After consideration of existing plans and, of course, your budget for the party, you should be able to explore and decide between a number of options for your personalised t-shirts.

Printed T-Shirts

Probably the best option for those wishing to take the children out on a day trip are easily recognisable t-shirts which allow you to keep a watchful eye on the group to make sure they avoid getting into trouble. However as you may expect, with convenience comes cost and printed t-shirts are one of the more expensive options on the market.

The chances are that you will be planning to hand these t-shirts out to the group as they arrive at the party, so it may be a wise idea to create a space where they can leave the t-shirts, so that nothing goes missing. This is particularly handy if the children are very young, and it may even be worth labelling the clothes with sticky notes, just to save any mix-ups when it gets to the end of the day.

Fabric Markers

A cheaper (and much more fun) option is to create the personalised t-shirts at home. Plain t-shirts are cheaply available in multipacks at most clothing stores. The fabric markers may require a bit more shopping around, however you probably won’t go too wrong if you look around most craft stores. If you can’t find any, then permanent markers are a cheaper option, but still get the job done.

If you want to give the t-shirts to the guests as they arrive, then a good bit of parent-child bonding can be done by setting up a production line a few days prior to the party, as you and your children help make the t-shirts. Conversely, a more fun option would be to allow the guests to create their own garments as part of the party. There is a good chance that many children will not have created a t-shirt before, and this way you will make sure that their first experience of doing it is a memorable one. The easiest way to do this is to set up a table with plenty of colourful, varied marker pens at the children’s disposal, and allow their imaginations to run wild.

Fabric Paints

In-keeping with the theme of allowing the children to create their own t-shirts, fabric paints are a better option than markers as they allow much more colour to be used for the t-shirts. The beauty of paint is the fact that you can use stencils, which means that all the children can create well-designed t-shirts, no matter how creative they are.

Also, there are many benefits to performing this activity outside, weather-permitting of course. On a nice day, this can be the perfect excuse to get the kids out in the sun and allow them to get some fresh air. From a parent’s point of view too, there will be much less chance of damage to your property if they do their painting outside. With this in mind, if you are going to do it inside then it may be wise to cover the floor and other furnishings with protective materials, or at the very least some old newspaper.

Another way to avoid paint getting all over the house would be to have some soap and water ready when the children have finished their activity, as a legion of children with painted hands is something that no one wants walking through their home! Also, cost-permitting, it may be worth providing the guests with aprons or old t-shirts whilst they are painting, to avoid damage to their clothing. Similarly, it’s definitely a good idea to mention any sort of messy activity to the parents of the children, just so they don’t wear their best clothes for the party.

Creating t-shirts at a party is a fun and unique idea that not many children will have taken part in before. If all goes well, the memories and souvenirs should outweigh the hard work and planning that goes into the party.

This article was written by Jack Oldham. Jack is a journalism graduate blogging on behalf of Banana Moon Clothing, specialists in printed t-shirts, school leavers hoodies and other items of personalised clothing.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/moriza/127826121

To me that seems a bit ridiculous. There will be plenty of birthday opportunities to rent ponies and hire clowns and magicians. The first birthday party is a celebration between immediate family and a few close friends.

I talked to my own sister about her plans for her soon to be 1-year-old’s first big day. She echoed my sentiments. Below are her ideas for throwing a low-key, stress-free 1st birthday party.

Short and Sweet

Don’t plan on the party lasting longer than an hour or two at the max. Anything longer, and your party will devolve into crying and screaming.

Guest List

Don’t invite too many people. Keep it to immediate family and one or two friends. There doesn’t need to be a huge guest list for these events. Do not invite the entire day care.

Nap Time

Plan the party around your baby’s sleep schedule. Late morning or late afternoon on a weekend will give some of the adults an opportunity to be there and enjoy your baby right after he or she has woken up from nap time.

Activities

Obviously you’ll want to let the guests play with the baby. That will be a good source of entertainment but you might also want to include a craft for the adults. My sister is planning on having us each write a birthday note to her son on construction paper. Then he will be able to open one card every birthday for a few years to come.

