Tag: big kids

The Science Lab at Home: Easy and Exciting Experiments for Curious Young Minds

Post author By Katie Pierce
Post date July 15, 2024

It’s never too early to excite young minds about science at home. At its core, science is all about understanding the why and how of the universe we live in. From the tiniest insects to the mysterious vastness of the stars, there’s boundless knowledge to be found, especially for kids.

Experiments don’t need billion-dollar Large Hadron Colliders or NASA-grade rockets. Sometimes, people can accomplish science with bits and pieces from around the household. Invest in your child’s future by making them interested in science through these easy yet captivating home experiments.

Gravity Tube

What You Need

aluminum or copper tube
strong magnets

Steps

Hold the aluminum or copper tube vertically.
Drop a strong magnet into the top of the tube and observe as it falls through the tube.

Scientific Explanation

When the magnet falls through the non-magnetic metal tube, it induces a current in the tube due to electromagnetic induction. This induced current creates a magnetic field that opposes the motion of the falling magnet (Lenz’s Law). This opposition slows the magnet’s fall, demonstrating the principles of electromagnetic induction and resistance.

Frozen Spinning Water

What You Need

small bucket with a handle
water

Steps

Fill the small bucket with water and place it in the freezer until the water is completely frozen.
Once frozen, take the bucket out and spin it by the handle.

Scientific Explanation

When you spin the bucket, the frozen water inside will demonstrate inertia and angular momentum. Inertia keeps the ice in motion, and angular momentum makes the ice move in a circular path. This activity shows how forces act on objects in motion and the properties of rotational dynamics.

Egg Drop

What You Need

Egg
foam
cardboard
anything you can use to protect the egg

Steps

Design and build a structure to protect the egg using foam, cardboard, and any other materials around the house.
Test your structure by dropping it from a height and observing whether the egg survives the fall.

Scientific Explanation

The goal is to minimize the impact force on the egg by utilizing foam, as it absorbs and distributes the energy from the fall. The experiment demonstrates the principles of impact resistance, energy absorption, and cushioning. The design encourages creative problem-solving and understanding of how different materials can protect fragile objects.

Match in a Glass

What You Need

match
glass cup
deep plate
water with food coloring
small piece of styrofoam

Steps

Fill a deep plate with water colored with food coloring.
Float a small styrofoam piece on the water and place a match on top.
Light the match and quickly cover it with an inverted glass cup.

Scientific Explanation

As the match burns, it heats the air inside the glass. When the match goes out, the air cools and contracts, creating a partial vacuum. This lower pressure inside the glass causes the water to be pushed up into the glass by the higher external air pressure. The experiment demonstrates the principles of air pressure and combustion.

Snowball Cookies

What You Need

butter
powdered sugar
vanilla extract
flour
salt
buttercream frosting

Steps

Mix butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and salt to create cookie dough.
Shape the dough into small balls to represent planets and bake them.
Once cooled, decorate the cookies with buttercream frosting

Scientific Explanation

You can make cookies at home to teach kids about the science of baking. Baking is as much a science as it is an art, and the exact measures and timing required for baking should give kids a basic overview of how to mix components to create something new. For decoration, take inspiration from classic sugar cookies or even solar system-shaped chocolates for more scientific immersion.

Living Liquid

What You Need

cornstarch
water
big tub

Steps

Mix cornstarch and water in a big tub until you get a thick, viscous mixture.
Play with the mixture by poking it, squeezing it, or trying to pick it up.

Scientific Explanation

The cornstarch-water mixture is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning its viscosity changes under stress. When you apply pressure, the mixture behaves like a solid because the cornstarch particles are forced together. Once the pressure is lifted, it will flow like the liquid it is. This activity illustrates the unique properties of non-Newtonian fluids.

