activities

Wondering how to keep your kids entertained all Summer? Stave off Summer boredom with these 10 fun and affordable activities recommended by Circle of Moms members.

1. Library Programs

Local library Summer programs are recommended by numerous Circle of Moms members. As Rebecca S. advises: "Libraries are always having free events with story times, magic shows, etc." And Evelyne R. shares: "I also love to take my children to the library, most of them have a Summer reading program that offers prizes for books read. My children love this and it is free."

2. Free Bowling

Free bowling for the kiddies all Summer long? Sign us up! Thanks to Kids Bowl Free, children can register for two free games of bowling every day this Summer at participating bowling centers in the US and Canada.

3. Gardening

Gardening is a great Summer activity for children of all ages. "The garden is full of hidden surprises" for preschoolers, says Jeanette B., as they can be entertained by "just looking under rocks (and) feeling the textures of different materials, such as grass, leaves, flowers, stones, [and] fir cones." For older children, Alissa V. recommends encouraging older children to independently make or redesign a small flower bed. No backyard? See if community gardens accept children as volunteers (try the ACGA locator tool). And don't forget a field trip to the local farmers market for inspiration.

4. State Parks

To engage curious kids, says Laurie W., "the best activities involve the outdoors — lakes, ponds, streams, conservation areas and trails — to explore rocks, bugs, birds, and plants." And as Chaya S. suggests, Summer is a great time to explore state parks in your area; many have kid-friendly guided nature walks and science centers.

Keep reading for six more ideas!

While common children's activities like team sports, dance classes, and music lessons hold widespread appeal, they're not enjoyable for every child. If you're struggling to find activities that truly engage your child, consider these seven recommendations from Circle of Moms members.

Keep reading

Sidewalk chalk is one of those playtime staples that offer endless amounts of entertainment without requiring anything fancy. One bucket will do the trick and lead to several opportunities for fun and learning. All you need are a concrete space, a wild imagination, and a hose (or mother nature) for cleanup. Here are five ways to have fun with sidewalk chalk today!

1. Play games: Introduce your kids to classic playground games by drawing them! Hopscotch, four-square (not the app), and snail are easy to draw and will keep the kiddos playing for hours. You can even challenge them to create their own game and develop their own rules.
2. Draw a city: If you have a large driveway, let the kids take over by creating their own city. Draw streets and encourage them to incorporate their favorite restaurants and shops. Then, when all is said and done (if they aren't exhausted), have them ride their bikes through their pretend city.
3. Create a mural: Your kids will get a thrill out of using the driveway to create a giant work of art. This is especially fun around a holiday to bring a festive spirit outdoors.
4. Make chalk buddies: If you don't mind a little mess, allow the kids to trace each other with chalk. They can then fill in their outlines creating a mini me or their own life-size chalk buddy.
5. Use as a teaching tool: Use chalk to help them learn. Make large shapes, write the alphabet, or practice arithmetic. Designate a specific color chalk to highlight corrections.

Looking to create the ultimate birthday bash for your eight-year-old daughter? Think spa, slumber party and the Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift. Welcome to the world of tweens. Pre-teens love to pamper themselves and be surrounded by the company of their BFF’s.  If you’re looking to help your daughter and her friends celebrate in style and make her 8th birthday unforgettable, read on for some great party ideas, all of which come highly recommended by other Circle of Moms members, plus a look at the coming year.

Great Birthday Parties

1. Slumber Parties. Eight-year-old girls love to act like “the big girls,” pigging out on pizza, cake and popcorn, and defying curfews with marathon all-night sessions of ghost stories, dancing and boy talk. Circle of Moms member agree that slumber parties are a third-grader’s heaven. As Tammie.D. shares, “We ordered pizzas, jammed up the music (we'd been uploading tunes for weeks) and the girls danced and dressed up in dress-up clothes. The night ended with the girls watching Disney’s Tangled and drifting off to fairytale land."

