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Homemade playdough – super easy recipe and fun ideas for kids
Did you know you can easily make your own playdough instead of buying it? Aside from it being a cheaper alternative to Play Doh, if your kid likes to suck fingers or loves sticking stuff in their mouth, this may even be a better, more natural choice. A simple recipe for our mix has flour, water, salt, oil and citric acid in it. You can also add some natural food coloring (think curry or beets) to make it more fun for your kid. I’d recommend making a larger batch which you can freeze and use as needed later.

A simple recipe for DIY playdough

The ingredients:
- 1 lb of wheat flour
- 2 cups of water (approx. 16 fl-oz)
- 0.5 lb of salt
- 4 tablespoons of oil
- 1.5 teaspoons of citric acid (or fresh lemon juice)
Directions:
- Boil the water in the pot and add the oil then the citric acid
- In a separate bowl, mix all dry ingredients and add them to the pot. Mix it. Then let it cool.
- If you want the balls to be colored, add food colouring.
- When the mixture has cooled down, knead the dough with a blender (or hands) and form balls.
NOTE: keep the playdough in a plastic, closed bag – the salt has preservative properties and it will keep it fresh. You can also wrap it tightly with a plastic foil.

Why DUY playdough is better than Play Doh
- pretty cheap
- odorless
- hypoallergenic
- lasts a long time
- easy to make and prepare
What can you do with homemade play dough:

Home-made mix is much more elastic and has more possibilities since you can hone in on what your kid loves to do with it. After adding dyes, you can make figures, e.g. animals, insects, people, or just knead it, because it has an anti-stress effect on the child and helps relieve the emotions.
April 6, 2020
Quick and Healthy Immunity-Boosting Snacks for Kids

We all could use healthy snacks these days, especially our kids. But a lot of the commercial children’s food usually contains too much fat, salt, sugar or high fructose corn syrup responsible for the formation of cavities and obesity – so I don’t want any of that. On the other hand, I don’t want to spend hours at home preparing meals so here are a few healthy options that work for our family that you can prepare and get ready in minutes.

#1 Mandarins and other citrus fruit

I’m finding that fresh mandarins are just a perfect fruit goodie. They’re sweet, small to carry so we can take them anywhere, and they last longer than other fruit. They are easy to peel, and many of them are seedless. And they are full of vitamins, especially vitamin C and A which help the immune system. They also contain dietary fiber and nutrients and minerals such as potassium and manganese. You can peel them, pack them in a small container, and refrigerate them before you pack the lunch box. You can also add them to salads. Try to avoid canned fruit as it contains unnecessary sugars and is less nutritious.

#2 Probiotic Yogurt

While most us know about yogurt, look for the kind that says “live cultures” or is labeled “probiotic.” These kinds have the most health-boosting benefits. Nutritionists encourage you and your kids to eat a cup of yogurt every day because it is very healthy. It increases immunity, protects against infections and helps heal them. The problem is that there are many yogurts on the market that are artificially colored and sweetened with aspartame. Instead, look for natural stuff and add your own fresh fruit to it instead. Tip: Greek Yogurt has higher amounts of protein and may be a better choice. Also, get the larger container because they’re cheaper (and use less packaging materials so they’re better for the environment).

#3 Walnuts and other nuts and seeds

Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or pecans contain a wealth of unsaturated fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and vitamins. They are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, and zinc. Experts believe that omega-3s help your body fight illness and one study found omega-3s cut the number of respiratory infections in kids. And they support the child’s brain because they contain ingredients that improve memory and concentration. Try to get your child used to eating nuts and give them often whether raw, or as part of a trail mix or cereal. You can also try substituting peanut butter with almond butter (or other nut spread) on a sandwich. Unfortunately, peanuts don’t fall into this category.

#4 Blueberries and other berries

If you’re looking for a healthy snack for kids, blueberries contain flavonoids—a type of antioxidant that can help reduce damage to cells and boost your kids’ immune system. Did you know that one cup of strawberries contains as much as 100 mg of Vitamin C? It’s nearly as much as a cup of orange juice but they also contain other powerful antioxidants. To be honest, my kid is not a big berry eater so I cheat and sprinkle a bit of sugar on top of the cut-up berries and that does the trick.

