December 2014 by Minnesota Parent

December 2014

THE TECH ISSUE

Tech gifts Avoiding the financial pitfalls / Page 22

Code savvy Local classes help girls learn coding / Page 28

Phone fear? How to set house rules / Page 20

Screen time scrutiny 16 Apps for parenting 32 Ways to unplug 36 Learning apps approved by a teacher 38

Sawyer, 3, Apple Valley

mnparent.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2014 5

CONTENTS Features

Departments

10 CHATTER

MOMMY — AND DADDY — APPS

Beating the breastfeeding blues, even with Baby No. 2, isn’t easy.

Our Moe-Mama blogger shares her top digital tools for easier parenting. By Sarah Dorison

34 TEACHER GIFT IDEAS! Our resident teacher-mama reveals what teachers really want for the holidays. By Megan Devine

36 BOARD GAMES THAT ROCK

28 NO MORE BOYS-CLUB MENTALITY Free girls-only coding classes in St. Paul help nurture tech savvy among ages 8 to 16. By Amy Sutton

Minnesota Parent December 2014

Set your iPad aside and enjoy five classic, family-friendly games. By Megan Devine

38 TEACHER-APPROVED APPS Get the most out of screen time with these educational apps for young kids. By Megan Devine

12 BABY ON BOARD

14 TODDLER TIME Worried you’re spoiling your kid? Don’t be so hard on yourself! 16 ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN Is TV with toys and multi-tasking better than zoned-out screen time? 18 IN THE KITCHEN Love lemon flavor? These colorful Christmas cookies are a must-try. 20 TEENS & TWEENS Smartphone savvy means setting house rules and studying hot apps. 22 GROWS ON TREES Giving or getting technology gifts? Avoid these common pitfalls. 24 HOT STUFF LEGOs you can rent? A balance bike with a ski attachment? Yes! 26 BOOK SHELF Win! We’re giving away Margaret Wise Brown’s three new books! 50 FROM OUR READERS

ABOUT OUR COVER KID Name: Sawyer Age: 3 City: Apple Valley Parents: Chris and Stephanie Damlo Siblings: Gavin, 7, Charlie, 1 Favorite movie: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Favorite activities: Dance parties Favorite foods: Yogurt PHOTOS BY TRACY ANN WALSH, POSER DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY, POSERDESIGN.COM

6 December 2014 • mnparent.com

Need snow-day ideas? Fans share their favorite places for winter fun!

Out&About PAGE 40

Holiday Out&About PAGE 44

mnparent.com â&#x20AC;˘ December 2014 7

From the editor

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Lights or power out, circuit troubleshooting

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Storm damage repair, 24 Hr Emergency service

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Electrical panel upgrades, fuse to circuit breaker panel

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Ceiling fan and bath exhaust fan installation & servicing

Fun (tricky) technology

appy holidays from Minnesota Parent! I love this time of year. 763-544-3300 • Harrison-Electric.com Before I was a parent, the holidays were fun, of course. But now they have a magic I never knew was possible. Harrison Electric MNP 1214 12.indd 1 11/20/14 4:11 PM What a joy it is to relive my own childhood by watching the joy of Christmas on my child’s innocent face. Pure bliss! Not everything about the holidays is easy with kids, of course. Driving in cars and getting on airplanes with young children: Yikes. And sugar cookies, presents and cousins — all swirled together for days on end — can be a crazy cocktail for a young child. Hello, meltdowns! And, of course, you have those moments when the entire family (even the grandparents) is so candy-crashed, turkeystuffed and tired, you all end up staring quietly at individual glowing screens. Ah, togetherness in the modern age! Speaking of technology: This issue is PHOTO BY TRACY ANN WALSH / POSERDESIGN.COM special. We’re focusing on technology — one of the trickiest things to navigate as a modern family. Though I’m pretty excited about our entire issue, one of my favorite features this month is about girls and computer coding. Girls are under-represented in the field of technology. But local experts in education — specifically STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math — are finding ways to instill confidence in girls ages 8 to 16 by offering them free girls-only classes with help from local coding pros. Cool, right? I’m also super-thrilled to have three pieces by Megan Devine, a mother of four and an elementary school teacher from Northeastern Minnesota, offering her favorite kid-tested apps for early childhood education, her favorite board games for unplugging (for those holiday moments when everyone’s stuck staring at their screens) and, unrelated to technology, her favorite holiday gifts for teachers! (Hint: Skip the knickknacks.) Got bigger kids? You’ll also find helpful resources in our Teens & Tweens and Grows on Trees columns. Both writers recommend Common Sense Media. So, just go ahead and bookmark that helpful site (and grab the app) now. Ready for 2015?

Sarah Dorison, Editor

8 December 2014 • mnparent.com

Vol. 29 • Issue 12

Co-Publishers Janis Hall jhall@mnparent.com Terry Gahan tgahan@mnparent.com General Manager Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 cdamlo@mnparent.com Editor Sarah Dorison 612-436-4385 editor@mnparent.com Contributors Eric Braun Peter Dehnel Megan Devine Zoe Gahan Shannon Keough Amy Sutton Tracy Ann Walsh Jen Wittes Jennifer Wizbowski Terry John Zila Creative Director Dana Croatt dcroatt@mnparent.com Senior Graphic Designer Valerie Moe

Are you currently pregnant or had a baby during the previous month and interested in participating in a telephone-based health and wellness program? The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth • Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy) • Program delivered to you via the mail and phone • Must be 18 years of age or older; must not currently exercise regularly • Must not take antidepressants • Must have a history of depression • You will receive $100 for your time

Call 612-625-9753 or email mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study U of M - Kinesiology Dept MNP 1212 S3.indd 1

11/15/12 2:37 PM

Graphic Designer Amanda Wadeson Sales Administrator Kate Manson 612-436-5085 kmanson@mnparent.com Circulation Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 distribution@mnparent.com Advertising 612-825-9205 sales@mnparent.com 60,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at news stands statewide. Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12 a year. Call 612-825-9205 for more information. Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications. POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403. Minnesota Parent is copyright 2014 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.

mnparent.com • December 2014 9

YOGA FOR KIDS Kid Yoga Minnesota and Sunshine Morning Care recently opened at 2836 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis. You’ll find kids’ yoga classes, of course, but also flexible morning child care, yoga camps, yoga training for classroom teachers and custom yoga classes for special needs individuals. Learn more at kidyogamn.com.

TO THE SALT CAVE! The Salt Cave — which opened last year in southwest Minneapolis — has expanded by adding a second cave in the basement of its location at 4811 Nicollet Ave. And this cave, loaded with 12,000 pounds of Himalayan rock salt, is tailor-made for kids. Toys and books are provided to engage children while they experience the health benefits of salt bricks on the cave walls, plus aerosolized salt pumped into the air. Salt therapy can relieve congestion and flush out allergens, said owner Scott Wertkin. “It helps reduce the longevity of a cold, symptoms of a cold and symptoms of a headache,” said Wertkin, who become interested in salt therapy when he and his wife, Jenni Dorfsman, were looking for relief for their son, who’s suffered from severe asthma since he was an infant. Thanks to the expansion, The Salt Cave can now accommodate more groups that meet for salt yoga or salt meditation — plus more individual and group salt-therapy sessions ($30 for 45 minutes). See class options for kids at saltcaveminnesota.com.

PARENTING IN THE AGE OF INDULGENCE ’Tis is the season for excess and overindulgence. This time of year, we realize, isn’t quite normal. But, when you look at your family and consider the big picture, you might wonder: Are you giving your kids too much? Parents who are worried about overindulgence — and want simple strategies for what to do — are in luck: The University of Minnesota Extension’s Center for Family Development has produced a free, one-hour online course that covers examples of overindulgence in modern-day families, plus tools to identify and address overindulgence. It’s called Parenting in the Age of Overindulgence. Check it out at tinyurl.com/age-indulgence.

10 December 2014 • mnparent.com

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Shannon

Keough

The breastfeeding blues

was sitting in the special-care nursery a few days after Felix was born, trying in vain to breastfeed my son. My milk hadn’t “come in” yet and he was having trouble latching properly. I turned to my husband, who was sitting beside me. “You know, I’m totally going to try to make breastfeeding work out this time,” I said. “But if he needs more than I can give him, I’m not going to hesitate to supplement.” This was a big change in attitude from how I felt about our first baby. When Lydia was born I was committed to exclusively breastfeeding, but it didn’t work out.* My “failure” to breastfeed exclusively caused me a lot of shame and made the immediate postpartum period a sad and stressful time. But once I allowed myself to supplement my daughter with formula, things suddenly became more manageable. With baby No. 2, I decided I was going to do what I could to have a more enjoyable experience, even if that meant risking “nipple confusion.”

