‍‍50 Hilarious Kids Jokes About School

kids jokes about school

School can sometimes be a serious place with all the learning and studying, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a good laugh along the way! Here are 50 hilarious jokes that will have your kids giggling in and out of the classroom. These jokes are kid-friendly and guaranteed to generate smiles all around. So, get ready to laugh out loud with these school-themed jokes!

Best kid jokes about school

  1. Why did the math book look sad? Because it had too many problems!
  2. Why did the teacher wear sunglasses to school? Because her students were so bright!
  3. What’s a snake’s favorite subject? HISStory.
  4. Why did the kid cross the playground? To get to the other slide.
  5. How do bees go to school? On a school BUZZ!

Easy jokes kids can tell about school

  1. What’s the smartest bug? A spelling bee.
  2. Why did the clock go to the principal’s office? Because it was always running late!
  3. Who’s the leader of the school supplies? The ruler.
  4. What’s a math teacher’s favorite season of the year? Sum-mer!
  5. Why did the bicycle fall over at school? Because it was two-tired!

Fun kid jokes about a school of fish

  1. Why are fish considered the smartest animals? Because they live in schools.
  2. Why did the fish get bad grades in school? Because it was always swimming in the wrong direction!
  3. What did the fish say to the substitute teacher? “School’s a real splash!”
  4. Why don’t fish go on vacation? Because they’re always in a school.
  5. Why was the fish late to school? Because it was fin-ishing its homework!

Funny jokes about kids going back to school

  1. Music teacher: “Why are you late on the first day of school?” Student: “I saw a sign that said, ‘School Ahead: Go Slow.'”
  2. What did the pen tell the pencil on the first day of school? Lookin’ sharp!
  3. Why did the dog go to school? Because it wanted to learn new tricks!
  4. Why did the cat go to school? Because it wanted to improve its purr-formance!
  5. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Alpaca. Alpaca who? Alpaca the lunch, we’re going to school!

2nd grade kids jokes about school

  1. Why did the banana go to school? Because it wanted to split its time between learning and being a snack!
  2. How do you make seven an even number? Remove the “S.”
  3. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Broken pencil. Broken pencil who? Forget it. It’s pointless.
  4. Why are the dark ages named that? Because they have so many knights.
  5. Why did the pillow go to school? Because it wanted to take a nap in every class!

More hilarious kids jokes about school

  1. What did the buffalo dad say to his son at school drop off? Bison!
  2. Where do kids in New York learn multiplication tables? Times Square.
  3. Why did the kid study on a plane? He wanted a higher education.
  4. What’s a blackboard’s favorite drink? Hot CHALK-o-late.
  5. Why did the pencil go to the principal’s office? Because it needed to be sharp!
  6. Why did the broom go to school? Because it wanted to brush up on its knowledge.
  7. What’s the smartest shape? A “circle,” because it’s well-rounded in every subject!
  8. What do you call a vampire who teaches math? Count Dracula!
  9. Why did the obtuse angle go to school early? Because it heard there were multiplication tables to learn and it didn’t want to be “a-cute” to miss them!
  10. What kind of tree does a math teacher climb? Geome-tree.
  11. Why did the student put their lunchbox in the oven? Because they wanted to have a hot lunch!
  12. Why did the student bring a synonym roll to school? Because he wanted to spice up his vocabulary!
  13. What did one math book say to the other math book? “I’ve got problems.”
  14. Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!
  15. What do you call a pencil sharpener that can tell jokes? A pun-cil.
  16. What’s the difference between an English teacher and a train? The teacher says, “Spit out your gum,” but the train says, “Chew chew!”
  17. What do you call a school for ice cream? Sundae school!
  18. What did one wall say to the other wall at school? “I’ll meet you at the corner!”
  19. Why did the kid bring perfect pitch to music class? Because they didn’t want to strike a wrong chord with the teacher!
  20. Why did the student bring a backpack full of rubber bands to the class trip? Because they wanted to “stretch” their knowledge!
  21. Why did the girl bring a ladder to school? Because she wanted the highest grades!
  22. Why did the math student eat their homework? Because their teacher said it was a piece of cake!
  23. How does a book stay warm? By putting on its jacket.
  24. Why did the music teacher write the lesson on the window? To make it clearer for the students.
  25. Why is 2 + 2 = 5 like your left foot? It’s not right.
  26. What is a mathematical plant? The one with square roots.
Why keep laughing all the way to class?

