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S
ummer’s winding down and a new school year is just around the corner. How do you get the kids excited for the year ahead? Celebrating back to school with fun, meaningful activities helps prepare everyone for the big day and smoothes the transition from summer break to a new academic year.
Here are 18 simple, entertaining ways to kick off the back-to-school season and create lasting family memories.
Let the Fun Begin
Throw a back-to-school bash. Let your children plan the menu, then decorate the house with stacks of books, globes, and party streamers. Or host a backyard campout, complete with hot dogs, s’mores, and a school-themed game of charades. Infuse some laughter into your post-dinner routine with a few “too cool for school” jokes. Check online for the best, like this one: “Why did the boy eat his homework? Because the teacher said it was a piece of cake.” Get the whole clan to pitch in and declutter desks, study areas, and the living room corner devoted to arts and crafts. To celebrate your spruced up space, get creative with a few new art or school supplies and encourage the kids to make a drawing or painting for their new teachers. Pop quiz anyone? Get your kids into the study spirit with a short family-themed “quiz,” including multiple-choice questions about your children’s likes, dislikes, and other interesting factoids.
The Yum Factor
Whip up some cupcakes and decorate with the alphabet or a host of other ideas found online. Another big hit? Bake a giant chocolate chip cookie and decorate with your children’s names and the new grades they’re about to enter. Sweeten the countdown to the first day. Fill a jar with your children’s favorite candy, whether it’s
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jelly beans, chocolate pieces, or gummy bears. Make sure to include enough candy for each child to get one treat a day. Or, for a healthier alternative, try cranberries or raisins. Visit your local pick-your-own orchard for the season’s fresh fruit. Bake up a batch of muffins, make smoothies or cut up fruit to top your ice cream complete with sprinkles! Freeze some to use for after-school smoothies or baking treats for your teachers! Poll the kids on their favorite lunch ideas, from preferred fruits and vegetables to easyto-make sandwiches. Plan a brown-bag picnic in the park and get everyone involved with the preparation, so they can pack their own lunches once the big day arrives.
Out & About
A trip to the library is sure to inspire. Peruse the stacks for school-themed books, like Marco Goes to School by Roz Chast and School Days Around the World by Catherine Chambers. Older students may enjoy How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart.
Younger children will love a trip to the school playground to introduce or re-familiarize them with the surroundings. Snap some action shots on the swing set to spur a later conversation about the first day. Older kids will enjoy reminiscing about their past first days of school.
Crazy for School Supplies
Organize a school-supply treasure hunt for the whole crew. Provide clues to help your children find pencils, pens, art supplies, and notebooks throughout the house or in the back yard. Gather old backpacks, hats, sports equipment, and other school necessities your family no longer uses and donate them to the local homeless shelter to brighten back-to-school time for families in need. The morning of the big day, surprise the kids with a visit from the “back-to-school fairy,” where they’ll find their backpacks stuffed with classroom supplies and a few special treats to guarantee a great first day.
Capture the Memories
Use a shoebox or a cylinder snack container to create a back-to-school time capsule. Contents may include drawings, newspaper clippings, photos, bits of nature, or mementos of your summer break. Plan to open the time capsule together before the first day of school next year.
Grab the sidewalk chalk and turn your driveway into a giant blackboard. Doodle away the afternoon or hold a contest to see who can sketch the best school-inspired art, from school buses to soccer balls.
From handmade creations to mini chalkboards or white boards, signs announcing the new grades your children will enter make those first-day photos special and memorable. Or, if you’re pressed for time, be sure to check online for a variety of free printable signs.
Invite the neighborhood gang over and get ready for recess with tried-and-true schoolyard games like foursquare, kickball, tag, and dodge ball. Or invent a new game your children can teach their friends.
Make a scrapbook to record the first day, or week, of school. From class assignments to photos of teachers and new friends, a scrapbook helps ease back-to-school jitters, and new items can be added each year.
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When children resume school and extracurricular activities the stress level rises for moms as the family transitions into the new schedule. While children are learning their ABCs, moms can learn the ABCs of self-care to prevent becoming frazzled and stressed by juggling so many demands. Here are 26 quick ways to enter a more Zen state.
no newspaper or television. How does it make you feel?
Ask for help. Let someone else be the giver for a change, it will make them feel better as well.
