Articles

Arizona Helping Hands: Making birthday wishes come true for thousands of kids in foster care

“Laura” had a difficult childhood. She grew up in foster care and was shuffled from one home to the next. She has many memories...

Drama Free Homework: Help kids create solid routines that boost life skills

As a former elementary school teacher, JoAnn Crohn knows what it’s like to assign homework and have it come back undone. As a Chandler...

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...

San Diego caters to visiting families with “kids free” deals in October

Every October, San Diego reaches out to families with free deals for kids --- including free admission (with an adult ticket) to major attractions...

Essay contest: 20 Arizona fifth-graders will win $529 toward a college savings plan

CONTEST CLOSED. See the winners here.  The Arizona 529 College Savings Program has launched its first-ever essay-writing contest for fifth-graders. Twenty winning essayists — one...

Fighting for ALL children: The Florence Project sheds light on family separations in Arizona

For months, many parents have felt powerless as children and babies entering the United States with their families have been physically torn from their...

D-backs seek applications for $100,000 School Challenge

The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation is accepting applications for its $100,000 School Challenge, presented by University of Phoenix. The program is open to all K-12...

Parenting together: Let’s be the “village” it takes

Written by Maggie Zehring My husband says I’m a chronic over-helper. He might be right. And yet, that mindset is the reason parenthood can feel...

“Sesame Street” puppeteer to speak at Raising Special Kids Symposium on Oct. 24

Stacey Gordon, the Phoenix puppeteer who performs on “Sesame Street” as Julia, a curious 4-year-old with autism, is one of several local and national...

Sari on Science: Super-secret spy messages … via banana!

My daughter started kindergarten this year, so I’m packing her daily lunches for the first time. As I was admiring our new collection of...

Teens can apply now for the Arizona Education Department’s Student Advisory Council

Arizona students in grades 5-12 can apply to be members of the Arizona Department of Education's first Student Advisory Council. The deadline to apply...

Using Common Sense: What parents should know about TikTok

Let’s see a virtual show of hands: How many of you as parents are thoroughly confused — and somewhat overwhelmed — by the wide...

The joys of grandparenting

When I gave birth to twin daughters 32 years ago, I never imagined my babies becoming parents. It seemed light years away. But in...

Greasepaint Youtheatre grapples with the subject of school shootings in “Columbinus”

Columbine High School, a public school in the Denver suburb of Littleton, was not particularly well-known outside of Colorado — until April 20, 1999,...

The language of disability: Words matter, but getting it right isn’t easy

I used to love the term “mouth breather." I loved it so much that I once stopped reading a column my then-boss had written for...

Turn family gifts into future security for a child with a special-needs trust

Two years ago, my sister Cheryl, who is in her 40s, discovered she was pregnant. Her only child was 26, and she had been...

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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