ML Interest Tag: sensory

10+ Kids Books about Sensory Differences for Sensory Awareness Month

By Lindsey Rowe Parker

Photo: Lindsey Rowe Parker

Have you ever felt the need for a wiggle, stomp, or squeeze? Wanted to zoom around the room, or have you seen a friend that loves to spin and twirl? These actions are your body looking for sensory input!

We all know the 5 senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Did you know there are 3 more? Vestibular, Proprioception, and Interoception.

These sound like challenging concepts, but actually, you feel them every day! Vestibular is balance and movement. Think of the feeling you get when you spin in a circle. Proprioception is awareness of where your body is in space, wave your hands around in the air or give yourself a big bear hug squeeze. And Interoception is your feelings inside your body, like hunger, thirst, or having to use the restroom!

October is Sensory Awareness Month, and 1 in 6 children struggles daily with sensory processing challenges. You probably know one or two! Maybe that is even you? Sensory processing refers to the mechanisms of how we feel. It is how we use what we sense to make sense of the world around us through our 8 senses.

Picture books are a great way to introduce concepts to kids and adults alike, to make them feel seen, and create empathy for those with different lived experiences!

Here are 10+ books about sensory differences to add to your inclusive library or classroom!  

Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm my Jitters Down by neurodivergent author Lindsey Rowe Parker’s and autistic illustrator Rebecca Burgess. The vibration when she runs, the tap-tap-tap of her spoon on the table at mealtime, the trickle of cool water running over her hands—these are the things that calm her jitters down. The book is also available in Spanish, entitled Meneos, Pistones, Y Apretones Para Calmar Mi Cosquilleo.

Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism: Holly loves doing experiments and learning new things in science class! But when she finds out the next experiment is making slime, she’s worried. Slime is made with glue, and glue is sticky. Holly has sensory issues because of her autism and doesn’t like anything sticky! With help from family and her teacher, Holly receives the accommodations and encouragement she needs to give slime a try. By Jen Malia, Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.

Rosalee The Seeker: Rosalee is a LITTLE sensory seeker with a BIG spirit, a BIG imagination, and an even BIGGER heart… and this is her story. Written & illustrated by Nicole Filippone.

Alexander the Avoider: Written to explain SPD from a child’s perspective… to validate and empower them… to give them words to explain their needs… and to help adults better understand and support the children in their lives who struggle because of their SPD. Written & illustrated by Nicole Filippone.

Come Meet Drayden: Drayden’s siblings will be sharing what a typical day with Drayden is like. Drayden has Autism and is completely awesome! A book celebrating diversity & inclusion. By Dana Young-Askew and illustrated by Cameron Wilson.  

Come On Calm: A whimsical children’s book encouraging readers of all abilities to self-regulate through sensory and breathing tasks. From author Kelsey Brown and illustrator Joseph Wrightson.

Sensory Seeking Sebastian: Sensory Seeking Sebastian is a book that empowers sensory seekers with strategies that help with self-regulation. This book is perfect for families who want to equip their sensory seeker to navigate the challenges of ADHD, Autism, and SPD. By Christia DeShields and illustrated by Marissa Nelson.

When Things Get Too Loud: When Things Get Too Loud is a story about sensory overload, how it feels, what can trigger it, and what may help. The Feel-O-Meter provides the child and parents with a visual guide through emotions and the book comes with ideas to cope with overwhelming situations. Written by Anne Alcott.

Juan Has the Jitters: Juan claps his hands to get his Jitters out. They make his tummy swoosh and swirl. His Jitters happen when there are too many people, too much noise, or too many changes to his day. Juan doesn’t like surprises. By Aneta Cruz, illustrated by Miki Yamamo

My Whirling, Twirling Motor: Charlie feels like he has a whirling, twirling motor running inside him all the time, and sometimes he just can’t settle. When his mom wants to talk to him, he figures he’s in trouble…but she has a surprise for him instead! By Merriam Sarcia Saunders, Illustrated by Tammie Lyon.

This Beach Is Loud!: Going to the beach is exciting. But it can also be busy. And loud. Sand can feel hot or itchy or sticky…and it gets everywhere! Written and Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill.

