Parenting Archives - Page 2 of 4

9 Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day

Posted on June 16, 2020 by shopkick

Summer officially arrives this weekend, and we also have another reason to celebrate – Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 21! While this year might look and feel different than in year’s past, we do still think there are plenty of ways to celebrate. After all, celebrating feels like such a highlight! Below are nine ways to celebrate Father’s Day from near and far.

Play Mini Golf:

If you would like to adventure out, consider playing mini golf or pitch and putt at a local golf course. It’s a fun activity for parents and kids alike. Plus, it’s fairly easy to remain socially distant while you play. Which member of your family will win your round? Do you think anyone will score a hole-in-one?

Beach Day:

If your dad loves the beach, consider spending the day on the sand by the sea! Build sandcastles, play in the water, and take a walk on the beach. Think about bringing subs to eat on the sand or stop for pizza to-go for an easy dinner with minimal cleanup.

Backyard Games:

Turn Father’s Day into a mini competition in your backyard! Play backyard games, like corn hole and Jenga, create an obstacle course, DIY a slip-n-slide, or play in your pool (if you have one!). There are plenty of options for backyard fun at home.

Relaxation Station:

Is your dad craving a break? Surprise him with a day in which your family members let him take the day off. Set up a hammock so he can read, listen to music, or nap. Think about making him lunch or dinner too. He’ll end his day feeling refreshed and ready to start playing again!

Movie Night:

Whether you watch a movie no one in your family has seen or one you all love to watch together, plan a screening inside or outside with a projector. For even more fun, let dad choose which movie he wants to watch! Bonus points if it’s from his childhood because it will serve as a fun introduction to a classic for kids.

Camp:

You can choose to go camping at a campsite or a park, or you can pitch a tent in your backyard. Share stories, enjoy a barbecue, and don’t forget to make s’mores. If you would rather camp inside that’s doable – just create your own campsite in your family room!

Build:

The Home Depot has plenty of DIY ideas you can easily make with dad! Take a peek at their site, stop by your local store for all of the supplies, and start building your creation together.

Cookout:

Summer is synonymous with grilling, and we know many dads who love to cook the entire menu. Make all of his favorites! If you’re looking for new recipes, try your hand at grilling fruit. All Recipes has a great how-to!

Zoom or Driveway Happy Hour:

If you can’t spend the day with dad, schedule a happy hour or dinner over Zoom! It’s not quite the same as being in person, but it does feel great to “see” each other. You will still be able to enjoy plenty of conversation! If you want to gather but at a safe social distance, host a happy hour in your driveway, ask everyone to bring their own beverages, and set up your own chairs 6’ apart.

How are you celebrating Father’s Day? Let us know on Facebook!

12 Children’s Books that Celebrate Diversity

Posted on June 9, 2020 by shopkick

The conversations and learning surrounding diversity are only just beginning, and one of the best places to continue to learn and grow with your kids is within the walls of your home. So, we thought we would share some of the children’s books we have uncovered. Each one highlights a different way of exploring diversity, and every book also seeks to educate and uplift equally. Though the following 12 books are meant for children, we’ve found they’re as heartfelt and eye opening for adults! We encourage you to explore diversity together, and we invite you to discover a new favorite children’s book in the process.

1. Hands Up! by Breanna J. McDaniel, Illustrated by Shane W. Evans:

This picture book follows the story of a little girl and all of the ways in which she raises her hands. First, she’s a baby raising her hands for a hug. Then she becomes a little girl with her hands raised while marching in a protest with her parents. This story has been called “triumphant”!

2. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History & Little Leaders: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison:

Both of these books (found here + here) are worth a mention, and we wanted to group them together. Each one highlights incredible known and not-as-well-known men and women throughout black history and how they have impacted their communities and our greater world. The illustrations are also so sweet and fun for young readers to enjoy.

3. Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison:

NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry and author and illustrator Vashti Harrison teamed up to share this sweet story about a bond between a father and his daughter. The book explores how Zuri’s dad helps her to love and embrace her natural hair – kinks and curls included. Hair Love also has a fun fact: The animated short movie of the same name won an Oscar at the 2020 awards!

4. Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw:

What if your pen pal lived in a different country? That’s the case for Elliot and Kailash because Elliot lives in America, and Kailash calls India home. This picture book shares a glimpse into the ways in which Elliot and Kailash’s lives are different (they live in different countries and immerse themselves in different cultures), but the things they do and the interests they have are the same.

5. Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, Illustrated by Brittany Jackson:

Do you remember when the photo was shared of a little girl staring up at Michelle Obama’s portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.? Well, she and her mom wrote a book! Through wonderful words and illustrations, this picture book shares how Parker saw herself in the First Lady’s portrait.

6. Mae Among The Stars by Roda Ahmed, Illustrated by Stasia Burrington:

Are your kids fascinated by space? Meet Mae! This picture book is inspired by Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space, and it shares what can happen if you stay curious and follow your dreams.

7. This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World by Matt LaMothe:

What if your kids could see an inside peek into the lives of seven kids from around the world? They can in this picture book as they travel to India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Peru, Russia, and Uganda.

8. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by Rafael Lopez:

Whether your kids have felt left out or you want to explore the ways in which we all can be more inclusive, we think your kids will greatly enjoy The Day You Begin. The title offers great insight into what the picture book explores: Sometimes we simply need to start.

9. Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison:

This picture book is known for its beautiful illustrations and the ways in which Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong’o shares the story of Sulwe. She’s a little girl with “skin the color of midnight”, and throughout the story she learns how to become confident in her own beauty from within.

10. Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs, Illustrated by Shane Evans:

What if you are different but want to fit in with your friends and classmates? Actor Taye Diggs and his friend and illustrator, Shane Evans, explore all of the ways a little boy’s appearance, from his skin color to his curly hair, make him unique and wonderful in Chocolate Me!.

11. Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris, Illustrated by Ana Ramirez Gonzalez:

If your kids are wondering if they can effect change, turn to Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea! Through these sisters, little readers will learn how even two people can make a big difference. And, adults, you might recognize their names! Kamala is named after Senator Kamala Harris, and Maya is named after lawyer and policy expert Maya Harris.

12. Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester, Illustrated by Karen Barbour:

When he was describing his book, author Julius Lester said, “I am a story. So are you. So is everyone.” Enjoy reading as this book teaches what makes your kids (and everyone else!) special.

What children’s books are guiding your family’s conversations about diversity? Let’s keep the conversation going on Facebook.

5 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day at Home

Posted on May 21, 2020 by shopkick

Thanks to the date when it occurs every year toward the end of May, Memorial Day serves as both a day to honor the fallen members of our military as well as a day to celebrate the unofficial start of summer. Celebrations may have been cancelled this year that would have encouraged us to gather together with family and friends, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own fun at home. Below, we’re sharing five family friendly ways you can celebrate Memorial Day, honor our military, and still experience the excitement of summer being on the horizon from home.

1. Create Chalk Art for Soldiers

In one of her first Facebook Live segments, first grade teacher Mrs. Lamb shared how she and her kids were creating mosaic chalk art. If you have already created chalk art or you’re looking for a fun weekend activity, create chalk art in your driveway, but try to only use red, white, and blue chalk! You can also add notes to our military, like “Thank you for your service”, and even honor the various branches to celebrate all who serve.

2. Barbecue

Although friends and family may not be joining your barbecue this year, you should still make your favorite recipes! We love classic hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill, and you can also add to your spread if you grill vegetables, pizza, and fruit, like pineapple. This flag cake is also a fun item to enjoy for dessert, or you can also opt to make s’mores by the fire or in the oven.

3. Play Water Games:

If you have a pool in your backyard, make sure to jump in! Otherwise, think about playing water games with your family. A water balloon toss is a classic way to have fun, and you can also try making your own slip-n-slide or play Drip, Drip, Drench, which is a fun take on Duck, Duck, Goose. Also, remember when you ran through the sprinkler for hours when you were growing up? Introduce your kids to this way to have a blast!

4. Make Ice Cream:

Did you know you can make ice cream without an ice cream maker? You can! This strawberry ice cream recipe from Southern Living Magazine actually allows you to create ice cream in a bag. Kids will love mixing together the ingredients, and either you or they will enjoy quite the arm workout while you’re shaking the bag of ice. Enjoy the delicious results, Shopkickers!

5. Decorate Your Bike:

Many parades have been cancelled this year, so create your own even if it’s just you and your family. With your kids, decorate your bikes using streamers and crepe paper. Make sure to don your red, white, and blue attire! Then take a spin around your neighborhood. Your neighbors will love it, and some may even choose to join in from a safe social distance, of course!

