Rachael Cherry

Latest posts by Rachael Cherry

Houston Area Music and Theater Camps

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 02/13/2017 - 10:00am

Houston has an array of summer and vacation camps to fit every kid's passion which provides a break from the classroom and the perfect opportunity for kids to pursue their interests in a more singular fashion. Have an aspiring actor or actress on your hands? Use summertime to help them hone in on their musical and theatrical skills by enrolling your little Romeo or Juliet in one of Houston's many music or theater camps.

And for more summer and vacation camp ideas, check out our comprehensive camp guide and full directory of camp listings.

9 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month with Your Kids

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 02/02/2017 - 10:00am

February isn't (or it shouldn't be, anyway) all about conversation hearts and carnations for Valentine's Day - it is a month when we celebrate something much more important, Black History Month. This is a time when we can teach our kids about the richness of African American culture as well as the obstacles many have overcome throughout the years as well as celebrate numerous successes and advancements in civil rights. Here are nine ways you can celebrate and teach your kids about these historical achievements at home and around Houston.

Parent's Night Out Childcare Options in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 01/19/2017 - 4:52pm

As parents, we all need a break from being "on" from time to time even if it's just for a few hours. Whether it's dinner with your spouse, a night out with friends, or a few hours where you just shed the role of "parent" and enjoy some alone time, we need those nights off duty. But what happens when you can't find a sitter? You take the kids to a local Parent's Night Out! Many churches, gyms, and other businesses have dedicated evenings - usually on Friday or Saturday - for parents to come drop their kids off for a few hours in a safe, supervised setting.

The kids get to play games and do crafts with other kids, and you get a few hours off; it's a win-win situation for everyone. To make scheduling your next "adults only" night easy, we've rounded up Parent's Night Out offerings across the Houston area - and even a Parent's Day Out so you can enjoy the random day date, too.

Ringing in the Lunar New Year in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 10:00am

With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year 's Eve solidly behind us, it may seem like the holiday season has finally come to a close, but the festivities haven't ended quite yet. In fact, it's almost time to ring in another New Year - the Lunar New Year - which is one of the biggest celebrations in Asian culture. This year is all about welcoming the Year of the Fire Rooster, and Houston is gearing up to celebrate it big. So gather up the family and check out one - or more! - of these Lunar New Year events; it's going to be a cultural celebration you don't want to miss.

Holiday Break Camps for Houston Kids

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Tue, 01/03/2017 - 10:00am

It's a school holiday and your kids are at home, but you still have to go into the office, leaving you scrambling for childcare. If you find yourself in this situation, or if you just want to have the kids do something fun and different on a day they're out of school, check out some of these holiday day camps around Houston. We picked a variety of camps that span everything from arts and crafts to gymnastics to a day at the Zoo, so your kids can spend their day learning through creative outlets and active play while you're at work.

Giving Back: Holiday Toy Drives in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Sun, 12/04/2016 - 12:38pm

The holidays are in full swing, and kids everywhere are dreaming of toys they want and are counting down the days until it's time to open presents. However, the holiday season is as much about giving as it is about receiving, and during this time parents have a unique window of opportunity to teach children the importance of volunteering and giving back to those in need. One way to do this is by donating toys to a local holiday toy drive, and we've rounded up several organizations in and around Houston that are dedicated to bringing holiday cheer to families unable to afford gifts this holiday season.

Family Fitness: Houston-Area Turkey Trots & Fun Runs

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Sat, 11/05/2016 - 8:00am

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and if you're anything like me you've already started dreaming of all the delicious holiday food you're going to enjoy with family. After all, this is the one time each year that it's actually acceptable to spend the entire day eating...and then eating some more. But consider starting a new family tradition - participating in a family Turkey Trot, which gets everyone up and moving and allows you to raise funds for a good cause. Here are 12 family-friendly runs happening around Houston!

Adorable Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 10/13/2016 - 1:05pm

Despite bearing the job title of "Stay At Home Mom," I am not one of those crafty moms (much to my chagrin). I've tried to be, multiple times, but my attempts at being creative and crafty usually end up falling short of the high standards I see on social media. To top it off, I also have a bad habit of procrastinating (one of the many reasons I am a proud and frequent Amazon Prime user; two-day shipping for life!). All that to say, when it comes to holidays like Halloween, it's not unusual for me to be scraping together ideas that are cheap and easy at the last minute so my kid can trick or treat - or trunk or treat - in costume. Find yourself in the same situation? Check out these costume ideas for some last-minute inspiration: