Getting the news that you’re expecting is instant motivation to commit to a health and wellness routine. Those mama-bear instincts immediately kick in, and the desire to care for your growing baby is fierce and unwavering. While the intention for a healthy pregnancy is clear, discovering the best ways to stay on track isn’t always easy. We’ve rounded up 9 important tips for a healthy pregnancy.
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1. Get a dental cleaning. Your pearly whites might not be the first thing you think of when you’re creating a health plan for your pregnancy, but the increased hormones during pregnancy can affect your body’s response to plaque (the layer of bacteria on your teeth). Maintaining good dental hygiene at home and visiting your dentist while pregnant is extremely important.
Research has found a link between gum disease in pregnant women and premature birth with low birth weight. So make sure that both your teeth and your gums get extra care and attention while you’re expecting. Don’t forget to let your dentist or any other specialist you see while pregnant know you’re expecting.
2. Get proper nutrition. When you’re pregnant, you’re not just eating for two—you’re also consuming the vitamins and minerals for two! Focus on consuming nutrient-rich foods like fresh fruits and veggies, and consider supplementing your nutrition with a prenatal vitamin.
3. Avoid hyperpigmentation with broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen. The “mask of pregnancy,” clinically known as melasma, is a condition experienced by anywhere from 50% to 75% of women. It’s a specific form of hyperpigmentation that is most commonly associated with pregnancy. While you may have heard that it’s triggered by the increase in estrogen that happens when pregnant, you might not know that the condition is exasperated by sun exposure. That’s why it’s more important than ever to incorporate sunscreen into your daily routine while growing your bump.
Choosing the right sunscreen is also important. The FDA says that there’s enough current evidence to conclude that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide—ingredients that are used in mineral sunscreen products—don’t warrant the same health concerns as chemical sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone. So, to be safe, stick to mineral-based sun blockers while pregnant.
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4. Eat small meals throughout the day to avoid heartburn. Those pesky pregnancy hormones are disrupting things again by causing the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus) to relax, allowing stomach acids to flow back up into the esophagus. This means that more than half of all pregnant women will experience heartburn.
Luckily, there are ways to combat heartburn before it hits. Doctors recommend eating several small meals each day (try one of these nourishing bowls) rather than large ones. Avoid fried, spicy or rich (fatty) foods, and try not to lie down directly after eating.
5. Stay hydrated with filtered water to reduce exposure to toxins. Don’t leave home without your water bottle! You’ll need more water than the average person, since water plays an important role in the healthy development of your baby. To play it extra safe, drink filtered water when possible to avoid lead, microorganisms, bacteria and other toxins. 6. Focus on pelvic mobility exercise to avoid diastasis recti. It’s tricky to say and even trickier to deal with: diastasis recti, a condition many women suffer from as a result of pregnancy in which the abdominal muscles separate. Before you hit the panic button, there are a few things you can do while pregnant, as well as moves you can do postpartum, to help avoid this from happening. Focus on pelvic mobility exercises, such as pelvic tilts, pelvic circles and bridges. When paired with correct breathing, these build a better relationship between your abdominals and your pelvic floor muscles. Check out exercises programs, like those at Every Mother, for a more complete guide on how to keep your core strong during and after pregnancy.
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7. Eat ginger on a regular basis. Ginger, considered to be a super food because of its numerous health benefits, is especially powerful for pregnant women. It helps boost blood circulation, relieves nausea from morning sickness and can help keep blood-glucose levels in check.
8. Start a journaling ritual. If you don’t already have a journaling routine, start one during your pregnancy. The nine-plus months leading up to the arrival of your baby can be overwhelming, and this ritual can help you acknowledge and process whatever you may be feeling. It’s also a great strategy for better understanding how your diet, daily activities and skin routine affect your health. By documenting your patterns, you can develop a system that works best for you and your body.
9. Maintain your healthy habits as much as possible. The easiest thing to do while pregnant is to maintain the healthy habits you already have. The old adage about eating for two may sound great, but your body does not need double the calories. Guidelines vary, so talk to your health care provider about what they recommend for you during each trimester. If you’re used to a workout schedule, try and keep it, even if you need to adjust the specific exercises. And most importantly, always listen to your body; it’s your most powerful guide!
Create a winter fun-derland for your kids with these winter-friendly ideas. From outdoor activities like making frozen bubbles to indoor fun with seasonal sensory-play ideas and craft-making (including DIY ideas for Valentine’s Day!), you’ll be inspired with activities until spring.