Start a success Journal. Daily jot at least one success you had and periodically review your successes.
Deepen your Breath. Consciously take a deep inhale and a deep exhale before you start any activity or conversation.
Exercise Kindness, starting with you. Treat yourself the way you treat your best friend.
Stretch like a Cat. Get down on all fours. As you exhale, round your back to the sky, drawing your chin to your chest, belly to your spine.
Practice Legs up the wall pose. Sit sideways against the wall and then swivel; swing legs up the wall and lie down, moving your pelvis away from the wall until you are comfortable.
Move Daily. Pick an activity you love and start doing it for 10 minutes each day. If you already move daily, can you add 10 minutes to your current routine? Eat mindfully. Sit down to eat healthy, nourishing food. Really look at your food, taste your food and give thanks for your food. Forgive someone who has slighted you and move on. Giggle. Call a friend who always makes you laugh. Read or watch something funny. Hydrate by drinking more water, less juice, coffee and soda. A hydrated body is more energetic and alert. Ignore media for a day. No facebook,
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Meditate. Set a timer, sit comfortably (yes a chair is fine) and just watch what thoughts arise in your mind. Don’t judge, simply observe. Say No to a request for your energy or time that you are not excited about. Open a spiritual or motivational book. Let the uplifting material soothe your soul.
Pause before you React. Ask yourself, will this be important in 10 minutes? In 10 months? In 10 years? Lower your Standards. If you are feeling stressed does the floor really need to be vacuumed today? Use that time for you. Commit to a regular Time out with your partner, children or family members to reestablish your connection. No electronics, no distractions, just shared focus for 10 minutes. Turn your world Upside down and change your perspective. Learn to do the yoga pose “down dog” at www. yogajournal.com/poses. Examine your Volunteer commitments. Assess how much and how often is practical in your current life. Be open to taking a break or choosing a new focus if you need to. Take a Walk. Start with 10 minutes. Reconnect with nature and yourself. Go eXtreme. What is the most decadent, delightful act you can think of? Now go do it.
Buy a Pair of PJs that you love. Make sure your body feels cuddled and treasured wrapped in the fabric. Savor the feeling as you slip into them at bedtime.
Add some Yellow to your life. The color of the sun makes you cheerful and optimistic because your body releases more feelgood hormones when surrounded by yellow.
Quit all electronics 30-60 minutes before bed. Notice if it improves your sleep.
Catch more ZZZZs, go to bed just 10 minutes earlier and see how that makes you feel.
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5 EASY WAYS FOR KIDS TO MAKE NEW
F•R•I•E•N•D•S
at school! New at school? Or just looking for a few new friends? HERE ARE SOME EASY WAYS TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, EVEN IF YOU’RE SHY.
1
Look for others that look like they may need a friend.
2
Introduce yourself to your friend’s friends.
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If someone is sitting alone at lunch, or walking alone down the hallway, introduce yourself and ask if you can join them. Many kids just need someone that is a little bolder than they are to break the ice.
If you notice your friend has a new friend, approach them when they are together. Your friend will probably introduce you, but if not, just introduce yourself. When it comes to friends, the more the merrier.
Find someone with common interests. Do you play sports? Are you in theatre, or band? Whatever your interests are, kids with the same interests make the best friends. If there isn’t a club for your favorite pastime, start one. If your favorite after school activity is playing Minecraft, it makes sense that other kids interested in Minecraft would be a great friend match for you.
Be Approachable. Keep your head up, make eye contact, smile and say hello if the opportunity is there. If you look away every time someone looks your way, or if you wear headphones and keep your head down, others will think you just want to be alone, and they will leave you alone.
Ask people about themselves. Most people love to tell you all about themselves. The more you ask, the more they will talk. When the questions turn to you, try to keep the conversation going by offering more than just a short answer.
