A family playing twister on a rainy dayCategoriesParenting Play
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Stay Active with Fun Rainy Day Indoor Games for Kids

We’re always thrilled when Springtime rolls around, and the world thaws out from the cold, Winter freeze. But with those warmer temperatures come the Spring rains. And when you can’t send the kids out to play, everyone starts to go a little stir crazy on those days you’re stuck indoors. Next time the Spring rains roll around, try some of these indoor games for kids.

Tape Maze on the Floor

This simple game for children can help keep those little minds and bodies active on even the rainiest of days. All you need is a little painter’s tape and imagination. Weave your way around a room (or even your whole house) and place rewards or prizes at the end of the tape maze for your children to collect.

Make every game exciting by incorporating elements of hide and seek into the maze. Hide clues throughout your house that lead to the solving of a treasure mystery. 

Balloon Waddle Game

This fun game to play inside will have everyone in tears – from laughter. You just need a few balloons and a little dexterity. Because you don’t need much room, this also makes a great indoor group game for kids.

While your kids are playing for fun, they’ll also be working to improve their balance as they waddle around trying to hold the balloon between their legs. Set up mini-courses. If they drop the balloon, they have to reset and go back to start. 

Rainy Day Board Games

Board games are some of the best time-burning games to help pass away the rainy days. Instead of screen time, pull out a board game the whole family can enjoy.  If you’re both working from home, it’s even more fun if both parents can get involved.

You’ll create memories that last a lifetime. And who knows! Your kids might actually start to look forward to rainy days thanks to all the fun games to play at home.

Keep It Up Game

The keep it up game is similar to the balloon waddle game – except this time, you’re using the top half of your body to keep a balloon in the air. The best part of this game is that older children don’t necessarily need tons of adult supervision to play.

Kick the challenge up a notch by introducing multiple balloons at once. If you’re looking for an all-out activity that combines fitness, fun, and energy, this is it. 

Simon Says Yoga Game

This version of Simon Says is great because it’s a fun game without props. And if the kids have been getting rowdy, it’s also the perfect quiet indoor game for kids.

Instead of your typical Simon Says actions, you’ll guide your littles through easy yoga poses for kids. This activity can help calm the mind and spirit – which can also help keep you sane when everyone’s cooped up inside on rainy days.

DIY Indoor Hopscotch

Hopscotch is an all-time favorite, simple game for children. This straightforward, engaging activity is the perfect stay-at-home activity for toddlers because of its simplicity and interactivity.

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the traditional hopscotch box. You can make all different types of outlines and mix it up with shapes.

Instead of hopping by number, try setting up different shapes and instructing your kids to jump to different shapes. It can be the perfect mix of interactive learning and fun activities for your kids on rainy days.

Conclusion: Enjoying Time Indoors is Easy with Stay-at-Home Games

Sure, you might not need your kid’s tracker watch on rainy days, but staying indoors has its perks. You can still find creative inside games for your littles to help burn off energy and create long-lasting memories. Hopefully, these fun indoor games for kids can help you pass the time on the rainiest of days.

Inside days are perfect for prepping for those outside days, too. Help keep your kids safe next time you head to the park or the zoo with a smartwatch with GPS tracking. Shop the collection now.

 

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Girl talking with mom using her smartwatchCategoriesParenting Tech
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Make Vacation Stress-Free with the Best GPS Watch for Kids

 

You know that feeling when you’re in a crowded place, and you look down and realize that your child has wandered off? No one should feel like that. While you might think a cell phone is a solution, it doesn’t offer the same peace of mind as a GPS tracking watch for kids.

From theme parks to state parks, learn how a top-rated GPS watch for kids can help make summer vacations that much sweeter.

The Debate: GPS Watch vs. Cell Phone

If you think cell phones provide the same level of security and reliability as a kids’ trackable watch, you haven’t met the modern kids’ safety watch. Designed with usability in mind, here’s how a waterproof GPS tracker watch outperforms a cell phone.

Durability

Smartphones aren’t designed to be handled by toddlers and preschool-age children. You might even be among the parents that consider middle school too young for cell phones. 

Kids tracker watches are durable and waterproof – two qualities that most cell phones lack. 