Laughter is the best medicine, even in the classroom! Not only does it make school more enjoyable, but it also helps relieve stress and improve focus. Sharing appropriate jokes with classmates can create a positive and fun learning environment where everyone feels included. So, encourage your kids to keep laughing all the way to class and see the difference it makes in their school experience!

With these 50 hilarious jokes about school, you’ll have your kids laughing and learning at the same time. Whether it’s a math joke, a fish joke, a knock-knock joke, or a joke about going back to school, there’s something for every kid’s sense of humor. So, why wait? Start sharing these jokes with your kids today and watch their faces light up with laughter!

Looking for an after-school sitter to care for your kids and maybe tell a joke or two? Join UrbanSitter to find after-school drivers, sitters, tutors, and more! You can find an after school nanny near you in just a few minutes.

More jokes: 20 Funny Jokes for Kids, 40 Funny Valentine’s Day Jokes for Kids

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5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Preschool or Kindergarten Graduation (That Feel Like a Big Deal)

Your little one worked hard all year: learning letters, making friends, and figuring out how to share (mostly). A preschool or kindergarten graduation is a real milestone, and it deserves to feel like one. Whether you have the whole family coming or it is just your crew, these five easy ideas will make the day memorable without adding stress to your plate.

1. Throw a mini celebration at home

homemade graduation cupcakes decorated for a preschool graduation party

You do not need a full party to make it feel special. A batch of graduation cupcakes, a banner, and their favorite dinner at home can feel enormous to a five-year-old. Let them pick the menu and help with the decorations. Giving them ownership of the details makes it their celebration, not just an event you planned for them.

Keep it simple. The goal is for your child to feel like the star of the day. If siblings or grandparents can join, even better.

2. Make the ceremony feel like a big deal

dad taking photo at preschool or kindergarten graduation ceremony

Dress up a little. Bring flowers. Take a photo in front of the school before you walk in. These small gestures signal to your child that today is different and that today matters.

After the ceremony, let them wear their cap and gown as long as they want. If you can grab a moment with their teacher for a photo, take it. These are the pictures you will print and frame.

3. Plan a special outing or treat

family celebrating kindergarten graduation with ice cream

A special outing does not have to be elaborate. Ice cream at their favorite spot, a trip to the bookstore to pick one new book, a movie they have been waiting to see: whatever feels like a treat to them is the right answer.

Ask your child what they want to do to celebrate. You might be surprised by how simple their answer is. Following their lead turns a parent-planned event into their celebration.

4. Create a milestone marker they’ll keep

parent marking child height on doorframe as a graduation milestone

Mark their height on the doorframe. Write down what they want to be when they grow up. Take a photo of their hands. These small, concrete things capture who they are right now, before they change too much.

A simple memory book (even a few pages stapled together with their drawings and your notes) becomes something they will come back to for years. Future-you will be glad you did it.

5. Book a sitter so you can focus on your grad

babysitter with two kids and mom

If you have younger kids, graduation day logistics can get complicated fast. A babysitter can handle pick-ups, keep little ones entertained during the ceremony, and give you the space to be fully present for your grad’s big moment.

Even if the whole family is attending, booking a sitter for the afternoon gives you flexibility: someone to wrangle the toddler while you take photos, or to take younger kids home for nap time so the celebration can keep going.

Frequently asked questions about preschool and kindergarten graduation

What do you do for a preschool graduation?

Most preschool graduations include a short ceremony at the school, often with a cap and gown. From there, families typically celebrate with a meal, a special outing, or a small party at home. The key is making your child feel celebrated. The size of the event matters much less than the intention behind it.

What is a good gift for preschool graduation?