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Above the Bar Gymnastics Academy www.AboveTheBarGym.com 832-932-1466 AcroSports www.AcroSports.com Friendswood - 281-332-4496 League City - 281-967-7261 Al Garza’s Premier Martial Arts www.PremierMartialArts/LeagueCity.com
League City: 281-332- 5425 Dickinson: 832-285-5177 Pearland: 832-238-5139 All Star Revolution www.all-starrevolution.com 281-741-3762 Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance www.AmyBlakeDance.com 281-482-0600 Bay Area Arts Conseveratory www.baactx.com 281-938-1444 Bay Area Learning Center www.BayAreaLearningCenter.com 281-218-7650 Brainiac Zone www.brainiaczone.com 713-597 8184 Chara Christian Dance Academy www.CharaDance.com 832-569-4065 Children’s Lighthouse Learning Center of Mag Creek www.ChildrensLighthouse-MagCreek.com
281-557-7700 Code Ninjas www.codeninjas.com/tx-league-city 281-339-7482 Dance Expressions www.DanceExpressions.net 281-996-6000 First Baptist Christian Academy www.fbcatx.org 281-991-9191 Houston Swim Club www.houstonswimclub.com 346-358-7946
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Huntington Learning Center ww.HuntingtonHelps.com/location 281-316-3030 Ivy Kids Early Learning Center www.IvyKids.com/Hobbs 832-670-8668 Kennedy Dance Theatre www.KennedyDance.com 281-480-8441 Kids R Kids www.KidsRKidsLeagueCity.com Constellation Blvd. 281-535-8555 Bay Area 281-332-6611 League City Pkwy. 281-338-1177 www.KRKSpaceCenter.com Webster, 281-557-0062 Lobo Active Learning Center & Gymnastics www.lobogymnastics.com 281-480-5626 The Purple Box Theater www.ThePurpleBoxTheater.com 818-642-4665 The Reading Lab www.TheReadingLab.net 281-480- 7323 The Sugar and Spice Ranch
www.TexasHorseCamps.com 830-460-8487 The Tutoring Center www.TutoringCenter.com League City 281-337-2800 Friendswood 281-488-0101 UHCL Art School for Children and Young Adults www.UHCL.edu/Childrens-Art-School
281.283.3345
Upstage Arts www.UpstageArts.com 832-797-4209 University Cheer www.UniversityCheer.com 281-991-1417 YMCA of Greater Houston www.YMCAHouston.org Perry Family YMCA: 281-338-9622 EA Smith Family YMCA: 281-486-9622
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Academia
Ivy Kids Early Learning Center
832-963-3705
www.IvyKidsHobbs.com 832-670-8668
academianb@yahoo.com
Acrosports www.AcroSports.com Friendswood 281-332-4496 League City 281-967-7261
Ark Children’s Center www.Gateway-Community.org 713-551-4870
Bay Area Learning Center www.BayAreaLearningCenter.com 281-218-7650
Brainiac Zone www.BrainiacZone.com 713-597 8184
Children’s Lighthouse Learning Center of Mag Creek www.ChildrensLighthouse.com
281-557-7700
Clear Lake Children’s Center www.ClearLakeChildrensCenter.com 281-407-5658
Clear Lake Presbyterian www.clpc.org 281-488-3204
Clear Lake United Methodist Church www.ClearLakeMethodist.org 281-488-0327
Kid City Childcare & Learning Center www.KidCityChildCare.com League City 281-337-0500 Friendswood 832-569-4674
Kids R Kids www.KidsRKidsLeagueCity.com Constellation Blvd. 281-535-8555 Bay Area 281-332-6611 League City Pkwy. 281-338-1177 www.KRKSpaceCenter.com Webster, 281-557-0062
Lighthouse Learning Academy www.LightHouseLearningAcademy.com
281-535-5353
Lobo Active Learning Center and Gymnastics www.lobogymnastics.com 281-480-5626
Primrose School of Clear Lake www.PrimroseClearLake.com 281-998-6150
St. Clare of Assisi Catholic School
Code Ninjas
www.School.STClareHouston.org 281-286-3395
www.codeninjas.com/tx-league-city 281-339-7482
The Children’s Therapy Center Inc.