25 Things to Do with Kids This Winter
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If you're juggling babies and older sibs (not literally, of course), keep this list of activities handy when you're all getting stir-crazy. There are recipes, crafts, games, books and more!
Winter days may be shorter, but they sure can feel long. When cabin fever sets in and you’re looking to get crafty with baby or want a few outdoor ideas, this list has you covered. Check out these winter-themed activities that will entertain and engage your little snow bunny.
The cure for winter woes? Add physical activity to your daily routine. And, yep, baby’s invited, too. Try these awesome ways to get active during the cold months, from body-toning babywearing to serene winter walks.
From snow bins to foamy snow play, there are cool (and safe) ways to let babies and toddlers in on the frozen fun. Finding your favorite sensory activity will be easy. It’s keeping yourself from humming “Do you want to build a snowman?” that might be tough!
Even if you're dreading going outside, there’s lots that you and your little one can do to fight cabin fever and explore the outdoors. Here you’ll find nine of our favorite snow-day activities for babies and young toddlers.
Your baby is constantly soaking up information and learning new things about the world through taste, sight, touch, smell and sound. We’ve rounded up a bunch of hands-on activities that will engage one or more of the five senses, and chances are playtime is about to get a lot more exciting.
Not only is sensory play critical for kids' developing brains, it can be deeply rewarding for you to watch quietly as your baby discovers new textures, learns about cause and effect, and figures out what makes the world go round.
Create valentines, home decor and keepsakes with your baby with these easy techniques. From easy-to-grasp veggie stamps to footprint projects Grandma will swoon over, you’ll love re-creating these V-Day ideas.
The season of giving is here, but it’s essential to teach your children gratitude every day. How do we teach such an abstract concept to a developing brain? By incorporating some unexpected and quick practices into our daily routine.
1. Show Your Kids How to Be Grateful
Children may not love to be told what to do, but they do love to mimic everything around them. Instead of instructing your child to be grateful, show them through your actions and words. Thank your children, say please and excuse me when necessary, and talk about your appreciation for when they or other family members do something of note. Incorporate it into a game like “Freeze Dance” to subtly drive the message home. Play some music and have the children dance. Stop the music at different times, and tell the children to “Freeze.” While they are frozen, have the children name what they are thankful for when you point at them, trying not to repeat any answers. Make sure that everyone gets a turn to share one or two things for which they are thankful.
2. Offer to Help
It’s not often we have time to spend the day volunteering, so simple helpful gestures for others are a great way to show children kindness and gratitude. Encourage your child to help you hold open the door for others, ask someone if they need help carrying their groceries and return a wallet left in the parking lot, especially when little eyes are on us. Make sure to narrate your helpfulness and gratitude when your child is with you. “Let’s hold the door open for this lady behind us,” or “wasn’t it nice that this man helped us carrying our dry cleaning to the car?”
3. Stop & Smell the Apple Pie
Have you stopped recently to enjoy the feel of the warm sun on your face or looked closely at the way a leaf flutters softly to the ground? Taking a moment to admire the little things around us, and pointing them out to our children, shows them that nothing is too small to be appreciated.
4. Practice Positivity
Sometimes all it takes is a positive attitude and a smile to make ourselves feel more grateful for our circumstances. It’s possible to teach our children that it’s okay to have a bad day or emotion, and to also help them look at the bright side by being thankful for the good. Playing the silver lining game at dinnertime can help us address the highs and lows of our day so we can appreciate the good stuff. Ask each member of the family to identify his or her best and not-so-best moment of the day to help each other see how the good usually outweighs the bad.
5. Give When You Receive
Being grateful can be difficult when children are over inundated with toys. Occasionally, it’s a good idea to help your child choose toys they no longer want and give those to other children in need. Something like a one-toy-in and one-toy-out policy can empower our children to give to others when a toy is no longer being used.
6. Display a Thankful Board
Children are visual and love seeing their creations and successes hung on the refrigerator or family bulletin board. Create a space for a family gratitude board on which to post notes of appreciation for each other or for things that make them feel grateful, as a regular reminder.
Sometimes all it takes is a couple of subtle routine changes to establish gratitude habits that will help your child’s character development. If you run out of ideas or want to practice other key character traits, head over to Kiddie Academy’s website to download the Character Essentials Activity Book.
Joy has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. As Vice President of Education at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, she oversees all things curriculum, assessment, training and more. Joy earned a B.S. in Education from Salisbury University.
Before you hear those first precious words, your baby is already hard at work communicating. From crying to cooing, smiling to waving, babies continue to amaze their sleep deprived parents with just how much they have to “say.” There are lots of ways to encourage your child’s continued growth during this exciting milestone. And it’s as simple as making enthusiastic animal noises when you’re pushing the stroller (no one will judge, we promise!).
