Author: fuelingbrains_AdMEEn

Fall and winter are prime time for holiday activities for kids. The seasonal events and changing weather allow for so much creative fun. From enjoying a brisk autumn hayride and frolicking in colorful leaves and playing in the freshly fallen snow to creative cooks enjoying holiday baking and making handmade gifts, there are lots of joyful things for kids to do as the year comes to another end.

Fall Activities for Kids 

• Hayrides: A hayride at a family-friendly farm is fun for all ages. Kids and adults alike, enjoy riding along bumpy dirt roads and taking in all the active barnyard sights and smells. Some farms offer a hay or a corn maze, and animal petting areas.
• Pumpkin Decorations: Another popular fall activity for kids is picking, carving and decorating pumpkins. You may be able to find a farm that offers both hayrides and pumpkins. You can make it a whole day trip. Sorting through acres of pumpkins can be a lot of fun. Kids like to examine all the strange shapes and assorted sizes. When you get the orbs home, you can use them to come up with countless creations. Try making pumpkin decorations with colored markers, yarn, glitter or paint.
• Sensory Leaves: When autumn leaves start falling and piling up, it is time to pull out the rake. This doesn’t have to be such a chore when children are around to help. They love to dive in the mounds, stomp around on the crunchy leaves and roll in the piles. Kids may add to the mess, but they also like to rake the fallen colors. You can also use leaves to make creative fall crafts. Leaves are easy to trace, use for imprints and to paint.

Winter Activities for Kids 

• Sensory Snow: Snow may be cold, but kids don’t seem to mind. When the flakes start to fall it is time to get out and play. From snowball battles and building snowmen and forts to making snow angels kids can have countless hours of crisp outdoor fun in wintery bliss.
• Snow Paint: Another fun winter day past-time is exploring ways to snow paint. Mix water and food coloring in squirt bottles and allow children to use their imaginations on a vast white canvas. The darker the colors, the more vibrant the snow creation.
• Fort Builder: On those blustery days when outdoor play is just not an option, consider building an indoor fort. Most kids are natural fort builders; they love to assemble cozy places to hide away. All you need are a few couch cushions, pillows, sheets, a large empty box or whatever they can find to put together a clever fort. A couple of chairs with a blanket or sheet draped over them is enough to make an instant clubhouse for little ones.

Tap into you and your child’s imaginations; there are tons of fall and winter activities for kids and families. This is a great time of year for fostering creativity, building traditions and creating fond holiday memories.

Of course we want to teach our kids how to be independent, but they should also know the importance of working as part of a team. After all, being on a team can teach kids leadership skills and critical thinking skills, boost self-esteem, and instill a sense of cooperation. Here are a few activities that can help build that sense of teamwork.

Human Knot

Everyone stands in a circle, then each person joins hands with someone else, ideally with a person across the circle from them – they should not join hands with the person next to them. Each person must be holding hands with two different people. Without letting go of anyone’s hand, the team must work together and communicate with each other to untangle the knot.

Relay Race

You can turn pretty much anything into a relay race if you have enough people. For example, if a basketball team wants to practice dribbling, the race can be to dribble from one designated spot to another, then handing off the ball to your teammate. The first team to have all its members dribble the designated length is the winner. For more academic-themed teams, such as a math or science team, races can be completed in a series of questions, passed from one team member to the next. The first team to answer all their questions correctly is the winner.

Team Outing

Having the team share an experience is a great way to build their sense of companionship. By making the outing relevant to the team’s activity, you can also help develop the team’s appreciation for and understanding of it. For example, take your little league team to see a major league baseball game, or your science club kids to the natural science museum.

Simple activities such as a team picnic or ice cream party can also help build a sense of teamwork simply by allowing members a chance to get to know their teammates better. With a deeper understanding and closer relationship with one another, achieving goals both individually and as a team will mean so much more.

Do you have a hard time getting your child to eat vegetables? Feel like you’ve tried everything and the battle just continues? Convincing children to try new things can be quite the task; however, with proper techniques and dedication, you can get your child to eat more vegetables in no time!

Lead by Example

Often, parents try to get their children to eat better than they do, probably realizing it is easier to start young! The problem is, children look to their parents for a lot of habits, and eating habits are no different. Make sure that you also eat your vegetables and try to incorporate healthy eating into your home. Leading by example can help your child be more likely to try healthy vegetables.

Make Meals Fun

Everyone knows that children like to have fun and play games, so why not make mealtime more fun? Broccoli may not sound very appealing, but what if they are trees? Your little “dinosaur” may be able to help you finish off some of those trees. That is just one example of how you can turn a vegetable into a game—can you think of any others?

