BC Parent Summer 2019

Celebrating

summer 2019 bcparent.ca

Summer Camp Guide

Years of Service to BC Families

All Children Can Grow Up Cavity-Free Plan the Perfect Birthday Party

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Celebrating

Letter from the Editor

Inside

T Carlie Parkinson

he school year is wrapping up and summer is almost upon us.

What to do? Where to go? How to spend 8 weeks of “free� time? In this issue, we’ve included our annual Summer Camp Guide to give you some tips on how to fill the days. You can also find tips on things to do while camping, and how to make sure you’re ready for a day at the beach. If you have a birthday coming up, we’ve included tips on party planning. Aside from fun things to do, make sure you read an important article from BC Children’s Hospital on how to help your children grow up cavity free!

Enjoy the read, and enjoy summer!

Years of Service to BC Families

4 7 Fun Games to Play while Camping with Kids 7 All children can grow up cavity-free with good dental care 10 Nine Fun Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss 12 Create a Mud Lab 16 Summer Camp Guide 21 Party Planning 25 Teach Kids About Money at Any Age 29 Must-have items to help you get through summer vacation

BC Parent Newsmagazine

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Summer 2019 Volume 28, Number 2

Mailing Address: P.O.Box 30020, North Vancouver, BC V7H 2Y8 email: info@bcparent.ca www.bcparent.ca Canadian Publications Mail Registration No.251836

Publisher/Executive Editor: Carlie Parkinson Editor: Geoffrey Legh Advertising Design & Layout: Julie Cochrane Editorial Design & Layout: www.retrometrodesign.ca Advertising Sales: info@bcparent.ca

Contributors: Caroline Bird, BC Children’s Hospital, Kimberly Blaker, Amanda Thomsen, Romana King BC Parent is published 4 times per year. The Publisher reserves the right to omit advertising which is judged to be in poor taste or which does not conform to the concept of this publication.

BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 3

7

Fun Games to Play while Camping with Kids

C

amping is an activity that many families enjoy every time. This is the time when children and teenagers are without their electronic devices and get to actually spend some quality time with their parents.

Making camping fun for kids is easy if you include the following seven fun games to play while camping with kids. Not only will you and your kids enjoy them, but they’re activities that will leave all of you with great memories of your time spent together in nature. These games are great for the whole family to enjoy once camp is set up and everyone has some spare time on their hands.

1. Obstacle Course

A favourite with most campers and is one 4 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

By Caroline Bird

of those fun camping games for kids that is ideal for helping them work off a whole lot of pent-up energy! You can make up your own obstacle course that could be activities like: UĂŠ,Ă•Â˜Â˜ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ VÂ?ÂœĂƒiĂƒĂŒĂŠ ÂŤ>ÀŽÊ v>VˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ back UĂŠ ÂœÂŤÂŤÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠvÂœÂœĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ UĂŠ Ă•Â“ÂŤÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂœĂ›iÀÊ>ĂŠĂƒiĂ€ÂˆiĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠÂœLÂ?iVĂŒĂƒĂŠ UĂŠ œˆ˜}ÊÓäÊÂ?Ă•Â“ÂŤÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂ?>VÂŽĂƒ All of the above are sure to get the kid’s heart rates up and burn loads of energy.

2. Sleeping Bag Relay

Almost the same as a potato sack race, but using sleeping bags instead, this game is great for adults and children alike. Besides having lots of laughs, it’s also a good way to exercise! Participants have to hop while

in the sleeping bag to an agreed-upon finish line, with the winner being allowed to decide what’s for breakfast the next morning.

Following are fun team camping games for six or more campers, with kids playing against kids, kids against adults, or adults against adults.

3. Camping Olympics

Set up a variety of games that participants can rotate to and the whole family is guaranteed to have plenty of fun! Your camping Olympics could include games like: UĂŠ Ă•Â“ÂŤÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂ€ÂœÂŤi UĂŠ i>Â˜ĂŠL>}ĂŠĂŒÂœĂƒĂƒ UĂŠ/Ă•}ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂœ>Ă€ UĂŠ7>ĂŒiÀÊL>Â?Â?ÂœÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂœĂƒĂƒ

Make sure to have a scoring system in place, as well as a points system for first, second and third place for your Olympics and let the fun begin.

puzzles are great for parents to spend some quiet time together when out camping with the kids. Be warned though – if you know some tic tac toe tricks, you might only get to sleep when the sun’s coming up.

different from the way it started out, since everyone in the line will more than likely have added a word or two when it was their turn.

4. Canteen Bucket Brigade

7. Charades

Campers should be divided into two teams for this game. Place two large buckets filled with water side by side at one end of your campsite and another two empty buckets at the other end. Full and empty buckets ĂƒÂ…ÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠ LiĂŠ >ĂŒĂŠ Â?i>ĂƒĂŒĂŠ £äÊ viiĂŒĂŠ >Ăœ>ÞÊ vĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ i>VÂ…ĂŠ other. Each team is given an empty canteen and players must run as fast as they can to the full buckets, fill their canteens, run back and empty the water from their canteens into the empty buckets. Whichever team fills their empty bucket first, is the winner.

A classic game and a favourite with both kids and adults alike, charades is a great way to enjoy time together around the campfire! Players get divided into two teams and using only movements and hand gestures, one player at a time gets to act out a word or phrase that is given to them quietly by the opposing team. That player’s team members then only have one minute to guess what the word is. Players from teams are switched after each word is played out and whichever team correctly guesses the most words, is the winner.

Next are some games that are best played after a long day’s hike and everyone is settled around the campfire.

5. Tic Tac Toe

Once the kids have settled for the night, mom and dad can unwind by playing a game or two of tic tac toe. These wooden

These games are great for the whole family to enjoy once camp is set up and everyone has some spare time on their hands.

6. Telephone Game

Everyone should be sitting shoulder to shoulder to play this game. The person at the start of the line thinks of a long sentence and whispers it to the person sitting to their right. That person then whispers it to the person on their right and so on, until the sentence has been whispered to the last person in the line. That person then repeats the sentence out loud. The sentence will be very

Caroline Bird is an inspired writer. She loves sharing her thoughts and personal experiences related to travel lifestyle, healthcare, personal improvement, and productivity through her writing. Connect with Caroline on Twitter @bCarolinebird12.

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May till September

All children can grow up cavity-free with good dental care

By BC Children’s Hospital

How cavities form Plaque begins growing on teeth as soon as they start to erupt at about 6 months of age.

Plaque is the soft yellow film that sticks to teeth—it is made up mainly of bacteria. It takes more time and effort than most of us give to keep our teeth free from plaque.

When sugar combines with the plaque, an acid forms that removes calcium from the teeth. When the teeth are free of plaque and acid, the calcium in the saliva moves back into the teeth. Cavities form when the teeth lose more calcium than they take in.

Almost all food and drink contain sugar.

There is sugar in dairy foods, in starch and grains, in fruits and in vegetables. It is not possible to keep sugar out of your child’s diet. The natural sugars in nutritious foods can be as damaging to teeth as the sugar in candies consumed too frequently and in excess. But remember, candies contain little value for growth and development while fruits, grains, milk, etc. are essential.

in you should keep the mouth and gums clean. After nursing, wipe her mouth and gums using a clean, wet cloth, piece of gauze or a toothbrush. When your child begins to wash and dress himself, it is time to have him brush his own teeth. You will

#HEESE PREFERABLY LOWER FAT

IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR SNACK FOOD #HEESE MAKES SALIVA FORM 3ALIVA CLEARS AND ACTS AGAINST

the harmful acids in foods.

need to make sure he does the mouthcare routines until he is ready to accept full responsibility. If the adults in your household care for their teeth and gums, your child will learn the importance of these routines. s #HILDREN OVER YEARS OF AGE SHOULD FLOSS

How to prevent cavities 1. Keep plaque off the teeth and gums as much as possible. s "RUSH AT LEAST TWICE A DAY 5SE A TOOTHPASTE WITH FLUORIDE 5SE A SOFT BRISTLE BRUSH

Begin to brush when your child’s first tooth appears. Even before her teeth come

once a day.

Begin flossing the teeth when most baby teeth are in. By the time your child is six Ăži>Ă€Ăƒ]ĂŠĂƒÂ…iĂŠĂƒÂ…ÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠvÂ?ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠÂœÂ˜ViĂŠ>ĂŠ`>Þ°Ê Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠ>ĂƒĂŠ with brushing, start early to teach your V…ˆÂ?`ĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ vÂ?ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Â…iÀÊ ÂœĂœÂ˜Â°ĂŠ iĂ›ÂˆViĂƒĂŠ >Ă€iĂŠ available from your dentist or drugstore to assist with flossing.

s 6ISIT A DENTIST TWICE A YEAR

Take your child to a dentist early. Let his first tooth remind you to see a dentist within the first year, preferably at six months of age. This visit is more of a training and information session for you, the parents, to discuss hygiene, feeding, >˜`ĂŠ `ˆiĂŒÂ°ĂŠ LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ {ä¯Ê ÂœvĂŠ Ă“qĂŽĂŠ Ăži>Ă€Â‡ÂœÂ?`ĂƒĂŠ already have some inflammation of the gums and/or cavities. Ask the dentist for advice on tooth cleaning, pacificers, and preventing tooth injuries. s #HECK WHETHER YOUR CHILD IS GETTING enough fluoride.

Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay.

Your child also gets fluoride from toothpaste and from typical applications from your dentist. Toothpaste with fluoride is a good way to coat the teeth and provide them with added protection. Parents sometimes hear about the danger of too much fluoride. This is hardly ever a problem unless the water supply has too “ÕVÂ…ĂŠvÂ?Ă•ÂœĂ€Âˆ`i°Ê/Â…iĂŠVÂœĂ€Ă€iVĂŒĂŠ>Â“ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ¤Â°Ă‡ĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠÂŁÂ°Ă“ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂˆÂ?Â?ÂˆÂœÂ˜Â°ĂŠ*…œ˜iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠÂ“Ă•nicipality and check on the water supply in your area if you are concerned. Another way your child may get too much fluoride is by eating toothpaste. A few children tuck into the toothpaste tube regularly.

Excess fluoride consumption can lead to a condition called dental fluorosis. Teach BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 7

your children to use a pea-size amount of toothpaste for brushing—and never for snacking! s !SK THE DENTIST TO APPLY SEALANTS TO THE CHEWING SURFACES OF PERMANENT BACK teeth when they come in.

A dental sealant is a plastic coating that can be etched to a tooth’s biting surface.

It seals out food and plaque much better than fluoride. Surveys show that 4 out of 5 cavities in children are in these chewing teeth. Sealants are painless to apply and last for several years.

2. Chewing, food tastes and stimulation gets saliva to flow. This saliva bathes the teeth and helps remove the acid.

Calcium then returns to the teeth causing some repair. Eating full meals or chewing sugarless gum or mints increases the amount of saliva in the mouth.

It is not only what children eat and drink but how often they eat and drink that is a factor in the formation of cavities.

Children who snack or drink often are bathing their teeth in acid most of the day.

As well, very little saliva flows into the mouth. The acid remains on the teeth longer, and attacks the teeth. Eat full, healthy meals. Limit snacking as much as possible.

Most people think that sugar is the main cause of cavities. In fact, some types of cooked starch do just as much harm and cling to the teeth for much longer.

The starches in foods like breads, cereals, crackers, pasta, and potato chips coat and cling onto the teeth. It is best to have these foods only at mealtimes when the other foods and drinks will help clear them from the teeth. Parents often give young children crackers for a snack because they have more vœœ`ĂŠ Ă›>Â?Ă•iĂŠ ĂŒÂ…>Â˜ĂŠ VÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŠ V>˜`ˆiĂƒÂ°ĂŠ ÂœĂŠ Â˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ give your children crackers to keep them quiet or busy. They are not good for the teeth. In the same way, using the bottle or sippy cup as a pacifier can promote cavities.

4HE BEST SNACK CHOICES s Cheese,

preferably lower fat, is a good choice. Cheese makes saliva form. Saliva clears, and acts against, the harmful acids in foods. s Studies show that cashews and peanuts fight plaque and the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Be careful about giving nuts or small hard round pieces of fruit or vegetables to young children. Children can 8 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

choke very easily. The risk of choking is greatest with children under four years of age. s ,>ĂœĂŠ vĂ€Ă•ÂˆĂŒĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ Ă›i}iĂŒ>LÂ?iĂƒĂŠ >Ă€iĂŠ >ĂŠ Â…i>Â?ĂŒÂ…ĂžĂŠ choice but do contain sugar. If you want to give your child a sweet treat, plain dark chocolate does the least damage. It dissolves and clears from the mouth quickly.

3. Don’t neglect the care of the baby teeth.

Preventing cavities in baby teeth is very important. These teeth guide the permanent teeth into place. If the back baby teeth

are lost early, the permanent teeth may be out of position when they come in. The dentist or orthodontist may need to correct this in the future.

All children can grow up to be cavity-free with good dental care.

Developed by the health care professionals of the Department of Dentistry at BC Children’s Hospital. At Children’s & Women’s Health Centre of British Columbia, we believe parents are partners on the health care team. We want you to be as informed as possible. Please ask about things you do not understand and share your concerns. If you have any questions, please call 604-8752345, local 7070.

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If the adults in your household care for their TEETH AND GUMS YOUR CHILD will learn the importance of these routines.

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BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 9

E

ducation experts have known for some time that kids who don’t go to school year-round experience summer learning loss. Still, most schools and districts have yet to extend the school year in light of this information.

Statistics on summer learning loss vary depending on the study. But those studies most commonly cited have found kids Â?ÂœĂƒiĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ >Ă›iĂ€>}iĂŠ Ă“Â°ĂˆĂŠ Â“ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…ĂƒĂŠ ÂœvĂŠ “>ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ Ă“ĂŠÂ“ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂ€i>`ˆ˜}ĂŠĂƒÂŽÂˆÂ?Â?ĂƒĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂƒĂ•Â“Â“iÀ°Ê Other studies, as reported in “Summer learning loss: What is it, and what can we `ÂœĂŠ>LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂŒÂśÂťĂŠLÞÊ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ °Ê+Ă•ÂˆÂ˜Â˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂ€gan Polikoff, have found varying results.

But most notably, those in lower-income families tend to have greater learning loss during the summer than kids from higherincome families. Experts believe this is largely attributed to the lack of resources available to lower-income families and in poorer communities.

The good news, however, is there are ways to reduce your child’s summer learning loss. You can help your kids by providing them plenty of educational and enriching opportunities throughout the summer months ahead. The following fun activities will keep your kids’ brains active.

These activities will also help kids retain

10 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

what they learned throughout the school year or even expand upon on it.

Public libraries offer an array of summer programs for kids. Take your kids to the library often for special programs. Also, have them bring home a selection of books to read during the summer.

your kids join you in mapping out the trip.

This will help keep geography fresh in their minds while also teaching map skills.

1. Keep ‘em reading.

,OOK FOR BOARD VIDEO

AND COMPUTER GAMES

particularly those that have won educational awards.

2. Play word, money, number, and logic

Look for board, video, and computer games, particularly those that have won educational awards. Also, search online for ideas for boardless games that don’t require materials. Another idea is to turn it into an art activity. Have your kids create their own board game to play.

games.

3. Incorporate learning into your travel.

Before you go on your family vacation, do some advance research. Look for science centers, history museums, and historical sites to build into your trip. Then have

Give your kid a journal to write in. It can be fancy or just a spiral notebook. If your child hasn’t kept a Â?ÂœĂ•Ă€Â˜>Â?ĂŠLivÂœĂ€i]ĂŠĂƒĂ•}}iĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂžĂŠĂƒÂŤi˜`ĂŠĂ“Ă¤ĂŠÂ“ÂˆÂ˜utes writing in it every night about their day’s adventures and activities. Let your kid know it’s their private journal and promise not to read it unless they choose to share it with you. This might encourage your child to invest more time and thought into their journaling.

4. Summer journaling.

5. Messy science. If there’s anything kids love, it’s making a mess. So summer is the perfect time for messy science experiments they can do outdoors. Pick up a kids’ science experiment book from your library.

Then have your child read through and choose some experiments to do. Your child will learn a lot just from reading about the different experiments. Then they’ll have a blast pulling the experiments off.

Look for a summer camp that has a strong emphasis on learning activities. It could be one that offers

6. Summer camp.

an array of activities that support a variety of subjects. There are also many summer camps with a special focus. Your child could choose one in an area they have a particular interest in. Or you could help your child choose one in an area of difficulty, in order to gain a better grasp of that subject.

7. Baking and cooking. This helps kids in both math and science. Have your kids choose a recipe they’d like to make. But have them make half a batch, or triple the batch. This will require them to calculate the measurements.

8. Workbooks or puzzle books. Give your child a workbook for the grade your child just finished in school. Have your child work on it throughout the course of the summer to keep what they learned fresh in their mind. Another fun option is puzzle books.

You can find puzzle books in most subject areas. There are mathematical, logic, word search, crossword puzzle books, and more.

9. Form a neighbourhood or friends book club. This can be done in a couple of differ-

ent ways depending on the age of your kids.

Kids of similar ages can choose one book to read each week. Then they can meet to talk about the book they read. They can discuss the plot and characters, what they liked about it, didn’t like, and their take away from it.

Another type of book club, especially for

younger kids, will require more parent involvement. Create a logging system so each child can keep a record of the books they’ve read. At the end of the summer, hold a pizza party for all the participants. Create homemade certificates and give out inexpensive prizes to all the participants. Then honor the winner with a special prize.

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Create a Mud Lab (OW ABOUT AN ACTIVITY THAT GIVES KIDS FULL PERMISSION to get muddy and messy‌ in the name of science?

By Amanda Thomsen

D

“

aycare closing. All toys for sale, including play kitchen $20, desks $10, outdoor balls $5 and toy boxes $5. Woodridge.� That was the Craigslist ad that I had been hoping for.

