Monthly Archives

June 2016

5 Homemade Musical Instruments to Make with Kids

A teacher once described kindergarten music lessons as “noisemakers with noisemakers,” and it’s certainly true. If you’ve got the tolerance for some unique music, however, letting kids make and play their own instruments is a great way to let them express themselves. Here are five music crafts kids will love to make before forming their own bands. Plastic Bottle Maracas You’ll need: Plastic bottles with tops Sand, rice, lentils, beans, dried peas Sticky-back contact paper Funnel Stickers

Summer Reading Programs for Kids!

A summer reading program encourages children to explore books and keep those all-important reading skills fresh while school isn’t in session. For kids who love reading, a summer reading program’s a great way to earn small prizes for doing something they enjoy anyway, while those same prizes offer an incentive for children who need more practice reading, or who you’re trying to encourage to read more. Local Library Programs Your local library probably offers some type of

Rainy Day Activities for Kids

Rainy days seem to last forever when you’re a kid-or when you’re a parent with bored children. Sure, you can turn on the television or have fun playing video games together, but these aren’t your only options. If you’re looking for non-electronic activities while you wait for the sun to come back out, we’ve got a few for you right here. Make a Blanket Fort Drape sheets between chairs and couches to make a billowy, fun fort.

Set Your Children Up for Success with Reading

America has a reading problem. According to the National Institute of Literacy, 14 percent of Americans cannot read and 21 percent of adults read below a grade five level. considering that reading is vital to academic and business success, these statistics are appalling. Given these numbers, it’s more important than ever to instill an early love of reading in children. Here are few suggestions to give your child a lifelong gift: the gift of reading. Start Early

Easy Father’s Day Gifts Crafts

Father’s Day offers a chance to show Dads and Grandpas just how much they’re loved-and plenty of opportunities to get little hands crafting. Here are three Father’s Day Craft gifts that are easy to make and sure to put a smile on Dad’s face. Dad’s Day Mugs Surprisingly easy to make, these mugs can be gently hand-washed after the paint hardens-just keep them out of the dishwasher! You’ll need: White ceramic Mug Food-grade Painters Pens

How to Keep Your Child Reading in The Summer

No school, family vacations, and the great outdoors all combine to make summer a magical time for children. With that magic comes the risk your child’s steadily developing reading skills will stagnate in favor of other activities, leaving them at a disadvantage when the next school year starts. If you notice your child’s reading drops off during the summer, here are a few suggestions to get him or her back on track. Combine Reading with Family Trips

Best First Birthday Gifts

A baby’s first birthday party is an important milestone, even if the guest of honor needs a nap halfway through the celebration. A new person has lived on this planet for a whole year! if that isn’t worth celebrating, what is? Chances are, the little one won’t know why the day is special, only that everyone’s paying attention to her. Often the party is more significant to parents and older siblings, who understand how important