Walkalong Paper Airplane

What You Need

8.5 x 11 printer paper
phone book page
scotch tape
big flat cardboard (at least pizza box size)
scissors
Printer

Steps

Fold an 8.5 x 11 printer paper sheet into a simple glider airplane according to the Smithsonian Magazine’s template.
Use the big flat cardboard to create a wave of air by gently pushing it forward under the glider, making it “walk along” the air current.

Scientific Explanation

The walkalong glider flies by riding on a wave of rising air created by the cardboard. As the cardboard moves, it pushes air upwards, creating a lift for the glider. This demonstrates the principles of flight, including lift, drag, and aerodynamics. The glider stays aloft by continually adjusting the cardboard to keep the air flowing under it.

Final Thoughts:

These experiments are only some of the thousands of scientific experiments you can conduct with your child. Thanks to how easy they are, kids can get interested in the world of science without being intimidated.

Tags big kids, Guest post, learning, Parenting

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8 Fun Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids: Non-Toy Gifts for Kids

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date December 13, 2022
4 Comments on 8 Fun Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids: Non-Toy Gifts for Kids

Instead of buying toys for special days, you can consider monthly subscription boxes for kids. These non-toy gifts for kids are fun and won’t clutter up your space as much as toys do.

Helping kids recognize and develop their skills at an early age can give them an advantage later in life. They are already scientists, explorers, cooks, bakers, artists, and many other things. The best thing you can do for your kids is to provide them with what they need to learn and grow in these areas.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Monthly Subscription Boxes For Kids

1. Green Kid Crafts

Green Kid Crafts is a nature-based STEAM subscription box for kids aged 2-10. The activities included in the box inspire creativity, discovery, and learning about the world. This monthly box can be the perfect arts and crafts gift for kids.

You can shop by theme on the Green Kid Crafts website, too. The themes include:

Arts and crafts kits and projects
Fun science experiments
Exciting animals and ecosystems

2. We Craft Box

We Craft Box is geared toward kids between the ages of three and nine. If you have a younger child, they’ll need more help. As kids do the themed monthly project, they’re experiencing creativity and making memories.

All of the materials the child will need, except water and scissors, are included in the box. My favorite part is that each kit comes with enough material for two kids, so it’s perfect for sharing.

Each We Craft Box comes with a story about the project, which helps get your child inspired and feeling creative. It also includes photo instructions that are easy to follow.

3. Bookroo

Bookroo is a monthly subscription book box for kids ages 0-10. It is super simple to sign up, and you can count on awesome books being delivered for your kids. There are three different book clubs you can join including:

Board Books (ages 0-3)
Picture Books (ages 3-6)
Chapter Books (ages 7-10)

Since March is reading month, you could consider starting the subscription box as a way to make National Reading Awareness Month even more exciting.

4. Coding Subscription Box

This monthly subscription box is best for ages six through 12. The child will receive monthly coding projects, learning how to make video games, simulations, greeting cards, and so much more.

One of the best parts is that each box comes with a guide for grownups and unlimited email support. You won’t have to worry about getting stumped when there’s help and references readily available.

5. Highlights Magazine Subscription Box

The Highlights subscription box is available for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders. They offer a fun way to learn skills based on their age group and skill levels. Using this box for only 15 minutes a day can improve your child’s skills, and you can track the changes on included progress sheets.

6. History Subscription Boxes

Suitable for ages six through 11, this history box is perfect for kids who love history. Kids can learn about the world around them and other cultures with the included activities. Some of the skills it’ll help children improve are literacy, geography, STEAM, history, and vocabulary.

7. Monthly Subscription Box for Tweens or Teens

Many of the subscription boxes target younger kids, but tweens and tweens can enjoy this Strong self(ie) monthly subscription box. The tween box is geared towards eight to 12-year-olds, while the teen box targets 13-17-year-olds.

Examples of Tween Boxes

Examples of Teen Boxes

8. Baketivity Monthly Subscription Box for Kids

The Baketivity subscription box involves a monthly recipe and includes pre-measured ingredients. Each recipe is easy to follow and has illustrations to help the child along.