Open-minded, prepared So before Felix was born, I gathered my supplies — lactation-promoting herbs, my breast pump and a big supply of Domperidone (a drug that increases prolactin in the body and thus also increases milk supply). “Every breastfeeding relationship is different!” is

* Read about Shannon Keough’s difficult experiences breastfeeding her first child at mnparent.com/breast-is-best.

12 December 2014 • mnparent.com

a refrain I’ve often heard. I was hopeful things would go smoothly the second time around. But, if not, I was prepared for that, too. I got out the bottles and bought a can of formula. When Felix came home, we eventually settled into a breastfeeding “groove.” I occasionally gave him a bottle, but he’d always go back to breastfeeding. Nipple confusion didn’t tear us apart!

Self-weaning? We went on like this for months, until at around 8 months old Felix started to “self wean” — that is, he was rejecting breastfeeding. I kept pumping for several weeks, but when the Domperidone ran out, my supply suddenly tanked. “Well, I guess that’s it,” I thought to myself. I was wholly unprepared for the crash that followed. At first, I felt some mild sadness over the end of the breastfeeding relationship. Since we weren’t planning to have any more children, this was

FIND HELP Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Minnesota is a group of mental health and perinatal practitioners and organizations that offer treatment and support services to Minnesota families. See pregnancy postpartum supportmn.org.

clearly the end of an era. But it was an understandable sadness and I wasn’t too concerned about it.

Depression, dread Then things started to get a little darker. I remember looking at Felix one day as he played adorably on the kitchen floor and suddenly being overwhelmed by a feeling of dread and horror. “He’s going to experience so much pain and loss in his life!” I thought, anxiety looming. “What have I done?” My depressive mood intensified. I was exhausted and frequently weepy. I had tons of work, but could barely concentrate. I remember stumbling through a meeting that I was meant to lead, convinced everyone could see me for the fraud I was. Afterward, my client told me I did a good job. I was sure she was being sarcastic. I had enough self-awareness to realize these were depressive symptoms probably brought on by weaning, but that did little to make things better. I had an academic idea of what I was supposed to do — eat well, exercise, see a counselor — but my appetite had vanished and I could barely get out of bed to Google “postpartum depression therapist, Minneapolis,” much less go for a jog. I limped on like this for a few weeks until the fog started to lift. (I think my hormones must have stabilized.) I started looking into it and while there are quite a few anecdotal reports of depression related to weaning, there’s virtually nothing in the way of official research backing it up. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a connection! So to other mothers — notice how you’re feeling when you ease off breastfeeding. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and depressed, ask for help. Parenting is hard work and you deserve to be healthy and happy while you’re doing it. Shannon Keough lives in Minneapolis with her husband Nick and two children. Send questions or comments to skeough@mnparent.com.

Jen

Wittes

The spoiling curve

mong the many, many things you swore to yourself while waiting to become parents — including but not limited to no screen time, no Dora, no yelling, no sweets — top on the list of good intentions was “no spoiling.” You would raise a well-mannered and thoughtful child. One who says “please” and “thank you,” holds doors open for little old ladies and even throws in the occasional curtsey for good measure. Your child, by 2, would treasure a worn and dusty library book above anything else. He would play with the wooden toys carved by your great-grandfather. He would scour the backyard for sticks and stones and imaginary dragons.

There would be no obsession with Lightning McQueen. There would be no reckoning in the Target toy aisle, EVER, and the holidays would be about family — home and hearth and chestnuts roasting.

Merriment and bad habits One of the many reasons the toddler years can seem daunting is that they bring the parent to a crossroads in terms of privileges and indulgences: What happens when we start getting cocoa every time Dad goes to Starbucks? Was that birthday party too over the top? What about those junky toys at the grocery store check out? Is “just this once” ever just that? What about the holidays? Oh, the holidays!

They do funny things to my brain! Stick a candy cane in my coffee and suddenly I’m going off wish list and picking up matching bunny slippers for the whole family. Most of us find it easy to get caught up in the splurge-and-spend, eat-and-drink merriment of the holidays. We overdo it; we delight in delighting others — and we swear that things will return to normal in January. Resolutions and all that. Toddler Parent, if this feels like that pivotal year between spoiled rotten and healthy family tradition — you’re right. And you also need to lighten up. As you raise your child, you’ll constantly wonder how many toys is too many, how often staying up late is appropriate and how to break habits you’ve created (and put them properly back in the category of “sometimes treat”).

Finding your way In this, you’ll make mistakes. You’ll bend when you should’ve just continued pushing your already-overfilled red cart past toys and straight on to cat food. You’ll go overboard during the holidays and will — at least momentarily — wallow in remorse and self-doubt. Even if you bought only art supplies, unplugged toys and classic children’s books — things you’ve deemed, in your

Picky eater? Tantrums? Potty training? Find relatable articles and more toddler tips at mnparent.com/toddler-time.

14 December 2014 • mnparent.com

sugar-cookie addled brain, good and worthy and practical — you’ll wonder How much, how many and how young? Yearning for a more concrete approach? While there’s no exact treat-to-spoiled ratio, many parents come up with a series of systems and guidelines so that they can at least try to stay within reasonable parameters. Some establish early on that they’ll spend $75 on each child for Christmas or that Hanukah will be seven small presents and one larger one. You can save trips to Izzy’s Ice Cream for after baseball games, science fairs, gymnastics meets and the like. The dollar section? Only if your child has a dollar.

You’re always in charge But let’s back up. With a toddler, you’re dealing with a relatively blank slate. Ice cream and toy aisles and holidays are new experiences. You’ll spoil them sometimes, because it’s fun! And if you accidentally start cookie-grocery store associations or actually find yourself treading into that dreaded “spoiled brat” territory — take heart — you can always take a step back, restructure, rethink and break the habit. You’re the parent, after all. You rule. In the meantime, as you wrap one too many presents and then one or two more, soothe your weary consumer’s heart by establishing those meaningful traditions — the things they’ll count on before they ever count how many presents are under the tree. Snow tubing on the first night of winter break, singing along with Heat Miser on TV, sparklers on New Year’s Eve. These are expectations you won’t mind meeting year after year. You can’t spoil your child with happy memories, and you can’t be so hard on yourself. We’ve all been there and overdone that. Jen Wittes lives in St. Paul and is a mother of two. She’s helped many Twin Cities families in her work as a postpartum doula. Send questions or comments to jwittes@mnparent.com.

Peter

Dehnel, MD

My 5-year-old watches a lot of TV, but he’s also playing at the same time with LEGOs. Does this count as screen time? Yes, it counts. Reducing screen time to no more than two hours per day is a good approach with all children, regardless of what else they may be doing at the same time. Multitasking with LEGOs is probably better than simply sitting entirely fixated on the TV screen, but it still doesn’t allow for a variety of other activities, including aerobic activity important for muscle development and healthy weight maintenance. Encouraging your child to add time for reading, drawing and aerobic activities would all be good for a variety of reasons. If it’s possible to arrange playtime with other children, that would be a good alternative. Finally, playing games — both indoor and outdoor — with your child is another good way to get him away from the screen.

I’ve been hearing a lot about enterovirus D68 (as well as Ebola). What can I do to protect my kids? Enterovirus D68, which first hit the news in late summer, causes primarily respiratory symptoms. Even though the enterovirus family of viruses is very large, this particular strain is uncommon and hasn’t been around much, leaving most people susceptible to this infection. This family of viruses can cause a wide variety of infections.

