Ready to upgrade your car seat? Target's trade-in event is back!
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Learn some random fun facts that will leave your kids laughing. Photo by Sara Marentette
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The Saguaro in Palm Springs, California, beckons families with its pool and more.
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These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
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Join Dairy Queen's Blizzard Fan Club and enjoy a free birthday Blizzard! Photo courtesy of Sunny Daze and Dairy Queen
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An illustrated Haggadah encourages kids to read the story of Passover and the Passover Seder. Photo by Melanie Preis
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How many of these trivia questions can your little brainiac answer? Photo by J. Fanchin, courtesy of Canva
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Hoya Summer High School Sessions. Photo courtesy of Georgetown University
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Kids get excited about Ramadan because it's a time of celebration! Photo by Nanausop, courtesy of Canva
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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Photo of girl laughing by Amina Filkins via Pexels
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Have sweet dreams of all the free baby stuff you'll get. Photo by Garrett Jackson courtesy of Unsplash
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High school girls (and non-binary kids) interested in computer science are encouraged to apply. Photo courtesy Girls Who Code
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Kids love these jokes that require audience participation. Photo by Jay Wood via Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Printable word search puzzles are a great way to keep little brains engaged.
Printable Word Puzzles for Kids: Great Sites for Word Searches, Crosswords, & Word Scrambles
Join Dairy Queen's Blizzard Fan Club and enjoy a free birthday Blizzard! Photo courtesy of Sunny Daze and Dairy Queen
Birthday Freebies for Kids: 64 Places To Get Free Stuff on Your Birthday
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Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
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Go ahead. Hand them the iPad; these websites for kids are fun and at least a little educational. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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There are so many fun ways to throw an epic Barbie party. Photo by Mattel courtesy of Barbie Facebook Page
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Belize is the perfect tropical vacation destination for families.
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Photo of girl laughing by Amina Filkins via Pexels
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Toys make perfect first birthday gifts for budding toddlers! But which ones? We've got you covered.
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Get a sunscreen they won't mind slathering on! Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen Lotion image courtesy of the company
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We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Skip the candy and the plastic that ends up in a landfill with these creative goody bag and party favor ideas. Photo courtesy of Hannah Rodrigo/Unsplash
Unique Goody Bag and Party Favor Ideas for Kids' Birthday Parties
Being a dad is one of the two best jobs on earth. Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado
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All you need for Crazy Hair Day are some cupcake baking cups! Photo by the author
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Photo by Liz Baill
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Kids can play these daily word games alone or with a friend. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Teachers have found inspiring ways to be there for our kids. Here are some ways to show our appreciation. Photo by Yan Krukov, Pexels
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Sea otters really don't want to get lost! Photo courtesy Joe Robertson/CC BY 2.0
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These questions to ask grandparents help kids get to know their favorite people a little better.
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It's time to plan the ultimate Bluey birthday party!
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Adorable? Yes. Useful? No way. Babies don't need shoes.
Deinfluencing Your Baby Registry: Baby Products You Totally Don’t Need
Starface's star-shaped pimple patches make kids look and feel awesome while dealing with pimples.
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Kudos diapers use four times more plant-based materials than competing brands. Photo courtesy of Shark Tank Products
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It's up to kids to save our planet, with a little guidance from us. Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels
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There are so many fun ways to reuse your Imperfect Foods boxes. Photo courtesy of Imperfect Foods
How To Get Free Stuff, Save Money, and Reduce Waste
Grab your list and head out for a scavenger hunt with the kids!
Indoor and Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids - Plus Cute Printables!
Now we can send you articles about things to do in your neighborhood that match your interests!
Mommy Poppins' New Web App and Notifications Are the Easiest Way To Find Fun Things To Do
Walking, talking, grabbing, holding, smiling, laughing... it's all coming. But when? Photo by Tatiana Syrikova, via Pexels
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One top tip is getting kids involved from the planning stage, and they'll want to help cook! Photo by Brooke Lark, via Pexels
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Just one kid composting can save 400 pounds of food waste a year. So yes, one kid can make a difference! Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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When kids are bored, bored, bored, it's handy to have a whole list of fun things to do. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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There's nothing like a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. Photo courtesy of Cotton Bro Studios
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Enjoy snow sports or stay cozy indoors with our Winter Activities Guide. Photo by Ally Noel
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Disney turns 100 and there will be celebrations from coast to coast. Photo courtesy of Disneyland
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How about a birthday celebration at a local park for free! Photo by Antonius Ferret vis Pexels
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It's easier than you'd think to turn a simple paper lunch bag into a festive piñata!
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Learn some random fun facts that will leave your kids laughing. Photo by Sara Marentette
125 Fun Facts For Kids That Will Blow Their Minds
Trader Joe's how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: for being inexpensive, gourmet and friendly.
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Snuggle up with one of these beloved bedtime stories for kids.
30 Best Bedtime Stories for Kids, Including Free Bedtime Stories Online
Screen time doesn't have to be a solo activity with these fun, free online games for kids to play with friends.
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Take a spin around the lazy river at Mandalay Bay.
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Las Vegas, Nevada: 50 Awesome Things To Do in Vegas with Kids
SingleCare offers major savings on more than 10,000 prescription drugs through its free app.
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The outdoors are a natural playground for curious kids.
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Remember getting your first Cabbage Patch Kid? Photo by Charlotte B
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Photo by Leah Kelley via Pexels
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Are you brave enough for some of these spooky ghost stories?
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A perfectly packed lunchbox helps kick the school blues. Photo courtesy of www.YumboxLunch.com
100 School Lunch Ideas for Kids: Back-to-School Lunches Kids Will Actually Eat
Jump rope solo, skip with siblings, or round up the whole gang for double dutch.