Crossroads Early Learning Academy
www.TCTCI.com 281-480-5648
www.crossroads-umc.org 281-484-9243
The Goddard School
Sylvan Learning www.sylvanlearning.com 281-557-5558
www.GoddardSchool.com/LeagueCitytx 281-338-0508
Excellent Minds Academy
The Momentum Academy
www.ExcellentMindsAcademy.org 281-777-8314
www.TheMomentumAcademy.org 832-819-3320
First Baptist Christian Academy
The Reading Lab
www.FBCAtx.org 281-991-9191
Huntington Learning Center www.HuntingtonHelps.com/location League City 281-316-3030 Clear Lake 832-464-7500
www.TheReadingLab.net 281-480-READ(7323)
The Tutoring Center www.TutoringCenter.com League City 281-337-2800 Friendswood 281-488-0101
University Baptist Church www.UBC.org 281-488-8517
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August Family Friendly Events
MOVIES AT THE LAWN BAYBROOK MALL
August 5 • Monsters, Inc. August 12 • Trolls: World Tour August 19 • Enchanted August 26 • Forrest Gump Join us on Thursdays for movie nights! Stop searching and start enjoying Movies on The Lawn! From old-school classics to modern favorites, grab your friends and fam and join us all summer long for a relaxing outdoor movie experience. 7pm www.baybrookmall.com/en/ events/movies-36442.html
FREE THURSDAYS AT HOUSTON MUSEUMS
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston courtesy of Shell Oil Company 5-9pm www.mfah.org/visit/visitingmfah-free The Health Museum 2-7pm http://houmuse.org/visit/thehealth-museum Houston Museum of Natural Science Permanent Exhibits Free on Thursdays 2-5pm http://houmuse.org/visit/houstonmuseum-of-natural-science/ Children’s Museum Houston
5-8pm www.cmhouston.org
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ROCK THE DOCK
Thursdays • 7pm Rock On - All Summer Long! These FREE Concerts in our Main Event Plaza will heat up your Thursday nights! Listen to live music, sip on cool refreshments and enjoy the show! Admission is free Kemah Boardwalk - The Fun Never Stops!
www.kemahboardwalk.com
SUMMER FUN VIBES AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOUSTON
Ongoing There’s something new to do and celebrate every day of Summer at America’s No. 1 children’s museum – Houston’s ultimate family destination! Get away and soak in the fun during the Museum’s splishsplashing, flip-flopping “Fun Summer Vibes.” Set sail on a voyage of discovery filled with exciting, non-stop adventures every day, all day long! The Museum will be open from Tuesday through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Free Family Night Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.) Don’t forget to book you visit in advance as the Museum will be operating at a limited capacity. www.cmhouston.org
FRIENDSWOOD LIBRARY STORYTIME AT CENTENNIAL PARK
Toddler Story Time Tuesdays • 9:30 am Preschool Story Time Wednesdays • 9:30 am www.friendswood.lib.tx.us ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
CRAFT KIT WEDNESDAYS AT FRIENDSWOOD LIBRARY
Pick up these bags filled with fun crafts for 8-18 year olds at our Drive-Thru window or from the Children’s Department! www.friendswood.lib.tx.us
FRIENDSWOOD MOVIES IN THE PARK
Aug 6 • Jurassic Park Aug 13 • Trolls World Tour Movies in the Park are held every Friday night July 16 to August 13 at the Centennial Park Amphitheatre, 2200 S Friendswood Drive. Events are free for all! www.ci.friendswood.tx.us/382/ Movies-in-the-Park-July-August
BAY AREA FARMER’S MARKET
Sundays • 11am- 3pm • Baybrook Mall Bay Area Farmers Market’s mission is to support our community’s healthy lifestyle choices by providing our customers with Vendors who bring to the Bay Area Farmers Market quality, locally-produced agricultural foods and locally-made products, using locally-sourced agricultural ingredients when possible, and whose Vendors honestly communicate to the customers their practices, techniques, and ingredients, while also supporting the great State of Texas’ local, small farmers, businesses and entrepreneurs. www.bayareafarmersmarkettexas. com
FRIDAY NIGHT FUN AT ABOVE THE BAR
Friday nights • 7:30 – 10 pm Drop off the kids for a fun time with coach-led, high-energy activities including trampolines, inflatables, and games! Pizza snack is included, but bring a drink or cash for vending machines. $20 for gym members/ $25 for non-members Walk-ins on Friday evening $30 for gym members / $35 for non-members • kids ages 5 to 14