STAR Institute Sensory Stories *digital format: Five real-life stories from the STAR Institute highlighting the incredible importance of sensory integration and processing for health and well-being. By Virginia Spielmann, illustrated by Jacinta Read.

  How can you participate in Sensory Awareness Month? Easy!

  1. Add inclusive books like the ones on this list to your library, share with your school, or gift them to a local organization.
  2. Share #sensorystories with your social media followers, or add your voice to the conversation of why sharing these stories is important. Share books that you love that we missed!
  3. Follow neurodivergent, autistic, and other advocates that have the lived experience of sensory differences, and learn from them.
  4. Learn how to provide accommodations and support for children and adults with sensory differences through organizations like the STAR Institute: Sensory Processing.
  5. Hug an OT! Thank your educators, therapists, and advocates that are actively seeking to make spaces and experiences more friendly to those with sensory differences.

**10+ books just not enough for you? Check out 100ish Books on Autism and Neurodiversity

   

This post originally appeared on Wiggles, Stomps and Squeezes Blog.
Lindsey Rowe Parker
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Lindsey Rowe Parker is a mom of sensory kids, embracing the next phase of parenting while learning to navigate & advocate for her autistic daughter.  With an adult diagnosis of ADHD and a deeper understanding of her own sensory experiences, she is learning all she can from neurodivergent voices.

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Take a 60-Second Mindful Break with Your Kids Each Day

By Joy Turner

School is officially back in session, whatever it may look like. Whether you’re still doing virtual learning or your children are attending child care or classes in-person, routines have been dramatically altered to accommodate life in an ongoing pandemic. And these routines may already be exhausting you and your family.

One effective way to deal with the stress of “normal” life in a not-so-normal time is to make space each day to practice mindfulness. It’s a lot easier said than done, especially when you look at your to-do list filled with professional and personal tasks. However, when you practice mindfulness, you’re practicing the art of creating space for yourself—space to think, breathe, slow down, connect and be fully present.

“Mindfulness is to pay attention on purpose, in the present moment, to just slow down and notice all the beautiful things around you,” said Sandra Graham, Kiddie Academy’s director of training. “It can help children focus, manage stress, self-regulate emotions and develop a positive outlook. Particularly right now, it can offer them relief from the stress and difficulties that may be occurring in their lives and help build resiliency.”

Practicing Mindfulness Each Day

We’ve developed a few activities for “Mindful Minutes,” suggestions of things you can do with your child to achieve mindfulness each day. These Mindful Minutes reflect the Kiddie Academy Life Essentials philosophy and help children concentrate on the positives around them, developing a sense of appreciation, gratitude and contentment.

In a playful way, use these activities and games to introduce your child to breathing practices and other techniques to develop focus and sensory awareness, while reducing stress and regulating emotions.

  • Take your children for a walk outside. Invite your little ones to listen to how the leaves blow in the wind. Direct their attention to the warm sun as it bathes their faces. Listen to birds in the distance as they chirp. Focusing on the surroundings helps your children connect to their environment. It brings their attention to the here and now.
  • Encourage your little one to think from head to toe about how they’re feeling. This can be a good way to start the day or just something to do when you think your children need to center themselves.
  • Find a relaxing place, or a “happy” place. Sit comfortably in a quiet place that’s free from too many distractions and set a timer for one minute. Breathe deeply in and out, slowly. Let your mind and body rest and relax from any pressures.

The busyness and hurry of life shows no signs of slowing down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take time when you and your child need it. So, remember to take a minute (or more!) each day with your kid(s) to practice mindfulness and center yourself in the present moment. You may come out with a sense of gratitude or energy for the days ahead of you.

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.

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Your Kids Need Rest. Here Are 7 Ways Creativity & Art Can Help

By Nina Meehan

Photo: Nina Meehan

I don’t know about you, but, since the start of COVID-19, my family has been in this strange twilight zone between all the rest we ever wanted and not enough rest at all. How is this limbo possible? It is true that the frenetic pace of our life has slowed substantially, but our new life patterns have allowed for later bedtimes, less specific downtime, “I’m bored” time, and a level of emotional fatigue that none of us has ever experienced.  

