Sponsored by author T.A. Barron and the Spark Goodness Program. If you want my expert opinion, teaching our kids about the importance of being a good, kind person is the greatest lesson we could teach them. It's the absolute biggest, most important lesson ever. And it's not like we can just say, "You've got to be kind to others," and we're done. Nope. Teaching our kids about kindness is something we need to do nearly on a daily basis from the time they're toddlers until they … [Read more...]
5 ways to get your kids psyched for summer reading
Believe it—summer is around the corner. Woo-hoo! Around the corner! As in like just a few weeks away! It’s May! Pools open in May. Weather warms in May. Swim team registration starts in May. We buy bathing suits in May. Wait. How can we even talk about ways to get your kids psyched for summer reading when school isn’t even out yet? Many of us still have assessments to think about, big projects coming though, and a whole lot that has to happen between now and the time those … [Read more...]
make this summer rock: Smart Summer Challenge 2018!
Next up? Summer. I'm over the moon thrilled and elated that summer is right around the corner! This year, I've got something so cool planned. So totally awesome and fabulous, I can't stand it. I've just finished up--after months of drafts!--the plans for our Smart Summer Challenge 2018. And it's going to rock. Totally, 110%, completely going to rock. Here's the skinny. . . Smart Summer Challenge 2018 -- an invitation to learn, play, create, and invent -- on their own … [Read more...]
help kids stay in touch with friends when school’s out: autograph sheet
I can't even believe it, but school's almost out for my kids. Though I'm totally psyched to begin our Smart Summer Challenge this year, I'm also always a little sad when the school year ends. It means my kids are getting older and that time continues to move . . . quickly. This year, especially I feel like I'm having a difficult time as Maddy moves into the wilds of middle school leaving Owen and Cora behind in elementary school. It has been a true joy for me to have all three kids … [Read more...]
make fluffy slime (and get your kids reading these FREE printable slime recipes!)
Oh, friends. If I had a dime for every time my kids talked about slime, I'd be a rich woman. Fluffy slime. Floam slime. Glitter slime. Galaxy slime. Butter slime. Iceburg slime. Clear slime. Not. Even. Kidding. You name the slime, my kids have made it. Though we may be in the midst of a slime craze right now, little did my kids realize that we made slime way before it was even cool. That's how much of a trend-setter their mom is. Cooler than cool and they don't even realize … [Read more...]
july 4th activities for kids & families
July 4th is almost here!! We're thrilled to get into the kitchen and make one of our most favorite holiday treats ever--our July 4th flag cake! But along with baking one of our favorite sweets, we've also thrown in some fun learning along the way--the girls and I spent the weekend in Philadelphia for the Digital Family Summit and had the opportunity not only to learn a ton and hang out with our friends, but we also got to see THE Liberty Bell up close and personal. It was a blast, and … [Read more...]
kid-friendly july 4th treat: flag cake
One of our favorite summertime traditions involves sweets (big surprise). Every year for as long as I can remember, the kids and I have made a July 4th flag cake. It’s simple. It’s sweet. And it’s so pretty, it’s hard to take. It's a 100% kid-friendly July 4th treat: the traditional flag cake. All you need is a boxed cake mix, cool whip, strawberries, and blueberries, and you’re ready to rock and roll. Here’s the skinny. . . Traditional July 4th Flag Cake: Though there’s … [Read more...]
easy, engaging fun for kids: tabletop surprises
This summer is literally moving at the speed of light. I can't even believe we're nine weeks in. It's insane. And it has been so much fun--I really just don't want it to end. This past week was particularly fun because we were able to check off some serious back-to-school shopping, and the kids crafted and created their little hearts out. Here's the skinny. . . Easy, Engaging Fun for Kids--Tabletop Surprises: Monday: Taking a new approach to the ole school supply … [Read more...]
soap experiments: easy backyard summer fun
Friends--now that swim and dive season is over, we're doing a whole lot more free bird play, lazy mornings, and long afternoons at the pool. It's been great, and I am so thankful. But each and every day we try to do something where there's some sneaky learning involved. Something a little more focused or directed. Something that allows my crew to use their brains and let their imaginations run wild. One day last week, we had the pleasure of having … [Read more...]
learn to make cookies or cupcakes: online courses from Craftsy
I never would have imagined these courses could be quite so fun, but they are. This summer, Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I have been exploring the crazy insane range of online classes that Craftsy offers. We love them. The videos are clear, they're comprehensive, and they're fun. Online classes are a super idea for the summer--or any time--and the format of many of the courses really works well for upper elementary aged children. So one of the things I'm going to surprise the kids … [Read more...]
birdwatching math puzzles: super challenging and tricky
This summer as we usually do, I'm trying each week to include some new and exciting math fun. In the form of puzzles or chocolate challenges or number games or just a new spin on old school problem-solving, any way we can pull in Especially this year we've loved the challenging puzzles created by Erich Friedman. These puzzles, you guys, are tough. This week we tried the Birdwatching Puzzles. Here's the skinny. . . Birdwatching Math Puzzles--Super Challenging and Tricky: The … [Read more...]
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