Plus, you won’t have to worry about the phone falling out of a pocket with a waterproof GPS device. The durable wrist band is comfortable and stays put all day long, no matter where your vacation excursions take you.

Battery Life

When you’re on the go (all day long) each and every day of your week-long vacation, battery life can become an issue. This is especially true if you’re relying on a cell phone to monitor your child’s location. 

Can your phone last for 96 hours without being plugged in? Probably not. But the Wizard Watch can. Even if you forget to charge it overnight, you can still get a days-long life without having to recharge multiple times throughout the day. For busy summer vacations, this mobility is essential.

Privacy

With no contracts and no data mining, the Wizard Watch can provide you with real-time data on your child’s location – without the data mining that is often associated with smartphone apps.

Built for iOS and Android, the Wizard Watch app comes with parental controls so you can designate “safe” zones. When your child wanders outside of these geofenced zones, you get a notification.

Accuracy

Ever noticed how your phone’s GPS always seems to be off? When it comes to your child’s safety, you don’t want to be wondering whether or not the location data of a phone is accurate.

With the Wizard Watch kids’ GPS watch app, you can get real-time data that’s realistic and precise. A kids smartwatch with GPS delivers location precisely when you need it most.

Safety Features

While some modern phones come with more integrated safety features, they’re not always user-friendly. If your child needs to contact you in an emergency, the last thing they need is a clunky SOS interface.

The Wizard Watch features a built-in SOS button that is easy to activate when it’s needed. It comes with a pre-activated SIM card, so they can also send text and voice messages when they need to contact you.

Conclusion: Give Them Freedom, Without Sacrificing Safety

Summer vacations don’t need to be stressful. You can let your kids explore at their own pace, without having to compromise safety. And you can easily keep an eye on your kid with a watch and GPS locator.

Get yours before you go on your next vacation so you can worry less and play more.

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A parent works in the background as a child plays during work from home quarantineCategoriesBlog Parenting Wellness
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10 Tips to Survive Working from Home With Kids… Without Going Insane

Between Zoom meetings and homeschooling, trust us when we say that working from home with kids has been pushing every parent over the edge. If you feel like you’re going off the rails trying to juggle a full-time job and homeschooling, you’re not alone.

When your daily routine doesn’t feel so routine anymore, try these ten tips for working from home while homeschooling.

1. Schedule the Day – or Don’t

For some households, creating a schedule can help add some order to an otherwise wildly unpredictable day. One of the best time management tips for work-at-home moms is to schedule out time blocks – for both you AND the kids.

But forcing a routine on the chaos of homeschooling while working can be like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. There will be a lot of pushing, shoving, friction – and probably a few savory words. Don’t fret if you just can’t make a semi-rigid schedule work. Remember that trying to force a schedule can create added stress.

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow, even if that flow changes every day. Even if your morning routine gets thrown off because the Cheerios are out of stock, don’t let it throw off your entire day.

2. Manage Your Expectations

If you don’t set realistic expectations, you’re setting yourself up for a one-way trip on the struggle bus.

When you’re creating a work-from-home schedule, plan on (constant) interruptions – even if you can close the door to your office and try to drown out the kids bickering in the living room.

There will be some days where you won’t be able to stick to those bedtime routines. Instead of letting it stress you out, let it go and accept that one day will not throw the universe out of alignment.

3. Set Priorities

Look – you’re not going to get everything done every day. One way to set your stay-at-home schedule up for success is by assigning daily task priorities.

Try breaking your daily tasks into three different categories: urgent, important, or non-important. 

If you’ve got a presentation to complete before a conference call or your kid has a school project due tomorrow, place them into the urgent (or must do) category. Domestic chores (like dishes or laundry) might alternate between important and non-important, depending on the day.

Categorizing your tasks can help you visualize what is essential versus what can wait. This simple approach can give your days the flexibility they need to manage your work at home job and homeschooling.

4. Establish Boundaries

The quarantine/work-from-home situation has blurred the lines between the work/life boundaries. If you’re feeling stressed and burnt out, try redefining the boundaries between work time and home time. 