2. Spa Parties. From mani-pedis to the mall, pampering parties can be simple, fun and very affordable. Take in-SPA-ration from Mom Carla H. who took her daughter and a birthday crew to a spa in the mall for pampering.  “We had a blast,” she says. Then the group headed to a local park where the entire family surprised her with "lots of food (and) games.”

3. Pool Parties. Whether you head to a local hotel and rent out the pool or set up a backyard version, pool parties make a huge splash with 8 year-old girls, says Ellen. Hotel pool parties are easy on moms, advises Dominique C. “I gave my little princess a pool party in a hotel and we ordered pizza,” she says. “We had cupcakes with chocolate and strawberry frosting and we decorated her table with Hello Kitty plates and napkins. The kids had a blast.” Ellen suggests creating water-themed games: “We filled balloons with water and one girl throws it to another and the other has to catch it in a basket."

4. Real Simple Get-togethers. Although there are many popular themes to pick from for an 8 year-old girl, popular does not have to mean expensive. Eight year-old girls just like being surrounded by their friends, says Clare C. “We invited a few friends and had a movie afternoon with DVDs, popcorn, and juice, and we brought in a cake for her to blow out the candles and sang happy birthday. Grace loved it."

Great Gifts

 1. Art, Craft and Scrap-booking Supplies. Many 8 year-old girls love art supplies and other crafting materials, including kits such as fun foam, painting or scrap-booking dollar store. “My 8- year-old loves to scrapbook, and pretty much doing any craft you can think of,” says Vicki F.

2. Collections. Many moms of young girls say their daughters like to collect dolls, jewelry, hair accessories and stuffed toys, so if your 8 year-old has any kind of collection, or aspires to collect something, you can help her build on what she has, advises Vicki F. "My 8-year-old is a collector of Barbie, Ken and all kinds of dolls. She role plays being a teacher to her dolls."

3. Pampering and beauty supplies. Little kits for manicures and pedicures are a great gift for an 8 year-old, says Heidi M. “My nieces and my friends daughters love to set up a beauty parlor in their home.”

4. Bicycles and gear for decorating bikes. Eight year-old girls are seriously on the go. Trading in your daughter's “little girl’s” cycle (the one that had the training wheels) for a shiny new cycling machine is a big hit at age 8. “My daughter wanted a pink-colored bicycle and so that is what we got her," says Ruchika K. “I also made her some beautiful cards." And, she adds, "I let her eat whatever she wanted to eat the whole day.”

Advice for the Coming Year

Looking for tips on parenting your newly-minted 8-year-old? Check out the The RoundUp's “Big Kid” articles. Here’s a sampling of issues you might encounter in the coming year:

First Sleepovers: 6 Tips for Slumber Party Newbies

When To Talk To Your Child About (Gulp) Sex

Should You Pay Your Child for Good Grades?

Getting Kids to Cooperate Without Repeating Yourself

What Parents Can Do To Curb Bullies at School

What to Do When Your Kids Are Running Wild

Getting Better Behavior Without Yelling

Image Source: Saboegel via Flickr/CreativeCommons

Circle of Moms member Jennyfer S. says she's feeling the summertime babysitter blues: "I'm jealous that my sitter is watching the baby." And Stephanie S. says she feels like she's missing out on the prime playtime hours of summer, and "hates that by the time I get home after eight hours it's bed time."

It's summertime and the weather is fine, but you're trapped at work while a babysitter or other caregiver is soaking up all the fun with your children at the pool, or filling in for you at play dates. If you're feeling a little envious, it may be comforting to know that you're not alone, as these Circle of Moms members and a national survey from Care.com demonstrate.

According to the survey's findings, a majority of parents--58 percent--reported feeling envious of their babysitters during the summertime, frequently, often or sometimes, while nearly 11 percent said they always felt envious.