I called right away, drove out there, and snapped up a well-used, wood play kitchen. It did not require major surgery to transform it from a regular play kitchen into a laboratory where important scientific research could be done, right here in my yard. I simply painted the kitchen set with waterproofing paint and created a “floor� from an old kitchen counter I salvaged.

Get Your Gear

It doesn’t have to be that complicated; any table can be made into a mud lab! Use a kid-height table or bench that can get messy, and lay out some (or all!) of the following: UĂŠ œœŽˆ˜}ĂŠ }i>Ă€\ĂŠ “i>ĂƒĂ•Ă€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ VĂ•ÂŤĂƒ]ĂŠ ĂƒÂŤÂœÂœÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠ whisks UĂŠ Â?i>Ă€ĂŠĂŒĂ•Lˆ˜} UĂŠ Ă•Â˜Â˜iÂ?Ăƒ UĂŠ-ĂŒÂœÂ˜iĂƒ]ĂŠ}Ă€>Ă›iÂ?

UĂŠ œœ`ĂŠVÂœÂ?ÂœĂ€ÂˆÂ˜} It’s important to keep things tidy in laboratories. Use pegboard and hooks to make a lab look professional, and inexpensive plastic baskets to keep supplies in order.

Imagine the Possibilities!

The important part of the lab is really not the kitchen structure, it’s the tools that are Ă•Ăƒi`ĂŠ ĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒÂ°ĂŠ 7iĂŠ Â…>Ă›iĂŠ ĂŒĂœÂœĂŠ “iĂ€ÂˆV>Â˜ĂŠ -Vˆi˜ViĂŠEĂŠ-ÕÀÂ?Ă•ĂƒĂŠĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€iĂƒĂŠÂ˜i>Ă€ĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•ĂƒiĂŠĂœÂ…iĂ€iĂŠ we shopped for plastic test tubes, beakers, pipettes, tweezers, magnifying glasses, tubes, funnels, hoses, springs, little trays, and pans.

We bought and filled two small, lidded garbage cans, one with topsoil and one with clean play sand. The best part is the tiny lab coat we found that not only would make any kid look professional, but will also keep her somewhat clean.

Excerpted from Backyard Adventure Š 2019 by Amanda Thomsen. Photography Š by Kourtney Sellers.

Used with permission from Storey Publishing.

12 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

By Amanda Thomsen

BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 13

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB) is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower people to nourish themselves by providing access to healthy food, education and training. The GVFB assists over 28,000 people each week and is committed to its vision of accessible, healthy and sustainable food for all.

To learn how you can leave a legacy that will help provide food to thousands in need, please contact Heidi MagnusonFord at 604.216.2329 or heidimf@foodbank.bc.ca.

www.foodbank.bc.ca 14 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

VanFoodBank

VanFoodBank

BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 15

summer camp guide

Summer Camp Guide Residential Camps British Columbia Family French Camp (BCFFC) Shuswap Lake, Gwillim Lake and Nanaimo info@bcffc.com bcffc.com Camp Artaban >“LˆiÀÊ ĂƒÂ?>˜`]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ənä‡äΙ£ campartaban.com Ages 8-18 Camp Fircom >“LˆiĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰ĂˆĂˆĂ“Â‡Ă‡Ă‡xĂˆ fircom.ca Ages 6-16 + Family Programs Camp Imadene iĂƒ>V…ˆiĂŠ >ÂŽi]ĂŠĂ“xäÉÇ{Â™Â‡ĂˆĂˆĂ¤Ăˆ imadene.com }iĂƒĂŠĂ‡qÂŁn]ĂŠÂŤÂ?Ă•ĂƒĂŠ >“ˆÂ?ÞÊ >Â“ÂŤĂƒ Camp Kodiak Parry Sound, Ontario

campkodiak.com Ages 6–18 Camp Owaissi iÂ?ÂœĂœÂ˜>]ĂŠĂ“xĂ¤Ă‰Ă‡ĂˆÂ™Â‡ĂŽĂˆĂ‡Ăˆ campoac.com }iĂƒĂŠĂ‡q£Ç Camp Pringle -Â…>ĂœÂ˜Âˆ}>Â˜ĂŠ >ÂŽi]ĂŠĂ“xäÉ{Ă‡Ă“Â‡ĂˆnÇÇ camppringle.com }iĂƒĂŠĂˆq£Ç Camp Suzuki: Howe Sound Howe Sound – Camp Fircom ĂˆĂ¤{ÉÇÎӇ{Ă“Ă“n campsuzuki.org }iĂƒĂŠĂ‡qÂŁĂŽĂŠ Camp Qwanoes 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iÀÊ ĂƒÂ?>˜`]ĂŠĂ“xäÉÓ{ĂˆÂ‡ĂŽĂ¤ÂŁ{ qwanoes.ca Children’s Horse Camp Webbs Holiday Acres Â?`iĂ€}Ă€ÂœĂ›i]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉnxLJ£Ç£Ó webbsholidayacres.ca Ages 6–14

16 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

Evans Lake Camp ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂœvĂŠ-¾Õ>Â“ÂˆĂƒÂ…]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Éә{Â‡Ă“Ă“ĂˆĂ‡ evanslake.com Ages 8–16 Green Bay Bible Camp 7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ iÂ?ÂœĂœÂ˜>]ĂŠĂ“xĂ¤Ă‰Ă‡Ăˆn‡xnn{ greenbay.bc.ca Ages 6–14 Outward Bound National locations ĂˆĂ¤{ə䣇ää£ÎÊ­iĂ?ĂŒĂŠĂ“Ă“ÂŁÂŽ outwardbound.ca Ages 14+ Pioneer Pacific Camp /Â…iĂŒÂˆĂƒĂŠ ĂƒÂ?>˜`]ĂŠĂ“xäÉÓ{ĂˆÂ‡Â™ĂˆÂŁĂŽ pioneerpacific.ca }iĂƒĂŠĂ‡qÂŁn Stillwood Camp

Ă•Â?ĂŒĂ•ĂƒĂŠ >ÂŽi]Ê£‡nääÉxäLJn{xx stillwood.ca Ages 5–16 Timberline Ranch >ÂŤÂ?iĂŠ,ˆ`}i]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{É{ĂˆĂŽÂ‡Â™Ă“Ă‡n

timberlineranch.com }iĂƒĂŠÂ™qÂŁĂˆ Wyld Summer Camps 79 ĂŠ Ă?ÂŤi`ÂˆĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜Ăƒ -ĂŒĂ€>ĂŒÂ…Vœ˜>ĂŠ*>ÀŽ]ĂŠĂ“xäÉÓnĂˆÂ‡ĂŽÂŁĂ“Ă“ gowyld.ca }iĂƒĂŠÂŁĂ“qÂŁn

Special Needs Camp Alohi Lani Port Moody alsbc.ca/services/caregivers-days/ camp-alohi-lani For youth who have a parent or grandparent in a significant role living with ALS. Camp Goodtimes and Teen Program campgoodtimes.org ÂœĂ€ĂŠV…ˆÂ?`Ă€iÂ˜ĂŠ>}iĂƒĂŠĂ‡qÂŁxĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒiiÂ˜ĂƒĂŠÂŁxqÂŁnĂŠ with cancer and their families.

Camp Kodiak Parry Sound, Ontario campkodiak.com Ages 6–18

summer camp guide For children and teens with and withÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ i>Ă€Â˜ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒ>LˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒÂˆiĂƒ]ĂŠ

ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ high-functioning Autism Spectrum

ÂˆĂƒÂœĂ€`iÀ°

Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley

DYT Summer Camps fndc.ca Focussing on language enhancement ­ - ÂŽĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂƒÂœVˆ>Â?ĂŠÂœÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂ•Â˜ÂˆĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ`i>vĂŠ and hard of hearing children ages 5–18.

art, music, drama & dance

Easter Seals Camps ĂˆĂ¤{ÉnÇ·£nĂˆxĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŁÂ‡nääÉnÂŁn‡{{nĂŽ eastersealscamps.ca Ages 6–18 For children and teens with physical and/or mental disabilities.

Empowering Steps

Â?Ă•LĂŠ Ă›ÂˆĂ›>]ĂŠ ÂœÂľĂ•ÂˆĂŒÂ?>“]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉxĂ“ĂˆÂ‡{{Ăˆ{ empoweringsteps.ca Camps for students with developmental challenges.

Eureka Camp ĂˆĂ¤{ÉxÓ䇣£xx eurekacamp.ca For children and adolescents with invisible disabilities.

Young Burn Survivors Camp burnfund.org/camp-for-young-burnsurvivors For young burn survivors ages 6–18.

Arts Umbrella Summer Camps Vancouver, Surrey ĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ăˆn£‡xĂ“Ăˆn]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉxĂŽx‡££ÓÇ artsumbrella.com/summercamp }iĂƒĂŠĂŽq£™ Set your sights on new horizons this summer, it’s time to get creative at Arts Umbrella. Summer Camp at Arts Umbrella in South Surrey and on Granville Island has half- and full-day options for kids ages three and up.

