I recently read a horrifying article about a little boy who toppled off the side of a fast food restaurant’s play area and injured his head enough to make him developmentally challenged for the rest of his life.  Yikes! Did this article make me think twice about taking my kids to the indoor play areas we frequent now, specifically the mall, fast food places and at the gym? No, it didn’t.

I first took my daughter to a play area in the mall when she was first learning to crawl.  I stayed right by her side and made sure that none of the bigger, rowdy kids got near her.  The look on her face was enough for me to return the next time we were in the mall; she had a look of wonderment on her face that said, “Wow! What is this place?”

Now that we are far beyond the crawling stage, my kids still love play areas.  They’re older now so I can let them play without me hovering over them, but I still pay close attention to what’s going on.  Are there any kids who aren’t playing nicely? Are there any shady-looking adults hanging out? Is there anything about the play area that gives me the heebie-jeebies?

I know some moms who won’t even let their kids within the confines of indoor play areas because of the germ factor.  Yes, it’s true that these places probably take the cake when it comes to germy surfaces, but I stand ready with antibacterial wipes for when the kids are all done playing.  Let me tell you, there have been some days when it has been so incredibly cold outside that it actually hurts to breathe (hooray for the Midwest), but I bundle up the kids and head to a nearby fast food restaurant and let them run and jump and play in the play area until they are exhausted.  It’s great.

As far as the injury factor goes, I certainly don’t let my kids play in areas that seem less than safe.  I show them the confines they need to stay within so they don’t try to do things they shouldn’t do.  Most importantly, I keep an eye on them.  I can only imagine what dangerous mischief they might get into if I ignored what they were doing, so I make it my priority to know where they are and what they are doing.  I see a lot of parents who let their kids play in a play area but then get engrossed in a book or chat on the phone with their backs turned to the play areas.  I saw one lady do that with her baby who was barely old enough to walk – and it was a multi-level play area with a slide – and I was flabbergasted.

If you’re keeping your babies and kids out of indoor play areas because you’re worried about germs or injuries, I have to let you know that you don’t know what you’re missing.  Just keep an eye on them and wipe up their hands when they’re finished playing, and I guarantee your kids will have a great time.

It’s finally spring, and if you’re looking for an outdoor activity that both you and your kids will enjoy, head outdoors. Whether it’s your own backyard or in a local park, go out and enjoy the spring weather. And while you’re at it, make it a learning experience for both you and the kids with the Arbor Day Foundation’s new pocket guide to tree identification.

“What Tree is That?” is a 164 page guidebook that’s small enough to fit into your pocket or bag. Written and illustrated by the Arbor Day Foundation, the guide provides a step by step approach to identify 250 common North American trees, with beautiful illustrations that kids can easily compare with the tree in question. Trees are identified by answering a series of questions, much in the same way as a choose-your-own-adventure book. Beginning with the leaves or needles, the yes or no answers to the questions walk you through the identification process. There are also various “clues” and explanations sprinkled throughout the book that help to enrich the process and teach kids about the various parts of trees. For example, did you know that the proper term for those little brown winged fruits that drop to the ground from many maple trees in the springtime are actually named samaras? We always called them spinners or helicopters, and would throw them up in the air just to watch them come fluttering back down.

If you want to check the book out first, the Web site has a free interactive “What Tree is That?” section for the Eastern, Central and Western United States. Click on your region, then answer a few easy yes or no questions to identify the trees in your neighborhood or right outside your door. It’s a great way to get the kids involved in a fun activity that everyone can take part in.

There’s also a glossary of tree terms and an animated tutorial that teaches identifying characteristics, such as leaves, seeds, and fruits – handy for the budding arborist in your family.

Arbor Day falls on April 24th this year and is an excellent excuse to go outside and enjoy nature. Why not get the kids together and plant a tree or two, whether it’s in your own backyard or part of a community tree planting project? It’s great for not only the environment but for our own health as well.

Everything in moderation seems to be a good motto for, well, just about everything. When it comes to children watching television, there are several ways to discourage them from becoming couch potatoes:

1. Keep other fun activities, such as puzzles, board games, books and art supplies in the same room as the television, to remind kids of their alternatives to television-viewing.
2. Treat t.v. as a privilege, something kids have to earn. Only allow television-viewing after their chores and homework are finished.
3. Do not allow children to have televisions in their bedrooms (We actually took the t.v. out of our room; it?s so much nicer to nod off peacefully while engrossed in a book than to a blaring television- and we happen to be setting a good example for the kids!).
4. Limit your own television viewing time, thereby setting a good example.
5. Use t.v. screening tools, which are available in most new television sets. These tools measure and rate any violent content in a television program.
6. Develop a family television schedule and post it in a convenient spot that?s easy to see. Include which programs can be watched and at which times. (Be sure to turn off the tube when the pre-scheduled program is over!).
7. Preview and read up on the television programs which are available. This will allow you to pick and choose which shows are appropriate for your children.
8. Always have entertaining or interesting alternatives to watching t.v.. If you?re planning to spend a day at home with the kids, think up some alternative activities for them to do, or to do together.