#5 Jerky and lean meats

Yes, you read that right, and it’s probably not top of your mind when it comes to healthy snacks. But lean meats can help. First of all, they have protein, which is important for keeping up strength. Second, lean meats also contain zinc, which seems to help white blood cells fight off infection. And there are a wide variety of lean proteins out there, including plant-based proteins. Protein from plants have the added benefit of fiber, which is not found in meat. For the snacks – think jerky or sauteed chunks of lean beef or skinless chicken or turkey. Instead of processed meats, try deli roll-ups.

As with all foods, please make sure you check for allergies and consult your doctor for any questions.

March 21, 2020
Best kids shows worth getting a free Netflix account for

School closures? Being asked to stay at home with your children offers only so many options. So, you might as well get Netlifx up for a spin – they offer one month for free. And it’s good to have this list on hand. I’ve chosen the most engaging children’s stories that you can let your kids watch so you can take a little break.

Puffin Rock (3+)

The Puffin family lives on Puffin Rock – the dad, mother, young Oona and her baby brother Baba. Oona and Baba learn a lot about science, relationships in the family and among friends and different animal species, what they eat and where they live. How to care for each other, how to ask for help, how to respect the needs of others and different characters. Each episode is less than 10 minutes.

Masha’s Tales (3+)

Masha’s Tales is an extraordinary series, where a young russian girl, Masha, tells popular fairy tales in a childlike manner, mixing up both story lines and characters, but always coming up with original advice. Each episode is less than 30 minutes.

PJ Masks (4+)

Great for kiddos who want to feel like a superhero! By day, 6-year-olds Connor, Amaya and Greg go to school like everyone else. But when something goes awry in the city, these special kids, filled with curiosity and a sense of justice, get ready for their mission – but they have to wait until nightfall when the city is asleep and they can go undetected. Each episode is under 25 minutes.

Super Wings (3+)

“Super Wings” is a story of a jet plane named Jett who travels the world delivering packages to children. With every delivery, Jett encounters a new problem that he and his friends the Super Wings must work together to solve. It follows the same script every episode – starting with the planes discussing or doing something that will become relevant in the episode, then Jett is sent to deliver a package to a child somewhere in the world. Towards the middle of the series, they introduce a foreign word in each episode. Each episode is under 15 minutes.

Chip and Potato (3+)

A loveable pug and her mouse BFF start kindergarten, welcome new siblings and learn to become part of their community. The world is a little whacky as some animals are human like, some are still animals. There is not rhyme or reason, but it works. Lots of happy families, bright colors, and little to no real “crime” – Poppa Pug is a police officer. I think the cartoon is very positive and open minded. It teaches the importance of friendship and family, it is very up with the times. Each episode is under 20 minutes.

Paw Patrol (4+)

UPDATE: Netlflix just removed it. The creators of this series probably did not predict how powerful of a weapon in the fight against boredom they had created. This animated series is already 7 years old. It’s hard to find a kid who would not recognize Ryder and the dogs who, on a daily basis, save everyone and teach good values to the children.

Motown Magic (5+)

Imaginative 8-year-old Ben transforms his city by bringing colorful street art to life, armed with a magic paintbrush and the music of Motown. The series features music from artists including The Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, and The Temptations. Perfect way to bring back memories and introduce the music to younger generations. Does not seem to have any hidden agendas. A few life lessons and teaching moments for kids, but more entertaining than educational.

Spirit: Riding Free (7+)

This is a story of three best friends, the horses they love, and a world of adventure. Lucky, a gutsy 12-year-old girl, befriends a wild mustang she names Spirit. With her two best friends, Abigail and Pru, they explore a world filled with adventure and never-ending fun. This is a great series if you are looking for something simple, sweet and without tons of drama. Each episode is under 25 minutes.

March 16, 2020
5 fun games for kids and parents stuck at home

Here are some ideas to jumpstart your activities when it’s dark outside, or when it’s raining or snowing and you would rather stay home and not watch TV. While there are lots of games for kids you can play indoors, this set is meant for just the two of you, and doesn’t require any special prerequisites to get started. And because you’re a busy parent, you can get started with each one in under 5 minutes.

#1 Hot and cold/treasure hunt game for kids

This popular game for kids is probably known to everyone. Here you hide a small object (it can be a mascot, a treat, a toy or a ball), and other person – the hunter – must find it. I would suggest to hide a few items at once – it makes the game a bit more fun and makes it easier to find things by younger children.