One of my favorite parts of this subscription box is that the kids can watch and follow a chef creating the recipe. It also comes with a chef hat and apron so your child can embrace every aspect of being a baker.

Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids

Monthly subscription boxes for kids are the perfect solution to having too many toys. Birthdays and holidays don’t have to be all about toys, and these subscription boxes are the best gifts for kids.

What subscription boxes for kids do you love? Leave a comment and let me know!

If you want an adult subscription box, check out my post 10 Reasons to Try Bean Box Award-Winning Coffee.

Tags big kid, big kid activities, big kids, books, craft, Family Activities, Gift Guide, gifts, Holiday, kindergarten, little kid, Preschool, toddler activities

Big Kid Parenting Teenager

4 Inspiring Hacks To Prep Your Kids For Exam Season

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date September 22, 2022
1 Comment on 4 Inspiring Hacks To Prep Your Kids For Exam Season

The exam season is as challenging for moms as it is for the kids. You tend to feel the pressure and pass it on to your child, and the circles move to create a vicious cycle. But you should do your bit to motivate them to give their best without worrying about the outcomes. Remember that expectations can cause anxiety, so you should be subtle and kind. You should focus on inspiring the child to create a positive environment for them. Here are some inspiring hacks to prep your kid for exam season.

How to Prep Your Kids For Exam Season

Be there during academic prep

Even the brightest kids face roadblocks during academic preparation for the examination. Last-minute prep is often the most daunting as the child cannot seek a teacher’s guidance or discuss problems with peers. Being there for your kid is the best way to help. You can brush up your knowledge on the academic topics beforehand so that you have solutions just in time. Thankfully, you can access online resources to stay on top of the curriculum.

Help with schedules during exam season

Besides providing support with academic topics, you can help the child to create study schedules. You must create realistic study schedules that include rest breaks and physical activity. A lack of sleep can affect academic performance, so ensure that the schedule provides for the essential eight hours. Create revision timelines in advance and write them down to keep the child on pace.

Create a positive environment

Nothing is more inspiring than a positive environment. Start by creating a clean and clutter-free study space with ample light and fresh air. You may not be comfortable discussing topics like how to get high school diploma because such conversations can cause stress. But you can inspire them subtly by hanging a novelty diploma on their study room wall. Display motivational quotes to add an aura of positivity. Also, place ergonomic furniture that ensures comfort despite long hours of study.

Find solutions to anxiety

Your child will feel anxious in the exam season, no matter how much you try to keep them inspired. Look for solutions to anxiety instead of finding ways to suppress it. You can take them for a short drive during the break. Playing a game in the backyard is a good option if your kid is an outdoor person. You can give the child a back rub and focus on good nutrition to keep anxiety at bay.

Invest in self-care during exam season

Surprisingly, investing in self-care is a crucial part of the inspiration strategy for your child during exam season. Most kids experience a motivation dip because their parents panic under pressure. You can try meditation and deep breathing to stay relaxed. Also, tone down your expectations to avoid anxiety. Spend quality time with the child when possible, and offer help only if they need it.

Recap: Prep Your Kids For Exam Season

Supporting your child during the exam season is tricky, but you can inspire them by embracing the right mindset. Start by ditching stress yourself and try these steps to keep the motivation going.

Tags big kids, How to, Parenting, school, Teenager

Mental Health Parenting

One In Six US Kids Now Has A Mental Illness. Here Are The Signs

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date February 24, 2022
2 Comments on One In Six US Kids Now Has A Mental Illness. Here Are The Signs

A recent analysis showed that a whopping one in six US children now has a mental illness, the highest figure ever recorded. And it’s not just down to improved diagnostics. While there are more diseases listed in the DSM-5 than ever before, careful research shows that the trends we’re witnessing today are part of a broader deterioration in the health of kids under the age of 18.

As a parent, these trends can be worrying. We don’t want our kids to get caught up in it and have to deal with a life of mental health problems. Unfortunately, though, these days they are difficult to ignore.

