Sharpen School Skills with Fun, Educational Games & Activities

tutor helping child with school skills

meg_son_drawingExperts estimate that kids spend the first 2.3 months of the school year learning what they’ve forgotten over the summer. Yikes!

Help your kids brush up on their skills, before the first school bell rings, with these effective learning tools that can easily pass as fun games and entertainment.

Smart Games to Prepare for the School Year

Alphabet Tracing Chart 

Free, printable alphabet handwriting worksheet in a fun Back-to-School theme.  Traceable worksheets help preschoolers through First Graders learn to write letters A to Z in upper and lower case.  The worksheet features a start dot on each letter to help kids remember where to start writing the letter. Tip: Laminate and use fine tip erasable markers for repeated use.

Traceable Alphabet
Photo: First-School

LEGO Math Practice

LEGO activities are a visual way for kids to do math. And for the LEGO enthusiast, this might just be the sure-fire way to encourage math practice. The printable worksheet is great for kids to work on addition and subtraction. For younger kids, simply use LEGOS to work on colors, sorting and counting.

LEGOS
Photo: The Kent Chronicles

Book Picks for Kids 2-12

Research has shown that the single most important thing that a parent can do to help their child acquire language, prepare for school, and instill a love of learning is to read to them (Russ et al., 2007).  If you need a few new books to add to your repertoire, check out Cool Mom Picks Roundup. They have compiled an awesome list of their editors’ own children’s favorite books, including picks for ages 2-12.

kids-favorite-books-ages-2-12-cool-mom-picks_zps2a1d71ac
Photo: Cool Mom Picks

Melissa & Doug Letter Puzzle

Little kids can work on motor skills, letters and numbers with a simple puzzle that includes all 26 letters of the alphabet in uppercase and lowercase, along with 26 gorgeously detailed illustrations of various animals. $11.99 at Target.

Letter Puzzle
Photo: Melissa and Doug

 

Top 10 Educational Apps for Preschoolers

If you’re in the camp that believes in embracing the power of technology as a teaching tool, try out these educational apps for preschoolers. The list includes practice games for handwriting, letters and numbers for iPad and iPhone devices. Costs vary.

Apps
Photo: Handwriting Without Tears

Magazine Letter Printables for Literacy Station

You can avoid the time and mess of cutting letters out of magazines for your child to use for literacy exercises – such as finding the alphabet or creating words or phrases – with this super cool Magazine Letter Printable, just $7 from Etsy.

Magazine Letters
Photo: Olive Loaf Design

5 Games for Speaking, Listening and Thinking

Verbal games are great for developing speaking and listening skills, and thinking and reasoning abilities. They are ideal to play on a long car trip, or while your child’s hanging out in the kitchen while you make dinner. Try them with kids age 3 and up.

Childhood-101-Speaking-Listening-Thinking-Learning-Games-for-Kids
Photo: Childhood 101

All of these games and activities are great to leave with the babysitter. Find trusted babysitters and nannies at UrbanSitter.com.

Get Onboard with an Arm Full of DIY Bracelets!

bracelet trend via a beautiful mess
via A Beautiful Mess

Have you noticed that bracelets are all the rage these days? You can get current and also score big points with your child by arming your babysitter with these awesome DIY bracelet craft ideas. We’ve rounded up 10 DIY Bracelets that kids – little and big, girl and boy – will go wild to create and wear!

1. Popsicle Stick Bracelets

Thank you Molly Moo for providing the inspiration and showing us how to make popsicle sticks pliable enough to wrap around a glass into the shape of a bracelet. Once the sticks are dry, you can decorate them with wasabi tape (for instant gratification) or embroidery thread with the ends of the thread capped with beads for a dangly look.

Molly Moo bracelets
via Molly Moo

2. Felt Flower Bracelets

Though gorgeous, this craft require a bit more manual dexterity and involves more steps than some of the others. The bracelets are delightful for little kids to wear, but plan on your sitter, an older sibling or yourself doing much of work. You can download a free pattern for the felt flowers and you’ll need to purchase a roll of Velcro, along with felt. Merriment Design recommends something called Velcro Plant Ties, which is basically a roll of a thin strip of Velcro, which will serve as the base of your bracelet.

Felt Flower Bracelets via Merriment Design
Felt Flower Bracelets via Merriment Design

3. Straw Bracelets

Here’s a simple, sweet project perfect for tackling when you have really little kids involved. The bracelet is cute enough that older kids won’t mind that it’s as easy as cutting drinking straws into pieces (an adult can do the cutting for little ones) and stringing them onto pipe cleaners, which are then twisted to form a bracelet. You can get bigger kids more interested by encouraging them to create patterns with the different color pieces.

Straw Bracelets via Mother Huddle

4. Friendship Bracelets

Wow, these bring back memories! Remember making these when you were a kid, loading up your arms with them and gifting and trading them with friends? If the how-to isn’t too fresh in your mind, check out this great tutorial from Apartment Therapy.  It’ll be like riding a bike. Before you know it, you’ll be whipping out a few to bestow on your little one and maybe just helping her to start a new trend in the hood.

