12 Ways to Avoid the Summer Junk Food Trap

Summer gives us a chance as parents to loosen up, take a break from routines and schedules, and live a little more spontaneously with our kids. But, according to a study recently released from the University of Texas, the lack of routine, decrease in activities, and disruptions in the way we eat during the summer are to blame for our kids gaining weight 2-3 times faster than they do during the school year.

There are simple ways to keep your family’s health and nutrition on track and still enjoy the carefree spirit of summer living:

1. Keep a consistent meal schedule, much like you do during the school year. Kids should eat three square meals with two snacks in between, and they should know that mindless eating throughout the day isn’t smart.

2. Rather than giving into the ease of convenience snacks that are often processed and loaded with sugar, transform ordinary foods into special summery treats by freezing them. Try frozen grapes, cups or sticks of yogurt, homemade juice pops, and fruit smoothies.

3. Prepare and keep meals in the fridge for the sitter to feed your kids or for you to pull out instead of hitting the fast food drive-through on your way home from the pool. Having simple meals ready to go means you won’t have to cut a fun day short so you can rush home to make dinner.

4. Teach your kids about balance. It’s okay to have an ice cream sundae, as long as it’s balanced with healthier choices and plenty of exercise.

5. Limit sedentary activities like TV and electronics, and get everyone active with activities that take advantage of summertime weather. Get outside to ride bikes, go swimming, and for the little ones take the ride-ons and push toys for a spin.

6. Together, search your own kitchen for foods to make an easy, healthy picnic to take on a day-trip or eat in your own backyard. You can build a meal without turning on the stove or pushing buttons on the microwave.

7. Give everyone in your family a personalized water bottle to stay hydrated and stay away from the sugary juices, sodas and energy drinks. Research shows that even very active kids never need sports or energy drinks.

8. Sign your kids up for mini sports camps to stay active and have fun.

9. Get your kids involved with good food. Take them on a trip to the farmer’s market and use the outing as an opportunity to talk about healthy choices. Show them the beautiful array of local produce and let them choose some to try at home.

10. Start a garden – even a small container garden for the patio or windowsill – to get kids involved with growing and caring for fruits and vegetables.

11. Research proves kids are more likely to eat foods they help select and prepare. Let your kids help make a grocery list, find items in the store, and help prepare a meal by cleaning, prepping and cooking with you. Make the tasks age-appropriate so they don’t get injured or overwhelmed.

12. Find indoor activities to keep your family active when it’s too hot to head outside. Living room dance parties work just as well as indoor inflatable play centers, and are even more fun if friends are invited to join in on the fun!

Search & find sitters who will help cook healthy and nutritious meals for your children on UrbanSitter.

Hot Spots to Take the Kids this Summer — UrbanSitter Round Up

We’re almost midway through the summer. Maybe the anticipation and novelty of the season and its associated freedom have waned a bit, and you’re starting to panic. “What do I do with these kids!?”

Chances are you’ve already taken advantage of many, if not most, of the family- friendly attractions in your area. But, if you’re lost in a summer brain fog and could use a reminder of some your area’s best bets for kids, we’ve compiled a Summer Hot Hits for Kids List.  We’ve dug deep for insider recommendations that may have escaped your radar.

San Francisco/Bay Area

The Jelly Belly Factory
Taking your kids on a tour through a working candy factory is an awesome excuse for a day trip. The factory is in Fairfield, only an hour’s drive north of San Francisco. It offers free tours, starting every 10 minutes from 9 am to 4 pm daily.

Randall Museum
One of SF’s hidden gems, few people seem to know about this fantastic children’s museum with breathtaking views. It’s educational, fun and free.

Yerba Buena Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden (and its playground, carousel and fountains) outside the Children’s Creativity Museum (formerly known as Zeum) is a great place to play if you’re not up for a long visit or you don’t want to be indoors at the museum.

Children’s Fairyland
Perfect for young children (8 and under), Fairyland in Oakland has classic storybook sets, gentle rides, animals to pet, and live shows.  The park also has acres of beautiful gardens worth exploring, wandering and bringing a picnic to thoroughly enjoy.

Exploratorium
The science and arts museum at the Palace of Fine Arts in SF can grab the attention of all kids.  Its mission is  to engage your child in science, art, and how the world works, and they do it through lots of interactive fun.

NYC

New York Aquarium
Find Nemo at The New York Aquarium with its daily sea lion show and interactive summer program, including a zip line and giant walk-through maze. Don’t miss the sea otters, penguins, and sharks!