Involve Your Children

Children love when they are involved in decisions, and food shouldn’t be any different. Allow your children to select vegetables at the store to be used in meals. When it comes time to prepare the meal, also let your child help, whether it is washing them or helping put them on the plate.

Be Consistent

The best way to start a new habit is with consistency, and you should approach vegetables the same way. Be sure to try and include new vegetables with every meal. You can change the recipe and preparation method to see if your child may prefer them a certain way. Some children may detest raw broccoli, but find the steamed variety to be quite good.

Do you have a youngster getting ready to start day-care, school or meet new friends? Although it can be a fun experience for parents, it is a bit foreign to our children. When it comes time to introduce your child to other kids, social skills can be a very important factor. So what social skills can help with introducing your child to other kids and how can you help them learn them?

Greeting Others

• The first step to meeting new people is greeting them! Here is how you can help your child with greetings.

• Step 1: Look at the new person.
• Step 2: Use a nice voice.
• Step 3: Say, Hi, Hey or Hello!
• Step 4: Introduce yourself and ask their name.

To help your child with this, you can practice and discuss different ways to greet people, maybe even some greetings in another language!

Listening to Others

• A very important step to communication is listening to others. Here is how you can help your child with their listening skills.

• Step 1: Look at the person who is talking to you.
• Step 2: Do not speak until the person talking is done.
• Step 3: Show that you are listening by nodding your head.
• Step 4: Give your response when the other person is finished.

To help practice listening with your child, be sure to keep these four steps in mind while communicating. If your child interrupts, politely remind them that you can’t listen if you are talking.

Apologizing to Others

When children are learning to perfect their communication skills, miscommunications and arguments tend to arise. Apologizing is another essential social skill young children must learn to communicate with others effectively. Here is how you can help your child with their apologies.

• Step 1: Start with “I’m sorry for” or “I want to apologize for.”
• Step 2: Explain what you are sorry for.
• Step 3: Explain how you will do better in the future.
• Step 4: Thank them for listening to your apology.

To help practice apologizing with your child, keep the four steps in mind for day-to-day life. If a situation arises, practice saying apologies with your child and give them advice.

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, make sure your kids are up-to-date on their vaccinations. There are tools available online to help parents and pediatricians keep a current immunization schedule for children.

Why Vaccinate Your Child?

Vaccinate your child to protect his or her health and to make sure schools and communities remain free of outbreaks of unnecessary health threats.

Importance of Vaccinations with Age

• Birth-6 Years: The immunization schedule for children begins in infancy. There are vaccinations available to protect kids against 14 vaccine preventable diseases. Parents who elect to pass on vaccinations put their children and the entire community at risk of contracting serious or life-threatening illnesses.
• Ages 7-18 Years: Both children and teenagers require vaccines for health and safety. Annual flu shots are recommended for children 6 months and older. Even healthy teens can get a serious bout of the flu.

As children grow older, they become more at risk for contracting diseases, such as meningococcal meningitis, a vaccine preventable disease. The recommended vaccination chart for kids and teens is updated regularly to reflect new research advances that include new vaccines. Immunizations for conditions such as HPV, should be administered at 11-12 years and 13-18 years of age. If these treatments aren’t given on time, your child should be brought up to date as soon as possible.

The childhood vaccination for pertussis and other highly communicable diseases wears off eventually. That is the reason why older kids aged 11-13 receive the Tdap booster shot. Teenagers and adults who missed the Tdap should receive this vaccination right away. DTaP is the first version of the vaccine that is given early on to infants and young kids.

Vaccination Charts

A vaccination chart is offered by the CDC for people aged 7-18 as a reference guide for parents and pediatricians to help protect everyone from vaccine preventable diseases.

Different states have their own individual vaccination charts to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases, like pertussis. If you don’t know your state’s requirements for schools, ask your family pediatrician, check with your child’s school administration or local health department.

Now is the time to prepare for back to school 2017-2018. Parents are gathering and organizing school supplies, lunch ideas, registration details and after school childcare. Kids are considering what they will need for after school extracurricular activities. Luckily, there are a lot of school shopping tips and back to school guides posted online to help you find the best purchases, but there is more to back to school preparation than finding the hottest backpack.

Establishing Daily Routines for School

Preparing for the 2017-2018 school year means adapting to a new routine. There will be no more late bedtimes and lazy mornings. Parents should determine a set bedtime that allows kids enough sleep to wake up well-rested every morning. Practice your weekday routine a few times before the 2017-2018 school year begins. Layout clothes, come up with lunch ideas, pack school supplies, etc. the night before. Prepare what you can in advance to make mornings less hectic.