Friendship Bracelets via Apartment Therapy
Friendship Bracelets via Apartment Therapy

5. LEGO Bracelets

What’s just as popular with kids as bracelets? Why, LEGOSs, of course.  There is a small supply list for these, though be forewarned that the project requires a drill. Thanks to The Centsible Life for listing the requirements – (lots of) flat LEGO bricks, a drill and 3/32″ drill bit, embroidery thread (three colors per brick) and scissors. You or a handy sitter will need to prepare the bricks for your kids to string by stacking bricks and drilling a small hole on each end of the stack. Complete instructions included here.

LEGO Bracelets via Tip Junkie
LEGO Bracelets via Tip Junkie

6. Pom Pom Bracelets

Martha Stewart showcases Pom Pom bracelets as a winter holiday accessory, which would be lovely, but we think they’d also make for cheerful, colorful, summery arm candy. Buy pom-poms with holes in them, and help kids thread them onto clear stretchy beading cord. Tie off  the ends with several double knots.

Pom Pom Bracelets via Martha Stewart
Pom Pom Bracelets via Martha Stewart

7. Candy Bracelets

Imagine telling your kids you are about to provide a fun craft to make, candy to eat and a new piece of jewelry to wear! You’ll need to hit the candy and cereal isles to stock up on supplies for these yummy, wearable treats. Lila Luna used Cheerios, Froot Loops, Peach Rings and Gummy Lifesavers, but any candy or cereal with a hole in the middle will work. Simply help kids string them on length of yarn. It’s helpful to use a blunt, plastic needle for threading.

Candy Bracelets via Lil Luna

8. Wooden Bead Bracelets

Here’s a sweet, modern take on old-school wooden beads on a cord. You need nothing more than a bag of ¾” wooden beads,  1mm stretch cord (three colors are ideal, but you can certainly make these with more or less), and scissors to cut the elastic-like stretch cord. Playful Learning gives a simple tutorial:

  • Count out 10-12 beads
  • Measure 3 strands of stretch cord at 18”
  • Holding ends together, thread cord through the first bead.
  • Pull the ends through, wrap them around the bead, and pull back through
  • Pull taut to secure, leaving about 2” of cord length at the end
  • Using the remainder of the cord, repeat looping and pulling through on the remaining beads until all ten are lined up snugly.
  • Double knot and tightly tug the cord taut at the end and trim to about 1/4”

Wooden Bead Bracelets via Playful Learning

9. Super Easy Button Bracelet

A button bracelet is excellent for building fine motor skills. You can cater to your child’s age by using buttons with bigger holes for little kids and smaller buttons for older kids. Buttons with smaller holes will require a needle for threading the ribbon. You can find blunt needles that are safer for kids to use. Simply gather a collection of buttons and some ribbon to string through the holes. Weave the ribbon through the buttons, coming up from underneath the button, crossing over the top, and dipping back down again on the other side of the button. Once you have threaded on enough buttons for the length of your bracelet, tie the two ends of ribbon together and voila, a new bracelet!

Button Bracelets via Kids Activities
Button Bracelets via Kids Activities

10. Secret Message Ribbon Bracelets

Not your ordinary friendship bracelet, these lovelies have a secret message written on the inside. And just as nice, they take only minutes to make. You’ll need ribbon, self-adhesive Velcro (bought as precut circles or strips you cut yourself), tacky glue (optional), a white office label and a pen or marker to write your message. Instructions via Spoonful: Cut the ribbon into a piece long enough to wrap around your child’s wrist with extra for folding under the ends. Fold down one end of the ribbon and adhere one half of a Velcro piece, then flip over the ribbon, fold down the end, and attach the other half of the Velcro. Add a drop of glue under each piece of Velcro if needed (depends on the ribbon and Velcro used). Cut the label to fit (if necessary), write a message on it, then stick it to the inside of the bracelet.

Secret Message Ribbon Bracelets via Spoonful
Secret Message Ribbon Bracelets via Spoonful

Remember, there are plenty of crafty babysitters ready and willing to lead the charge if DIY is not your thing!  

Get Your Red, White and Blue On with Crafts + Recipes!

Fire up your family’s patriotism with these fun craft and recipe ideas for celebrating the Fourth of July! We’ve rounded up two easy 4th of July crafts and two deliciously festive recipes.

Patriotic Bike Streamers via AlphaMom
Patriotic Bike Streamers via AlphaMom

Craft: DIY Patriotic Streamers

Lead your own neighborhood parade in style! Tie some streamers and balloons to your stroller and help your kids decorate their bike or scooter with these DIY patriotic streamers we found on AlphaMom.

Supply list is simple:

1. a pair of toilet paper tubes
2. curling ribbon and/or crepe paper streamers
3. inexpensive water-based children’s poster paint in patriotic colors
4. star stickers
5. paint brushes
6. a stapler and/or normal household tape

To create:

  1. Have kids paint the tubes one color –the base coat. (Resist mixing colors since you’ll end up with purple or pink instead of the red white and blue theme!).
  2. Once base coat is dry, let them decorate the tube by painting on stars, stripes, flags, hearts, whatever else says 4th of July. And adding stickers, too.
  3. Once everything is dry, staple and/or tape the streamers or curling ribbon in strips to the end of the tubes. Curl the ribbons.
  4. Slip the decorated tubes of streamers over the ends of your child’s handle bars, and voila, patriotic streamers!

