Ages & Stages

New BullyRAADR app helps address bullying, safety on school campuses

Students at 10 Valley schools are using a new mobile app called BullyRAADR as a safe place to report school issues such as bullying...

Teen volunteers welcome at Valley libraries this summer

Is your teenager friendly, energetic and responsible? Is he or she looking to earn volunteer credits, learn new skills and keep busy this summer?...

The social side of kindergarten readiness

Mesa mom Jenessa Moore is part of a ritual that dates back to the mid-1800s. However, the ritual today looks dramatically different than it...

Cinderella Affair Boutique in Chandler distributes free prom dresses this month

High school juniors and seniors can shop for free new and gently-used prom dresses during the annual Cinderella Affair event, from 8 a.m. to 3...

Schools teaching mindfulness cite improved memory and better behavior

The word “mindfulness” can conjure images of yogis sitting cross-legged on a rug, eyes closed, hands resting on knees, forefingers and thumbs touching. But consider...

Valley Youth Theatre stages family favorite “The Hobbit”

Asked to leave his large, roomy and exceedingly comfortable home (or hole) in the ground to accomplish a difficult mission, Bilbo Baggins accepts the...

Childcare expert: Preschool expulsion is a national problem

Children are getting kicked out of preschool at three to 13 times the rate that kids get expelled from grades K-12, says Walter Gilliam,...

ARIZONA’S CHILDREN: Teens in foster care are making the world a better place

Sixth in a series about foster care in Arizona Autumn is 17 years old and a junior in high school. While other kids her age...

Furry friends from Gabriel’s Angels foster strong readers

Students at Humphrey Elementary in Chandler were among the first to try the new Animals, Books and Children program --- ABC for short ---...

In need of a friend, Scottsdale third-grader creates the “Mensch Bench”

Despite the fact that Olivia Feldman sings and acts in front of more than 200 people through her involvement with Desert Stages Theatre, her...

The real problem with screen time? Speech delays

Ever hand off your phone to your baby to keep her quiet? Or watched an infant stare at an iPad? A new study may...

Picture books about storytelling (and why it’s so important!)

“If I had a little book, I would name it Friend. Friend would go wherever I went, our story would never end.” — from...

My Day at Camp: Putting the pedal to the metal at Octane Raceway’s summer day camp

I never thought my third and final “My Day at Camp” assignment of the summer would end with me fighting zombies. But that’s exactly what...

Approachable picture books teach kids to stay safe

For Arizona kids, “summer” is just another word for “more.” More heat, sunshine, sunscreen and ice cream; more hours to fill with friends and family,...

Get Savvy: Kathleen Buckstaff’s book for teens

Have you ever crossed paths with someone you just knew would be a cherished friend, if only a few circumstances were different? For me, Kathleen...

High-school civics: There’s an app for that

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? If your answer was American Indians, you’d be on your way to mastering a civics test...

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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