North Kansas City Schools, an organization committed to supporting kids, is doing what it can to provide some relief. It is pushing for increased mental health services for young people so they can develop into healthy, positive, and productive members of society.

The problems are real, though, the organization says. Kids are experiencing depression, bullying, anxiety, and substance abuse at an alarming rate.

So what are the signs that parents should be on the lookout for in their children that might indicate emerging mental health problems?

Signs of Mental Illness In Kids

Regularly Getting Involved In Fights

If your kids regularly get involved in fights, it could be a sign of mental health issues. However, if they are on the receiving end of aggression, they are at higher risk of PTSD, depression, and other symptoms associated with physical bullying. If they are actively trying to attack other children, then it might indicate a psychiatric problem that needs addressing as soon as possible.

Repeated Use Of Substances

No child should be consuming alcohol or drugs, but it happens regularly, particularly during the teenage years. Kids begin experimenting and find themselves wrapped up in situations they don’t want to be in.

However, if a child regularly uses these substances, it could indicate a mental health issue. They may be trying to escape the pain they feel by putting alcohol or drugs in their body.

Not Eating

Not eating is another common sign of a mental health issue. Children will sometimes reject food to make themselves feel more powerful. They may also do it if they have body image issues or want to harm themselves.

Overwhelming Fears Without An External Cause

It’s normal for children to feel fearful when confronted with a real threat to their health and wellbeing. However, if you notice that they seem to get scared for no reason, it might be a symptom of a psychiatric disorder. Worried parents should go to a psychiatrist for a proper evaluation.

Difficulty Concentrating

Trouble focusing on a particular task is another common sign of mental health issues. If you notice that your child seems to be constantly dozing off or daydreaming when they should be learning, then they may have ADHD. Again, you’ll need to take them to a specialist to confirm this.

Drastic Changes In Personality Signifies Mental Illness In Kids

Lastly, you may notice drastic changes in your child’s personality. If this happens, it could indicate a severe psychiatric episode.

How to Help Your Child Cope With Mental Illness

If your child has a mental illness, you can help them cope. You can get through it together, and it’s best to involve your family in the process. Here are some of the ways you can help them cope:

Listen to what your child is telling you, and don’t try to convince them of anything else.
Remind them that you’re on a team as you get through the hard times
Remember that you might need outside help for them
Ask your child what they need to feel safer
Reassure them that you’re not going anywhere
Set boundaries

Tags big kids, health, Parenting

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How You Can Help Keep Your Child Safe At School

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date November 18, 2021

Primary school may be overwhelming for both pupils and their parents, and this is exacerbated even further during a pandemic. Parents are concerned about bullying, emergencies, and other frightening situations as their children navigate through school and important developmental years. Learn how to keep your child safe while at school in this post.

How to Keep Your Child Safe At School

1. Familiarize yourself with COVID-19 updates

We all have a lot of additional questions when it comes to the health and safety of our children this year. Is there really anything done at the school to stop the spread of COVID-19? What happens if a student in my child’s class or at his or her school contracts the virus? What will the school do in the event that a teacher becomes unwell as a result of the virus? Is the school COVID safe in general?

Even as we all work together to negotiate these difficult decisions, you may take steps to equip yourself, prepare your children, and assist teachers in preparing classrooms. Remind your children of the importance of regular handwashing. They should wash up after using the toilet, before eating, after playing outside, and if they have sneezed or coughed.

2. Find out how schools deal with issues

It is critical to understand how a school handles emergency circumstances as well as the policies that students are required to adhere to. Every school year, take time to go over the school’s handbook with your child at the beginning of the year. Many questions are answered in this guide, which covers topics such as school uniform, visitors policy, disaster drills and routes, and the school’s position on bullying.

