Despite all this convenience Easter egg hunts are hard to plan because while there are all kinds of store packed Easter gifts for adults the children’s editions are rather limited and have mostly candy and/ or chocolate.

While candy and chocolate are a somewhat important part of Easter, there’s still the problem of how much candy and chocolate can one possibly fit in the Easter eggs while guaranteeing that the kids don’t over indulge on chocolate. A lot of people come up with the idea of putting things like school supplies in Easter baskets for kids or filling them with reward notes. For those of you who don’t know, reward notes are when you make a coupon to do a chore for your kid.

Although the idea is original, there’s the question of how popular will it be over chocolate and candy? The chances that the kids hold the Easter bunny hostage and ask for the real chocolate Easter eggs are higher. Apart from the ever difficult decision of what to put in Easter eggs there is the question of where to hide the Easter eggs. Although the idea of kids having fun looking for Easter eggs to fill their Easter baskets sounds good on paper, there is the question that every neighborhood must answer, ‘Whose backyard will the kids ransack while they hunt for Easter eggs?’

The easy way to select a backyard would be draw straws but there is always the option of using the local park or sometimes the local church can provide a place to host the East egg hunt. These places are better because there’re more places to hide the eggs and much more area for the kids to run around and work off some of the sugar hyped energy. The parents can easily come together to supervise the event. Then there’s the whole ‘what do I put inside my ten year old’s Easter basket?’ Only you know how hard it is to excite your kids about Easter and get them to go the Easter hunt as they grow older and the Easter bunny losses credibility so it’s important that whatever you put inside the eggs it’s worth their search.

This is actually the real challenge because on the one hand you want to keep their sugar level to a point where they aren’t bouncing off the walls while knowing that chocolate is the only thing that will make them happy. An easy way to do this is to hide ’some’ chocolate in all the Easter eggs and fill the rest with small things that kids like in general like little toys. At the end of the Easter hunt, give them a special treat at Easter lunch like a fruit bouquet that they can dig into.

Fruit bouquets come with the fruit dipped in chocolate so that the chocolate side is covered and you can rest assured that your carefully looked after backyard is intact and the kids are eating healthy this Easter.

I’m the happy mother of three kids aged 8 years, 5 years and 18 months and as my kids are growing I’m facing new challenges in parenting everyday. I know I only get though the toughest mom challenges because of the great support group I have, my family and my friends and my wonderful neighborhood community of super moms. I’m here to share with you how I get through every challenge in my life as i continue to try and provide the best for my children.

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Pass out a few fliers in your neighborhood. Even if you know your neighbors well enough, it helps to have something on paper that they can look at; easier to remember that way. Going door-to-door is probably the best route. Talk to them and see if they want to get involved with some of the planning. From my experience, I’ve always been surprised to find that many neighbors actually DO want to get involved in community activities; they just need someone to lead the way, it seems. You may find a few really creative friends on your street that will astonish you.

So the fliers are out and you have parents and neighbors involved. Invite them over to your house on a nice summer night and just hang out with a piece of paper, soda, wine, and beer. Just have a good time with them and watch the ideas flow. Some of them probably played games like this when they were kids as well, so thinking of ideas may come naturally to them. Try to get everyone involved doing at least SOMEthing, if it’s clear that you are to be the leader of the endeavor.

If it works and the parents and kids have fun, do it again. Use the entire neighborhood and make it seem like a sprawling landscape of mystery for your children. They’ll love it!

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Treasure Hunts

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When I think of scavenger hunts, I think of the “old school” ones that you just don’t see much of anymore. Anyone remember when a neighborhood boy or girl would come to your door – usually a little out of breath – and ask you for a cup of flour? And boy, did they need it in a hurry! You see, winning a scavenger hunt in our neighborhood was a pretty big deal. And even today – if done well – I believe scavenger hunts can be a wonderful tool for getting to know your neighbors and educating your children. And most importantly, FUN!

I’d like to share what I feel have been a couple fantastic clues over the years.

Pictures: Ask the kids to get a snapshot of someone dressed in World War II garb. World War II is all but forgotten in many circles. All politics aside, it was a major event in our history – in the world’s history – so why not teach something here? It could stimulate great conversation with the children, and who knows: maybe the little old lady who feels alone and isolated will get a visitor today?

Cassette tapes/8-tracks: We all remember these. In fact, it wasn’t that long ago that record companies still produced cassettes. But how many six-year-olds have a “clue” what they are? All they need to do is track down ONE. And I’ll bet it’s harder than some of us may think. Again, there’s some good conversation to be had about these, a learning experience for the kids, and it gives us a chance to reminisce a little.