16 December 2014 • mnparent.com

Each strain seems to be a little different in the type of symptoms it causes. But viral symptoms in general — fever, body aches, headaches and decreased energy — tend to be seen with all of them. D68 caused more respiratory symptoms, even among children who don’t have asthma, including some significant episodes of wheezing and even cases of viral pneumonia. Trying to stay away from other children and adults who are ill is one of the most important prevention principles to adopt, but this isn’t always practical or even possible. Good hand washing and not sharing food, drinks or eating utensils can also help, but that’s difficult to enforce with 2-year-olds. For most children, watching for signs and symptoms of breathing difficulty or increasing respiratory problems and contacting your child’s doctor or clinic is the approach most parents ended up needing to take. Finally, if your child had an episode of wheezing from any cause this past summer or fall, he or she is likely at risk for additional episodes of wheezing this winter. The Ebola virus has, of course, been a much different situation. Thankfully the risk factors are generally well known, which include travel to affected areas in Africa or recent contact with someone later found to be infected with Ebola. The incubation period — the time from exposure to the time of showing symptoms — is up to 21 days. After that, exposed people are typically safe. State health department officials, as well as the Centers for Disease Control are working to ensure that widespread exposure doesn’t happen. This will limit the potential spread of this powerful virus. The Minnesota Department of Health has established an Ebola information line if you have further questions — 651-201-5414 or 800-657-3903 (available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday). Translation services are available for individuals whose primary language isn’t English.

Can you please explain the risks associated with frigid weather so we can get our teenager to dress sensibly this winter? Winter weather presents two big risks for anyone, regardless of age: Frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is a condition in which skin tissue will get cold enough to freeze. It’s most commonly seen when skin is exposed to brisk winter winds. Covering as much skin as possible is the best prevention. Frostbite of fingers and toes can also happen often if there isn’t adequate covering or good-fitting mittens, gloves or footwear. (Warming affected areas with warm water works best if frostbite occurs, though it can be painful.) Hypothermia is the second and more serious winter-related condition. This occurs when the core body temperature is lowered below the normal range, generally below 95 degrees. Risk factors include inadequate or wet clothing and staying outside too long on a very cold day. Dry, layered clothing is essential if you or your child will be outside for any length of time. A hat is one of the most important single pieces of winter wear for your child to have, due to the amount of body heat that goes out through the head and neck region. Unfortunately, a hat will often be one of the last things a teenager will want to be wearing in public. Shivering is the body’s way of trying to generate extra heat if it’s starting to get too cold. If your child starts shivering, the most important thing to do is to get him or her into a warmer environment as soon as possible. You can encourage a warm bath or warm shower, one of the fastest ways to warm up. Emergency medical care may be needed in some cases of frostbite and hypothermia. Dr. Peter Dehnel is a board-certified pediatrician and medical director with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Send questions to drdehnel@mnparent.com. This column is intended to provide general information only and not medical advice. Contact your health care provider with questions about your child.

Italian striped lemon Christmas cookies Recipe and photo by Terry John Zila 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened ¾ cup sugar 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1st batch: no food coloring* 2nd batch: ½ teaspoon red food coloring* 3rd batch: ½ teaspoon green food coloring* 1 large egg 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon extract 1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon of water for egg wash ¼ cup sanding sugar or decorating sugar (optional) Makes about 4 to 6 dozen cookies, depending on how large you make them. * Note: You’ll need to make this recipe three times; once as written without food coloring, once with green food coloring and once with red food coloring. Cream together the softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until fluffy. (This would be the time where you would add the food coloring for the 2nd and 3rd batches.)

Chill each dough, still layered in waxed paper, until firm, about 30 minutes.

PRO TIP To create vibrant red (not pink) and dark green (not mint green) color in your cookies, use soft gel paste color instead of liquid food coloring. See americolorcorp.com or amazon.com.

Whisk together salt and flour in a small bowl, then add it to the butter-sugar mixture gradually, mixing on low speed.

Lay the white dough on a cutting board and peel off the top sheet of wax paper. Brush it lightly with egg wash. Remove one sheet of waxed paper from the green dough. Invert the green dough on top of the white dough, then peel off the waxed paper and brush it with egg wash. Repeat with the red dough.

Add water, a few drops at a time, if the dough is dry, but only until the dough starts to come away from the sides of the bowl.

Wrap the combined doughs in plastic wrap and chill thoroughly, about an hour.

Scrape the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and top with another piece of wrap. Press the dough into a thick flat disc and wrap tightly.

Preheat the oven to 350. Place two oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven.

Repeat the above steps twice more so you have three batches of dough, each in a different color.

Unwrap the dough and cut it into ¼-inch-thick, 4-inch-long slices, trimming off any uneven edges. Place the slices on parchmentlined baking sheets about an inch apart.

Add the egg, lemon zest, vanilla extract and lemon extract and beat until blended.

Refrigerate dough discs for 2 to 3 hours (or overnight). (If you’re chilling overnight, let the dough warm up for about 60 minutes before the next step.)

Sprinkle the cookies with sanding sugar, if desired. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies just begin to brown.

Roll out each of the three doughs separately between sheets of waxed paper to a thickness of 1/4 inch.

Local chef and culinary instructor Terry John Zila teaches cooking classes throughout the Twin Cities. See Zila demonstrate this recipe on KARE 11 TV at tinyurl.com/stripecookies.

18 December 2014 • mnparent.com

Jennifer

Wizbowski

Tween phone woes

have a picture of my son excitedly holding a small box that had arrived in the mail. It was taken just weeks before he started middle school. In it, his ecstatic expression says it all: I have arrived. I am among the elite. I have a phone. A few months into the school year, he realized: As exciting as it was to pull it out and text amongst the other tween masses, it was just a phone — a Pantech, which enabled him to text and call and not much else. About a year ago, my husband and I realized our iPhones were up for renewal and, like a lot of families do, we traded up, passing our old iPhones down to both of our kids, our 10-year-old daughter included. They were both thrilled (and the Pantech quickly became a thing of the past). Yes, I was uneasy at the thought of handing a 10-year-old a phone. But after a recent move to a new state, where we didn’t know anyone, I needed the assurance of us being able to reach one another. We chose not to give either of them Internet access: They could text, they could purchase gaming apps and music (with our permission) and they could Instagram. When all else failed, they could make a phone call.

Parenting ‘digital natives’ At a recent church service, our pastor talked about the difference between digital immigrants (those born before 1980) and digital natives (those born after 1980). I could readily identify with his terminology. I’m doing my best to make a digital playbook for our family, but it’s new territory for me. As parents,

20 December 2014 • mnparent.com

we’re digital immigrants trying to control digital natives. They have the lingo down; they have a better grasp on how to adapt quickly to its updates and changes. Quite simply, our kids adapt naturally because they’ve always lived in a world where technology was available to them.

Breaking new ground While I manage with phone basics, some things still don’t come naturally. I have to look things up (and hope I can easily keep up with every iOS update). How many times have I handed my phone over to my daughter when I was too impatient to figure it out and she was too impatient to watch me struggle through it? But as a parent, I’m responsible for teaching her how to use this thing properly. As a digital immigrant, I didn’t have the privilege of watching my parents manage these kinds of digital expectations. We’re groundbreakers, hammering this path out ourselves. We make the rules as we meet new challenges. The difficult part is balancing our use of technology, so these rules make sense.

I’m doing my best to make a digital playbook for our family, but it’s new territory for me.

Creating house rules How do we handle it? To start with, we don’t allow phones or iPads at the dining table or at bedtime. This goes for us parents, too. We all get to enjoy each other — and a real conversation — over a meal. Experts recommend no technology an hour before bedtime to produce a more restful night. In our house, all the gadgets are plugged in 30 minutes before bedtime in the kitchen — and if the kids forget to follow this rule they can’t use their phones the next day. This is important because I’ve noticed the text threads my kids are a part of go well into the middle of the night. Both my kids know we can and will pick their phones up at random to read their conversations and see what they’re posting. (We usually do this when they’re in bed.) I always tell my son: Whatever you type, pretend your dad is reading it, along with your friend’s dad on the other side.