3. Talk to the teachers

Speaking with teachers and administrators on a frequent basis is the most effective approach to stay up to date on the school’s safety policy. Plus, it’s the best way to follow up on any safety issues that may arise. If your child is experiencing difficulties, these discussions may offer insight into the situation. In order to keep physical contact to a minimum during COVID-19, you can conduct them via Zoom, email, or phone.

If your child’s school does not offer parent-teacher conferences, ask for one with each teacher toward the middle of each term. Staying in contact will help your child succeed and stay safe at school.

4. Make sure your children’s records are up to date

When you first registered your child for school, you had to fill out a mountain of paperwork. However, it is easy to forget about updating their school files as the years go by. In the event that your child develops an allergy or if there is an emergency at the school, this can be a problem.

Additionally, if your personal or contact information changes, make sure that you notify the school as soon as possible. Review and update your child’s files at least once a year, or at the beginning of each term if possible.

Tags big kids, health, How to, Parenting, Preschool

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3 Ways to Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies and Encourage Physical Activity

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date July 27, 2021

It’s normal for children to fall in love with sports at a young age. While many children find themselves stuck indoors playing video games, there are plenty out playing sports and joining teams. If you want to encourage healthy habits like sports, you’ll need to support them throughout the entire journey. So, here are a couple of tips to help support your child’s sports hobbies.

How to Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies

Accept The Type of Sport That Your Child Wants to Try

Your child is going to want to try a variety of sports. Whenever they see something cool on the internet or TV they’re going to want to try it. Or, when they see their friends playing something, they’ll want to check it out. Even if it’s something like boxing, swimming, or even car racing, there are going to be sports that you might be concerned about because it could put them at risk of an injury.

Whatever your child wants to do, support them and ensure they get the help they need to safely try it. Don’t force your child into a particular sport, either. If they suddenly don’t enjoy something, don’t question them too much because they can always return to it later.

Understand That it’s a Commitment on Your Side Too

When the sports season starts for our children, it’s important that you’re there to support them at all times. You must commit as much as your child is, and this often means attending all of their games.

You may have to choose between attending a work-related event and showing up at your child’s next match. In a situation like this, you should almost always choose your child over your work.

Prepare For Your Child to Get Hurt, Because Eventually They Will

Sports are physical activities, and that means your child will eventually get hurt. Many parents will do everything they can to prevent this from happening, but sooner or later, it’ll happen. Your child might get tackled, sprain an ankle, or they might even damage a muscle.

Whatever the situation is, prepare to support your children as they recover. Plus, we need to educate our children about safety in sports. You might want to look for specialists such as a podiatrist that understands sports injuries, and you might want to learn a few first aid skills yourself so that you can quickly deal with any potential injuries during practice.

Support Your Child’s Sports Hobbies

Supporting your child’s sports hobbies can be time-consuming, but these tips can give you do it confidently.

Leave a comment and share some other ways to support your child’s sports hobbies! 🙂

Tags big kid activities, big kids, How to, learning, Outside Fun, Parenting

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Have Fun Learning: 4 Mom and Child At-Home Activities

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date June 23, 2021
2 Comments on Have Fun Learning: 4 Mom and Child At-Home Activities

The world has dramatically changed and with it, a lot of negatives and some positives have risen. We don’t need to go into the negatives, that much is obvious. The positives however are more surprising. Technology has rapidly shifted and improved so that remote working has become the norm. With this trend, a few other new possibilities have been born. For one thing, ways to have fun learning have become far more accessible. It’s not just about education like virtual schooling, but other things such as hobbies, activities, and crafts have made it into the virtual world, too. Let’s look at some fun mom-and-child activities you can do at home now.

How to Have Fun Learning Through Mom and Child Activities

1. Online Art Classes

Children love to draw and paint. These creative activities allow their imagination to thrive and develop. Sketching, painting, drawing, learning to shade and draw depth, and bringing a picture to life is a life skill that is so rewarding.

Getting started depends on what type of art you want to create. Here is a list of options.

For sketching – New Masters Academy Arts: They have instructors who have drawn for Disney, Sony, and other Hollywood studios.