Scholastic Store
Awesome, kid-focused store in SOHO offers a free Storytime for all ages. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 11 am, and special events on Saturdays.

Coney Island
Tried and true destination, no summer is complete without a trip to the iconic Coney Island. Carnival rides for kids of all ages, the famous Cyclone roller coaster for the older kids, and an old-timey boardwalk that makes everyone smile.

Sony Wonder Technology Lab
Escape the heat after an afternoon at Central Park by ducking into this midtown interactive science center. Kids love the hands-on, educational displays, and you’ll love that it’s absolutely free. Check their website for dates of special children’s screenings that are good for younger kids.

Los Angeles Area

Mother’s Beach
At Marina Park in Marina Del Rey, this beach earned its name for good reasons – gentle waves, shallow swimming area and lifeguard supervisions. It also has a grassy play area nearby.

Santa Monica Pier
Open 24 hours a day, everyday of the year, Santa Monica Pier never tires as a great option for everyone, families included. Take your dog along with the kids to watch the performers, rent bikes, have a picnic or catch the Twilight Concert Series.

Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City
Rides for little kids, big kids and those in between. Splurge and rent a cabana for your family to get a break from the sun while enjoying the Soak City water park.

Adventureplex
There’s arguably no better place for fun, physical activity, rainy days included. Adventureplex in Manhattan Beach is a safe, structured play space packed with mazes, tunnels, rope courses, an outdoor rock climbing walls, an indoor gym and  a modern fitness room. Though the camps and classes fill up fast, they offer plenty of  daily events and activities, including a Parent’s Night Out on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Chicago

Circus Zircus at the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
Navy Pier might be too touristy for most locals, but don’t forget about the fun exhibits at the Children’s Museum.

Story Time and Music at Farm-in-the-Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo
Free Admission to Lincoln Park  Zoo and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is right next door. (Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:15 am and 10am)

Family Fun Festival at Millennium Park
TONS of great FREE kids programming throughout the summer.

Chicago Park District
Search their website for water playground and family swim times at outdoor swimming pools in your neighborhood.

Movies in the Park
This season’s series features 176 screenings of current and classic movies in 128 citywide parks through Oct. 26. Free admission. Screenings start at dusk.

Have your kids pick their favorite activity from the list above and let your summer sitter take them there! Visit UrbanSitter to find dozens of sitters with availability all summer long.

Show your Patriotism and Get Crafty this Fourth of July!

Your kids know the Fourth of July as the day to wear red, white and blue, watch fireworks, see a parade, and maybe go to a family or neighborhood BBQ. Do they know the true meaning of Independence Day?

Give your kids a quick history lesson and celebrate your national pride with these fun facts and simple, patriotic projects.

Independence Day Fun Facts:

  • Known as the Fourth of July, Independence Day, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
  • It is the day we became an independent nation, declaring our independence from Great Britain.
  • Our flag – often called Old Glory or the Stars and Stripes – has 50 stars to represent the 50 states of the United States of America and 13 stripes to represent the British colonies that became our first states.
  • Fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs, such as our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner;” “America the Beautiful;” and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.”  Download the songs or print the lyrics and sing-along with your kids!

Patriotic Crafts:

Mini American Flag

1. Paint 4 popsicle sticks red, paint 3 white.

2. Turn the sticks over to show backside facing up and alternate red, white, red, etc.

3. Apply glue and then place a piece of paper cut to size on the glue. Let dry.

4. Turn over and paint a blue square in the upper right.

5. Apply glitter glue dots, let dry.

6. Glue a popsicle stick as a flag pole (optional).

*Craft from Projects for Preschoolers.

Patriotic stacking rocks craft

Patriotic Painted Rocks

1. Choose a smooth, flat river rock. Mark off the area that will be the stars.

2. Use blue paint to color the area that will be the stars. Paint the rest of the rock’s top white. Let the paint dry.

3. Paint red stripes in the white area (in the real US flag there are 13 red and white stripes, with red stripes on the top and bottom – these stripes symbolize the original 13 colonies).

4. Paint some white stars on the blue area (in the real US flag there are 50 white stars that represent the 50 US states).

5. If you’d like a shiny finish, coat with an acrylic varnish after the paint has dried completely.

*Craft from Enchanted Learning.

Clean Up Is a Drag — Not Anymore!