You’ll all have a blast circling the block in holiday style. Blow some horns, shake some noise makers and belt out our national anthem to your heart’s content. Your kids will never forget it.

Patriotic Streamers for Bikes and Scooters via AlphaMom
Patriotic Streamers for Bikes and Scooters via AlphaMom

Recipe: Fruity Yogurt “Bomb Pops”

Homemade Bomb Pops from Healthnut Foodie
Homemade Bomb Pops from Healthnut Foodie

Remember those brilliant red, white and blue popsicles you likely devoured as a child?  They scream patriotism!  Make your own healthy version with yogurt, blueberries and strawberries:

Homemade Bomb Pops (Recipe care of Healthnut Foodie)

Makes 16 small or 8 large popsicles

For the red layer:  Puree 1 pint hulled strawberries with 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt.  Fill popsicle molds 1/3 of the way full with strawberry/yogurt mixture.  Transfer molds to freezer and freeze for about 30 minutes, to prevent the layers from mixing.  (There is no need to put the sticks in at this time.)  Rinse blender.

For the white layer:  When 30 minutes have lapsed, remove popsicle molds from freezer.  Reserve 3/4 cup of the yogurt for the blue layer.  Use remaining vanilla yogurt to fill molds 2/3 of the way full.  Return popsicles to freezer just long enough to prepare the blue layer.

For the blue layer:  Puree 1 1/2 cups blueberries with remaining 3/4 cup vanilla yogurt.  Remove popsicles from freezer and fill with blueberry puree.  Add sticks to popsicles and return to freezer.  Freeze for at least 2 hours.  Serve and enjoy!

Or, you could always throw caution to the wind (after all, it is a holiday!) and go for the ones you used to eat as a kid.  You can find them at Walmart.

 

Sparkler Printable from Delightfully Noted
Sparkler Printable from Delightfully Noted

Craft: Sparkler Printables

Light up the night with sparkler favors. Thanks to this free printable, you can turn any ordinary box of sparklers into fun, festive favors for any family or friend gathering. Download the sparkler printables here, and be sure to print them on heavy card stock. Cut a slit above and below the solid blue block and slide a few sparklers through. ** Of course, never leave children unattended with sparklers, and be sure to explain the dangers of fire and the importance of being careful of sparklers before you light them. **

Recipe: Refreshing Watermelon Sundaes

 

Red White and Blue Sundaes from Watermelon.org
Red White and Blue Sundaes from Watermelon.org

Red White & Blue Watermelon Sundaes

Recipe adapted by Babble from watermelon.org

Use a melon scooper to make watermelon balls (or could use frozen yogurt or raspberry sorbet)
4 cups watermelon balls
2 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup sweetened whipped cream or thick plain or vanilla yogurt
Red, white and blue star sprinkles

Gently mix together the watermelon and blueberries. Divide among 4 sundae bowls. Top each with a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt and sprinkle with red ,white and blue sprinkles. Serve immediately.

Serves 4.

Keep your party going this July 4th by joining your community at a family-friendly holiday parade, fireworks show or festival. Stay tuned for our July 4th Even Guide for ideas and info!

Find mom-trusted babysitters at UrbanSitter.com.

How to Organize, Display and Store Your Child’s Artwork

IMAG0795Feeling buried alive in an avalanche of artwork your child brought home from school this year? Don’t let parental guilt and sentimentality keep you from weeding out the best-of-the best and letting go of the rest. That way, you’ll be able to concentrate on the pieces that really make for lasting reminders of their youngest years.

Here’s what to do with the masterpieces that make the cut:

 Curated Galleries

Sure, the side of your refrigerator works just fine for an easily interchangeable art display. It’s quick and easy to grab the tape or a few magnets and instantly switch from cottonball snowmen to fingerprint daisies. But, you eventually run out of space, and glitter glue and fingerpaint start to take over the kitchen. You need a gallery. Decide where it will reside – a breakfast area, front and center over the sofa, a hallway or maybe your child’s bedroom. There are several easy systems to choose, including:

  • Frames. Sure, it takes more work to frame art, but it certainly elevates the presentation and your child’s work can easily give the more expensive art in your home some stiff competition. If you’re planning on a gallery-style or grid approach to display, keep the frames the same or at least the same color or style for cohesiveness. You don’t need to break the budget.

How to hang them: Here are several handy patterns for no-fail gallery style groupings, or go for a straight line down a hallway or a vertical line up a small swatch of wall. Too much work? Shelves or picture ledges are a great alternative.

Framed Family Gallery via Emily A. Clark
Framed Family Gallery via Emily A. Clark
  • Big bulletin boards. It’s the low maintenance approach, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you know you’ll never find the time to frame and swap out framed artwork with new art, go easy on yourself and find a great, big bulletin or magnetic board. Martha Stewart shows us how to create a large bulletin board by stapling Flor carpet tiles to the wall.

    Flor Carpet Tile Board via Martha Stewart
    Flor Carpet Tile Board via Martha Stewart
  • Curtain Rod Gallery via Apartment Therapy
    Curtain Rod Gallery via Apartment Therapy

    Clothes lines. If you’re the sweet, homey type, go for a simple string or ribbon and use basic clothespins to hang art. If you like a cleaner, more contemporary look,check out this use of Ikea’s curtain wire system called Dignitet, which consists of the wire rod, corner pieces and the curtain ring clips.