Food

Keep the food simple. Most babies are on solids by this point so you can serve banana slices, cheerios and cup cakes for little finger foods.

The 1st birthday shouldn’t be a huge production. It is mostly meant as a time for the family to come together and celebrate the birth of their newest family member. As long as the birthday boy or birthday girl is surrounded by the people who love them it will be a great party.

This article was written by Lisa M. Lisa is a guest blogger who write about how to throw the perfect Mario birthday party and other themed parties.

When you start making the Christmas decorations, often you imagine that it’s up to you to provide the family with the best Holidays you can, creating everything by yourself. But instead, this is a great occasion to involve others, especially young ones. Kids love to do arts and crafts, and there’s a lot that can be done at a cheap price, and with just a few materials. Christmas arts and crafts for kids include so many things, and can last them for a long while. It promotes their creativity, their curiosity, and teaches them to create stuff with their hands. It’s a good pass time all around, and something all children should experience at some point. With the increased activity level and the time off that they get for this period of the year, now is the right time to start.

There’s a lot of different types of crafts that can be done. Garlands are great for pre-school aged children, because they are easy to do, and require nothing more than a large piece of paper and a pair of scissor. Make sure you’re always near the kid when they handle sharp objects. They can make all types of decorations from that single piece of paper, by simply cutting down shapes, like a snowflake, a tree or Santa himself. Then, if you have coloring pens, then they can color them off, before their decorations are put up in the tree. If you allow them some glue, they can start making more involved decorations as well, and that’s perfect for elementary school students. Kids can make lanterns or ornaments, out of a few pieces of paper, scissors and glue. In this case, you’ll need to wait for the resulting craft to dry up before hanging them in the tree. There’s all kind of other arts that they can do as well, depending what materials you have, from cookies, to pine cone trees, and angel crafts.

Overall, Christmas arts and crafts for kids is a great way to occupy them, make them use their ingenuity and imagination, and of course to get cheap decorations for your Christmas tree. While paper based decorations won’t look as good as store bought ones, they are more personal, and kids will appreciate seeing their work displayed for all to see. Christmas is a time for family to come together, and by doing such an activity, it’s a great start.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/48529410@N07/5207440201/

Share music. Music soothes the soul of everyone, parents and children alike. There are many ways to share music during the holidays. Put on some traditional holiday tunes and play them in the background throughout the day. Listening to “Silent Night” always soothes the soul. And, “Jingle Bells” is a perennial favorite. Or, set aside an hour at the end of each day for a family music get-together. Have everyone sing along with the song playing. Or, if you or any family members play a musical instrument, lead the show. Have lyrics available so everyone can sing along. Start playing a song and encourage everyone to sing along. If you own a piano, have your family gather around the piano as you play. Encourage your young ones to sit next to you on the piano bench. If you do not have a piano, have your children act like they are leading an orchestra as you play your instrument. Singing and music not only bring families together, but can relieve stress levels. Moms, in particular, will relish escaping everyday stress by getting lost in music.

Start a family tradition. Traditions are what the Christmas season is made of. Start a family tradition by introducing your kids to traditional movies such as the original “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “Holiday Inn”, “Scrooge”, “Miracle on 34th Street” or “White Christmas”. Kids love Clarence the Angel in “Wonderful Life” and Santa in “Miracle”. And, the songs and pageantry of “White Christmas” will leave lasting impressions. For even better results, bone up on your history of these movies to share with your family while watching.

Watch a fun video or movie together. Now is the time of year for an abundance of new or recently released holiday movies and videos. Choose five of the most appealing and take a family vote on the two favorite. Order the movies or videos, pop up some popcorn (a quick and tasty treat) and enjoy the event as family time. Laughter breaks the tension during this stressful time of year. Who doesn’t love watching Jim Carey as the Grinch? Or, the Muppets during the holiday season?

Treat yourself to a spa treatment. Every mom deserves some alone time, especially during the holidays. When out shopping for a day, take a couple of hours to schedule a foot or body massage at a local spa. Or, stop at the make-up counter and have a make-up artist do a makeover on you. Dads may want to treat themselves to a barber shave and hair cut, watch an uninterrupted football game or have their own foot massage. Everyone needs a good foot massage now and then. Pampering yourself is important for all parents during the Christmas season.