Getting children to help clean up a room is like pulling teeth. It’s never going to be easy, but if you get creative, it could be less than torture, and maybe even fun. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Set the Timer

Have you ever played the “Clean up as much as you can before the timer goes off?” game? Kids will be excited about this one, I promise…at least the first couple times. Set the timer for 5 minutes and assign each child a room or area. Give specific instructions on where things go and explain the goal of doing as much as possible before the timer buzzes. Ready, set, go! Who doesn’t love a game that also results in a cleaner house?! You can also get creative about “prizes” you give the winner —  first pick of the before-bed story, extra marshmallow for dessert, taking a photo with your phone.

Take a Number

Give each child a goal to collect and put away a specific number of toys. If there is only one child, it’s not fair to have him do 50 toys, but you could do 25 and he could do 25. The more kids, the less toys to pick up. And you can count out loud with them to make it more fun (and educational!).

Fill Your Cart

Use bigger toys you have around the house to pick up the little ones. A shopping cart or stroller works great. But so does a big cardboard box or empty Lego bucket. You can play grocery store or simply make it about speed. Tell the kids to stroll around the house, “shopping” for their favorite items. When they’ve filled their cart, dump them in the toy box or correct bin. Done!

There’s no magic bullet when it comes to cleaning up toys. But when you try something new, everyone benefits. You can also use these tactics when you hire a sitter. Tell her the rules and details of the game, and let her be the leader. Or, she can come up with her own game!

Pass along these tips to your next babysitter! Find sitters who help out with chores on UrbanSitter.

New Babysitter? Make It Fun!


Most parents are familiar with the crying at the door, big puppy-dog eyes, vice grip on your leg routine when attempting to leave their children with a new sitter.

Why not solve the babysitter anxiety issue with a pre-planned special activity reserved for that evening? Talk it up (but not too much) and be sure it’s not something you’ve done before. It can be a fun craft project, recipe, or a new toy kept hidden away until that night. Here are a few ideas…

1) Make Play Dough
This is easy enough and your kids will love the process as well as the result. Try the cook or no-cook kind.

Cooked Play Dough Recipe

2 cups flour
3 tbsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup salt
4 tbsp oil
1/2 cup boiling water
food coloring

Mix dry ingredients together. Mix oil, food coloring and boiling water in a separate container. Stir liquid mixture until cool enough to knead. Knead until smooth. If play-dough is too dry, add more water, a little at a time. If play-dough is too crumbly, knead in a small amount of oil. Store in an airtight container.

No-Cook Play Dough

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 tbsp oil
1 and 1/2 cup water
Mix oil and food color together before adding to dry mixture. Mix until pliable. Keep in container or plastic bag.

2) Make Lemonade

Whether you want to actually put up a stand is debatable, but making and tasting the lemonade is always fun. Depending on the number of children, you’ll need anywhere from four to 16 lemons. You can figure four per child. You’ll also need cold water, sugar, and a pitcher.

If you have a citrus squeezer, it’s much easier. Kids can do the squeezing on their own, though toddlers might need a little help. Once you’ve got an ample amount of juice in the pitcher, add some cold water and then start with spoonfuls of sugar. Have the kids taste the lemonade after each sugar addition. Note how much sugar it takes to make it palatable. (This could serve as a good lesson on the perils of juice in general.) Once it’s satisfactory, give everyone a cup full of ice, and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Lovely on a hot summer day.

3) New Toy/Game/Art Supplies

As the weather warms up, croquet is fun and easy for little ones. Get an inexpensive set at your local toy store and have the sitter set it up on the grass or even at the park. Toddlers and school-age kids will get a kick out of trying to get the ball through the small wickets. Just don’t let them use the mallets on each other!

A new coloring book and crayons or markers can go a long way. Don’t you remember the smell and lovely pointy-ness of a new box of crayons? Pick out a coloring book featuring his or her favorite character (Dora, Mickey Mouse) and you won’t go wrong.

Kids love anything with water. In the summer, fill the baby pool up and let kids splash. Or try a Slip ‘N Slide. In winter, fill the tub with bubbles and new sand toys (they work just as well in water) and let them go to town. Just be sure to instruct your sitter to be extra-vigilant when playing with water.

A new sitter can be fun and a nice break from the norm. Embrace it!

And, remember to use UrbanSitter to find your next sitter — it’s easy and you can book sitters online in minutes!

Parents and Babysitters: Preparing for Emergencies

No one wants to think there will be an emergency when a babysitter is home with a child, and most likely it won’t happen. But it’s best to be prepared. Here’s a brief list of steps both parents and sitters can take to be ready.

