Community Outreach

“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...

Tutoring can lead to free tuition at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix

It’s not every day you hear that a full college scholarship is available for doing something you need to do anyway. Imagine getting 100 hours...

Enjoy free vision, hearing and dental screenings and more at Special Needs Resource Fair

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 7, Raising Arizona Kids magazine hosts its fifth annual Special Needs Resource Fair at Ability 360 Sports...

Laura Marano to host Childhelp fashion show during National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Disney Channel star Laura Marano (of “Austin & Ally” fame) is co-hosting the Childhelp Wings Fashion Show Luncheon along with ABC 15 Arizona’s Nick...

Family venues offer federal workers free entry during government shutdown

Local family venues are trying to ease some of the pain for federal workers who remain unpaid during the partial federal government shutdown that's become...

Kids in Focus: Photography program gives at-risk kids new perspective

When kids experience trauma, they often disconnect — from the world and themselves. Karen Shell, a commercial photographer and founder of the nonprofit Kids in...

Colten Cowell Foundation brings “Batcave” magic to kids in need of compassion

What kid wouldn’t want to feel like a superhero? Thanks to a couple of dedicated people at the Colten Cowell Foundation in Phoenix, lots...

Donate school supplies to Save the Family in Mesa

Mesa-based Save the Family needs your help collecting school supplies for disadvantaged children. Drop off items at the organization's building, 125 E. University Drive in...

Cinderella Affair Boutique in Chandler distributes free prom dresses this month

High school juniors and seniors can shop for free new and gently-used prom dresses during the annual Cinderella Affair event, from 8 a.m. to 3...

Families Giving Back: Help local homeless families

Since opening its doors in 1964, UMOM New Day Centers has been dedicated to helping homeless families in Phoenix. This year, UMOM acquired Tumbleweed,...

Furry friends from Gabriel’s Angels foster strong readers

Students at Humphrey Elementary in Chandler were among the first to try the new Animals, Books and Children program --- ABC for short ---...

Shopping, dining with Care Card supports Foundation for Blind Children

When you watch 4-year-old Oliver Clark negotiate the halls of the Foundation for Blind Children, you are truly watching a miracle. The Phoenix boy...

Hello Children Project delivers smiles, memories to the Valley’s seniors

On a sweltering day in late July, I visited a beautiful memory-care facility in Sun City, where Samantha Asher and her mother, Ena Barrise,...

Two generations of gratitude and giving back

It’s been about a year since I joined the board for Raising Special Kids, a 38-year-old nonprofit that provides parent-to-parent support for families navigating...

At-home volunteering: Make heat-relief sacks for the homeless

As temperatures begin to rise again, life on the streets in Phoenix can go from unbearable to deadly. Homeless men, women and children are...

Befriending seniors: A worthy, rewarding volunteering opportunity for kids

Our views of aging evolve. As kids, all we want is to be older. Then, at some point during adulthood, all we want is...

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.

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