Contracts, advice and apps If it seems difficult to start incorporating digital rules, consider creating a technology contract. Google “teen media contract” to find templates you can adapt to your needs. I recently attended a cybersafety course provided by our local school district. They gave a list of more than a dozen popular apps, games and social-media sites teens and tweens are using now — Snapchat, Reddit, Ask.fm, Kik, Tumblr, League of Legends, Wanelo, Yik Yak and Omegle. (There are many more!) They recommend researching these apps to see if you’re comfortable with them (you may not be). You can do this easily on a family-friendly website called Common Sense Media. Simply enter your child’s age and get advice and ratings on books, apps and movies. Best of all, there’s a smartphone app, so if your kiddo calls and asks about a PG-13 movie that you’re on the fence about, you’ll have help and advice right at your fingertips. Yes, technology may always be changing, improving itself — updating — but I am, too. Jennifer Wizbowski lives in Excelsior. Send comments, questions and story ideas to jwizbowski@mnparent.com. Walker Art Center MNP 1214 2-3page.indd 1

11/14/142014 10:03 AM mnparent.com • December 21

Eric

Braun

Avoiding tech-gift pitfalls

ne of the biggest sources of holiday stress, at least for me, is gift giving — especially when it comes to kids. As parents, we want to make our children happy, but we don’t want to spend a million dollars doing it. Many of us are also wary of overindulging our budding consumers. Shouldn’t our kids experience a healthy dose of disappointment to build character? And, hey, speaking of overindulging them, is this the year we ask the grandparents to cut back a little? Complicating matters is the issue of technology. If you’re considering a high-tech gift for your kids (or for the kids of a friend or relative), you have a lot to think about: Not only do you have to make a good match in terms of your budget and the child’s age, interests and abilities, but you also have to consider the family’s values. Gaming systems, tablet computers, smartphones and other devices can make all sorts of changes to a family’s culture. You’re not only giving the gift of entertainment, you’re also giving access to the sprawling online world — not to mention a big, fat time-sucker. You’re also giving a potential money-sucker. Devices and games often come with future expenses such as batteries, accessories or more games. And when kids are online, money can find many ways to flit off into cyberspace. If you’re giving tech this year, check out the reviews for the product you’re considering on Common Sense Media. This huge, unbiased, free online database contains reviews of apps and games (as well as movies, books, TV shows, websites, music and other media). I really like its realistic focus: They know kids watch a lot of screens, and they’re not schoolmarms

Learn how to prevent child identify theft at mnparent.com/childidtheft

22 December 2014 • mnparent.com

about it. They want you to make the smartest decisions you can, given that reality. Another good online resource is the Children’s Technology Review. After you give a tech gift, consider your job as gift-giver only halfway finished. Take this opportunity to educate your child about financial responsibility. Here are a few smart-money tips for tech gifting: It’s real money: Although you’ll safeguard your child’s device so she can’t click and spend without your permission, it’s still smart to talk about online spending. Even experienced consumers find it all too easy to spend carelessly online. You can download music, rent a movie and buy a pair of shoes all with a simple keystroke: Click, and the money’s gone. Teach them to weigh their decisions as carefully as they would if they were spending cash. Beware of zombie brains: Do the same with in-app purchases. It’s not always clear to kids that those extra zombie brains (for instance) cost real money. Educate kids not to click anything that says “buy,” “purchase”

or “rent” without your permission, or you just might get a bill for $90 worth of zombie brains you didn’t order. Avoid prepay pitfalls: Another potential problem is preloaded money in the iTunes store, Google Marketplace or elsewhere. This is real money, too, and their spending decisions should be made accordingly. When the prepaid money runs out, make sure any overage isn’t going onto your credit card.

Manage data usage: If the gift is a smartphone, be sure kids understand limits on minutes and data usage. Teach them to limit data usage to times when they’re on wi-fi as opposed to a data network (though most carriers will alert you if you’re close to going over your limit). One of my sons streamed John Green videos through most of a three-hour car ride, but thankfully I got a text from the provider when we neared our limit. Prevent fraud: If kids will be going

online, teach them about the risks of fraud and child identity theft. While the concept of damaged credit may be oblique to a kid, everyone who goes online needs to know not to share passwords with anyone besides a parent (no, not even a BFF). Kids should change their passwords often, and they should never give out personal information online — not even their name — to anyone asking for it without an adult to help them make sure it’s safe. Even if your child accidentally orders 10 American Girl dolls, there’s a lot more to love about technology than there is to fear. Our kids will almost certainly need to be deft with tech when they hit the job market down the road, so building these smart skills now is wise, despite the risks. Eric Braun is a Minneapolis-based writer, editor and dad of two boys. He’s currently working on a financial literacy book for young readers. Learn more about his other published works at heyericbraun.com. Send comments or questions to ebraun@mnparent.com.

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call 1-877-338-4646

LEGOS YOU CAN LET GO Do you shudder a little when you buy your LEGO-loving kid yet-another set? Sure, they’re absolutely worth the cost, but they (and the cost) pile up fast. Solution: Rent LEGOs! Pley — a new monthly subscription service — is the Netflix of LEGOs (or Netbricks, you might say). You choose a set; they ship it; you build it, break it apart and send it back (free shipping labels are included). Sets are sanitized between users. It’s OK if you lose a few pieces, but you have to keep them separate from other LEGOs to avoid confusion. $15 to $39/month pley.com

A BALANCE BIKE FOR WINTER FirstBIKE, like any good balance bike, helps kids develop balance and eventually transition to a pedal bike. But this super-sturdy bike also features a rear-drum brake, a steering limiter, mud guards, sealed bearings and — perhaps most interestingly — a MonoSki attachment, allowing kids to transition “seamlessly from sun to snow.” It’s recommended for ages 22 months to 5 years. $129.99 $39.99 for MonoSki attachment firstbike.us

TIGGLY APPS Manipulating physical objects is essential to early childhood development — yes, even when the kids in question are using digital apps. So goes the mantra of Tiggly, the makers of interactive toys for tablets — including Shapes for toddlers and math-focused Counts for ages 3 to 6. Minnesota Parent’s 6-year-old toy tester tried both sets with Tiggly’s latest free apps and gave the entire experience an “Awesome!” rating. Shopping local? You can buy the toys at Pacifier in downtown Minneapolis (pacifier.me). Find the apps at itunes.apple.com. Android versions are coming soon. $29.95/set tiggly.com

24 December 2014 • mnparent.com

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GUILT-FREE COOKIES It’s inevitable. Christmas cookies, candies and other desserts are about to infiltrate your child’s diet — or try very hard to! But no matter how far off the deep end of indulgence you and your little ones fall this holiday season, you eventually have to get back to “normal” — and dial back the sugar. But instead of switching to carrot sticks on Jan. 1, check out Dick & Jane Smart Educational Snacks. They’re nut-free, low in sugar (5 grams per serving), made with whole grain wheat flour and contain 2 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per serving (delightfully high as cookies go). Are they as tasty as spritz cookies? Nope. But our Minnesota Parent test kids couldn’t get enough of them, maybe because of their educational content — U.S. presidents, English-Spanish translations and states and capitals. Buy them at Amazon.com and some Whole Foods Market locations. $2.99/8-ounce box dickandjanebakingco.com

GOODBYE, STAINED, SMELLY CONTAINERS Some things — thermoses, travel mugs and even some water bottles — just don’t get clean in the dishwasher (or even in the sink with scrubbing). Bottle Bright tablets can clean even the nastiest of containers in minutes with amazing results, thanks to a bleach-free, certifiednatural formula. You can even use them to clean caps lids, straws and hydration packs. $7.99/10 tablets cleanethics.com

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HOLIDAY FUN! By Sarah Dorison

Are you looking for cool new books to give as holiday gifts? Check out these gems, including a three-book giveaway just in time for the Christmas! Up next: What’s your favorite wintertime storybook for kids? Write us at editor@mnparent.com (include your full name, city, your favorite winter book and why you like it). Happy holidays!

Margaret Wise Brown trio Brown, the prolific writer best known for Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, is the author behind three new children’s books. Forty years after her untimely death in 1952 at age 42, dozens of Brown’s unpublished writings were found preserved in the attic of a Vermont barn belonging to her sister. This discovery brought to light dozens of books and stories. Many of them are just now seeing the light of day, including One More Rabbit and The Noon Balloon and an adorable holiday book, Jingle Paws. By Margaret Wise Brown One More Rabbit illustrated by Emma Levey, The Noon Balloon illustrated by Lorena Alvarez, Jingle Paws illustrated by Alessandra Psacharopulo $7.99 each

GIVE AWAY

How would you like to win all three of these new fun, beautifully illustrated books? Email us at editor@mnparent.com and tell us a bit about your favorite children’s book. To be eligible to win, include your full name and city. We’ll choose a winner on Dec. 10 and ship the books as soon as possible.

