Category: Children’s Activities

If you’re looking for gifts for your children that crank up the cuteness factor while keeping them entertained for ages, cowboy accessories are the way to go.

Rather than sitting your kid in front of an iPad or Xbox, you can give them the gift of some truly old-school playtime with some adorable cowboy and Indian accessories that they can enjoy with their siblings and friends. With that in mind, here are some of the best cowboy accessories for kids that you absolutely need to buy for their toy box in 2021. 

1. A Rootin’ Tootin’ Cowboy Hat

If you’re looking for cowboy accessories kids will love, a classic cowboy hat is an absolute must. There are countless ones to choose from. There is this classic cowboy hat for kids, complete with an authentic-looking rawhide finish that will leave your little one looking just like a miniature Clint Eastwood.

When shopping for cowboy hat accessories for young children, it is important that you carefully choose one that will fit their head size and shape. The last thing you want is for their little cowboy hat to keep falling off their head when they are trying to round up some cattle! 

2. A Wooden Stick Horse

To add a true element of play into your child’s cowboy action accessories collection, a wooden stick horse is a sure-fire winner. Wooden stick horses are great cowboy accessories for boys and girls and are among some of the most popular girl toys on the market in some parts of the world.

A great thing about wooden stick horses, also known as hobby horses, is that there is a huge variety of types available. You can choose a white princess stick horse or a classic brown cowboy stick horse, depending on what your kid will enjoy the most. 

3. Adorable Cowboy Boots 

No kid’s cowboy ensemble would be complete without some adorable cowboy boots for them to kick up some dust with. As this guide to the best toddler cowboy boots explains, there are a number of factors you will have to consider.

Like any shoes for young children, you will need to make sure that they are the right size and that they have the appropriate levels of child foot support so that they are comfortable at all times. 

4. Cowboy Books 

One of the best things about cowboy accessories is that it opens up a vast world of history, fantasy, and play that your children can become totally immersed in. That is why you should also invest in some classic cowboy books to inspire your little ones.

There are hundreds of classic cowboy books for you to choose from, ranging from classic short stories to illustrated cowboy adventures to real-life histories of some of the most famous figures of the Old West. 

5. Additional Cowboy Accessories for Kids

To complete your child’s cowboy collection, there are a few other accessories with buying. A child’s holster belt with a plastic sharpshooter toy or a spud gun are good options, but this is not for everyone.

A little leather satchel bag for them to carry their toys and cowboy books is also a good idea, as is a little fake bolo tie or some little cowboy pants. The list is really endless and will provide you with gift ideas for years to come. 

Treat Your Kids on the Cheap in 2021 

Investing in some cowboy accessories can be a hugely effective way to keep your children entertained, engaged, and learning on a budget. Rather than splashing out on fancy electronics, you can keep it old school and help your kids grow and play without breaking the bank. For more essential tips on treating your kids on the cheap in 2021, make sure to read our extensive Family Life guides for all of the expert budgeting advice you could ever need. 

Should you rent a water slide for your next party? The answer is yes as long as you like having fun and saving money.

Renting a water slide is an affordable party option that lets everyone have a little fun. You get built-in entertainment with little effort on your part. It’s a win-win.

Check out these reasons you should consider a water slide rental for your next party.

Affordable Party Option

Birthday parties can really add up, especially if you hire a party planner or reserve an expensive venue. One survey showed that 11% of parents spent over $500 on their child’s first birthday party, and another 25% spent between $200 and $500. 

Renting a water slide for your backyard is often much more affordable than having a party at an expensive venue, but it’s just as much fun. Party venues often limit the event to an hour or two, while water slide rentals give you a lot more time and flexibility in how you keep guests entertained.

You might also find yourself paying extra at a party venue if you have a large party. The base cost usually only covers a small number of kids with extra kids costing more. When you rent a slide, you pay the standard fee and can invite as many people as you want.

Variety of Options

Water slides come in a range of sizes and designs to give you your pick of options. You might choose a pink princess castle water slide to go with the princess party theme. You could go with a combination inflatable with a water slide and a bounce house to give the party guests more ways to play.