How are you and your family celebrating Memorial Day this year? Let us know your plans on Facebook!

5 Lunch and Dinner Recipes for Kids

Posted on May 15, 2020 by shopkick

Whether your kids are dreaming of becoming a chef or you’re hoping they become more willing to try new things, we’ve learned most kids, no matter their age, love to help in the kitchen. To encourage this activity, especially right now when we’re all spending more time at home, we thought we would share five recipes (and themed night!) that are hands-on for you and your kids to make for lunch or dinner with you.

Pizza:

There are plenty of fun ways to make pizza together. Purchase premade dough and pick up cheese, sauce, and toppings. Then create individual pizzas so each member of your family can add their own preferred mixture. If you want to skip dough, try English muffins or bagels.

To try a completely different type of pizza recipe, we also spotted these Pizza Skewers! They remind us of kabobs, and they’re perfect for kids to make with you because they can create the order of the ingredients on the sticks and even what’s included.

Tacos:

Tacos are an obvious choice for a themed night, and Tuesdays are typically a go-to. Consider creating platters you and your family can pass around your table so each person can add their go-to toppings, or create a taco bar on your kitchen counter where all of the ingredients are lined up for easy serving. If you want to bypass the typical chicken or beef fillings, try making Breakfast Tacos!

Sandwiches:

Sandwiches are a quick and easy option for lunch and even dinner, but we wanted to find recipes that reinvented this classic option. Weelicious shared eight Savory Toast recipes, and they all sound delicious. Plus, they all represent recipes your kids can help to prepare. Additionally, we spotted these Chicken & Bacon Rollups, which present a great way to use up leftover roast or rotisserie chicken. We’re also drawn to these Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels!

Breakfast for Dinner:

We mentioned creating breakfast tacos for dinner, which of course fall into this category too. But, we also thought about creating parfaits, and we added these Apple Yogurt Parfaits to our “to make” lists. Omelets and eggs made any style also fall into this category, and you can always make pancakes or waffles. There are plenty of options to create a fun breakfast menu at night!

Pasta:

Why not try your hand at making your own pasta? We went live with Sugar Beet Schoolhouse on Facebook Live, and Cheryl walked us through the (relatively!) easy steps to create pasta at home. You only need one egg and one cup of all-purpose flour for this recipe, and we think it’s a fun one to try over the weekend.

Which recipe will you and your kids try to make together? Chime in on Facebook and keep sharing so we can all uncover new ideas!

Graduation Crafts for Kids of All Ages

Posted on May 14, 2020 by shopkick

Happy Graduation, Shopkickers!

With an introduction like that, we think you likely have a great idea about Mrs. Lamb’s topic from today’s Facebook Live. Yes, graduation! But, rather than simply talking about what it’s like to graduate from preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, or even graduate school and beyond, Mrs. Lamb chose to share unique and fun crafts you or you and your graduate can make together. Below are all of her suggestions!

Graduation Lollipop Craft:

This craft is fun and simple! Mrs. Lamb also shared a great idea if you’re celebrating a high school graduate – make a lollipop for each year they spent in school, then present all of the lollipops together in a bouquet.

You will need:

Rainbow Lollipop
School Picture
Graduation Cap Sticker (or DIY)

How to make:

If necessary, cut the photo down so it can fit onto the front of the lollipop. It does help if you cut the photo into a circle.
Glue the photo onto the lollipop wrapper. Mrs. Lamb used a glue stick.
Add a graduation cap to the top of your graduate’s head in the photo.
Enjoy!

Graduation Label the Graduate Craft:

As Mrs. Lamb notes, this craft is perfect for kindergarten graduates. They will be able to color their graduate, and they will also practice cutting and pasting. They’re all great fine motor skills for young learners!

You will need:

This PDF
Markers, Crayons, or Colored Pencils
Scissors
Glue Stick

How to make:

Print out the PDF.
Ask your student to color it in.
Ask your student to cut out the labels.
Match each label to the correct item, and glue it on.
Hang up your graduate’s art!

Graduation Make a Graduate Craft:

This craft will allow your graduate to create a self-portrait. It’s a wonderful choice for a preschool or kindergarten graduate if you would like to help your student. We also think it’s perfect for older kids who have fine tuned their skills, especially a high school or college student who is majoring in art.

