Thanksgiving is less than a week away. For some home cooks, Turkey Day meal preps are already underway. Given how much blood, sweat and tears are shed in order to create a sumptuous holiday spread for the entire clan, it would be nice to see it completely consumed. If you are worried that your hard work in the kitchen will go unappreciated and that you’ll be stuck with enough Turkey Day leftovers to feed an army, consider getting the clan to partake in the following activities that are sure to work up their Thanksgiving appetite: Pumpkin Sweep: Give each person … Continue reading →

Surviving in a home without electricity or heat for days on end is no laughing matter. Unfortunately, that’s the scenario hundreds of thousands of residents battered by Superstorm Sandy are experiencing right now. Their misery is far from fun, still that’s not stopping relief workers from trying to make life a bit better for the youngest victims. Last night, I saw a piece on CNN that showed volunteers providing kids affected by the storm with games, toys and crafts that they could play with despite their homes being without power. The effort was designed to create a momentary distraction for … Continue reading →

The heat is on across the nation. Less than a week after the official start of summer and residents from coast-to-coast are baking in record high temperatures. If you have been desperately looking for a way to cool off, you aren’t alone. Millions of people have hit public pools, trekked to the beach or visited community splash pads. But, what happens if you don’t have access to the aforementioned resources? Fortunately, there are easy ways you can beat the heat without having to travel far or spend a lot of money. Two words: Water balloons. Don’t underestimate the power of … Continue reading →

Christmas is no fun when the laugh’s on you. Whether guests are giggling because your seasonal souffle took a nosedive on the kitchen floor or the dog dove into the Christmas Prime Rib before you got the chance to carve it, you never want the highlight of your holiday get-together to be a mishap. Instead of the laughs centering on an accident, let your guests make merry playing the following fun games with a seasonal twist: Gift Swap: This is not your traditional gift exchange with family members. Rather, the game features a candy bar (or other small item that … Continue reading →

It’s the most wonderful time of the year; time to make merry, rock around the Christmas tree and fa-la-la-la in perfect harmony with friends and family members. The holidays are known for festive get-togethers complete with music, laughter and fun. If you are hosting the clan this year for the holidays, now is the time to get your game plan in order. While you don’t have to construct an elaborate itinerary of activities, you should have at least a few games on hand, especially if you are hosting a party with young children. Keep the seasonal shindig joyful by having … Continue reading →

It’s funny how Mother Nature tends to dictate a parent’s schedule. For example, I have a slew of family members living on the East Coast who are bracing for a major winter storm. Significant snow is predicted to make traveling a nightmare for residents in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey. The storm has forced my cousin to cancel a business trip to Boston. Instead, she’ll spend the snow day trying to figure out how to keep her four kids entertained indoors. If you are looking for ways to keep the kiddos from contracting a severe case of cabin fever, … Continue reading →

Now that you know where to collect colorful fall leaves, it’s time to figure out what to do with them. The following art projects are simple enough for the whole family to partake in. What’s more, your kids will be filled with pride knowing that their leaf collections are being put to good use. LEAF IMPRESSIONS Materials: White paper Construction paper Crayons White craft glue Scissors Fall leaves in a variety of colors Directions: Place a leaf down flat on a table. Then, place a piece of white paper over it. Use a crayon to color over the leaf. (You … Continue reading →

Summer vacation is more than halfway done. Still, some parents are wondering if they can make it to September with their sanity in tact. If you are running out of ways to keep your children entertained while they enjoy their break from school, consider the following ideas: WATER WORLD When I get tired of hearing the Mom-I’m-bored blues, I fill up the kiddie pool and head to the kitchen. While there I collect every water-friendly object I own from cups to colanders, old dish soap bottles, utensils, brushes, and turkey basters. Then, I plop the kids in the pool and … Continue reading →