PARENTS

1. Write down your home address. It sounds basic, but many parents forget. Before you leave for the night, make sure your sitter knows where you’ve written it down. She’ll need it if she needs to call 911. Also necessary: Your cell number and where you’ll be for the next few hours.

2. Be clear about food and/or medication instructions. You know your child best, so don’t tell the sitter to prepare a food (such as hot dogs) if there is a major risk of choking. Also be certain to make the sitter aware of any food allergies. And if your child really needs medication, be super clear about how much, when, and how to put it away. Better yet, give your child the meds before you leave or when you return. This way, there’s no room for error.

3. Make certain your sitter knows the basics. Tell her you’d rather her call 911 than wait around for half an hour if you’re not answering your cell phone. Also, printing out basic CPR instructions is never a bad idea. Tape them to the inside of an upper cabinet or keep them in a top desk drawer. Or, find a sitter that already has child and infant CPR certification, first aid training, or has taken a babysitting course. If you already have a favorite sitter, offer to pay for classes to get them trained.

SITTERS

1. Know your numbers. The parents’ cell numbers, 911, and Poison Control. Try the parents first, but you can call 911 for most emergencies, and if you’re fearful, better to err on the safe side. The 911 operators will ask you for the home address and guide you through the process. Also, if you think a child has ingested medicine or hazardous cleaning products, call Poison Control. In the United States, the toll-free number is 1-800-222-1222.

2. Prevent choking. Found objects are definitely a choking hazard, so find and put away anything small you see when you arrive, but everyday foods can also be a choking risk. Make sure to follow all the parents’ instructions regarding food, but also be aware of these foods that might pose a challenge. Always watch children while they are eating and if you see them choking or turning blue, try the Heimlich maneuver (if you know it) or call 911.

  • hot dogs (be sure to cut length-wise AND width-wise)
  • carrots (cut into small pieces)
  • grapes
  • popcorn
  • hard candy
  • nuts

3. Take a babysitting and/or CPR course. Parents love a super-qualified sitter. Many local community centers as well as the Red Cross offer babysitting classes that cover all of the above, including first aid and child/infant CPR. You’ll feel even more comfortable babysitting when you know you’re prepared.

To find CPR and first aid trained sitters near you, visit UrbanSitter.

Top 10 Family Activities in Denver

UrbanSitter logoWhether you’re a Colorado native or planning your next family vacation, here are UrbanSitter‘s Top 10 ideas for fun family-friendly activities.

In no particular order….

1. Cherry Creek District. There’s the Cherry Creek Center, of course, which is an enclosed mall that’s certain to please even the pickiest of shoppers. But there’s also the Cherry Creek North shopping district — a 16 city-block area with more than 320 galleries, boutiques, restaurants and salons/spas. In the summer, enjoy Films on Fillmore (an outdoor film fest) and in the winter, don’t miss the Cherry Creek North Ice Rink.

2. Clyfford Still Museum. Clyfford Still is considered one of the most significant abstract American painters of the twentieth century. The museum, which opened to grand fanfare in 2011, is a new way to discover this important artist whose works were completely sealed by his estate until the museum opened. Take the kids and watch them marvel in the world of abstract art.

3. Beer Triangle. Well, maybe this one isn’t so much for the kids. But hey, why not get a sitter and take a tour of the Coors brewery, the largest single brewery in the world, as well as six dozen other award-winning brewpubs and microbreweries in the area.

4. B-cycle program. Denver is home to one of the most innovative, green bike-sharing programs in the world. Once you pay B-cycle’s modest membership fee, you can hop on a red bike at any one of the dozens of bike stations around the city, and take an unlimited number of rides — to lunch, the library, anywhere! So get the family outside for the day, all while getting some exercise and helping the environment to boot.

5. The Broadmoor Hotel and Resort. Actually in Colorado Springs (about a 45 min. drive from Denver), the Broadmoor sits on 3,000 acres of land in the shadow of Cheyenne Mountain. It’s a majestic, five-star resort that hails back to the days of old. The children will no doubt enjoy the two swimming pools, tennis courts, and plenty of long hallways, elevators, and corners to explore. Make sure you also make time for golf and dinner at one of the esteemed restaurants on the property.

6. Four Mile Historic Park. Denver may be totally modern city, but it still maintains some of its Wild West roots! Four Mile Historic Park is a 12-acre oasis just a stone’s throw from the Cherry Creek district. Home to Denver’s oldest standing structure, pioneer exhibits and the Four Mile House which was once a wayside inn and stage stop, kids are sure to love the park. And you’ll love the bonus history lesson!

