7 Tricks for Teaching Kids How to Budget

Financial literacy is so important, but unfortunately, it isn’t taught in many schools. That means it is up to parents to teach kids how to budget.

Fortunately, this is much easier than it sounds. By giving your kids opportunities to practice budgeting, you are teaching them an essential lifelong skill.

1. Let Them Shop for a Meal

Give your kids a budget for grocery shopping for a special meal for the family. Make sure you give them a realistic amount of money but stress that they cannot spend more than you have given them. Instead, they will have to add up costs and find ingredients that fit their budget.

2. Allow Them to Plan a Family Activity

Kids don’t seem to grasp that activities cost money, so put them in charge of planning a family activity. This means giving them a budget and allowing them to find something fun to do with their limited budget. They’ll quickly learn to search for budget-friendly activities, like hiking or dollar movies.

3. Have Them Plan a Party

One of my favorite tricks for teaching kids to budget is to let them plan a party. I gave my daughters the chance to plan a sleepover and set a budget. They were responsible for using this budget to get all the party supplies and food.

4. Encourage Them to Set a Savings Goal

Kids need to understand that there is a real reason to budget. That’s why I encourage my daughters to have a goal in mind of something they want to buy, like American Doll accessories or LEGO sets. If they have a savings goal, they can better understand why they need to budget the money they have.

5. Find Ways to Entertain Them

The best way to teach kids to budget is to fool them into thinking they aren’t learning anything. It’s what the best teachers do! Find ways to make learning fun. For example, every time you play Monopoly or Life, they learn about making financial decisions. There are also several movies that provide valuable lessons about money, such as Blank Check, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and Harry Potter.

6. Set a Vacation Spending Budget

If your kids are anything like my girls, you know the pain of vacation shopping. Every time we walk into a gift shop, my daughters go crazy and want “just one more thing.” And each thing adds up! Instead of giving in to their begging on vacation, we now give them a vacation budget. At the start of each vacation, we tell our girls how much money they have in their vacation spending budget. This money goes towards souvenirs and extra snacks. Once they spend all the money, that’s it.

7. Give Them Opportunities to Earn Money

If you want to teach kids how to budget, you need to give them opportunities to earn money. They can’t practice budgeting if they don’t have any funds! Pay them to help with extra chores around the house and encourage them to look for other opportunities to make money.

What tips do you have for teaching kids how to budget? Share in the comments!

My Go-To Toy Brands

As long as toymakers keep inventing toys that encourage creativity, imagination, and fun, I’m going to keep buying them!

Honestly, the day my girls pack up their toys and say goodbye, I’m going to cry some big Toy Story tears.

Part of the reason is because today’s toys are fantastic.

If you know the right brands, you can purchase toys that are well-made, high-quality, and long-lasting. Plus, they will be toys that not only entertain your kids but teach them something.

That’s likely why Capitol Counselor reports, “In 2020, the US retail sales of toys reached $25.14 billion.”

Parents are willing to spend the money when they see that toys are worthwhile.

Now that my girls are a little bit older, I have noticed that certain toy brands we return to repeatedly. For a good reason! My girls love the toys by these brands, and I don’t feel like I have wasted my money.

So, the next time you are searching for a gift for a kid, look to these go-to toy brands.

American Girl

If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know my girls are huge fans of American Girl Dolls.

These dolls are pricey, but they are worth every penny. The craftsmanship is superb, and I love my daughters having dolls that look like them!

Here is some history about American Girl: “Since the first catalogue debuted in 1986, American Girl has provided inspiring products for each stage of a young girl's development—from her preschool days of baby dolls and fantasy play through her tween years of self-expression and individuality. Through an array of premium-quality books, dolls, clothes, toys, and accessories, American Girl has earned the loyalty of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators.”

KidKraft

Imaginative play is at the heart of KidKraft products. We have owned several, including kitchens and dollhouses, and I can tell you that they are built to last (and last).