Books are a great choice, especially ones that bridge the gap between preschool and kindergarten. A personalized keepsake, a journal, a special art kit, or a fun activity like a museum membership or a cooking class all make meaningful gifts. Skip the toys that will be forgotten in a week and go for something that marks the transition.

How do you celebrate kindergarten graduation on a budget?

Some of the most memorable celebrations cost almost nothing. Make cupcakes together, blow up a few balloons, and let them pick dinner. Write a letter to your child describing who they are at this age and seal it to open when they graduate high school. Mark their height. Take photos. The memory-making is free.

What are some fun preschool graduation party ideas at home?

Set up a simple celebration with their favorite food, a homemade banner, and a few balloons. Let them invite a couple of close friends or cousins. Play their favorite songs, make a craft together, or do a special activity they love. A photo booth corner with a few props and their cap and gown makes for great pictures and a memorable moment without much effort.

How do you make kindergarten graduation feel memorable?

The details you document matter more than the size of the celebration. Take photos at the school, capture them in their cap and gown, record a short video message about who they are right now. Mark their height. Write down their favorite things. The moments you preserve intentionally are the ones that become the memories you will return to for years.

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Get Busy with Spring Break Crafts for Kids

Yarn Eggs by Mod Podge Rocks

The kids are home for Spring Break, and chances are you could use a few craft ideas for entertaining them. Here are 5 Spring Break arts and crafts that are sure to keep them busy!

1. Yarn Eggs

Our first Spring Break craft idea from Mod Podge Rocks could pass as an Easter-time craft, but really it works any time of year. It’s a fun project for school-age kids who will love the process and the end result – big, colorful orbs to hang in their rooms. You’ll need thin cotton yarn, balloons, craft glue, newspaper, waxed paper, a clothespin and a hanger. The project involves making a watered-down glue mixture, dipping strands of yarn in it and and wrapping around a balloon. Once dry, you pop and remove the balloon, and you are left with a funky, colorful egg.

2. Spring Blossom Painting

The blogger from Toddler Approved created the idea for this gorgeous painting that is worthy of hanging on a prime spot on your walls. Check out her handy tutorial for a detailed how-to that includes photos of each step. Be assured that it’s a simple project involving materials you likely already have in the house, which is perfect for crafts for Spring Break… watercolor paper, paint and a Sharpie is all you need!

Blossom Painting by Toddler Approved
Blossom Painting by Toddler Approved

3. Chalkboard Flower Pots

We’ve tweaked this Spring Break craft a bit to make it more kid- friendly.  The day before you tackle this project with the kids, paint a few flower pots with chalkboard paint. The ingenious paint now comes in nearly every color of the rainbow.  Once dry, big kids they may enjoy embellishing the pots with trim, ribbon or buttons (similar to the project shown here). Kids of all ages will love using the colorful pots to plant a few fast-growing seeds or actual flowers or plants you’ve picked up from the home improvement store or local nursery, and then decorating their pots with chalk drawings that can be erased at whim.

Chalkboard Flower Pots by Paint Me Plaid
Chalkboard Flower Pots by Paint Me Plaid

4. Button Flowers for Counting

This cute craft helps young kids count and learn to associate numbers. It’s simple, too.  Help kids use green Wikki Stix  (wax covered yarn sticks you can bend and mold to any shape) to make stems and leaves for flowers and attach to a piece of white paper.  Children can then attach a button to the top of the stem (the Wikki Stix will adhere the button so no glue is necessary). Label the stems of the flowers with any numbers the children are working on.  Have the children place the corresponding number of buttons on top of the flowers.

Button Flowers for Counting by Sixty Second Parent
Button Flowers for Counting by Sixty Second Parent

5. Bunny Paper Plate Photo Frame

Here’s a cute Spring Break craft that even the tiniest tots can handle. Simply cut the middle out of a paper plate, paste cotton balls on the remaining circle, and staple two bunny ears made from additional plates and also covered in cotton balls You can either paste it around a photo of your child’s face (like a frame) or tie a string from side-to-side on the back and make a fun mask.