Take turns reading to each other, look for fun arts and crafts activities in magazines like Family Fun and on websites such as Michael?s.com. Keep adding to your collection of board games (look for weekly sales, such as ?buy one, get one free? sales at Toys ?r Us) and let the kids pick which game to play!

Of course, playing outside is always a fun thing to do. Go for a bike ride, a walk or join your child in his favorite game or sport. Family Fun magazine is also a great resource for unique game ideas.

Need some ideas for activities with your little ones this weekend? If you’ve already done them, they’re so much fun, they bear repeating!

1. Set up an inflatable pool in your backyard and have the kids wade around in it (with supervision, of course). Get beach paraphernalia, like buckets, scoops, etc., or other water toys and watch them splash around with glee.
2. Visit a children’s museum, they’re usually either free or have a nominal fee. Children’s museums are usually hands-on, and interactive, so you won’t be spending your time telling your toddler “No, don’t touch that!”.
3. Take a hike in the woods. Strap your baby in a baby carrier, and toddler in dad’s back carrier and enjoy what nature has to offer.
4. Check your library for story time and bring the kids. This is best for toddlers and preschoolers. Baby would probably be fussy so time it right when they are napping in a stroller or carrier, or have just woken up, diapered, eaten and in a good mood.
5. Buy a bottle of bubbles or make your own (I used to make my own when I was younger) and blow bubbles in the backyard, or in the park.

Got any other ideas? Share them here!

Natural is out, virtual is in. Communing with nature is pass?.
This was the result of 3 independents studies in the US, Japan and Spain. People all over are spending less and less time in the great outdoors. And the Internet may just be one of the reasons.

Since 1991, outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing have been on the decline, up to 25% drop. The reasons behind this decline are many and complex but the major ones are as follows:

Technology – the rapid advancement in technology gave us the Internet, TV, video games, and other multimedia playthings – things that keep us indoors more than before.

Fear – Personal security is also a big issue as more and more parents put their children under protective house arrest. Fear of crime, wild animals, diseases – these are all keeping us indoors. Except that danger doesn’t necessarily lurk outside. The Internet makes everyone vulnerable wherever they may be.

Cost – Enjoying nature is also getting costly. Park fees are on the rise and not every one can afford camping gear. Plus, time off from work can also have some financial consequences.

I think we parents owe it to our children to introduce them to nature. We don’t need to follow the footsteps of the Swiss Family Robinson and sacrifice our well-organized urban life styles. It need not be expensive – a walk in the park, a trip to the zoo, a picnic in the countryside, a day at the seaside may be enough. We simply need to teach our kids that the trees and the flowers are best enjoyed by touching and smelling and not simply by watching Discovery Channel on an LCD screen.

Source:

Biello D. Scientific American. 5 Feb 2008

Let?s face it: many child-centered activities and destinations can be very pricey. When my kids were toddlers, some of my favorite things to do with them were either free or very inexpensive. I know I?ll be looking for similar things to do with my new little guy who?s due to arrive this spring. Honestly, I think many of the activities for moms of young ones are just as-if not more-important for moms as they are for their babies.

The best thing about Mom ?n Me type classes which cost an arm and leg seemed to always be the activities which evolved from them. A gym/music class I attended with my oldest child, beginning when he was about nine months old, proved to be a meeting place for moms who were tired of diapers and feedings, and were desperate for adult interaction. We all loved our babies more than anything but we were also lonely. The playgroup which formed through this class lasted beyond our commitments to the ten-week class schedule. About four other moms and I looked forward to meeting up each week to let our babies socialize while we did the same. The only cost was that of a pot of coffee and some snacks to share when each of us played hostess.

After my son?s first year, I got better at finding things to do on a tight budget. He and I made friends in the park, who told us about the International Mom?s Club. I joined this wonderful group, which has multiple chapters nationally, as well as internationally. I think my annual membership cost $20, which included a bi-monthly newsletter, listing activities planned for those months, as well as other information about members looking to form playgroups and wanting to connect with other moms and caregivers. There was a much-needed ?Mom?s Night Out? each month, which deepened friendships between moms.

Some of my favorite Mom?s Club activities included an amazing Halloween party held by one member, which featured crafts, hayrides on her husband?s tractor and cookie-decorating. The kids, of course, loved seeing each other?s costumes. Another great event was the annual Christmas cookie exchange, where we tasted each other?s favorites and exchanged recipes.

Together, we attended pay-as-you-go nature classes at a local nature center and picked apples at a nearby orchard. I continued to visit these places with my kids when not with the rest of the group, sometimes just hooking up with one of my son?s friends and his mom.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), is another popular, inexpensive group to join when your little one is a bit older. This group usually meets at least once a month (though not religious, it often takes place in a church) and also has many chapters nationwide. It features scheduled activities, classes, and lectures for moms, while caregivers watch and occupy the kids, who are broken into different age-groups with age-appropriate activities.

Another favorite of ours was weekly story time at the library. Besides being free, I liked that this was one of those activities which did not require pre-registration. It was nice to just be able to ?drop in?.

So there?s no need to spend a fortune when you?re looking to have some fun with your little one. Keep your eyes and ears open; I can assure you that other moms in your shoes are looking for fun and friendship, too.