Posts Tagged ‘
summer ’
Friday, June 8th, 2012
Photo courtesy of Smugglers' Notch Resort
Looking for something fun to do now that summer’s here? Hit the slopes! We’re not kidding. Winter resorts like Smugglers’ Notch near Jeffersonville, Vermont, are just as fun when the sun is shining and no one is skiing. Smuggs (as the locals call it) offers summer camps for kids ages 9-17 such as H2Awesome! Water Camp for your little fishies (turns out there are a lot of watering holes and beaches in the area) and Survival Camp, a four-day adventure for camping lovers to learn wilderness survival skills. Each day focuses on a new topic – including shelter, water, food, and fire. Smuggs also offers special activities and trips such as visits to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, where kids can discover 70 live species and participate in more than 100 interactive experiences. For families with special needs kids, Smuggs even offers their Adaptive Program. For more information about these and other programs at Smugglers’ Notch, go to smuggs.com.
Thursday, May 17th, 2012
The awesome old-school version
There’s no toy that says “summer” to me like a Radio Flyer wagon. Did you know that the red wagon has been around for 95 years now? I picture these in every Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Fourth of July parade. And every beach town across America!
Personally, we use one at Neenup’s house (that’s my mom!). She’s near the beach but my kids just pull it around her yard during their endless imagination games. I love that we’ve got a customized one that says Grace and Joe on it!
The Grace and Joe mobile! They're hunting for ladybugs.
Want to customize your own red wagon? You can do it at RadioFlyer.com. You pick whether you want the metal-and-wood, old-school wagon (we’ve got one of those here in our office, it makes sneak appearances in photo shoots), or the plastic one I have for my kids (because we kind of abuse outdoor toys). Then you pick whether you want two little canopies, shade umbrellas, or one big canopy; you choose fabric patterns; you customize your wheels; and of course, you add a kid’s name, or a few! (You get up to 20 characters.)
To celebrate their near-centennial, the Radio Flyer folks are going to give away one personalized wagon for free. The worth of the wagon depends on what you add to it; it will be worth at minimum $105 and at most about $250. (Mine, which includes a storage compartment, would cost $209.) Just leave a comment here, up to once a day. Tell me what you’re most looking forward to doing with your kid this summer! (I’m looking forward to jumping in a pool with mine, we have a long wait here on the East coast for the pools to finally open up.)
This giveaway starts now and goes through Wednesday, May 23rd. For the official rules, please click here. As always, goody luck!
That's a tricked-out wagon!
Categories: Giveaways, GoodyBlog, Shopping & Gear, Time for Fun, Your Child | Tags: free stuff, Giveaway, GoodyBlog, little kids, radio flyer, summer, wagon
Monday, April 9th, 2012
Autism May Be Linked to Obesity During Pregnancy
Obesity during pregnancy may increase chances for having a child with autism, provocative new research suggests.
Apps Helping Autistic Children Communicate
Children with autism typically have difficulty communicating and interacting with others. Manuel Gallegus reports on one school in New Jersey that is using iPhone and iPad apps to change all that.
Colombian Girl, 10, Gives Birth to Daughter
Young mother, a member of the indigenous Wayuu tribe, delivered by C-section.
Emotional Trauma May Hurt Toddlers’ Later Learning
Suffering emotional trauma such as witnessing domestic violence or being abused early in life may inhibit children’s intellectual development, according to a new study.
Fertility Clinic Founder May Have Fathered Up to 600 Children
A pioneering British scientist who set up a controversial London fertility clinic with his wife in the 1940s may have fathered up to 600 children, according to research from two men who have discovered they are his biological sons.
Will High Gas Prices Bring On Another Summer of the ‘Staycation’?
Remember the “staycation“? In 2009, when recession concerns reached their peak, the term came into widespread use, referring to the practice of staying home (or close to home) as a money-saving alternative to the traditional vacation involving a flight or long road trip. Rising gas prices may bring on a staycation sequel in 2012.
Friday, September 16th, 2011
Summer is definitely over in New York. The chill in the air has everyone pulling out their jackets and packing away swimsuits and sundresses. But one of my summer faves that I’m not going to put into winter storage is the Yonanas maker. The device blends frozen bananas into an icy treat that has the consistency of soft serve ice cream. The mild taste of the bananas is a great base for your favorite toppings. I like adding a few pieces of mint chocolate to mine—when it’s all blended together it tastes just like mint chocolate chip ice cream. Or try adding berries for a healthy after-school snack that kids will love.
Monday, August 15th, 2011
Focus sharpens on children left in hot cars
The nation’s top road safety official visits here Monday for the first in a series of listening sessions on the dangers of hyperthermia and how best to inform parents and caregivers of the potentially tragic consequences of leaving children unattended in automobiles.