Overcoming the Back to School Transition 

• Focus on the positives. Make returning to school something your child will look forward to; it is not an easy transition for all kids.
• Allow your child to pick out school supplies and clothing that he or she likes, and will be excited to show off.
• Try to encourage your child by reminding them about friends they haven’t seen, or how they can tell their favorite teacher or bus driver about their fun summer activities.
• Children are more at ease when they know what to expect. Try to introduce your child to at least one new classmate before school starts. Contact your school to find a possible connection. This can make the transition less scary.
• Visit the school with your child and have he or she meet the new teacher. Ask the teacher for a tour of the classroom and the lowdown of a typical school day.
• Ask if the school offers a mentor or buddy system.

Overcoming Kid Worries

• Some children experience severe anxiety when starting school for the first time. This may be the first time in a kid’s life that he or she is faced with any real pressures.
• Don’t discount your child’s worries, but talk to your kid about school concerns and work to help them solve each issue.
• Don’t add to their anxiety with unnecessary demands. Let kids know that no one is great at everything. Praise your child for good efforts.

Keep in mind that some kids have problems in school that can’t be corrected easily. At times there are underlying health conditions. If your child’s anxiety does not go away after a few weeks or becomes more severe, contact your family physician.

There isn’t much time left for summer fun. Yet, there are many great places to visit in Calgary that families can travel to easily. Soon kids will be back in school and they will have a lot less free time for outdoor play. Calaway Park and Calgary Olympic Park provide affordable, family-friendly outdoor amusements. In addition, here are five top places to see in Calgary and make the most of these last few weeks before they are back in the fall routine.

Things to Do in Calgary With Kids

1. Calgary Zoo: The second largest zoo in Canada, Calgary Zoo features more than 1,000 rare species along with a nice variety of reptiles, amphibians, and birds living in enclosures that mimic their natural habitats. With a grand selection of wildlife native to Canada, Australia and Africa, this animal kingdom has been ranked one of the best in the country. In addition, the Prehistoric Park at Calgary Zoo displays life size dinosaurs, rock formations, and plants like those that existed during the Mesozoic period in Alberta, millions of years ago.
2. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre: Providing refuge since 1929, this wildlife reserve offers 36 hectares, and over two km of walking trails and more than one km of nature trails that course along the river and throughout the forest, and by a calm lagoon. Currently, 270 different species of migratory birds reside at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary along with 21 mammal species and 247 types of plants.
3. Fort Calgary: This 40-acre historical site is open all year and located east of the downtown area. Fort Calgary offers kids and parents lots of fun and interactive exhibits, site tours, and programs. This is Calgary’s birthplace and the first location where the North West Mounted Police established their fort in 1875 at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
4. Calgary Tower: Give the kids a bird’s eye panoramic view of the city standing on the glass floor of the observation deck of the Calgary Tower. Experience the breathtaking sights, including the Rocky Mountains, the foothills and hustle, and bustle of the busy city. Informative multi media tours are provided for all visitors, free with admission.The award-winning Calgary Tower tour begins at the base of the building with an intriguing perspective on the elevator joyride from the bottom to the top. Once visitors reach the observation deck, they are given a panoramic city view, that is comparable to the prospect through the windows. Guides point out specific landmarks and provide background information and compelling facts.
5. Heritage Park: Escape the ways of today and step back into the world of the Canadian pioneers at the Heritage Park Historical Village. Explore this Calgary living history museum this summer and all year round. Mingle with the welcoming pioneers, take a ride on the authentic steam train, and enjoy a tea time at the Famous 5 verandah. The Gasoline Alley museum is also open throughout the year, displaying a collection of world-class vintage vehicles.

Summer is here, and we bet you are looking for fun things to do with the whole family. If you and your family love festivals, you’ll be happy to know there are lots of events going on in and around Calgary this summer. Whether you are looking for a rodeo or something a bit more cultural, we’ve got you covered.

Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is a ten-day annual rodeo, exhibition, and festival. Features the world’s largest rodeo, a parade, concerts, stage shows and more!

July 7-16, 2017

Taste of Okotoks
Taste of Okotoks showcases delicious food from the Okotoks area and offers live music, artists, and family fun. There will also be local artisans, entertainment, and boutique shopping.

July 22, 2017

Inglewood Sunfest
The Inglewood Sunfest will highlight thehistorical and vibrant Inglewood community and nature. There will be performers, vendors, fantastic food, a pie eating contest, kid zone and even more!

July 21, 2017

AFRIKADEY!
AFRIKADEY! presents a captivating array of African-inspired entertainment, sights, sounds, and flavours. There will be capoeira, dance and drum performances all around and provide fun for the whole family.