You will need:

Computer, Sketch, or Construction Paper
Pencil, Markers, Crayons, and/or Colored Pencils
Lined Paper
Glue

How to make:

Create a self-portrait on a piece of sketch or construction paper.
Add a cap! Mrs. Lamb created the one in her son’s piece by cutting out a black square from construction paper and adding a tassel she made with thread.
Ask your student to describe their favorite thing they learned and why they enjoyed school.
Enjoy your graduate’s art!

Graduation Smarties Craft:

Smarties are fun and delicious, and they are also sold as oversized candy, which means they look like a diploma! If you’re celebrating a graduate who is getting ready to leave for college, this would be a wonderful way to present them with cash in a creative fashion.

You will need:

Oversized Smarties – Mrs. Lamb found hers at Walmart.
Tassel
Tape
Cash

How to make:

Wrap your bill around the Smarties. We found it’s best to tape it into place to make sure it stays put.
Tie on a tassel.
Present your graduate with candy and cash!

Graduation Memory Jar:

For students who are leaving for college (hopefully!) in the fall, Mrs. Lamb shared an excellent idea. Create a memory jar filled with pieces of paper that are either rolled up or folded. On each one, share things that will make your graduate smile, like quotes, drawings, song lyrics, short notes, and obviously memories you have shared with them.

You will need:

Paper
Pen, Pencil, or Marker
Mason Jar

How to make:

Write your memories onto small sheets of paper.
Roll up your completed sheets and add them to your jar.
Seal and decorate the outside of the jar (if you want to!).
Gift the jar to your graduate!

Graduation Water Bottle Craft:

We are all trying to stay hydrated, and a custom water bottle makes hydration more fun! Decorate a water bottle, and fill it with something that’s meaningful to them. Cash and quarters are definitely a welcome surprise for high school seniors heading to college!

You will need:

Water Bottle
Permanent Markers
Graduation Cap (feel free to make one or purchase a sticker!)
Interior Items (cash, change, candy, etc)

How to make:

Decorate the exterior of the water bottle using permanent markers. Think about adding the graduate’s next school or their name onto the bottle!
Drop anything you want to gift inside.
Top with a graduation cap.
Gift to your graduate!

To all who are graduating, we are celebrating with you! Stay tuned until next Thursday to watch Mrs. Lamb’s next segment on Facebook Live.

8 Ways to Celebrate Graduation While Quarantined

Posted on May 11, 2020 by shopkick

We have celebrated birthdays and even a few holidays as the quarantine continues throughout the United States. But, many of us have remained hopeful that students, especially high school and college seniors, would be able to return to school in time to finish their years surrounded by friends. Instead, graduations are being postponed or cancelled entirely. But, graduates should still celebrate and feel hopeful about their futures. To inspire your graduation festivities while in quarantine, we’ve come up with eight ideas below! This might not be the graduation you or your student had planned, but it will certainly be memorable for everyone.

1. Car Parade:

Although we cannot gather together, we can most certainly still celebrate. So, plan a car parade to surprise your graduate! Consider inviting family and friends, and ask them to decorate their cars. Ask your senior to wait outside, and enjoy as they see their own personal parade arriving car-by-car. The great perk of these parades is we’re able to see and shout a few words back and forth with our favorite people who many of us haven’t seen face-to-face in weeks.

2. Send Flowers:

Flowers are still able to be shipped and delivered, so think about sending a bouquet and a card with a note to your graduating senior. Everyone loves getting mail and packages, especially now! If you’re looking for a flower source, consider 1800Flowers.com.

3. Watch a Commencement Speech:

The great thing about YouTube is you can find just about any video online, so watch a commencement speech (or a complete series!) together. John Krasinski recently released an episode of Some Good News, his weekly show, in honor of graduating seniors, and well-known figures, like Steven Spielberg, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, and more shared plenty of inspiration.

4. Zoom Cocktail Hour:

If you know a student celebrating a college graduation, plan a Zoom cocktail party! Before the call, think about dropping off champagne on the graduate’s doorstep or having some shipped right to them. Then encourage everyone joining to sip their favorite drink while you catch up for an hour or more. A bonus would be if attendees shared a favorite memory of the graduate or offered their best advice.