40 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids: Backyard Games, Playground Games, and More
Revel in the dirty hands! Outdoor activities help kids sleep better and jumpstarts their imaginations.
30 Outdoor Activities in Nature for Kids for Hands-on Outdoor Learning
Rent a gorgeous backyard pool like this for your family for an hour or a day. Photo courtesy of Swimply
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Alphabet Soup. Photo courtesy of foodwithfeeling
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Gather 'round the campfire and sing some fun songs. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
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These funny jokes for kids will have them laughing in no time!
75 Jokes for Kids That Will Keep the Whole Family in Giggles
Timber Ridge Lodge in Geneva, Wisconsin features both an indoor water park and outdoor pools.
Best Family Resorts with Water Parks: All-Inclusive Family Resorts and More
Things like having a children's museum with a view like this make it easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area Discovery Museum
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Kids can give parents tickets if they forget to turn off the water to soap hands or brush teeth!
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A zip line and more await at Portland's Eagle's Nest Treehouse. Photo courtesy of julian@hipcamp
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Did you know a pillow fight is a great way to get proprioceptive input? Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Find a bare patch of soil to place your seed bomb. Spread them far and wide! Photo by the author
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How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs: An Earth-Friendly Craft for Kids
The Outdoor Play Plaza at Greensboro Children's Museum in North Carolina.
The Best Children’s Museums in the US: Museums Worth Planning a Vacation Around
Enjoy stunning views of the Thames River.
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London With Kids: 60+ Best Things To Do in London on a UK Family Vacation
How does your garden grow? Photo by Filip Urban, Unsplash
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Taco Tuesday makes meal planning easy and dinner kid-pleasing.
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Enjoy the clear turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos.
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Why Ocean Club Resort Turks and Caicos Is Tops on Our Family Vacation List
Watch as kids become entranced by a live show. Photo by Alexis Buatti Ramos, courtesy of the New Victory Theater
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Our guide to living a more earth-friendly life.
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Sometimes #momlife just makes you laugh.
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Plan the perfect at-home kids' birthday party with these ideas and tips. Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels
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A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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We found plenty of things to do in Paris to fill our days and nights!
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Children are natural advocates for the planet and our actions truly can make a difference.
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Abracadabra! These videos teach kids how to do magic at home! Photo by Amina Filkins/Pexels
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Try wrapping your tongue around a few of these tantalizing twisters! Photo courtesy of Saeed Karimi via Unsplash
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Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
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Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
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The outdoors are a natural playground for curious kids.
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Even the pickiest toddler will want to literally eat a rainbow.
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strawberry popsicle
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Need a kids' music playlist that will get you dancing, eating, and even learning state capitals? We found a playlist for every occasion.
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The Muppet Show never goes out of style. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprise, Inc.
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Photo courtesy of Language Workshop for Children
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Milo Imagines the World, by Matt de la Peña was one of our favorite books of the year.
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Try a little freeze dancing, robot style! Photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels
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Find a new favorite children's book with these reading lists.
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Selfies are fun, but make sure kids know how to be cell phone safe and smart. Photo courtesy of Kampus Productions, Pexels
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Mexican Instant Pot Quinoa warms on a chilly night.
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For Grandparents' Day or any day, the best gift is more time with grandkids! Photo courtesy of Canva
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Ride the San Diego Zoo Skyfari. Photo courtesy of Christina Simmons, for the San Diego Zoo.
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Walk the rocks at Fort Williams for views of Portland Head Light and the waves.
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With Bestow, get a personalized term life insurance quote—no medical exam required—in as little as five minutes.
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River Falls Water Park at Orlando World Center Marriott opened in March 2022, just in time for guests to cool off this summer! Photo by Jackie Jones
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Keep babies occupied with highchair activities at their own baby activity center.
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Climb to the highest point in Tennessee at Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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SeaWorld Orlando theme park, zoo and aquarium offers exciting rides and roller coasters, up-close animal encounters. Photo by the author
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Dessert charcutterie boards, like this S'mores Board, delight kids and parents alike.
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Build trains, cars, houses, and creatures with cardboard boxes!
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50 Genius Things to Do with Cardboard Boxes, Plus More Cardboard Crafts and Activities for Kids
A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
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Use recyclables and household objects to build a better bridge.
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Climb Monument Mountain for panoramic views of the Berkshires. Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
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Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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Middle School Muddle Blog Helps NYC Parents

11/12/07 - By Anna Fader
Don't forget. You have until midnight tonight to enter theГЇВїВЅ Giveaway-a-Thon Finale and win two weeks of dinners prepared for you in your home.ГЇВїВЅ Many people know about Inside Schools as a terrific resource for parents looking to find information about NYC public schools. It's one of the only places you can find clear, relatively unbiased, anecdotal information about the best NYC public schools from elementary school through high school. The site was created by Clara Hemphill, who wrote the definitive books on NYC schools, New York City's Best Public Elementary Schools and New York City's Best Public Middle Schools. One of the great things about the website is that they continue to update it and add various features. One new addition is a blog by education writer and fellow parent, Liz Willen. Liz is tracking her own experience as she searches, tours and applies for middle school with her son. She's a veteran. Besides being an education writer, she's been through this before and has an older son at Clinton School for Artists and Writers.

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For many, finding a suitable middle school is a much bigger deal than finding a public elementary school. The anxiety is higher and the choices seem tougher. Going through it with someone as knowledgeable, experienced and level-headed as Liz is really a treat. Her experiences are sure to enlighten and amuse anyone whether they're in the throes of the same search now, or only imagining it down the line. In fact, everyone can benefit from her latest post about the confusing new school report cards. Thanks for sharing this with us, Liz.