Arts

“The LEGO Movie” as parenting manual

There are two types of folks in LEGO land as envisioned by "The LEGO Movie" filmmakers: rule followers and creatives. The first do everything...

Follow the yellow brick road!

A little dog cast as Toto gets tons of stage time in Tempe this week, where families can enjoy a new musical version of "The...

Dr. Seuss is on the loose!

Cats are all the rage these days, thanks to platforms like YouTube that make it easy to share all that feline feather swatting, purring...

Building Bridges: Tom Chapin returns to Arizona

Although his three children are grown, Gilbert father Alan Fitzgerald is still interested in issues affecting families and youth. He is leading this year’s effort...

Introducing kids to classical music

Some of my fondest memories feature times spent enjoying music with our three children. When they were little, we often attended family concerts presented...

Culture Pass: One more reason to love your local library

Once upon a time, we checked out only books from the public library. Then came videos and CDs. These days, you can "check out"...

Child’s play inspires family business

When Chloe Harwell was just 2 years old, she had a thing for stickers and discarded boxes. After spreading an assortment of stickers across...

Seton Prep senior teaches harp

At the Compadre Branch of the Chandler Boys and Girls Club, in a small music room with jammed with guitars and keyboards, four young...

Architecture blends art with science

Architecture is all around us. Building interiors, exteriors and much of what surrounds them are designed by people whose work we often take for...

Javelinas travel from page to stage

"The Three Little Javelinas," a 1992 children's book by Tucson author Susan Lowell, is one of many playful adaptations of "The Three Little Pigs." The...

Families explore “American Pop”

A steady stream of pop culture heroes and villains paraded through Tempe Center for the Arts Friday night as families gathered for the opening of...

“The Nut Job” offers lessons in teamwork

Animals face the prospect of a perilous winter as their food source dwindles in "The Nut Job," yet most haven't quite finessed the fine...

Arcadia students perform original musical

Students at Arcadia High School in Phoenix are putting on a musical, “Shattered,” that they wrote themselves. They wrote the script, music and lyrics,...

Inspiration for writers of all ages

Know a teen whose nose is usually plastered to the pages of the latest young adult novel? A mom whose life would make the...

Parenting with imagination and wonder

Teen scientist Jack Andraka heads to the Valley next week, where he'll speak at a gathering for members of the Society for Imagination and...

Arizona now, and then

The light rail takes passengers through areas once traversed on horseback. Women don flip flops and sundresses rather than corsets and long skirts during...

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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