Enter Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith and her amazing TED ideas post about the seven different kinds of rest you need. As I read through her post, not only did it immediately resonate with my own lived experience, I also started thinking about our kids and what rest means for them. So, here are my thoughts on how creativity and art can bring more rest to your family.

1. Physical Rest
The first kind of rest that Dr. Dalton-Smith talks about in her article. This is that typical, lying in bed for 8-10 hours per night type of rest. For kids, right now, the level of anxiety that is just in the air all around us can make sleep harder than normal. An arts strategy that can help bring a restful night of sleep is relaxation. In my house, after we read books, we do a 2-3 minute relaxation that starts with taking three deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Then I tell a calming story about being in a beautiful place in nature, and we just visualize and imagine using all of our senses. If we are in a meadow, we might hear the birds chirping, smell the flowers around us and feel the sensation of the grass on the back of our legs. For more information on how to do relaxation, check out this blog.  

2. Mental Rest
For adults, Dr. Dalton-Smith recommends scheduling a break in your workday every two hours or keeping a notepad nearby at bedtime to write down anything that is spinning in your mind. For kids, we can use mini art engagements throughout the day, to shift their minds from their school work to a relaxed mental state. Try keeping modeling clay near their work station if they are homeschooling. They can create an entire zoo of 2-inch animals over the course of a month!

3. Sensory Rest
This is all about a break from the onslaught of electronic inputs that have invaded our lives. For kids, getting them outside and away from screens is a critical step to finding sensory rest. Games are a big part of play and creativity, so try a backyard or neighborhood scavenger hunt where you assign six things they need to find in under 10 minutes—a rock that is a weird shape, a tree that is taller than a swing set, a leaf that is not green, etc.  

4. Creative Rest 
This is about allowing our brains to be inspired by beauty and art that already exists in the world instead of being in create mode. For our kids who are innovating and making all day and all night (even if it is on Minecraft) the opportunity to be inspired by beauty is important right now, even if it’s not in person. Maybe try a virtual museum tour?  Or watch some breathtaking dance?

5. Emotional Rest
Challenge yourself and your kids to express your emotions instead of hiding behind the mask of “I’m fine.”  For kids, using the arts is a perfect way for them to express their emotional reality. Dancing their anger, painting their frustration, writing their sadness are all creative strategies for bringing their experience to light in a safe and honest way.  

6. Social Rest
This is permission to differentiate between the relationships that are giving you energy and those that are draining it. For kids, right now, this can be very challenging, because they have very few options (if any) for finding other kids to hang out with. For kids, I think social rest might look like taking a moment to engage in imaginative play as if we were their friends on the playground. Ask, “If we were with your friends right now, what would you be doing?” And then make that happen! Yup, you might have to pretend to be a five-year-old…I promise it will be worth it!

7. Spiritual Rest
The last type of rest that Dr. Dalton-Smith describes, is connecting to something greater than yourself. For some adults, that might look like prayer, meditation, or volunteering in the broader community. For kids, the art connection to Spiritual Rest could be creating posters to put up in the window with pictures that might brighten the day of anyone walking by. Or you could put on music and prompt your child to visualize an impressive place in nature that they have been (the beach, a forest, the Grand Canyon) and let the music and the image inspire them to paint a picture that represents the beauty of the world around us.  

I hope these seven elements of rest are as helpful to you as they have been to me. I think we could all use some inner peace right now. 

 

This post originally appeared on Piedmont Post.

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).  

   

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11 Creative Sensory Boxes You Don’t Have to Make Yourself

by Kate Loweth

If you’ve been wanting to add a sensory kit to your child’s play options but the DIY has got you down, outsource it! Clever crafters over at Etsy have put together the cutest options with themes like dinosaurs, the beach and fairies. A favorite among Montessori educators, kits like these develop fine motor skills and help with early math lessons like sorting and counting. You’ll never be able to pick just one!

Rainbow Pasta Sensory Kit

Etsy

Not only can they scoop and string these colorful pasta shapes but you can use it as a sorting activity and all sorts of other counting games. 

Get yours here, $39.99. 

