August 12th marks World Youth Day. This special day celebrates the achievements of youth between the ages of 15 and 24. If you’ve got a teen and are looking for some way to spend this day, try a volunteer activity. Why volunteer? Aside from it being beneficial for the child and the cause (whichever one you choose), it also helps your teen to achieve something. This isn’t to say that your teen doesn’t already have a resume filled with achievements. But, why not add one more? Check out these volunteer activity ideas for teens. Park Clean-Up When your teen was...

Get artsy on World Friendship Day with a paint print craft. The kids can create this project with their BFFs, making cute keepsakes that they can look back at later on when they’re older. This kids’ holiday craft is easy enough for toddlers to try, but still fun for older kids too. Your child (and a friend, of course) will create a pair of handprints using paint. Older kids can follow this up with a simple writing exercise. They can each write one sentence about the friend, trade the sentences, read them and then glue them to the painted prints....

The kids made mom breakfast on Mother’s Day. They made dad dinner on Father’s Day. Now that it’s Parents’ Day, what’s left to do? Okay, so this holiday isn’t exactly a traditional one. It celebrates all parents – as they deserve. Instead of breakfast or dinner, have the kids help to put together a Parents’ Day brunch. How? Check out these easy options that your children can help with on this special day. Keep in mind, Young children should never use the stove, oven or any other heat source. And, you should always supervise children while in the kitchen. Favorite...

Are you looking for a way to spend more time with your child? Parents’ Day provides the perfect opportunity. What can you, your spouse/significant other and the kids do to celebrate? Well, there are plenty of options. The family can take a day trip to a museum, go to an amusement park, take in a sporting event, have a meal together or try something artsy. If arts and crafts are the pick of the day, check out this Parents’ Day family book-making activity. Materials Family photos- This is part of the activity itself. Go through printed pictures or look at...

July 30th marks World Friendship Day. Celebrate with a few friend-filled activities. This is the perfect opportunity for your child to get social, spend time with her pals and enjoy a few entertaining activities. After inviting her classmates, neighbors or other friends over, try out these kid-friendly ideas! Friendship Meal Prep a meal that the kids can help to whip up. Ask each child what their favorite foods are. Then see if they can name which foods the other one likes. Pick a food that both friends enjoy, and then serve that up for a Friendship Day breakfast, lunch or...

The fourth Sunday of July is Parents’ Day. How are you going to celebrate? Along with a day of family fun, your kids can create custom artwork to mark the day. Making these keepsakes can spark your child’s imagination, let her get crafty and help her to think about what her parents mean. Parent Portraits What does mom look like? What about dad? Hand over the crayons, markers or tempera paints and have your child create a portrait of each parent. There are a few ways to start this project. You can have your child pick a favorite family photo...

You’re getting ready for July 4th. You’ve planned a holiday party, come up with a few cute kids’ crafts and have created a red, white and blue menu. But then you realize something – you forgot the party decorations. The holiday décor is what makes your family picnic or BBQ so very festive. And right now you have nothing. On top of that, it’s the day of the party and you have no time to run out to the store and buy centerpieces, tablecloths and streamers with the stars and stripes on them. What now? Check out these last-minute DIY...

Celebrate World Friendship Day with a fun family reading activity. Help your little one to think about what it means to be a good friend with a few books that fit the theme. Check out these children’s books that are perfect picks for this special friend-focused day! Frog and Toad Are Friends, by Arnold Lobel: The award-winning author brings kids in preschool through the early elementary grades a tale of friendship, as told through the eyes of these two lovable characters. It’s a classic that the kids are sure to enjoy. Friends, by Eric Carle: The iconic children’s book author...

Your family-focused July 4th party isn’t complete without kid-friendly activities. You’ve got the games planned and have created a menu that the kiddos are sure to enjoy. Now what? A craft table is an easy way to occupy little guests. Not only will the kids stay busy, but they’ll create their own keepsakes to take home too! Check out these ideas for setting up a Fourth of July party kids’ crafting center. Pick the Place Choose a space that isn’t near the food (no one wants school glue in their salad) or anything that gets wet (such as the sprinkler...

Why spend extra money on store-bought flags for July 4th when the kids make their own crafty versions? This Fourth of July kids’ craft is super-simple, but will still entertain your youngest party guests. Craft the American flags as part of your family’s picnic or BBQ activities or try it before the holiday as a way to prep for your party and create patriotic décor. Arts and Crafts Materials Red, white and blue card stock paper Scissors Thick craft sticks Clear-drying school glue Optional: Silver glitter How-to Steps Cut an 8x10-inch piece of white card stock in half or in...