If the long-range forecast is correct, Calgarians are in for a longer, colder, and snowier winter than we had last year. While some of you may be cheering, others may be wondering how to keep the kids entertained through these long, cold months. First and foremost, it’s about attitude - if you complain about the cold weather, so will your kids. If you dress for the cold weather, there’s absolutely no reason not to get outside and enjoy our beautiful Calgary sunshine and view of the Rocky Mountains. Also, winter offers us a great opportunity to slow down, get a little creative, and maybe even get around to some tasks we’ve been putting off all year. Here’s my list of top 5 boredom busters for tweens and teens.
When your kids were younger, family fun took centre stage, whether that meant a riveting game of Chutes and Ladders or a backyard lightsaber duel. But now that the kids are older, how do you get your tweens and teens to want to hang out with ‘the folks’? To make ‘hanging with the family’ something tweens and teens look forward to, try these ideas to jumpstart your family fun night.
Santa Claus (*ahem) is coming to town in less than two months. The countdown is on… are you ready? With old man winter spewing frozen ice and snow, getting into the spirit of holiday shopping when it’s miserable outside can be challenging and - let’s face it - often put off until the last minute. But fear not, weary parents, we at Calgary’s Child are always on top of our toy game pre-holiday rush and we laugh in the face of old man winter ‘cuz we’ve already done the shopping for you! From babe to tween, we’ve got top-notch toys for every age and stage in-between.
No doubt, reading with your kids is a great activity at any time of year. But for those who dwell in northern climes, the combination of a snuggly blanket, a cup of cocoa, and a good book is often pure magic. Kelly Harrison, bookstore owner and mother of two teens says, “Winter provides a good excuse for families to snuggle up close and read together. The days get dark early, and kids will often curl up and read the afternoon away.” So between stints of sledding, skating, and throwing snowballs, settle into your sofa cushions and share a story. Here are some suggestions with wintry appeal.
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