    Simple Clothes Line via Apartment Therapy
    Simple Clothes Line via Apartment Therapy

Apps to Help You Organize and Store Your Child’s Art

Artkive describes itself as a “clutter-free way to save and enjoy your child’s artwork.” We couldn’t agree more. The free app for iPhone and Android devices lets you take photos of your kids’ artwork and then tag, share, and organize a chronological art portfolio. You can take it a step further by creating a photo book, mug or other keepsake from any of the digitally saved art.  Download app for IPhone Also available for Android.

Photo Books for Coffee Table Display

If you love the idea of organized, but need your children’s precious creations in hard form, rather than digitally stored, photo books might work well for you. Artkive lets you make photo books out of the photos you shoot with your iPhone. If you prefer to use your DSLR camera and you download your photos to a site such as Shutterfly, Shutterfly photo books are the perfect option. Good ’ole Shutterfly is great for its ease of use (especially if you already download your pics there), themes and frequent promotions that make it a wallet-friendly option. Simply shoot photos of your kid’s best works, and populate them into a photo book. You can take it a step further by adding photos of your child at milestone events, such as the first day of school, or the holiday pageant. Photo books are great to display and easy to store.

Art as Gifts

Rolling up a finger painting and sending it off in a mailing tube is a fantastic, heart-warming gift for an adoring grandparent.  Have your child help select which pieces they’d like to give. Also give some thought to how else you might be able to use your children’s creativity as inspiration for other personal gifts. Cool Mom Picks featured an independent jewelry designer, Mia Van Beek of Formia Design, who creates super hip key chains, charms and bracelets from kids’ doodles. Check out her leather cuff to see what we mean by hip. You might just want to gift this one to yourself.

Leather Cuff via Formia
Leather Cuff via Formia

How do you make the most of your children’s artwork? UrbanSitter would love to hear your ideas!

Cinco De Mayo Celebration for Family and Friends

Need a reason to party with your family and friends? Why not prepare and share a Mexican Feast to celebrate Cinco De Mayo!

Cinco De Mayo: The Menu

If the invite list is a mixed crowd, including tiny tots, keep the menu easily interchangeable and easy to eat. No need to make a separate meal for the kids.

Taco Bites and Shrimp and Guac Tostadas will please your guests, and can be customized to accommodate any finicky eaters. Round out the menu with a basket of tortilla chips, fresh salsa and guacamole, and don’t forget dessert – Key Lime Ice Cream served in individual cups.

taco bites by whipperberry
taco bites by whipperberry
shrimp tostadas by bev cooks
shrimp tostadas by bev cooks
margarita-day
margarita ideas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you think we forgot the punch!? No fiesta is complete without a perfect Margarita. With so many delicious variations to debate, we’ve included a Margarita Recipe Round-Up that’s bound to include everyone’s favorite or new found favorite. Be sure to mark the pitcher “Adults Only” and include a second, virgin-version for the kids.

The Inspiration

THE MUSIC

Tell your guests to bring their marachas and their dancing shoes. Even if you can’t bring in your own mariachi band,  you can’t call it a fiesta without a hot Latin playlist. Check out this Cinco De Mayo playlist on Punch Bowl created just for the holiday.

ACTIVITY FOR THE KIDS

When the kids aren’t eating or dancing, keep them busy with a fun Cinco De Mayo craft that makes for a great take-home treat – Coffee Filter Flowers from Holidays Central:

coffeefilterflowers
coffee filter flowers by holidays central

What You’ll Need:

  • Butcher paper
  • Coffee filters
  • Food coloring in variety of bright colors
  • Eyedroppers
  • Chenille stem

Instructions:

Cover the craft table with butcher paper.  Each child can use an eye dropper to color several coffee filters in a variety of colors. For less mess, have kids use crayons or markers to color the coffee filters. Place one coffee filter decorative side down on the table. Next, place the other coffee filters on top with decorative side up.  Fold coffee filters in half and then scrunch the middle of the coffee filters.  Hold the scrunched area in place by wrapping the chenille stem around it. Straighten the stem. Arrange several flowers in a basket for a festive centerpiece until it’s time to take them home.

We hope these ideas show you it’s simple to throw a fun, festive feast everyone will enjoy!

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo without the kids? UrbanSitter is your go-to for finding a last minute babysitter.

Hit the Road: Spring Break Day Trips!

Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via Compfight cc

No plans for a family Spring Break vacation this year? No worries.

Check out these super ideas for easy day-trips to entertain you and the kids while school’s out for the week.We’ve included helpful insider tips to get the most of your time together.

San Francisco/Bay Area

It’s a lovely time of year to venture north – just an hour or so from SF – to the Guerneville/Russian River area. On a nice day, hit Sonoma Coast State Beach and if the river is more your speed, visit Johnson’s Beach on the Russian River, which is super family-friendly (i.e., no glass containers, alcohol or dogs allowed).When your kids tire of the beach, but still have energy to burn, head to Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve to hike through the enormous redwoods. You can always opt to drive through the forest to take in the sights if your crew is too petered out for a hike.

