Welcome back! 

Today is Day 2 in our week-long series:  The ABC’s of Family Field Trips!

During the first day, we shared tips for getting ready, ways to use books, exploring on your visit and 24 ideas of places to take the kids. 

Today we’ll focus on topics and outings for F – J.

Today we’re covering more tips & tricks for planning enjoyable Family Outings on our 5-part series:

The ABC’s of Family Field Trips

Here’s a summary of the first 3 days:

{Part 1} Getting Ready, Exploring & Fun Field Trips

{Part 2} Having Fun, Inspiration & Hands-on Ideas

{Part 3} Learning, New Places & Outdoor Fun

Today’s focus will be on Pretend Play, Reading, Science & Tours.

Welcome to Part 3 of our Family Field Trip series!

So far, we’ve shared a number of ideas & tips along with more than 35 fun places to visit for a family outing!

Here are the first two posts in the series:

{Part 1} Getting Ready, Exploring & Fun Field Trips

{Part 2} Having Fun, Inspiration & Hands-on Ideas

And we’ve still got lots more to cover!  This post will highlight the letters K – 0 as we discuss learning, new places & outdoor fun.

I do so love the holidays!  Yes, I know they get crazy and busy (and I never seem to get all the baking done that I would like to) but it’s a time to connect with family and reflect on all the joy that we have in our lives.

And for our family, it’s also a time to give to others.  Some years, we adopt a family and help provide them with a meal; other years, we’ll adopt an angel from a tree or donate toys to Toys for Tots.  There are so many ways to give back and make the season a joyous one for others.

Welcome to our December Online Book Club for Kids!  Each month, a group of amazing bloggers highlights an author and create a variety of activities and crafts to go along with their books.

This month we’re featuring the books of Jan Brett!

I’m thrilled to be co-hosting a blog hop with a dozen other bloggers who are all sharing some wonderful ways to help others this holiday season. 

We’re sharing ideas for everyone — young or old, individual or family, those who want to help kids or animals — to make this a true ‘season of giving’ in Kansas City! 

Each of us has chosen to feature a charity of two and highlight how people can get involved — we are sharing more about how families can help other kids in Kansas City by working with the Salvation Army and Children’s Mercy.

The holidays are a great time to introduce kids to the idea of giving.  It’s important that kids of all ages understand that no matter what your age or income status, EVERYONE can help give to others and help their community.

Next week, we will feature some fun activities, crafts and cool ideas for the monthly Online Kids Book Club. 

If you missed last month’s feature, you can read more about the Family Conversation Jar and October’s author, Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

I love the month of November! 

I know that most kids think it’s just the time between Halloween and the beginning of the holiday seasons, but for me it’s a great time to be thankful for a number of things. 

I hope as my kids get older, they too begin to appreciate some of the following:

Are you raising curious kids?  You know, kids who love to ask questions, search for the answers and learn new things?  If so, BRAVO! Curious kids are the result of ‘thinking families’ — You must be a ‘thinking’ family!

Thinking families encourage kids to ask questions.  When your child asks ‘why’ or ‘how’, thinking families enjoy the exchange of ideas and the hunt for ways to answer the questions.

What do you do when the rain spoils your plans?

We were all set to visit the pumpkin patch last week and what happens — rain!  Twice!!