Once you hide the treasure, you invite the hunter to the room and ask her to find it by giving her clues as to “cold, colder, freezing!” when she’s moving away from the location or “warm, warmer, hot” when she’s moving closer. If you have more than one kid – whoever finds the treasure hides it and the fun begins anew. Or you can just swap the roles.

Another variant of this game for older children who can read is to leave clues around the house to eventually find the location on little cards. You start by cutting sheets of paper into smaller squares (or use post-it notes). Then you need to hide an object e.g. in a drawer with cutlery in the kitchen. And, step by step, write instructions on each note that lead to it. For the first step- the first instruction card is given to the hunter, and it can be a drawing of dad’s shoe. Then, there is a card with the washing machine in dad’s shoe. And in the washing machine there is a card of a tv. On the tv, a card with a drawing of a child’s bed. And on the child’s bed, a note showing the cutlery drawer!

#2 Obstacle course game for kids

For this one, you will need a bit of space . Then you set up an obstacle course with chairs, balls, blankets, toys, set rules (where we run, where we crawl, what to touch, what to avoid), and set a stopwatch to see who will complete the track in the shortest time!

#3 Jumps over the ladder

Make a ladder on the floor, e.g. from a newspaper. Just cut it into 2 inch strips, which you will lay on the ground like a ladder. Everyone’s task is to jump through each step all the way through and whoever can jump fastest wins.

#4 Hide and seek

I don’t think this classic game needs any recommendation. Kids love it and if your house is a bit bigger and has a few nooks, this game would be a fantastic idea.

#5 Blowing (and chasing) bubbles

While blowing bubbles sounds pretty relaxing, the moment you ask your kids to chase after them and make sure they pop every single one, this one takes on a different meaning. You really don’t need much to get started. Even if you don’t have a kit for it, you can quickly make one by using a liquid soap, shampoo or a detergent that you mix it in with a small amount of water. Then all you need is any object that you can hold on one end and has a hole you can blow through on the other hand – a key, a wire twisted in such way, etc. What you do then is to dip it into your soapy water mixture, then blow or swing your arms around until the bubbles form.

If you’re looking for additional ideas, see “Classic magazines for kids and parents alike.”

March 8, 2020
How to quickly wash kids’ hands
You can get a hang of the routine pretty quickly. But the reality is that it can take a lot of patience, and time, to get your kids into a habit of washing their hands. Prepare for constant reminders, nagging, and bribing. It’s important that kids understand why they need to do it – so explain to them it will help prevent them from getting sick, and getting other kids sick. Came up with stories that will give them a reason they can care about – germs are tiny aliens that need to be destroyed, or it’s a happy ritual with dancing. Whatever works for you, be a good judge of when and how often they clean their hands, and make it a bit of fun if you can.

NOTE: you DO NOT need to use anti-bacterial soap which can be tough on the skin or cause allergy reaction. Washing hands with regular soap has been proven to be as effective at washing away gems as anti-bacterial soap.

The basics of washing hands for kids:
1. Make sure they can reach the sink (get a step stool!). If your child is small, hold him or her to help him reach the sink.
2. Ask them to wet their hands with running water first so the soap can stick to the hands
3. Make it fun: because it takes time to wash away the germs effectively, you will need to use soap and lather up for about 20 seconds.
  1. Count: During this time, you can teach them how to count (slowly from 1 to 10 counting 1 AND 2 AND 3…).
  2. Sing: You can also sing any of your favorite songs (ours has been ABC).
  3. Make bubbles: My little one likes to play with the bubbles, so letting him explore the hands and the water is part of the fun.
4. Teach them to rub hands together. Make sure you get in between your fingers, on the backs of hands, and around and under the nails where germs are concentrated. It’s super important they learn to clean thoroughly and take time to do so.
5. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel or avoid the towel altogether and let their hands dry naturally.
Helpful things you may need for cleaning hands:
- Folding step stool for kids. We prefer the folding ones over the bulky ones because we can quickly fold and stow them away when needed and they’re lighter and easier to move to other location. Here is one on Amazon.
- Soap or a soap dispenser. Don’t overthink this one as any soap works pretty well and you know your family’s needs, so if they’re sensitive to fragrances or dyes or whatever, get what you know works well.
Alternatives for washing hands: reach for hand sanitizer or wet wipes