Learning how to manage your time as a working mom or dad means understanding how to establish clear boundaries. When you sign off for the day, shut the door or tuck away the laptop to help you focus on your favorite part of the day: one-on-one time with your kids.

This tip goes for the kids, too. When school time’s over, let it go for the day. 

5. Make Time for Play

A day in the life of working from home should include a healthy amount of playtime. In today’s stressful quarantine environment, that might mean even more playtime than usual. 

Studies show that COVID impacts childrens’ mental health just as much (if not more) than adults. Limited social contact, isolation, and ongoing uncertainty can leave your child feeling anxious.

Try including more playtime into your daily schedule to help offset that anxiety. Give yourself permission to join in, but make sure you communicate with your peers and boss when you’ll be off the clock for playtime.

6. Ask for Help When You Need It

Lean on your support system and ask for help when you need it. Juggling kids and working from home can burn you out – quickly.

We all have moments when we know that we should ask for help but don’t. Probably because of pride. Or because we think we need to be superheroes and do it all without complaining or failing.

But if you’re thinking (yet again) that “I can’t cope with my kids,” you’re not the only one. We’re all just trying to avoid turning into perpetual Oscar the grouches while homeschooling and working full time.

7. Create Dedicated Spaces

The value of a dedicated home office can’t be understated. Having a space in your home to focus solely on work can give you the psychological definition between work and home life. 

When we’re doing our jobs from home with kids, it’s essential to define a space for everyone. 

To minimize distractions, you can try dedicating separate rooms for each person to work in. If that’s not feasible, use tape or other visual indicators to delineate “work zones” to give everyone permission to relax when they’re not in their zone.

8. Take a Break – or a Day Off

When you’re at your rope’s end, thanks to yet another squabble over who gets the iPad, it might be time to take a break – or a day off.

When a country full of working parents transitioned to remote jobs, there was a cultural shift in how break time and days off were viewed. Now, most employers encourage their employees to take time off when they need a break.

It’s also vital that you schedule in regular, kid-free time. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a bit of adult time while the kids play outside or enjoy some extra screen time.

9. Dole Out Responsibilities

Let’s say it together: you can’t do it all. Evenly dividing responsibilities amongst all members of your household is an easy way for homeschool families to share the burden of a full-time work-from-home life.

This is the number one home management tip for working moms. Sorry, guys. The data shows that women still do the majority of domestic chores inside the home. 

Sharing household responsibilities can help spread the load out between everyone. Set up a chore chart and get the kids involved. Make a game out of it and provide rewards when chores get completed in full and on time.

10. Get Out of the House

When in doubt, get out of the house. Go for a walk, go to the park, or just take lunch outside for a backyard picnic. A change of scenery can help hit the reset button and set the rest of your day up for success.

If you’re wondering how to work around school hours, remember that you should keep outside time flexible. Some days will be more of a struggle than others. On those days, give yourselves the permission to get outside of the house and recharge your batteries.

Conclusion: Redefine “Normal” to Stay Sane When Working from Home with Kids

It’s time to accept that today’s version of normal is nothing any of us has ever seen before. As working parents, the WFH life can take a toll on you. Use these ten tips to help you stay sane when working from home with kids.

Two children with sunglasses float and splash in a bright blue poolCategoriesBlog Wellness
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Sun Safety for Kids: What Parents Should Know

With the weather finally warming up, it’s time to get excited about outdoor activities again. Getting outside can energize your day – especially after being cooped up for most of the winter. But before you hit the playground, you should learn about sun safety for kids to make sure everyone can play safely outside. 

From SPF to kid’s sun protection hats, learn about sunscreen, sun safety, and how to get the most out of your outdoor time while protecting your skin.

Understanding SPF

When it comes to sunscreen for kids, it can get confusing. Sure, you’ve probably used it for most of your life, but chances are that you might not understand SPF as well as you think you do.

Sun protection factor (SPF) is the rating that sunblocks are given, depending on how much of the sun’s rays they block. 

The number that follows SPF (i.e., 15, 30, 50) indicates how long it would take to get burnt if you weren’t wearing any sunblock. For example, it would take 50 times longer to burn after applying SPF 50 versus not wearing any sunscreen whatsoever.