KidKraft makes it easy for kids to pretend and explore.

They say it best: “KidKraft products are sold in more than 90 countries, resulting in infinite smiles from children around the world.”

Mattel

It’s no surprise that Mattel is a go-to toy brand, bringing in 4.58 billion US dollars last year.

Mattel has been around since 1945 and makes favorites, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, and UNO.

Speaking of Barbie – did you know over 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold since she first was introduced?

According to Mattel’s About Us, “Mattel creates toys appropriate for children at various developmental stages, designing products to match their current abilities while challenging them so they can learn and grow.”

VTech

My girls have owned several VTech toys since they were babies.

These tech-based toys are great educational products that kids are instantly drawn to.

Thankfully, my girls haven’t outgrown VTech yet. But, sadly, the day is coming since the toys are more from elementary and under.

The good news is that they are so well-made that we can pass our well-loved VTech toys down to the next generation.

What are your go-to toy brands?

6 Winter Break Ideas for Families

I know it seems like we just had a holiday break, but winter break in February will be here before you know it.

For most schools, winter break or mid-winter recess is just a couple of days off of school, which generally gives you a four-day weekend.

This short mini-break is one of my favorite school holidays because it is short and quick, but it gives you the break you need to make it until spring break.

With that being said, now is the time to plan winter break. Don’t wait until the week before to try to book a hotel, or you risk higher prices and no vacancies!

Enjoy a Staycation

One of my favorite winter break ideas for families is to simply enjoy a staycation. A four-day weekend isn’t long enough to go on a huge trip, but it is plenty of time to enjoy different places around where you live.

Visit a museum, go to a zoo, or explore a new park. Get outdoors, exercise, see some new sights, and visit familiar favorites.

Go Somewhere Warmer

If you live in a cold climate, head somewhere warmer. Take a road trip south or hop on a plane and enjoy a couple of days at the beach. Soak up the sun.

Go Somewhere Colder

If you are all about the winter weather, head somewhere colder. Book a trip at a ski resort and enjoy watching your littles go snow tubing. Bundle and enjoy someplace frigid.

Visit Family

I think a long weekend is a perfect time to visit family. You don’t have to worry about overstaying your welcome or looking for an excuse to leave early. This works really well if you weren’t able to see your family over the holidays.

Catch Up On Your To-Do List

If you’re like me, you made a big list of things you wanted to accomplish in the new year. And if you are like me, many of the items on this list haven’t been tackled yet – much less fully completed things.

The problem is that people always plan to put things off for Spring Cleaning, but I would much rather go on a spring break trip than stay home and work around the house. But, I feel much better about “working” during a short winter break.

Be Lazy

Or… you can do the complete opposite! Don’t make any big plans. Instead, stay home and catch up on sleep. Let the kids binge watch TV and play hours of Minecraft. Read some books. Play some board games. Relax and simply enjoy one another’s company.

Plan for Spring and Summer

One final idea for winter break is to spend your days off planning for your longer days off (aka spring break and summer break). Use this time to make bigger plans for the near future. Start shopping for your spring and summer wardrobe. Start researching vacation spots.

What are your plans for the February winter break? Tell me in the comments!

The Empire State Building Observatory: A Fun & Safe NYC Family Outing

Has your family ever visited the Empire State Building? Even if you call NYC home, visiting the Empire State Building and taking in the 360° views from the classic viewfinders is a right of passage. Towards the end of 2019, the Empire State Building started showing off the $165 million renovations that took four years to complete.

Unfortunately, like everything else, the pandemic caused tours to shut down. But, the doors have reopened! My family recently had a chance to tour the Empire State Building and visit the 86th floor observatory. Trust me - you are going to want to get tickets ASAP!

At the Empire State Building, Even Waiting is Fun

Let’s be honest. Waiting in lines is generally no fun at all. That’s why I was unsure how a visit to the Empire State Building would go with my kids. 4 million people visit each year, so I felt justified in my waiting worries.