5. Ship a Gift:

Consider sending a high school or college graduate a gift they can enjoy now under quarantine or when they begin their next steps in their collegiate or professional career. Apple AirPods, a backpack that can transition into a briefcase, a gift card for Uber Eats, or any other tech are all great ideas that can be enjoyed now and later.

6. Yard Decorations & Signs:

We have seen houses in our communities decorated to celebrate birthdays, and the same companies are offering to decorate for graduations! Another option is to purchase a sign for your front yard or window to celebrate the college your student will attend or the school where they should have been graduating from.

7. Share a Meal:

Many graduation parties are celebrated over lunch or dinner, so consider calling a restaurant you know the graduate loves and placing an order to surprise them with takeout. Another idea is to have dessert from a favorite bakery shipped or honor the place where the student plans to move next with food from that area.

8. Capture Photos:

Although this might not be the graduation experience anyone expected, it should still be documented. Capture pictures of your family together, and encourage your student to put on their cap and gown. You can also search #PorchPhotographer or #PorchPortrait on social media in order to uncover local photographers who are capturing pictures for families on their porches or front lawns. It’s a fun way to have family photos taken while also ensuring everyone remains at a safe distance apart.

How are you celebrating graduation? Share your plans with us and our Shopkick community on Facebook!

Engaging Math Games for Kids

Posted on May 7, 2020 by shopkick

First grade teacher Mrs. Lamb returned to Facebook Live today to debut a new segment! This time, she chose to highlight a subject that can sometimes feel difficult to teach, especially at home – math. Below, we’re sharing the three activities and games she shared that are sure to keep kids young and older engaged and learning throughout their stay-at-home school day and beyond.

Number Scroll:

The first activity Mrs. Lamb highlighted is a number scroll. You will need a piece of computer paper to use to create a chart (or you can download this PDF), a pen or pencil, crayons or colored pencils, and an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll (you’ll want to cut the power towel roll in half).

If you choose to create your own chart, you will want to make one with 10 rows across and 10 rows down. Then, ask your student to number each box within the chart with 1-100. For young students, this will offer plenty of a challenge; however, students who already know how to count beyond 100 will want to count even higher. The scroll happens when you attach more paper to your first sheet to start to create a scroll that can be rolled up and stored inside of the toilet paper roll when your student wants to move on.

They will Learn: Counting, numbers, number reversal, patterns, and even handwriting.

Enhance: Consider enhancing this activity by attaching more sheets, as we mentioned, and asking your student to add color for patterns they see appearing – even numbers, odd numbers, prime numbers, 5s, 10s, and more.

One More One Less:

In order to play this game, you will want to download this PDF. You will also need at least one dice, if not two. To be able to play repeatedly, you can also think about placing the sheet inside of a gallon sized clear bag because the bag will act as a white board.

How to Play: Roll the dice and write down the number rolled in the middle section of the row. Then, write a number that’s less than the number rolled on the left and a number that’s more than the number rolled on the right. Keep going until you reach the end of the sheet!

They will Learn: Counting, numbers, addition, and multiplication.

Enhance: For students who already know how to count to six, play this game using two dice. After they roll, your student can add or even multiply the number appearing on each dice together. Students can still write numbers that are less and more than on either side of the number in the middle column.

Doubles Aren’t Trouble:

Encourage your student to enjoy multiplication and addition when you play Doubles Aren’t Trouble. Similar to One More, One Less, you will need a PDF and one dice. You can also consider the DIY white board method mentioned above!

How to Play: Roll the dice, and multiply the number that appears by 2. Then find the number on the game board and circle it. The first person to have four in a row wins!

They will Learn: Numbers and multiplication.

Enhance: To encourage longer playtime, print out a sheet for each player planning to participate. In order to win the game, they must circle every number on their card rather than only getting four in a row.

How are you encouraging your student to embrace math while learning from home? Let us know which math activities they are enjoying on Facebook!

4 Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids

Posted on April 30, 2020 by shopkick

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, so we are a little more than a week away from celebrating our favorite ladies. With that in mind, first grade teacher Mrs. Lamb was back on Facebook Live today to share four fun and sweet crafts your kids can make for any and all ladies who are impacting their lives. Let’s take a closer look at Mrs. Lamb’s ideas below!