Minimal Setup and Requirements

You can plan your own party with lots of fun activities, but that creates a lot of work for you. Between picking activities, prepping the materials, and leading the activities, you have no time to just enjoy the party.

When you rent a water slide, the company sets it up for you. There’s no need for you to worry about getting things set up correctly.

When the party’s over, the company comes back to pack it up and take it away for you. The clean-up process is much easier, and you get out of doing all of the manual labor for the party.

Safe, Fun Party Activity

A water slide is the perfect option for summer birthday parties. Unlike a regular swimming pool, water slides don’t have deep water, which poses a risk to your party guests. Inflatable water slides are soft and cushioned, allowing kids to fly down them with little risk of injury.

A rented water slide adds a little extra fun to a typical backyard party. Instead of just running through sprinklers or throwing water balloons, your party guests can climb high and rush down the slide for a dose of kid-friendly adrenaline.

Private Water Fun

You can take your party guests to a public pool or water park, but you have to share the place with all the other guests. Reserving a private party at a water park can be very expensive.

With a water slide rental, you get the feel of a water park in the comfort of your backyard. It’s completely private and personal, so your guests can have fun.

Rent a Water Slide for Your Party

When you rent a water slide for your event, you get hours of fun in your backyard. It’s a unique, fun, and affordable party entertainment option.

Visit our archives for more thrifty options.

During the coronavirus pandemic, around 93% of American households with school-age children had to do distance learning from home.

This makes children’s downtime more essential than normal because they can’t enjoy the afternoon with friends or leave the house. Luckily, with a little creativity, it’s possible to keep your little ones entertained.

If you’re looking for cheap activities for kids, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 10 to inspire you.

1. Plan a Scavenger Hunt 

Brainstorming fun activities for kids?

Scatter items around your home and read out a list of riddles (e.g. “a food that easily cracks”) to the little ones. Reward children with trinkets whenever they get one but give the overall winner a big prize like choosing dinner that night.

Or, if you’ve got kindergartners, try a nature color hunt. This is where you paint the inside of a used egg carton in different colors and ask the kids to match each one with a real-life object. For instance, find a daffodil in the backyard and put it in the yellow pocket.

2. Build a Blanket Fort 

One of the best cheap indoor activities for kids is to build a blanket fort as a family. Not only does it get your children away from the screen, but it encourages creativity. You can even turn it into a competition to see who can make the biggest or most unique blanket fort.

3. Make Gingerbread Houses

If you’re looking for cheap Christmas activities for kids, spend the afternoon making gingerbread houses. Gather plenty of frosting, candy, and get everyone involved to make colorful houses either as teams or individually.  

Or make holiday cookies like snowmen or reindeers, perfect for children of all ages. Let the younger children add pre-measured ingredients and decorate their cookies with their favorite toppings.

4. Schedule a Family Fitness Class 

Your child’s school will have plenty of school activities for kids planned so break up lessons by having a family fitness class, so your little ones get their daily exercise.

You can either practice yoga by watching YouTube videos or try a new sport and practice in the yard. Don’t worry about intense workouts, just set aside 20 minutes a day to get your little ones moving between classes.   

Or, to make it less serious, throw a dance party as it’s a fantastic way to relieve stress, laugh, and move your body.

5. Go for a Long Walk

Parents planning easy activities for kids shouldn’t underestimate the power of afternoon walks. Make sure you follow the social distancing guidelines and go out when there are fewer people like around dusk when your neighbors are having dinner. 

You could also drive into the countryside so your little ones can immerse themselves in nature while enjoying the fresh air.

6. Movie Marathon 

A fantastic way to keep the kids entertained is to throw a movie marathon night. Get comfortable on the couch with cushions, blankets, and make sure there’s a steady flow of popcorn. You can either watch a series like Harry Potter or the Minions movies for younger ones. 

Or if you want to make it educational, put on documentaries suitable for children like March of the Penguins and Walking with Dinosaurs.

7. Cook Together 

Cooking healthy meals with your kids teaches them how to eat a balanced diet and helps them become adventurous eaters. These skills are invaluable, and your child will carry them throughout their life. You can whip up homemade pizza, chicken skewers, and fajitas. 

