Food and Nutrition

While the shelves are bare and you’ve got the time — bake bread!

It only takes seven ingredients — yeast, water, milk, salt, flour, butter and sugar — and lots of time, which we now have, because we’re not going anywhere.

Local school districts scramble to provide meals for kids during school closures

With Arizona schools closed until at least April 10, schools and districts are trying to provide meals to tens of thousands of children. Here's how.

Raising Outdoor Kids: Four reasons gardening is great for tiny humans

We call our raised garden boxes an urban micro-farm, because it is. Tending it is good for our tiny humans.

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...

9-year-old Scottsdale student wins Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge

David Hummert, a 9-year-old from Sonoran Sky Elementary School in Scottsdale, won Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s 2019 Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge...

Kids Eat Free: Arizona restaurants where kids eat free (or nearly free)

Note: These deals can expire or change. Please call to verify with each restaurant. Updated February 2024.  PHOENIX Arriba Mexican Grill 5 Valley locations in Goodyear, Glendale,...

Scramble: Egg recipes offer a great introduction to cooking for kids

When Angie Harmon enrolled her two young sons in a cooking class on eggs, she had more in mind than breakfast in bed. A board...

Emily Dixon: 8 tips for quick and healthy family meals

"Too many of us are not eating together at home with family because we think it’s too hard” to prepare meals, says Gilbert mom...

A healthy tray every day: Local chefs help improve school lunches

Chef Charleen Badman, who dazzles grownups at her Scottsdale restaurant, last year expanded her wizardry to include younger, more pedestrian diners. The five-time James...

Three recipes for perfect popsicles from AZ Pops

Pam Raphael of AZ Pops knew that moving from Atlanta to Phoenix was the right move for her family business. “We have a very, very...

Home run family meals: Gourmet hot dogs make for fun, easy dinners

Spring Training is underway in Arizona. And baseball without hot dogs is like Thanksgiving without turkey. Not an actual crime, but close. “It’s the official...

Will Instant Pot change your life? We put it to the test

Pressure Cookers are back! Instant Pot has won a following as busy moms struggle to make “real” food faster. Calendar Editor Liz Petroff bought...

Homemade holiday gifts infused with heart

Recruit your kids to help make easy, elegant culinary treats for family, friends and teachers The best holiday gifts come from your kitchen. So says...

Fun family dining destinations in greater Phoenix

When the weekend finally rolls around, most families are eager to spend some quality time together after long days at the office and non-stop...

Pumpkin season treats: Recipes families can craft together

Pumpkin once was known almost exclusively as a pie for Thanksgiving. Today, this multi-tasking squash with its dense, sweet flesh defines the flavor of...

Creative school lunches: Healthful brown-bagging that isn’t boring

Chef Justin Beckett spends most evenings cooking pork osso buco confit and smoked chicken with grilled andouille gumbo for diners at his two Phoenix...

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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