26 December 2014 • mnparent.com

The Winter Train “Choo! Choo!” The Winter Train is arriving! Winter is drawing near and the forest animals must catch a train to get to warmer lands. Their trip goes smoothly, until one passenger suddenly yells: “We’ve forgotten Squirrel! We’ve got to go back and find her!” We love the artful illustrations of this warm, kind-hearted book with its subtle lessons of friendship, teamwork and solidarity. Warning: Your Minnesota child may ask, after reading this book: Why can’t we take a train to someplace warm? By Susanna Isern Illustrated by Ester Garcia $16.95

The Night Before Christmas Wow, just wow! Illustrator-author Barbara Reid takes the classic holiday text written by Clement C. Moore and turns it on its head. Instead of people playing the characters in the story, however, it’s a rambunctious family of mice (who were, in fact, “stirring”), including a Santa mouse. And it’s all fantastically illustrated in intricately textured plasticine, an oil-based modeling clay. The effect is rich holiday scenes that seem to jump from the pages. Written and illustrated by Barbara Reid $16.99

Girls age 8 to 16 work on self-directed computer coding projects once a month as part of a series of girls-only coding classes held at St. Catherine University in St. Paul.

28 December 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ mnparent.com

{no.more} _boys_club St. Kate’s and Code Savvy partner to create a girls-only computer-coding haven for ages 8 to 16 </by Amy Sutton>

<p> </p> your eyes for a few seconds and picture a computer programmer or coder. Odds are high you just pictured a man in the role, maybe even a loner or a geek. And it isn’t just adults who share in this preconceived notion. Children do, too, including young girls, which only feeds the stereotype. Women make up only 18 percent of our nation’s computerscience majors at the college level, down even from past decades, according to the National Center for Women & Information Technology. But thanks to the administrators at St. Catherine University in St. Paul — and a Minnesota-based not-for-profit group known as Code Savvy — that may change. Earlier this year St. Kate’s National Center for STEM Elementary Education hosted its first Katie CoderDojo, a free, monthly, girls-only coding class for ages 8 to 16.

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{no.more}_boys_club Classes last about two hours and are facilitated by computer-savvy volunteers, including some men. “Girls make fun, playful apps that are easy to use,” said Patty Born Selly, executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education. “We see this as a very important way to help introduce girls to the field of computer science, to help them develop mathematical and analytical thinking skills, and to have fun learning something new. We wanted to do some outreach around girls and technology because that is a field where girls are especially unrepresented.”

<Girls-only haven> So how does Katie CoderDojo stir girls’ interest in computer science? They get them onto computers and having fun with coding before a boys-club mentality has a chance to solidify. Instruction in the program includes a mix of mentoring and peer-to-peer learning. “It’s less intimidating for girls to ask girls for help,” Born Selly said, adding that female students seem to be more confident in their abilities and less selfconscious when in an all-girls learning atmosphere. St. Kate’s university environment — the nation’s largest undergraduate college for women — has proven attractive to attendees, too. “Our sessions fill up within hours of registration opening,” Born Selly said. “Many of our attendees are first-timers, but we also get a lot of returning girls who want to build their skill base.” Each session has space for about 50 girls. More sessions may be added in 2015 if interest stays strong, Born Selly said.

<AppInventor and Scratch> Most participants have little to no coding experience. Girls learn using two programs geared toward younger users: There’s Scratch — for first timers and those who want a simpler interface (scratch.mit.edu) — and AppInventor — for those who’ve outgrown Scratch or want to try something more advanced (appinventor.mit.edu). Both programs are free and can be downloaded to any computer for further experimentation outside of class. Girls are given basic instructions and then set free

30 December 2014 • mnparent.com

Girls in Katie CoderDojo classes use software such as Scratch and AppInventor to write code.

/LEARN MORE/ Code Savvy: This Minnesota not-for-profit organization offers not just classes for girls (Katie CoderDojo), but a wide variety of coed programming, including clubs, camps and classes for kids and teens, plus workshops for educators, all designed to eliminate gender and socioeconomic barriers to computer science. Learn more at codesavvy.org. STEM: STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. The National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University works to improve teacher effectiveness, advance student performance, strengthen STEM literacy and increase individual candidate appeal in competitive job markets. See stem.stkate.edu for more information. Women and technology: Learn about the need for girls and women in the technology at the National Center for Women and Information Technology at ncwit.org.

Mentors with coding experience are on hand during classes to help girls develop games and more.

to figure things out for themselves with the mentors standing by, ready to help when they hit a snag or need inspiration.

/ATTEND A CLASS/

What: Katie CoderDojo is a place for girls and young women ages 8 to 16 to explore computer programming and digital creativity.

During a recent Katie CoderDojo, 8-year-old Mackenzie Cave from St. Paul worked diligently on building a computer game — a maze game featuring a ballerina sprite — while her sister offered suggestions. The goal of their game? As the sprite pirouettes across the screen, the player must maneuver her deftly to avoid hitting objects. Taking turns at the mouse and keyboard, the sisters attempted to solve the problem of making the sprite move a set distance for every time an arrow key was pressed. Next to them, 10-year-old Lorelei Walker of Minneapolis worked the entire session on a keepaway game she’s creating with a Halloween theme. “Don’t let the witch touch you,” she warned mentor Chris Ross, who tested her creation at the end of the session. “There’s no possible way to win so far,” Lorelei admitted with a laugh. “I haven’t figured out how to make them move while they jump.” “Well it’s new,” Ross replied, grinning, adding: “You’ve just set the difficulty extremely high.” Lorelei will be back next month to continue working on her Scratch creation.

When: 2 to 4 p.m. on various Sundays. The next class is Dec. 14. (Registration opens Nov. 25.) Where: St. Catherine University, St. Paul. Cost: FREE Info: See stem.stkate.edu or codesavvy.org/p/katie-coderdojo.html

<The positive effects> Anakka Heitkamp, a 10-year-old from Chaska, has been to three Katie CoderDojo sessions. Thanks to her experiences in the classes, she now feels more confident that she’ll do well in her technology classes at school. She also feels secure enough to offer advice to her friends when they get stuck on their own projects. But perhaps the most positive sign of how Katie CoderDojo can help young girls see themselves as equals in the technology field came during a conversation with Anakka and her mother, Sara Heitkamp, about meeting a female videogame programmer in Germany. Anakka brings up the comments made a few months ago by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about women in the computing field not needing to ask for raises. Her opinion?

Girls-only coding classes stared in early 2014 and have continued because of steady demand.

Not only should women be in the technology field, but they should also get equal pay. “It doesn’t matter what gender you are,” she said. “Girls can do the same work, the same amount of work as boys. I think girls should get paid the same.” Now that’s some awfully mature wisdom for a 10-year-old — and just the kind of confidence Katie CoderDojo is working to create. Amy Sutton is a St. Paul-based freelance writer who will finish her degree in professional writing at Metropolitan State University this coming spring.

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Moe-Mama’s Must-Haves

EMBRACE THESE APPS! Every day a new app comes along, promising to make life better, easier or more fun. But they can’t all be that great. Luckily for us, we have Valerie Moe, Minnesota Parent’s tech-savvy mom blogger from Bloomington. She’s into apps — like really into apps — and recently she’s been sharing some of her favorites for parents and parents-to-be, too! All three of the apps mentioned here are available for iPhone, iPad and Android.

CVS / WALGREENS

WHAT TO EXPECT

DAILY CONNECT

Do you print photos at Walgreens or CVS? Do you and your family need a lot of prescriptions? You can make both processes a whole lot easier (and perhaps get some deals) by embracing one or both of these highly rated, truly powerful local pharmacy apps. Among the many streamlined benefits: You can submit photos right from your phone’s camera roll and get free same-day prints at any location you choose. Need frequent meds? Simply scan the barcode on your prescription to order a refill.

Recent improvements to this app have made it a go-to resource not just for pregnancy but also for parenting children up to almost 3 years old. Tailored-to-you daily tips and milestones include our favorite from the What to Expect books — the size of your baby in terms of fruits and veggies (a blueberry at 7 weeks)! You’ll also find oodles of articles relating to your baby or toddler, plus community forums, creating a virtual village at your fingertips. Bonus: Dads and caregivers can sign up for the app, too, for customized updates.

If you’re expecting, or have an infant, you need this app — the ultimate tracking tool not just for nursing, pumping and diapers during the first bleary-eyed months of your child’s life, but also for tracking medications, vaccines and more into toddlerhood and beyond. You can add additional caregivers to your child’s profile, so anyone you’ve included will know what’s going on with your little one. Many child-care centers use it, too!

cvs.com/mobile-cvs/apps • Free walgreens.com/mobile • Free

dailyconnect.com • $4.99

whattoexpect.com/mobile.aspx • Free

Read Moe’s complete blog posts on these apps — full of tons of information and helpful links — at mnparent.com/moe-mama.