For a bit of everything – Art Production Fund’s Digital Art-Making Workshops. They have some famous artists like Ryan Flores, Angelica Hicks, Lucy Sparrow, etc.

For watercolor painting – Nitty Gritty Studio. It’s a YouTube channel run by Merideth. She’s a classic painter and she’ll show you beginner techniques.

2. Language Lessons

Living in a diverse country, learning a new language is always a beneficial idea. If your child wants to learn a popular language, then Spanish lessons are a great option. The language tutor should be experienced, and choosing one that is native in that language is helpful, too. If they are a native speaker, then they can tell you the ins and outs of slang, regional dialects, and anything else you should know.

The tutor should also be comfortable teaching virtually. Being familiar with Zoom is a must, and that usually means you’ll want a younger tutor. A younger tutor is also good for the child because they can relate to them, whether it’s with the areas of the language they want to learn like music, reading, artwork, poems, etc., or with another aspect of relatability.

3. Gardening

The sun is shining and the warm weather brings the perfect temperatures to learn about gardening. Doing gardening projects with your children helps them learn about nature, taking care of something living, and just getting a little messy and exploring different textures. Online gardening lessons are pretty easy to join. You just select the age group, the type of project you want to do, and the tutor you’d like to work with. If you download the Zoom app on your phone, you can show your tutor what you are working on and receive tips for improvement.

4. Monthly Subscription Boxes

You can sign your children up for monthly subscription boxes based on anything that they want to learn. Using these boxes will help them recognize their passions and develop their skills early on. There are options for book lovers, aspiring artists, science topics, dress-up, pottery, and so much more.

Check out my post 4 Fun Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids: Non-Toy Gifts for Kids to learn more about this.

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Have Fun Learning With Mom and Child Activities

At-home learning with mom and child is a great way to bond and learn something new yourself. Whether it’s language, art, science, or gardening, you can have fun learning at home. Leave a comment and let me know which option you want to try with your kids!

Tags big kids, learning, little kid

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5 Easy Ways to Get Your Kids Outside in the Yard

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date March 24, 2021

Spending time outside is very beneficial for people of all ages. Sometimes children may lack interest in going outside, however, and be more into electronics and indoor games. If you’re finding it challenging to get the kids away from those screens and out in the fresh air, there are plenty of ways to get your kids outside.

Spring is the best time of year to plant a few vegetables or even welcome wildlife. You can create a sensory, exciting space outside that will entice even the most indoorsy children. Here are five easy ways to get kids out in the yard.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

How to Get Your Kids Outside

1. Yard Games

Invest in a couple of yard games. You can play these together as a family, or your children can invite friends over. Add a personal touch with these custom cornhole bags, for example, https://www.cornholeworldwide.com/products/cornhole-bags/custom-cornhole-bags/. You can have them personalized with the name or message of your choice. They make great gifts and just might incentivize kids to play more outside.

2. Grow Your Own

Growing your own vegetables is a fun way to get children interested in gardening as well as healthy eating. There are plenty of easy vegetables to grow with kids, such as carrots and potatoes, so you don’t need to be expertly green-thumbed. It’s one of the best ways to encourage kids to be productive and happy.

3. Start Seeds Inside

If you want to gauge your child’s interest beforehand, you could start seeds off inside. Plant seeds in glass jars so they can see the roots growing, which will engage their curiosity. You can then move the plants outside.

If you don’t have much yard space but would still like to get your kids interested in gardening, here are some low-maintenance indoor plants. You could even set up window boxes or a small balcony garden.

4. Welcome Wildlife

With a few quick upgrades, you can turn your yard into a wildlife habitat. The children will enjoy spotting and naming the wild visitors that come your way.

Create zones in your yard for critters to forage and hide. Let your lawn grow wilder, or build a rock garden. Add a water source and a bit of food and you’ll easily attract a variety of wildlife.