Construction Kit

Etsy

Get your diggers and hard hats out, this set is for all you construction fans out there! It comes with colorful chickpeas and lentils, along with scoopers and diggers to get the job done! 

Get yours here, $24.68.

Coral Reef Kit

Etsy

Set up your ocean and your sand, along with shells and sea creatures in this fun set. 

Get yours here, $20.32.

Superhero Sensory Bin

Etsy

Bright red and blue colors bring together the elements of this fun superhero-themed kit. You can even have the kit scented with your choice of essential oils for the full sensory experience. 

Get yours here, $30+. 

Fairy Playdough Box

Etsy

Enter the festive world of fairies in this fun kit. It comes with colorful, scented playdough and all the cute bits and bobs that fairies will love. 

Get yours here, $30.99. 

Unicorn Magic Sensory Kit

Etsy

This bin is filled with colorful rice, unicorns and lots of fun accessories to go along with it. Hours of fun, guaranteed. 

Get yours here, $48. 

Dinosaur Play Kit

Etsy

Kinetic sand, homemade playdough, personalized letter tiles and loads of dinos made up this fun kit. Gems, glitter balls and river rocks allow your little paleontologist the gear they need to build their dinosaur world. 

Get yours here, $28. 

Space Play Dough Kit

Etsy

We love the bright colors and all the accessories that come with this space-themed kit. Astronauts can blast off to the blue moon to rescue aliens with their spaceship. 

Get yours here, $34.99. 

Happy Camper Kit

Etsy

Head out into the woods but don't run into a bear! Your little camper will have hours of fun playing with this colorful set. 

Get yours here, $29.99. 

Busy Bee Kit

Etsy

Glitter playdough is just the beginning of the fun that you can find in this yellow play kit. Honeycombs, fuzzy bees and a honey dipper offer lots of opportunities for pretend play. 

Get yours here, $28.50. 

Etsy

Scoop your rainbow gems and bears into colorful cup in this kit that is full of fine motor skill development opportunities. 

Get yours here, $35. 

—Kate Loweth

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Sensory Sundays Are Returning This Month at Chuck E. Cheese

by Erica Loop

Between the bright lights, loud sounds and everything else that goes on inside, it’s easy to see how Chuck E. Cheese’s can overwhelm just about anyone. But for kids with autism or special needs, the sensory overload can be waaaay too much. To help, Chuck E. Cheese’s is bringing back Sensory Sensitive Sundays for kids with special needs.

Beginning Sun. Apr. 11, Chuck E. Cheese will open two hours early, just for kids with special needs at select locations. The program will continue throughout April on Sundays and for the remainder of 2021.

photo: Chuck E. Cheese

Sensory Sensitive Sundays (at participating locations only) will feature dimmed lighting, quieter dining and entertainment environment and a sensory-friendly arcade experience. Along with the sensory sensitive setting, the chain’s caring staff will be on-hand to help out and make the experience memorable for each and every guest.

Also starting today, Chuck E. Cheese guests can donate to Autism Speaks with every purchase. At the register, round up your purchases to the nearest dollar, and all contributions will support Autism Speaks’ research, advocacy efforts, programs and services.

“At Autism Speaks, we are so grateful to have supporters like Chuck E. Cheese who help drive our mission by creating inclusive environments for all kids,” said Autism Speaks Vice President of Supports and Services Valerie Paradiz. “Their Sensory Sensitive Sundays and round-up campaign bring us one step closer to our vision of a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.”

If you’re not sure which locations near you will offer this event, get the list right here.

—Erica Loop & Karly Wood

Feature photo: gsheldon via iStock

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12 Adorable Easter Basket Fillers You Can Buy on Etsy

by Gabby Cullen

Easter is early this year, and if you’re looking for unique treats for their Easter baskets, Etsy is your first and only stop. From personalized mason jars to carrot crayons and even a bunny bottom hot chocolate bomb, we’ve rounded up our favorite Easter gifts on Etsy for kids. Scroll down to see them all.

Mason Jar Tumbler 

Pick from four different colors and six bunny colors when you order these personalized plastic mason jar tumbler cups for kids.  

Buy it here, $7.

Easter Kinder Mini Eggs

A sweet bag of chocolate Easter eggs can have a personalized tag added too! 

Buy it here, $4.63.

Bunny Bath Bombs

These adorable Peep-shaped bath bombs in the shapes of bunnies will stand out in their Easter basket! 

Buy them here, $2.99 & up.

Butterfly Bombs

Your butterfly enthusiast will get six bombs and planting instructions in this sweet muslin bag. 

Buy it here, $9.95.

Carrot Crayons

How cute are these carrot crayons? Bright colors and an easy grip for little hands make this a perfect Easter basket filler for your tiniest bunnies. 

Buy them here, $14.50 & up.

Do Not Disturb Socks

For the gamer in your house, when they want to chill, these socks make a statement.

Buy them here, $13.20.

Easter Sensory Kits

Filled with interesting things like play dough, gems, eggs and carrots, these Easter sensory jars will keep kids busy. 

Buy it here, $8.99.

Bee Kind Wax Melts

This wax melt sample box is perfect for older kids. The packaging is adorable, and the melts come in six different scents. 

Buy it here, $12.

Bunny Bottom Hot Chocolate Bomb

Choose from dark or milk chocolate bunny bombs. Each one is filled with cocoa powder and marshmallows! 

Buy them here, $6.50.

Golden Easter Egg

These golden Easter eggs can be personalized and make a gift they’ll treasure for years. 

Buy them here, $7.22 each.

Hip Hop T-Shirt

How adorable is this t-shirt? ‘90s parents will especially appreciate the pun! Available in sizes 3 months - 8Y.

Buy it here, $18.

DIY Plush Animal Kit

Chose from 11 adorable color-your-own mini plushies, plus three markers, in this cute DIY kit. 

Buy it here, $9.99.

—Gabby Cullen

All images courtesy of Etsy

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8 Busy Boards You Can Buy on Etsy Right Now

by Karly Wood

While most of us appreciate a homemade project, not everyone has the time or skillset to whip up craft like a toddler busy board at home. Perfect for busy little hands, these activities are great for parents who want to keep littles entertained and learning at the same time. If you’re looking for a quality sensory board, you can find just what you need on Etsy. We’ve scoured the online marketplace and found some of the most creative and cute busy boards that any kiddo will love.

Caution! Busy!

RomansRdDecor via Etsy

Is your little obsessed with trucks and construction? Let them take the wheel on this totally customizable and personalized busy board. Add your own colors, name and let imaginations run wild with a play telephone, lots of locks and other fidgeters.

Find it on Etsy, $204.99

Black, White and Fun All Over

BusyboardHappyHome via Etsy

Classy and stylish, this simple activity board is perfect for the senses. Complete with chains, keys and locks, this perfectly sized board can be customized with both name and colors.

Buy it on Etsy, $130

Busy on the Go

EasyTigerBusyBoards via Etsy

Looking for a travel-friendly sensory board? This wooden 8"x12" toy is perfect for pint-sized adventurers. Take in the car or stroller, and let the littles enjoy the modern design that comes with plenty of finger fun.

Buy it on Etsy, $62

Zip It Good

MiniMoms via Etsy

There's something about the magical feel and sound of zippers, especially for kiddos! This simple zipper board comes with rainbow-colored zippers and is one page of others you can order to create a quiet book. Zippers can help with fine motor and dressing skills, and are just plain fun.

Find it on Etsy, $20

Busy Blanket

FaufulisFashion via Etsy

Ribbons, tags and buttons, oh my! This sweet busy blanket is great for sensory learners and is easy to take on-the-go. Made with a variety of fabrics and tags, babies and toddlers will love the unique sensory experiences this blanket brings.

Find it on Etsy, $40.72

Gearhead Fun

FoxFamilyBoutique via Etsy

This adorable wooden, concrete mixer-shaped activity comes with tons of fun. From jingly bells and locks, to knobs and a fidget spinner, your toddler's going to be keeping quite busy with this board.