More competitive families can have a cooking competition. To do this, divide the family into two teams and hand out five ingredients for everyone to work with, and set the timer. Make it more exciting by adding random ingredients like trying to incorporate marshmallows into a savory dish.

8. Garden

Gardening has many advantages for children such as teaching responsibility, letting them explore with their senses, and offering mood-boosting benefits. Not to mention, plenty of family bonding time. 

Planting a vegetable garden is also productive as you can harvest them later on. You should grow green beans, tomatoes, and root veggies like carrots, so you have plenty to eat. If you’re a beginner, start small by creating 11 rows so there’s enough spacing between the plants.

Don’t worry if you live in an apartment, simply grow vegetables or herbs in containers and place them on your windowsill or balcony.

9. Backyard Camping 

You may be unable to visit the nearest National Park, but you don’t have to sacrifice a weekend camping. Invest in a firepit, or make your own, so you can make s’mores and spend the night camping in the backyard. And you mustn’t forget to share child-friendly ghost stories for entertainment.

10. Game Night 

Ditch the consoles and bring out old-school board games for the whole family to enjoy. Try a new one next week to keep it interesting and try Twister, Risk, and parlor games like Charades. You can also have a tournament night with children’s card games like Go Fish, Snap, and Old Maid.

Those Are Cheap Activities for Kids 

Now you know the best cheap activities for kids. 

Whether it’s planning a scavenger hunt in the yard or working out together, it’s important children are getting enough exercise, fresh air, and are stimulated amidst all their schoolwork. Make an effort to switch activities up during the week so they stay excited while you bond. Have fun!

Did you find this article helpful? Great news! Then check out our posts on everything from Family to Relationships.

According to the CDC, 18.5% of children and adolescents are obese. Being so overweight at a young age sets the stage for a number of health problems later on in life, such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. 

For many, weight and other health issues develop from living a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, the best way to help children be healthy is to encourage exercise. But how can you help motivate them to get up and get active?

Keep reading to learn about some of the different ways you can encourage kids to get moving and be healthy. 

Be a Role Model

As any parent knows, children learn and develop habits by watching their parents. This means that your health practices will carry over to them. Make sure that you lead a healthy and active lifestyle to help encourage them to do so as well. 

Try to find time a little time each day to be active. Most importantly, make sure that you have fun while doing so. Kids will want to start joining in on the fun.  

Encourage Friendly Competition

Sometimes, children won’t be interested in something until you or other kids are as well. One way to motivate kids to get moving is by turning it into a friendly competition.

Turn it into a contest and see who can run faster, jump higher, or hold their breath while swimming for longer. Again, this will help make the experience fun, motivating kids to try harder. 

Limit Screen Time

Most experts agree: too much screen time can have a serious impact on children’s health. While computers, tablets, and phones have their perks, make sure to control and limit the amount children spend on them. 

Instead of playing video games all the time, help your kids sign up for an afterschool program or play a sport that they like. 

Make It Fun

Remember that kids want everything to be fun. If you can’t find a way to make health and fitness exciting, then they’re not going to want to get into it.

Try finding exercises that will help them stay active but also allow them to enjoy themselves. Many kids enjoy doing things like soccer, swimming, and dance. Sanelijodance.com is one example of a great play to get kids active through dance. 

Use Exercise as Transportation

Talk to any person over the age of 65, and you’ll hear them go on about how they used to walk 10 miles to school. While that distance may be a bit extreme, encouraging kids to use exercise as transportation can be a good idea.

Whether it means biking to see friends or walking to school with you twice a week, encourage them to see physical movement as the best mode of transportation. 

Encourage Kids to Make Health and Fitness a Priority 

Everyone should strive for a healthy lifestyle, regardless of age. By working to encourage kids to exercise and stay active, you’ll lay the foundation for them to be healthy throughout the rest of their lives. 

Did you discover some different fitness tips for kids? if you did, take a moment to check out some of our other blog posts for more guides and tips. 