Well, I was wrong. At the Empire State Building, even waiting is fun! A huge part of the renovation was done to the waiting lobby. What this means for families is there is a lot of fun things to keep you occupied if you have to wait to go up to the observation deck. It is really well thought out, with every little section having something fun – even the elevators!

Here’s even more good news – you can purchase an Express Pass to the 86th Floor and skip all the waiting! I only recommend this pass if you have already done the regular 86th floor tour that includes visiting the 2nd floor interactive galleries and exhibits though. The wait time is worth it for all the cool things your family gets to see.

The Empire State Building Takes Your Safety Seriously

During this time, my family is being picky about the places we go to. As a mom, I want to be sure the places we go to are safe. I am happy to report that the Empire State Building is taking safety seriously. I couldn’t help but notice on our tour how clean everything was. In addition to routine cleaning, they have implemented frequent high touch area cleaning and each night the entire observatory space is sprayed with an electrostatic disinfectant.

They have also reduced capacity to less than 50%, so it is very easy to practice social distancing, and they use social distance markers. Plus, all tour hosts are wearing personal protective equipment (masks, face shields, and gloves).

I was also super impressed to learn that part of the renovations included installing a state-of-the-art air purification system which improves air quality and reduces the risk of virus transmission.

The 86th Floor Observatory and Beyond

The reason 4 million people head to the Empire State Building every year is because you get unprecedented views of New York City. Located in the heart of Manhattan, you can view all of New York City from the 86th floor observatory – and up to six other states! There’s a reason that the Empire State Building is both the most photographed building in the world and the most popular destination for Uber riders. And, naturally, the ideal spot to get the perfect Insta pic.

A Social Distancing Tour for Everyone

While the amazing views are enough to make everyone in your family happy, the tour offers fun for all ages. The 2nd floor waiting area has several interesting exhibits that satisfy kids, parents, and grandparents. For example, the new King Kong exhibit was a huge hit with my kids. I loved the theater that bears witness to the Empire State Building in pop culture and all the photos of celebrities visiting the Empire State Building. My husband loved to see the historical photos on display from New York City in the 1920s and 1930s (including photos from the construction of the famous building).

In addition to museum-quality exhibits, they offer a free self-guided tour for guests with tickets. You simply use their free guest Wi-Fi to enjoy this audio tour. Again, it makes waiting to head to the 86th observatory deck a breeze. With so much to check out, my girls didn’t even realize they were waiting!

What You Need to Know Before You Visit the Empire State Building

To keep everyone safe and make sure all families have a wonderful time, here are some things you need to know before you go:

• Admission is by appointment only. Reservations are now required.

• Prices start at $42 for adults and $36 for children. The ticket price includes the 2nd floor exhibits and interactive galleries, and the free audio tour.

• Masks (or facial coverings) are required by law.

• Your temperature will be checked upon arrival. If it is above 100.4°F, you will be denied entry.

5 Ways for Kids to Stay Connected with Their Social-Distance Friends

In a summer following the longest and weirdest school year ever, there are no traditional summer camps or extracurricular activities for our kids. According to The Conversation, “Over the last 30 years, children’s friendships have been largely forged in the classroom and during extracurricular activities. That’s because, on average, children spend 6.5 hours a day in school, and 57% of children spend every day or most days involved in extracurricular activities.”

It's not surprising that our kids are lonely and suffering. COVID-19 essentially took away their main access to their friends. Since friendship is important for our kids' social-emotional development and their mental health, it is our job to do what we can to help them stay connected with their friends while social distancing. Here are five things we’ve been doing with our girls.

1. Virtual Playdates

Technology has truly been a lifesaver throughout this pandemic. We have encouraged our girls to have virtual playdates (or meetups for older kids). Essentially, this has meant relaxing some of our screen rules, such as time limits or chatting with friends, but we’ve still maintained safeguards (such as only chatting online with people we know in real life). Give your kids time on your phone, computer, or device to video chat with their friends through Skype, Facebook Messenger, or Zoom. Simply seeing their friends through the screen will make their day! For example, my youngest daughter had an absolute blast having an online dance party with her elementary classmates.