Find it on Etsy, $58.50

Light It Up

MaxiBabyToys via Etsy

We all know how tempting those light switches can be for young ones, but now they can redirect their energy! Made with LED lights and switches, this unique activity board is easily powered by AA batteries that can be swapped without fuss.

Find it on Etsy, $95

Over the Rainbow

SmartWoodenToys via Etsy

Combining absolutely beauty and craftsmanship, this busy board transports kids to another place. Littles can visit Rome, Paris and London while working latches, spinners and gears. Pretty enough for your family room, this board is one you won't mind keeping out day after day.

Get it on Etsy, $205

––Karly Wood

Editor’s note: At the time of publication, all products were in stock.

 

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Creative Growth & Development Activities You Can Do at Home

By Kara Reynolds

Every parent wants their newborn to grow into a strong and healthy baby. While every interaction helps them develop, parents can take extra steps to ensure they are maximizing playtime. With the right toys and activities, parents can foster creative growth and development at home, long before the age of one.

Here are six fun and unique activities worth trying.

1. Tummy Time
Tummy time is an activity you can start on the first day you bring your baby home. As the name suggests, you should turn your infant onto their stomach for a short period. This allows your baby to develop vital motor skills while strengthening their neck and shoulder muscles. You should aim to complete two to three sessions each day that last approximately three-to-five minutes.

As your child grows, the time spent on their belly will increase, especially as they become more comfortable with lifting their head. They can use tummy time to explore their surroundings and play with age-appropriate toys. It will also help to prevent your child from developing flat spots on the back of their head.

2. Food for Sensory Development
Developmental activities can be inexpensive and straightforward, such as using food for sensory development. As your child ages, you may tell them to stop playing with their food, but while they’re young, playing with food can be a good thing. Lucky for parents, they can use everyday items—like noodles—which most families have stocked in their cabinets.

As the child feels, smells and plays with the food, adults can rest easy knowing the food is safe and non-toxic. However, as with all activities, parents should monitor their babies to avoid accidents. Since the child is young, you’ll want to use soft foods that are not potential choking hazards. Food games can help to develop motor-function, vocabulary and sensory skills.

For little ones beginning to eat purees, you can use applesauce, pudding or whipped cream and encourage them to draw pictures and feel the textures. As they get older, you can begin activities using more sold foods. An example might be how picking up small foods like peas can help with developing fine motor skills. Another option is to use crushed cereal as if it were sand.

3. Music Maker
Sounds intrigue babies—even if they don’t understand what they represent. Parents can make simple music devices using a plastic bottle or sippy cup and some noodles or nuts. With the lid on tight, babies can shake the noisemaker to their heart’s content. This activity helps to form new neural pathways through neuroplasticity. In other words, learning and playing with music can physically change the way your child’s brain develops.

You can also practice singing with your baby to improve language development and parental bonding. Lullabies can calm a baby since your voice will be one of their favorite and most comforting sounds. If you’d prefer not to sing, you could listen to child classics like the Hokey Pokey and dance with your baby. Dancing can help your baby develop a sense of space, time and rhythm.

4. Reading for Cognitive Development
Reading helps your child’s growth and development long before they can understand the words on a page. As your baby listens, their vocabulary and language skills improve. If you decide to read in a secondary language, that can also help with neuroplasticity.

Even how you read will make a difference. By expressing different emotions and using various voices or personas, you can support your child’s emotional and social development. As they grow, they’ll begin to recognize pictures and may even point at things in the book.

5. Baby-Friendly Obstacle Course
Babies learn through experience, and they love to use their senses to explore. By making a baby-friendly obstacle course, you allow your baby to adventure around the room to discover different textures and sounds. This will help them improve their motor function and sensory skills. You can use various materials like carpeting, a wool sweater and a fuzzy blanket while encouraging them to crawl through the course. Most babies will begin crawling by 9-months-old, but they’ll likely be able to grab materials around them much sooner.

6. Open-Ended Play
Have you ever heard that boredom is a good thing? While children need structure in their lives, open-ended play has numerous benefits. More specifically, it’s an opportunity for babies and young children to explore without restraint and exercise their imagination. As your baby freely expresses their emotions and desires, they demonstrate creativity and emotional intelligence.