Flavors Unlimited is the perfect stop for an  ice cream treat. It’s conveniently located just off the main road in Guerneville.
Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory
Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory

For more to do in the area, include a visit to Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory or the Charles Schultz Museum. Both are fun for kids and adults, too.

Costs: Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory – Adults $7, Kids Under 12 $5, Kids Under 3 – Free. Tours are limited to 15 people and reservations are required. Call  800.429.4549 to book a reservation.
Charles Schultz Museum – Adults $10, Youth 4-18 $5 and Museum Members and Kids Under 3 – Free.

Los Angeles

Photo Credit: TepeyacFarm via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: TepeyacFarm via Compfight cc

If you live in the LA area, the obvious choice for a kid-approved day trip might be Disneyland. But, chances are you’ve been there, done that and would rather find a more affordable day with your kids.

Have you been to the Santa Barbara Zoo? It’s just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, and is considered one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. Where else can you see more than 500 animals while overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Andree Clark Bird Refuge and Santa Ynez Mountains? Gorgeous!

If you go on a holiday weekend, get there early to avoid the lines, but don’t sweat the parking. There is usually plenty of parking near the zoo.  It’s right by the beach so it’s typically chilly – pack a sweater, and don’t forget sunscreen and water.  You might want to bring a picnic, too, as you’ll have no trouble finding a nice spot. Opt for a meal at one of the zoo’s cafe is you need a break from packing lunches. Not to miss  – feeding the giraffes and riding the train, which goes all around the zoo.

Cost: Adults $14, Kids 2-12 $10, Seniors (60+) and children under 2 – free.

San Diego

You can enjoy the journey as much as the destination by taking the train to Historic San Juan Capistrano. For many kids, a train ride is all they need to make the day memorable, but you can easily keep the fun coming after the train stops. The charming town has something for everyone:

  • Head to Zoomars, an eclectic petting zoo with a can’t miss new attraction – Miner’s Gulch. Visitors can relive the Gold Rush, panning for gold, gemstones and fossils. 

Photo from Zoomars

  • A must do for young and old – have lunch in an old train car! The food is fabulous and the experience of eating in a train car will keep the kids occupied long enough for you to enjoy it.

Costs: Zoomars – Adults $8, Children $7.

Chicago

Spring Break is perfectly timed for a visit to Lamb’s Farm, which opens for the season in late March. The farm is located in Libertyville, Illinois, less than an hour drive from the city. Here you will find a petting area with sheep and goat, mini-golf, a mini-train ride, cow bounce house and an Old World carousel. It’s also loved for its country-style, reasonably restaurants, so no need to bring food.  Their Weekend Breakfast Buffet, Saturday Night BBQ Buffet and Friday Night Fish Fry are highly recommended.

It’s a farm, so dress accordingly!

Cost: $5 for Age 2-Adults with additional, minimal costs for the train ride, mini-golf, carousel and bounce house. All proceeds benefit the non-profit organization that runs the farm. The organization serves adults with developmental disabilities, giving them a home and responsibilities in the community through their work at Lamb’s Farm.

New York City

Just 1-½ hours from NYC you’ll find bucolic Hyde Park on the east bay of the Hudson River. It’s an ideal day trip, not only for its scenic attributes, but also for its options and activities to entertain and feed everyone in the family. There’s the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt for a taste of history, the Culinary Institute of America  for a beautiful campus stroll, tour and amazing meal; and Big Bear Ziplines, which opened earlier this year to give new meaning to leaf peeping.  (The rides are exhilarating, and suitable even for the young, as long as an adult accompanies them!)

If you’re visiting on a weekday, you can stock your picnic basket at the Apple Pie Bakery, before topping the day off with a cinematic throwback: the Hyde Park Drive-In (which has vintage cartoon commercials and a kitschy snack bar). A great day, for everyone, conveniently packaged into one locale!

Costs: FDR –  $14/adult (two-day pass) and kids 15 and under are free. Big Bear Ziplines –  prices vary. You can book reservations on the tour that’s right for your group by calling 888.ZIP.BBZI (947.2294). Check local flash deal sites for coupons and reduced rates.

Extended family or friends in town for Spring Break, leaving you with large crew of kids to entertain? Hire a babysitter to come along and help out on your day-trip!

3 Fun St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids

Leprechauns

Wondering how to entertain the little ones this month? Our friends at BabbaCo have 3 Fun St. Patrick’s Day Crafts you can make with materials you already have at home. May the Luck o’ the Irish be with you!

1. Make a Silly Shamrock

Materials:

  • White, Yellow, Black and Green construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions:

Step 1. Cut a shamrock out of green construction paper. Then, cut 4 small shamrocks (or circles) out of the same piece of green paper.

Shamrock 1,2

Step 2. Cut 4 long strips of yellow construction paper.

Step 3. Fold this in a zig-zag or accordion pattern.

Steps 4. Glue the yellow strips on as arms and legs.

Shamrock 4

Step 5. Glue the 4 small pieces (shamrock or circle) to the ends of the arms and legs.

Shamrock 5

Step 6. Cut out 2 circles from white paper, and glue on the middle of the large shamrock. Cut 2 smaller black circles and glue on white circle, or draw with a marker, to create the eyes.