That’s all for now! Thanks for reading.

So there you have the first in what is to be many stories regarding scavenger hunts, their clues, and great ideas. Thanks for visiting, and we hope to see you back in our community soon!

Scavenger Hunt Clues @ http://www.ScavengerHuntClues.org

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Party Uppers

Children ages 9 to 12 are at an awkward age, but give them a fun party and they’ll lap it up. Since they are not official teenagers and no longer the little ones, giving them a party they can enjoy can tax your imagination and stamina. These tween party ideas will give your tween star status in the neighborhood.

Let the tween in you help you along these party ideas. If you’ve decided to host a Safari Sleepover, schedule it on a Friday night. The timing is right. The kids can catch some extra zzzs after a night of fun. But be sure to announce that the pick-up time for the kids is at 10 the following day.

An outdoor sleepover is a good idea, but for the kids’ safety, have the tents installed indoors. Put up a hotdog and harshmallow grill, but don’t forget to add a salad and animal-shaped sandwiches. Fill GI canteens with juice and distribute them among the guests. Let them whoop it up in the lawn – dancing and organized games – until you announce that it’s bedtime. Girls should be separated from boys if it’s a mixed party.

A tween party idea young girls enjoy is the “pajama dress-up” party. The girls can bring along their blings. Let them have a go at putting up makeup and do other girly things they all want to do – fix their hair, paint their nail with fun colors, and do a pajama fashion show. Of course, expect the girls to stay up late watching videos, swapping ghost stories, and doing just about anything. Girls are wont to do that when they are together.

If your tween loves to rock, she or he will be inviting like-minded friends. Host a rock party they won’t forget. A ’70s disco-themed party is a novel experience for the young ones. Clear the living room, install a disco globe, and get dance music they’ll rock to. To make it more authentic, hire a neighborhood DJ who can do the spinning. Be sure to keep a bottomless supply of the kids’ favorite eats, drinks, and munchies.

A beach party theme is also a welcome idea, whether you have a pool or not. Decorate the party venue with shell wired garlands, paper balls, mock palm trees, and surfboards. Prepare more than a dozen rubber slippers. Use colorful fish platters to serve your beach fare. Ask the guests to come in their favorite beach bum attire. If you have a pool, make sure that a lifeguard is around to watch over the kids.

Before the Party

Schedule the party on a weekend before the actual birthday. Get invitations to go with the party theme. A pillow invitation for a sleep over, a papier mache conch shell for the beach party, and a map invitation for the safari or treasure hunt party. Shop for party favors and ask your tween for the type of music he or she wants for the party. To make your shopping a convenient jaunt, have your money organized in one of those money clip wallets, and bring along the list of things you must buy for the party.

Call up the parents and ask for any restrictions on movies to watch and any food allergies to avoid potential problems. To help you out, ask the neighbors’ tweens to come over. They’ll enjoy the party too. If you have smaller kids, let them have a guest or two so they won’t feel left out of the fun.

Make your party planning more convenient by keeping cash in a magnetic money clip and storing your party favor suppliers’ contact cards in personalized business card holders. Don’t forget to give away unique gift baskets as tokens. Visit ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com today.

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The standard alcohol-free Halloween party, with reliable supervision and a common sense time limit, is an answer. The very thought of gathering a dozen or more teens in one home may sound like a nightmare to the parents and boring to the youth; but with careful planning, it need not reach either group’s worries! A good time can be had by the teenagers; and it is entirely possible that the chaperones in charge will find themselves enjoying the festivities also.

When planning a youth-oriented Halloween party, it is a good idea to solicit some input from the teens themselves. They are quite likely to have very clear ideas about what types of music and other entertainment is the most suitable; and, in the absence of anything that is truly objectionable, they will appreciate having the leeway to make these types of decisions.

Likewise, the Halloween party will be more of a “hit” for the teens if they can select the types of refreshments that they prefer. The best idea is to have enough variety so that there is something which all of the guests will enjoy.

When you are planning this type of party, it is essential to set some basic rules beforehand, and for all of the guests to be aware of them. While most parents would agree that it is only common sense that no alcohol or drugs be allowed, it is best to make this policy clear to the teens, and also let the other parents know about it.

Planning a party that will proceed and end smoothly also means setting a time limit. It is a good idea to know in advance that all of the guests will have a way to get home, whether that means being picked up by their parents or being dropped off at home by you or someone else.

To make the Halloween party even more memorable, you can prepare gift baskets in advance, so that each guest will have something to take home. Most teenagers are as fond of candy and other such treats as young children are, and giving them well-stocked goodie baskets will lead them to not need to pester their younger siblings for Halloween candy afterward.