Bunny Love by I Love 1st Grade

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10 Easy Spring Break Staycation Ideas for Busy Families

boy scootering in the spring time
kids baking cookies with sitter

Spring break is coming. And if you’re staying home this year, you’re not alone.

With travel costs up and schedules packed, more families are choosing staycations. The good news? You don’t need a big trip to make the week feel special.

Here are simple, low-prep ideas that keep kids happy—and give you a little breathing room too.

  1. Have a backyard picnic

    No park? No problem. Lay out a blanket, pack easy snacks, and let your kids help choose the menu.

    If the weather does not cooperate, move the picnic indoors. A living room picnic still feels fun and different.

    Prep: Low
    Parent perk: Keeps kids busy for a while

  2. Plan a DIY movie day

    Turn your home into a mini movie theater. Let your kids pick the movie, grab blankets, and make popcorn together.

    You can make it extra fun with homemade tickets and favorite snacks.

    Prep: Low
    Parent perk: Built-in quiet time

  3. Go on a neighborhood adventure walk

    You do not have to go far to make the day feel new. Take a walk and explore like tourists.

    Try a simple scavenger hunt or let kids lead the way.

    Prep: None
    Parent perk: Gets everyone out of the house

  4. Try a simple baking day

    Skip anything complicated. Cookies, brownies, or boxed mixes are perfect.

    The goal is fun, not perfection.

    Prep: Low
    Parent perk: Activity and snack in one

  5. Set up a craft hour

    Pick one easy project. Painting, sticker books, or DIY cards all work well.

    Keep supplies simple to avoid a big cleanup.

    Prep: Low
    Parent perk: Focused play time

  6. Have a “yes day” (with limits)

    Pick a few fun things kids can say yes to. Ice cream before dinner or extra screen time.

    Set clear boundaries ahead of time to keep it manageable.

    Prep: None
    Parent perk: Fewer negotiations

  7. Visit the library or bookstore

    A quick outing can reset the day. Let kids pick new books to bring home.

    Build in reading time later for a calm activity.

    Prep: Low
    Parent perk: Quiet time later

  8. Plan a mini water day

    If the weather is warm, bring out sprinklers, buckets, or water toys.

    No pool needed to have fun.

    Prep: Low
    Parent perk: Burns energy fast

  9. Do a playdate swap

    Team up with another family. You host one day, they host another.

    Kids get social time, and you get a break.

    Prep: Medium
    Parent perk: Real time to focus or rest

  10. Book a sitter for a few hours

    Spring break is not always a break for parents.

    A few hours of child care can help you reset, catch up, or relax.

    Prep: Very low
    Parent perk: Everything

The takeaway

You don’t need a packed itinerary to make spring break memorable.

A few simple activities can go a long way. And getting a little help along the way? That can make all the difference.

Find trusted sitters near you and take back a few hours this week.

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Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids

How about arming your babysitter with Valentine’s Day craft ideas and supplies for your kids to create special treats for family and friends? You’ll have happily occupied kids, a grateful babysitter and a few special gifts, too.

Here are five sweet ideas for your little ones to get crafty:

1) Fun Craft for Bigger Kids – Matchbox Valentine Boxes

matchbox valentines by inchmark.squarespace.com

Kids love tiny things, and who can blame them? These tiny packages made out of matchboxes and filled with candy are adorable. (You’ll want one, too!) Easy to create, the boxes can be customized with as much or as little as your crafter likes. Tape a strip of craft paper to cover them [Cut a piece of paper 2″ high (or the height of your matchbox) and about 4″ long (enough to wrap it around)], slap on some stickers, or paint or draw your own decorations… and tie with a bow. Since they are so teeny, a bag of candy is all you’ll need to fill a whole slew of them. M&Ms work well, and you can buy the pink and red ones for VDay.

