The Christmas holiday is drawing closer and closer and your kids are becoming more and more excited for that special day. One of your kiddies asks you the dreadful question “Is Santa Claus real?” You pause for a second to think, “How should I answer this question?” 

The answer to this fateful question could either ruin a child’s imagination or further enhance it. It’s sort of like having an imaginary friend that brings your gifts every year. It seems that there’s no right way to answer this question. The one thing to pay attention to is robbing your child of his or her Christmas cheer. 

Despite how commercialized Christmas has become, I believe that the spirit of Christmas hasn’t left us yet. Do you still play Christmas music while decorating the tree with your kids? Do you still watch those semi-creepy ancient, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer, Drummer Boy, and Santa clay animation cartoons? How could you forget the countless letters to Santa? Don’t be ashamed if you actually dropped your letters in the mailbox hoping the deliveryman would deliver your letter to the North Pole. That was all part of the Christmas experience.

For the sake of the kids, let them find out on their own about Santa. Which means, for you, the parent, you’ll have to think of clever stories to tell when they ask about the ever-present mall Santa. How is he present at every shopping mall around the world? 

As a parent, you can have fun with the Santa stories. Flex your imagination as you create stories to keep your children perplexed and hopeful that Santa will pay a visit to their house. 

I hope your family, especially the kids, enjoy everything this holiday has to offer. One thing’s for sure, no matter how hot or cold the weather is outside; hot chocolate with marshmallows always makes for a tasty treat. 

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Halloween can be a little stressful for parents. Are the kids eating too much candy? Is that costume appropriate? For kids though, it's an all out glorified funfest where you get to shove candy in your face and run around as your favorite person.

Parents, I can't take away your stress but I can add a little ease. Halloween does not have to be an all out sugar extravaganza. It can also be a learning experience. You and your kids can get together and make some Halloween crafts. The best part about these crafts is that they are made from recycled goods. This a great way for your kids to not only get creative but to learn about how important is it to recycle. You could even have them invite their friends over and that way you're really spreading the knowledge.

I found these crafts on a teaching website so teachers, you could also bring these to the classrooms. Maybe even put a little twist on the crafts and make them again in April to celebrate Earth Day!

Ghost Luminaries 

I thought this craft was the most beautiful. The kids can put them on display on the porch and sidewalk and be proud as people walk by and admire their creations. Also if you're worried about a fire hazard you can buy electric tea lights here and the full instructions here.

 

 

Scarecrow Hat

The best part about this craft is that it doubles as a costume piece. You could also use them as a decor piece. Add them to the pumpkin or the lawn gnome to really jazz up the yard. Full Instructions.

Sock Ghost

No longer do you have to curse the dryer for eating the socks. Turn all those lost souls into decorations. You could add a string on top and hang them from the trees in your front yard. Full Intstructions.

Egg Carton Bat

Another great way to turn trash in holiday flash! Hang these little guys from the ceiling to turn your home into a ghost house. Full Instructions.

Tin Can Frankenstein 

This craft also does double duty. It can be a decoration for your table or you could add a handle and it could become a candy carrier (though it won't hold much). Full Instsructions.

Try these recycled crafts and let us know how they turn out in the comments below.

Happy Halloween!

 

 

Photo Credits

FreeKidsCrafts 

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The weather may be getting cooler but that doesn’t mean you need to stay indoors. Check out these fun family activities with your kids for plenty of outdoor fall fun. 

Go Fruit Picking – September is a great time to take the kids out to a Pick-Your-Own farm for a day of fun. This month apples, blueberries, peaches, raspberries, plums, watermelons, sweet corn, pumpkins, and many vegetables are ready for harvest in many states.

Do Some Baking – After you’ve been out fruit picking, put those fresh fruits to good use with a bit of baking. Apple and pumpkin pie are great fall dishes and you can involve the kids in pie crust making and of course everyone’s favorite part, pie eating. 

Backyard Bonfire – On those chilly fall evenings, a backyard bonfire is great fun. You can roast hot dogs and kebabs with the whole family. Just make sure your roasting sticks are long enough that short child arms aren’t going to get too close to the fire. Don’t forget a few marshmallows for s’mores!

Camping Out – September and early October are also a great time to enjoy a bit more camping before it gets too cold. Just be sure to pack plenty of sleeping bags and blankets. Start a campfire and tell ghost stories, (but nothing too scary for younger kids). 

Get Lost in a Corn Maze – Throughout the Midwest and Plains, many a corn maze pops up this time of year and is generally open til at least Halloween. Just be sure to keep younger ones in site at all times so they don’t get a bit too lost.

Warm Apple Cider and Donuts! Last but certainly not least, head to an apple orchard for warm apple cider and donuts! (Call your local orchard ahead of time to make sure they offer such delicious treats). Many orchards offer events during the apple harvest season as well, including music, craft shows, and a tour of the farm and orchard. 

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When I was younger, I actually got excited for road trips. I still do. And I didn’t have video games and a TV and all sorts of other gadgets in the car to keep me occupied. My mom and I played roadtrip games like the license plate alphabet game. My mom, by the way, was awesome and very creative at coming up with ways to keep me entertained on even the longest of trips.

One summer we drove, (just the two of us), from Michigan to Louisiana and back again. This was pre-GPS and my mom kept me busy looking at maps. I even figured out a fun shortcut that shaved about an hour off our trip and made me feel all-so-grownup and important.

Children today tend to be a bit more challenging to keep entertained and occupied on roadtrips but it’s not an impossible feat.

Tips for Roadtrips with Kids

• Plan Ahead – Involve your children in the planning process. Tell them ahead of time how long the trip will take, where’re you going, and show them on a map. A road trip can be stressful for a child when they don’t know the who, what, when and where of it all.
• Take Time to Smell the Proverbial Roses – Although as adults, we may be focused on getting to our destination as quickly as possible, 5 straight hours in a car is hard on a child. Plan in some stops and sightseeing along the way. Generally, a stop every 2 hours or less is good. Longer than that and you’re in for some grumpy little ones.
• Kid Friendly Sights – Rather than planning the day of shopping you’d like to do in Chicago, take into account what your kids would rather be doing. Aquariums, amusement parks, and weird tourist attractions will be a much bigger hit with the little ones.

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