As Wendy Sachs, editor in chief of Care.com says, "When my babysitter texts me that she's at the pool with my kids eating ice cream and I am at work, I've felt envious. You want your babysitter to be enthusiastic about playing outdoors and going to the pool, but parents want to be there too. After all, it's summer."

Visions of sandcastles, swings and ice cream cones dripping down t-shirts cause working moms to want more from their babysitters during the summer. Sixty-six percent of parents expect caregivers to "be outside, playing in the park, going to the zoo, and planning more," says Care.com's Sachs, adding that this only increases their feelings of remorse for not being there themselves.

To stave off the guilt, here are a few creative solutions for keeping your cool at work while your kids are out having fun this summer, gathered from Circle of Moms members and Care.com's Sachs.

1. Enlist your "momtourage": Sachs recommends maximizing your summer flex-time and vacation days by rounding up working moms of similarly-aged children in your neighborhood and alternating care or trips to the pool on assigned days. Circle of Moms member Diane B. says when her kids were little and she was working part-time during summers, she rallied with other part-time moms in the neighborhood to take shifts during the days they were off. "We set up a neighborhood 'Science Club," she says. "We would make toothpaste, homemade ice cream, leaf rubbings, etc. We would get the neighborhood kids together, and they really enjoyed themselves. So did we." Knowing that she was spending some time with her kids and that her kids were with other moms helped ease the summer working blues, she says.

2. Let your kids chill: You don't have to schedule every minute of every day for your kids (and then feel guilty that you aren't there for each moment), says Sachs.

3. Create flexible hours: With some creative juggling, self-employed moms can find a little more flexibility in their schedules for summertime fun, suggests Courtney L., a mom of four who also runs a family businesss with her husband out of their home. She takes her kids on neighborhood adventures to the pool or park, and then works longer hours in the early morning or later at night to get her work done. Otherwise, she laments, they're "glued to a television or computer" while she works.

4. Consider summer school and camps: During the summer, you're less likely to be envious of camp counselors than you are of a babysitter who would be spending one-on-one time with your kids, says Sachs. It's also comforting to know your child is engaged in fun or educational activities all day long, as they are during the school year.

5. Take a vacation: "Unfortunately, I will be working all summer, " says Grenita, a mom of three year-old twins. "But we are going to take a road trip to Atlanta, and that combined with their ballet lessons hopefully will make summer fun for them."

6. Enjoy your own summer: Most importantly, try to take some summertime moments for yourself to just breathe and soak it in, says Tracy B. who works full time. And especially during the summer, says Rene A., "don't stress if the house is messy," and treat yourself to an dinner-in at least occasionally to make the most out of your time with your kids after work.

Image Source: South West RDA via Flickr/CreativeCommons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Accompanying your 2 year-old on a playdate is a no-brainer, but what about your preschooler or second grader? As children get older, playdate protocols become increasingly gray. If you're looking for advice for handling your child's budding social life, consider the following playdate etiquette advice from Circle of Moms members.

When to Stop Tagging Along

One of the most common playdate issues discussed in Circle of Moms communities is the appropriate age for a child to go on a playdate unattended by one of his parents. Many moms, including mother-of-three Angie B., emphasize that it's a case-by-case decision that you make based on your comfort level with the other family: “It depends upon how well you know the other child's parents and how much you trust them."

Still, if you show up to your 8 year-old's playdate expecting to hang out with the other parent, you'll likely be greeted with a surprised look. Moms like Erin W. say age five seems to be the unofficial cutoff for tagging along unannouced: “I typically assume that I will tag along on playdates and at bday parties, but now that my daughter is five (but still in preschool), I get the impression that it is less common and that mom tagging along is not the presumption.”

Getting to Know the Parents

It's natural to be nervous about sending your children on playdates solo when you don't know the parents. Circle of Moms members like Katey C. suggest getting to know the parents by first meeting on neutral ground (parks, community centers, or library story times are all good options) so your children can play and the parents can chat: “Suggest something like a picnic lunch at the park, or go for icecream or something so that the girls can play and you can spend some time getting to know the parents. Explain to them that you would just feel more comfortable getting to know them before either of your daughters spend time alone with the other parent.”

