Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in denver, CO

Top 5 Ways to Pack Your Child's Lunch with Extra Love

April 21, 2009

Both my husband and I are graphic designers-turned web developers. Which means we love to draw, paints and do things artistically. Well, really I should say that my husband just LIVES artistically and he is the real inspiration for this post.

Packing lunch for school, whether it is preschool or all day school can be tedious and cumbersome. But here are some things I have watched Bryan do to lighten the load, and make things more enjoyable for Declan along the way.

1. Draw funny cartoons on the brown bag.
Granted, this is my hubby's specialty and you might get intimidated by it - but does your little one REALLY care about the quality of the drawing? All they will see is the quick strokes you dashed off with love, think of you when they see them and have a quick giggle. My husband usually picks a new animal from the farm or the zoo to capture each day.

2. Drop a sticker inside as their "surprise."
Declan goes digging for that sticker just like we did when we opened that Cracker Jack box as kids.

3. Make the food fun.
Slice a PBJ into long strips. Crumble up a Nutrigrain bar into a baggie, add a little honey, and tell them it's monsterooze. Whatever it takes to make it fun and enjoyable will make it more likely to be eaten - AND enjoyed.

4. Leave them a note.
Maybe just a quick "I love you," or maybe a treasure map for where you have hidden one of their toys at home for after school. Either way they will be thinking of you and having fun.

5. Let them pick the menu.
Kids who help choose and much more likely to like what they are eating and feel empowered by their parents. So maybe they pick some weird stuff sometimes? As long as you are OK with the nutrional aspects, who cares???

What other fun ways do you spruces up your kids' lunch?

Sing Your Way Through The Day!

March 02, 2009

So, OK maybe with everything that is going on with the economy, not everyone has the money for music classes right now, huh? The good news is, there is music all around us! On the TV, on our CDs, and on the radio. And that doesn't even mean you have to find the "kiddie" music. In fact, I have a strict rule that NO KIDS MUSIC is EVER played in my car. Sorry, Declan, that is MY DOMAIN. Of course, that also doesn't mean I am playing any of my tunes with the "EXPLICIT" warnings for his tender ears - there is plenty of middle ground.

And kids just love to sing and dance along!

At the very young ages, it's all about repetition and movement. So find the songs that repeat themselves and are upbeat so they can shake those little booties. Below is one of my little nephew's very favorite's: "Say Hey I Love You" by Michael Franti and Spearhead.

Where to Get Halloween Costumes

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

October 07, 2008

It's getting closer and closer to that spooky spooky night, isn't it? And it seems like all the cute or cool costumes sell out earlier and earlier each year. So, even if your little one can't make up their mind yet (or maybe they are too young to even really make the call?) - it's never too early to at least scout out what the local shops have in store for us. Unless you like to go handmade, or  Read more...

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 19, 2008

Yes, there is such a thing as Talk Like A Pirate Day! If you have never heard of it, it comes around every September 19th, and nuts like my husband and coworkers the world 'round go, well, nuts for a day. But the cool thing is, it's also a day to indulge in the little ones who dig pirates too. So, check out the "TLAPD" site for pirate jargon (warning, this site is generally geared towards  Read more...

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 19, 2008

Yes, there is such a thing as Talk Like A Pirate Day! If you have never heard of it, it comes around every September 19th, and nuts like my husband and coworkers the world 'round go, well, nuts for a day. But the cool thing is, it's also a day to indulge in the little ones who dig pirates too. So, check out the "TLAPD" site for pirate jargon (warning, this site is generally geared towards  Read more...

Need Your Face Painted?

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

September 12, 2008

Last weekend, we attended several birthday parties. (Yes! 'Tis the season!) At one of them, Declan's friend had a face painter in attendance that made the day pretty magical for the kids in attendance. We had varying appearances at the party when she was done - butterflies were very popular, a witch, a puppy dog, several Batmen, and my very own chose a tiger. In fact, my tiger was so happy with  Read more...

Bathtime Fun!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

August 28, 2008

When you are a young one, the bath can seem like an exciting water park. Everything seems bigger, cooler, splashier. And as long as mom or dad are right there to partake in the fun, bathtime is also a great time to explore all the sensory exploration that they can find in the water. Shaving Cream Pulling out the shaving cream is always a gooey way for the kids to get their hands dirty, and  Read more...

Ahoy There, Me Hearty!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

August 08, 2008

Did you know that September 19th is Talk Like A Pirate Day ? Not kidding. And my office has been celebrating it for years - with full costumes (photo evidence provided). Um, yeah. So we get a little silly sometimes. But it all makes for a more fun workplace. And certainly the young ones enjoy acting like a pirate too, right? But more along the lines of Captain Feathersword from the  Read more...

How To Be A Prince(ss) For A Day

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

May 19, 2008

What's the fun of being a little kid if you can't play dressup? And what's the best thing to dress up as? A Princess or Knight In Shining Armor, of course! And where is the best place for costumes in Denver? And other Merlin-ey type toys, for that matter? The Wizard's Chest in Cherry Creek, of course! I mean, the place is even shaped like a castle! It may get a bit overwhelming around Halloween,  Read more...