2. Online Gaming

Personally, I don’t get the whole online gaming thing, but my girls love playing online games like Minecraft and Roblox. But what they love even more is when they get to play with friends. Fortunately, most online games provide ways for you to play and chat with friends. Additionally, there are online game sites, like Pogo, that make it easy to play board games like Monopoly with socially-distanced friends.

3. Netflix Party

Are you tired of watching your kid’s favorite shows? Let them watch their favorite shows or movies with their friends online using the Netflix Party tool. Our Children explains, “Anyone with a monthly Netflix subscription can add this free Google Chrome extension. You can synchronize video playback with your child’s friends and add group chat so kids can ‘talk’ during the movie. Anyone in the group can pause, play, fast forward and rewind the movie so everyone is in the same spot.”

4. Write Old Fashioned Letters

Have your kids ever written a letter to a friend? I’m not talking about a thank you note after a birthday party. I’m talking about an old-fashioned pen pal letter. I’m betting the answer is never. Now is the perfect time to introduce your kids to the joy of getting a letter from a friend in the mail. Get them some cute stationery, stamps, and their friend’s addresses and watch them connect the old-fashioned way.

5. Physically Distanced Neighbors

This last one is going to vary depending on your family’s unique situation. If you feel comfortable allowing your kids to have an outdoor playdate with your neighbors, then just remember to enforce physical distancing. While playdates are still frowned upon, outdoor playdates are deemed more acceptable. Harvard Medical School suggests, “Something like going for a bike ride, or a hike, allows you to be together while sharing fewer germs (bringing and using hand sanitizer is still a good idea). You need to have ground rules, though, about distance and touching, and if you don't think it's realistic that your children will follow those rules, then don't do the playdate even if it is outdoors.”

Setting Summer Screen Time Rules

Summertime and the living is easy - until it comes to keeping our kids from turning into rabid screen time zombies! It seems like the day school wraps up all our kids want to do is play on their devices or watch tv all day long. It is a constant battle to get them to stop playing Fortnite, Minecraft, and Animal Crossing. Plus, the endless streaming options make watching tv all hours of the day possible – and extremely difficult to control.

The first thing you need to know is you are absolutely not the only parent dealing with this problem. So, don’t beat yourself up! It is perfectly fine to relax your screen time rules during the summer. The goal is to set some boundaries that keep them from turning into screen time zombies.

Create a Family Media Plan

Recently, I discovered that Healthy Children from the American Academy of Pediatrics has tools that are super helpful in setting screen time boundaries. They offer a Media Time Calculator that allows you to enter the amount of time your child needs each day for different activities, such as sleeping, eating, exercising, chores, and more. As you enter in the time needed for these important activities, you see how much time is leftover for media use.

Additionally, they offer a Family Media Plan tool that allows you to create a customized media plan for your family and each child. For example, you establish which areas of the house will be screen free zones, device curfews, and recreational co-viewing/co-playing plans.

To-Dos Before Screen Time

It’s also smart to use your kids’ love for their screens to encourage them to get some stuff done. For example, have a set list of to-dos your kids have to complete before they can have any screen time. And, don’t just stick to their chores. Add in to-dos such as personal hygiene tasks, reading, exercising, and playing outside.

Another tip for parents of older kids – make them work for the Wi-Fi password. This requires you to change it each evening, but your kids know they must do everything on their list to get the new Wi-Fi password.

A Screen Time Bedtime

During summertime, bedtimes are later. Along with bedtimes, we tend to let our kids stay up later watching tv or playing videogames. Unfortunately, if we give them free rein, they will stay up all hours of the night doing these things. This is super unhealthy and the blue light from screens will make it harder to get a good night’s sleep. As a family, set a screen time bedtime. This should be a bit of time before your child’s actual bedtime.

