Arts

Valley Youth Theater to host a VYTal (and virtual) fundraising telethon

Valley Youth Theatre is replacing its annual fundraising gala with an eight-hour virtual telethon. The VYTal Affair-athon will be streamed live on YouTube, Facebook and...

Curiouser & Curiouser is a new live-theater experience from TheaterWorks

TheaterWorks has reinvented the live-theater experience. Curiouser & Curiouser is an  immersive, multi-sensory, intimate theater production where audience members literally walk into and through...

The Nash opens applications for Phoenix Jazz Girls Rising

The Nash has opened enrollment for its all-female jazz musician program, Phoenix Jazz Girls Rising. Led by local musicians Mary Petrich (saxophone) and Claudia...

Phoenix Voice Academy launches uplifting music video

Need some inspiration? Take a few minutes to listen to some young Valley voices spreading a message of hope. The Phoenix Youth Theatre and Voice...

Storytime Saturdays with Mary Poppins (and Facebook)

Arizona Broadway Theatre is launching "Storytime Saturdays with ABT's Mary Poppins," a 30-minute storytime led by theater alum Renee Koher.

Artsy Thursday: Celebrate the joy and learning children experience when they engage in creativity

Editor’s note: April 13-17 is Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and AzAEYC celebrating early...

Creative ways to indulge in the arts during the coronavirus crisis

The Valley's art scene has responded to the coronavirus crisis with its own creativity, making instruction, activities and inspiration available online — or in easy pickup packets — for children, and their grownups, too.

Resources to keep kids engaged, entertained and learning

With kids out of school, Common Sense Media offers resources to help make all this enforced family time a bit more fun.

Happiness is … (Reflections on life and parenting)

You find happiness in the tiny things that surround you, but you have to pay attention. And the best way to give it to your children is to find it yourself.

Valley Youth Theatre presents its sixth production of “The Princess and the Pea” Feb. 7-23

King Maximillian and his mother, Old Queen Maude, seek the insight of Esmeralda Smythe — the wisest (and only) gypsy in the kingdom. They...

Childsplay brings Mo Willems’ “Elephant & Piggie” to life at Herberger Theater

Need a laugh? How about some Motown-style music and groovy dance moves? Then Childplay’s newest musical, "Elephant & Piggie’s 'We Are in a Play,'"...

EVCT’s “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus” takes Mesa Arts Center stage

Her friends told her Santa didn't exist, but 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wanted New York City's "Sun" newspaper to tell her the truth. “Is there...

Kids are spending more time than ever watching YouTube (and much less time reading!)

Half of the kids in the U.S. will own smartphones by age 11, and phone use is on the rise for kids as young...

Childsplay stages world premiere of “Chato’s Kitchen” at Herberger Theater Center

What would you do if you were the coolest low-riding cat in the barrio? If your name is Chato, you invite your new neighbors,...

“The Burn” addresses cyberbullying onstage at Phoenix Theatre

Bullying has been around forever, but with the advent of social media, posting mean-spirited messages about someone has become all too easy. BLK BOX PHX,...

Valley Youth Theatre stages “They Chose Me!” about adoption, and it’s personal

For Bobb Cooper, Valley Youth Theatre’s producing artistic director, the subject of foster care and adoption is more than complicated. It’s personal. “It’s no secret...

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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