Choose from classes like Animation, Acting, Photography, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and more. Visit us online to find out more and register today!

Bard on the Beach: Young Shakespeareans 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ă‡ĂŽĂ‡Â‡Ă¤ĂˆĂ“x bardonthebeach.org Ages 8–18 Boogaloo Academy ĂˆĂ¤{Énäx‡äxxn]ĂŠ6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€ boogalooacademy.com

Camp Monarch, Music, Art & Dance North Vancouver, ĂˆĂ¤{ÉÇÓ·nÂŁxÂŁ monarcharts.com }iĂƒĂŠxqÂŁĂ“ Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÇη£ÎxĂˆ christiannehayward.com Ages 5+

Colourstrings Conservatory Musical Summer Camps

Gateway Academy – Acting, Improvisation, Speech, Musical Theatre ,ˆV…“œ˜`]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÓ{LJ{™Çx gatewaytheatre.com/academy Ages 8–18 Goh Ballet Academy Canada 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉnÇӇ{ä£{ gohballet.com }iĂƒĂŠ{qÇ Jean Lyons School of Music 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÇÎ{‡{䣙 jeanlyonsmusic.com }iĂƒĂŠ{q£Ç

,i}ÂˆĂƒĂŒiÀÊvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ ÂŤĂ€ÂˆÂ?ĂŠÂŁĂƒĂŒ £Ó™ >ĂƒĂŒĂŠnĂŒÂ…ĂŠ Ă›iĂŠ6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€ Music & Movement Classes: Fun ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€>VĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠVÂ?>ĂƒĂƒiĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŽĂŠÂ“ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ 4 years, grouped by age, music, instruments, songs & play.

Exciting Music Camps:ĂŠ{ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŁĂ¤ĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂƒÂ°ĂŠ Let your inner diva out in the Musical Theatre camp – World Explorer music V>Â“ÂŤĂƒĂŠÂ­Â“Ă•ĂƒÂˆV]ĂŠ>Ă€ĂŒ]ĂŠ`Ă€>“>ÂŽĂŠqĂŠ iiĂŒĂŠ the Strings – Piano camps, and much much more! Check website for details colourstrings.ca

Jr. Magician Camp: Jordan and Care 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠ iÂ?ĂŒ>Ê­ ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ iÂ?ĂŒ>ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ /Ăƒ>ĂœĂœ>ĂƒĂƒi˜Ž]ĂŠ >˜}Â?iĂž]ĂŠ ÂœÂľĂ•ÂˆĂŒÂ?>“ themagi.co/camps }iĂƒĂŠĂˆÂ‡ÂŁĂ“

Douglas College Community Music School Jazz Camp iĂœĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒ]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉxÓLJx{ĂˆÂ™ douglascollege.ca/cms Ages 14+

Lights Up Musical Theatre Schools Throughout the Lower Mainland nnnÉxäӇxĂ“xĂŽ lightsuptheatre.ca }iĂƒĂŠ{qÂŁĂŽ

Kids on Stage Evergreen Cultural Centre

ÂœÂľĂ•ÂˆĂŒÂ?>“]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Â™Ă“Ă‡Â‡Ăˆxxx evergreenculturalcentre.ca }iĂƒĂŠĂˆqĂ“ÂŁ

BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 17

summer camp guide Place des Arts

ÂœÂľĂ•ÂˆĂŒÂ?>“]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰ĂˆĂˆ{Â‡ÂŁĂˆĂŽĂˆ placedesarts.ca Ages 5–14 “Summer in the Cityâ€? Weekly Art Camps 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ă‡ĂŽĂ‡Â‡Ă“ĂˆĂŽĂˆ suzybirstein.com }iĂƒĂŠĂˆq£Ç Summer Music at UBC ĂˆĂ¤{ÉnÓӇΣ£Î summer.music.ubc.ca }iĂƒĂŠÂ™qÂŁĂˆ Westside Dance Centre ĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ă‡ĂŽĂˆÂ‡ÂŁĂ¤Ă¤Ă¤ westsidedance.ca Ages 4+

False Creek C.C. Daycamps 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÓxLJn£™x falsecreekcc.ca Offers canoe/kayak camps, recreational camps and leadership camps for ages ĂŽqÂŁ{°Ê KidCity Day Camp 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{É{{䇙ä™{ kidcitybc.ca }iĂƒĂŠxq£ä Langara Family YMCA ĂˆĂ¤{ÉÎÓ{Â‡Â™ĂˆĂ“Ă“ langarafamilyymca.org Preschool, Adventure, Leadership, and Counsellor in Training Camps. }iĂƒĂŠĂŽqÂŁĂˆ]ĂŠnĂŠ>“qxʍ“

general activities

North Vancouver Recreation Commission ĂˆĂ¤{ənLJ* 9Ê­ÇxәŽ northvanrec.com

Alexandra Neighbourhood House ĂˆĂ¤{ÉxĂŽx‡ää£x alexhouse.net }iĂƒĂŠxqÂŁĂ“

SFU Summer Camps ÇÇnÉÇnӇ{Â™Ăˆx sfu.ca/camps }iĂƒĂŠxq£™

Clubhouse Kids 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ÊÇÇnəΙ‡ÓÎn™Ê clubhousekids.ca }iĂƒĂŠxqÂŁĂ“

Spare Time Child Care Society Vancouver sparetimesociety.org }iĂƒĂŠxqÂŁĂ“

18 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

Sunset Community Centre 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÇ£nÂ‡Ăˆxäx mysunset.net Ages 6–16 West Point Grey Community Centre Summer Day Camp 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÓxLJnÂŁ{ä westpointgrey.org/programs/day-camps }iĂƒĂŠĂŽqÂŁĂŽĂŠĂži>Ă€Ăƒ

specialty camps Adaptive Multi-Sport Camp

Â?ÂœĂ›iĂ€`>Â?i]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÎηÎxÓä bcwheelchairsports.com Ages 11+ Adventure Day Camps Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver, ĂˆĂ¤{ən䇙Σ£ grousemountain.com/camps Ages 5–16 BrainSTEM Learning North Vancouver, ĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰ĂŽĂ‡Â™Â‡Ă“Ă‡ĂˆĂ‡ĂŠ brainstemlearning.ca Ages 4–14

Bricks 4 KidzÂŽ 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠ,ˆV…“œ˜`]ĂŠ Ă•Ă€Â˜>LĂž ÇÇnÉnÇӇ-/ Ê­ÇnĂŽĂˆÂŽ

bricks4kidz.com/vancouver With kinetic, motorized LEGOÂŽ models, Bricks 4 KidzÂŽ Vancouver is offering an exciting and educational lineup of summer camps! Kids will have a blast with STEM activities and challenges.

Burnaby Village Museum Ă•Ă€Â˜>LĂž]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉәLJ{xĂˆx burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/camps }iĂƒĂŠĂˆqÂŁĂ“ Â˜ĂŠ>ĂŠÂŁÂ™Ă“Ă¤ĂƒĂŠĂƒiĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}]ĂŠV…ˆÂ?`Ă€iÂ˜ĂŠÂŤÂ?>ÞÊ}>“iĂƒĂŠ and sports, enjoy activities, and enjoy daily carousel rides! There are themed weeks for specific age groups.

Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÇη£ÎxĂˆ christiannehayward.com Ages 5+ Cousteau Multi Specialty Camps ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{əÓ{‡Ó{xÇ cousteauschool.org }iĂƒĂŠĂŽqxĂŠEĂŠĂˆq™Ê Dive into Summer Camp at the Vancouver Aquarium ĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ăˆx™‡ÎxxĂ“ vanaqua.org Ages 4–16

summer camp guide Dolphin Kids™ Achievement Programs ÇÇnĂ‰Â™ĂŽÂ™Â‡Ăˆ{{ä dolphinkids.ca

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ6>˜]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ə™ä‡ÎÇxxĂŠ lynncanyonecologycentre.ca }iĂƒĂŠxqÂŁĂ“

Eco-adventures Summer Camp Mt Seymour, North Vancouver ĂˆĂ¤{ənĂˆÂ‡Ă“Ă“ĂˆÂŁ mountseymour.com }iĂƒĂŠxqÂŁĂ“

Mindful Changes 7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ÊÇÇnĂ‰Â™Â™Â™Â‡Ăˆ{xÇ najakshahin@gmail.com mindful-changes.com

FarmWonders Camp 1 ĂŠ >À“]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉnÓLJ{ä{n farmwonders.ca Ages 6–14

On The Mic Voice-Over Training 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰ĂˆĂˆÂ™Â‡Ă¤Ăˆx{ onthemictraining.com }iĂƒĂŠÂŁĂ¤q£Ç

Fraser Academy Summer Boost Camp 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ă‡ĂŽĂˆÂ‡xxÇxĂŠ fraseracademy.ca }iĂƒĂŠnqÂŁĂŽ

Richmond Nature Park Camps ,ˆV…“œ˜`]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ă“Ă‡ĂˆÂ‡{Îää richmond.ca/register }iĂƒĂŠ{qÂŁĂ“