2) Homemade Valentine’s Day Cards with Crazy Crayons

crazycrayons by innerchildfun.com

We love this crazy cute Valentine, particularly because it includes a kid-approved treat that isn’t candy – Crazy Crayons. Here’s the perfect use of all the bits and pieces of broken crayons you undoubtedly have at the bottom of your arts and crafts box. Crazy Crayons take what’s old and turn it into colorful, useful, Valentine gifts for classmates and friends. Your kids will love the crayon “demo” and the big reveal (once the bits bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then chill in the frig). A heart muffin tin is especially cute to use, and these free printables stapled to the top of a Ziploc bag make the Valentine especially easy to package.

3) The Perfect Project for Preschoolers – Heart Flowers

Photo by Puttisworld

You’ll need red, pink and green construction paper, craft or popsicle sticks, glue, scissors and a couple of markers to create these happy Heart Flowers. Your sitter can help by cutting out four red/pink hearts for the flower and two smaller green hearts for the leaves of each flower. Your child can glue them to the paper, overlapping to form a flower, adding the stick for a stem and leaves, too. Once dry, draw a face and any Valentine’s Day message you choose. Instructions and photos here, thanks to Putti’s World.

4) Get Cooking for a Tasty Snack (or Gift)

Photo by Workathomegal.com

Take it easy on your sitter by leaving her all the trappings for a low-fuss treat she and the kids can bake and decorate. Depending on your child’s age and familiarity with baking, choose either a roll of refrigerated cookie dough, a boxed mix for cupcakes, or the easiest route – premade, undecorated cookies or cupcakes from the bakery or grocery store. Most will agree the best part of baking holiday treats is decorating them, so go all out on decorations. You could include several colors of candy sprinkles or sugars, maraschino cherries, dried coconut, tubes of frosting, chocolate chips, and candy hearts.

5) Homemade Decorations to Cherish Year After Year

Photo by Kaboose

We know, we know, it’s another craft with crayons, but we couldn’t help ourselves. This craft is worth picking up an extra set of crayons so you can tackle it, as well as the melted crayon Valentines. So pretty to hang in a window, these stained glass hearts are a perfect way to brighten dreary winter days. You can make them by melting crayon shavings between waxed paper using an iron set on low. Hang them with a loop of string or ribbon after cutting out hearts. Experiment with different color combinations, and make sure the sitter knows not to take her eyes off the hot iron or melted paper until they have cooled.

Hope you, your kids and your sitter love these Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids as much as we do!

7 Simple Kid’s Crafts for Mother’s Day

Mother's Day Art, Simple Art Projects for Mother's Day, Mom Art

Why not surprise a mom by helping her kids create a heartfelt, homemade gift to show their love this Mother’s Day? Roll up your sleeves, gather the supplies, and let the crafting begin! Here are 7 simple DIY gifts kids can create with a little help from you to make any mom feel special:

1. Mother’s Day Coupon Book

Download our Mother’s Day Coupon Book printable template to make an extra-thoughtful gift mom with coupons for “washing the dishes,” “folding the laundry,” and even “one hour of quiet time.” Have your little one color in and draw on each coupon to personalize it. Complement your coupon book with an UrbanSitter gift card!

mother's-day-coupon-book

2. Yarn Wrapped Bottles

Older kids can dive into a fun (and sustainable!) art project by creating yarn-wrapped vases for Mom. All you need are empty bottles, colorful yarn, and a pair of scissors. These beautiful vases are an easy and charming way to present a few flowers on her big day. 

  • Gather your supplies: Empty bottles, colorful yarn, scissors, glue.
  • Prep the bottles: Remove labels and clean thoroughly.
  • Start wrapping: Tie a knot at the top and start wrapping, securing with knots or glue.
  • Switch colors: Experiment with different yarn colors for a vibrant look.
  • Finish it off: Tie a knot at the end, trim excess yarn, and tuck loose ends.
via Huffington Post
via Huffington Post

3. Craft Stick Flower Pot

Another fun, easy craft for kids to do on Mother’s Day is to create a colorful flower pot. Find a recycled can or other small container, craft or popsicle sticks, and some glue. After the flower pot is finished, fill it with her favorite plant for a long-lasting gift that will keep her smiling.

