How to Pack a Zero-Waste School Lunch

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

What kid wouldn't want to eat a lunch this adorable?

Packing a zero-waste school lunch sounds like lots of extra work, but it doesn't have to be hard, and it's worth the effort to create a better planet and Earth-friendly habits for our kids. Wrappers, chip bags, applesauce pouches, milk cartons, juice boxes—there's a lot of waste associated with school lunches. By making school lunches as zero-waste as possible, you can help keep extra packaging and food scraps out of landfills. Luckily, there are lots of ways to easily reduce or eliminate waste in your kids' lunchboxes, and many of them will actually save you money.

Here are our top 12 tips for packing a zero-waste school lunch. For more ways to save the planet, including water conservation tricks and ways to live more sustainably every day, check out our Earth Kids Guide.

Best Science Museums and Places to Explore Science in Philly

Submitted by Hillary Moses M... on

You can't miss Dino Hall at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Photo courtesy of the Academy

Philadelphia might be known as a city steeped in history, but it’s also home to plenty of places for kids and families to learn more about the science of how the world works. From indoor museums like the Franklin Institute to outdoor nature centers, Philly boasts lots of opportunities for children of all ages to explore science and nature.

Read on to learn more – and get ready to be inspired to conduct your own science experiments at home! For more of our favorite local museums, visit our Guide to Philly Museums for Kids.

Baby Sign Language Classes in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Signing Time Academy provides many resources to help parents incorporate baby sign language into their routine. Photo courtesy of the academy

Baby sign language is a valuable tool for babies as young as 6 months to communicate with their parents using simple hand gestures. Baby sign language classes are offered throughout New Jersey and teach babies to sign useful words such as "hungry," "yes," and, of course, "mom," with hopes of eliminating some tears! These mommy-and-me classes are found in preschool settings, language facilities, and schools that focus solely on signing.

Find more classes geared for babies and tots, such as Baby and Kid Swimming Lessons in New Jersey and Best Pregnancy and Parenting Classes in New Jersey,  in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New Jersey Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

Ninja Warrior Gyms and Parkour in NYC for Kids: Cool Classes for Your Little Daredevil

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Take parkour in NYC with The Movement Creative, which offers classes in three NYC boroughs. Photo courtesy of the Movement Creative

If you've got an active kid who's looking for a physical challenge, why hit one of these ninja warrior gyms where they can learn parkour in NYC? These local parkour classes specialize in building the skills necessary to conquer ninja warrior obstacles and take place at ninja warrior gyms in NYC, plus parks in the great outdoors, helping kids build physical skills, push their limits, and gain confidence all while having fun in a safe and supportive environment. These ninja warrior gyms and parkour classes in NYC are sure to keep exercise fresh and exciting.

If you're looking to learn parkour in NYC, we've profiled several kid-friendly destinations that offer an introduction to the sport with classes and free play, including Area 53, and the New York Ninja and Brooklyn Ninja Academies. Many of these ninja warrior gyms and parkour classes accept kids as young as age 6, and some even teach parkour in NYC to adults.

You can find more sports classes for active kids in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New York City Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests.

Top Montessori Preschools in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Montessori preschools focus on independence along with learning. Photo courtesy of Gateway Montessori

Selecting a Montessori preschool in Chicago for your child can be a daunting task, with many that may or may not be a fit for your little one. Montessori schools offer personalized education with teachers guiding children through an environment full of enriching materials that engage a child's natural curiosity and interest in learning. Created by Maria Montessori in the early 20th century, Montessori is based on five principles: respect for children, the absorbent minds of children, sensitive periods that are critical for learning, an environment that is prepared for learning, and children teaching themselves (auto-education).

Montessori preschools in Chicago grew in popularity in the 1960s, with many Montessori schools in Chicago founded during that time. Newer schools are starting to emerge with a focus on providing services for children in different demographics and at different income levels. Some Montessori schools are exclusively for preschool, while others have students ranging from six weeks to 14 years old. All students learn in multi-age classrooms, often including students up to three years in age difference. Two accrediting institutions, The American Montessori Society and the American Montessori Institute, help keep schools on track to ensure that they are following the principles laid out by the Montessori Method.

Here are 20 top Montessori schools in Chicago and the suburbs. For more learning ideas, check out our Guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago or our frequently-updated Directory to Classes in Chicago. 

Baby Sign Language Classes on Long Island

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

Signing Time Academy provides many resources to help parents incorporate baby sign language into their routine. Photo courtesy of the academy

Looking for baby sign language classes on Long Island? Read on for the various options. 

Navigating the early months of infancy can make any parent feel a little lost. You'll often wish your baby could just tell you what they want. Was that squeal one of tiredness or hunger? Learn to communicate with your baby non-verbally by enrolling in one of these baby sign language classes on Long Island. 

For more great classes for kids, including our rundown on Long Island's many mommy-and-me classes, or our top picks for baby swimming lessons on Long Island, check out our Long Island Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

Great Language Immersion and Bilingual Preschools in Los Angeles: Make Your Tot a Polyglot

Submitted by Audrey M on

Kids can garden and play while learning a new language (or two!) Photo courtesy of Ecole Claire Fontaine

We've all heard that children have a much easier time learning a second language than adults, and immersion preschools and bilingual preschools in Los Angeles are a perfect place to start. Kids have a knack for picking things up quickly, and those little brains absorb a second language like a sponge. In some families, bilingual immersion comes easy. Parents or grandparents may speak to their kids in Spanish, German, Mandarin, or another language, and kids also hear a healthy dose of English outside the home. In these cases, a bilingual or immersion preschool reinforces the concepts taught by caretakers. 

However, if your family only speaks one language, a bilingual school or immersion school may be the only way to give your child the gift of a second language. These unique preschools infuse bilingual communication with the cultures and educational philosophies of other countries to give your kids a truly unique, diverse, and well-rounded experience. Immersion preschools can also help to prepare a child to attend one of LA's bilingual elementary schools. For more information on schools and preschools in Los Angeles, visit our Los Angeles Preschools, Public Schools, and Private Schools Guide.

Toddler Dance Classes in Houston for your Tiny Dancer

Submitted by Sarah Banks on

Take a look at one of these popular toddler dance classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Ballet preschool program.

When looking for the perfect toddler dance classes in Houston, you'll probably find that there are a plethora of amazing dance studios in the greater Houston area to choose from. Each offers its own unique class style and qualified instructors, so finding a great class for your little one really comes down to where you live and when the classes fit into your schedule. The rhythm is going to get them and before you know it, you'll have a bona fide ballerina, tap dancer, acrobat, jazz dancer, or hip-hop dancer on your hands.

While dance is just one of many types of Houston classes and activities available for your toddler to participate in, it is definitely one that will fill their little hearts and feet with so much joy. Read on to see what dance classes in Houston are offered near you and get that tiny dancer of yours signed up ASAP. 

Pages