Shop online. Christmas shopping is part of the season, and the reason for increased stress levels. Instead of fighting holiday shopping crowds, sit in front of your computer and do your shopping. Many stores offer online sales not available to brick-and-mortar outlets. Have your little one sit on your lap while shopping and explain what is going on, so he feels part of the process.

Turn baking cookies into a family event. Christmas is the time of year when baking cookies is a tradition. If it is not a tradition in your family yet, make it one this year. Children love to get in the kitchen and emulate their parents. Turning your kids under five into active participants can lead to a lifelong love of cooking and food. Plus, it can lower your stress levels by easing your workload burden. After putting all the ingredients into a bowl, have one of your kids mix the ingredients together to feel like they are doing something. Children under 5 are curious, so answer all their questions about the cookie dough, cooking process and any other tidbits of information they want to know. Who knows, you may have a future professional baker in the making. After properly mixing the sugar cookie dough, place the dough onto a rolling board. Show your kids how to roll out the dough with either a large glass or rolling pin. Let them roll out the cookies and place them on a cookie sheet. Have your kids put some smiley faces with icing on the cookies. Or, give them a container of colored sugar to sprinkle on the cookies. Remember to thoroughly supervise your children under 5 throughout the entire time in the kitchen. You can never be too safe

Visit Santa as a family. Santa not only wants to hear from children under 5, but from parents as well. After your children have visited Santa, you take part and ask for a day trip somewhere. Ask for whatever you want. After making your wishes, have a family portrait taken with Santa. It will become a treasured family photo.

End each day leading up to Christmas, and even Christmas itself, with a nice cup of hot tea or cocoa. Finishing your day with your warm beverage soothes your nerves, stomach and mind. Enjoy the beverages while sharing stories about the day. Your family deserves it.

This post was writen by Tyla from AuPair.org.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/marquiroga/3093280848/

Activity Related Accidents

Ice-skating, sled-riding, snowboarding and skiing are great fun. But injuries can easily occur with these activities. In the winter, the local emergency rooms see many more head, neck and abdominal injuries from kids who accidentally hit objects while playing out in the snow. Make sure your children are old enough to know the safest places to enjoy their activities.

Sled-riding is one of the most popular activities of the winter, but sledding accidents can be very serious. Head trauma, broken bones and internal bleeding can occur from a serious accident. Keep kids away from wooded areas and roadways. Watch for areas that are covered with rocks or tree stumps. If your children are younger, make sure you supervise them while they are sled-riding.

Playing on the ice is another popular outdoor activity in the winter, but make sure your kids play safely. When ice skating, ensure that the skates your child wears are fitted properly and supportive, and provide elbow and knee pads. Remember, ice-skating rinks are much safer than ponds. But if the only place you can skate is a pond, make sure to test the ice yourself, and always supervise your kids. Ice can break easily, and drowning and hypothermia can happen in the blink of an eye.

Snowmobiling is also a popular choice, but these machines can go fast and can be very dangerous. Helmets and eye gear should be worn, and adult supervision is required at all times with young children.

At Home Illnesses

Keep your family safe this winter season by ensuring that they take care of themselves indoors. Make sure everyone understands the importance of hand-washing, especially after sharing toys, before and after eating, and after blowing one’s nose. This will help prevent the spread of viruses.

Snow shoveling is a necessary part of the winter activities. It can be great exercise for some, but beware of young children helping out. Older kids can help shovel snow, but muscles can easily be pulled and strained from lifting those heavy shovelfuls of snow. Don’t let younger kids over-do it. Very young children can participate with smaller shovels, although they may have more fun just throwing the snow around!

Many kids have so much fun playing out in the snow that they don’t realize it is time to come in. To keep frostbite from occurring, check your children at regular intervals. Make sure that they are not too cold and that their hands and feet are dry. Insist they take a break and warm up if they have been out too long.