Open-ended play materials could include:

  • Wooden blocks

  • Cardboard

  • Sand or playdough

  • Musical instruments

  • Edible paint

Remember to monitor your baby during open-play sessions to reduce the risk of accidents or injury.

As a parent, you can use these six activities to encourage your baby’s healthy growth and development. Every action you show has a response for your child. When you speak, they are learning, and when you hold them close, they are bonding with you. Feel comfortable adapting these games and activities to suit your household. Each second is worth cherishing, so remember to embrace the moments you have because kids grow up quick!

Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine.  A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures.  She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time. 

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14 Sweet Ways for LA Families to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

by Shannan Rouss

While a romantic, candlelit dinner for two may not be in the cards for you this Valentine’s Day (because, kids!), there are still plenty of ways to celebrate with the whole family. From a “Where Is the Love” Scavenger Hunt at South Coast Botanic Gardens to locally made Valentine’s Day-themed craft kits, here are 14 V-Day activities and events for LA families.

Get Crafty

1. Your kids are invited to a special Feb. 14 with Annenberg Petspace. The virtual Pal-entine's Day Party includes crafts, a puppet show and, of course, a visit from PetSpace's adorable, adoptable pets. 

2. Visit Meri Cherry on Instagram to see all the oh-so lovely process-based art projects she has for kids in February. Pasta press clay hearts, anyone? 

3. There's still time to pick up one of Design Hive's Sensory Boxes for Valentine's Day, complete with play-dough, pipe cleaners, felt hearts and more. If the V-Day boxes sell out (they're immensely popular), check out the other fun Sensory Boxes and DIY Makers Kits from the LA-based kids design and technology studio.

Take a Nature Walk

Jacky P. via Yelp

4. Why not spend the day at one of our favorite LA botanical gardens? Discover all the hidden spots at South Coast Botanic Garden, as part of the self-guided Where is the Love Scavenger Hunt on Valentine's Day weekend.  

5. At Descanso Gardens, wander over bridges, across streams and under a canopy of towering oak trees. And don't miss the stunning display red, pink and white camellia flowers in full bloom this month. 

6. Another option? Drive to Arcadia to mingle with the peacocks and other wildlife at the sprawling 127-acre Los Angeles County Arboretum. On Sat., Feb. 13, the Arboretum also kicks off its 4-week outdoor Whole Family Yoga series. 

7. From a virtual flower arranging class to an audio tour of the sculpture garden, The Huntington Botanical Garden offers a slew of Valentine's Day options for the whole family. 

Pack a Picnic

Pixabay

8. Fill your basket, grab a blanket and dine al fresco at one of LA's best hidden picnic spots. 

9. Don't know what to pack for your picnic? Check out these readymade baskets you can pick up around town. 

Make Some Music

Courtesy of Lovebug & Me

10. Join in a virtual concert with LoveBug & Me Music's interactive Valentine's Day Love Fest, taking place on Feb. 14.

11. Get your tickets to Laurie Berkener's live Valentine's Day concert. The performance will feature tunes of love, family, and friendship, like "A Hug From My Mama," "I Love You Daddy," and "My Family." 

12. Celebrate Valentine's Day with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. They will be hosting a Zoom music and art class just for kiddos!

Break Some Hearts

13. Forget a basic box a chocolate. Find out where in LA you can get two of the latest dessert crazes smashable "pinata" hearts (filled with candy) and melt-in-your-cup hot chocolate bombs. How sweet it is!

14. Psst...want to try your hand at creating your own heart-shaped confections? Get the silicone molds here. 

–Shannan Rouss

featured photo: Anna Kolosyuk via Unsplash

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19 Awesome Things to Do in LA This Month with Kids

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7 Ways to Make the Most of Snow Days

by Wendy Miller

When the snow starts falling, adults see shovels and plows, but kids see snowballs and sledding. Take a timeout this winter and join the kids in one of these snow activities. Whether you let your inner child out to play or just watch the kids do their thing, these are the seven best snow activities to do this winter (and the best locations to do them!)