Family Time is Screen Free

Do your best to have screen free family time. Start by making family rules, such as no screens at the dinner table. Then, sit aside time every week to spend a few hours doing things together as a family without devices, such as going on a hike, playing a board game, or telling ghost stories.

What summer screen time rules do you have for your family?

6 Things Kids Need to Do Every Day During Summer

Summer’s here, which means moms are trying to figure out how they are going to keep their kids occupied without school. With some COVID-19 restrictions still in place, it also means many moms can’t rely on summer camps to fill the days between now and the start of the next school year. You can find all sorts of summer schedules for kids online. Rather than give you a set schedule to follow, I thought it might work better just to give you a list of the six things kids need to do every day during summer break.

1. Use Their Brains

It’s important for kids to avoid the summer slide. The summer slide refers to the tendency for kids to lose what they have learned at school over the summer break. According to Scholastic, “A more recent study of children in 3rd to 5th grades also showed that students lost, on average, about 20 percent of their school-year gains in reading and 27 percent of their school-year gains in math during summer break.”

Using their brains will look different for each child – and will likely vary from one day to the next. Encourage your kids to read every day and get them to play educational apps before they play apps only designed for entertainment. You might also want to consider signing your kids up for virtual educational summer camps like iD Tech.

2. Play Outside

Playing outdoors leads to happier and healthier kids. It also forces them to turn off the TV and other electronic devices. The Child Mind Institute claims, “Most of the studies agree that kids who play outside are smarter, happier, more attentive, and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors.”

3. Exercise Their Bodies

Not only is exercising good for their health and bodies but exercising also helps them to sleep better at night! That should be reason enough for parents to encourage their kids to stay active during the summer. Whether it is going on a family walk or turning on the radio and encouraging a dance party, parents need to encourage their kids to get up and move.

4. Create Something

Give your kids time each day to create something. This is wide open! It may mean playing with Play-Doh, coloring, crafting, building with LEGOs, or staging their own play or puppet show. The point is to encourage creativity and imagination. Parents explains, “When kids feel good while they are creating, art helps boost self-confidence. And children who feel able to experiment and to make mistakes feel free to invent new ways of thinking, which extends well beyond the craft room.”

5. Do Some Chores

We all learn best by doing. That’s why it is so important to start insisting your kids help with chores around the house. Summer is the perfect time to encourage these behaviors because you aren’t as pressed for time. By the end of the summer, your kids will have mastered the art of unloading the dishwasher.

6. Your Attention

Last but not least, every day, your kids need your attention. I don’t mean they need your attention all day every day. Instead, moms should give each kid a few minutes of one-on-one attention. This may look like reading together before bed or simply putting your phone down for a few minutes to talk about their favorite things. A little bit of your attention every day will go a long way.

10 Marvelous March Happenings for NYC Families

Can you believe it’s already March? Whenever March arrives, it is a reminder that Spring and warmer temperatures are on the way. But, those of us in New York, it means we have another month of winter weather before it actually feels like spring (which officially begins on March 20th). Since we only have an average high of 50 degrees and typically have snow, families are still looking for indoor activities.

While ice skating is still a possibility, your kids may be ready for something new to do this month. So, I’ve rounded up ten super fun things taking place in NYC this March to help you out.

New York International Children’s Festival

This kid-friendly film festival takes place from February 22nd – March 20th at various theaters. This unique film festival is designed for kids 3 – 18 years old and gives kids the opportunity to see 125+ new films from around the world.

Photo: Puppetworks

Cinderella at Puppet Works

Every Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm in March, kids can see the story of Cinderella told through puppetry arts in Brooklyn.

Photo: FIAF

Tilt Kids Festival

For a taste of French culture, take your kids to the Tilt Festival to experience French art, music, theater, and more. It takes place March 2nd – 31st at FIAF (French Institute Alliance Française).