Summer camp behind bars: Program connects kids, incarcerated dads
The camp, which serves inmates from Washington D.C., is now held at two prisons in Maryland and a third in North Carolina that range from low to maximum security. Kids ages 9 to 14 spend their days with their dads in the prison gym or visiting room. Together, they dance, drum and make murals and create things like a family crest. At night, the kids and counselors sleep at an off-site facility.
All school, no play? Kids’ learning suffers without recess, experts say
For kids like Nadav, the transition from summer freedom to the grindstone of the classroom may be tough. With schools under pressure to meet standardized testing goals, recess has been cut back and even eliminated in some school districts. The irony, experts say, is that schools may be shooting themselves in the foot by taking away playtime that’s crucial to a child’s growth.
Bachmann points to foster parenting on her terms
From her first campaign to her latest, Republican presidential contender Michele Bachmann has used her time as a foster parent to help create an image of a family-focused Christian driven by compassion and social conviction.
Program teaches positive parenting strategies
The Capable Parents program provides free classes for local parents of children of all ages. On Tuesday, the program will kick off The Incredible Years, a free 14-week class for parents of children ages 3 to 6.
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
Even though some kids are going back to school, summer’s far from over! From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are 99 days of summer (we counted!), which means we’re dedicated to bringing you tons of ideas to have fun, keep cool, and stay safe every day until September 5.
There are still plenty of summer days left, so make sure to sign up for the Daily Parenting Tip newsletter to receive special summer features from us and our partner, PBS Parents.
Get through the heat wave by keeping your kids hydrated and making unique and colorful ice pops. Or seek the shade and stay indoors to create dazzling crafts that will catch the sun.
For more summer inspiration, here are our favorite ideas to get your family through the rest of summer:
Don’t forget to visit our 99 Days of Summer page for more recipes, crafts, travel, and safety ideas!
Categories: Crafts, Food, GoodyBlog, Time for Fun, Your Child | Tags: 99 days of summer, backyard camping, beach, crafts, daily parenting tip, pbs, pbs parents, recipes, summer, summer safety, toys
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
It’s not just your child’s skin that needs protection from UV rays; eyes also need protection. Parents.com asked Michael Pier, O.D., Director of Professional Relations and Practitioner Education at Bausch + Lomb Vision Care North America, to answer questions about keeping kids’ eyes safe from the sun.
What are the best ways parents can protect their children’s eyes from the sun’s glare during the summer?
Children should wear sunglasses or a wide brim hat in bright sunlight. This is extremely important when they are outside between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm when UV rays are strongest.
At what age should kids start wearing sunglasses? How do parents know which sunglasses are the most effective?
Sunglasses are available for children as young as 6 months old. There are special frames that contour to a child’s face and fit the “youth” bridge of the nose. Make sure your child’s sunglasses say they block 99%-100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Is there other protective eye gear that children should wear?
Children who are active in sports should wear sports goggles that feature UV protection treatment. For children 8-12 years old, daily disposable contact lenses are also available through prescriptions (Bausch + Lomb offers SofLens).
How can eyes be kept safe from chlorine at the pool, sand at the beach, allergens in the backyard, etc.?
Kids should refrain from touching their eyes with unwashed hands. If kids feel the need to rub their eyes, encourage them to use a clean towel when outdoors.
If eyes are exposed to too much sun, what first aid procedures can parents rely on?
Excessive exposure usually result in sunburned lids and eye area. Manage the sunburned places with delicate applications of soothing creams or lotions, but avoid putting anything in the eyes.
Categories: GoodyBlog, Health & Safety, Must Read, Your Child | Tags: eye safety, eyes, health, Health & Safety, summer, summer hazards, summer safety, sun, sun exposure, sun protection, sun safety, UV protection
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Before your child takes a dip in a backyard or public pool, take precautions to prevent drownings or any water injuries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has relaunched the second year of their “Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives” campaign, a national safety education effort that helps kids stay safe in swimming pools and spas.
According to CPSC.gov, drownings are the highest reasons for child deaths between ages 1-4, and more incidents related to drownings and near-drownings have been increasing through the years. In the first five months of 2011, the media has already reported 55 drownings and 63 near-drowning incidents.
The CPSC also advises that parents always be alert and practice water safety skills, that kids wear bright-colored clothes, and that appropriate equipment be used for pools and spas (e.g. sensors, floaters, and drain covers). Parents can also get the latest information about recalled pool and spa drain covers through the Toy and Product Recall Finder on our site.
Visit PoolSafely.gov to read pool and spa safety tips, share stories, and get other water safety resources.
Categories: GoodyBlog, Health & Safety, Your Child | Tags: pool, pool and spa drain covers, pool safely, pool safety, pools, spa, summer, summer hazards, summer safety, water, water safety