  • Gather your supplies: Recycled can or container, craft sticks, glue, paint (optional), favorite plant.
  • Prep the container: Ensure it’s clean and dry.
  • Create the base: Glue craft sticks around the container.
  • Decorate: Add colors, drawings, or stickers for a personalized touch.
  • Fill it up: Fill the pot with Mom’s favorite plant once dry.
via Somewhat Simple
via Somewhat Simple

4. Baby Feet Butterflies

If you’re looking for an easy art project for Mother’s Day for a baby, using their fingerprints or footprints is a wonderful way to create sentimental art. One homemade gift for mom from a baby is to dip the baby’s feet into non-toxic washable paint and create footprints. After the paint has dried, turn them into butterflies with just a few swipes with a marker.

  • Gather your supplies: Non-toxic, washable paint, paper, and marker.
  • Dip and print: Dip baby’s feet in paint and make footprints on the paper.
  • Let it dry: Allow the paint to dry completely.
  • Add details: Turn footprints into butterflies with marker strokes.
  • Personalize: Write a message or date for an extra personal touch.
via Pinterest
via Pinterest

5. Tissue Paper Flowers

Truly a classic and perfect Mother’s Day craft for toddlers! Who doesn’t love a few tissue paper flowers, and even more so if they were created by the little ones they love. WikiHow tells you how to make them three ways. Gather the tissue paper, follow a few easy steps, and let the kids create a bouquet of love that Mom will adore.

  • Gather your supplies: Tissue paper, scissors, pipe cleaners.
  • Stack and fold: Stack several layers of tissue paper and fold accordion-style.
  • Secure in the middle: Use a pipe cleaner to secure the folded tissue paper in the middle.
  • Trim the edges: Round the edges or cut them into desired shapes.
  • Fan out petals: Carefully separate the layers to create a full bloom.
via Rust and Sunshine
via Rust and Sunshine

6. Craft Stick Jewelry Box

For the elementary kids, a simple Mother’s Day craft is this beautiful keepsake box. All they need to make this box are craft sticks or recycled popsicle sticks and embellish them with anything from beads, sequins, buttons, drawings, or even stickers. Mom will love storing her treasures here.

  • Gather your supplies: Craft sticks, glue, embellishments (beads, sequins, buttons), and paint (optional).
  • Create the base: Arrange craft sticks to form the base of the box.
  • Build the walls: Glue additional sticks to create walls.
  • Decorate: Add embellishments, drawings, or paint for a personalized touch.
  • Let it dry: Allow the box to dry completely before using or gifting.
via Spoonful
via Spoonful

7. Flower Photos

A free printable background, cupcake liners, construction paper, and favorite photos are all it takes to make these adorable flower photos. Photos of children’s faces are cut into 1.5-inch circles and pasted to the center of the flowers.  Once completed, these can be used to make a Mother’s Day card or a picture frame. For a picture frame, either buy a new frame or find an old picture frame and just remove the glass to make room for the 3D flowers.

via Raising Arizona Kids
via Raising Arizona Kids

 

More Mother’s Day Crafts…

As you delve into the joy of crafting DIY Mother’s Day gifts, why not expand your creative horizons with more crafting ideas? Consider handprint flowers, playful pom-pom projects, endearing handprint hearts, or versatile salt dough creations. Happy crafting, and may your celebration be filled with love and creativity!

Homemade Mother’s Day crafts like these are the ones that will truly touch her heart. She’ll appreciate the time and effort you made to help the kids create such meaningful Mother’s Day crafts. UrbanSitter.com gift cards make great gifts, too!

Simple St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids

As luck would have it, there are oodles of St. Patty’s Day crafts to keep your kids happily entertained. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorites that are just right for little ones.

Simple St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids

Rainbow Streamers
A simple craft made from a paper plate, paints and tissue paper strips.

