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TC’s Top 10 Picks for Kids Activities in Phoenix

Looking for the best kids activities in Phoenix? Search no further! Our childcare experts have narrowed your choices down to our Top 10 favorites for locals and visitors alike.

  1. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Why We Love It: LEGOS® GALORE! Get ready to enter the land of Legos® and watch, build and play in all 10 of the different attractions offered. Spark your little builder’s imagination by walking through MINILAND® – a town built from over a million different bricks, making up interactive play towers, airships and city landscape. Next, race your speedy Lego® car at the tracks, garden at the DUPLO® farm, or get tips and tricks on building at the Creative Workshop. Finally, don’t forget to visit Olivia, Emma, Mia and Andrea at Lego® Friends Heartlake City or explore the extensive Dino exhibit! Once you think you’ve seen it all, encourage your kiddo to run around on the jungle gym with the other little builders and afterwards, enjoy a carefully crafted treat at the Café.

 

2. Scottsdale’s McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

Why We Love It: Spark your long-forgotten love of getting your hands and feet dirty. See the world from the eyes of your children again. At this 30-acre railroad park, there’s plenty of room for running around and blowing off some steam (pun intended). Bring your train lovers to explore the museum with model trains and a full-sized train on site to gawk over. Don’t forget to board the miniature train-ride afterwards to make it a full experience. Say yes to a beautiful day in the sunniest parts of Arizona. And make sure you’re on your best behavior, or else the “Sheriff” might take you to “jail”! In addition to the two shaded playgrounds, there’s a mini Western town with a stagecoach, jail and a general store. A carousel, snack bars, souvenir shops, ramadas – there’s nothing this park doesn’t have.

 

3. i.d.e.a Museum

Why We Love It: Museum? More like an indoor playground built for adventure! Spark and satisfy curiosity and get those creative juices flowing by exploring, creating and discovering through one, or all, of the multi-themed hands-on activities and imaginative “towns” available. Try ARTVILLE to explore and discover through this tactile and imaginative play. Fascination always comes with construction, and here they offer the opportunity to become a real-life builder. Construct and design structures, buildings and bridges at the HUB. Then, geek out with your little one and engage in the interactive Solar System exhibit. This exhibit is created with science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). Finally, enjoy one of the special exhibits such as Infant Messy Creations Series for sensory exploration. We all know how hard it is to enforce “keep your hands to yourself”!

 

4. OdySea Aquarium 

Why We Love It: This will have people of all ages mesmerized and amazed! Lots of energy and boundless curiosity? Don’t miss out on a perfect family-outing where you’ll get the most bang for your buck, with displays ranging from captivating to informational. OdySea is the largest marine aquarium in the Southwest, spanning over 200,000 square feet, holding 2M gallons of water! There are over 30,000 animals and 500 different species in 50 exhibits to keep your attention. Give your kiddos the opportunity to see live marine-life when pictures from a book come to life: exhibits including penguins, sea turtles, jellyfish and countless more.

Tour guides span the area with knowledgeable facts and answers ready to questions. If that’s not enough, there are special tours available such as the Shark Tour, exploring all about sharks from a behind the scenes look and visiting the kitchen to learn what they eat and specifics about veterinary care.

 

5. Butterfly Wonderland

Why We Love It: This place is truly a “wonder”land. Start with the educational and moving 3D film about the flight and plight of the Monarch Butterflies. Afterwards, watch the beautiful butterflies dry their wings in the Emergence Gallery and follow them into the largest Rainforest Conservatory in the United States. Then, prepare to be transported into a serene and surreal world where you will find yourself amongst over 3,000 free-flying butterflies of various species from around the world, fluttering between the lush tropical plants and flowers.

Keep the camera handy! You’ll want to capture this one-of-a-kind experience by the dozens; worthy of its own album. This is a great way to get the little ones to move slowly and if they stand still long enough, a butterfly hitch-hiker might land on a shoulder. The fun doesn’t stop there though. Get an up-close and educational experience with the Rainforest Reptile and Amphibian exhibit. Then, see the Honey Bee Extravaganza and the large Aquariums filled with African Cichllids, Amazon Pacu fish and other colorful exotic fish.