7. Elitch Gardens. This one’s for the kids. Downtown Denver’s theme park has everything you’d want and more — roller coasters, junk food, games and rides. There’s truly something for everyone — even you!

8. Larimer Square. Located in the Mile High City’s oldest and most historic block, Larimer Square is a sight to see. Many of the building and structures still reflect the history of the city, and there is much to do and see…not to mention, EAT. Why not stop into Oteria Marco after shopping and sightseeing and indulge in the housemaid burrata and egg-topped carbonara pizza?

9. Coors Field. You’ll find the Rockies’ baseball stadium in the lower downtown area of Denver and what a sight it is to behold. Newly built in 1999, the park offers many new and updated amenities, gourmet food aplenty, and a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains. Try to catch a game during the season and treat the kids to a fantastic day at the ballpark.

10. REI Flagship Store. In the market for new outdoor gear or clothes? This is the place. But it’s also the place for adventure! With an indoor climbing pinnacle and bike track, your kids will be in heaven. There’s also a Starbucks so you can refuel when you need it — and you probably will!

Don’t overlook Denver, whether you’re a Colorado native or planning your next family vacation. It’s a great city for all ages!

Are you looking for a babysitter in Denver or Boulder? Try UrbanSitter now!

New badges to help size up sitters

How many times have you tried to book a last minute babysitter? As you’re probably (painfully) aware, it can be a frustrating experience involving dozens of phone calls and potentially no result.

Luckily, UrbanSitter babysitter profiles now have badges that show a number of handy stats, including response time. You can see how quickly a sitter normally replies — in 24 hours or even 1 hour!

In total, there are three brand new badges that sitters have to earn by using the site:
<Response Time Badge>Booking a last minute sitter? Choose the candidate with the fastest response time.

<Repeat Families Badge>See how many families have booked the sitter more than once. Repeat business is always a good sign!

<Friends Badge>A well-connected sitter will refer you to friends if they’re unavailable for a job.

It’s also now possible to bookmark sitters to quickly access their profiles anytime. Just click the Bookmark link below any sitter’s photo and they’ll appear in your dashboard or when you “Sort by Bookmarked.”

Join or log in now to start exploring these helpful new features on UrbanSitter.com!

Top 10 Tips: Visiting Sonoma with the Kids

Wine country vacation WITH the kids? Yes, it can be done! Here are UrbanSitter’s top 10 travel tips for visiting California’s beautiful Sonoma Valley with the family.

1. On the way into town, visit Traintown with the kids. Located one mile south of the Plaza in Sonoma, Traintown features a quarter-scale railroad. Each train ride lasts 20 minutes and makes a stop in Lakeview, a miniature town with petting zoo.

2. Check into The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, a luxurious yet kid-friendly hotel with large rooms and mini suites, kid menus, and an outdoor swimming pool. Or, try the moderately priced Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn, which also has a pool and cribs by request.

3. Hire a babysitter for the afternoon and head out to taste fabulous wines at tucked away vineyards: Gundlach Bundschu and Bartholomew Park.

4. Then, indulge in an early dinner at The Girl and the Fig near the Sonoma Square. Taste from an award-winning wine list, seasonal local menu, and relax outdoors on the patio.

5. Pack lots of snacks and equally fun beverages for the kids to enjoy (juice boxes). If you run out, the historic Dry Creek General Store is a fun place to stock up.

6. If bringing the kids along to a winery, choose a kid-friendly location with lots of activities. At Francis Ford Coppola Winery, kids can check out the movie memorabilia, play bocce ball, or even swim at the pool.

7. Sneak in a little education. That’s right, wine country is a wonderful place for kids to learn about farming. Just take them for a ride on the Benziger Family Winery’s vineyard tractor-powered tram to learn about what it means to be green.

8. Grab a set of shatterproof recyclable wine glasses to ward off potential accidents and spills at your picnic.

9. Go on a safari! Believe it or not, wine country is also home to an African safari park called Safari West with roaming cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and more! You and the kids can observe safely from your open-hatch 4×4.

10. Head outdoors for a hike at Shiloh Ranch Park just off of 101. The easy, 3.7-mile loop trail is flat and not very crowded, plus there are picnic areas, restrooms and parking.

Did we mention UrbanSitter is now in Sonoma and Napa?  It’s easier than ever to find & book a sitter you trust — even for a vacation in wine country!