Articles

Books about snow: celebrating the magic of frosty flakes

Snow is so much more than cloud chemistry; it’s a state of mind. It’s about stillness, seeing old things with new eyes, and adding...

My daughter’s Iraqi best friend taught me to hope and help

At our kitchen table one evening, my 10-year-old daughter, Victoria, wanted to show me something as I checked her homework. “Here’s how you write the...

Kindergarten redshirting: Should you hold back your preschooler?

Arizona parents with pre-K children right now are prepping them for kindergarten. For some, the process is pretty straightforward: “My child turned 5 by...

31 (somewhat) spooky Halloween books for kids

Every holiday celebration helps cultivate children’s roots — those strong, deep connections to family, traditions and values. Halloween festivities can help kids develop and...

Spooky Slime for Halloween

If your children don’t mind getting their hands dirty, work together to create this delightfully disgusting slime. Empty a four-ounce bottle of school glue...

Grandparenting in the tech age is still about sharing our family stories

My cellphone alarm beeped at 5:30 Tuesday evening. Time to video chat with Grace and Finley, my 6- and 4-year-old grandchildren, who live in...

5 places to help you maintain fitness during pregnancy

Working out is an important part of your routine---but when you are pregnant, you may wonder which exercises are healthy for you and your...

Happy New Year fireworks craft

This festive craft came to me when when I was trying to figure out a creative way for our family to celebrate New Year's...

Handwriting help for kids

Why do some children have such beautiful handwriting while others' looks more like scribbles? The process of writing---physically putting pencil or pen to paper---is more...

5 popular family hikes in or around metro Phoenix

Looking for family hikes everyone will enjoy? We've got a roundup of popular places around the Valley and one about an hour east of Phoenix....

Halloween candy-corn craft

Here’s a super-simple Halloween activity that’s perfect for toddlers---and won't cause cavities: a candy-corn craft made with construction paper. It's also great practice for...

Homemade play dough

Use this recipe to make homemade play dough that lasts on the shelf for months. Get creative mixing colors or add essential oils.

4 places Arizona kids can learn about veterans

Veterans Day celebrations present a unique opportunity to help kids learn about veterans. Once Veterans Day has passed, it's still important to remember the...

An attitude of gratitude

“What do you say?” Parents prompt little ones in a singsong voice when a friend shares a race car or a teacher helps zip...

Sticks and Stones: When kids use the N-word

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Plenty of parents grew up hearing the nursery rhyme meant to lessen...


My Day at Camp: Sweet Basil Cooking School

Summer camp often involves roasting marshmallows over an open flame. I vividly recall heavy Dutch ovens, hot coals and brushes with death. But on...

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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