It happens every year. The big kids get backpacks, lunch boxes, school supplies and head off on the big yellow bus (or carpool) to their first day of school, while the little brothers and sisters still in preschool are left behind for another couple of weeks before it’s their turn. What to do in the meantime, you might wonder? Check out these awesome preschool camps available during the in-between time of big kid and preschool first days of school, below.
The Peach Pit
For your tumblers, gymnasts, and future cheerleaders, the Peach Pit—now with two locations—offers half-day camps for the first two weeks of August, and Mother's Morning Out (drop off) picks back up from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on August 2. If you're looking for something to do with your preschooler, you can head to the Peach Pit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning August 2 for Toddler Time, when you stay and play with your child.
The Peach Pit Prado
5600 Roswell Road, Suite K140
Atlanta, Georgia 30342
404.242.6211
The Peach Pit Collier Rd
1019B Collier Road & 1017F Collier Rd
Atlanta, Georgia 30318
404.697.3697
Online:peachpitgym.com
Dunwoody Nature Center
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Nothing captures the attention of the youngest campers (ages 3 & 4) more than finding a really cool bug or watching a beautiful butterfly flutter through a pollinator garden. Campers will explore and discover the world of bugs and butterflies as they play games, take hikes, and make cool crafts. Or, on the Nocturnal Nature week, young campers learn through games and hands-on activities how it feels to be a creature of the night.
5343 Roberts Dr.
Dunwoody, GA 30338
770-394-3322
Online: dunwoodynature.org
Camp Kingfisher
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Camp Kingfisher at the Chattahoochee Nature Center is an outdoorsy and nature-based camp that offers hiking, canoeing, swimming, and the beauty of nature and wildlife through hands-on experiences. Activities and themes vary by week, and they've just added an additional week of camp from August 2-6, with campers as young a 4 years old welcome to join in the fun.
9135 Willeo Rd.
Roswell, GA 30075
770-992-2055
Online:
5 Star Sports Camp
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At The Gym at Peachtree Presbyterian, a 5 Star Sports Camp for kids as young as 4 focuses on sports and games. Campers will participate in drills, games and more to prepare them to excel in early sports. They'll play classic and new camp games, which require teamwork and foster creative learning.
The Gym at Peachtree
3434 Roswell Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-842-5852
Online:peachtreegym.com
As a dad who works in tech, I always believed that technology was a vital developmental, discovery and connection tool for my kids. What I didn’t realize was just how quickly they’d need to learn to use it, and how fast they’d become fluent. Remote learning during the pandemic accelerated my kids’ use of technology. I recently watched my 7-year-old successfully deliver a presentation over video chat to his teacher and classmates—something I couldn’t have imagined prior to this pandemic.
Over the last year, kids have had to become experts at navigating online environments for learning, collaboration and communicating. Whether it’s giving a presentation to their class, devising video game strategies over video chat or writing a book together across different time zones, how our kids use technology will continue to evolve.
However, reality dictates that no matter how creative our kids are, how forward-thinking they may be when it comes to technology use, they need a solid foundation in digital literacy and online communications skills in order to successfully navigate the digital world. Kids need a space to learn, to make mistakes, and hone their skills with parental guidance, just like they need swimming lessons before they can get in the pool on their own.
Here are three tips for parents who are looking to help their kids navigate the digital world.
1. Choose the Right “Digital Playground” for Your Kids
When deciding where your child will begin their online journey, consider apps and experiences that help balance child independence with appropriate supervision. According to a Dubit study, 74% of parents of 6-12 year olds are concerned about their children interacting with strangers or people they don’t know online. At the same time, parents want to give their kids a way to have fun and connect with their friends and family without needing to hover over their every move. This is actually one of the key reasons we built Messenger Kids—to give kids a space made just for them with parent supervision. For instance, parents can see images and videos their kids send and receive in the app, giving them an opportunity to talk with their kids about how they felt when they saw a certain photo, or why a certain video might have hurt someone’s feelings.
2. Don’t Just “Set and Forget” Rules & Controls
As kids grow, their interests and needs change and it’s important for parents—and technology—to be flexible. Parents are in the best position to know what’s appropriate for their child, from the type of content they view, to who they can connect with online or how much time they can spend in a particular app. But an experience that may be ideal for a 7-year-old will look very different from what’s best for a teenager (I experience this every day with my two kids!). Remember to treat rules and parameters as an active conversation rather than something that’s set and forgotten to help continuously balance giving kids independence while still providing parental supervision and guidance.