Hosting a Halloween party for teens does not have to be a nightmare for the parent, nor a dull evening for the youth; all it takes is some good planning and cooperation between both generations for everyone to have an enjoyable Halloween night.

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Costume Party – Costume parties are fun for children and adults. Host a themed party, such as a 50’s party with poodle skirt costumes. Poodle skirts work great for costume parties because the poodle skirts come in sizes for every age. You can also have costumes be the theme, and have people show up in whatever costume they would like.

BBQ Party – Invite friends over for good food from the grill. Put down picnic tables and blankets in the shade and enjoy each others company. Serve hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salads, potato salad, pork-n-beans, corn on the cob, and ice cold lemonade.

Fiesta – Have a fun fiesta party. There are plenty of ideas on the web right now since Cinco de Mayo is coming up. Be sure to have fun decorating with fun, bright colors and have a pinata for entertainment later in the party.

Pool Party – Cool off with a pool party in your back yard. Pool parties are easy because the entertainment is provided with the swimming pool. Provide pizza for dinner and popsicles for a treat after wards.

Block Party – Bring the neighborhood together for a neighborhood block party. Section off a part of the street and bring out recliner chairs for a fun neighborhood potluck. Send around sign up sheets for different foods people can bring.

Carnival – Host an outdoor carnival for the kids. Set up booths with face painting and other carnival crafts. Menu ideas should include finger foods and other “carnival” treats, such as cotton candy, popcorn, and a lot of water.

Luau – Pull out your Hawaiian shirts and have fun with a luau in your backyard. Implement Hawaiian treats for your menu, such as rice, pineapple ham, and a variety of vegetable and fruit platters. Have fun with tropical decorations, Hawaiian accessories, and bamboo.

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Plan Ahead

Obviously, you want to plan for a time when the weather is going to be good, and you should decide on an alternate date if it rains. Then consider your place. You can have a small carnival in your backyard, but if you are planning on a larger neighborhood or school party, you will need to consult with local authorities or neighborhood associations to get the right permits. For example, you may want to close off a section of the street so you can set up booths.

Decide how many “booths” you are going to have. You may need to borrow extra tables for the booths. If you are planning on renting a popcorn or cotton candy machine, you will want to do this early. Then talk with friends, family members or fellow committee members, and prepare a schedule so someone will be available to staff each booth or sit at tables to hand out raffle tickets. For a fundraising event, start consulting community businesses and ask them to donate prizes, such as gift certificates to their stores.

Once you have your time and place, get ready to send out invitations. Be sure to include the actual date and time, along with the rain date. Also ask guests to bring hats and sun block because, if all goes as planned, they will be having fun outdoors for a long time.

Setting the Scene

Turning your back yard into a carnival can seem overwhelming, but remember the number-one party planning rule: Keep it simple. Colored streamers strung along a fence, ropes tied between trees or posts with chips, popcorn or cotton candy bags clipped to them and colorful tarps will all lend a festive look to your carnival. Large appliance boxes, available from local stores, can be decorated and made into entry ways, small displays and pretend buildings. You will want lots of balloons at your carnival party. Tie them in bunches all around the yard. Consider having a clown or a magician as the main attraction.

Party Food

The food should be like what you would find at a fair: hot dogs, popcorn, chips, ice cream, soda pop and even pizza slices. Decorate a food booth, and let kids come and go when they are ready to eat just like they were at a real carnival. You can purchase popcorn bags and hot dog papers at places that rent the machines or at your local restaurant supply store.

Fun and Games

The best part of any carnival is the games. You can purchase a roll of raffle tickets from just about any retail store. If you choose to use the tickets as a way to get prizes, save plenty of these at each booth to give to the kids as they play the games. Let them redeem their tickets at the prize booth that you have set up with inexpensive little toys and treats.

In the case of a fundraiser, sell the tickets, which will give each guest a chance at playing the game. Then they will win prizes at the individual booths. Set up a table with a poster stating the cost of each ticket, and ask someone to staff the cash box.

Here are some fun game suggestions for a kid’s carnival party:

Guess the Jelly Beans: You can use any type of candy for this. Fill a container with the jelly beans, and allow children to write their name and amount on a slip of paper. Award a ticket for playing. After everyone has guessed, award the closest guesser either extra tickets or the candy-filled container.

Bean Bag Toss: Arrange bean bags to be tossed into containers or a piece of cardboard with an opening decorated to look like a clown’s open mouth.

Tin Can Alley: Set up empty pop cans and see who can knock them down using foam balls. For an added challenge, set up the cans at varying distances and also award prizes to the person who can throw the farthest.

For more information on kids birthday ideas, visit the holidays section of Life123.com.