Going out in the Cold

When your children are ready to hit the snow piles, make sure they have a good snack first. The calories will help to give them the extra energy they will need while out in the cold. Sunscreen is also a good idea, because even in the winter, the snow can reflect nearly 85% of harmful UV rays on our kids.

Dress your kids warmly and in layers. That way, they can take a layer off if they get too wet and still stay outside. Cotton clothing is not the best choice for cold-related activities, as it doesn’t keep kids warm enough. Go with wool or other kinds of fabrics instead. Choose a good pair of long underwear, turtlenecks to keep the neck covered, sweaters and warm coats. Look for waterproof jackets and pants, such as snowsuits, that will repel the water and keep clothing dry. And of course, warm socks, preferably thick ones, along with a pair of waterproof boots, will complete the outfit.

All kids have different cold-weather tolerances, so it’s hard to set an actual time-limit to being outdoors. But remind them that if they are too cold, to come in and warm up. Keep extra gloves on hand for them to switch up when their hands become too wet. Sometimes, a pair of dry gloves can do the trick!

In Case of Emergency

Children are more than likely to get frostbite than adults are. To prevent it, make sure that they dress as warmly as possible, and that their hands and feet do not get wet. If the weather is too extreme, limit times spent outdoors.

Frost nip, an early sign of getting frostbite, leaves the affected skin numb and white. If your child experiences this, bring them inside, remove all of their wet clothing, and immerse the chilled part in warm water. You don’t want hot water- 104-108° F will do. Keep their affected area immersed until they are able to feel sensation again. If in doubt, or sensation does not return, a trip to the local ER is a must. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Frostbite mostly happens to the fingers, toes and ears. The nose and cheeks can be affected, as well. The area that frostbite occurs on will be extremely cold and will turn white or a yellow-gray color. Your child needs to be seen at the nearest ER if frostbite occurs, without delay.

Finally, if you are going on a road trip during the winter, it is essential to have an emergency kit in your car. Include a first aid kit, heavy blankets, extra gloves and hats, and even changes of clothing. Water and dry food may also be a good choice, in the event you get stuck in the snow. A jumper cable kit is also essential.

Winter can be just as fun as the warmer months. Practice common sense and safety and make this season one to remember!

This post was writen by Erik Braunitzer of Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company, agents for New York City Rentals.

Refrigerator

Paint your box white, cut appropriate arm/head/leg holes. Cut open the front panel so that it swings open like a door. Inside the box, insert a second panel that will be between the body and the “door.” You can staple it on top and sides. Attach empty food items to this second panel, like boxes of butter, empty milk cartons and containers of yogurt. It might look like “just a box” from the outside, but swing the door open to dazzle!

Lego

All you need is a box and six margarine containers for this one! Spray paint both the containers and box the color of your lego of choice, glue the margarine containers onto the box , cut holes into the sides for arms, and voila!

Jack in the Box!

Take a box, add arm and leg holes, and cut the top panel on three sides so that it opens and swings back. Turn your child into a “jester” complete with make up and hat. Some wacky tights and “elf-like” shoes will be the final touches perfect for a Jack in the Box. A nametag “Jack” will be the icing on the cake.

Kleenex Box

This one is so easy and so cute! Make the box “wearable” with head, arm and leg holes. Then you can paint the box any way you like, writing “Kleenex” or “Tissues” somewhere. Then take white tissue paper and glue on near the top of the hole for the head. You can glue some tissue paper on a ball cap too for wearing and extra flair. Adorable!

Car

A box painted in wild colors just needs 4 painted pie tins on the sides to transform itself into a car! You can get as detailed as you want in the paint and the details or as basic and simple in “box-car” style as you like! You can even turn it into a Mario Kart car for your young children.

+ 1 Bonus!

Okay, so this one doesn’t involve a box, but it’s along the same train of thought and equally as amazing. Track down an extra large basket, cut the bottom out and attach two shoulder straps so that it can be worn. Then all you need is one extra large balloon or a whole bunch of regular size balloons. The more colorful, the better Tie strings to each of the four corners of the basket, bring them up about 4 feet and attach to the balloon(s). You’ll have an instant “Hot Air Balloon Basket!”

