Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Tips

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Tips

Now that Fall is here, many schools take field trips to local pumpkin patches.  As a parent, I’m appreciative that they do because these days kids think milk comes from refrigerators and vegetables are grown in produce aisles. 

Going to the pumpkin patch isn’t just about choosing, picking, buying and carving your pumpkin — it’s about exploring and learning about the world around you, seeing how things work, how they grow.  Use a school field trip or your own as an opportunity to teach kids about the "real world" of pumpkins, growing cycles, harvesting etc when they can see it, feel it and experience it first hand.

Things to do with Preschoolers

10 Things to do with Preschoolers

With school getting back into session, it’s time to focus on filling your days with your preschooler.  If your preschooler is going to preschool or Mother’s Day Out or a baby sitter for a few days a week, then it’s up to you to fill your time with your child on the days they’re not somewhere else.

Kids grow up so quickly - although sometimes it doesn’t seem like it!  As a parent you want to cherish this time with your little one because before you know it, they’re at school full time and you don’t get to see them all day.

Especially with your child at preschool or Mother’s Day Out busy learning for a few days, you might want to spend your “off” days doing something pure fun or make learning a fun experience.  Treat your little ones to the simple pleasures in life and you will be rewarded too as you see the look of joy and wonder on their face.

Every mom needs their “go-to” list of things to do with their preschooler.  To give you a head start, we’ve composed a handy list of 10 Things to do with Preschoolers.

Learning Fun at Playgrounds

Since it’s summer you might be visiting the pool more than the playground, but they’re still an option early in the day. Heck, in Texas playgrounds are a year round activity, at least in our book.

Luckily for us we have tons of city parks in our area, each one offering something different making it fun to explore a new one every time you go.  Many neighborhoods are also keeping families in mind by providing a playground.

While in our book, Kidding Around Town, we emphasize mental activities, physical ones are good also to keep our bodies strong and healthy.   And it never hurts to combine some physical and mental learning while at playgrounds.

Here’s what kids can learn at Playgrounds.

Kids Can Learn at Water Parks

Kids Can Learn at Water Parks

Summer is here! We all know how hot Texas is during summer. The best way to cool off is in the water. If you have a pool at home, that's great.  But for a variety, a trip to the water park during summer is always fun. 

Kids can learn at water parks (or pools or splash pads)!  We're all about having fun, but while you're there it never hurts to sneak in some education. If you have season passes to a water park, or even just a day trip there, doing a little teaching over the summer can help make it more interesting. 

Plus, research shows the more you engage your child's brain with activities and questions, they will grow up to be a smarter adult. And what parent doesn't want to give their kids a headstart in life? 

What can kids learn at a water park you ask?

Making Museums Fun

Take the "stuffiness" out of museums by making your next trip more enjoyable.

Not everyone likes museums and we certainly understand that.  Museums don't have to be boring and stuffy. You can make them more enjoyable for you and the kids.  Luckily living in a large metropolitan area we have plenty of museums to choose from.

Here's my Top 5 Tips for Making Museums Fun:

Wish you Were Born Rich?

Even if you weren't born rich, you can help your children become rich (and you too). And here's how.

Do you ever watch that show, "Through the Wormhole" hosted by Morgan Freeman?  I'm a science geek at heart so I enjoy watching that show.

Recently an episode aired discussing if genetics play a role in whether we become rich or poor as we grow up.  And guess what they found out? Yes (with a qualifier of course).

What they found was that for people born into lower economic status (not much money) our environment plays a larger role than genetics. For those born into higher economic status (where money isn't an issue), genetics plays a larger role in determining their financial outcome later in life. (If you missed this episode, you can watch it on itunes.)

And do you know why they came to that conclusion?

Festivals in Dallas Fort Worth

            

This is festival time of year in Dallas Fort Worth!  The weather isn’t too hot yet so it’s still nice to get out and enjoy the warm spring sunshine and take in a festival or two.

While a festival isn’t a museum, there is still a lot your children can learn at festivals. No festival is complete without food!  For kids of any age, tasting new foods is a good way to broaden their taste buds and hopefully make them less picky eaters.  For the youngest children they still love to put things in their mouth so taste testing can satisfy this need.

Cultural festivals are an excellent way to expose your child to new and different cultures. Take advantage of this fun teaching opportunity to educate your child on the customs and traditions of other cultures. Observing native costumes on display, listening to native music, participating in native crafts and sampling native food are all ways to engage your child while learning and having fun.

A few upcoming cultural festivals are: (1) Many Cinco de Mayo festivals this week-end, (2) Asian Festival May 17, (3) Polka Festival May 23 – 25, (4) Scottish Festival & Highland Games May 2 – 4.

Arts Festivals lend themselves to creative expression and oftentimes will have a Kids Corner where kids can create their own works of art. Art allows kids to see things from different perspectives, building important life skills. Art also enables kids to get in touch with and express their emotions.  

Upcoming Arts Festivals include: (1) Cottonwood Arts Festival May 3 -4. And (2) Wildflower Arts & Music Festival May 16 – 18.

Many festivals will include petting zoos or other opportunities where children can interact with animals. Most kids love animals.  Interacting with animals encourages empathy, a much needed skill you can’t take a test to learn.

Even playing “carnival” type games at festivals teaches your kids skills.  Some encourage athletic skills (basketball dunking, target practice), others may encourage math (angles, probability) but all require your child to learn about money. Take this opportunity to ask your younger kids how much is fifty cents? (i.e. two quarters) or figure out how many tickets you need to purchase to play a certain game.

So there you have it! You’ve been teaching your child all along by attending festivals and just didn’t know it!

Enjoy your festivals!

If you’d like more information on what you can teach your child when you go places, check out my new book, Kidding Around Town. Included as a resource in the book is a handy list of year-round festivals in Dallas Fort Worth with a pricing guide.