32 December 2014 • mnparent.com

KIDS PLAY HERE WHEN SCHOOL’S OUT SCHOOL RELEASE DAY PROGRAM GRADES K–6

The YMCA is here to help families juggle daily life and that includes school release days. Bring your kids to the Y for fun filled days packed with exciting activities. Your child will enjoy theme-based small group activities geared toward individual interests and ages.

Winter Break Sample Activities:

. Bowling . Indoor Water Parks . Swimming . Sledding . Museums . Rollerskating . & MORE!

12-SAC06

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WHAT TEACHERS REALLY WANT FOR THE HOLIDAYS By Megan Devine

I WAS

was recently asked: What gifts do teachers really want for the holidays? I thought this would be a great opportunity to share some ideas based on my insights as both a primary schoolteacher and frugal mother of four who’s working to make sure gifts I purchase during this holiday season have both meaning and purpose. First of all, I must say: Teachers aren’t expecting gifts from their students around the holidays. But many parents — myself included — like to express their gratitude and support of their child’s teacher by giving a token of appreciation. In my own experiences, more often than not, well-intentioned gifts from students and their families come in the form of knick-knacks, ornaments or mugs that tend to accumulate after years of teaching. This is my 14th year of teaching in an elementary school and I think I could outfit a whole tree with all the school-themed ornaments I’ve received as gifts! This year, if you would like to give your child’s teacher a holiday gift, consider the following ideas:

GIFT CARDS Teachers spend a lot of their own money supplying and maintaining their classrooms year round. Gift cards are a perfect solution to help teachers purchase materials and supplies. Cards to stores such as Target, Walmart, Costco or Barnes & Noble can be used easily by classroom teachers. Gift cards to online merchants such as Amazon, iTunes and teacherspayteachers.com would be very practical as they’re go-to places for teachers seeking classroom resources. If your child attends a public school, your teacher may have a project request posted for their classroom at donorschoose.org, where you can make tax-deductible contributions toward projects organized by individual teachers.

SUPPLIES

TIME

If you want to give a more tangible gift, supplies such as crayons, markers, glue sticks and whiteboard markers often wear out or tend to run low mid-year — along with items such as hand sanitizer or extra snacks. With limited school budgets, classroom teachers often end up soaking up the expenses to replace these items when they run out.

A wonderful gift you may want to consider giving is the gift of your time and energy. Do you have some time to volunteer in your child’s classroom? This could be working directly with children during instructional time or volunteering your time to organize or label books in the classroom library. There may be opportunities to help from home, too: Preschool and elementary teachers spend a lot of valuable time cutting, stapling and tracing. You may have time to do some of these essential prep activities in your home if you can’t make it into the classroom to volunteer.

34 December 2014 • mnparent.com

MAKE IT PERSONAL If you’re thinking you want to get something special just for your child’s teacher, try to think of something personal. Do you know that your teacher frequents your local coffee shop? Is there a close sandwich shop or cafe he or she might sneak off to occasionally for lunch? If you’re the crafty type, you may want to make something: On Pinterest there are hundreds of fun and creative ideas for teacher-appreciation gifts to inspire you.

WARMTH Ask your child’s teacher: He or she might need some extra mittens, hats, socks or winter boots to outfit young children who often misplace these items during long, cold Minnesota winters. Or, your child’s teacher may have their eye on something special like a book, board game or supplies for a special activity or project. Ask your child: He or she may have some good ideas on what the teacher might want or need in the classroom.

NOTES Finally, kids can’t go wrong offering simple and genuine sentiments to their teachers. I think every teacher has a collection of special handwritten notes and pictures from students that would bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Again, know that teachers aren’t expecting gifts, but thoughtfulness and support are always appreciated. Always remember the greatest gift you can give your child’s teacher is your involvement and partnership in your child’s education. You as a parent are your child’s best teacher, and it’s a gift to us as educators that you share your young children with us each school day. Megan Devine lives with her husband and four kids in Northeastern Minnesota. She blogs at kidsandeggs.com.

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UNP FOR TH

HOLID

4 First Games This colorful and versatile Ravensburger collection includes four roll-andmove games for preschoolers. Tasty Bones, King of the Castle, The Bird’s Nest and Garden Party are ideal for introducing young children to boardgame play, including taking turns, color matching, concept matching and strategic thinking. Ages 3 to 8 • ravensburger.com • $25.99

Jenga This popular game requires dexterous movement, mental skill and luck! Players take turns removing a block from a tower of 54 wooden blocks and balancing it on top, creating a taller and increasingly unstable structure. Fun and excitement builds as the block tower gets higher. The game ends when the tower falls. If you’re looking for a twist on this modern classic, check out the many new versions such as Jenga Spider Man, Jenga Tetris (with angled pieces) and Jenga Space Invaders (black pieces featuring characters and commands). There’s also a supersize wood-block version known as Jenga Giant ($129) and 8-foot cardboard version called Jenga XXL ($279.99). Ages 6 and up • jenga.com • $11.99 and up

36 December 2014 • mnparent.com

Bananagrams This fun, portable and addictive letter-tile game can include up to eight players. Players draw 11 to 21 tiles (depending on the number of players) and then race against each other to build crossword grids that use all of their letter tiles. Parents and kids can easily modify the game to include younger children, and it’s easy to break out at home or on the go. To make the game even more interesting, Bananagrams now has a Wild Tiles version with six tiles that can be used as any letter.

PLUG HE

DAYS!

Ages 7 and up bananagrams.com $14.95

By Megan Devine Playing games is a fun way to unplug from our many electronic devices — and build a sense of connection as a family — especially over the holidays. Board games, stacking games and card games also provide educational opportunities for children to practice important social skills such as taking turns, self-control, communication and perseverance. Check out these quick, fun and awardwinning games for busy families with young children. (They’re also good holiday gift ideas!)

I Never Forget a Face In this delightful version of a classic memory game, children match faces of 24 children from around the world. In the process, they can learn about different countries, cultures and traditions. It’s a well-made game that includes vivid illustrations that are captivating for young children. Ages 5 and up • eeboo.com • $15.95

Uno Though recommended for ages 7 and older, this family-oriented card can be adapted for children as young as 4 years old and as many as 10 players. Players work to play all their cards by matching the number, type or color of cards in their hand. When a player has only one card left, he or she yells, “Uno!” Once a player gets rid of all of his or her cards, he or she is declared the winner of the round. Uno cards are available in a variety of themes including holiday, Disney princess, Spiderman, Thomas and Friends and more for added engagement of younger kids. Ages 7 and up • mattel.com • $7.99 and up

Megan Devine is an elementary school teacher who lives with her husband and four children in Northeastern Minnesota. She blogs at kidsandeggs.com.

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AWESOME

APPS

FOR YOUNG KIDS

Not sure what apps to try? Check out these engaging, fun, teacher-recommended games geared toward early learning! By Megan Devine

Our children are growing up in a fast-paced world. We as parents are forging new territory with our responsibilities to monitor and screen our children’s exposure to electronic media and content. It can be a time-consuming challenge to navigate the wealth of information and resources available for our children, especially when selecting age-appropriate apps, which are evolving and developing each day! There are thousands of free educational apps marketed to young children, but some offer a limited experience or can be distracting with pop-ups and advertisements. Content and quality can vary greatly, too. As an educator and mother, I work to make intentional choices with the tools I use to facilitate learning. I offer you these kid-tested and teacher-mama approved apps that are both educational, developmentally appropriate and engaging for young children.