FUNbelievable Summer Camp -ÕÀÀiĂž]ÊÇÇnÉΙ{‡£Ó{ĂŽ funtopiaworld.com/surrey }iĂƒĂŠxq£ä

Sea Smart – Beach Camp 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠ,ˆV…“œ˜` ĂˆĂ¤{ÉÎxn‡Îää£ seasmartschool.com }iĂƒĂŠĂˆqÂŁĂŽ

Jr. Magician Camp – Jordan and Care 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠ iÂ?ĂŒ>Ê­ ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ iÂ?ĂŒ>ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ /Ăƒ>ĂœĂœ>ĂƒĂƒi˜Ž]ĂŠ >˜}Â?iĂž]ĂŠ ÂœÂľĂ•ÂˆĂŒÂ?>“ themagi.co/camps }iĂƒ\ĂŠĂˆqÂŁĂ“ La Movida Sewing Camp Kitsilano, West Vancouver lamovida.ca For all skill levels, ages 8+ Langara Summer Camps 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰ĂˆĂ‡Ă‡Â‡Ă¤ÂŁÂ™nĂŠ langara.ca/summer-camps ÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒiiÂ˜ĂƒĂŠÂŁĂŽq£ÇÊÞi>Ă€Ăƒ

LEGOÂŽ Robotics Summer Camps with Daedalos Enrichment Programs 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÎ{x‡nĂˆĂ¤ĂŽ robocamps.ca Ă•Â?ĂžĂŠĂ“Ă¤ÂŁÂ™ĂŠÂ­ÂŁĂŠĂœiiÂŽÂŽĂŠpĂŠ ,-/ĂŠ "Ă League Camp at Wilson School of

iĂƒÂˆ}˜]ĂŠ,ˆV…“œ˜`ĂŠ Ă•}Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂ“Ă¤ÂŁÂ™ĂŠÂ­Ă“ĂŠĂœiiÂŽĂƒÂŽĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠ1 ĂŠ University Chapel, Vancouver ,i}ÂˆĂƒĂŒiÀÊ>˜`ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠĂ€ÂœLÂœV>Â“ÂŤĂƒÂ°V>ĂŠ

Science World at TELUS World of Science ĂˆĂ¤{É{{·Ç{{ĂŽ telusworldofscience.com Sprout the Chef Cooking Camp Vancouver, Burnaby ĂˆĂ¤{Éxäx‡ääÇ{ sproutingchefs.com }iĂƒĂŠĂ‡qÂŁĂŽ St. George’s Summer Programs 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠ Ă•Â˜L>ÀÊ>Ă€i>ĂŠ ĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ă“Ă“ÂŁÂ‡ĂŽĂˆĂ¤ÂŁ summeratstgeorges.ca Ages 4–11 StartUp Skool 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠ Ă•Ă€Â˜>LĂž]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉÎ{™‡n£™™ startupskool.com Ages 8–16 Stewart Farms Summer Daycamps -ÕÀÀiĂž]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉxÂ™Ă“Â‡ĂˆÂ™xĂˆ }iĂƒĂŠĂˆqÂŁĂ“ĂŠ

Tomorrow’s Master of Digital Media Program (TMDM) Centre for Digital Media Vancouver tmdm@thecdm.ca thecdm.ca/program/tmdm

Atlantis Swim Programs Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam ĂˆĂ¤{ÉnÇ{Â‡Ăˆ{Ăˆ{ pedalheads.com 4 mths+

Evolve Skateboard and Scooter Camps

TWU Summer Camps >˜}Â?iĂž]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{‡x£Î‡Ó£Ó£ÊiĂ?ĂŒÂ°ĂŠĂŽ{{ÂŁĂŠ twu.ca/camps Ages 4–15

Lower Mainland £‡nnnÉÓÓӇxĂ¤ĂˆĂˆ evolvecamps.com Ages 6–14 Evolve Camps offers skateboard and scooter summer camps for boys & girls 6–14. Camps are offered in Vancouver, ,iĂ›iÂ?ĂƒĂŒÂœÂŽi]ĂŠ,ˆV…“œ˜`]ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ iÂ?ÂœĂœÂ˜>ĂŠ and Whistler.

Urban Safari Rescue Society -ÕÀÀiĂž]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{ÉxΣ‡££ää urbansafari.ca }iĂƒĂŠĂˆqÂŁĂ“ Westside Church Day Camps North Vancouver and Kistilano ĂˆĂ¤{Ă‰Ă“ĂˆĂŽÂ‡Ă“ĂŽÂŁ{ wchurch.ca }iĂƒĂŠĂŽqÂŁĂ“

Heroheads Multisport Camp Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver ĂˆĂ¤{ÉnÇ{Â‡Ăˆ{Ăˆ{ĂŠ pedalheads.com Ages 4–8

Westside Montessori Academy 6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iĂ€]ĂŠĂˆĂ¤{É{ĂŽ{Â‡Â™ĂˆÂŁÂŁ wmasummercamp.com Westside Montessori Academy’s Summer Camps are professionallyÂ?i`ĂŠÂ…>Â?vĂŠ>˜`ĂŠvĂ•Â?Â?ĂŠ`>ÞÊV>Â“ÂŤĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŽĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠÂŁĂ“Â‡Ăži>Ă€Â‡ÂœÂ?`ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ >ĂƒĂŒĂŠ6>˜VÂœĂ•Ă›iÀ°Ê Taking advantage of their secure, airconditioned classrooms and adjacent Beaconsfield Park, they make summer full of learning, exploring and fun!

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Party Planning 4IPS TO 0LAN THE 0ERFECT "IRTHDAY 0ARTY

S

o the big day is fast approaching.

Your child has been talking about it since the day after their last birthday party ended, and now their next birthday is actually only a few weeks away. What do they want? What do you want? These are the questions to ask, and hopefully, you can meet somewhere in the middle and get that perfect party.

Every birthday planner, aka Mom or

>`]ĂŠ Â…>ĂƒĂŠ `ˆvviĂ€iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ˆ`i>ĂƒĂŠ >LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂŤiĂ€viVĂŒĂŠ birthday party. Some love the totally handsoff approach, where the venue takes care of iĂ›iĂ€ĂžĂŒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ LĂ•ĂŒĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ V>ÂŽiĂŠ Â­ĂœÂ…ÂˆVÂ…ĂŠ ĂŒĂžÂŤÂˆV>Â?Â?ÞÊ

>ÂˆĂ€ĂžĂŠ+Ă•iiÂ˜ĂŠĂŒ>ÂŽiĂƒĂŠV>Ă€iĂŠÂœv Ž°Ê"ĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂ?ˆŽiĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ plan each moment—make the goody bag gifts, bake the cake, and take on the role of entertainer. I personally have done both, and am now leaning towards the first option.

To get the right party for your little person, you need to consider a few things.

Consider who’s coming

Is this party going to be for just the kids or are adults coming too? If adults are coming along for a big event like the 1st birthday, you may want to consider holding it at a larger venue over a longer period so people can come and go as they need to. For the kid-centric parties consider the age of the kids. If they are still nappers, perhaps a 1.5 hour long, morning party will work best.

If they are beyond that, a couple of hours just after lunch is a great time. If they’re even older, you could hold an early evening/ `ˆ˜˜iĂ€ĂŠĂŒĂžÂŤiĂŠLÂˆĂ€ĂŒÂ…`>ÞÊLiĂŒĂœiiÂ˜ĂŠ{ĂŠ>˜`ÊÇʍ“°Ê Think about your child, and when they are at their best, to choose the party time when they’ll have their best time.

Consider gifting options

Parents love getting tips on what to get for birthday presents, especially if they don’t know the birthday-child well, and their own child isn’t keen on picking out the gift.

A trend I’ve encountered recently is ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ /ĂœÂœÂœÂ˜ÂˆiĂŠ ÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒĂžĂŠ Â­ÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂœĂŒÂ…iÀÊ `i˜œ“ˆ˜>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜pfx]ĂŠ f£äŽ°Ê vĂŠ ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ …œ“iĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂŠ >Â?Ă€i>`ÞÊ bursting at the seams with toys, and you can’t Konmarie anymore out, the Twoonie party is a great solution. It takes the stress off the guest’s parents to find a fun, unique, and budget-friendly gift. It also allows the birthday child to have a choice on what they want their gift to be—which can be something that perhaps you wouldn’t buy for them.

With traditional presents, some planners are now choosing to open gifts after the party, to maximize the play or entertainment during party-time.

Consider the food:

When you’re planning the food, it all comes down to when and where the party will take

By Carlie Parkinson place. Pizza is always a favourite, and the obligatory fruit and vegetable plates help make you feel like you’re giving the kids something nutritious before they fill up on Thompson Community Centre

THE MOST POPULAR PLACE TO CELEBRATE YOUR CHILD’S BIRTHDAY!

Parties include decorations, games, face painting, and a party leader to help with set-up and take down.