Shamrock final

2. Green Eggs and Ham

I love this green eggs and ham recipe because it has everything I already have in my kitchen: eggs, food coloring, lunch meat, milk, cooking spray. This is a perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat since Dr. Seuss’ birthday is in March, as well. I hope you enjoy remembering the great children’s author as much as we did.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Materials:

  • 5 eggs
  • 3 drops of green food coloring
  • a splash of milk
  • cooking spray
  • 1/4 lb. of ham (I just used the cold cuts we had in the fridge)

*You can use spinach for extra green and extra nutrients

Instructions:

Step 1) Crack the eggs into a medium bowl, discarding the shells. Add the milk. Add 3 drops of green food coloring.

Step 2) Place a frying pan on the stove, over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.

Step 3) Whisk the egg mixture with a fork, for about a minute, until the mixture is one color. Pour this into the frying pan.

Step 4) Chop the ham into small pieces. Add to the frying pan. If using spinach, add this as well.

Step 5) Using a spatula, gently move the eggs to ensure even cooking. Eggs should take about 5-7 minutes to cook.

Step 6) Add a pinch of salt and pepper if you’d like. Serve with toast and fruit. Enjoy.

3. Make a Toilet Paper Roll Leprechaun

Leprechauns

Look at what you can make. These super cute leprechauns are made with paint and construction paper. Hide treats inside or make a finger puppet show. Isn’t he the cutest leprechaun you’ve ever seen?

Materials:

  • Acrylic paints, in green, orange, yellow and peach
  • Black marker
  • Red Marker
  • White Paper, small piece
  • Green Paper, small piece
  • Yellow Paper, small piece
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors

Instructions:

Step 1) With green paint, paint the bottom half of the Toilet Paper roll. Let dry.

Leprechaun step 1

Step 2) With peach paint, paint a 1 inch circle, just above the green paint. This will be the Leprechaun’s face. Also, paint two small circles in the middle of the green paint. These should be about 1 inch apart. These will be the hands. Let Dry.

Step 3) With orange paint, paint all around the face and covering the top half of the Toilet Paper Roll. This will be the hair. Let Dry.

Step 4) Cut out small white circles for the eyes. Glue onto the face.

Step 5) With the black marker, draw circles on the eyes. Also, Draw a line for the legs and lines for the arms (connecting to the “hands”). You can draw a line all the way around the Toilet paper roll as a belt.

Step 6) Draw a smile with the red marker, on the face. Cut a small square out of the yellow paper, as the belt buckle.

Step 7) Use the green paper to make a hat. Do this by wrapping and gluing a strip of green paper around the top part of the Toilet Paper roll. Cut out a circle, slightly wider than the top of the Toilet Paper roll, and attach with glue. Lastly, cut a ring of green paper to make the brim of the hat.

Leprechaun final

As always, make it your own way and show us how it turned out!

We are proud to provide this guest post from our friends at BabbaCo, the creators of the BabbaBox, an ingenious box filled with everything you’ll need for activities to entertain kids age 3-7, delivered right to your door, once a month. Create fun, memorable experiences with your kids.

Babysitter coming over? Set up St. Patrick’s Day crafts in advance and let your sitter take charge of the fun!

Fun Activities and Attractions to Entertain Your Kids After-School

Are you looking for a way to pull your kids away from the screen and entertain them after school? We’ve talked to parents in San Francisco, NYC, LA, Chicago and Boston for the inside scoop on some of the coolest after-school picks to register for and some to simply visit with your kids. If you’re working and hate for your kids to miss out on these fun activities, book a babysitter to cover the afternoons and have her take the kids.  These are sure-fire wins!

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Photo by Steve Took It

How about renting a paddle boat in Golden Gate Park on a sunny afternoon? You and the kids can explore Stow Lake, and likely catch a glimpse of the ducks and turtles that make it their home. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise, and the perfect excuse to pack a picnic to enjoy lakeside.  You can rent paddleboats and rowboats at Stow Lake Bike & Boat Rentals, located at the northwestern side of the lake. 

Build It! Lego Club

Photo by by eilonwy77

Organized by the San Francisco Public Library, these drop-in sessions provide all the Lego pieces needed to build vehicles, castles and pretty much anything you can dream up. There are numerous drop-in Build It! club sessions throughout the year so be sure to check the library events calendar for upcoming classes.

The Little Art Studio

The Little Art Studio

This Mill Valley studio offers classes for ages 1.5-12. Each class is focused around a specific art medium or technique, and children are encouraged to create in their own way and to freely move about the studio. The Little Art Studio understands how busy life is for parents, and is committed to making it all a bit easier by offering flexible scheduling. You can enroll for complete sessions, drop-ins, can pick and choose classes that accommodate your schedule and travel plans, and try out a class anytime there’s an open spot.

LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles County Museum of Art  Boone’s Children’s Gallery

Arts for NexGen LACMA is a free youth membership program (the only free one in the country, in fact). It gives members free general admission to the LACMA and free admission for one accompanying adult.  Join and check out the multitude of offerings, including The Boone Children’s Gallery where you and your little one can create your own masterpiece; see live performances, tours, and self- guided activities; and participate in after-school workshops .To join, visit the LACMA box office or print the form and mail it in to the address provided.