Freelancer Jocelyn loves to write about ways to have fun and live healthier within the family. When she’s not crafting or baking, you’ll find her at work writing for Electric Water Heaters.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/pwilley/258732148/

Once you are brave enough to agree to host a party this year, you need some kids’ Halloween party ideas that will ensure that all the little devils…er, angels have a spooktacular time. After all, if you don’t, your children will be the outcasts of their class if the party turns out to be lame. You don’t want that trauma haunting you for the rest of your life, so here are some terrific ideas to get your creative juices flowing…

Before deciding on any Halloween activities for kids, you should give some consideration to the ages of the children who will be at the party. There is a vast difference in attention span and abilities between a pre-schooler and a pre-teen. If you plan on having a mix of ages at the party, you really should find another adult to help you out. One of you can be in charge of the younger children, while the other handles the older ones. This will make things more fun for the kids and help you keep your sanity.

For younger children, stick to simple decorations and easy to understand activities. Sometimes we parents can get too into the spirit of things, and our kids’ Halloween party ideas become a bit too scary for little ones. The last thing you need is a mob of angry parents when their children wake up with nightmares from the realistic zombie costume you wore!

With older children, you can be more creative and get as creepy as you want. In fact, at a certain age children seem to delight in being as gross as possible. Show them that you can outgross them and you’ll have a successful Halloween party.

When considering activities, costumes are a wonderful place to start. Every child likes to play dress-up, whether scary or not. A costume judging contest can be appropriate and fun for any age. You could do a best costume, funniest costume, or even scariest costume (or all of the above). This is a good way to ensure that everyone gets some sort of small prize, such as a treat bag.

Kids’ Halloween party ideas can include crafts or food or both together. What better way to kill two birds with one stone than by having the kids create the food and then eat it? This could be as simple as decorating cupcakes to creating fanciful creatures with candies stuck together with icing.

As you can see, there is a vast range of things to choose from that will keep the kids busy. Your goal should be that they have a good time without trashing the house or hurting themselves. So let your imagination reign free, and you will find kids’ Halloween party ideas flowing like crazy.

The truth is, when they go back to school in the fall, they will have failed to retain much of the information they stored up during the school year, making it harder for them to move on to new material. In addition, the complete lack of a structured schedule may make them antsy for a return to the carefree days of summer. So what can you do to keep your child on track with their studies while still allowing them a fun-filled summer?
The simple answer is games.

Games are fun, every kid knows that! What they don’t know, is that games can also be educational. They may not see the academic value of Monopoly or Scrabble, but you know that by playing these old-school board games, they are practicing counting, spelling, and vocabulary. And while flash cards or bingo boards may tip them off that learning is in progress, they can still have a lot of fun with these simple memory games.
Board games really only touch the tip of the iceberg when it comes to educational games. There is a whole world of websites devoted to teaching kids in fun and exciting ways.

From math and science to history and geography to spelling, grammar, and punctuation, there are games to teach your children and test their knowledge. And while only a few sites offer organization by grade or age range, a targeted Google search for educational games+(your child’s)age/grade can take you to sites specifically tailored to the needs of a 5th grader, for example, or an 8-year-old. No muss, no fuss, and your child is unlikely to complain that you’re “making” them play computer games.

And it doesn’t end there. If you’re one of the many parents who has given in and allowed your child a handheld device (whether it’s a cell phone, an iPod, or a Nintendo DS), there are educational games to be had.
While most gadgets devoted to handheld gaming are not geared towards education, Nintendo does offer the Brain Age series. And cell phones feature modern revamps of standard classics like Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit.

However, the real gem in the handheld diadem is the ever expanding world of Apple products. Whether your child has an iPod, iPhone, or iPad, they can take advantage of the many educational games available on the iTunes store. In fact, there are so many, you may have to do a bit of slogging to find something that fits your needs. The bonus of handheld is that it is entirely portable, so long road trips are a snap.

In any case, it only takes a little time and effort to find the games that will engage your kids in learning (or in some cases, trick them into it) and it’s worth it to ensure that they continue to learn throughout the summer. And who knows, they may even become enamored with the wide world of educational gaming. At the very least, you can help them to retain their stored knowledge and return to school in the right mindset to resume their studies.