MatchBlitz is a multi-player game that helps players practice concentration. The object of this game is to quickly tap matching images that appear on each player’s side of the screen. It starts easy and gets progressively more complicated. The first player to get 10 matches wins. Games are short — ideal for preschool attention spans. It can be played in practice mode alone or in game mode with up to four players. iPad getshinythings.com 99 cents

38 December 2014 • mnparent.com

Endless Alphabet lives up to its five-star rating. It’s a fun game for preschoolers to play while learning letters, sounds and new vocabulary. You’ll hear your child giggling as he or she creates words with friendly letter-monsters. This app is self-paced, easy to use and engaging. iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire and Apps for Windows originatorkids.com $6.99

Bugs and Buttons is a collection of 18 games for preschool and early elementaryaged children. Kids are drawn into the experience of interacting with the realistic images of bugs. The difficulty of the games and puzzles increases with play. Children get to practice early literacy and math skills, such as letter recognition, alphabetical order, counting, patterns, sequencing, sorting and grouping. iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook and Apps for Windows littlebitstudio.com $2.99

Alpha Tots is an award-winning interactive alphabet game for preschoolers. Children are introduced to letter names and sounds through play. There are 26 fun mini games that keep little ones entertained while they’re practicing essential skills. iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook spinlight.com $2.99

Rory’s Story Cubes is a mobile version of the award-winning dice game of the same name. You shake your device to roll nine virtual dice with simple pictures on them. Players use their imaginations to create stories in connection with the images on the dice. It’s a wonderful storytelling activity that nurtures creativity and imagination — a fun alternative to reading. iPhone, iPad and Android storycubes.com/apps $1.99

Is your young child getting too much tech? Go to mnparent.com/techbrain to find out! Stages Theatre MNP 1114 S3.indd 1

10/20/142014 10:44 AM mnparent.com • December 39

Out About

mnparent.com/calendar

Nature Play Club PARENT PICK

Î Unplug and enjoy nature-inspired games, crafts and the chance to see and touch nature objects and live animals at this program for ages 2 to 8 accompanied by an adult.

Ice Castle Î Explore an acre of spectacular handcrafted ice architecture embedded with LED lights.

When: 10 a.m.–noon Dec. 6 Where: Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington Cost: $5 per child. Reservations recommended. Info: threeriversparks.org or 763-694-7676

When: Dec. 26–March 2015, weather permitting Where: Miller Park, Eden Prairie Cost: $9.95 Monday–Thursday, $11.95 Friday–Sunday. Rates for ages 4–11 are $7.95 Monday– Thursday, $9.95 Friday–Sunday. Info: icecastles.com

Build a Birdfeeder Î Use reclaimed cedar fencing to construct a birdfeeder and learn about native winter birds that live in Minnesota through the cold months. When: 10–11 a.m. and 11 a.m.–noon Dec. 6 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: $5 per birdfeeder. Pre-register online. Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

DEC. 7 AND 14 DEC. 2 AND 16

DEC. 6

Sundays at the Landmark

Nature Adventurers

Grand Meander

Î Explore a new nature topic each visit with stories, crafts, hands-on activities, snacks and outdoor-discovery time for children ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult.

Î Thirty blocks of Grand Avenue will celebrate this expansive holiday tradition. Visitors can see reindeer, enjoy a breakfast with Santa, ride on a fire truck and enjoy a variety of holiday activities.

Î St. Paul’s Landmark Center hosts a variety of free heritage festivals, musical performances and holiday celebrations between September and May, including From Pearl Harbor to Peace on Dec. 7 and Santa’s Workshop on Dec. 14.

When: 10–11:30 a.m. Dec. 2 and 16 Where: Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield Cost: $8 per child. Pre-payment is required. Info: tinyurl.com/natureadventurers or 612-861-9365

DEC. 3 Family Clay for Grandparent and Child Î Participate in a range of clay projects exploring the patterns and textures of nature. When: 10–11:30 a.m. or 5:30–7 p.m. Dec. 3 Where: Silverwood Park, St. Anthony Cost: $18. Reservations required. Info: threeriversparks.org or 763-694-7707

40 December 2014 • mnparent.com

When: 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Dec. 6 Where: Grand Avenue, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: grandave.com

Drop-In Discovery Stations Î These family-friendly programs offer participants chances to see live animals, touch artifacts and sample treats. This month’s topic is Owls Up Close. When: 10 a.m.–noon Dec. 6 Where: Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Township Cost: FREE Info: parks.co.ramsey.mn.us/tamarack or 651-407-5350

When: 1 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: landmarkcenter.org or 651-292-3225

DEC. 9 Ballet Tuesday Î Join the St. Paul Ballet as they perform excerpts from their upcoming performances. Children are invited to join them for a dance after the demonstration. When: Second Tuesdays of each month, noon–1 p.m. Dec. 9 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: landmarkcenter.org or 651-292-3225

Out About PARENT PICK

Family Day at the MIA ÎÎCreate your own wearable art as part of this family craft day inspired by the current MIA exhibit Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945. When: 11 a.m. Dec. 14 Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: artsmia.org or 612-870-3000

DEC. 9 Animal Tracking ÎÎStudents in grades K–5 can take advantage of the winter snow to track the movements of animals with Twin Cities Environmental Education Consulting. When: 2–3 p.m. Dec. 9 Where: Environmental Nature Area, Brooklyn Park Cost: $10 per student Info: tceec.weebly.com

DEC. 13 Christmas Bird Count ÎÎBirders of all ages and skill levels are invited to look for winter birds and report

the numbers to the National Audubon Society in a gesture of citizen science, organized by Twin Cities Environmental Education Consulting. When: 9:30–11:30 a.m. Dec. 13 Where: Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Brooklyn Park Cost: $15 per family. Bring binoculars. Info: tceec.weebly.com

DEC. 19 Family Fire & Ice Skate Night ÎÎEnjoy an evening skate, complete with hot cocoa, popcorn and a fire pit for warming up and roasting s’mores. When: 6–8 p.m. Dec. 19

PARENT PICK

Cirque du Soleil presents Varekai ÎÎThe renowned circus-arts group takes audiences to a magical forest at the summit of a volcano, full of high-flying gymnastics, bright costumes and breathtaking acrobatics. When: Dec. 25–28 Where: Target Center, Minneapolis Cost: $40–$100 Info: cirquedusoleil.com/varekai or 888-929-7849

42 December 2014 • mnparent.com

Where: Windom Northeast Park Skate Rink, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: tinyurl.com/mplsparksevents or 612-370-4905

DEC. 20 Dog Tales ÎÎEncourage a love of reading at this event, featuring a dog from the Pals on Paws chapter of Therapy Dogs International. When: 10–11 a.m. Dec. 20 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

mnparent.com/calendar

Live Animals Î Ages 3 and older accompanied by an adult can touch a snake, a toad and a salamander — and watch as these creatures enjoy a snack. When: 1–2:15 p.m. Dec. 20 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: FREE Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

DEC. 27 Snow Flake Wonders Î Create paper snowflake decorations as part of this all-ages, drop-in program. Learn how snowflakes are formed and get an upclose look at preserved flakes in a microcam. When: 1–3 p.m. Dec. 27 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: FREE Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

DEC. 30 Let It Snow Puppet Show Î Wild-animal puppets lead this show full of laughs and songs, teaching children ages 3 to 8 about how they can survive in winter weather. When: 10:30 a.m. Dec. 30 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: $5 per child. Pre-register online. Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

Want more? Visit us online! Find out about even more local events! Check out Minnesota Parent’s easy-to-navigate online Out&About calendar at mnparent.com/calendar. Just click on the day you have free and find things to do. Have an event coming up? Send all the details (and photos) to calendar@mnparent.com at least six weeks in advance.

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4/14/142014 12:50 PM mnparent.com • December 43

Holiday PARENT PICK

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Santa’s Top Secret Toys Î Each year at Bachman’s, Santa and his elf friend Albert put on short shows (performances at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.) for families and children on the weekends, including a carol sing-a-long and a photo opportunity. When: Weekends through Dec. 21, special performance Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. Where: Bachman’s, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: bachmans.com or 612-861-7311

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Macy’s Santaland Î Meet Santa for a chat and a photo after perusing the animated display telling the story of Santa’s elves and their Christmas preparations.

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When: Through Dec. 24 Where: Macy’s, downtown Minneapolis Cost: Free entry; photo packages range from $13.99 to $39.99. Info: macys.com

The Cremation Society™ of Minnesota “We are Minnesota’s Cremation Specialist” Serving the entire state of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Owned and Operated by the Waterston Family.

www.cremationsocietyofmn.com 44 December 2014 • mnparent.com Cremation Society MNP 1113 NR2-Urn V6.indd 1

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Holiday Lights in the Park Î The St. Paul chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association and the Saint Paul Police Foundation present a holiday event with more than 60 light

sculptures and animated displays to benefit the Union Gospel Mission, the Saint Paul Police Foundation and the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy. When: 5:30–10 p.m. through Jan. 1 Where: Phalen Park, St. Paul Cost: $10 per vehicle Info: lightsinthepark.org

Tomte’s Bakeshop Î Join Tomte the elf in his bakeshop to make something sweet and seasonal. When: Through Jan. 11 Where: American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Cost: Museum admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children and students and free for children

Supporting organizations that provide all aspects of support, resources, opportunities and outreach programs to children and families.

mnparent.com/calendar

95% of all proceeds go to charities we support

ages 5 and younger. Info: asimn.org or 612-871-4907

Go online to donate jimandjudefoundation.com

Dec. 4–21

Join us at our annual events:

The Chanukah Guest Î Find out what happens when an unexpected visitor shows up at Bubba Brayna’s kitchen, lured by the smell of potato latkes. This play, based on the book of the same name, is for families with children ages 3 and older and is presented by the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company.