Hand sanitizer or wet wipes don’t work well when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Soap and water are best because they remove dirt, grease, and germs fully. But hand sanitizer is a good backup when you can’t get to soap and water. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

For related articles, see “What is coronavirus.”
March 1, 2020
Coronavirus 101: what every parent should know.
I’ve been reading and hearing many alarms regarding the coronavirus (dubbed Covid-19). While there is a lot information out there, I’ve come across a few really good articles and here is the brief summary of what I think is the most relevant and informative at the moment for peace of mind:

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

It starts with a fever, followed by a dry cough. After about a week, it leads to shortness of breath which causes some patients to require hospital treatment. Interestingly enough, the infection rarely seems to cause a runny nose or sneezing. And – there seems to be good news for kids.

So far, it appears that more than 80% of the [coronavirus] infections are pretty mild, no more severe than the common cold,’ says Cody Meissner, an infectious disease expert and professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine. “And children appear to have even milder infections than adults,” Meissner says. This is based on preliminary data, he says.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/20/807483553/coronavirus-is-contagious-but-kids-seem-less-vulnerable-so-far

Symptoms of coronavirus

The incubation period – between infection and showing any symptoms – lasts up to 14 days, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) but some researchers say it may be as long as 24 days. And Chinese scientists say some people may be infectious even before their symptoms appear.

How can you protect yourself or your loved ones?

According to WHO:
- Make washing your hands – and those of your kids – a priority and a habit. Soap or hand gel can kill the virus.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing – ideally with a tissue – and wash your hands afterwards, to prevent the virus spreading
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth – if your hands touch a surface contaminated by the virus, this could transfer it into your body
- Don’t get too close to people coughing, sneezing or with a fever – they can propel small droplets containing the virus into the air – ideally, keep 3 feet away
- Check for the latest news at CGC.
Surgical masks are not a sufficient protection from the coronavirus.

Additionally, I’ve been seeing interest in the disposable face masks or surgical masks and explored this option some more. Turns out, they do not offer protection against this virus! The virus is small enough to penetrate the mask. However, there are masks with vented particulate respirators which will significantly reduce the amount of virus particles. There are the N95 and N99 kids – which claim to protect against 95% and 99% of all airborne particles. You may consider getting them if you’re anticipating travel – especially by plane. If you’re going for the looks – you’re out of luck. At the moment of the writing, most of the products available on Amazon are ridiculously overpriced, so I’d suggest for you try a local hardware store instead.

Turns out, surgical masks do not offer protection against this virus!

Can coronavirus be treated or cured?

Right now, treatment relies on the basics – keeping the patient’s body going, including breathing support, until their immune system can fight off the virus.

However, the work to develop a vaccine is under way and it is hoped there will be human trials before the end of the year.

Hospitals are also testing anti-viral drugs to see if they have an impact.

There is a detailed FAQ provided by WHO which has some really good specifics here.

Can coronavirus be transmitted through packages sent from China?

Fortunately, coronavirus is one of the few products that popular Chinese websites just cannot ship.

As with all viruses, they can survive on the surface for a long time, but it really depends on the environmental conditions in terms of humidity, temperature and UV exposure. The general consensus here is that the conditions and time the package would take would probably be unfavorable and any coronavirus-related pathogens would simply die.
February 23, 2020
Is a cordless vacuum cleaner upgrade worth it?
I recently upgraded to a cordless vacuum cleaner, and I wish I had done this sooner. I also wish I had done this before buying the robot vacuum because it just works better for me. There are two vacuum trends that are very popular now. One is the robot vacuum type – most notably championed by the iRobot Roomba. The other one is the wireless vacuum type – completely mobile. Both can do the job they advertise, but are they worth the switch? From my perspective – absolutely yes! You can definitely save time with this newer generation and they are just easier to operate.

Robot Vacuum Cleaners

We got our robot vacuum cleaner around the time when my wife was pregnant. I though that any little help around the house will help. And it did BUT it didn’t quite hit the mark. And while I don’t think I can speak for all products out there, there are some basic elements that are inherent to those vacuums.