(PS: Every child develops on their own timeline. If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, talk to your pediatrician.)
Point with purpose. This non-verbal gesture plays a big role in getting the verbal part going! Point at things you see when you’re on the go to build their vocabulary. When your child is excited and points, you’ll learn a lot from them too! Does your kiddo always point to the page with the kitten or light up when you see a neighbor’s dog on walk? Hint hint: Could be a sign you should add a furry family member to your crew. And if you do find yourself with Fido, your little one will be a great helper when they are able to speak more words and engage with their new BFF!
You’re pretty familiar with crying as a way of communicating. (Hungry? Tired? Memo received!). The addition of sweet “cooing” to your kiddo’s vocal repertoire around months 1-2 is a nice change of pace. You’ll be compelled to coo right back for your first two-sided convos! Anywhere from six weeks to three months, your baby will show off those first smiles (and not just facial expressions from having gas). This is an exciting milestone because it feels like you two are really connecting.
All about those belly laughs
Thought it couldn’t get any sweeter? At around three or four months old, babies start to laugh. The sillier you are, the more giggles you get. Whether you’re blowing raspberries on their tummy or making an elated “woof!” sound when reading a story about pets, laughter goes a long way in boosting budding communication skills. Add different voices, movements, and funny sound effects to books and songs. You may be a “Wheels on the Bus” soloist for quite awhile, but eventually you’ll be part of the cutest duet. Pro tip: throwing in a “pop” sound to peek-a-boo will really blow their mind.
The more you talk, the more they learn! Simply narrating what you’re doing (“I’m changing your diaper now!”) or referring to objects and saying the name (“The cat is on the couch”) helps babies gain an understanding of their world. You’ll feel like you’re repeating yourself a lot, but that’s a good thing when it comes to word recognition. You can do this from day 1!
Read, read, read. It’s never too early to read to your baby. Aside from helping spur language development, it’s wonderful quality time and can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. Start with simple books that have colorful drawings or photos. Say the name of what you’re looking at (“green apples!” or “striped cat”). Board books are great because they’re sturdy, can’t be ripped, and hold up to drool and curious baby nibbles! Touch and feel books are also exciting for little hands to explore.
Say it with signs
Baby sign language is an effective way to help your baby express what they want well before they can say the words. At around six months, start teaching simple signs for common objects, activities, or people. “More” and “milk” are some good go-tos to get started. It may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for your kiddo to catch on, but the more you demonstrate, the better. Signing can help ease frustration when communicating (for both of you!).
Babble on!
8-10 month-olds seem to have a lot to say… even if you don’t have a clue what that is exactly. You might catch some “ma-ma” and “da-da” consonant/vowel sounds, although they’re probably not saying them intentionally yet. Heart melting first words will delight you anywhere from 12-18 months.
Practice those royal waves
Babies love to mimic… especially waving! Somewhere around 9 months, they may start saying hi and bye using this adorable gesture. Heads up: it’s a real crowd-pleaser on walks in the stroller. As your baby gets older, you’ll notice their imitation game gets stronger. They’ll love to copy you clapping and making silly faces and gestures. Remember, this fun back and forth is their version of having a conversation!
Show excitement. Babies pick up on your cues. If you’re engaged and respond with interest (even if the fire truck isn’t that exciting to you) they’ll pick up on those positive (and talkative!) vibes!
Summer is upon us! The evenings are longer, the weather is warmer and the days are slightly less hectic…maybe. Summer is a terrific time to embrace creativity as part of your family’s routine. During the school year, things tend to be more regimented, but the summer offers days with different rhythms. And while every day or week can feel chaotic, sometimes a little bit of chaos is the best way to help keep creative minds active. Creative thinking is often just about looking at the world around you in a different way, so here are a few ideas to help inspire your family as part of your family’s daily routine:
PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD: Take turns making different kinds of breakfast foods with faces. Can eggs be a beard? How about bacon eyebrows? What can you do with some blueberries, toast and a banana? Children of all ages can get involved with the fun of making their breakfast into a Mr. Potato Head game. BONUS: Take a picture of all the faces and make a collage of the photos at the end of the summer!
COUNT YOUR RAINBOWS: You may have played “punch buggy” as a kid, well here is a less violent way to keep your eyes peeled on the outside world as you drive back and forth from camp or weekend getaways. Take turns finding rainbow colors in order. The first person that finds something that is red, the next orange, etc. through the entire rainbow, wins! BONUS: You can also play competitively with older kids, but they need to declare what they see “I see Red, on the Fire Truck!”
ALPHABET STORIES: While enjoying a summertime sandwich, challenge your family to an Alphabet Story. The first person starts a story with a sentence beginning with the letter A, then the next person adds on with a sentence that starts with B, all the way until Z. HINT: Name one of your characters Xavier, so when you get to X, you can easily start a sentence like, “Xavier left the castle and hiked up the Mountain.”
MAKE A MAP: As a family, make up an imaginary world. Start with some group sketches. Does the world have a forest, deserts, castles, plateaus, mountains? Then with some poster board, glue, ripped up paper bags, paint and rocks and dirt from the garden create a 3D version of a map of your world. This can be a multi-day or multi-week project. BONUS: Once the map is made, use it to create stories about things that happened in the different regions of the map. Everyone can take turns telling a story every night.
BRING A STORY TO LIFE: If your house is anything like mine, dress up is a daily occurrence, but I rarely remember to take the time to link dress up with story. Next time your little one finds a special outfit, use it as a springboard to make up a story together. Who is the person who wears this special outfit? Where do they live? BONUS: Dedicate a breakfast, lunch or dinner to the story, so if it’s a princess, make a fancy tea, if it’s a superhero, find some “super-power foods” to enjoy!
SEE CREATIVITY IN ACTION: Visit cultural institutions for inspiration! Visit your local museums, go to a craft fair and ask the artisan how things are made, listen to live music, see theatre!
Nina Meehan is CEO and Founder Bay Area Children's Theatre and the host of the Creative Parenting Podcast. An internationally recognized expert in youth development through the arts, Nina nurtures innovation by fostering creative thinking. She is mom to Toby (13), Robby (10) and Meadow (5).
The days are getting shorter; you’re dreaming about the chilly temps of fall, and best of all, it’s nearly time to celebrate the best that autumn brings. We’ve brushed off our list of the best fall festivals in the country, and this year you’ll find everything from the Leavenworth Oktoberfest to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival—basically, the ultimate list of festivals you should visit at least once with the kids.
**Editor’s note: COVID safety precautions vary from event to event. Please check the websites for updated information.
Balloon pilots from all over the county fly in to be a part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. As the largest ballooning event in the world, it features over 500 hot air balloons. Adding to the fun will be special balloon glows, a special shape rodeo, laser light shows, chainsaw carvings, fireworks, a car show and plenty of musical entertainment.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival - Crownsville, MD
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Revel Grove is your “passport to merriment” say the folks at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Here you’ll experience events and shows that you won’t see anywhere else: jousting competitions, jugglers, artisans performing works of Shakesphere in just 20 minutes, mimes, dancers and more. Feast on such delights as Macaroni and Cheese on a Stick, Beef Fingers with White Peppered Gravy and Steak on a Stake. If you want to get in on the act, costume rentals are available.
Dates: Aug. 28 - Oct. 24th, 2021 (weekends and Labor Day Monday)
Come to Stone Mountain Park at night to experience special not-so-spooky glow-in-the-dark fun. “Play by Day” enjoying the regular attractions and special fall entertainment. Stick around after dark to “Glow by Night” by taking a journey through classic storybook tales that come to life in 10 themed areas featuring 40 scenes with glowing lights, massive carved pumpkins, bubbles, fog and more. New in 2021 is the party parade!
The famous Pumpkin Village (featuring 90,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds) is in a new location this year, just beyond the Johnsson color garden! You'll find larger-than-life insect topiaries, bugged-out pumpkin houses and a maze that'll thrill the youngest of visitors.
Willkommen! You won't want to miss one of the largest Oktoberfests in the country and this year, it celebrates 42 years of fun. Held at River West Festival Park, this event brings together international German bands, Bavarian delicacies, authentic arts and crafts as well as games and competitions for the entire family. Don't miss the Dachshund Dash and the Costume Parade!
The Salmon Days Festival is 52 years in the making, and this year's theme is "Keep on Swimming." This annual event is a celebration of the return of salmon to their “birth-waters” as well as Issaquah’s history, culture and diversity. Each year the festival attracts over 200 artists and craftsmen, live music and entertainment, sporting events and even a section of virtual events.
Since 1903, the Circleville Pumpkin Show has seen people come from miles around to see the largest pumpkins on display (In 2014, a 1,964-pound pumpkin was here. It's tough to beat that one!). You'll also find the largest pumpkin pie, various parades featuring over 40 floats and over 50 bands, live entertainment, the chance to partake in the pumpkin toss and enjoy many pumpkin spice-flavored treats.