If you have children ready to enter the school system, then you’ve most likely put some thought into what type of schooling you want for them. If your children are already in the public school system, then you might have considered switching them into a private school. Private Catholic schools provide many benefits to our children. 

Whether your child is experiencing academic issues at public school or other issues, it’s never too late to make the switch. If your children aren’t school age quite yet, then this is an option that you should strongly consider before placing them into public schools.

Making the right decision for your children takes time and effort. You want to be sure that you’re always doing what’s best for them. To help you with your final decision, here are several reasons why private Catholic school is a great alternative to public schooling! 

Continue reading below for everything you need to know. 

1. Exposure to Catholic Faith

When growing up Catholic, you want the same for your children. If you and your family practice the Catholic faith, then you’ll want to place your children in a school where the same faith and religion is taught. 

Exposing your children to Catholic practices each day is the best way to build a solid Catholic foundation. Upon graduating from a Catholic school, students are also more inclined to continue attending church into their adult years. 

Many Catholic schools have children attend mass at least once a week and offer a religion class built into the curriculum. Other Catholic practices and activities will also be offered to students. If you’d like your children to grow up as Catholic citizens, then placing them into Catholic school is the starting point!

2. Smaller Classroom Sizes

Catholic schooling also provides smaller classroom sizes for your children. The smaller the classroom size, the more opportunities that your children have for one-on-one time with their teachers. Teachers are able to focus on individual children, their grades, and their progress more when there are not as many students in the classroom.

When there aren’t as many students in the classroom, students are able to focus on the curriculum better as well as there are less distractions. If your children begin to fall behind the other students, teachers will also have more time and the ability to work with your child by implementing learning strategies that might work better for him or her.

3. Sense of Community 

Children who attend Catholic schools are given a sense of community. The other students who attend the school most likely attend mass on weekends with their families as well. Because Catholic schools are normally smaller than public schools, you and your children will begin to make friends with everyone at the school as you’ll all attend the same church and school.

Aside from this, all students and parents will be asked to participate in numerous fundraisers, church programs, and other school activities. This is what builds a strong sense of community. Imagine bake sales on Sunday mornings, Saturday markets, Wednesday bingo nights, and spaghetti dinners on Fridays. 

These are just a few of the community events that you can expect to become a part of after signing your children up for private Catholic school. 

4. High-Quality Education

Unlike public schools, private Catholic schools don’t have to abide by the standard way of teaching students. Teachers at private schools are allowed to create their own lesson plans and teach in ways that they believe their students will learn best. Religion is also considered a mandatory class to take at most Catholic schools. 

Scores shown by the National Assessment of Educational Progress also prove that students who attend Catholic schools are more likely to do better in math and reading.

5. More Parent Involvement 

Because many private Catholic schools have different ways for parents to save on tuition, there’s more parent involvement. Private school isn’t free, but if you, as a parent, contribute to the school and community, you could save money. For example, the school could have you run the fish fry or bingo night to receive a discount.

Aside from receiving discounts, private Catholic schools also encourage parent involvement in any way possible. These schools want you and your family to be members of the church, not just the school. They also want you to come out to each event and celebrate with them. 

6. Mandatory Uniforms 

Mandatory uniforms might not be your children’s favorite thing about private Catholic schools, but it’ll soon become one of yours. Compared to public school, mandatory uniforms mean you don’t have to worry about what clothes are or aren’t appropriate for your children’s school. 

You also won’t have to argue with your children in the morning about what they want to wear to school that day. Every child wears the same thing every day. This reduces bullying, embarrassment, and competition amongst the students!

7. Single-Sex Options

When placing your children in public school, you have no choice but to place them in a co-ed environment. Private Catholic schools, however, have co-ed and single-sex options. Some of these schools accept boys and girls while others only accept one sex. 

If you’d like your children to be in a single-sex environment, then you’ll have that option! This could be beneficial for helping your children stay focused on their school work and not worried about impressing the opposite sex or these types of distractions while at school.

It’s Time to Consider Private Catholic Schools!

Your children deserve the best education available to them. Consider these benefits of private Catholic schools listed above and then make the best decision for your children!

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