Here are a few reasons you might love robot vacuum cleaners:
- They require minimal supervision – you set them on their way, and they do their job
- You can program many of them to come on so they don’t interrupt your routine
- They can fit in most places, including low couches/sofas
- They can automatically detect stairs and obstacles, then intelligently re-plan the route to complete the cleaning
- The newer models have significantly lowered the operating noise
But there are a few items that you may not appreciate about them…
- They are, generally, not as powerful as the regular vacuums. While they do clean well, I felt like the regular vacuum just do a more thorough job
- They’re a bit slow… It’s not a deal breaker – but while you can clean up an entire room in minutes, the time it takes for the robot to navigate the same area and do a thorough job is significantly longer.
- They’re still a bit dumb. They will try their best to cover the entire area, but there are spots they will miss.
- They won’t get into crooks and nooks smaller than their own size, so that tangle of chair and table legs you were hoping to get all the crumbs from under? Not so much…
- Eventually, you will need to replace the battery and yes, you need to recharge after each use.
Cordless Vacuum Cleaners

We upgraded our trusty wired cleaner this year when Black Friday came around. One of the reasons I wanted to get it is because our living room just never stayed clean. Whether you have kids learning how to use their plates, or pets, you know that your floor just never stays clean for long. And the process with the regular vacuum just took too long for me to do it often. It was a chore. That changed a bit with the new wireless generation.

Here are a few reasons you might love cordless vacuum cleaners:
- They are 100% mobile and let’s you get in hard-to-reach places with ease
- They are much lighter than their old cousins and you can navigate the room easily – often just with one hand
- They tend to be much quieter than the wired kind
- Getting them to work is just faster – practically as fast as getting a broom – except you don’t need a dust pan
- The new models are quite powerful – you will get a lot
But there are a few items that you may not appreciate about them…
- Eventually, you will need to replace the battery and you do need to recharge after each use
- They are more expensive than regular vacuums
February 17, 2020
How to pick the best stroller type for you
While there are plenty of strollers to choose from, there are some things you probably might not appreciate or have not considered until you’ve owned one. For us, the big surprise was how much we ended up using the baby k’tan (carrier) and the umbrella stroller which could go places with us when others where simply too cumbersome or too bulky. At the end of the day, the options can be overwhelming but they all pretty much do the same thing, so don’t overthink it. Below is a simple list of strollers to help you consider your next purchase.

Baby K’tan / Baby Carrier

The #1 recommendation for you is to consider the baby k’tan (for moms and dads alike!) It keeps the baby close to you, your presence soothes and binds you closer. It takes a while to get used to it, but you will quickly appreciate it.

Here are a few reasons why you might love the baby carrier:
- They’re breathable, comfortable, lightweight, and not noticeably hotter than carrying baby with your arms
- Easy to get on and off (you’ll learn how to get baby in and out quickly in the first couple days)
- With K’Tan, it’s easy to slightly bounce your baby while gently patting her back, which can help put her into a deep sleep
- You get the joy of feeling snuggled up against her
- You can breastfeed on the go: you may love the fact that you can modify the wear to support the lower half of your baby while you stand and breastfeed her. You’ll appreciate that your arms aren’t screaming from trying to support 10+lbs of newborn for as long as it takes
- TIP: Watch Youtube videos on how to use this properly and check for fit. Here is one to get you started
- TIP: Consider starting the baby sitting frog legged, then try legs out
- CON: There are some carriers that are very complicated to put on.
- NOTE: if you tense your shoulders then, yes, it will make you sore. It can take you a week of daily walks to learn to drop your shoulders and let the carrier do it’s job
Prices: $20-80 range.
Recommendation: Here is one highly-rated one at Amazon.com.

Umbrella stroller (lightweight stroller)

The number one reason we loved the umbrella stroller is it’s compact size – it’s quick to get in and out of the car, and easy to maneuver around the crowds. It was also the stroller we were able to take with us on the plane for our trips. Just make sure to get one with a cover so you can keep the sun and rain out.

Here are a few reasons why you might love the umbrella stroller:
- They are designed for travel, are lightweight and easy to carry. Just make sure you have a bag big enough to carry your essentials as there is no room for the sippy cup or anything else
- They’re convenient and compact
- Older toddlers and kids will appreciate how easy it can be to hop and off the stroller
- TIP: If you’re traveling on the plane, you will need to get a cover for it. We used the Gate Check – here @ Amazon.
- CON: Some may not steer well, and many feel cheap with rattly/sticky plastic wheels. It doesn’t provide any protection from the elements. And finally – they don’t have any room for anything, so if you have coats, trinkets, etc – you’ll need to carry them separately.
Prices: $25-200 range.
Recommendation: Here is one highly-rated one for $25 at Amazon.com.