The Annual North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival features the Pecan Run, the Columbus Cooks pecan cooking competition (with a focus on young cooks), the festival parade, live entertainment, the Tri Beach Cruisers car show, a lot of craft vendors, an art show, an antique tractor show, of course, pecans galore!
If you’ve never seen anyone sit inside a giant pumpkin and then race it across a lake dressed in costume, then you obviously haven’t been to the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. This free, one-day festival is jam-packed with fun, including the weigh-off of the giant pumpkins and other monster-sized vegetables; performances by magicians, clowns and musical acts; a costume contest; a pumpkin pie eating contest; pumpkin bowling and pumpkin golf; food trucks and the giant pumpkin race.
The 27th annual Appleupmpkin Festival is held in conjunction with Kapnick Orchards Apple Festival, so you get two festivals in one! Not only will you find midway rides, carnival games, bounce houses and craft stations, you’ll also be treated to a tractor show, a straw maze, helicopter and monster truck rides, an entire scarecrow-making tent and more. There’s also an antique street fair and flea market, and an arts and crafts show if you want to get a little shopping in.
Olvera Street is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles and for good reason. From the legendary Mexican marketplace to the historic buildings, it's a wonderful place to immerse yourself in another culture. Every year they have a Dios de los Muertos celebration that starts with a traditional procession that includes Aztec dancers and a parade of "Living Muertos," where people dress up like skeletons and don colorful costumes. There's also a chance to have your face painted up to look like a Calavera!
The festivities at this famous fall event will look a little different in 2021, but there is still fun to be had. The traditional Oktoberfest celebration won't happen, but there will be a huge focus on local businesses and artisans, creating more of a Harvest Fest vibe. There will be over 100 vendors over the three weekends, you'll still be able to eat all your favorite Oktoberfest foods and of course, the Kinderplatz kiddie area will still be open!
Following a flock of sheep may sound like something out of a nursery rhyme, but did you know it’s also one of the most beloved fall festivals in the United States? Celebrate the history of sheep ranchers in Idaho at this five-day event filled with non-stop fun: multicultural performers, storytelling, cooking classes, sheepdog trials, folklife fair, weaving demos and over 50 local artisans selling crafts and art. The spotlight event (of course) is the Big Sheep Parade, where you and your family will view the spectacle of over 1,500 sheep wandering down Main Street in Ketchum.
Good to know: The Parade Picnic at Irving’s Hill is a great spot to enjoy local fare and watch the sheep make their annual trek.
Stillwater Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Weigh-Off - Stillwater, MN
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This bucolic little town on the shore of the St. Croix River not only gets a ton of gorgeous fall color this time of year, but it also hosts one of the best fall festivals around. Kids can come in costume and join in the Costume Parade which takes the children trick-or-treating to all the local downtown businesses. There's a chili cook-off and microbrew tasting, craft and food vendors and a ton of pumpkin-themed activities. Cheer on local businesses as they compete in the Pumpkin Pull (imagine being hooked up like an ox to haul giant pumpkins) and the Pumpkin Regatta—a race up the St. Croix in giant hollowed-out pumpkins for boats.
Good to know: Locals know to stick around 'til the end of the fest for the giant pumpkin drop: prize-winning pumpkins are hoisted on a crane and dropped to the sidewalk below. You can scramble in and get your share of giant pumpkin seeds for your own garden!
It's one of the state’s most popular festivals for a good reason: the Angry Orchard 5K, tons of amusement rides, a pie bake-off and pie-eating contest, a petting zoo, road races, a beer garden and pony rides. Literally, something for everyone.
This three-day smorgasbord of food and entertainment will feature over 50 local restaurants and musical acts performing on six stages. It’s kind of a big deal. Here you can sample wines, learn about local beers and watch some great chefs showing off their skills. Admission is free, and you can get a sheet of 10 “taste tickets” for just $5. Be sure to take the kids to the T-Mobile Kids’ Area too to try out the Wacky Slide, swings and to visit Toddler Town.
Over 100 hand-crafted scarecrows show up at the Scarecrow Festival in downtown St. Charles every year, and while some are designed to spook, most are charming for all ages. Visitors have a hand in the awards (vote-as-you-view in five categories), and after voting, there's enough family-friendly entertainment to last an entire weekend. Now in its 36th year, there's more than just scarecrows to admire. There's a family zone, the scarecrow stroll, live music, a professional pumpkin carver and of course, the popular scarecrow in a box.