3. Prioritize Quality of Screen Time
Something I’ve learned with my own kids during this pandemic is that prioritizing quality of screen time is just as important as managing the quantity of time they can spend on their devices. Prioritizing experiences that help kids actively engage with meaningful content or other people requires teamwork to succeed. For instance, find time to watch your child’s favorite TV shows together, or have your child teach you how to play a new game. Ask questions about what they enjoy, how the plot is progressing, and what decisions they’d make if they were the main character. This is a great way to celebrate and respect your kids for discovering and learning new things online.
The future of technology is one where it will be even more ubiquitous than it is already. Making sure our kids are ready for their next presentation or play date in the virtual world is going to intertwine with the “real world” like it never has before, and preparing our kids in a safer environment for that future should be a top priority for us all.
Erik Weitzman is the Director of Product Management for Messenger Kids, a messaging app designed for kids to have fun connecting with friends and family while giving parents the visibility and controls to help manage their online experience. He's a dad to two boys and an amateur pretzel baker.
Need a break from the same YouTube channel videos over and over? The Minions are starring in their first-ever animated LEGO short and it’s out now! Minions: The Kung Fu Master is available to watch on YouTube now and might give your kids some brick-building inspiration.
The LEGO Minions are attempting to be Kung Fu masters in the new short film—but it’s easier said than done. Can they break the board or will they be broken? Teamwork and LEGO bricks combine for the successful recipe!
For even more fun, you can pre-order a new LEGO Minions Kung Fu set. It comes with 4 minifigures, including Bob, Kevin, Gru and Belle Bottom. Accessories include a practice dummy, a chain and a sticky gun. Or snag the LEGO Kung Fu Battle set complete with a toy temple and shooting “fireworks.”
Illumination created the world of Despicable Me and the Minions movie is the fourth-highest-grossing animated film of all time! Other franchise hits include Despicable Me 2, which was nominated for an Academy Award and Despicable Me 3, which made more than $1 billion worldwide. Now there’s one more way to enter their ever-popular universe!
It’s about to be a summer filled with adventure, and thanks to Funko Games, it doesn’t have to be the last one.
The Goonies: Never Say Die is a brand new strategy-driven game with all your fave characters. Mikey, Mouth, Chunk, Data, and Sloth embark on a treasure adventure that involves danger and teamwork.
One Goondocks Master will guide the game through nine adventures, while the remaining Goonies must work together to beat the Fratellis. You don’t have to be an uber fan of the 80’s flick to be able to fully enjoy this scripted game!
The game includes eight miniature figures, is geared towards kids 12 and older and for two to five players.
You can pre-order it from Target for $34.99 and pick it up when it officially drops this summer.
Summer is just around the corner and kids are counting down the minutes until it’s time to hop in the pool or head to the beach. As we gear up for warm-weather fun, it’s the perfect time for children to strengthen swimming skills or get started with swim lessons.
May is National Water Safety Month, and it’s an important reminder to ensure your children know how to stay safe both in and around the water. From babies to big kids, it’s never too early (or too late) to become a strong, confident swimmer.
Big Blue Swim School helps families build the critical skills kids need to be safe in the water. Learn more about Big Blue Swim School in Chicago and Atlanta!
Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury-related death for children age 1-4 and can happen in less than 60 seconds. Most drownings happen during the height of the summer swim season from June to August, and according to the CDC, almost 1,000 U.S. children drowned in 2017. Even non-fatal drowning accidents can have long-term effects, including severe brain damage, long-term memory problems and learning disabilities.
The good news is that swimming lessons and family water safety help reduce the risk of drowning. Taking part in formal swimming lessons reduces the risk of drowning by 88 percent.
To prevent tragedy, the American Red Cross recommends every family member learn to swim and be able to do each of these safely:
Enter the water
Get a breath
Stay afloat
Change position
Swim a distance
Get out of the water
Big Blue Swim School is committed to teaching kids these six skills as part of their approach to learning to swim. With four levels of curriculum spanning 10 levels of instruction, each child moves up to the next level once they achieve the skills required, not when they complete a set number of classes. The friendly, professional swim instructors make learning fun. Progress is always celebrated, encouraging kids to overcome their fears and feel proud of their achievements.
Water safety requires teamwork, and Big Blue Swim School prioritizes working with parents to ensure their child’s safety in and out of the water.
While spending time by the water with your family this summer, keep Big Blue Swim School’s L.A.P.S. reminders top of mind:
Lifeguards are not babysitters Always designate a Water Watcher Protect yourself and your kids by wearing life jackets Swim with a buddy
Busy parents love the ease of using Big Blue’s mobile app to schedule swimming lessons. Big Blue’s schedule allows families with multiple kids to schedule all their lessons at the same time, regardless of skill level. The app also makes self-check-in screening a breeze. Big Blue follows expansive COVID-19 protocols, continually monitoring CDC guidelines and state and local regulations. All locations ensure social distancing and enhanced cleaning.
Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures have a special new show! Say hello to Donkey Hodie, a brand new PBS KIDS puppet series that will encourage preschoolers to “aim high, embrace challenges and work hard to achieve their goals.”
The series will premiere on May 3, 2021 and follows Donkey Hodie, granddaughter of the original Donkey Hodie character (now known as Grampy Hodie) from Mister Rogers Neighborhood. The multi-platform show continues Rogers’ mission of helping kids navigate childhood and will have original new music along with reimagined versions of Rogers’ classics.
Donkey Hodie takes place in Someplace Else which was created by Rogers on Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Kids will follow Donkie Hodie, a bright yellow donkey with a magenta mane, on her adventures with her friends Purple Panda, Duck Duck and Bob Dog. Everyone’s dreams are possible in the land of Someplace Else!
Linda Simensky, Head of PBS KIDS Content shares “We’re thrilled to bring Donkey Hodie’s engaging, character-driven stories full of adventure, imagination and music to PBS KIDS. As kids laugh and sing along with Donkey Hodie and her friends, they will learn important life lessons about teamwork, empathy and resilience to help them see a world full of possibilities.”
Tune in starting May 3 on PBS Kids to meet Donkey Hodie and all her friends!
Some parents love packing their kids for camp. Others don’t. Either way, every parent has asked themself (and likely all their fellow camp moms and dads) the vexed question: “What do I pack?”
Being the Founder & CEO of Happy Camper Live as well as a camp director and (according to dining hall talk) a “master of the camper packing list,” I’ve gotten this question a lot. As in, 22-years-of-running-summer-camp a lot. So, naturally, a great number of things come to mind when I hear it, like different articles of clothing, towels, snacks, water (preferably in a refillable bottle), sunscreen. The list could go on. Still, there is one big thing I did not list. One big thing I recommend no child sends off to camp without. And here’s some welcome news: parents don’t need to buy a larger camp bag for it.
That’s because, strange as it may sound, this most important item can’t be packed. It can’t be stowed in a secret pouch. It can’t be zipped into a pocket. This most-important item is indeed no item at all.
It’s one good disposition.
In other words, a positive attitude.
When I first heard about “one good disposition,” I was eight years old. It was the opening day of my summer program. A storage box and duffle bag were sitting in the living room of my childhood home, almost fully packed with clothes that I had folded myself (my mother taught me how). Sidenote: I recommend parents do this since most camps have kids take care of their own clothes.
My mother had also been sewing labels into my clothing for weeks. (I also recommend parents label their campers’ clothing. It’s much easier today with peel-and-stick or iron-on tags, like the ones Mabel’s Labels makes.)
“I’m just about ready,” I thought to myself.
I took out my packing list and read the items. I wanted to make sure I had everything. My most cherished pairs of jeans (kids should pack together with parents not only to bring about in them a sense of responsibility for their belongings but also to ensure their favorites are packed), plenty of socks, swimming gear. Check, check, check. I went on reading smoothly until the last item. It gave me pause. It gave me panic.
“One good disposition.”
Of course, I wanted to know what that was and where I could get one. Was it a type of shirt? Something I put on after swimming? In the end, I was too embarrassed to ask. And so I went off to camp still excited, yet imagining I lacked this important item.
Important indeed!
Okay, so, why must a camper metaphorically pack this “one good disposition”?
It’s common knowledge that summer camp is full of magic, fun, and adventure. While certainly great in their own right, all that magic, fun, and adventure aims toward a larger purpose. No, I don’t mean archery (although camps have that, too).
I’m talking about growth.
Growth has been the main purpose of summer camp since its rise in the late 19th century. The original summer camps promised to teach kids leadership skills and to build up their character. (Of course, at that time, camp was only meant for boys.) According to American Camp Association, building character is still a central theme for summer camps.
Challenging pursuits (for example, rope courses) give campers the opportunity to try and fail and try again, teaching resilience in a judgment-free setting and, in the end, showing them the fullness of their potential. Other games help campers learn teamwork, cooperation, and communication. Time away from home promotes independence. Clean up fosters responsibility.
All these lessons make summer camp a positive, productive experience for kids. One might wonder what any of this has to do with “one good disposition.”
Well, studies show there is a tight connection between mood and growth.
According to the broaden-and-build theory developed by Barbara Fredrickson, positive emotions are internal signals that encourage “approach behavior,” which motivates individuals to engage in their environments and familiarize themselves with new people, ideas, and situations. When people are open to new ideas and actions, they expand their horizons and learn and grow as people. In my view, that’s what summer camp is all about.