Travel-system Stroller

The travel-system is probably the most modern solution for a busy parent. It’s actually a combo – a car seat and a stroller in one – allows for a quick transfer to and from the car, and the best ones should offer comfort for the baby, protection from the sun and the rain, have space to hold the necessities, and provide a smooth ride.

Here are a few reasons why you might love the travel-system stroller:
- The carrier snaps easily into a car base and into the stroller so you can transfer your baby with ease. Look for systems that let you lock with just one hand.
- The basket is big enough to hold everything you need
- They usually have cup and cell phone holders
- Tip: Make sure the head-support pad is sturdy enough for your newborn
- Tip: Make sure it’s convertible and the harness grows with your child
- Tip: Make sure your system comes with a car seat base
- Con: Some carriers may be heavy to carry.
Prices: $120-700 range.
Recommendation: Here is one highly-rated one for $139 at Amazon.com.

Jogging Stroller

The jogging stroller sounds like an ideal solution for the folks enjoying the outdoors and wanting to get some exercise. For us, it didn’t quite work out that way – and it’s not due to the lack of time, it’s just the quality of the sidewalks and the proximity to high-traffic roads around where we live did not make the jogging feasible. But that’s just anecdotal/

Here are a few reasons why you might love the jogging stroller:
- They are designed to even out the bumpy rides due to better suspension
- They have a sturdier frame that supports better during higher speeds
- They have more leg room for a longer stride
- They actually have a braking system on the handlebar, similar to what you’d expect in a bicycle and many come with a hand strap
- Note: They almost always require your baby to be sitting upright
- Con: they are a bit heavier than regular strollers for stability
Prices: $120-700 range.
Recommendation: Here is one highly-rated one for $449 at Amazon.com.
February 15, 2020
3 Best Magazines for Young Kids and Parents alike
While there are a lot of options for young readers, you really just need one classic magazine – this blog covers 3 best magazines for kids we found. We’ve had more than that and we found it was just a bit of waste of money. Below is a simple summary of what we found to be our family favorites.

#1: High-Five Magazine

High-Five Magazine Cover

I actually have come across this magazine about a year ago, while my wife grew up with it. We absolutely love the content and often take this magazine on road trips or when we travel in addition to keeping it around the house. It’s easy to fit into a backpack and keeps interest away from a tablet.

Why you and your kids might love High-Five magazine:
- It just hits the right amount of fun vs. educational value you’d want
- It has consistent stories that often carry from one issue to another issue so your kid gets to know the characters
- It’s very visual – and has different levels of copy for kids at different stages of reading
- Hidden pictures: one of our favorite sections, where you can play a game of “who can spot the object” first
- Bonus: there is no advertising – it’s 100% solid kid-friendly content
Recommended for ages 2-6.
Price: $29.99 for print (but there is usually a sale going on), Kindle @ $39.99
Check it out here.

#2 Ladybug Magazine

Ladybug Magazine

Why you and your kids might love Ladybug Magazine:
- It’s like a smaller version of Highlights, but with more fiction stories.
- Each issue has a loose theme, and includes a few stories, a couple poems, a song, a comic strip, and 1-3 puzzles.
- It’s different: it has a song (with sheet music), a dance/action rhyme, a cut-out activity (a little booklet to paste pictures inside, a deck of cards to cut out and play memory with, etc.)
- The content is engaging and the artwork is adorable.
- Bonus: there is no advertising – it’s 100% solid kid-friendly content
Recommended for ages 3-6.
Price: $33.95 for print. Better price via Amazon ($24.95).

See for yourself – here is a sample issue.

#3 Ranger Rick Jr. Magazine (formerly Your Big Backyard)

Ranger Rick Jr.

This one is more for nature lovers. It is fun, has age-appropriate animal facts, stories, and photos; exciting outdoor activities; and lots of games, crafts, and recipes. Great for beginning readers!

Why you and your kids might love Ranger Rick Jr.:
- It has many activities you can do together and it introduces kids to science
- Each issue is linked to a specific animal and has a lots of educational animal stories with lots of pictures
- More than just for reading: the crafts and activities section gives you and your kid inspiration and is often themed for the season – so think holidays, Valentine’s day, etc.
- Promotes great conversations as animals are “the thing” for this age group
- Note: there is minimal advertising
Recommended for ages 3-7.
Price: $19.95 for print.

