Cool Summer Activities for the Family’s Beach Bonding

May 2, 2013 By 2 Comments

Yes, it is still summer and summer spells FUN for almost every kid in town. This break gives them more time to play and take up activities that they can’t do while the school year is ongoing. Summer break also provides wonderful weather for family vacations, road trips and beach bonding. This time, why not take the whole family for a couple of days of sun, sand a surf? Unlike what many families think, there are actually a lot of other summer activities that you can do on the beach than just wade in the waters. Here are some suggestions that you might want to check out.

build sand castles

Build Sand Castles!

Challenge everyone in the family with these fun summer activities, to create sand castles and sculptures that are photo op-worthy! Don’t settle for the shapeless mounds that you used to make, with tools such as a small bucket, a small shovel and carving tools to help you, you can create a fortress that all of you will be truly proud of!

beach camping
Beach Camping

For a change, opt for a beach camping rather than the usual hotel resorts that your family usually book and reserve. The kids will have the grandest experience setting up and sleeping inside a tent. You may also use camping stoves and cook set to prepare your food. You can teach your kids to be more conscious about the environment as you tell them to collect the garbage and to dispose them properly too. These summer activities can make your kids’ vacation exciting and worthwhile.

Treasure Hunting

For a kid’s wild imagination, the sea and the sun can be synonymous with pirates and treasure hunts! While at beach, give your kids a special mission to find the most unique shells or draw up a treasure map that they can easily follow. Cap the day with a reward and a sumptuous feast of fresh and yummy seafood!

star gaze
Stargaze at Night

Down at the beach is the best location for stargazing and catching falling stars for a wish! Take advantage of the wide open sky that’s perfect for sky watching and star gazing. Point out constellations and try to name them in a contest. Catch falling stars and make wishes before they’re gone.

beach sports

Try Out Beach Sports

The fine weather and the time you have could be the best combination you need to try and learn new sports that you will enjoy. Frisbee, beach volleyball and beach soccer are just some to name a few that could interest you. If the beach you’re heading has really nice waves, it could be the perfect setting to learn surfing, no waves? Try skimboarding!

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4 Mess Free Snacks for Your Kids While on a Road Trip

April 30, 2013 By 1 Comment

road trip snacksTaking a road trip with the whole family can be one of the most incredible experiences you will all have together. Road trips allow you to truly take in the landscape and the attractions while you travel, and you have the freedom to go wherever you want at your own pace. Travelling with kids can be a little challenging though if you aren’t fully prepared, so it helps to have a few things sorted out before you leave. Entertainment and snacks seem to be the two biggest issues when it comes to keeping everyone happy on a road trip, so taking the time to organise this pre-trip will definitely help everything to go a lot smoother.

When it comes to snacks, you want to find things that are healthy, tasty and nutritious. This might seem easy, but when you are travelling in a car for hours on end, you also need to consider the mess factor! If you’re planning on going away with the whole family for a car adventure, here are 4 mess free snack ideas for your kids while you’re on a road trip.

Fresh Fruit Slices

While some fresh fruit can be messy, if you stick to pre-prepared slices of apples, peeled oranges, small strawberry segments and grapes, you have the chance to give your kids a fresh healthy snack that won’t get smeared throughout the car and onto their clothes. Just remember to refrigerate the fruit prior to leaving, keep the segments in a zip lock back and preferably store it in a cool bag to keep it fresh and firm. A packet of wet wipes is great to have on hand to stave away any sticky fingers after the snack.

Homemade Potato Chips

Making your own potato chips is a quick and healthy alternative to other highly coloured and processed savoury snacks. Simply slice the potato finely, lightly season, then bake in the oven with a light spray of canola. Once crisp, remove and leave to cool before popping into small Tupperware boxes for the trip. Your kids will love the feeling of having a treat, and you can relax knowing that they’re snacking healthily.

Whole Grain Sandwich Snacks

Sandwiches and crackers can get messy on long trips, so try these bite sizes whole grain snacks instead. Using a moist whole grain bread reduces the amount of crumbs, and cutting the sandwiches into small bite sized pieces means less opportunity for the filling to spill. Keep it simple, ham and cheese is a firm favourite, as is peanut butter and jam for the sweet tooths in the family.

DIY Trail Mix

Making your own trail mix is a great way to keep an eye on what your kids are actually snacking on. Rather than trusting commercial mixes which can be high in sugars, make your own from your kid’s favourite dried fruits and nuts. Package these into small portions and seal in zip lock bags for a quick, easy and tasty treat for even the longest road trip.

When planning a road trip with the kids, the last thing you want is sticky fingers and smeared food mashed into the beautiful upholstery of your brand new Suzuki Kizashi. To avoid heartache, stick to these simple and mess free snacks that your kids will love, without redecorating the interior of your car! These wholesome and healthy treats are easy to make and are tasty enough that your kids will really enjoy their special road trip snacks for the whole duration of your adventure.

About the Author

Amanda is mother of 3 young boys who is an active blogger amongst the online mothering community.

Image Credit:
ImageryMajestic – FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

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Bonding Activities Your Teenagers Will Love

April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Teenagers can be a bit sensitive when the topic is about their age. They no longer wanted to be treated like children and want to be seen as grown-ups. So perhaps it is high time that you treat them like responsible young adults as they tend to shy away from activities that make them feel like kids. Some games and activities such as children’s parties, going to the zoo and playing super hero may be fun for them last year, but they can start making them self-conscious now. And if you insist on having kiddie activities with them, you might find yourself unintentionally pushed away. Teenagers fear being ridiculed by their friends for doing something childish.

teenagers

For you and your tweens to spend time together, you need to adjust your idea of having a good time and treat them more maturely. Suggest bonding ideas that they won’t be embarrassed about such as travelling, food tripping, watch blockbuster movies together and others. After school or over the weekend, you can take your kid over the latest pancake or donut joint and then take the opportunity to ask what they have been up to lately. You may also try watching the newest movies and they sure won’t feel any insecure when they’re so engrossed on what’s playing on the screen. While you’re at it, stop yourself from being too affectionate so they won’t shy away and will want to spend more time with you.

Teenagers love to explore and learn new things the cool way. Even if it’s not vacation time, you can take your kids away for a weekend and head somewhere you haven’t been to before. Turn family trips into an adventure worthy of Tomb Raider movies and your young adults will surely love the activity. Just avoid taking too much family pictures so your kids won’t be embarrassed to upload them online. To keep them grounded and if they’re so inclined, you can teach them new skills such as cooking or how check the car. This way they feel that they are trusted, responsible and grown up. Another is participating in volunteer works and fun runs that donate to charity. Doing something for a cause is a great bonding activity that will not only teach your kids to care about others but will also make them proud to be part of.

Image Credit:
Photostock – FreeDigitalPhotos.Net

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