4 Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids:

Interview:

Mrs. Lamb’s first suggestion is one of the easiest! Ask each of your kids a series of questions about each of their favorite ladies. You can either type their responses or ask them to write down their answers. Once the interview is complete, ask them to draw a portrait of the subject of their interview! Make sure to frame the final piece before mailing it or dropping it off on their favorite lady’s front porch.

I Wished for You Fingerprint Art:

This art project looks like a dandelion blowing in the wind, and kids will love adding their fingerprints. Mrs. Lamb said she and her kids dipped their thumbs in watercolor paint to create the piece they made, but any water based paint will do the trick. This is another craft you can easily frame and ship to a happy recipient.

Simile Poem:

A simile poem is a great idea for older kids! Talk about similes. Then ask them to make comparisons. Your kids can also create patterns when coloring in the border, and they can also draw a portrait of their recipient. This is another piece you can frame and keep or drop into the mail.

Heart Photo:

Mrs. Lamb’s final Mother’s Day craft suggestion is her favorite, and we love it too! Start by cutting hearts out of construction paper. Mrs. Lamb’s kids used red, but any color or a collection of colors will look wonderful. Once you have a group of hearts in various sizes, tape them onto your wall. You will want to place them slightly higher than your kids, and you will want them to start at a point and float either out or up. Finally, capture a photo of your kids “blowing” the hearts out of their hands. The result is a photo that looks like they’re making a loving wish for their favorite ladies. This is a great project to text or email to friends and family, or you can print the photo and send hard copies in the mail.

What will your kids make for their most-loved ladies in honor of Mother’s Day? Let us know! Make sure to watch the full Facebook Live, and tune in next week for more fun learning tips from Mrs. Lamb.

10 Pantry Essentials to Always Have on Hand

Posted on April 27, 2020 by shopkick

Today, we’re excited to team up with Joy of Mom as they reveal the 10 pantry items they suggest we always have on hand. The timing for this post feels perfect because we’re all spending more time at home, and our kitchens feel like they’ve never been used more as we continue to whip up new recipes for our families. Below, Joy of Mom shares their top staples as well as why they are important and how you can use them to make your own recipes. We hope you will feel newly inspired in your kitchen!

1. Flour

We always have all purpose flour on hand, and I try to keep 00 flour and gluten free flour on hand. We use these to make homemade pastas, bread, flour tortillas, and anything that has a roux base like a lasagna or mac n cheese.

2. Olive Oil

We try to buy organic when we can. We use extra virgin olive oil for salad dressing, marinating, sautéing vegetables, prepping anything that is going to go on the grill, as well as browning meats.

3. Kosher Salt

We try to purchase a really good brand of salt, I use it for cooking, marinades, salad dressings and table side to add extra seasoning to anything we are eating.

4. Rice

I try to keep a couple of different varieties of rice on hand. We always have Jasmine rice on hand because I think it is the most versatile. I love Forbidden rice cooked in coconut milk. It’s an amazing rice to make risotto and as a side or base for a lot of recipes.

5. Diced Tomatoes

I use this to make homemade spaghetti sauce and shakshuka, in any kind of soup that has a tomato base, as well as to thicken up things like stews.

6. Coconut Milk

I try to buy organic when I can. It is great to cook your rice in this! Anytime I am doing an asian dish, I cook the rice with ½ coconut milk and ½ water, and it adds great flavor. It is a great base for currys – we make a lot of fish and chicken curry. It is also a great staple for baking.

7. Quinoa

My favorite is the Tri-Color Quinoa. We cook this in broth to add flavor and like to add a tiny bit of diced onions, spinach, and parmesan while it is cooking. It is a great side for salmon and chicken, and you can use it as a base for chili as well as some soup recipes.

8. Beans

I always have garbanzo (chickpeas) on hand. We use this for homemade hummus or toast them up and put them with sautéed mushrooms and kale with pasta or throw them on a salad. Any kind of butter beans, Italian beans, or kidney beans can be used in soups or chili or can make a great side if you add a little bit of spice.

9. Olives

I usually try to keep two types on hand – Castelvetrano and Greek olives. I usually buy the pitted kind because they are easier to work with. I use them for cocktails- but you can also slice them up and add them to your pastas, put them on top of avocado toast, or on a cheese board.