Other moms, like Barbara C., recommend easing concerns through a more direct approach: “I think setting expectations at the time the playdate is set up is great.” She also tries to talk on the phone beforehand.

Tips for Helicopter Moms

If you or the parents of your child's friend are simply not comfortable with solo playdates yet, it's best to get on the same page from the get go. The hosting parent may be happy to have both mom and child over, or she might have had a dozen household tasks planned for that hour and not have time to socialize. If you want to stay with your child, explain your feelings, ask whether you can tag along, and offer to host as an alternative.

Meanwhile, if you're the hosting parent and you weren't expecting to entertain the other parent, consider Laura S.'s advice: "Set expectations and boundaries with her right away…Your expectations are that the children may socialize but you cannot and that she can pick her son up at a certain time. You can say something to the effect that while you enjoyed visiting with her the last time, you will be unable to do so this time because of (fill in the blank)… If the mother still seems reluctant to leave her son in your care, then you might suggest that she host a playdate for the kids…This would allow the friend's mom to maintain her comfort level and a sense of control over the situation.”

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With the end of the school year in sight, are your kids yearning for the adventure of summer camp: playing sports, building campfires, making friends, and close encounters with wildlife creatures? Sure, there are tents to pack and granola bars to buy, stamps, postcards and throw-away cameras, but what do moms need to do to get their kids—and themselves—ready for this summertime rite of passage? Here are 8 tips from Circle of Moms members.

1. Find the Right Camp

These days there are many options, from adventure camps to heritage camps for adopted children, to sports camps for your junior jock. Circle of Moms members point out that it's crucial to do your homework and pick a camp that will meet your child's needs. Kristin J., whose daughter Abby is 11 and attended a specialized camp for children with diabetes last summer, says she was looking for a camp that would understand her daughter's needs as a diabetic. "I highly recommend specialized camps because I think children with special needs or interests need to be able to be around other children that have the same challenges they do," she says. "I think they also learn a lot from each other"

Many Circle of Moms ask ‘where do you look to find the right camp for your child?" Several suggest camp search organizations, such as Tips on Trips and Camps. "It's a great way to figure out what's best for your child," says Meg S., whose 12 year-old will return to camp for the third time this summer and whose 10 year-old will be joining his older brother too. Zandria L. recommends checking in with your child's school counselor, sports coaches and even your child's pediatrician, if he has specialized health needs.

Another option say some Circle of Moms members, including Meg S., is a day camp, especially if your child is new to the idea of camp. "Try a day camp first or some that offer half week sessions," says Meg S.

2. Paying for Camp

The cost of camp, especially during these tough times, is a barrier for many families. But several moms, including Jessica G., whose 10-year-old son went to a day camp last summer, suggest looking into free or low-cost camps run by local churches and schools.

3. Pack Carefully, and Together

Many Circle of Moms members advise using a detailed checklist to make sure your child packs everything she needs, and to ensure a much more relaxed experience at camp. Erin B., who has posted guidelines for getting ready for camp on her blog, advises involving your child in the packing process. "She'll get to spend less time looking for lost items, and more time playing," she explains, adding that kids also learn lifelong organizing skills from this process.

4. Label Everything

Another important step in organizing your child's camp gear is to label everything with your child's name. Separate categories of items into plastic bags that will then go into the suitcase or camp gear bag. Use an indelible marker to label the bags with category names, such as underwear, swimsuits etc., and your child's name. Erin B. adds that the bags can be re-used to transport dirty laundry home.

5. Check in with Camp Counselors

It's very important to discuss any special needs your child might have with the camp counselors and organizers before you drop your child off at the camp, Circle of Moms member's advise. Make sure the camp is aware of any allergies, health or emotional issues before your child arrives, says Kristin J.