Dawn Barnes Karate Kids

Photo by Edson Hong

This karate studio bills itself as a Life Skill School. It now offers a Karate Kitties class for the 2 and 3-year old set, and has a progressive series of classes through to the Invitation-Only Black Belt class. Parents love the kids-only, “love-based” approach to martial arts, and the flexible scheduling and Universal Membership make it really easy to fit classes into your weekly schedule. The Universal Membership allows you to take a class at any of their 8 locations, so you can make it to a class (no call required) no matter where you are in town that day.

Pretend City Children’s Museum

Pretend City Map

This place is “in the OC, but worth the drive,” according to more than one LA parent. It’s an incredibly unique place, essentially a microcosm for the real world, using 17 exhibits and activities to compose a small, interconnected city.  The focus is on play, hands-on learning experiences, role playing, and educational programming. They offer a full schedule of workshops and classes http://pretendcity.org/visit/events/, including Lil M Mornings, a program for preschoolers and kindergartners, and programming and assistance to kids with special needs. Sessions are included in the price of admission.  Admission: $12.50 per person. Located in Irvine.

Creation Station

Image by Creation Station

Creation Station in Culver City is a wildly creative dance school concept, providing movement based programs for children starting at 18 months of age through teen.  Focus is on fun, and all classes include costumes and props that are provided to help kids let loose and have a good time. Check out the class schedule, which now includes classes 7 days per week, and take advantage of a free trial class if you aren’t sure which class to choose.

CHICAGO

Wishcraft Workshop

 Wishcraft-Workshop-Header-Thin

Here you will find arts and crafts that go beyond basic. This very hands-on, planet-friendly school has a full after-school program, 8-week sessions, mini camps and workshops. Some of the coolest offerings are sewing, doll making and sculpture.

Hubbard Street Dance

Photo by thejbird

School offers a “Dance After-School” program in partnership with area schools for children aged 4 to 12. Children can take ballet, modern jazz and hip-hop. Younger kids, starting at 18-months, can participate in a Creative Movement classes.

McFeteridge Sports Center (MSC)

Photo by by miskan

This complex, located within California Park, is the Chicago Park District’s only indoor ice rink and indoor tennis courts. The center is open 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offers lessons and clinics, as well as open skate.  When the weather warms up, it’s worth a visit to check out the outdoor pool, tennis courts and baseball field, as well as a nice playground. Until then, it’s all about ice skating. Open Skate Hours: All ages – Wed. & Fri., 3:30 – 5pm., Sat. & Sun. 4:30 – 6pm.

BOSTON

Urbanity Kids

urbanity_header_across_street2010 

Urbanity Kids’ classes are an award-winning blend of hip hop, contemporary dance, jazz, modern, music, and yoga. You can find dance and movement classes for infants as young as 6 months old – Baby Movers Open Play Space for ages 6 months to 2 years and a parent – and there are adults classes, too. Many of the younger kids classes require a parent accompany the child.

New England Aquarium

New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is always a fun visit, after school or on a rainy day. While you may be no stranger to the wonders of the aquarium, you might not know about Blue Discoveries Family Days. The drop-in programs for the entire family are held on select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year, between 11 am and 3 pm, and are often free. The programs focus on learning about our planet through art, science and storytelling.

Little Groove Baby Music Classes

Here’s a live musical experience for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their parents. It’s all about singing, dancing and making music with drums, shakers, and tambourines. Children also interact with puppets, bubbles, balls, pom poms, building blocks and one large parachute. Check out the schedule  for a class near you. Cost is $160 for an 8-week session. Locations throughout Boston and Newburyport.

NEW YORK CITY

Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center

It’s hot with tourists for good reason. The indoor and outdoor observation decks at the top of Rockefeller Center provide awe-inspiring views of the city. There’s an extra reason to go this winter: Until April 14th, take advantage of Sky Skate, a combination ticket that gives you admission to two magical winter traditions — The Rockefeller Center Skating Rink and Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Cost is $38, which includes skate rentals and admission to Top of the Rock. You can buy tickets at the Ice Rink Skate House or the Top of the Rock Box Office.

A “warm” winter day is a fantastic time to visit one of the NY Zoos – the Queens Zoo, Central Park Zoo or the Prospect Park Zoo. Each of them offers child and caregiver classes, such as the popular Toddler Time series for 2-3 year olds and Kinder Kritters for 4-5 year olds. You’ll have a chance to touch live animals, engage in movement and song activities, make a craft, and do an activity at a zoo exhibit. There are also Family Days at the Zoo with private exhibit viewings, themed activities, up-close animal encounters, and special celebrations on holidays. You might even sign up for a family overnight adventure, and explore the Zoo after dark!

You know how much Chelsea Piers has to offer, but now is the perfect time to hit the Sky Rink for a fun, wintertime activity for the whole family. Admission is $10 per person (including kids) and for $5 you can rent skates and $4.25 will get you a helmut so you’re fully prepared for a spin on the ice. Check the web site for a schedule, which includes after-school drop-ins. If your kids aren’t so sure on the ice, no worry. You can sign up for Skating School – a once a week 30 minute group – and from there move on to Hockey Prep or Figure Skating Prep programs.
Photo Care of Sky Rink

Need after school childcare help? Search for afternoon babysitters on UrbanSitter.com.

