Whether you have a large space or a corner in an apartment, setting up a playroom gives your kids a place to call their own—and a way to keep toys from taking over the house. Larger room offer more opportunity...
Parties are special events when treats and indulgences are allowed. That’s part of what makes them special, and they allow young and old alike to share a happy moment with a full belly and satisfied taste buds. When we have our little ones’ health in mind, we sometimes find ourselves torn between spoiling them with a treat or being responsible and serving them something healthy. Why not do both? A good strategy is to serve cake as the treat and round out snack time with healthy bites. Here are some ideas: Mexican Fiesta Homemade mini pita pizzas: whole-wheat pitas, tomato sauce or salsa, lean ground beef, bell peppers, olives, low-fat...
We all face resolutions with both hope and trepidation: the hope that we can make positive changes in our lives and the fear that by bleak mid-January our good intentions will all have fallen by the wayside. Luckily, by making resolutions as a family, you can work as a team to motivate each other to succeed. Family resolutions can help you enjoy a healthier, more balanced lifestyle and allow for more time and more fun together as a family. The first step is to be realistic about the changes that need to be made. If children are overcommitted with activities and mom and dad frazzled with balancing life in general,...
You may not be able to take the “hectic” out of the holidays but you can follow a few tips to make them more relaxing and to allow yourself to enjoy quality family time. Talk About the Holiday Decisions in Advance Each family member has different expectations on how your holidays will go. Even small misunderstandings about what time you’re leaving for Grandma’s Christmas Eve can spark tension at a busy time. Both parents and kids should be clear on what is possible and what is not. Yes, the kids can have a movie marathon one night; no, they can’t refuse to go to grandma’s reception; and yes, both parents...
Play is essential to a child’s education. Certain games are strictly meant to be fun; others focus on learning, discovery and finding out about the world while having fun. Here are ten fun and educational games to keep your 6- to11-year-old children entertained. 1) To foster environmental awareness: 4M Paper Recycling Kit Here is a unique gift to creatively foster children’s environmental awareness and teach them about the importance of recycling in a concrete way. 2) To learn in color : Art 101 Here is a novel idea to develop your child’s talent and introduce them to art using crayons, watercolours and pastels. The suitcase-type kit is very complete and easy to...
Playing is not just fun and leisure for children. It’s a form of learning and an opportunity for kids to practice active leadership and decision making, in addition to helping them build confidence. Play allows children to act out real world situations. If something is bothering them, they can work it out in a safe, imaginary situation. Parents can also make up a fun game about why a child needs to have a needle, or children can use their toys and stuffed animals as “protection” if something is frightening them. No matter their age, playing a game teaches kids to problem solve and introduces them to the idea that in...
It’s a funny thing about winter. If you just hide under a blanket and pretend it doesn’t exist you’ll have a long, boring hibernation. But embrace the snow and you can create some of your best family memories. Bundle up, eat well and you’ll be ready to keep moving through everything the Canadian winter has to offer families. Winter Carnivals: Head out as a group to check out the fun. Some options include Quebec’s Winter Carnival, Ottawa’s Winterlude, the Vernon Winter Carnival in BC, Silver Skate in Alberta or the Children’s Winterfest in PEI. Dogsledding: This family trip will get you moving and keep you laughing. You can choose to...