Sledding

Emily Williams

Who doesn’t love gliding over the snow on a sled or saucer? Lying flat on their stomachs, using rope to steer and hands to stop, every kid gets a thrill from sledding. And DC has no shortage of hills to rush down. One of the city's best hills is off-the-beaten path Battery Kemble Park. This hidden gem is in a residential area which keeps it tucked away from tourists and often sparsely populated – perfect for this year!

Where: Battery Kemble Park
3035 Chain Bridge Rd NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-895-6070
Online: nps.gov

Snowtubing

If regular sledding feels a bit tame to you and your bunch, snowtubing might be just what you want. The higher speed combined with the lack of control offers an adventure that will get the adrenaline pumping. You can ride alone or in tandem, this activity is usually best for kids 5 & up. You don’t have to go far to have fun, either; Liberty Mountain Resort is a perfect day trip from DC. Due to social distancing, be sure you make reservations and are prepared for a cashless pay experience.

Where: Liberty Mountain Resort
78 Country Club Trail, Carroll Valley, PA
717-642-8211
Online: libertymountainresort.com

Snowfort Building

popofatticus via Flickr

Building a snowfort is a fun way to spend a snowy day  and, bonus!, you can use it as protection during an epic snow ball battles. Pick up this $10 brick maker  (it also works at the beach!) to help littles build a solid foundation. Want to get super fancy? See if you can add ramparts, turrets, and cubbyholes for extra fun. The best place to build with snow? Your own backyard! Let the kids do their thing while you keep hot cocoa warm on the stove and watch the merry snow-making adventures from your own patio (or through the windows!).

Where: Your own backyard
Online: backyardboss.net

Snowshoeing

donwhite84 via Pixabay

The end of summer doesn’t mean the end of hiking if you enjoy snowshoeing. Snowshoeing gives hiking a whole different feel as you enjoy the shushed quiet of winter… well, as shushed as things get with kids. Snowshoeing is a great whole-family winter activity because if you can walk, you can snowshoe! The best place for snowshoeing is Canaan Valley with 35 kilometers of marked and ungroomed natural snow trails. And if you finish all those trails, you can head to the nearby White Grass Ski Touring Center for another 60 kilometers.

Where: Canaan Valley
230 Main Lodge Rd.
Davis, West Virginia 26260
304-866-4121
Online: canaanresort.com

Make a Snowperson

bairli1 via Pixabay

Get creative by building a snowman or snowwoman. Let everyone build their own and decorate them complete with carrot noses, coal eyes, and scarves or bowties around their wintry necks. Use what you have around the house, or get a snowman kit here. Have a fam-friendly contest to decide who built the best snowperson (with prizes for everyone, of course!). Or make it a neighborhood-wide competition and let everyone on your block in on the fun. Want to up the stakes? Award the winner this snowman trophy ($24.99)! 

Where: Your own front yard
Online: qz.com

Skiing

tycza1 via flickr

Skiing makes a great family activity and comes with built-in social distancing and masks! Whether you’re first-timers or experts, skiing offers a trail for everyone, ensuring that no one feels left out of the fun. And there’s no shortage of ski resorts nearby. Head to Winterplace Ski Resort for some of the best trails near DC. As an added bonus, if your littles get bored with skiing, they can also go snowtubing – including Kiddie Park for the younger kids!

Where: Winterplace Ski Resort
100 Old Flat Top Mt. Rd.
Ghent, WV 25843
1-800-607-SNOW
Online: winterplace.com

Create a Snowy Sensory Box

Sensory boxes are a great way to let your kids explore things with their hands, and a snowy sensory box lets you bring the outdoors inside. For a kiddo who isn’t a big fan of being cold or for entertaining older kids while littler ones nap, a sensory box lets them have the fun of snow days while staying toasty inside. Add a variety of little toys (think polar bears and penguins), decorative crystals, and other things that can change or contrast with the texture and temperature of the snow. It can get a little messy, so be sure to have some bath mats or towels on hand. 

Where: In your kitchen
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

—Wendy Miller

featured photo: Til Jentzsch via Unsplash

RELATED STORIES:

Snow Much Fun! The Best Snow Tubing Near DC

Head for the Hills! The Best Ski-In Ski-Out Vacation Rentals near the DMV

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