President’s Day Weekend – Don’t Let It Pass You By!

Photo Credit: Mike Rohde via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: Mike Rohde via Compfight cc

Presidents’ Day, the holiday designated to honor the birthdays of US presidents past and present, is Monday, February 18th.  The holiday was originally established to celebrate the birthday of our first president, George Washington, but later changed to honor all US presidents and to always fall on the third Monday of February, giving us a three-day weekend.

Don’t let your extra day off go to waste. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking of a plan for this upcoming three-day weekend:

  • Get out of town!

Grab the kids for a family get-away, or book a babysitter and slip away for a romantic weekend jaunt. Where to go? If you’re on the East Coast and looking to escape after the storm, check out Atlantis in the Bahamas. The place is phenomenal for families – water slides, aquarium, awesome kids clubs and endless food options – and their adults-only enclave, The Cove, is heaven for time away without the kids.  They have an amazing deal going on so you can go tropical without doing too much damage to your budget.

From the West Coast, why not go south and rent a place on the beach while you can still grab an off-season rental rate, or even better, recruit another family or two to go in on a rental at Northern California’s Sea Ranch on the Sonoma Coast. What better time of year to get away and reset your buttons?

Photo Credit: nhanusek via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: nhanusek via Compfight cc
  • Organized Art Supplies by iheartorganizing
    Organized Art Supplies by iheartorganizing

    Tackle a Home Project.

Grab this 3-day opportunity to improve your family’s day-to-day life with a little DIY. There are bound to be areas of your home that could you a little TLC to make them work better for the way you live.  We would love to throw some time and attention at these chronically chaotic areas of our homes:

–    Organized art supplies mean no more rummaging through drawers of broken crayons and dried out markers or making last minute trips to Target cuz you can’t find the glue needed for the big homework project. And think of the space you’ll free up if you can corral all their art supplies into this one handy carry-all. The blogger behind iHeartOrganizing shows you how to customize a bin to work for your family’s supplies.  Be prepared to be side-tracked and inspired by countless other organizing ideas on her site. Maybe a laundry room overhaul is in your future?

Organized Kid Closet by Creativity Exchange
Organized Kid Closet by Creativity Exchange

–    Drool-worthy kid’s closet

The Creativity Exchange gives an awesome tutorial on how to organize your kid’s closet, once and for all.

They even provide a free, printable worksheet to help you plan it out, identify trouble spots, build a shopping list and basically cover all bases so the closet ends up functioning and looking superb.

  • By Artists Helping Children
    By Artists Helping Children

    Make a cake and eat it, too.

Pay a bit of homage to our presidents by getting your kids in the kitchen and baking a birthday cake together. If your kids are young, this task alone could fill a day!  Use a boxed cake mix to keep it simple and let little ones decorate to their hearts’ content. Instead of party hats, make and wear Lincoln Top Hats or a George Washington powdered wig. These tutorials make for fun and easy crafts to do with kids.

If you aren’t one of the lucky ones who have a day off for President’s Day, UrbanSitter has many babysitters willing to watch the kids while you’re at work. And, there are plenty of sitters here who would love a weekend job – so go ahead and get away, if you can!

Fun Ways to Celebrate Groundhog Day

Photo Credit: Henry McLin via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: Henry McLin via Compfight cc

Come February, with the cold, dreary days of January behind us but spring still a bit too far away, we can all use something to celebrate.

How about Groundhog Day!?

Remember – if Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow on February 2 and sees his shadow, he’ll quickly duck back into his hole, foretelling six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it will stay above ground predicting spring is near. Regardless of the outcome, you can have some fun celebrating the day with your kids. Here are a few fun ideas, including free printables:

Groundhog Finger Puppet

We found this cute craft on a UK learning site. Groundhog Day is an American tradition, but even the Brits are looking for something to celebrate this time of year! Your kids will love the outcome of this simple craft made from craft foam – a cute googly-eyed groundhog that peeks out of its own burrow.

The instructions are here – In short, simply cut two ovals out of brown foam paper – one for the head and one for the body – and glue them together, add two paws and some teeth, glue on googly eyes and finish off the features with a Sharpie.

Once you have your groundhog, you can create his borrow using these instructions, along with a styrofoam cup and a popsicle stick.

Free, Printable Word Search

Simply click above and print this fun word search to celebrate Phil.

Wordsearch from Apples 4 the Teacher

Fun Preschool Math

Another free printable, this one helps preschoolers brush up on math skills with Phil.

Step-by-Step How To Draw a Groundhog Printable/Traceable

Have fun drawing your own groundhog, and why not dress him for Spring or Winter (depending on whether he saw his shadow) – scarf and hat for winter, sunglasses and swim trunks for spring.

Read a story together.

Here’s a good one that will make you and the kids smile: “Go to Sleep Groundhog,” by Judy Cox.

Go to Sleep Groundhog via Amazon

Bake Cookies

We found several groundhog cookie cutters you can purchase on Etsy, and no shortage of groundhog cookie recipes. If you are able to get your hands on a cookie cutter before Groundhog Day, try this recipe for Groundhog Cookies for a tasty treat.

If you don’t have it in you to tackle these fun activities, find a babysitter on UrbanSitter who would love to get crafting, cooking and reading with your kids!