You could make your own bird feeders from recycled materials, or for a bigger project, build a bee hotel from old wood and bamboo. Another idea is to simply drill a few holes into some untreated wood for a basic home for insects.

5. Create a Sensory Space

Turn your garden into a treat for all the senses by adding plenty of textures, sights, and smells for your children to explore. Create a sensory garden by adding colorful and fragrant flowers which will also attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

An amazing sensory space can be from a swimming pool that is specifically designed with little ones in mind. There is nothing more exciting than splashing in the water on a hot summer’s day. Work with a reputable company like CaliforniaPools.com, so you get the best pool for little water explorers.

You could even consider a water feature such as a pond or fountain. The sound of the water is incredibly relaxing and it will make a nice home for fish and amphibians. With sensory stimulation and fun activities, your children will love being out in the yard.

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Get Your Kids Outside

It is so important to get your kids outside, and it doesn’t have to be a struggle. By setting your yard up specifically for the kids, your kids will be eager to get outside every day.

What have you done to your yard to get your kids outside? Leave a comment and let me know!

Tags big kid, big kid activities, big kids, family, Family Activities, little kid, Outside Fun, Parenting

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4 Easy Ways To Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date March 17, 2021
2 Comments on 4 Easy Ways To Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

Water is great, yet so many of us aren’t drinking enough of it daily. As adults, we know that water is great for our energy levels, kidneys, and skin, but kids also benefit from drinking enough water. You can get your kids to drink more water without much of a fight if you use the following tips.

Drinking water is great for children’s energy and concentration, helping them achieve at school. It’s also great for their digestion and helps them to regulate their body temperature. Getting kids to do anything can be a struggle, but you can easily get your kids to drink enough water.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

How To Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

1. Lead by Example

If you spend your days drinking soda, juices, and coffee, then you’re not showing your kids that water is important to drink. Telling them they need to drink water when you have something which is a lot tastier (if not good for you) then they’ll likely start to push back against the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ situation.

2. Make it the Norm

By making water a part of everyday life, your kids will be more likely to accept it as a normal part of their everyday diet. Have water available at every meal, and always take a water bottle out with you wherever you go. That way, you don’t end up at shops and cafes buying sugary drinks when your kid is thirsty. This isn’t only great for your kids, but it’s also great for your weight control and overall health.

Use a refillable water bottle that has a filter built-in, or get a filter fitted for your water supply at home. There are many to choose from, including the iSpring which is The Best Whole House Water Filter for Iron in 2021 and is great for filtering your water.

3. Add a Little Flavor

It’s really tempting to start adding sugary syrup or juice to your child’s water just to get them to drink it. This is something you want to try and avoid as the sugars can damage their teeth. Instead, you can add a little lemon or lime slices to flavor the water.

You can also infuse water with herbs or spices like ginger, lemongrass, or cinnamon. If you’re already in the habit of giving your kids a lot of juice or sugary drinks, then suddenly switching to water is probably going to cause a lot of pushback. Gradually start watering down their drinks until they are more water than juice, and then transition to water only.

4. Include Water-Rich Foods

Another way to get hydration into your kids is to ensure you give them foods that are rich in water. Foods rich in water are often healthy, too, so they make great additions to any diet. The most common water-rich foods include:

Melons
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Brocolli
Apples
Oranges
Spinach

Is the Tap Water Safe?

There’s always the assumption that the tap water at everyone’s homes is safe, right? Usually, there only needs to be a boil water advisory on the few days of the year when it might be unsafe, but outside of that, isn’t it all safe? Well, not exactly. Sometimes, it’s the faucets, sometimes it’s the pipes, and it can even be the water company.

So, your kids might not want to drink the water because it smells, or maybe it tastes off. It’s one of those natural survival instincts so you can’t really blame them there. So ideally, you should look into getting your pipes checked, and you might even want to look into a new water company such as American Water if you know for a fact that your water always looks or smells off. Your tap water needs to be safe, you drink it, you cook with it, and yes, this is a big deal!

Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

It’s easy to get into less than ideal habits with kids, especially if they are particularly picky eaters and drinkers. Ideally, you’ll establish a love of water early on, but there are still ways to encourage older children to drink more too. Use these tips to get your kids to drink more water and it’ll quickly become a habit.

Tags big kids, How to, little kid, Parenting

Big Kid Classroom Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Learning Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

5 Cool Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

Post author By Sarah Barkley
Post date March 13, 2021

COVID-19 quarantines and lockdowns have caused many disruptions to children’s education. It’s (hopefully) not going to be a regular occurrence because scientists have already developed Covid-19 vaccines, but in the meantime, it’s crucial that parents offer some form of home-based learning for their kids. With that in mind, you may be wondering what the best ways to engage with your children are. One answer is through the use of technology, and there are many helpful devices and tools your kids need for virtual learning.

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Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

1. Virtual Reality (VR) Headset

A cursory look on YouTube will reveal many VR-ready videos that allow viewers to enjoy an immersive viewing experience. The available video content ranges from rollercoaster rides and views of Earth from space to close-up videos in wildlife reserves.

VR headsets allow children to feel like they are at the heart of the action and enjoy a truly interactive and immersive experience. One fact about VR headsets is they are affordable. Inexpensive VR headsets start from $10 and can range up to around $500 for an Oculus headset.

2. Noise-Canceling Headphones

When your child has virtual school lessons via Zoom or Skype, they can learn and focus better in an environment free of distractions. Setting up your child’s computer in a quiet room is one way to do that. Sometimes, especially if you have a large family like we do, there are no quiet areas in a family home, though.

In these cases, it’s better to equip your child with noise-canceling headphones. They’re available to suit various needs, and it’s also possible to get headphones for autistic children who find it hard to concentrate when there are noisy distractions around them.

3. Tablet

It’s no secret that we all live in a digital age. Most people, even kids, have several electronic devices they use for communication and productivity. Tablets are essential for kids these days, and they’re easier for little ones to use than other computers. It’s smaller, cheaper, and more interactive to use than a laptop.

Your kids can use tablets as part of their virtual learning as you can download apps for productivity, video conferencing, and more with ease. Of course, you should moderate each child’s time on the tablet, so they cannot access online content unrelated to their learning.

Make sure your children are being safe online!! Check out my blog post, Keeping Kids Safe Online – 8 Simple Tips for tips and advice.

4. Touchscreen Pen

You will undoubtedly include creative learning as part of your child’s home learning curriculum. It’s for that reason touchscreen pens (also known as Stylus pens) make sense and are the perfect complementary accessories for their tablets.

With a touchscreen pen, each child can draw and color with ease on their tablet screen. Touchscreen pens help to foster your children’s creativity by letting them make artistic digital creations. Plus, if your child’s learning requires that they write words, sentences, or numbers, a touchscreen pen can help them do so neatly.

5. Activity Tracker

Finally, an activity tracker such as a smartwatch is ideal for kids who are taught physical education from home. Activity trackers are wearables that monitor a child’s physical exercise and give you and them an overview of their physical activity during a sports session.

Activity trackers are also useful for encouraging and motivating children during physical play as they can quickly check their progress. Plus, such progress can get reported via a linked fitness app on their tablet. It will help them get enough exercise and movement each day, and it can encourage them to set and meet goals.

If you choose a smartwatch as your child’s activity tracker, there are additional benefits, too. Many times, you can set up the watch to receive calls from recognized numbers (such as yours or a grandparent’s). Plus, you can track your child’s location in case you accidentally get separated from them.

Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

There are many devices and tools your kids need for virtual learning. You might already use some of these devices, and you can simply add the other tools to help your child out. This is an incredibly uncertain time and it is essential that we don’t let our children’s education suffer.

What devices and tools do you use for your kid’s virtual learning? Tell me in the comments and let me know if you recommend them!

Tags big kids, kindergarten, learning, little kid, online safety, Preschool