Keep calm and carry on with these 7 excellent children’s books about mindfulness, meditation and deep breaths

by Kate Etue | Books for Kids

My four kids range from toddler to teenager, and I find that no matter their stage in life I am always looking for ways to help them increase their mindfulness. Whether they’re processing complicated, difficult emotions in their early teen years, or just...

17 of the best pop culture Halloween costume ideas for kids right now, from Meghan and Harry to Serena to Riverdale

by Kate Etue | DIY, Kids

Usually, my favorite Halloween costumes that our readers come up with each year are clever pop culture reference costumes. Do you remember the “Derry with the Bat” costume that Kristen’s son wore last year, from the viral meme last year? It was...

What to do this weekend with the kids: How about free admission to a National Park?

by Liz Gumbinner | Family Travel

With tomorrow, September 22 being the 25th anniversary National Public Lands Day, that means it’s one of 4 days of the year that you can get free admission to more than 400 National Parks that ordinarily charge admission. And it’s not just free for kids,...

Make family night more…disgusting with these 7 popular gross-out games

by Kate Etue | Toys + Playthings

“Gross” is really having its moment. Last year we saw the pimple popping game as an alternative to fidget spinners, and I have to admit, it made me gag. Now, we’re seeing a new trend in kids’ toys: gross family games. They are seriously ew. But...

The best things to do in Nashville with kids, according to locals. (Hint: It ain’t the honkey-tonks.)

by Kate Etue | Family Travel

Nashville is of course the home of country music, but when you’re traveling here and looking for the best things to do in Nashville with the kids, visiting the honkey-tonks downtown probably isn’t your best bet. So as a native Nashvillian, I’m going...

Why we need libraries: Twitter claps back against a truly stupid op-ed

by Liz Gumbinner | Kids

It was only a week or so ago that I was reading Carolines article about 20 free summer activities for kids, and thinking how wonderful that there were so many mentions of various events at local libraries. And then this morning, I laughed as I stumbled upon a a poorly...

20 free things to do with your kids this summer when you’re all out of ideas

by Caroline Siegrist | Family Travel, Entertainment + Media, Tips + Tricks

Anyone else searching for free things to do with your kids this summer? As the mom of a toddler who hasn’t stopped moving since 2017, I know I am. And since I want to keep the whine at bay and still budget for our vacation, I’ve set out to find the best...

8 extraordinarily cool hotels to visit with kids before they grow up. Wow…mind blown.

by Kate Etue | Family Travel

It’s time for my family to start thinking outside the box when it comes to my family vacations. We’ve been taking the same-old trips for years, and I think I’ve officially ridden Splash Mountain for the last time. Now I’m ready for some...

10 alternative ways to celebrate the 4th of July, if you’re not feeling like waving a flag this year.

by Kate Etue | Doing Good, Tips + Tricks

This year, a lot of readers and Facebook fans and even some of our own team have mentioned that they feel different about July 4th this year. You too? You’re not alone. In 2018, Gallup released a poll stating that fewer people feel proud to be an American this...

10 festive (but easy!) 4th of July crafts and activities for kids of all ages

by Kate Etue | DIY

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, because you can easily make it a slow, relaxing, easy day with family and friends. No presents to exchange and no huge meal to cook. Just time together — and the magic of fireworks through my kids’ eyes. That...