6. Seal it with a Kiss

Several Circle of Mom members recommend slipping in cheerful letters or other reminders from those at home to ease any homesickness. It will make you feel connected too, they add. Also include some "fun" items in your child's camp bag such as playing cards, a book, a notebook, markers, and pencils that will keep your camper busy during quiet time, adds Erin B.

7. Goodbyes are Tough

Moms who've sent kids off to camp before say to be prepared for a few tears (their child's and sometimes their own) when you drop your child off for camp the first time. "Camp was the best thing for my daughter," says Michelle W. "She hated it the first day and cried for me not to leave her there. But by the second day she didn't miss me at all."

8. Just Relax

Finally, Circle of Moms recommend that moms relax and realize that camp can be a learning experiences and a rite of passage for many kids. As Ramona C. puts it, "Going to camp fosters independence. Today's kids are so hovered over; it is healthy to have that break." And, she reminds, camp is good training for college. "In five years, you will drop her off on campus and hope she fares well. This is a wonderful building block to help that moment go smoothly."

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

A baby's milestones are the things memory books, photo albums and Facebook sites are made of. But in today's ultra-competitive world, first steps, first words and sleeping schedules can take a back seat to baby's gymnastics feats or sports training schedule.

As reported in Today, moms are shuttling their babies and toddlers to gyms and showing them special DVDs to train their athletic sensibilities even before their first birthdays, all to get a head start on the athletic front. To meet the demand, as the New York Times reports, a plethora of new sports training programs for kids as young as as six months are popping up around the country.

Doreen Bolhuis, founder of GymTrix in Grand Rapids, MI. tells the New York Times, "The younger the better... With the babies in our family, I start working them out in the hospital."

Through programs like Bolhuis's, budding infant athletes jump, kick and practice baseball skills, accompanied by their doting parents, who hold their child's hands on the bat during batting practice. The goal is to give them a jump start in athletics, Bolhuis explains. "We hear all the time from families that have been with us, 'Our kids are superstars when they're in middle school and they get into sports."

Moms in Grand Rapids are not the only ones in on the action: several Circle of Moms members have shared stories about getting their kids involved in sports earlier than ever. Gigi F., who is an Olympic gold medalist and a member of the sports moms community, has even created her own series of baby sports DVDs (Baby Goes Pro).

"How early is too early to start developing athletic talent?" she asks. Her DVDs introduce babies and toddlers to baseball, soccer, golf and tennis with the intention of "inspiring a generation to move" by through visuals that teach kicking and swinging. Her own twins began watching the videos when they were nine months old, and by the time they were 13 months, were kicking balls when most kids that age just want to pick them up.

"I think it's not a bad idea to get babies started early," comments Jennifer M, who takes her baby to a gym that teaches gymnastics as general motor skills.

And Melissa C. says that there are definite benefits to pushing kids into sports before they can walk: namely that it will improve future athletic prowess. "I believe that there are children who are ready before others," she says, adding that her three -year-old "can handle his lacrosse stick ten times better than some kids two years older than him. He can whack a baseball without using a tee. His hand-eye coordination is awesome. His teachers tell me all the time about how well he can kick a rolling ball and catch and throw."

But many other Circle of Moms members seem startled that the age of entry into sports training has dipped so low.

According to one, Maria O., pushing kids too early into sports can backfire. "One has to be very careful at pushing the child at a very young age," she says. "The child should show an interest first, then love and enjoy the game. The harder an adult pushes, the more adamant the child pushes away from the game if they no longer find it fun. The fun and excitement, I believe has to be nurtured for the child to keep the love of the game."

Princess W. agrees. "I think the key is nurturing their interest and not pushing it," she says. "With my first I tried to push him into getting involved with a lot of sports early. " She reports it backfired and her son didn't want to play any sports for a while. "I think it is best to wait until they are ready."

Image Source: TLGCorvallis via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.