School is out and the temperatures are climbing which means summer is here. It’s time to find creative ways to keep your kids entertained, engaged and happy through the longer days of additional free time. Check out these six ideas to help your kids – and the whole family – make the most of summer, whether you’re adventuring outdoors or beating the heat together inside. Create a Daily Schedule Kids thrive on routine, even during the summer. Create a daily schedule that includes time for outdoor play, creative activities and quiet time. This will help balance fun and structure, making the days more manageable for everyone. Find Outdoor Adventures Encourage your children to spend time outside – and get the whole family involved. Plan family hikes, trips to the park or backyard camping ...
Nintendo is bringing smiles to cities nationwide alongside Mario, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, Pikachu and more with the free Play Nintendo Tour. Nintendo invites kids and their parents to explore the endless adventure and fun of Nintendo and the Nintendo Switch system at Flatiron Crossing June 13-16. The national tour is free to attend and brings with it exciting interactive experiences featuring photo-ops with Nintendo characters, giveaways (while supplies last), and playable demos of the latest Nintendo Switch games. June 20 – 23 at FlatIron Crossing Food Court Thursday, June 20: 10am – 8pm Friday, June 21: 10am – 8pm Saturday, June 22: 10am – 8pm Sunday, June 23: 11am – 6pm The Play Nintendo Tour has something for everyone – whether that’s discovering a ne...
In today’s digital age, having fast and affordable internet is key to meeting our family’s needs, whether that’s joining a video call for work, tuning in to classes remotely, accessing healthcare or staying connected with loved ones. However, due to recent changes to a federally funded program, some families are finding it harder to afford internet that helps them meet these daily needs. Until recently, more than 23 million households received financial support from the federal government to ensure their families could access reliable internet and stay connected. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provided families a $30 monthly benefit, but this program expired in April. If your family was affected by this policy change and is having trouble paying for your current internet option,...
Have you heard the news? Girls & Science is back at DMNS! This free, in-person event on Friday, March 1, 4-8 p.m. will kick off a month of virtual programming and engagement. Show your electric personality and tell the weather with CBS Colorado’s meteorologist Lauren Whitney, dig into your passion for science with DMNS’s female-led laboratories, and create your own story featuring Pingy with Ping’s Technical Enablement Specialist Joany Huang! Girls & Science connects girls and their friends and families with mentors working in various STEAM fields. All kids (and kids-at-heart) can engage their curiosity through hands-on activities and inspire their passion for science with in-person conversations about how to pursue careers in STEAM. Activities are ...
With the holiday season comes decorations, treats, a break from school and more downtime. It also means more family time, and for many, more time to spend on devices and gaming. The holiday season is the perfect time to foster positive screen time and gaming habits and ensure your kids are set up for fun and safe playtime. And it can be fun for the whole family! Check out these ten tips to make gaming a positive and balanced part of your child’s holidays. Set clear boundaries: Just like in the real world, boundaries are crucial in the world of gaming. Try establishing specific time limits for gaming sessions to ensure a healthy balance with other activities. Select age-appropriate games: Help your child pick out games suitable for their age and maturity level. There are plenty of options t...
Do you feel like you’re in the swing of managing your kids’ back-to-school routines or do you feel a bit overwhelmed trying to keep up? Technology doesn’t have to be part of that overwhelm. In fact, it can be a valuable tool for education. Comcast has some awesome tips for how to use it mindfully and with supervision to ensure a positive and constructive learning experience for your child. Don’t miss these great technology tips for parents to help their children succeed in the digital age. Create a productive workspace. Agree to a dedicated, organized and comfortable workspace for your child with good lighting and all the necessary school supplies. Be sure to find a place that minimizes distractions. Check your internet connectivity. Make sure your home has a stable and reliable inte...
Warning: Public Education Rant to Parents Parents. I am an assistant principal in a middle school (grades 6-8). My number one job is to create and sustain a school environment where both students and teachers feel safe (physically, emotionally, and mentally) to teach, learn, innovate, and socialize. I take my job very seriously, as do my colleagues, and we work very hard to grow in our capacity to do our job on a daily basis. I can’t begin to describe how much time I spend every day dealing with issues that stem from unsupervised cell phone usage by our students. In situations where I have to search a student’s cell phone, I often get sick to my stomach at what I find (highly inappropriate photos, videos, messages, social media usage, etc). The things our students are willing to try ...
Spark your child’s interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at Energy Day Colorado! Energy Day is a free family festival event on Saturday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. that consists of numerous interactive demonstrations that familiarize young students with the different types of energy and get them excited to see how a pathway in STEM could be their future career. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of energy in our world, conservation and efficiency in our daily lives, in schools, and in the home. Exhibits featured at the event range from hands-on demonstrations where students and families can see how each energy process works, to small and even large-scale installations that all can observe. Events such as Energy Day “really drive the point (of the importa...
Fun fact: 51 percent of Americans say it’s easier to find a new romantic partner than a mobile carrier according to a new Comcast survey. Breaking up is hard to do, especially when we don’t want to deal with the hassle of changing things up even though nearly half of Americans (48 percent) have had a negative experience with their current provider. Parents: Is It Time to Break Up (with your carrier)? Parents have the hardest time most of all and are especially prone to be over their mobile provider. One-third of parents (33 percent) say they are done and ready for a change, more than double that of non-parents (14 percent). The biggest gripe for parents is pricing. In fact, parents report they are four times more likely than non-parents to be always looking for the next n...
Let’s face it: sometimes our tweens and teens have way too much downtime. So while they’re playing video games, scrolling through social media or taking a roadtrip, here are some fantastic options for them that cover a wide range of genres and themes. Best Audiobooks for teens and tweens “The Harry Potter Series” by J.K. Rowling (narrated by Jim Dale) “The Hunger Games Trilogy” by Suzanne Collins (narrated by Carolyn McCormick) “The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series” by Rick Riordan (narrated by Jesse Bernstein) “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green (narrated by Kate Rudd) “The Maze Runner Trilogy” by James Dashner (narrated by Mark Deakins) “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak (narrated by Allan Co...
August is here! While some Mile High Mamas are shifting their attention to back-to-school, the rest of us are eeking out every last minute of family fun this summer. And there’s nothing better after a long, hot summer than snuggling up with the kiddos and discovering some new favorite movies. So, we’ve teamed up with Xfinity Rewards, Xfinity’s free customer appreciation program for their “Summer of Movies” promotion providing members access to dozens of free and discounted entertainment and movie perks, exclusive discounts at Universal Orlando, a Smart TV Giveaway and more! Summer of Movies 5 Movies to Download and Keep, At No Cost Kicking off Xfinity’s “Summer of Movies,” every Monday, July 10 through August 13, rewards members will have access to an iconic movie title t...
How do I know when my child is ready for a cell phone? As the mom of two teenagers, I believe in delay, delay, delay. In fact, neither of my kids had phones until they were in eighth grade and I wish I had waited even longer. Now, with options like Gabb Wireless, there are better protections for parents and kids. When considering if your child is ready for a cell phone, here are some important factors to consider. Is My Child Ready for a Cell Phone? Age and Maturity: Consider your child’s age and level of responsibility. Younger children may not need a full-fledged cell phone plan and might be better suited to a basic phone or a device with limited functionality. Usage Limits: Look for plans that allow you to set usage limits on talk time, text messaging, and data. This h...