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The first thing you can do before shopping for kids Halloween costumes is to find out what is their favorite character and what type of costume, they would like to wear on the occasion. If your girl simply wants to look like an Indian princess, then just get her a brown dress with a headband and some feathers or if your boy wants to appear like a Batman, Superman or Spiderman, there are huge ranges of kids Halloween costumes available for him to choose from. Simply go online and search for the costumes that your kids want.

Halloween is a festival that lasts for an evening or two that makes it even more important to plan the dress out well in advance. You should talk about the costumes with your kids and plan their dresses according to their preferences. This makes the whole process of selecting kids Halloween costume more exciting and fun. Though the dress is for the Halloween evening and usually worn once, many kids get to wear it more than once like wearing it to a school carnival and then for neighborhood activity. Also, many kids love to wear these dresses around the house once the festival is over. Little kids love to sleep in their Halloween costumes. Therefore, it is important for you to consider certain things like it should be durable, and also it should be comfortable to wear and sleep in before selecting a Halloween costume.

Another important thing you need to keep in mind is the purposes that dress will be used for. Kids will wear their costumes more if they are going for a trick or treating in the neighborhood and also join a neighborhood group at the local park for playing games and getting treats. It should not be constricting or multipart and should not affect the free moment during the game play. Furthermore, the care should also be taken of the accessories that come along with the dress. They should not be more in number, so that your child could easily carry them and should not misplace them.

Finally, a little bit of imagination and some effort on your own part will make Halloween memorable for many years to come. There are many new and exciting kids Halloween costumes are available this year for children of all ages. For toddlers, you can choose from “Elmer from Sesame Street”, “Snow White” or “Piglet Costume”. For boys, you can get “Harry Potter”, “Naruto” or “Optimus Prime”. For girls, you can buy “Princess Costumes”, “Barbie” or “Hannah Montana”. The choices are unlimited. Just take your time and simply consider the things mentioned while shopping for kids Halloween costumes online.

Browse Transformers Costumes and Kids Halloween Costumes – Choose from thousands of costumes! By Robert Jones

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New Port Academy is one of the rehabilitation institutions which have a purpose to help teenager and children recovery from their addicted to drug, alcohol and marijuana in unique method. There are several methods they used to ensure the patient get better and recovery from their addicted. This institution gives different and specific treatment for each drug rehab, alcohol rehab, and marijuana rehab for teenager. This drug rehabilitation institution placed in California and rapidly become the famous one as California teen drug rehabilitation.

Send our children to drug rehabilitation institution perhaps a brilliant idea to help them out from their addicted, moreover, if we send them to the right and trust one. But the most important thing to recover from this illness is come from their willingness.  Strong willingness to release from drug and alcohol, family support and good treatment will successfully recover them. Positive activity related to art or sport also became a good facility to support this recovery program. Those activities can be arranged from some recommendation at teen addiction info. So, support your children and family to recovery from their addicted right now because their dreams are waiting to be realized.

Nowadays, children have a party pretty much every year and the parties become a little more elaborate as they go along; or at the very least, keep up with the reputation of the party the year before. It’s hard to believe that children’s parties have reputations, but kids do talk and believe it or not, so do their parents. A simplistic party just doesn’t cut it anymore with the younger crowd or with their parents for that matter. Lunchroom talk determines if the party was a hit or a miss. Like it or not, it’s a very competitive world we live in.

One can only speculate when the changeover took place, probably sometime around the time when baby dolls began to talk, walk, grow hair and go potty and electric speed racers and transformers (that can change from one form to another) came on to the scene. The more elaborate the toys it seems, the more elaborate the celebrations. Face it folks, it’s a remarkable time we live in; we are the computer age generation after all. Heck, we don’t even have to sing Happy Birthday if we don’t care to, we can buy a birthday card or ballooon that can do it for us.

Theme parties are big and can be customized from start to finish. Customized plates, cups, napkins and wall decorations in various party themes can easily be found in neighborhood party stores or right at your fingertips on the World Wide Web.

In as much as things change, some things remain the same and little girls still love princess parties and little boys still love superhero parties. Customized parties from start to finish especially in princess themes are a real hit with little girls and their little friends. In more affluent neighborhoods, some children are asked to dress in princess costumes and the once dime store loot bags are often replaced with higher priced gifts for young party guests. In fact, a dime store loot bag would probably be frowned upon in the upscale neighborhoods and some less affluent ones too.

Children’s parties change from decade to decade, but the one thing that remains constant is parties are always great fun when you celebrate with the people you love. So whether you go the traditional route and have something simple or go all out and have an extravagant affair, you are sure to have a great time!

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