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BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 21

cake and candies. If you want the cake to be part of the activities, make a tray of mini cupcakes, regular cupcakes, or muffins. Frost cupcakes with icing, or muffins with cream cheese. Put out bowls of sprinkles, colored sugar, and mini chocolate chips and let the kids dip in to make their own creations.

Consider the venue

This all comes down to your style of partyplanning. If you’re not into doing the home party, there are some great places you can take the kids, and almost everything is done for you. Adult supervision is still required, but the hard work of party setup and, more importantly, clean-up is done for you.

Consider the goody bags

Kids love goody bags—from toddlers to tweens, goody bags are a must.

Younger kids are happy with just a couple of pieces of sidewalk chalk, and a bottle of LĂ•LLÂ?iĂƒÂ°ĂŠ ,>ĂŒÂ…iÀÊ ĂŒÂ…>Â˜ĂŠ Ă•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ `ÂˆĂƒÂŤÂœĂƒ>LÂ?iĂŠ }ˆvĂŒĂŠ bags, try using an item that can be reused, like a small bucket, purse or other container.

For 4-year-olds and older, you may not get away with a bag that doesn’t include candy. But for younger kids, if you want to include food, try adding bags of Teddy Grahams or Goldfish crackers.

Since the number of attendees will likely be smaller for a tween party, opt for a bigger item that is related to the party theme, paired with a chocolate bar. If it’s a spa party put together a little nail kit. For tween boys you could include a deck of cards or other game.

4HINK ABOUT YOUR CHILD AND WHEN THEY ARE AT THEIR BEST

to choose the party time when THEY LL HAVE THEIR BEST TIME

/Â…ÂœÂ“ÂŤĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€iĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ,ˆVÂ…mond just opened a new outdoor party space to allow you to take advantage of sunny days. TumbleTown on West Broadway, Vancouver is excellent for the smaller kids to be able to get their crazy’s out in a contained environment. Burnaby Village Museum’s parties take care of the entertainment and the

food—two big things you then won’t need to worry about! Finally, Playland is a great birthday destination for a whole day of fun with a closer group of friends. It’s not ideal for little ones, but once they’re able to go on all the rides, this is a memorable party place.

Consider the entertainment

If you have chosen to have a home party or to rent space at a community centre, party entertainment is a must! There are many options out there. You can invite an entertainer to come and put on a show. There are princesses, clowns, and my favourite—a iÀ“>ˆ`°Ê iÀ“>ˆ`ĂŠ >˜ˆiÂ?Â?iĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠĂŒ>ÂŽiĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ birthday party to the next level in or out of the water.

New to Vancouver, My Studio Party transforms your home with red carpet and props and lets the children become the stars. They record their own song, learn some choreography and get the full star treatment.

Setting another stage of sorts, and coming a long way from the sleepovers of my time, My Little Bash provides you with all the equipment to give your child a truly magical night.

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WALK THE RED CARPET AND POSE FOR THE CAMERA 7ITH OUR QUICK HASSLE FREE SETUP WE LL BE UP AND RUNNING IN NO TIME SO PARENTS CAN RELAX AND ENJOY THE PARTY My Little Bash INFO MYLITTLEBASH COM -Y,ITTLE"ASH COM 7E AIM TO SPARK JOY AND ORIGINALITY INTO CHIL DREN PARTIES BY STYLING AND STAGING UNFORGETTA BLE THEMED SLEEPOVER PARTIES /UR SLEEPOVER PACKAGES INCLUDE TEEPEES COMFY MATTRESSES WITH COTTON SHEETS STYLISH DECORATIVE CUSHIONS

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PNE CA GROUPS #ELEBRATE YOUR CHILD S BIRTHDAY AT 0LAYLAND 4AKE THE PARTY OUTSIDE AND LEAVE THE PREPARA TION AND FUN TO US "IRTHDAY PACKAGES ARE FOR UP TO GUESTS INCLUDING ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH INVITATIONS LUNCH AND ACCESS TO OVER RIDES ATTRACTIONS AND MORE Thompson Community Centre 'RANVILLE !VENUE 2ICHMOND

RICHMOND CA THOMPSONBIRTHDAYS !LL BOOKINGS ARE MADE ONLINE ONLY (AVE AN INDOOR OR OUTDOOR BIRTHDAY PARTY AT 4HOMPSON #OMMUNITY #ENTRE 0ARTIES INCLUDE EITHER A FULLY DECORATED HALL OR PRIVATE FENCED OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND DECORATIONS GAMES

FACE PAINTING AND A PARTY LEADER TO ASSIST IN SET UP AND TAKEN DOWN &OR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK A PARTY AT 4HOMPSON PLEASE VISIT RICHMOND CA THOMPSONBIRTHDAYS

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TUMBLETOWN CA 4UMBLE4OWN S CUSTOM BUILT FACILITY ALLOWS FOR INSTRUCTED PLAY FULL OF ACTION AND EXCITEMENT

AND THE FACILITY IS PERFECT FOR CAKE AND PARTY TIME "IRTHDAY PARTIES AT 4UMBLE4OWN ARE GUAR ANTEED TO BE FULL OF LAUGHTER GAMES AND PLAY YOUR CHILD WILL NEVER FORGET

Party Facts *UST SO YOU KNOW YOU RE NOT THE ONLY ONEx s IS THE AMOUNT AN AVERAGE PAR ENT SPENDS ON A PARTY ONLY OF PARENTS SPENT UNDER s OF CHILDREN OPEN GIFTS AT THEIR PARTY AS OPPOSED TO WAITING UNTIL AFTER THE GUESTS HAVE GONE HOME s TO ˆTHE AMOUNT THE AVER AGE PARENT SPENDS PER GIFT FOR OTHER CHILDREN S BIRTHDAYS s /NLY OF PARENTS INVITED THEIR CHILD S ENTIRE CLASS TO THEIR BIRTHDAY PARTY s OF PARENTS SPLURGE ON THEIR KID S BIRTHDAY CAKE SPLURGE ON ENTERTAINMENT s OF PARENTS SPENT TO PER GOODY BAG FOR THEIR CHILD S LAST BIRTH DAY PARTY s OF PARENTS SENT PAPER INVITES FOR THEIR CHILD S LAST BIRTHDAY SENT ELECTRONIC INVITATIONS s OF KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES INCLUDE TO CHILDREN

BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 23

Where History Comes to Life

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Teach Kids About Money at Any Age It’s never too early (or too late) to teach kids about money

By Romana King

E

xperts now agree—it’s never to early Â­ÂœĂ€ĂŠ ĂŒÂœÂœĂŠ Â?>ĂŒiÂŽĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ ĂŒi>VÂ…ĂŠ Žˆ`ĂƒĂŠ >LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ money. Money is an excellent teaching tool—and kids will learn about money whether you take an active role in that education, or not.

The great news is that the daily routine of managing budgets, paying bills and finding that balance between working hard and spending time with family, can all become great teaching opportunities. Each task and each decision can be used to help teach your children about the value of money, the need to understand spending and saving, and the importance of giving.

Here are tips and strategies to help your child learn about money, based on the age and stage of your child.

cept of money is to sit and sort coins with them. Talk to them about each type of coin, what it’s worth and how different coins have different values. As your children grow, consider introducing math to this activity. Ask them to sort the coins before asking them to count out different Ages 0 to 6: START EARLY >Â“ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠpĂŠÂşĂƒÂ…ÂœĂœĂŠÂ“iĂŠfÓ°£ä° Money experts agree that kids as young as UĂŠ/>Â?ÂŽĂŠ >LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ “œ˜iÞ°Ê ÂˆÂ˜ÂŽĂŠ iĂ›iÀÞ`>ÞÊ >VĂŒÂˆĂ›Âˆties, such as grocery shopping, to money. >}iĂŠ Ă“]ĂŠ ÂľĂ•ÂˆĂŒiĂŠ ÂœvĂŒiÂ˜ĂŠ Ă•Â˜`iĂ€ĂƒĂŒ>˜`ĂŠ Â“ÂœĂ€iĂŠ >LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ Pay cash and let your child help count out money than we give them credit for. As one the amount owed to the cashier. If paymoney coach once stated: The best age to ing by credit or debit card, talk to your start giving a child an allowance is when child about the link between the amount they are old enough not to put it in their owed, your method of payment and the mouth. “œ˜iÞÊ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ L>Â˜ÂŽĂŠ >VVÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒÂ°ĂŠ ÂœÂ˜Â˝ĂŒĂŠ iĂ?The key at this age and stage is to get kids pect a child to become engrossed in these comfortable with handling money. The idea conversations. The aim isn’t to excite or is to increase their familiarity with the conentertain, but to help your child become cept and application of money, and to slowly familiar with the concept of earning and introduce the bigger concepts as they grow. spending.

How do to this: UĂŠ Â˜ĂŒĂ€Âœ`Ă•ViĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Vœ˜ViÂŤĂŒĂŠ ÂœvĂŠ ĂŒĂ€>`i‡œvvĂƒĂŠ ­Licause money is not just about paper and UĂŠ vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Â˜}ĂŠV…ˆÂ?`Ă€i˜]ĂŠ>}i`ĂŠĂ“ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠn]ĂŠ VÂœÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ>ĂŠL>Â˜ÂŽĂŠL>Â?>˜ViŽ°Ê ĂŠ}œœ`ĂŠĂœ>ĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ an easy way to start introducing the con-

teach this is to offer your child a cookie or carrot now, or ask them to wait ten minutes when they can get two cookies or carrots. The lesson—delaying their gratification can come with greater rewards.