Here is a link to the publisher. And link to Amazon.com
February 15, 2020
5 Fun Ways to Prepare for Valentine’s with Kids
If you’re a parent like me who thinks that Valentine’s day is overly commercialized, below are just 5 ways that can inspire you to make it fun and meaningful for the entire family. I personally really like what Valentine’s day stands for and I hope that by teaching our kids the values of caring and expressing appreciation will carry on for much longer than just one day…

Plan a Special Valentine’s Breakfast (or Brunch!) with Kids

What better way to start out Valentine’s Day than with a yummy and unexpected breakfast? While my kid isn’t much of a helper in the kitchen, we start out the preparation by going to the store together. I let my son pick one or two treats that normally we’d pass on and then ask him to pick something special for me and my wife (e.g. fruits, different flavors of yogurts or whatever) – they key here is to let the child make that decision. It creates a good vibe and sets happy energy of anticipation. As far as making the breakfast, here are a few quick ideas you can do yourself or have them help:
- Flavored milk and cereal: probably the easiest thing to prepare is to add a strawberry (or other red-colored flavoring) to the basic milk and cereal bowl. If they like “other stuff” in it – feel free to add berries for a touch of extra color
- Heart-shaped pancake delights: use a cookie cutter to create pancakes in a heart shape and let them put some chocolate syrup or whipped cream (or both!) on it. Easy!
- Toast and eggs: the classic with a twist if you cut out the middle of the toast in the shape of the heart, and then fill it with sunny-side-up egg. Add heart-shaped bacon to it, and you have a winner!
Help Kids Make Valentines

Chances are that you’re inundated with boxed and overpriced Valentine’s Day cards in the stores. But making cards is a great way to keep children busy and help them be more personal. You can use construction paper and get creative – they can paint, draw, or glue stuff to it. Make sure you ask them to express why they appreciate someone and write (or help them write) this message. For an extra bonus, you can also help with the creation of the Valentine’s box to store cards and trinkets. You may use an old shoe-box, or any box for that matter, and let them decorate it with colored paper, stickers, or markers. You’ll have a pretty and functional storage box for days to come…

Give Them Something Special to Wear

While I’m not a big fan of one-time-only clothing, why not give your child something new to wear for Valentine’s Day? It doesn’t even need to have hearts on it, it can be red or pink. The item doesn’t have to be showy, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. But Valentine’s Day is a fun time to introduce something new to their wardrobe.

Create Surprises With Hand-Made Valentine’s Gifts

There is something fundamentally satisfying about getting or giving a hand-made gift. And when it comes to kids, there are a lot of simple ideas you can try at home.
- Boxed fruit/candy: why not surprise them with a small box of candy or fruit? You can either put it on their bed after they’ve gone to school or put it at their place at dinner. Or surprise your loved one by making it with your kid – it teaches them how to show care and appreciation, and that gifts don’t have to be expensive, just a little token.
- Friendship bracelets: all you need is a string or colored thread, a small piece of colored paper with a message, and that’s about it. You can cut out the heart-shaped notes, write on them, poke holes on each side for the thread to go through, and then connect everything together.
- Wall art: this is super simple and could be a lot of fun for the young artists. Imagine finger painting around a stencil. The stencil could say “LOVE” or “FAMILY” and the idea here is to have your little one finger paint the space outside of the stencil on a sheet of paper. When finished, this colorful art could be displayed anywhere on a wall or a desk.
End the Day on the Right Note

After a long day, why not create a special meal for your spouse and your children? Even if you have picky eaters, you can find something that you can create that they will love. Love, Valentine’s Day, get it? you can even make it special by getting napkins with hearts on them and putting them on the table. If you usually eat at the kitchen table and have a dining room table, why not eat there instead? And don’t forget to have a special dessert like strawberry shortcake, cupcakes with Valentine’s Day decorations on them or brownies in the shapes of hearts with whipped cream on top.

After dinner, you can always watch a fun movie as a family.

These are five things you can do to help your children feel special on Valentine’s Day. They don’t cost a lot of money and they can make your children feel special. Show your children how much you love them and make the day memorable for them too. It’s a day that they won’t forget.
February 14, 2020