 

6. Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Why We Love It: This museum is better described as the Children’s Playhouse of Phoenix! You can entertain littles or bigs with three floors of nonstop fun. Each floor has a baby zone and a big kid zone for safe play. A giant jungle gym treehouse made of recycled materials encompasses the first floor for climbing, hopping, skipping, and sliding. Next, take the kiddos upstairs to the second floor for more focus-based activities like arts and crafts, creating/building and learning stations. Keep exploring to find all the hits: a grocery store, a “house” area with baby dolls, a pizza shop, a noodle forest, a racetrack, and a tricycle carwash. Mini games, workshops and magic shows – even the parents will find themselves wanting to come back!

 

7. Arizona Museum of Natural History

Why We Love It: Listen up, Arizonians and visitors! The perfect way to learn the history of how this state came to be through the eyes of the Natives is at the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Not only will your little ones learn in an educational and fun way, but you’ll probably gain some insight to history even you never knew before. Explore the Anthropology Section to learn about the daily habits and living techniques of the early Arizona settlers. Take a step back in time and see all of the different fossils of dinosaurs, fish and wildlife. With over 50,000 historic objects in 7 different collections, you and your little ones will have plenty to see!

 

8. Musical Instrument Museum

Why We Love It: Make some memories at the Musical Instrument Museum! There is a variety of classes for all different age levels. Mini music makers up to age five have the opportunity to play, sing and dance with each other. Or, explore the different cultures that make up the beauty of music from around the world. Plan your visit during the special events to experience one-of-a-kind concert. However, a spectacular collection of instruments is always on display. Your kids will not only be immersed in the music. They will also learn music history and be introduced to tunes from different continents.

 

9. iFLY Phoenix Indoor Skydiving

Why We Love It:  Calling all thrill-seekers, ages 3-103! Ever want to know what it’s like to fly? Ever want to skydive, but don’t want to jump out of a big airplane? Or, if you’re just looking for some good ol’ excitement, here it is! A dream becomes a reality as you float on a smooth cushion of air in the Wind Tunnel at iFLY, an indoor Phoenix Indoor Skydiving arena. The expertly trained and certified Bodyflight instructors will guide you through the fully controlled “flying” adventure.

Feeling really brave? Also available for the ultimate thrill, is iFLY VR with the rush of skydiving from a 13,000 feet free-fall with Virtual Reality technology, set in various spectacular locations. Some events are custom designed for individuals with physical and cognitive challenges.

 

10. As You Wish

Why We Love It: Pottery and paint, this is arts and crafts made easy and fun for the whole family. To start, choose from a wide variety of creative pottery options: plates, platters, photo holders, planters, bowls, cups, wall hangings, animals, characters and more. What seems like an unlimited selection of colors of paint line the walls, along with brushes and stencils. Then get to painting and make them your own – the limit of your imagination is the only limit! After the masterpiece is done baking, return and see your little ones beam with joy and pride when they receive their finished creation! Classes and workshops are available for those who want to get a little more fancy. Big groups and party events are encouraged – the more the merrier!

Looking for high quality child care? Our nannies and sitters are your gateway to kid-free time. But that doesn’t mean your kiddos have to miss out. Our nannies and sitters can take kids on pre-approved outings to enjoy these and other kids activities in Phoenix.  If you live in Phoenix, check out everything our memberships have to offer. Just visiting? Our Resort and Hotel Sitters are the perfect addition to your vacation.

More Kids Activities in Phoenix…

Honorable Mention: Our Co-Founder, Rosalind Prather, raves about Makutu’s Island: “My kids beg to drive all the way up to Chandler just for this. This massive indoor jungle gym is fashioned like a sprawling tree. It’s imaginative, great exercise and loads of adventurous fun. My husband and I even crawl through the tunnels and go down the slides, which really makes the girls giggle.”

Content enthusiastically approved by Co-Founder and local Momtrepreneur, Rosalind Prather Writing accredited to Kayla Formalejo, Trusting Connections Intern

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TC’s Top 10 Picks for Kids Activities in Tucson

Looking for Kids Activities in Tucson? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite “must-do” adventures for kids and families.