That’s the whole point of saving.

AGES 7 to 12: MONEY MAGIC! Experts say this is the age group where most money lessons are learned. As a result, it’s also the optimal time to help teach your kids about saving, budgeting and smart spending.

Keep in mind, however, that your kids will learn more at this age than simply the practical ways to save and spend. Perhaps the biggest lesson they will learn is whether or not to be afraid of money.

For instance, if your child asks you a money question, how do you answer? And before you answer, consider how difficult some of these questions can be. For instance, BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 25

AGES 13 to 18: BIG KID LESSONS

If you provide a thoughtful ANSWER TO A MONEY QUESTION

rather than a dismissive RESPONSE THE REAL LESSON YOU teach your child is that money ISN T TABOO OR SOMETHING TO BE HIDDEN OR KEPT SECRET

At this stage it’s about increasing responsibility and, believe it or not, letting your children make mistakes. At this stage, your aim is to help them appreciate how money fits into the bigger picture.

Bigger Lessons

UĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂˆ`iĂ€ĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ€iĂŒV…ˆ˜}ĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ>Â?Â?ÂœĂœ>˜ViĂŠÂŤ>ÞÊ ÂŤiĂ€ÂˆÂœ`ĂƒÂ°ĂŠ,>ĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…>Â˜ĂŠÂœÂ˜ViĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂŠĂœiiÂŽ]ĂŠVœ˜sider once per month, or once every two months. The goal is to get your kids to learn how to budget over longer periods of time and to strengthen their ability to delay gratification. If they want a pair of Â?i>Â˜ĂƒĂŠ ĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ VÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠ fnäÊ >˜`ĂŠ œ˜Â?ÞÊ }iĂŒĂŠ f{äÊ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ allowance every month, they’ll need to how would you answer your child if they UĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂˆ`iÀÊ ĂƒiĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ĂƒÂœÂ“iĂŠ Â?œ˜}iĂ€Â‡ĂŒiÀ“Ê Ăƒ>Ă›wait two or more months to afford those asked: jeans—forcing them to contend with ings goals. For younger kids, consider a 1. Why don’t we own a cottage? the concepts that link time, money and savings goal that last three to six months. Ó°Ê7Â…ĂžĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•ĂƒiĂŠĂƒÂœĂŠĂƒÂ“>Â?Â?œÊ budgeting. ÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂœÂ?`iÀÊ Žˆ`Ăƒ]ĂŠ iĂ?ĂŒi˜`ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ ĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ ÂŁĂ“ĂŠ ΰÊ"Ă€]ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠĂœiĂŠĂ€ÂˆVÂ…Âś months. The idea is to reinforce that idea UĂŠ"vviÀÊ ĂŒÂœĂŠ “>ĂŒVÂ…ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iÂˆĂ€ĂŠ Ăƒ>Ă›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂƒĂŠ vÂœĂ€ĂŠ Lˆ}‡ As adults we know that these are complex ticket items, such as saving for post-secÂœvĂŠ `iÂ?>Ăži`ĂŠ }Ă€>ĂŒÂˆvˆV>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ Â­Ăƒ>Ă›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ Â?i>`ĂƒĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ questions with multi-faceted answers. We ondary schooling or a car. You can set an Lˆ}}iÀÊÀiĂœ>Ă€`ĂƒÂŽÂ°ĂŠ also know there’s a good chance your child annual limit, just be clear and upfront won’t understand all the factors involved. Budgeting Lessons about this limit before they start.

But the way you answer is just as important UĂŠ-ĂŒ>Ă€ĂŒĂŠ LÞÊ ĂƒÂ…ÂœĂœÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ Žˆ`ĂƒĂŠ ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ Â…ÂœĂ•Ăƒias what you say. hold budget. Show them re-occuring bills Make Links If you choose to provide a thoughtful anand explain the difference between neces- UĂŠ vĂŠĂŒÂ…iÞÊ}iĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ‡ĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂŠÂ?ÂœL]ĂŠĂƒÂˆĂŒĂŠ`ÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ swer, rather than a dismissive response, the sary expenses and disposable income extalk to them about how much they earn real lesson you teach your child is that money ÂŤiÂ˜ĂƒiĂƒĂŠÂ­ÂˆÂ°i°ÊÀiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂ›iĂ€ĂƒĂ•ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠVÂ…>ÂˆĂŠÂ?>ĂŒĂŒiĂŠLĂ•`}iĂŒÂŽÂ° and how much they keep. Use their pay isn’t taboo or something to be hidden or kept UĂŠ ÂˆĂƒVĂ•ĂƒĂƒĂŠĂœ>ĂžĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒ>Ă›iĂŠÂ“ÂœÂ˜iÞ°Ê ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂŒ>˜Vi]ĂŠ stub to show how much is taken off in secret. Experts agree, this approach leads to show them a grocery flyer that has a sale taxes and government benefits. better money management and decision on the bread they like. Explain how the UĂŠ >Ă›iĂŠ >ĂŠ ĂœiiÂŽÂ?ÞÊ v>“ˆÂ?ÞÊ “œ˜iÞÊ “iiĂŒmaking for kids and adults, alike. sale will let you buy more without going ing. This doesn’t have to be a long, teover budget. `ÂˆÂœĂ•ĂƒĂŠ VÂ…ÂœĂ€i°Ê Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠ `iĂƒÂˆ}˜>ĂŒiĂŠ œ˜iĂŠ `ˆ˜˜iÀÊ >ĂŠ week where the family talks openly about Saving Lessons money. Perhaps it’s to discuss the famUĂŠ"ÂŤiÂ˜ĂŠ>ĂŠĂƒ>Ă›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂƒĂŠ>VVÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒÂ°ĂŠ Â?Â?ÂœĂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ Spending Lessons ily vacation or the upcoming house extake charge of when to deposit and with- UĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂˆ`iÀÊ LĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ˆ˜}ĂŠ ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ V…ˆÂ?`ĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒÂœĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ penses—the idea is to keep money from draw their money. budgeting decisions. Perhaps you can becoming a taboo topic and to help emstop packing their school lunches for power your kids to ask questions and sugthem. Instead, make it a team effort or West Point Grey Licensed Preschool gest solutions. let them do it themselves, but make sure at Aberthau (30 Months—5 Years) they are responsible for planning out UĂŠ/>Â?ÂŽĂŠ >LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Lˆ}}iÀÊ ÂŤÂˆVĂŒĂ•Ă€i\ĂŠ Â?ÂœLĂƒ]ĂŠ ÂŤ>Ăƒsions, goals. Be open to their ideas. This their meals and budgeting the cost of is not the time to hinder their dreams or the items they want. Or you could stop to point them in a specific career direcbuying their clothes and offer them a tion. This is about making a link between set budget. They would then be responwork, money and choices. sible for buying the attire they desire but they’d have to stick within the bud2OMANA +ING is an award-winning personal finance writer get. Another option is to provide an an- and a real estate expert and speaker. She is the current Director nual birthday gift budget. Your child is of Content for Zolo Realty, Canada’s #1 real estate brokerage Spots available for the 2019-2020 school year then responsible for budgeting and buy- site. Her real estate and personal finance coverage can be found 4397 West 2nd Ave. Vancouver 604.257.8140 in MoneySense.ca, Maclean’s, Canadian Business, Chatelaine, ing birthday gifts for friends and family Today’s Parent as well as various other North American www.westpointgrey.org @westpointgreycc throughout the year. publications.

26 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

Be a Pro| at the Beach this Summer

By Sara Barry

F

rom sandcastles to swimming, there’s nothing like a summer day at the beach. If you’re just popping down for a quick swim to cool off, you don’t need much more than a bathing suit and towel.

But if you’re going for the day, planning can make or break the trip.

Here are seven things to consider, from getting there to getting home, for your best beach day yet.

get ice cream in the afternoon� can cut back on repeated requests for treats.

If you’re getting an early start, packing lunch the night before keeps the morning running smoothly. Have a list of everything that has to go in the cooler so you don’t forget essentials. Bring an extra sandwich in case somebody gets really hungry or a sandĂœÂˆVÂ…ĂŠv>Â?Â?ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂƒ>˜`ĂŠÂ­ÂˆĂŒĂŠÂ…>ÂŤÂŤiÂ˜ĂƒÂŽÂ°

Plan for parking.

Set expectations ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂ€iĂŠ>“Â?iĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ÂŽÂˆÂ˜}œÊ ÂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ˜ii`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ}iĂŒĂŠ there early to get a spot? Will you need to ahead of time. pay? You don’t want to show up at the beach with a carload of kids and find that you’ll have to schlep your stuff five miles or start It’s easy to get dehydrated during a long to pull into the parking lot only to find they day at the beach. Everyone will be happier if only take cash and you have none. you make sure they’re drinking enough.