10. Tahini

Tahini, which is just crushed up sesame seeds, is a staple for us. It is a base ingredient for hummus which we make often. You can use it as a base to make a bunch of salad dressings if you mix it with a little bit of sriracha, miso paste, or lemon juice. We also love to spread it on toast with a little bit of honey!

Make sure to visit the app to view Joy of Mom’s video about pantry staples, and check out our Facebook community for more inspiration.

How to Keep Your House Clean

Posted on April 24, 2020 by shopkick

Anyone else feel like they are constantly cleaning? Through researching and talking with friends and family to ask for opinions, we’ve landed on five tips that we’re already putting to the test.

Put Things Away:

It’s tempting to allow dishes to sit in your dishwasher, laundry to remain unfolded, and toys to stay where kids were last playing with them, but try to put things away instead. Run your dishwasher overnight and put your dishes away while you’re waiting for coffee to brew in the morning. Fold your laundry in your laundry room so you only need to put it away. Ask your kids to put away their toys at the end of the day so they can start playing again in an organized space the next day. By putting things away as you go, you won’t have to spend more than a few moments tidying up at any one time.

Clean Room-by-Room:

We like to clean each room completely – whether we’re cleaning it quickly or doing a deeper clean – rather than jumping from room to room. By doing this, we’ve found it’s easy to stick to a schedule. Another idea is to do a task a day (i.e.: vacuum, dust, mop, etc.).

Let Small Tasks Add Up:

When we think of small tasks, many of the chores we’ve mentioned, like running and emptying the dishwasher and putting things away, come to mind. We can also add sticking to a laundry schedule, sorting through mail, making sure keys are kept in a central location, and shoes aren’t scattered to the list. If you have kids, they can easily help to ensure these small tasks add up throughout the week – it’s their space too!

Do a Quick Clean:

Sometimes when we think about cleaning a room, we think we need to completely scrub down every corner of the space. In most cases, that doesn’t have to be true! You can quickly clean a space by dusting or wiping down surfaces, vacuuming, and generally tidying up within 20-30 minutes. By completing a quick clean of high traffic spaces, like bedrooms and bathrooms, frequently, you will feel confident cutting back on the amount of times you choose to deep clean the same rooms.

Create a Playlist:

Cleaning does not have to be something you dread! One of the best ways we’ve found to enjoy the time we spend tidying is by creating a playlist. Look to songs that put you in a great mood and want to move with purpose or cue up a podcast or two to listen to while you clean. Either promises to take your mind off of what you’re actually doing (cleaning!) while making you feel encouraged to complete the task even faster.

What are your top tips for cleaning? We’re ready to hear what you do! Leave your comments for us on Facebook.

3 Ways to Engage Young Readers

Posted on April 23, 2020 by shopkick

Happy Thursday, Shopkickers! First grade teacher Mrs. Lamb filmed another segment today on Facebook Live. Because we want to make sure we’re answering the questions you have, Mrs. Lamb answered one of your questions today. She shared three great tips about how to keep young readers engaged, and we have the recap below.

Lego Sight Words

Mrs. Lamb touched on the importance of sight words for young readers, and she revealed a fun new way to help students to learn them – Legos! Simply write one letter on one (or both) sides of a Lego brick. Keep going until you have a collection. Then ask your student to create sight words with the lettered bricks.

By participating in this learning activity, they’re learning about:

Fine Motor Skills – The act of making mini groupings of Legos helps with this.
Letter Identification – Your student must know which letter is on the Lego in order to use it.
Spelling – Your student is learning how to spell their sight words while they’re building.
Sentences – Once your student has built a few words, ask him or her to create sentences using the groupings.

Roll + Read

Similar to creating words with Legos, Roll + Read allows kids to be interactive while reviewing sight words. The idea is simple: create a mini board with the numbers 1-6 written vertically down the side. Next to each number add three sight words across the board horizontally. It helps to use a whiteboard if possible!

In order to learn, your student will roll a dice and choose a word from the row associated with the dice’s number from the board. They will read it out loud, and as long as it’s correct, erase it from the board. This is a great activity for kids to do independently, and you could also turn it into a game to see how fast the board can be completed. Then, decide on a fun reading reward!

How to make a whiteboard:

DVD Case:
- Remove the front and back covers from a white DVD case. Leave the plastic on.
- Use a permanent or whiteboard marker to write on the board.
- Use an old sock to erase.
One Gallon Bag:
- Place white computer paper inside a zipped one gallon bag. If you use a mini stack, it will be easier to write on the board.
- A permanent marker, whiteboard marker, and an old sock work here too.