Content Enthusiastically Approved by Rosalind Prather (Local Mom and TC Co-Founder), Writing accredited to Kayla Formalejo, Trusting Connections Intern

 

Top 10 Kids Activities in Tucson

 

  1. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

Why We Love It: See and feel the magic of the Mini Time Machine Museum! It’s exactly what it sounds like – a showcase of more than 400 intricate, antique and contemporary dollhouses. Your and your little one’s creative minds will start flowing when imagination turns to life. Visit the “Enchanted Realm” where you can go searching for fairies for some seek and find fun. Keep your eye out for the magical fairies  flying in and out of little fairy doors throughout the museum.

Check out the other entertainment options available, such as story-time led by costumed characters and more.

  1. Trail Dust Town (Polly Anna Park)

Why We Love It:  Tired of the same old park party? Dust off the old cowboy boots and head out to the Western themed Polly Anna Park for a picture-perfect picnic. This colorful little town will leave you and your little ones with a giant smile. After riding the miniature train, take a spin on the vintage carousel. Don’t forget to fuel up with a variety of restaurants or the option to bring your own food. Face painting, panning for gold, play shooting galleries and a wagon-styled Ferris wheel are just a few attractions that will keep you and the kiddos wanting to stay all day long.

  1. Pima Air & Space Museum

Why We Love It:  Soar through the Pima Air and Space Museum with over 100,000 sq. ft. of displays. Navigate through 350 different aircraft carriers. Take a step back into history as you learn about vintage aircraft, helicopter and fighter jets. Whether you are interested in history, engineering or aviation in general, this is a must. Who isn’t fascinated by aircraft – especially almost every make and model in the world? Bring your kiddos along as they’ll be happy to explore and crawl inside the displays all they want. Who knows! This experience might ignite a passion in your little one to become a pilot.

  1. Children’s Museum

Why We Love It:  Here, fun and learning collide with hands-on and play-based activities for kids of all ages. Exploring, discovering, creating and inventing are just a few of the components that stimulate a child’s desire to learn. Give kids all of the tools and opportunities to expand their knowledge in an inviting environment. Explore the impacts of gravity, the human body, nanoscience, electricity, veterinary stations and more. If you are closer to the Northside of Tucson, the Oro Valley Children’s Museum is the perfect indoor play space geared towards kids 5 and under.

  1. Funny Foot Farm Petting Zoo

Why We Love It: Calling all animal lovers! This is NOT your ordinary petting zoo. Stop by this family-friendly farm for an unlike-any-other educational tour of all different kinds of animals. Meet, feed and pet all of the exotic wildlife while learning interesting facts and hearing all kinds of funny puns. Capybaras, porcupines, emu, and mara are just a few of the buddies you’ll get to spend your day with. This very affordable experience is different than most petting zoos. You’ll get to be up close and personal inside the enclosures. Not only will you leave happier than you came after a thrilling day at the Funny Foot Farm, but the animals will appreciate all the love and kindness as well!

  1. White Stallion Ranch

Why We Love It: Horseback riding and the luxuries of a fine resort emerge as one at the White Stallion Ranch. Whether you’re an inexperienced or experienced rider, you’ll be able to pick from a variety of different riding adventures with a horse that’s one of the largest private herds in Arizona. Take the slow route and experience the serenity of the peaceful Tucson outdoors. If you’re more adventurous, kick it up with a faster mountain ride through the breathtaking terrain. Kiddos 5 and under experience a thrill just the same, as staff guide the ride on a safe lead line.

When you’re not in the saddle, spoil yourself and the little ones with all that the resort has to offer: a petting zoo, spa amenities, hot tubbing, a rec room and movie theater. The White Stallion Ranch is an all-in-one package deal, so saddle up for a unique kind of vacation!

  1. Amy’s Donuts

Why We Love It: Sometimes you just can’t help but give in to a sweet tooth. When you see the variety of fun and creative donuts at Amy’s Donuts, there’s just no room for feeling guilty about indulging! You can’t go wrong with an OG donut, but something about a “Rocky Road Glaze” or “Maple Bacon Fudge” is overly-enticing. The kiddos will love the “Trix” and “Fruity Pebbles” options – and YOU even more for taking them to Amy’s! Being that there are only three locations and one is in Tucson, it’s a must-see during your stay. Be sure to visit the mural right outside the shop with your delicious and colorful donut for the perfect photo-opp.