Feed the troops.

Freeze water bottles to help keep drinks Even if there is a snack bar or other food cold. Fruits, like grapes or watermelon available at the beach, it may be cheaper chunks, help hydrate too. and easier to pack a lunch. Set expectations ``ĂŠ ĂƒÂœÂ“iĂŠ ˜>ÂŤÂŽÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŠ ĂœÂˆÂŤiĂƒ]ĂŠ VĂ•ÂŤĂƒĂŠ ­ˆvĂŠ ahead of time. Letting kids know “We’re ĂžÂœĂ•Â˝Ă€iĂŠLĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ˆ˜}ĂŠ>ĂŠÂ?Ă•}ĂŠÂœvĂŠ`Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂŽĂƒÂŽ]ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ>ĂŠĂŒĂ€>ĂƒÂ…ĂŠ bringing a lunch and drinks, but we can all bag to your lunch stash.

Prepare for the sun.

Apply sunscreen before you leave. You’ll want to reapply after swimming or after a few hours, but getting that first coating on before everyone is sandy is a good starting point. It also makes it less likely that you’ll forget in the chaos of setting up when the Žˆ`ĂƒĂŠ >Ă€iĂŠ Li}}ˆ˜}ĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ }ÂœĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Ăœ>ĂŒiÀ°Ê ÂœÂ˜Â˝ĂŒĂŠ forget to put the sunscreen in your bag after applying at home. You’ll want it again!

Sun hats and light long-sleeve t-shirts or swim shirts help protect against sun too.

Consider an umbrella or beach tent, especially if you have little ones who might nap.

Sit and play.

Bring a towel for each person for resting or drying off after swimming. A larger blanket for lunch or to put a baby on can be handy.

Chairs are bulky but worth it for the comfort factor.

There are lots of great beach toys out there. Bring enough to keep it fun without getting overloaded. A bucket and a shovel for each young child cuts out fights. Older kids may want boogie boards, skim boards, BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 27

or masks and snorkels. Games like paddleball or Frisbee are fun and don’t take up a lot of room. A book or travel game can be good for downtime.

ĂŒÂœĂŠ}ÂœĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠL>ĂŒÂ…Ă€ÂœÂœÂ“Â°ĂŠ ÂœiĂƒĂŠiĂ›iĂ€ĂžÂœÂ˜iĂŠ}ÂœÂśĂŠ Is there another adult to watch kids who `ÂœÂ˜Â˝ĂŒĂŠÂ˜ii`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤÂœĂŒĂŒĂžÂśĂŠ ÂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iÊÀÕÂ?iĂƒp everyone out of the water—while adults are limited?

Get it onto the beach.

That’s a lot of stuff, right? If you go to the beach often, a beach buggy that you can load up with all your gear might make sense. If you get there once a summer, it’s probably not worth it.

Instead, divide and conquer. If you want kids to carry things, make sure you have kid-sized bundles. Maybe each kid carries their own towel and bucket or an older child gets the drink cooler while you grab the food and chair. Maybe one adult takes a load of stuff and the kids, while the other parks and schleps the remaining gear.

Potty preparedness.

Divide and conquer. )F YOU WANT KIDS TO CARRY THINGS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE KID SIZED BUNDLESx MAYBE EACH KID CARRIES THEIR OWN TOWEL AND BUCKET

If you have kids in diapers, make sure you have plastic bags to tie up dirty diapers— and don’t forget to take them with you. Nobody wants to find dirty diapers on the beach.

If you’re going to be at the beach all day, everyone will need to “go� at some point.

If you have young kids who need a potty when they need it, make sure you know End of the day. ĂœÂ…iĂ€iĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ L>ĂŒÂ…Ă€ÂœÂœÂ“ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂŠ Â­Â…ÂœÂŤivĂ•Â?Â?ÞÊ ÂˆĂŒÂ˝ĂƒĂŠ Â˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ Consider staying late. Some of the most ĂŒÂœÂœĂŠv>ÀÊ>Ăœ>ގ°Ê >Ă›iĂŠ>ĂŠÂŤÂ?>Â˜ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂˆvĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ˜ii`ĂŠ pleasant hours at the beach happen in the

late afternoon and early evening when the crowds are leaving. You might save yourself ĂƒÂœÂ“iĂŠ ĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂŠ ĂƒÂˆĂŒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ĂŒĂ€>vvˆVĂŠ ĂŒÂœÂœÂ°ĂŠ Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠ “>ÂŽiĂŠ sure you have enough snacks or a dinner plan—and maybe a long sleeve t-shirt for everyone in case it starts to cool off.

You’ve had a great day at the beach, but everyone is tired and maybe a little crabby.

It’s time to pack it up. If you’ve got a long drive, try to make everyone more comfortable. If showers are available, rinse off the sand, salt, and sunscreen before the ride home. If not, try rinsing feet in a bucket of water. Sprinkle a little baby powder to help brush off the sand. Get out of wet bathing suits and into dry clothes.

Take a deep breath of that fresh, salty air and enjoy—you’re a beach pro now.

3ARA "ARRY is a freelance writer from Massachusetts. She grew up at the beach and spends as much time as she can there every year.

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28 BCPARENT CA s SUMMER

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'ETTING READY FOR SUMMER VACATION Here are a few must-have items to help you get through.

For everyday Hydro Flask 12 oz Wide Mouth Kids Bottle

iĂƒÂˆ}˜i`ĂŠÂ?Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂŒÂ?iĂŠ>`Ă›iÂ˜ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂ€ĂƒĂŠ>}iĂƒĂŠ ĂŽÂł]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŁĂ“ĂŠÂœĂ˘ĂŠÂ­ĂŽxxʓÂ?ÂŽĂŠ7ˆ`iĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ˆ`ĂƒĂŠ Bottle is small enough to fit comfortably in kids’ hands, backpacks and lunch boxes. >VÂ…ĂŠLÂœĂŒĂŒÂ?iĂŠvi>ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂƒĂŠ/i“-…ˆiÂ?`Ă’ĂŠ ÂœĂ•LÂ?iĂŠ Walled Vacuum Insulation and 18/8 Prograde stainless steel construction to ensure VÂœÂ?`ĂŠLiĂ›iĂ€>}iĂƒĂŠĂƒĂŒ>ÞÊVÂœÂ?`ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂ•ÂŤĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂ“{ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒĂŠ and hot drinks remain hot for up to six.

The durable, BPA-free bottle comes with a leak-resistant, easy to drink straw lid that is also easy to clean for parents, along with a silicone Flex Boot for extra grip. It comes in four colours: Frost, Watermelon, Lemon and Pacific. fÎx°™x Available at MEC, Sport Chek, and Valhalla Pure Outfitters

For the beach Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel

A great idea to get home from the beach without bringing it with you. Tesalate is an innovative sand-free towel from Australia.

Made with AbsorbLite™ fabric, it rapidly dries compared to regular ones, yet it can >LĂƒÂœĂ€LĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠÂ?i>ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŽĂŽĂŠÂœĂ˘ĂŠÂ­ÂŁĂŠÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂ€iÂŽĂŠÂœvĂŠĂœ>ĂŒiÀ°Ê These towels are also compact and light.

Most importantly sand doesn’t stick to them, even when wet. A must have for your summer bag. fǙ°ää Available at tesalate.com

BCPARENT CA s SUMMER 29

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For the rainy days Diary of a Wimpy Kid Game

Fill the time on a rainy day with a new board game! Diary of a Wimpy Kid 10Second Challenge brings all the fun from the best-selling, award-winning book series to life. This game comes with everything players need to out-wimp their friends and family. Play as characters from the book series and race to be the first to get around the board. There are three categories of challenges: Single player, Categories and Two players. The challenges get players jumping, balancing, offbeat, unusual and LĂ€>ÂˆÂ˜ĂžÂ°ĂŠ vĂŠÂŤÂ?>ĂžiĂ€ĂƒĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠ`ÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂ“ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂŁĂ¤ĂŠĂƒiVœ˜`ĂƒĂŠ or less, they can out-wimp their friends and win the game. fĂ“ĂˆÂ°Ă¤Ă¤ Available at amazon.ca

For the parents 1MORE Stylish Dual-dynamic Driver BT In-Ear Headphones Wireless Bluetooth Earphones

If you’re trying to get a little bit of “me-timeâ€? this summer, listen to your audiobook or just tune out with some tunes—check out these BlueTooth headphones. They have high fidelity wireless sound, a long battery life, and are super comfortable. The best part is the fast VÂ…>Ă€}iĂŠV>ÂŤ>LˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠĂœÂ…ÂˆVÂ…ĂŠ}ÂˆĂ›iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂŽĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒĂŠ ÂœvĂŠĂ•ĂƒiĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂœÂ˜Â?ĂžĂŠÂŁĂ¤ĂŠÂ“ÂˆÂ˜Ă•ĂŒiĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠVÂ…>Ă€}iĂŠĂŒÂˆÂ“it fĂˆÂ™Â°Â™Â™ Available at amazon.ca

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