family time

Make math part of the summer fun—without kids even noticing! Everyday activities like cooking, shopping, building, and exploring are full of simple ways to sneak in counting, measuring, estimating, and problem-solving. Keep math skills sharp all summer long while your …

Father’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate all the big and little ways Dad makes life better! These quick and easy “Things I Love About Dad” note cards are a heartwarming way for kids to share what makes their …

Tired of giving Dad the same old socks and ties? This year, think outside the gift box! From treasure hunts for new horizons and toe-tapping concerts to gifts of love and backyard adventures, these fun and unexpected Father’s Day ideas …

Looking for a hands-on way to share the story of Jesus’ resurrection with your child this Easter? Resurrection Rolls are the perfect activity! This interactive cooking project teaches kids the profound message of the Easter story in a way they …

April Fools April Fools Day is a great excuse to sneak in a few extra laughs, some silliness, some second glances, and some smiles. Even eye-rolls are okay if they come with a crooked smile. Here are three no-fail pranks to …

Get your kids into the St. Patty’s Day spirit with some silly limerick writing! Free printable!

Create a festive DIY Santa cookie tray that’s perfect for Christmas Eve! Transform a plain wooden tray with a little paint, Mod Podge, and a holiday napkin for a homemade touch that’ll delight the whole family and impress Santa. This …

Looking to make Thanksgiving dinner fun and festive for your little ones? This veggie turkey platter is not only a healthy addition to the table but also a creative activity your kids will love! With a few simple veggies, you …

Helping your child learn how to summarize will greatly increase their ability to sift through details in order to recognize and communicate the main idea of a text, chapter or whole book. All of which are important for understanding and …

With a small amount of planning you can give your kids an easy fun way to focus on what they need or want and not be overwhelmed by all the choices available when you make your trip the library. Kids …

Help your kids not only understand math better but actually LOVE math. Give them the foundation to be super successful in STEM classes and beyond to the real world outside of school. I am the only child “language arts” offspring …

Geocaching wraps learning cardinal directions, following clues, and map reading in all the excitement of an old-fashioned treasure hunt. Players, known as Cachers, try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or GPS. They can then share their …

Judge me if you will, but I have finally given in to the pressure of Owen and Cora. I’ve held up for quite a while, though, and for that I’m proud. Every, single year when I bragged about creating fun, …

the must-send email to teachers before holiday break (or after!) | email for teachers from parents | parent teacher communication letter

Let’s face it: we’re all busy–even our kids. As they get older, they’re juggling homework, activities, sports, lessons, chores (ahem. . . ), and friends, so when our kids carve out the time to create a handmade gift, it really …

preparing kids for Kindergarten: the summer before school starts — Home Study

We have always taught our kids to be thankful for each and every person who makes our day a little brighter. And those people include family and friends, neighbors and teachers, but it also includes our newspaper deliverer, and the …

On an off for years now, we’ve played Bunco with our family. At family gatherings, after the little ones had gone to bed, the adults rocked out a little Bunco fun. Complete with crazy prizes a la our fun Bingo …

Originally published June 6, 2011 but republished today because, well, it’s worth it.   This past week, we experienced something totally new and exciting–a rite of passage of sorts.  We walked into a new chapter in our lives, and I …

I just shared a cool series over at the Scholastic Parents Raise a Reader blog, and I think it will be of interest to many parents. It’s all about first steps to writing and what parents can do to help …