  1. Ben’s Bells

Why We Love It: Be a part of something bigger than yourself by helping make Tucson a more beautiful and welcoming place. Ben’s Bells is a non-profit organization that spreads kindness and awareness of strengthening ourselves and our communities through the creation and distribution of home-made windchimes; they are then dispersed throughout the town as a reminder to all. Each one is uniquely made by gentle hands through volunteering to either mold from clay, paint beads or assemble chimes. This short 1.5-hour experience is perfect for little ones to explore their creativity through arts and crafts while learning about what it means to be involved in the community.

  1. Arizona Zipline Adventures + Biosphere 2

Why We Love It: We lumped these two together because they are near each other and in the quaint town of Oracle. These two activities combined with lunch at one of the local restaurants would make for a great day trip just 30 minutes or so North of Tucson. Is your kid a non-stop energy ball who loves the outdoors? Give them an exhilarating Zipline adventure on the backside of Mt. Lemmon! The Zipline EcoTour offers five different zips, ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet, starting out slow to get a hang of the ropes and then gradually increases as you’re more comfortable. Have a leap of faith as you zip past the beautiful Catalina Mountains and through the mini valleys, seeing Tucson from a whole different perspective. Overcome your fears and go to higher heights!

Biosphere 2 has been touted a “must see wonder of the world” housing seven model ecosystems that scientists at the University of Arizona use to conduct active experiments. You’ll be able to observe real nature in a controlled environment at this world-renowned research center made of steel and glass. Both of these activities are recommended for school-aged children.

  1. Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch

Why We Love It: While not technically in Tucson, this insanely fun petting and feeding farm has been featured on shows like Extreme Roadside Attractions. Just a short, 30-minute drive from Tucson, this really is the “darndest place you’ll ever visit” and worth every bit of the drive. Feed goats, deer, ducks, ostrich and enter the Lorikeet enclosure where the colorful and friendly birds may land on your head or perch on your finger in anticipation of the treats you’ll have to offer them. They even have a stingray tank that’s sure to delight kids of all ages!

Who We Are

We are an award-winning nanny agency and sitter service that connects families, businesses and churches with exceptional nannies and sitters. Just visiting? Let one of our awesome child care professionals help make your family vacation more memorable and relaxing. Our team provides quality on-site child care services so you can enjoy some kid-free time. Our nannies and sitters can also take kids on off-site adventures to the places listed above and more. Call us for more information!

Honorable Mentions

Be sure to check out the following suggestions for more kid-friendly fun: Kartchner Caverns State Park, Hike Sabino Canyon (East Dam for younger/Seven Falls for older, The Desert Museum, Reid Park Zoo, Flandreau Planetarium, Colossal Cave and Gaslight Theater.

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Simple Healthy Recipes For Kids This September

Goodbye August, hello September! We will miss you Summer, but we can’t help but FALL in love with the upcoming season. Autumn means cute sweaters, fashionable boots, colorful leaves, and delicious fall recipes! This week, we want to highlight some recipes parents and caregivers can make for the entire family to enjoy.

Finding ways to incorporate healthy eating habits into their kids’ diet is always a challenge, but not impossible. One way to further encourage and motivate kids to eat fruits and vegetables is to make it fun. Getting the kids involved in the kitchen not only help keep them busy and active, but it can help improve their social, problem-solving, and teamworking skills. Parents and child caregivers can integrate educational subjects like math, science, and history while cooking!

Corn and apples are among the fall fruits and veggies that are in peak this month. Bountiful in nutrients like Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, these two items are great to add to your family’s weekly meal plans. To welcome the new month and season, here are some simple, quick, and fun recipes parents and child caregivers can make with the kiddos.

 

Simple Sweet Corn Salad

A super easy, quick, and delicious snack that leaves the kids wanting more!
Time: 5-10 minutes; Serves: 1 per 1 cup of corn kernels

Ingredients
1 cup sweet corn kernels per serving
1 tsp butter or ghee
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp lemon juice

Directions
1. Buy fresh corn at your local farmer’s market or grocery store. Store extra in the fridge to keep them sweet.
2. Fill a pot with water and boil your corn for 10-15 minutes.
3. After the cooked corn is cooled down, remove the corn kernels with a knife or by hand into a bowl.
4. Add butter, salt, pepper and lemon juice as desired.
5. Mix everything well with a spoon and serve!