Patrick Mickz is an avid Bingo Player and he enjoys playing fun and educational games. You can visit his site Printable Bingo Cards.

Step 1: Challenge your child. One great idea you should put into practice is to constantly make up games for him to play, or competitions to be a part of. Ask him how high can he jump, or how long does it take him to run between two predetermined marks. Use a chronometer and see the joy on his face while he’s running, trying to beat his own records all over again.

Step 2: Exercise with him. You child has grown very attached to you, so for him to be running around, exercising with his mom and dad is definitely a true joy.

Step 3: Go to the park every day. Many parents enjoy getting extra quality time with their children anyway, so the park can be the best of both worlds. Walk around, play ball, anything to see your child exercising.

Step 4: Go hiking a lot. Kids love to go on adventures, so make up a story at least on the weekends and go hiking to save a princess that’s trapped in a castle, meet up with his favorite squirrels in the forest and have tea with them or save some endangered fish. Find clues inside the forest or along the way and have your kids run around to hide from the fearful cyclone.

Step 5: Sign him up for swimming classes or buy a metal frame pool and let him use it every day. Kids love water and they love to play in it, so have him call over his friends and encourage them to have a pool party of their own. They’re going to start to jump, splash the water around, run, play with their water pistols or their colorful volleyballs. In other words, they’ll do a lot of exercise, and this can literally last for hours.

Step 6: Buy him a bike or a scooter. Children love these things, so make sure you reward him for his good behavior or wait for his birthday and take him by surprise. He won’t ever leave the bike or scooter rest.

Step 7: Go camping. Children adore going camping, and it can be a great way for him to exercise at the break of dawn, surrounded by “wild animals” and breathing fresh air – he’ll feel just like Mowgli.

Step 8: Buy a nice DVD featuring workout for kids. Or put on the music he loves and show him a few exercises yourself, he’s going to love to come up with his new choreography for a new video.

Step 9: Register for a run event. Find something like a “father-daughter” or a “mother-son” competition and make the most out of this bonding experience.

Step 10: Teach him how to plant flowers or trim trees. Your son or daughter is going to appreciate these activities and they’re going to exercise without even knowing it.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/kingo/5928550898/

The internet is a big inspiration for many parents. My family is no exception. Ever since I started inquiring how to get pregnant faster, the internet has been my first resource to consult.

There is hardly anything that you can’t find somewhere on the world wide web – and as babies grow into toddlers, preschoolers and beyond, it can be a great place to find games and activities for children, both educational and just for fun.

But of course, the offline world still matters too. And ironically, this is where the internet has been of the biggest help to my family. We often browse the web to get inspiration, and I’d like to share my tips with you!

Crafts

How difficult can it be to come up with craft ideas for young children yourself? Of course, every parent knows how to get out pencils and paper, play dough or finger paint. But beyond that, finding fun crafts can be quite tricky, actually. Thankfully, there are many moms who are more creative and resourceful than I am – and who share their ideas on their blogs, complete with many pictures and tutorials.

It was on the web that we learned how to make a pinata for my kids’ birthday parties, a crocodile out of an empty egg carton, and how to make your own stamps out of potatoes. If you’re after something more simple, there are tons of coloring sheets to just print out!

Educational ideas

My daughter is big into math games. Where else would you find sudoku for kids, with stars and twirls instead of numbers? For free? And the many sites that offer fun letter-writing activities to print off, or geographical quizzes for young children have been such a great help. Wherever your child’s interests lie, there are websites that offer playful worksheets for free.

Books

Children’s books are still an important part of growing up, even in the dot com age. For expectant stay at home mothers who are struggling with pregnancy signs and symptoms, reading books to their young children is a life saver. The internet can be of help in giving information about which books are great (mom bloggers often review kids’ books), and which to stay away from. And then, a couple of clicks are all that’s needed to get said books delivered to your home.

This article was written by Tania Tod.  Tania also owns and operates Trying to Conceive, a website for women who are trying to get pregnant , already expecting a baby, or struggling with infertility.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/28759017@N08/5575009608/