www.abovethebargym.com/opengyms-friday-night-fun-preschool
PRESCHOOL AND HOME SCHOOL OPEN GYMS AT ABOVE THE BAR
Tuesdays Mornings from 1011:30 am Open gyms for pre-schoolers and home schoolers! Jump, tumble & run on inflatables, TumblTrak, trampolines, rope swings, foam block pit, and preschool circuits. $10 for first child, $5 for each additional sibling. All Open Gym participants must complete Event Waiver. www.abovethebargym.com/opengyms-friday-night-fun-preschool/
KIDS ECO PROGRAMS AT ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER
ECOTOTS • Fridays • 9:30 am Fun introduction to animals, plants, and other nature topics. Program uses movement, storytelling, art, animal demonstrations, and games to make nature come alive. (children must be accompanied by an adult) • Age: 18 mo-4 year • $12 ECOKIDS • Wednesdays or Fridays • 9:30-11:30 am Our EcoKids program encourage observation, exploration, problem solving and creativity (STEM activities). At ABNC, our goal is to give children the opportunity to observe nature in action. This drop-off program is for children 3 to 6 years old who are fully potty trained. $12/program; Non Members $14/ program ECOSCHOOLERS • Wednesdays or Fridays • 9:30-11:30 am The EcoSchooler program is hands-on environmental education activities plus STEM challenges for the home school student. Our science activities will help create curiosity and passion for the natural world.This drop-off program is for children ages 7-12. $14/program; Non Members $17/program www.abnc.org
CRAFT KIT WEDNESDAYS AT FRIENDSWOOD LIBRARY
Pick up these bags filled with fun crafts for 8-18 year olds at our Drive-Thru window or from the Children’s Department! www.friendswood.lib.tx.us
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Tuesdays • 10:15-10:45am and 11:15-11:45am PreSchool Story Time Stories, songs, and rhymes. Children will have a short craft time at the end of the program. Ages: Designed for ages 3-5 and their caregivers. RSVP • Helen Hall Library www.leaguecitylibrary.org
PAJAMA STORY TIME
Thursdays• 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM @ Helen Hall Library - Susan Mathews Theater Pajama Storytime Put on your PJs and join us for movement, songs, and stories as we wind down for the evening. Ages: 3-8. RSVP www.leaguecitylibrary.org
NATURE JOURNAL CHALLENGE
Fridays • 10am Nature Journal Challenge Plants, bugs, and mud, oh my! We are exploring everything nature has to offer in our weekly Nature Journal Challenge! This program is virtual on Instagram. www.leaguecitylibrary.org
TODDLER TIME
Mondays • 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM and 11:15-11:45 AM @ Helen Hall Library Toddler Time Wiggles, songs, rhymes, and a story. Ages: Designed for ages 1-3 and their caregivers. RSVP www.leaguecitylibrary.org
LITTLE GYM OF FRIENDSWOOD PARENTS SURVIVAL NIGHT
July 2 • 6:30-9:30 pm Divers will ride the waves, visit shell cove, and explore the coral reef while learning about the magic under the sea. Grab your towel and get ready to have a wave crashing good time! Ages 3-12 years ,$35 members, $40 nonmembers
www.thelittlegym.com/ FriendswoodTX/events-more-fun/ drop-ins-events#schedule
FREE ADMISSION HOUSTON ZOO
August 3 12-until Closing This summer, we’re offering special Free Tuesdays sponsored by PNC Bank during June to August. Tickets for June will be available on the Wednesday before at 9:00 a.m. Online reservations are required for all guests and members during this time. Tickets will not be available at the gate. www.houstonzoo.org/plan-yourvisit/prices-and-discounts/freetuesdays/
CINEMARK SUMMER MOVIE CLUBHOUSE
Aug 4 • Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs Summer Movie Clubhouse is back at Cinemark with 8 weeks of kid-approved movies! Enjoy safe and exciting bigscreen entertainment for just $1.50* per ticket for each movie. Save even more with $1 OFF deals on kids’ snack packs, large popcorns & large drinks during Summer Movie Clubhouse showtimes. www.cinemark.com/series-eventsinfo-pages/summer-movie-clubhouse
BABIES AND BOOKS
Wednesdays • 10:15 AM - 10:45 am @ Helen Hall Library - Susan Mathews Theater Babies and Books Tickles, giggles, rhymes, and a story for those who BYOB (bring your own baby). Ages: Designed for birth to walking. RSVP www.leaguecitylibrary.org
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