 

Fresh Corn Pancakes

A great way to incorporate veggies in a child’s breakfast meal!
Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 2

Ingredients
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup corn, about 1 ear
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated (optional)
Ready-made salsa and sour cream (optional)
Maple syrup (optional)

Directions
1. Mix the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt into a large bowl.
2. On a separate bowl, mix the milk, eggs, and butter.
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients. Make sure not to overmix.
4. Add in the corn and cheese (optional) into the mixture.
5. Heat a pan over medium heat. Add just a bit of butter.
6. Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture into the pan. Cook until the surface starts to bubble and the bottom is golden brown (~ 2-3 minutes).
7. Flip the pancake and cook the other side until the bottom is golden brown (~ 1-2 minutes).
8. Add your optional salsa and sour cream for a savory dish or your favorite maple syrup for a sweet bite.

 

Grilled Peanut Butter and Apple

A protein-packed snack for kids anytime, anywhere!
Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 4

Ingredients
1 medium – apple (Gala is best, but feel free to use any type!)
1/2 teaspoon – cinnamon
1/2 cup – peanut butter, all-natural
8 slice – bread, whole wheat
1 – any cooking spray (use coconut or olive oil as a healthier alternative)
Serve with carrots (optional)

Directions
1. Core and slice the apple.
2. On each slice bread, spread one tablespoon of peanut butter onto one side of the bread.  Arrange the apple slices on 4 slices of bread and sprinkle cinnamon evenly over the apple slices.
3. With the remaining 4 slices of bread, place the peanut butter face down to complete the sandwich.
4. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray on medium heat. Grill the sandwiches until browned (~1 to 2 minutes on each side).
5. Serve with carrot sticks if desired and enjoy!

 

Mini Apple Pies

You can’t mention apples and not include apple pies! Delicious, easy and so addicting!
Time: 45 minutes; Serves: 6-12 mini pies

Ingredients
1 large Granny Smith Apple- cut in small pieces
½ t ground cinnamon
1 T Vanilla (extract or vanilla bean)
1 package Pie Crust
1 egg
Muffin/pie tray
Small circle cookie cutter or any drinking glass

Directions
1. Mix the diced apples, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a bowl and let it sit.
2. Cut the pie crust into small circles using a small cookie cutter or the rim of any drinking glass.
3. Place the mini pie crusts into a muffin or pie tray.
4. Fill in the mixture but don’t overfill. Use extra pie crust to cover the top of the pies.
5. Brush egg wash on top of each
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until golden brown

 

Want more kid-friendly recipes? Visit our blog to see past recipes and be in the loop for future ones as well! These recipes are so fun and delicious, kids, parents, and childcare givers will love making it, and most importantly, eating it!

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Family-Friendly Events This Labor Day Weekend

It’s Labor Day weekend, and that means the kids are home, you (the parents) get to enjoy a long 3-day weekend to relax and reward yourself for all the hard work you are doing. With the whole family together, you can celebrate the holiday weekend by attending family-friendly events are happening around town. Trusting Connections have compiled a list of fun family-friendly events for our families in Tucson, Phoenix, and Dallas-Fort Worth to do and attend over this weekend.

 

Events For Our Tucson Families

St Philip’s Plaza Artisan and Classic Market
Saturday, September 1st – September 30th, 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Bring the family out to St Philip’s Plaza Artisan and Classic Market. Explore and try out new food and check out wonderful crafts from vendors all around the area. St Philip’s Plaza Artisan and Classic Market take place every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon starting this Saturday until the end of September.

Address: 4280 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718

Say Goodbye to the Dog Days of Summer
Saturday, September 1st – Monday, September 3rd, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
As we say goodbye to summer and celebrating the upcoming fall, Old Tucson is celebrating with fun-filled events for the whole family, including their beloved pets! There will be dog diving contest hosted by DockDogs. You can register your do online in advance if you are interested in competing. Bring the entire family out to enjoy games and prizes, vendors, nonprofit exhibitors, and much more!