Of course, I could answer the question “What do I pack?” much more literally. (Actually, I recommend parents check camp policies for what they shouldn’t pack. Often, certain items are not permitted, such as cameras and cell phones.) In other articles I’ve written, I made detailed lists of actual items to stuff in the beloved “camp bag.” One thing I always emphasize to parents is not to overpack. But there is something I would say is quite impossible to overpack.
Allison Corey Miller is the Founder and CEO of Happy Camper Live, a lifestyle brand centered around the world of summer camp. Her vision is to bring the magic of summer camp to every kid in the world 365 days of the year.
Fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of Disney’s latest animated film, Raya and the Last Dragon, and starting today, Feb. 5th, for the first time, Disney+ is offering pre-orders for Premiere Access, and Fandango has theater tickets for reservation as well. Keep reading to find out more.
Walt Disney Studios
Raya and the Last Dragon is a sweeping saga that takes you into the fantasy world of Kumandra, where dragons and humans lived alongside each other. When evil forces arise, the dragons sacrifice themselves to save humanity. Now, it’s 500 years later, and when evil rises again, lone warrior Raya tracks down the last legendary dragon in hopes of restoring the broken land and its people. Will finding the dragon do the job, or does it take teamwork and trust as well? Featuring an A-list lineup including Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, this highly anticipated movie will be released on Mar. 5th.
There are two ways you can get to the front of the line for Raya and the Last Dragon. If you’re a subscriber to Disney+, for $29.99, you can get Premier Access and watch the movie as often as you like. Get premiere access here. You can also purchase tickets for in-theater viewing on Fandango.
Teamwork and trains? Count us in! Netflix’s original preschool series Mighty Express (from Spin Master Entertainment, the creators of PAW Patrol) is pulling into the station with eight brand new action and friendship-packed episodes available now, including a Valentine’s Day Episode, CHUG-A-LOVE DAY.
New to the Mighty crew? Mighty Express is a series of 11-minute adventures that takes a kid-approved classic (who doesn’t love trains?) and adds adventure, humor and lovable characters that kids can see themselves in! In every episode, personality-packed trains and their kid best friends work together to overcome obstacles and go on heroic adventures. The cast of diverse characters each has their own unique personalities, skill sets and jobs; reflecting the world around us with an inclusive spirit and creating positive role models that kids can laugh and learn with.
Read on to learn more about their extra-special Valentine’s Day episode, bonus content and Valentine’s Day app fun that will have you feeling the love!
Valentine’s Day Episode & Activities
It’s Chug-A-Love day in Tracksville, and Mandy Mail can’t wait to deliver cards to everyone in town! But when her delivery goes off the rails, she must work together with her best pal, Flicker, to save the day and learn the true meaning of friendship.
Bonus! Head to the Mighty Express website for fun and festive activities like a DIY Valentine’s Card, word search game and downloadable backgrounds for video calls with family and friends!
The Mighty Express App
Based on the series, the Mighty Express App is all about the friendship between kids and trains, fun adventures and educational games. Kids can play and explore with their train BFFs: learn shapes, numbers and letters; understand quantity and basic math. With the Mighty Express app, kids will train their logic and improve creative thinking—choo-choo-choose your adventure and have trainloads of fun! The Mighty Express App will be feeling the love for Valentine’s Day, with themed decorations and props, new icons and screenshots so kids can celebrate friendship with Mighty Express!
Encourage your little one’s curiosity. Award Winning ed-tech startup Thinker-Tinker Inc. recently launched a new children’s activity storybook that inspires kids to explore the world. Octobo’s Big City Adventure was created in response to COVID-19, to create activities that families can enjoy during lockdown.
Octobo’s Big City Adventure helps kids ages 2-7 boost their imagination and storytelling skills with different interactive activities. Octobo takes readers throughout the city, and assists them with learning activities like identifying various objects on the page to expand kids’ vocabulary and teach the spelling of new words.
To help accompany children’s imaginations and reading comprehension, this book includes:
A hardcover storybook filled with different items and prompts to discover.
New Discovery Card game system, that includes six reusable dry-erase cards that foster creativity and encourage imagination that will lead to collaborative teamwork in future years!
A new audiobook app that has the ability to switch between different modes to be used standalone or can connect to the Octobo plush robot companion, giving parents a resource for their kids to continue to interact and read on their own.
“Inspired by the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, we see that children are more open-minded and have an equally valid view of the world,” explains CEO, Yuting Su. “We want to provide a channel for parents and kids to discover and learn about the world together (especially at this special time with a lot of uncertainties around us). This provides parents an interactive, fun resource to teach their children.”
Octobo’s Big City Adventure is now available to order on Thinker-Tinker.com or Amazon, and is also included in the Octobo Expanded Everything Bundle.
The Octobo Audiobook app can be downloaded on Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Fire.