Pioneer Farms will glow with Jack-o’-lantern grins for a whole month! At Pumpkin Nights, you will venture along a half-mile walking path, where you’ll discover the Forbidden Pumpkin City, a pirate’s cove, and more fantastical lands built using over 3,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. The celebration continues with entertainment and games in Pumpkin Central, the festival area. There’s also food, beverages, screenings of A Nightmare Before Christmas and other activities for the whole family.
Apples are a fave fall, and southern Pennsylvania has been celebrating since 1962. At this two-weekend event, you’ll find apples cooked up in more ways than you’ll have thought possible: apple cider, applesauce, pies, jellies, pancakes, syrup, candied apples and much more. Work up an appetite at the Kid Country Barn where your tiniest festival fans will enjoy face painting, harvest magic shows, and apple pie-eating contests. There are hayrides, pony rides, Native American dance expos, puppet shows, an antique auto show, over 300 arts and crafts vendors and a ton of family-friendly live music performances.
Good to know: Your money goes to a good cause. All proceeds (after expenses) go back into the community and to other local, state and national charitable organizations.
There are 14,000 acres of commercial pear, apple, cherry and peach orchards in Hood River County, so it’s no surprise the biggest fall festival in the Columbia River Gorge happens here. For three days in October, attendees enjoy a giant pumpkin carving contest, live music, a fruit pie-eating contest, family activities, seasonal produce, food, wine, cider, beer and local arts & crafts from nearly 120 vendors on the scenic Hood River waterfront. Kids will love the activity area, complete with bouncy houses, face painting and other activities.
Looking for the world’s largest cranberry festival? You’ll find it in Warrens, WI—over 120,000 people show up each year. Wander through 850 arts & craft booths and enjoy contests like Guess the Weight of the Largest Pumpkin, Best Scarecrow, Biggest Berry, Marsh Medallion Hunt and more. Tasty eats are everywhere and include unusual offerings like cranberry cream puffs and deep-fried cranberries on a stick. One of the coolest things to do at the festival is to take a tour of the cranberry marshes. You’ll visit two local marshes, walk into a cranberry bed, and learn all about the growing process. Local eats including fresh cranberries, wine and other products can be bought at the end of the tour!
The 48th Annual Harvest Festival in Santa Fe is held at El Rancho de las Golondrinas—a living museum similar to Williamsburg, VA—and there are 200 acres to explore. Wander through over 30 buildings, see ponds and waterways, spot animals, and check out agricultural fields that produce traditional crops like corn, squash and peppers. During the Harvest Festival, visitors encounter “villagers” going about their daily routine: crushing grapes, stringing chilies, making tortillas, weaving cloth. Traditional Southwestern music and dance is also a festival highlight, as well as an artist market with New Mexican crafts, mule-drawn wagon rides, and more. Rated one of the best harvest festivals in the country, families will learn about the rich culture of the Southwest.
The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival - Half Moon Bay, CA
The self-proclaimed World Pumpkin Capital gives other harvest festivals a run for their money with the combination of a small seaside community and pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! This year it's going to be a mini-fest, on one day and scaled-down festivities. You'll still find top crafters and artists from around the country, the 43rd Annual Pumpkin Run, the famous pumpkin weigh-off, a costume contest, a pumpkin carving, a pie-eating contest, and plenty of good food. Be sure to bring cash so you can get a picture with the winning pumpkin!
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and when it comes to festival royalty, Queen Tunaep and King Reboog (yup, peanut and goober spelled backward) are no exception—since the late '30s the festival court has donned be-jeweled and be-ribboned gowns and capes that make Queen Elizabeth look like an amateur. But the glamorous get-up of the Bohemian Blooms Court is not the only fun for families in Floresville during the festival. There’s the Goober Games, which is filled with kid faves like sack races, peanut toss, and musical peanut; the parades are worth a watch too.
Fall wouldn’t be the same without the changing of the leaves. The tree-covered hills in southern Ohio are the perfect spot to capture the view, and since 1968, thousands of folks have gathered for three days of fun. There are four skyline drives to take in the beauty of the leaves: Buckskin Loop, Paint Vista Loop, Pike Lake Loop and Redbush Loop. Kids will love both the live pet show and the stuffed animal pet show (with categories such as largest, smallest, most unusual, most lovable), and the kiddy tractor pull. Adults will love the flea market, tribute bands, 5K run and more.
This year marks the 11th annual event taking place under the Oktoberfest Bigtop at Smith Fields. If you’re a kid age 12 and under you get in for free; anyone over the age of 12 needs to chip in $7. You’ll be entertained with great German music and a few crazy contests including log sawing, keg throwing, stein holding, and for the kids, a chicken dance-off. Lots of beer, bratwurst, sandwiches and soups too. The kids will especially enjoy the hot dog with mac & cheese plate.