Admission: $19.95 for adults, discounts for seniors, military and Pima County residents. Free admission for kids ages 11 and under.
Address: 201 S. Kinney Rd. Tucson, AZ 85735

 

Events For Our Families In And Around Phoenix

Dino-Mite Event At Outlets At Anthem
Saturday, September 1st, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Bring the kids out to an unforgettable Dino-Mite event this Saturday, September 1 as Dino Crew Entertainment will be on-site bringing the past to the present with their realistic dinosaur robots and puppets! Kids can participate in hands-on activities like digging for fossils and more. This event is open for all kids. Free admission and fun for the whole family!

For additional information, visit the Outlets at Anthem website.
Address: 4250 W Anthem Way, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Sweet Corn Festival at Mortimer Farms
Saturday, September 1st – Sunday, September 2nd, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sweet Corn season is here so come and celebrate a full day of “a-MAIZE-ing” attractions, games, farm activities, food and more! Admission includes a special harvest meal, farm-inspired rides, slides, swings, admission to U-pick Fields (filled with veggies, strawberries, and blackberries) and much more! Help give back to the community by bringing two cans of nonperishable items over this weekend! All donations will be sent to the Yavapai Food Bank.  To purchase tickets, visit the Mortimer Farms website.

Festival Admission: $15.00 per person (Free admission for children 2 & Under).
Address: 12907 E. State Route 169 Dewey, AZ 86327

 

Events For Our DFW Families

Labor Day Weekend Dino Fest at Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Saturday, September 1st – Sunday, September 2nd, 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Join the fun this Labor Day weekend at Perot’s inaugural Dino Fest — a celebration of all things dinosaur! Bring the whole family out to meet Museum paleontologists and get a first look at the new Paleo Lab! Enjoy tours, exhibits, dinosaur trivia, special workshops, and most of all, meet modern-day dinosaurs! The event includes dino dig pits, learning sessions with Museum paleontologists, create dinosaur-themed crafts, and more fun-filled activities! To get in the spirit, Perot invites guests to wear their favorites dinosaur gear or costumes! Purchase tickets here.

General admission is $20 for adults (ages 13-64), $13 for youth (ages 2-12) and $14 for seniors (65+). Free admission for children 1 year and younger.
Address: 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201

We Salute Our Military and First Responders at Reunion Tower
Saturday, September 1st – Monday, September 3rd, 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
In honoring Labor Day this weekend, take the family out the Reunion Tower to show appreciation for those who keep us safe. Enjoy panoramic views of the world’s best skyline. There will be interactive exhibits and unique perspectives including the newest 360-degree video experience. For the whole month of September, Military personnel and first responders will receive 50% off GeO-Deck tickets upon showing their valid ID. This event is open to all ages. Purchase tickets here.

Address: 300 Reunion Blvd E Dallas, TX 75207

Youth Rodeo at State Fair Park
Saturday, September 1st – Sunday, September 2nd, Starts at 8:00 a.m.
Fair Park has their 2018 pre-Fair equine events to kick-off the State Fair of Texas. Take the family out for a day of fun family-friendly entertainment! There will be breakaway roping, barrel racing, pole bending competitions. The event will take place in the Fair Park Coliseum and the Livestock Judging Pavilion. Events and shows happen every weekend through September 16. All shows, including the Youth Rodeo happening this weekend, is free to the public. All times and locations are subject to change.

Address: 1121 First Ave., Dallas, TX 75210

 

Close up the summer with these fun-filled, family-friendly activities and events this Labor Day weekend!

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Family Activities for Earth Day

This year’s Earth Day campaign is End Plastic Pollution. Families can go to earthday.org and join millions of others by pledging to reduce the amount of plastic items they consume every year. The campaign is dedicated to educating and inspiring the public to fundamentally change their behavior and attitude towards the usage of plastics.

Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network stated, “EDN has built a multi-year campaign to End Plastic Pollution. Our goals include ending single-use plastics, promoting alternatives to fossil fuel-based materials, promoting 100 percent recycling of plastics, corporate and government accountability and changing human behavior concerning plastics.”

Parents can help participate this Earth Day by integrating environmental-focused principles within their family activities. Here are some ideas for parents to do with their kids that are proactive, fun, educational, and engaging.

