If you’ve got a child who loves superheroes, you’ll really love these easy superhero science activities! Each works brilliantly on their own or several could be used for a special superhero science day! You can also find these activities in my Playful Science series which is full of simple, play based science for kids! Make a superhero float The idea behind this activity is that children choose from a selection of materials to find some that can help make a toy superhero float. We used bubble wrap and an old pool noodle, but you could be as creative as you wanted. What’s the best material for a superhero cape? Design, make and test superhero capes created from different materials. This...
For much of the pandemic, screens have provided a lifeline for children, helping them socialize and learn, so it’s understandable that both kids and parents may have grown more attached to their digital devices and connectivity than ever before. Now that some parts of the world are beginning to open up, families may need support as they navigate the transition back to “real life.” “Asking kids to put their screens away cold turkey, even for a highly-anticipated week of summer camp, is a tall order. It can be even harder for parents to give up the ability to reach our kids at any given moment or to hear an ongoing report of our kids’ days,” says Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra, president...
In this tech-driven world, it’s no surprise that American kids see more screen than green. As parents, we intuitively recognize the benefits of outdoor time (after all, most of us grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s), but it might take a little more to convince our kids. So, the next time your child wants to power up the video games, it’s important to remember the benefits of sending your kids outdoors—besides you getting a little quiet time. Follow along as we help make the case for playing outside this summer and beyond! photo: iStock 1. Movement outside makes everything better, especially creativity. According to experts, free play improves everything from creativity to academic success. In his book, Vitamin N: The Essential...
In late May, Hyatt opened its newest Joie de Vivre property in the unassuming beachside enclave of Oceanside, California. The Mission Pacific Hotel has 161 rooms and a prime location overlooking the beach. It’s flanked by a Wyndham property on one side and a Marriott hotel is one block away, but the Mission Pacific outshines them both. With sleek, comfortable rooms and the acquisition of a historic home that also has a “Top Gun” connection, the Mission Pacific is a unique beachfront gem. A sister property, the Seabird Resort, sits across the street and offers extensive amenities that guests at both hotels can enjoy. I stayed at the Mission Pacific about two weeks after it opened. Here’s a look at...
Recently, my husband decided to try an experiment. Always on the hunt for entertainment the entire family will enjoy, he wondered―would our kids like the CBS reality show, 'Survivor'? I mean, was Richard Hatch the deceptive but likable one million dollar winner of the first season, I ask you? In layman's terms, yes they do, or as my 11-year-old excitedly said, "It reminds me of 'The Hunger Games' but no one gets killed." So there you have it. As of this writing, we've made our way through the first season of 'Survivor', and I'd like to offer a few thoughts on why this reality show makes a compelling watch for families (with slightly older kids, I'd say 8+). Keep in...
