Articles

Join the Save Child Care Day of Action on Thursday, July 16

We are now entering the fifth month since schools closed in March, and while state and local education leaders debate the wisdom of reopening...

Prepping from home: How to get your child kindergarten ready

Preparing for kindergarten? Me too! This year, I will begin my 12th year of teaching young children and will be heading back to the...

Arizona coronavirus testing efforts to increase in July and August

Has your family been tested for COVID-19? If not, you’ll have more options than ever in July and August. New sites and more testing...

2020 Maricopa County summer reading program extends through Aug. 15

The Maricopa County Reads summer reading program will continue through Aug. 15 to encourage young people to stay engaged and reading while they remain...

Gov. Ducey limits restaurant capacity, urges families to stay home

Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order today limiting dine-in restaurant capacity to 50 percent or less. And while he stopped short of mandating...

Play chef at home with local takeout food kits

While many local restaurants have reopened, families in greater Phoenix may be hesitant to venture back for dine-in service while COVID-19 cases continue to...

Helping kids (and adults) through the fallout of COVID-19

Poppy, age 3, spins on the floor. I ask her — again — if she wants to walk around the block with her dad...

Tips to encourage summer reading

Summer is upon us, which means more free time for our kids. How can we encourage them to keep reading over the summer and...

Girls on the Run Power Up Activity Kit offers 50 activities for girls 8-11

Girls on the Run of Maricopa and Pinal Counties had to cancel spring and early summer in-person events centered on fitness and health. The...

In-person public school instruction delayed until Aug. 17

With COVID-19 numbers rising dramatically in our state, Governor Doug Ducey announced Monday that in-person school instruction will be delayed until at least Aug....

Raising Outdoor Kids: Staying active during quarantine (and after)

We first sensed something strange was happening while looking for bottled water during a quick trip to Los Angeles in early March. We visited...

Is summer travel safe? Families are staying closer to home — for now

Venetia Houser, an Avondale mom of two, missed two vacations due to COVID-19 closures, including her sister’s postponed Cacun wedding and a spring trip...

Self-compassion, stress and children with psychological disorders

Parenting is challenging, but the challenges can be so much greater when you're raising a child with a psychological disorder. A clinical psychology doctoral student...

Camps do the “pandemic pivot” for Summer 2020

Virtual options abound, and camps that are offering on-site programs have made some big changes in how they will operate. Here is an update...

When a son becomes a father, during a pandemic

Fewer distractions are more welcome these days than a text message that reads, “You guys home?” The messages come every few days from our son,...

15 ways to celebrate dads on Father’s Day: Sunday, June 21

On Sunday, June 21, we will celebrate dads and all they do. Here are a few ways to be festive with food, fun and...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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