August 5, 2017

Strathmore Stampede
The Strathmore Stampede features unique hand-crafted goods, arts and crafts, chuckwagon races, live entertainment, a farmer’s market and even a bull run! Get out your boots and bring the whole family down for a few days of fun.

August 4-7, 2017

GlobalFest
GlobalFest aims to showcase more than 60 cultures through a variety of events and activities, celebrating diversity in Calgary. It will feature heritage dress, cultural music, interactive activities, ethnic foods and even a firework show!

August 15-26, 2017

We hope everyone has a fun and safe summer! If you find out about anymore amazing events near Calgary this summer, be sure to let us know. We’d love to hear about it and spread the word!

Summer is finally here and that means your hungry kids will be home all day! Instead of feeding them quick, unhealthy snacks every time they are hungry, why not try some of these healthy alternatives we’ve come up with? From frozen snacks to pizza and french fries, your kids are sure to enjoy these tasty, healthy summer snacks for kids. Know of any other great healthy recipes kids can enjoy this summer? Let us know!

• Fruit & Cheese Kabobs – This recipe is super simple and great to get the kids involved with. You’ll need skewers, fresh fruit, and cheese. You can use a variety of fruit from berries and apples to pears and bananas. Next pick what kind of cheese you’d like to use, different cheese may go better with different fruits. Cut the fruit and cheese into small bite size portions and then allow your children to place it on the skewers. They can last all day in the fridge.
• Fruit Pizza – Another simple recipe the kids can help with! You’ll need a fresh watermelon (sliced) and other fruit of your choice. Cut the fruit into small pieces and allow your children to top the watermelon slices however you like. You can store them in the fridge for kids to grab as a snack. Watermelon can also help keep your kids hydrated on hot summer days which is always important!
• Watermelon Pops – For this recipe, all you need is fresh sliced watermelon and popsicle sticks. Once you’ve cut up the watermelon, place popsicle sticks in them and place them in the freezer. Your kids can enjoy a tasty popsicle anytime they want!
• Ants On a Log – This recipe combines celery, nut butter and your choice of topping. Cut the celery into3-inch pieces and top with your choice of nut butter (Peanut, Almond, Cashew, etc.). Then you’ll need to decide on a topping, you can use nuts, seeds or even chocolate chips if you want them to be more of a treat.
• Frozen Grapes – Using small ziplock bags, place about a cup of fresh grapes, seal and then freeze. These can be taken on the go or enjoyed right out of the fridge.
• Baked Sweet Fries – All you need for this recipe are sweet potatoes, salt, and some cinnamon. Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges and toss with cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Place the wedges on a baking pan and place in your oven preheated at 450. Cook them for 18-24 minutes depending on how crispy you like them and enjoy!

In recent years, electronics have become children’s main source of entertainment. But what impact does that have on our children? It has stunted friendships, outdoor activities, and health of our youth. Extracurricular activities have shown many positive benefits in recent research and studies, from teaching them socialization and team skills to stress management and health benefits. Letting your child explore various positive hobbies can help prevent them from partaking in negative activities children sometimes become involved in. There are many extracurricular activities your child can become involved in depending on their age and interests.

How Can Extracurricular Activities Benefit My Child?

If you are trying to decide whether extracurricular activities are right for your family, take a look at these benefits such activities can have on your child:

• Getting your child involved in extracurricular activities can teach them time management skills and how to prioritize different commitments. Learning these skills will be useful for the rest of their life and help with managing stress.
• When filling out college applications, students with more extracurricular activities and community involvement tend to fare better than those who were not involved. The difference between an acceptance and rejection letter is quite big!
• Exploring new interests is important for children to find things they are passionate about. Whether it be learning an instrument, playing a sport or starring in a play. Accomplishments with these hobbies can help build your child’s self-esteem and confidence as well.
• Being involved in an activity that involves goals and teamwork can help build your child’s self-esteem and overall confidence. Allowing your child to build confidence in a more relaxed setting can help with mastering new skills later in life.
• Goals are extremely important in life and teaching children to have goals at an early age can be very beneficial. Setting and obtaining goals can improve your child’s motivation and confidence throughout life.
• Teamwork can become extremely important later in life when it comes to thriving in social and occupational settings. Teaching your child teamwork and its overall importance at an early age can help them thrive later in life.
• Studies have shown that children involved in extracurricular activities tend to have better academics than children who spend free-time using electronics and avoiding social situations.

Getting your child involved in an extracurricular activity not only occupies some of their free time, it also teaches them valuable skills for the rest of life. From time and stress management to teamwork and goal setting, activities can help children in many ways. Make sure you get your children involved in extracurricular activities so they can discover their passions!