Screen Shot 2014-03-10 at 12.27.30 PM
via Activity Village

Handprint Rainbow
Kids’ handprints made in every color of the rainbow lead to a pot of gold.

via The Logan's
via The Logan Family of Five

Paper Bag Leprechaun
It’s double the fun when you turn a paper sack into a googly-eyed leprechaun who makes for a perfect puppet.

via Pin Inspired
via Pin Inspired

Rainbow Necklace
Buy a box of fruity O’s cereal and help your child string a rainbow (or make it leprechaun green) on a shoe string. You’ll have a fun project, cute necklace and a yummy snack. 

via Eighteen 25
via Eighteen 25

Shamrock Bouquet
Here’s a craft that’s as much fun for Mom as it is for the little ones. Make an adorable bouquet of shamrocks using the handy template provided here, and you’ll have a happily entertained crafter and a cute centerpiece for the table.

via Sweet and Lovely
via Sweet and Lovely

Paper Rainbow
A simple craft for even the tiniest tots. Glue dots make it even easier and eliminate the mess.

via Scrappin' Danielle
via Scrappin’ Danielle

Leprechaun Green Oobleck
If you haven’t yet played with the strange, non-edible substance called Oobleck, here’s your chance. Make a green batch!

via Oobleck
via Food.com

Green Pepper Shamrock Stamp
A green pepper easily becomes a shamrock stamp. Who knew?!

via Family Fresh Meals
via Family Fresh Meals

Pot of Gold
There’s a template for a shamrock and a pot, but we’re guessing you won’t need them to create this adorable pot of treasures.

via Play and Learn with Dana
via Play and Learn with Dana

Leprechaun Beard
Love, love, love this DIY leprechaun beard you can make for a fantastic dress-up accessory.

via No Time for Flashcards
via No Time for Flashcards

 

Search for crafty sitters on UrbanSitter.com! How will your family celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Fantastic Father’s Day Photo Ideas

valentine's day sitter

Scrambling to find the perfect gift to celebrate the Dads in your life this Father’s Day? You can scour the stores in search of a gift that speaks to his hobbies or wardrobe, help the kids create a craft worthy of a spot on his desk, or take one spectacular Fathers Day photo that he’ll cherish for a lifetime. The right photo says far more than any store-bought gift or last minute craft. We’ve curated a list of fun father’s day picture ideas to inspire you and your child and capture the perfect shot.

Photo Ideas for the Perfect Father’s Day Gift

via Natural New Age Mum
via Natural New Age Mum

Write a message that’s as sweet as the tiny feet.

via House of Hendrix
via House of Hendrix

Get Dad to star in a photo shoot.

via Crafty Texas Girls
via Crafty Texas Girls

Fun photo that the kids will love creating.

via Amanda Myers
via Amanda Myers

With a message and a family photo that steals his heart.

via I Can Teach My Child!
via I Can Teach My Child!

In his shoes.

via Family Share
via Family Share

This Father’s Day photo shoot idea works especially well if you have three kids!

via Indulgy
via Indulgy

Make it multi-generational for a powerful portrait of the fathers in his life.

For more great Fathers Day picture ideas and inspiration for photographing kids in general, check out our Photographing Babies and Kids Pinterest Board.

Looking for a sitter to take that special dad out for Father’s Day? Join UrbanSitter to browse profiles, sort by pay rate, and book jobs online.

Ideas for Babysitter Activities with a School-Aged Child

kids baking cookies with sitter

Hiring a babysitter for a school-age child is often met with some anxiety on both sides unless there are activities planned. The child wonders if the babysitter will make him eat his broccoli and the babysitter hopes against hope that the child is more spunky than sulky. What resources do you have to combat this situation?

Activities to do with kids appropriate for their age:

Ask their parents to pick the game, toy, or computer games they like playing the LEAST. You won’t have the disadvantage of repeatedly being asked to engage in a certain activity and the child will be happy an adult is taking interest in their neglected game or toy.

Have the child make his birthday list (or holiday list if it’s coming up). This is usually a huge hit. Take a plain old piece of paper and have the child write or draw their ultimate wish list. You can even use those umpteen catalogs that come in the mail for inspiration and/or art supplies — cut out what they want and paste on list. Voila!