Roll + Retell

Mrs. Lamb’s final tip to engage young readers is called Roll + Retell. This PDF from Fun in First is a great tool because it offers prompts for readers to answer about the key components of a story, like characters, setting, and more. Each component of a story is associated with a number from a dice, so you or your student will want to roll the dice in order to see which story question they should answer. Roll + Retell is interactive and fun, plus it’s also ensuring your student is learning and absorbing while enjoying listening or reading books.

If you’re looking for great story resources, visit YouTube! Plenty of authors, illustrators, and celebrities have been taking to the internet to read to young students. Your kids will be busy for a while!

How do you encourage your young reader to read? Let us know and make sure to tune into Mrs. Lamb’s next Facebook Live segment on Tuesday!

Four Kids Crafts for Earth Day

Posted on April 21, 2020 by shopkick

It’s Tuesday, which means we welcomed first grade teacher, Mrs. Lamb, back to Facebook Live! Mrs. Lamb shared one of her favorite holidays is tomorrow – Earth Day. And, she’s still planning to celebrate at home with her kids and over Zoom with her students. Below, we’re detailing the four simple crafts and experiments you can do from home with materials you likely already have on hand.

Bug Hotel:

The bug hotel is exactly like it sounds – a fun spot where bugs will want to inhabit (outside, of course!). Here’s how to make one:

Cut off the top and bottom of a plastic bottle. A soda or water bottle is perfect!
Go on a nature walk and pick up items like sticks, flowers, leaves, and moss.
Thread your items into your bottle until it’s full.
Poke two holes in your bottle, thread twine through the holes, and hang your habitat outside on a tree.

For extra learning, ask your student to journal about the experience, make a hypothesis about the varieties of bugs that will like the hotel you’re creating, and take photos of your hotel in progress.

Earth Day Headband:

Mrs. Lamb and her students love creating Earth Day headbands to wear throughout the day! It’s a fun way to kick off the day with a craft and plenty of meaningful conversation about reducing, reusing, and recycling. Here’s how to make one:

Download the PDF from Smitten with First.
Color your earth, glue all necessary pieces, and complete the prompt about how you reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Glue all pieces to a headband and wear it throughout the day!

For extra learning, talk with your student about the areas of the earth they’re coloring and why they’re choosing specific colors. See if you can think of new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Chat with friends about Earth Day!

Crayon Planter:

If you have old crayons hiding in drawers, this project is a great way for you to reuse and recycle your materials. Plus, you will have a unique and fun planter once it’s complete. Here’s how to make one:

Gather old crayons and remove all of the paper on the outside.
Rinse out a can.
With a hairdryer on high heat, hold a crayon on the outside of the can and watch as the wax melts onto the can. Repeat until the can is covered.
Add soil and seeds – your planter is complete!

For extra learning, explore why crayons melt when a hairdryer is used and talk about what you might grow in your planter. Mrs. Lamb shared she’s growing strawberries!

Ecosystem:

Mrs. Lamb’s final Earth Day project is one of her favorites – an ecosystem! This project is simple, but the results can be seen for days and weeks on end as your seeds continue to grow. Here’s how to make your own ecosystem:

Collect two soda bottles (you may want to have three ready just in case)
Cut off the top of one bottle and the bottom of another
Flip one bottle upside down and nest it inside the other (the top of the bottle where the cap would normally be should now be inside of the other bottle)
Fill the top bottle with a layer of rocks followed by layers of soil. Mrs. Lamb’s kids added moss in between their rocks and soil.
Plant seeds in the soil.
Water your seeds and watch as any additional water trickles through the top bottle and lands in the bottom bottle. Your ecosystem is ready to thrive!

For extra learning, continue to water your ecosystem and track its progress. You will notice the seeds beginning to sprout, and overtime the roots will poke through the bottle’s opening and flow into the bottom bottle where the water is collecting. You will find you will need to water your ecosystem less and less because the roots will be able to collect their own water.

Make sure to catch Mrs. Lamb’s Earth Day Facebook Live, and have fun celebrating the 50th anniversary of this great holiday. We’ll see you back on Facebook for Mrs. Lamb’s next session on Thursday!