Articles

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...

Managing morning sickness

One morning when I was six weeks pregnant with my third child, I opened my eyes and realized I felt seasick. I wasn’t anywhere...

Teen yoga classes offer serenity and stress relief

On a sweltering summer afternoon, several teens came together to practice yoga at Gainey Village Health Club & Spa in Scottsdale. An air of...

Working for the Little Ones in Ethiopia

It has been nearly seven years since Brian and Keri deGuzman of Paradise Valley stood in the Addis Ababa airport, a new baby daughter...

Tempe Sister Cities: Changing the world, one friendship at a time

Valley attorney Dick Neuheisel was a member of the Tempe City Council in 1971 when he saw a National League of Cities magazine article...

Learning at home: measure up!

Measuring --- whether in the kitchen with measuring cups and spoons, or a ruler, tape measure or 10-foot pole --- is an ideal way...

Learning at home: Old-school skills rule on alphabetizing

Old-school learning skills are still valuable. Learning to spell a word, alphabetize a list or use a paper dictionary is good for your child's brain.

Learning at home: how to memorize

Children need to memorize their address and phone number, just in case. Here are some "learning at home" exercises that help the brain retain information.

PARTY ARTICLES

Themed Birthday Ideas for Grown-Ups

As parents, we often go all out celebrating our kids' birthdays—planning elaborate parties, baking cakes, decorating, and making sure their day feels extra special. But somewhere along the way, many of us stop celebrating...

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.

STAY CONNECTED

16,000FansLike
4,049FollowersFollow
3,150SubscribersSubscribe