 

 

  1. Plant a garden with your kids. Pay a visit to your local nursery or gardening store and purchase your favorite flower or seeds. Create pots using egg cartons or biodegradable materials.
  2. Participate in a local trash bash. Help out your community by picking up trash in your neighborhood park or nearby open space. Make a contest and see which family member can pick up the most trash!
  3. Schedule a day or two to be car-free. Take your family out on bike rides, walks, runs, or roller skating. Focus a day on being fuel-friendly and inform you kids about fuel emission.
  4. Practice the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Clean up your house by recycling unused toys, kitchenware, and clothes. Sort out papers that can be reused as scratch paper.
  5. While reducing plastic is the theme this year, educate your kids about water usage. Show your kids simple ways they can conserve water such as turning off the water while brushing their teeth, showering, or limiting watering the grass to an hour a week.

These are simple and effective ways families can influence each other to be more aware of their plastic and water usage as well as being environmentally conscious. Hopefully, these activities can turn into long-term practices that your whole family can integrate into everyday life.

Learn more about how you can help and make the pledge for the 2018 Earth Day Campaign by visiting https://www.earthday.org/.

_________

Written by: Kim Tran, Marketing Assistant for Trusting Connections Nanny Agency.

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Fun Indoor Activities For Kids On Rainy Days

Whether it’s pouring rain, a thunderstorm, or an unexpected snow visit, the weather forecast can quickly leave kids feeling restless being stuck indoors. Soon you’ll be hearing the complaints of boredom and finding yourself running out of ideas to lessen the dread of being cooped up.

Don’t fret! Toss aside those electronic devices, stray away from all the UV lights and challenge your little ones to try things that wouldn’t have otherwise interested them. Show the kids that being stuck inside isn’t necessarily a bad thing — it can be an opportunity to engage and learn something fun!

Enjoy these fun indoor activities parents, nannies and sitters can do to keep the kids entertained for hours whilst staying dry and warm in the comfort of their home.

1. Create a Cardboard Town

If you have a giant cardboard box, why not draw a town on the bottom of the box, with roads, tracks, bridges, and parks? Add some wooden building blocks, cars, trains and some wooden/plastic animals and let your kid’s imagination run wild. Older kids could help with decorating.

2. Build a fort using pillows and blankets

Gather all of your blankets and pillows out to build a fort! Use the sofa cushions, chairs, or clothes rack to create a den. Add some lights and add your own unique twist by adding toys, music, and anything else to make that fort stand out!

 

3. Stage a Family Treasure Hunt

Utilize every space of your house! Engage in a scavenger hunt with the kids. Create maps, treasure hints, and riddles to make the treasure hunt more challenging! All you have to do is provide each child with their printed treasure hunt and a small box to collect their items!

4. Make some music

Get all your instruments out or improvise using kitchen utensils (pots, wooden spoons, tins, spatula) and make some “music”. A great example is making a rain maker. All you need is empty towel paper rolls or an empty Pringles container (or just any cylinder shape container) and a bag of rice, corn or beans.

5. Play board games

Nothing more engaging than playing traditional board games that challenges kids to use their brain through logical thinking, strategizing and planning! From Checkers, Charades, Gestures to Candy Land, the options are endless!

Here are some sites to purchase educational board games for the kids:

https://www.learningresources.com/category/category/games+-+puzzles/board+games.do

https://www.mindware.orientaltrading.com/games-a1-553541-1.fltr

6. Bake your heart out

Most kids love to bake, especially with the promise of a sweet treat at the end! Look up easy recipes online (YouTube) that you and the kids can do.

7. Be the Star in your own Show/Play

Let the kids rage your closet! Have them dress up and put on a fashion show or write up a script and let them play out their favorite fairy tale or hero/heroine. Don’t forget to film them to capture those priceless moments!

8. Have a tea-party/indoor picnic

Have an indoor picnic or tea-party! Spread out the blanket on the floor or in your pillow fort with some snacks, drinks, and napkins and enjoy! Make your favorite tea or mix up some hot chocolate and top if off with mini marshmallows! Yum!

9. Get crazy with crafts

It’s a good idea to have an Art Supplies Box, filled with glitter, glue, pom-poms, stickers, pipe cleaners, and let them get creative. Print off some printables / colouring sheets, get out all the pens and crayons and set up a colouring station at the kitchen table. Cover the table with newspaper sheets and get out the paint and paper and have an art session at the kitchen or dining table.

 

NOTE: Ideas were adapted from https://www.mykidstime.com/things-to-do/50-fun-rainy-day-activities-for-kids/

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