life skills like discipline, confidence, and respect for self and others.
My 6 year old loves his running program and I see a fair number of kids who don't love team sports there. They do individual activities, like quick sprints and longer jogs, and the coaches have them work together and build team spirit in other ways.
What are your favorite inspirational quotes for kids?
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~Maya Angelou
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. ~Wayne Gretzky
Disney Movie Quotes To Live By IRL
"When one can see no future, all one can do is the next right thing." – Frozen 2
"The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. Do you understand?" – Pirates of the Caribbean