Brick Fest Live

If your kids are LEGO fans, then you absolutely must make it to New York Hall of Science March 30th – 31st for Brick Fest Live. LEGO fans will get to see giant LEGO sculptures, build and more!

Photo: New York Botanical Garden

Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden

This year’s Orchid Show is inspired by Singapore. If you have never been to the Orchid Show, you are truly missing out. It is a wonderful escape from the winter cold. It takes place from February 23rd – April 28th.

NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Deck your family in green and head to the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16th in Manhattan. The northern end tends to be a little calmer if you are worried about your kids and a party atmosphere.

Photo: Macy’s

Macy’s Flower Show

The Macy’s Flower Show is an NYC tradition. This year’s event will take place at the flagship store from March 24th – April 7th. This year’s theme is the sci-fi inspired “Journey to Paradisios.”

Sleep Over at the American Museum of Natural History

Did you know you can sleep over at the AMNH and have your own Night at the Museum like the movies? The museum opens its doors for sleepovers on certain nights in March. Just make sure you book your ticket early as they sell out fast!

Photo: National Marionette Theatre

Beauty and the Beast Marionette

Your kids will be mesmerized by Beauty and the Beast performed by the National Marionette Theatre taking place at Symphony Space on March 9th.

Photo: Al Bello | Times Union

Winter Sports

For sports fans, there is still plenty of time in March to cheer on your favorite NY basketball and hockey teams. Take a glance at NYC Go’s Sports Calendar to find a game on a convenient date.

Which March events are you most excited about this year?

10 Wintry Ways for Families to Have “Snow” Much Fun in NYC

Do you remember when you were a kid and you were thrilled every time it snowed? If you are a New Yorker, that feeling has likely passed. But, if you are a mom, you have kids who are just as excited as you once were.

The next time it snows, I hope you look for opportunities to embrace the magic of winter. To help you out, I’m listing ten of my favorite ways to spend a snow day in New York City.

1. Cuddle and watch movies at home

Ideally, my favorite way to spend a snow day is cuddling with my husband and daughters indoors. This is especially true on the days when the snow seems to make New York City come to a complete stop. We like to get under warm blankets and watch our favorite movies all day long.

2. Bundle up and play in the snow

But, I have children and they have to get outside and play in the snow – even if just for a few minutes. Building a snowman (or woman) is so easy and it brings my girls so much joy.

3. Search for the best hot chocolate

There is an abundance of hot chocolate options in the city, and a snowy day is the perfect time to try a few and see which place has the best. Plus, drinking hot chocolate makes walking back home in the snow much more enjoyable.

4. Head to your favorite indoor play place

Rather than being stuck indoors without any way to get their energy out, I love to head to one of our favorite indoor play places. Check out TimeOut’s Best Indoor Playgrounds in NYC to give you ideas of ones closest to home.

5. Go ice skating

If you want the quintessential winter experience, then take the kids to Central Park to go ice skating. The rink and the scenery are beautiful and perfect for families on a winter day.

6. Hit the hills

Similarly, we love to go sledding! NYC has several great hills for sledding such as Central Park’s Pilgrim Hill and Cedar Hill. Here’s a secret – adults love sledding just as much as the kids.

7. Explore a new-to-you museum

In NYC, you never run out of museums to visit. So, take this opportunity to visit a museum you haven’t been to before – or at least introduce your kids to a new museum. This is a great way to take a break from the cold and be away from home at the same time.

8. Visit an indoor trampoline park

If you really want to ensure your kids sleep well tonight, then head to one of NYC’s best indoor trampoline parks. These places are awesome! Your whole family will have a blast jumping and flying through the air.

9. Have a baking marathon

Being stuck indoors on a snowy day is a great excuse to have a baking marathon. Call the whole family into the kitchen and cook some of your favorite treats.

10. Do some snow science

Just because the kids are out of school doesn’t mean the learning has to end. Try some of these Snow Science Experiments for Kids. Most of these experiments only require snow and things you already have at home.