Paper crafts for kids are among the most popular. If you are not super talented in this area (join the club), get online and look up some free kids crafts on Pinterest. Use the calendar for inspiration. Valentine’s Day? Make paper hearts from coffee filters! Columbus Day? Make a native American headdress from construction paper!

Easy games for kids involving hiding things. Hide a few objects around the house or in the yard and send them hunting. Give them a bag or basket and they’ll be even happier. For older children, make a treasure map. A meticulously-detailed map with clues along the way (akin to a scavenger hunt) will engage them for a while. Perhaps the winner gets to pick the bedtime story or an extra marshmallow in his hot cocoa.

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How to inject Family Fun into a Summer of Work & Camp

four out of five of the miller & friedlander kids playing cards

Summertime, which we’d so love to think of as carefree fun-time, can too often be an extended period of regret for those working moms and dads who can take few vacation days to spend with the family. But do the post-school hot months necessarily have to translate into drudgery for kids, and a guilt-fest for parents?

Not in the slightest, say Lisa Friedlander and Ilene Miller, DC-area moms who are the founders of class- and camp-booking site Activity Rocket, and between them, parents to five kids. Fun for all might just start with an attitude adjustment: one that enables you to see the summer camp you might inevitably have to enroll your kids in as something exciting and enriching rather than an unfortunately necessity.

According to Miller—mom to sons Mark, age 13, and Max, age 10—“The beauty of summer is it gives kids the opportunity to do something new, that they don’t get exposed to in school, like Claymation camp, or rock band camp, for example,” she says. “But in our area, there are also kids who spend the summer at the community pool, taking swim lessons and being pool bums.” Either way, she says, when kids are happy and tired at the end of the day, that goes a long way toward minimizing parental guilt. Which makes for happier family time all around, when you do manage to wedge some in.

This doesn’t have to be an elaborate or expensive prospect, Miller maintains. “I really value the longer days in the summertime, when the kids can stay up later,” she says. “My husband, Craig, and I try to spend a lot of unstructured family time in the evenings with them. We can barbecue outside, have family tournaments that can last the whole weekend—the kids are huge card sharks. We just get back to basics.”

The basics certainly extend to weekends, when camp and work are finished for the week. Says Miller, “We’re so lucky that in the DC area, we have hiking trails, and a lot of rivers that are accessible to us within 10 minutes, that we can kayak on with the kids.” She’s also a big proponent of finding community events, most of which are free. “In the Potomac area, we’ve got all the Smithsonian museums, book fairs, concerts in the parks, festivals—often they have no admission and the only money we’ll spend is on food once we get there.”

Friedlander and family spend weekends at a river house on the Chesapeake (if you don’t have your own, make friends with someone who does, she jokes!). “It’s very much no screens, no electronics, a lot of time spent tubing and water skiing and playing beach tennis and fishing and crabbing the old-fashioned way, with a piece of chicken tied to a rope.” With her oldest child, Jaclyn, age 14, set to head off to sleepaway camp for the entire summer, she says she’s also relishing the opportunity to spend a bit of quality time with Cole, age 11, and Camryn, age 9. As well as taking her own breather from the usual grind. “Those eight weeks of summer go by so fast, it’s important to give yourself a little bit of a break,” she says. “Whether that means not cooking every night, or not cleaning up every day, or just enjoying a walk around the neighborhood—things you wouldn’t do on a regular basis. Just slow down and enjoy the pace of summer.”

Also critical for Miller, “I need time with my husband, too, whether or not the kids are away. We’ll take a picnic and a bottle of wine somewhere, and focus on our time alone.”

But absolutely the biggest opportunity afforded even to working parents and camp kids in the summer: the fabulousness of being outside. “We get really active,” says Friedlander. “We have swimming races, and we bought a Kanjam—literally a Frisbee you throw into a slot, a team game that’s tons of fun; we all love it.”

Says Miller, “Friends helped us build a Gaga pit, which is Israeli dodge ball in a confined space. On weekends we’ll have friends over and sometimes it’s just adults in there. It’s a great way to be outside, get competitive, and work out a little aggression.” Let the summer games begin!