What’s the minimum SPF rating for kids https://libido-de.com? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) sunscreen guidelines recommend SPF 15 at minimum. This is a good starting point, but you can always opt for a higher-strength sunblock.

SPF 15 blocks about 93% of the sun’s UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks up to 98% of UVB rays. 

Some dermatologists might tell you that anything over SPF 50 won’t do much more to protect the skin. In fact, it can lure you into a false sense of security that could result in painful sunburn for your kids.

Keep in mind that sunscreen’s effectiveness is based on the assumption that it’s applied (and reapplied) correctly. 

Dodge the (Ultraviolet) Rays

UVA and UVB rays are both harmful UV rays. They can do a real number on any exposed skin that might be peeking out on your child. 

UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are most responsible for premature skin aging. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer.

Avoid sun damage to your kid’s skin by choosing sun protection that offers broad-spectrum protection. This type of sunblock blocks out both UVA and UVB rays to provide maximum protection.

Also, consider timing your outdoor excursions so that you’re inside at midday when the sun’s rays are the most intense.

Different Types of Sunscreen

Choosing the right type of sunscreen ultimately comes down to what outdoor activities you have planned. The same sunscreen won’t work for every activity. Here’s how to protect children from the sun by choosing the right sunblock

Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen

Chemical and physical sunblocks are two different styles of sunblock that have unique advantages and disadvantages.

Chemical:

 

  • Blocks the sun’s rays by soaking up UV rays and turning them into heat
  • They can take up to 30 minutes to work – which can feel like a lifetime of waiting for eager children
  • Aerosol application makes it easier to apply

Physical: 

 

  • Blocks the sun’s rays by reflecting UV rays
  • Don’t have a wait time before they start working
  • Can be easier to wipe off and might need reapplied more often

Sunscreen Lotion, Stick, or Spray?

Lotion and stick sunscreens tend to apply thicker than aerosol sprays. They may or may not be waterproof. Waterproof sunscreen is an easy way to avoid sunburn while swimming.

One bonus to aerosol and stick sunscreens is that they are easy to apply to a wiggly, active child. Aerosol chemical sunblock helps to avoid the whole “sunblock in my eyes” burning feeling that can create negative associations with sunblock for kids.

There is not a single “best” type of sunscreen. If you plan on staying out longer, a stick or lotion sunblock might be best. But if you’re just going to the park for a few hours in the early morning, then an aerosol can be a good option, too.

And when in doubt, reapply, reapply, reapply!

How to Explain Sun Safety to Children

Getting kids to wear sun protection hats, UV shirts, and reapply sunscreen can feel impossible. They often don’t realize the importance of sun safety. Here are a few ways you can approach teaching sun safety facts to kids:

 

  • Make it a game: Try playing sun safety dress-up. Grab bucket hats, UV shirts, and sun protection wraps and pretend to “dress up”, even though you might not be going outside. This can help kids look forward to protecting their skin.
  • Take it to the classroom: Making it a part of other, learning moments can help kids to understand the significance of sun protection. Look for books, e-learning apps, and TV programs that help reinforce sun info for kids. Who knows what fun facts about the sun for kids you might run into!
  • Lead by example: If there’s one thing that parents know for sure, it’s that the kids are always watching and emulating our actions as parents. Demonstrate the importance of sun safety by practicing good sun safety yourself.

Sunburn Information Facts

Even diligence cannot 100% prevent sunburns. While we try our best as parents, we’re only human, and there is a chance that your child might experience sunburn at some point.

If sunburn happens, it’s a good idea to use aloe vera to help cool the skin down and reduce inflammation. Keep the affected area cool and dry and avoid clothing that can restrict airflow.

Remember that sunburn treatment is only the first step. You’ll also need to make sure that your child drinks enough water and stays hydrated to accelerate skin cells’ healing process. 

Conclusion: Know the Facts About Being Sunsmart

The best way to avoid long-term skin damage is to make sure you understand the facts about being sun smart. When it comes to kids and sun, help teach your child about the importance of sun protection – whether that’s wearing sunblock, protective clothing, or modifying the “under the sun” hours. Understanding these parenting sun tips can help show you how to stay safe in the sun for kids.