Celebrating the rich agricultural history of pecans (the harvest goes all the way back to pre-colonial times) the Louisiana Pecan Festival has grown from a Frontier Days theme in the early ‘70s to a three-day festival filled with fun for the whole family. The weekend kicks off with Children's Day. There are arts and crafts booths, a cooking contest, carnival rides, great food, musical entertainment, the Grand Parade and a fireworks show on Saturday night is followed by the Street Dance. Be sure to hit up The Country Store, where you can pick up homemade pecan pies, pralines, jams, jellies, local honey and of course, pecans.
With the current state of the world and the kids going back to school, the odds are you’re finding yourself a bit flustered while trying to keep a routine or get things done. We’ve created three free printable templates you can use to help track things and stay sane: for daily schedule, chores, and self-care.
(Just click on the links to open a new tab for the printables).
Keeping on top of household maintenance with a household full of people is not without its challenges. Use this chart to get everyone to pitch in (this could be the start of something!)
Don't forget to take care of yourself during these trying times! This sheet will remind you to drink water, go for a short walk if you can, stretch, tell a joke or just give yourself a compliment. This is a great one to assign each kid as well, to teach them the value of their own well-being.
Summer brings lazy days, looser schedules and oftentimes, more people hanging out at home. Your pet is probably enjoying this low-key time (not to mention the extra snuggles!) just as much as you! With school on the horizon, it’s important to help your pet reacclimate to “normal” life along with your kiddos. Here are some simple ways to ensure the daily routine is up to sniff (pun intended).
Just like humans, furry family members like the security and comfort of a routine they can count on. During the summer, your pet may have had extra playtime or been in the backyard more than usual. As the school year begins, make sure walks and meals are predictable and consistent so your pet can anticipate them at the same time of day. If you put your pet in a crate when you leave, make sure to re-introduce that routine so they remember that they go in when you go out.
Delegate Pet Chores
Assigning your kids pet-related jobs will lighten your load while also giving them a sense of responsibility. Preschoolers can be in charge of making sure there’s fresh water in the dish. Older kids can learn to scoop dog food and/or poop outside! If you have a fenced-in yard, little ones can safely let the dog out, too. Pro tip: make an easily accessible sign that family members can use to check off if they’ve completed their daily feeding/walking tasks. This helps to avoid confusion over whether the dog’s still waiting to go out or chow down!
Enlist the Experts!
Hire a dog walker or sign up for doggy daycare if your pet needs caretaking when no one’s home. Many pets enjoy the social interaction of human and furry friends! You can often get great recommendations on sitters, groomers and pet care from neighbors.
Get Some Me-Time (with Your Pup!)
Over the summer months, your dog’s walk schedule was probably… less scheduled. Start getting back to regular walk times a bit before regular life resumes. For starters, some like to wake up earlier than their kids to take their dog on a peaceful morning walk. You both will enjoy the exercise and quiet time before the morning frenzy begins!
Give Lots of Love
No matter what busy days may bring, make sure you always take some time for belly rubs, games of fetch, and couch snuggles. Pet bonding will be the easiest, most lovable thing on your to-do list.
Thinking about bringing a furry family member into your life? Fostering a pet from a shelter or rescue organization may be the perfect way to ease into pet parenthood. Not only do you get to experience caring for a pet before making a long-term commitment, but you’re providing safe, temporary housing (and much-needed TLC!) to animals in need before they find their forever homes. If you’re considering fostering a pet, read on to learn what you need to know to prepare.
While there are many reasons dogs and cats need foster homes, often it’s because a shelter doesn’t have the capacity to fit every abandoned animal they bring in before an adoption takes place. Fostering is especially beneficial for animals who have a hard time adjusting to shelter life, need extra help socializing with people or are recovering from an illness, procedure or injury. You may also be able to foster orphaned kittens and puppies (however, there are certain requirements the organization you choose may have!). Fostering not only frees up space for a shelter organization to take in more needy animals, but it gives your foster pet the time he or she needs to be ready for adoption. Being around people (and perhaps other pets!) helps timid animals feel more comfortable and let their true colors shine.
How Do I Find a Foster Organization?
Aside from good old Google, ask friends and neighbors if they’ve worked with shelter organizations nearby. You’d be surprised at how many people in your area are involved with these lifesaving groups. Once you find a local spot that feels like the right fit, you’ll most likely fill out an application and questionnaire so they can begin the process of pairing you with a foster pet. You may then have a phone screening followed by an at-home visit.