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When: Dec. 4–21 Where: Hillcrest Center Theater, St. Paul Cost: $17 Info: mnjewishtheare.org or 651-647-4315

Dec. 4–6 36th Annual Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar Î Browse 75 booths of handcrafted gift items from local artisans, including jewelry, wreaths, paintings, lotions and soaps. Enjoy live music and treats while you shop. When: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Dec. 4–5, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Dec. 6 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: $4, free for ages 12 and younger Info: landmarkcenter.org

Dec. 5–7

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In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre

Being a Ghost Story Î Using elements from Victorian Theater, the Powderhorn Theatre Arts group will perform its take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, incorporating a mummer’s play, holiday music and puppets. When: 7 p.m. Dec. 5–6 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6–7 Where: Powderhorn Park Recreation Center, Minneapolis Cost: Entry is free with a non-perishable food donation. Info: tinyurl.com/powderhornpark or 612-370-4960

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Holiday Calendar Dec. 6 Make a Gingerbread House Î Families can create their own sweet homes at this special event. Supplies are provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. When: 1–4 p.m. Dec 6 Where: Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, Minneapolis Cost: $7 per house Info: threeriversparks.org or 763-694-7693

Chowgirls Brunch with Santa Î This family-friendly brunch features a diverse menu, kiddie cocktails and hot cocoa for kids, plus mimosas and hot toddies from the cash bar for adults. Santa will be available for photos and guests can enjoy live music from Stephanie Huss. When: 10–11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Dec. 6 Where: Chowgirls Parlor, Minneapolis Cost: $17.50 per family. Admission includes food, non-alcoholic drinks and a photo session. Info: chowgirlssantabrunch. eventbrite.com

Dec. 6–21 happy babies. happy moms. 1560 Selby Ave St. Paul, MN 55104

Holidazzle Village Î Enjoy a wealth of holiday activities and spectacles with the European-style Minneapolis Holiday Market ($3–$6

season pass) and opportunities for shopping from local and international vendors. Free activities include live reindeer, a carousel, skating rink and holiday characters. When: Weekends in December from 3–8 p.m. The Market is open 11 a.m.–9 p.m. through Dec. 24. Where: Nicollet Mall between 10th and 12th streets Cost: FREE for the Holidazzle Village, $3–$6 for Holiday Market season pass Info: holidazzle.com or minneapolisholidaymarket.com

42nd Annual Folkways of the Holidays Î Learn the traditions of 19th century Minnesotans with folk art performances, a horse-drawn trolley and a tour of homes at this 88-acre living-history museum. There are special events and themes each weekend. When: Opens at 10 a.m., last admission at 3 p.m. Dec. 6–7, 13–14, 20–21 Where: The Landing, Shakopee Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for ages 2–17 and seniors Info: threeriversparks.org or 763-694-7784

Dec. 17–18 Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas Î Electroluminescent wires attached to

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PARENT PICK I need a remodeler I can trust.

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Visit narimn.org or call 612-332-6274 to find a NARI-certified professional for your next remodeling project or to become a NARI member. The NARI logo is a registered trademark of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. ©2008 NARI of Minnesota.

46 December 2014 • mnparent.com NARI MNP 2011 NR2 12.indd 1

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La Natividad Î This unique bilingual production of the Nativity story — inspired by the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas — combines handmade life-size puppets, street theatre, audience participation and a torch-lit procession. When: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 13–14 and 18–21 Where: Beginning at In the Heart of the Beast Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $16–$22 Info: hobt.org or 612-721-2535

mnparent.com/calendar puppets make for an eye-catching holiday show, following a young bird swept to the North Pole during a snowstorm. When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17–18 Where: Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts, Minneapolis Cost: $33.50/$43.50 Info: thecowlescenter.org or 612-206-3600

Dec. 21 Winter Solstice Celebration ÎÎEnjoy music, creative thinking, dancing, stories, food and laughter inspired by European traditions. When: 4–6 p.m. Dec. 21 Where: Center for Performing Arts, Minneapolis Cost: $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 for children Info: wisdomdances.com

Dec. 26–27 Julglädje! ÎÎThis musical variety show for the whole family features Swedish and American holiday songs — perfect for dancing and singing along. Children can make holiday crafts between performances. When: 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 26–27 Where: American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Cost: Free with museum admission ($9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children and students and free for children ages 5 and younger) Info: asimn.org or 612-871-4907

Dec. 27 Kwanzaa Family Day ÎÎCelebrate family, community and culture for Kwanzaa with music, African dance, drumming, storytelling, fashion shows and craft activities. When: Noon–4 p.m. Dec. 27 Where: Minnesota History Center, St. Paul Cost: Free with museum admission ($11 for adults, $9 for seniors, students and active military, $6 for children and free for Minnetonka Public Schools MNP 1214 S3.indd 1

11/18/14 2:11 PM mnparent.com • December 2014 47

Holiday Calendar ages 5 and younger) Info: mnhs.org or 651-259-3000

Dec. 31 Rockin’ New Year’s Afternoon

mnparent.com/calendar

New Year’s Party

Dec. 31–Jan. 1

Î Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities, treats, crafts, games and music to celebrate the New Year. This event is recommended for families with children ages 3 to 10. Guests can also participate in a glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt and roast hotdogs on the campfire.

Noon Year’s Party

Î Celebrate the New Year’s Eve at a reasonable hour with this family-friendly variety show presented by Comedy Suitcase. When: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 31 Where: Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis Cost: $12 in advance, $14 at the door, $8 for ages 12 and younger Info: bryantlakebowl.com or 612-825-8949

Î The zoo hosts two celebrations of the New Year at family-friendly times with entertainment by KidsDance, craftmaking opportunities, animal activities and giveaways.

When: 6–8 p.m. Dec. 31 Where: Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood Cost: $15 per family. Register online by Dec. 30. Info: maplewoodnaturecenter.com or 651-249-2170

When: 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Dec. 31–Jan. 1 Where: Como Zoo Park and Conservatory, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: comoozooconservatory.org

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From our readers

Snow days

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

WHERE DO YOU GO FOR OUTDOOR WINTER FUN? Parkview Elementary in Roseville has amazing sledding hills, also Polar Lakes Park in White Bear Township. — Liz Okuku, Hugo

Staring Lake Park in Eden Prairie, best sledding hill and ice skating, plus an outdoor/indoor ﬁreplace! — Heidi Baham, Eden Prairie

We love the Winter Carnival festivities in St. Paul! — Becca O’Brien Moser, Savage

Addison and Evelyn Heidenreich, ages 3 and 17 months, from North St. Paul, are getting excited to see Santa! PHOTO BY KELLY GREENWALT / THE SILVER BLOSSOM PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO / THESILVERBLOSSOM.CARBONMADE.COM

Rice Lake Elementary School in Maple Grove has a perfect hill for sledding!

— Danielle Strege, Big Lake

Elm Creek Park tubing or Eastman Nature Center for snowshoeing, both in Maple Grove! — Genna Haddad, Rogers

Theo Wirth Park in Minneapolis for snow tubing! The towrope going up is just as fun as sliding down! — Sara Boulger Malloy, Fridley

Our favorite is Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley. We love how they celebrate outdoors with kids’ activities, even in winter. — Julie Nelson, Columbia Heights

Maria Ries, 19 months, of Inver Grove Heights, enjoyed a sweet snack at Krueger’s Christmas Tree Farm in Lake Elmo.

Kalynn Wendt holds her 12-day-old twins, Ophelia and Hollis, whose September birth turned her Lakeville family of five into a family of seven. PHOTO BY KALYNN KAY PHOTOGRAPHY / PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT SHAY STEVENS / KALYNNKAYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHOTO BY ANNA LIGOCKI PHOTOGRAPHY / ANNALIGOCKI.COM

Want to see your kid on this page? Send photos with your child’s ﬁrst/last name, age and city to editor@mnparent.com.

50 December 2014 • mnparent.com

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