Arts

Use your words

Suggestions for enjoying family time with homemade word games, and suggestions for those of you who perfer to "use your words" elsewhere.

A little holiday stroll

Consider a stroll, with camera or sketchbook, as you're looking for ways to unwind this holiday season -- and check out these photos from walks through various arts and culture venues in the Phoenix metro area.

Shalom Pardner

Explore offerings of the Jewish History Museum in Tucson, including a Chinese food on Christmas day program, a storytelling festival and a centennial exhibit about Jewish pioneers.

Once upon a circus

Sixth generation circus artist Giovanni Zoppe talks about his family's Italian circus, whose youngest performer sometimes chooses naptime over audience accolades.

My own little movie list

Lynn Trimble shares a list of movies, old and new, that she plans to watch during the holidays, and invites readers to recommend their favorite movies for family film time.

Chanukah Wonderland!

Don't expect a winter wonderland in Phoenix this month. But check out all the free activities offered by Chabad of the East Valley during its Grand Chanukah Wonderland, which includes a menorah lighting at Arizona Mills mall at 5pm on Dec. 21.

Art meets New Year's Eve

Explore Valley New Year's Eve celebrations featuring an arts and culture twist with Stage Mom writer Lynn Trimble, who says the best celebrations are the ones you don't have to fuss over making or cleaning up after.

Art classes for children and teens

Explore art classes for children and teens offered by Scottsdale Artists' Studio starting in January.

The artist in you

Danna Gabardy and Ruby Farias gave up the banking industry for creative entertainment. It took them a year from concept to opening in a...

Politics meets pastorela

Explore the Mexican and Native American tradition of pastorela plays as Lynn Trimble shares news of pastorelas being performed in Arizona and beyond.

Red fur meets red rocks

Lynn Trimble chats with Kevin Clash, puppeteer known to children the world over as Elmo, about his upcoming visit to the Sedona International Film Festival.

Celebrating Arizona women

Learn more about the rough and tumble existence of pioneering women, and their contemporary counterparts, as a fun mix of storytelling, song and dance titled "Celebrating Arizona Women" comes to Scottsdale Community College.

The land of sweets

After watching both daughters dance in The Nutcracker with Ballet Arizona, Valley parents compare notes while watching a PBS broadcast of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker performed by the New York City Ballet.

Elvis is in the buildings

Explore Elvis sightings from Tempe to Las Vegas as Lynn Trimble shares news of places you can enjoy Elvis music and memorabelia.

Rising Youth Theatre

Lynn Trimble talks with Xanthia Walker, co-founder of a new theater group in Arizona called Rising Youth Theatre, which engages children and teens in telling their own stories in creative and powerful ways.

High school premieres Arizona theme

Lynn Trimble shares news of Arizona students performing the premiere of a work titled Arizona Centennial Overture and resources for learning more about Arizona's centennial celebration.

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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