A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to match people with foster pets. Organizations make sure you’re compatible and well equipped to take on the needs of your new buddy. Animals will have received veterinary care and been temperament tested. You’ll be provided with any medication the animal requires, their medical record, as well as guidance on how to best care for them. You’ll want to know if there are behavioral issues to be aware of. And before you go on a shopping spree, find out what supplies are included. Your pet visitor may come with a collar, leash, crate, tags, medication (if need be) and more. You will be responsible for food, toys and any other extras to spoil your little guy or gal.
Expect the first couple of days to be an adjustment for all of you as your foster pet adapts to their new space and new people! Don’t be surprised if that sweet pup hides under the coffee table for the first few hours before making his way to your lap. Have an open mind and be respectful (new humans can be overwhelming!). Creating a daily routine for food, rest and exercise can be helpful.
While you’re busy providing love and attention, the shelter organization will be hard at work on the adoption process. You’ll most likely be required to bring your pet to an adoption drive/event or have potential adopters come to your home. Fostering may last just for a few days, a few weeks or longer. It’s good to be flexible about the commitment since the time frame is never certain.
You may go into fostering convinced this is a short-term situation. Then… you fall in love. (Yep, it happens All.The.Time. It’s lovingly referred to becoming a member of the “foster fail club.”) Foster parents often have the option to adopt, but each organization has its own policies. Check with the group you’re volunteering with beforehand to know if you’ll be able to turn temporary into forever should your circumstances head in that direction!
No matter what, fostering is a rewarding, feel-good experience. Whether you prepare a pet for their new home or decide to add that cuddly creature to your crew, you’ve made life better for an innocent animal in need.
Parents…we all need a little morning energy boost, midday pick-me-up, or evening relaxer every now and then. There are many quick solutions to reach for, but not all are as beneficial to our overall health and wellness. My one suggestion that’ll fix a variety of issues? Tea!
There are fewer things more relaxing than sipping on a good cup of tea. For me, that almost always comes with a splash of vegan creamer (tilk anyone?). But whatever your favorite tea may be, at whatever time of day, the possibilities are practically endless.
While you may enjoy tea for its diverse flavors, there are actually numerous, potent health benefits that come with drinking tea regularly. Tea is one of my daily routines because it helps build synergy, allowing me to accomplish at least five different things at once. This simple act has tremendous benefits for physical health, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. Tea can boost the immune system, help fight viruses, decrease stress and anxiety, and boost mental focus, which we can all benefit from right now.
My Top 5 Mind-Body Benefits of Drinking Tea:
Benefit #1: Fights Viruses & Boosts Immunity
Black and green tea are known to have antiviral and antimicrobial properties that can help your immune system combat viruses like the common cold. Anything extra we can do to support the immune system right now and fight off viruses is a win-win, for everyone.
Benefit #2: Powerful Antioxidants Fight DNA Damage & Reduce Signs of Aging
Want to maintain that youthful radiant glow and stay healthy at the same time? A cup of tea a day, particularly green tea or match, may be just the thing. Tea, and green tea in particular, is loaded with powerful antioxidants that fight DNA damage and oxidative stress on the body, keeping you looking and feeling young. Those antioxidants can also help prevent heart disease and even cancer.
Benefit #3: Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Black and green tea contain L-theanine, a compound that helps fight stress and anxiety naturally. It can also promote a sense of calmness, while helping you focus on whatever task is at hand, making tea a great morning or mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Theanine can minimize the jitteriness of caffeine, but if you’re sensitive to caffeine, go for a tea that has less, like green, white, or oolong.
Benefits #4: Drinkable Medicinal Spices
People have been making “tea” with herbs and spices for centuries. While these are technically tisanes if tea leaves are not used, I won’t hold that misnomer against anyone because the potent health and wellness benefits are profound. A common Ayurvedic staple is cumin coriander fennel tea, which contains a host of health benefits including stimulating digestion, which is the root of all health according to Ayurveda. Lavender and chamomile teas can help promote sleep and relaxation. Mint and licorice tea can lower libido, while green tea may enhance it. You can make tea to have practically any health or wellness benefit you want.
Benefit #5: A Great Social or Self-Care Routine
Whether used as a daily self-care routine or a way to spend time with friends and family, tea has you covered. It’s one of those things that can be enjoyed just as much alone as in a social setting. It makes a great self-care routine because it’s both mentally stimulating and physically relaxing. Any consistent act of self-care will improve overall mind-body wellness, but with all of the additional benefits tea has to offer, it packs an extra powerful punch when added to your daily routine.
