Things to do in Phoenix during spring break

For most kids attending to public school in the greater Phoenix area, spring break is just around the corner.  While some families are lucky enough to swing spring break vacations, not everyone will be able to. For any nanniesor stay at home parents who are wracking their brain for what to do with their kids during spring break, here’s a list of potential activities:

The Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is among the most unique attractions in the state. A vibrant 140-acre garden, the Desert Botanical Garden has dozens of trails, events, activities, and tours for visitors of all ages. Some attractions you and your children may be interested include: 

●     The "Birds in the Garden" Tour is a great way to introduce your children to wildlife indigenous to Arizona. Excellent for first time bird watchers, you won't want to forget your binoculars for this one.

●     The Electric Desert Exhibit is a limited-time-only exhibit that will be on display through early May. Using plant-friendly lights, this exhibit is an immersive, experiential, and experimental art exhibit that marries light and sound art with the vibrant cacti and flowers in the garden. It's a once-in-the-life-time experience children will never forget. Not only will they have the opportunity to learn about Arizona plant life, it's also an engaging age-appropriate introduction to contemporary art.

The Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the United States. With cafes, gardens, and a wide array of animals, it's the perfect destination for any animal lover. 

One of the best parts of the Phoenix Zoo is its special emphasis on education. Curious about giraffes? You won't only see them at the Phoenix Zoo, you'll get to truly experience them. With some of the foremost animal experts in the country, the Phoenix Zoo isn't just the place to see animals, it's the place to ask questions about them, too. 

The Phoenix Zoo also has a wide array ofdaily events and exhibitions, including a bug exhibit, an art gallery, and a teen career conference for any young person considering a career in animal conservation.

Papago Park

Papago Park is great for experienced and beginner hikers. It's also an excellent destination to teach your children about hiking, the Arizona terrain, and Arizona wildlife. There are plenty of trails you can do on your own, as well as guided tours of the Park. It's close by to both the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo for families who are extra ambitious. Think you can see all three attractions in one day? 

Bearizona Wildlife Park

Dreaming of a safari? Now you can experience one at home in Arizona! A unique experience, Bearizona Wildlife Park offers a drive-through animal sightseeing tour all from the comfort of a passenger car. Kids get the chance to learn about a variety of animals, including:

●     Rocky Mountain Goats

●     Alaskan Dall Sheep

●     Alaskan Tundra Wolves

●     Black Bears!

The Bearizona Wildlife Park also offers shows and guided bus tours for people who want a more in-depth experience.

For more information on family-friendly . events and attractions in the Phoenix area, be sure to check out Kids Out and About Phoenix. Their searchable calendar allows users to plug in zip codes and see if there are any events of interest happening in your own neighborhood.

Teaching children about seasons

What is summer like in your hometown? If you live in Phoenix, summer means temperatures of 100 degrees or higher before the end of May followed by monsoons, dust storms and other intense weather patterns until late October. But if you live further north in Montana or Wyoming or west in California you would have a very different experience of summer.

While the days get longer and the weather warms up, experiencing seasons varies a great deal depending on where you live. While this seems obvious to adults, kids may struggle to understand the four seasons when they do not experience them in their archetypical form.

For children who rarely travel, the idea of snow and constant rain can be mystery. Because of it's desert landscape and proximity to the equator, Phoenix is said to only experience two seasons: summer and winter. These waterless weather patterns can make teaching about four distinct seasons very difficult.

The change of the seasons is a great learning opportunity for children. While learning about the seasons, kids in Phoenix also get the chance to learn about geography, and why seasons look different here than they do in books and on TV. Here are a few clever ways for us to teach children about the changing seasons in the Phoenix area.

Year-round activities

To measure the gradual transformation between seasons we can start year long projects with children to keep track of the changes. Consider keeping a daily weather journal from January on through the year so you can keep track of the slow rise in temperature and the sunset and sunset times to track the length of the day. You can even play games like guessing when the first 100-degree day will come!

Local Activities and Exploration

Despite the desert climate, there are a number of places to explore around Arizona to help your kids understand the changing of the seasons like the Arizona Science Center.

Spring

Springtime in the desert is just as gorgeous as anywhere else. Rare flowers bloom on cacti and local birds begin to gather. 

To see the desert changes, bring the kids to the Desert Botanical Garden and explore the orange blossoms and other native plants. The garden is filled with colorful plants many non-natives would never dream of seeing, and the kids can spend time in the butterfly exhibit. 

While you’re looking at the flowers, Teach the children about cacti. Cacti will hold the water inside their stems to combat the harsh conditions. This is a great time to explain why the desert has less water than places like Michigan. 

Summer

Arizona in the summer can be a hot subject. When the kids want to go out to play, take them to the pool. Explain to the kids that other cities like Reno have rivers running through town. This is a great way to explain how other cities are built around bodies of water. 

One fun art project is to create melted art masterpieces. While you wait for your crayons to melt in the sun, explain how Phoenix’s closeness to the equator brings the city into the direct line of the sun’s heat. This could help children appreciate just how powerful the sun’s heat is.

Fall

During October, bring the kids to take part of the harvest season at one of the many fall community festivals like the month-long Mortimer Family Farms Pumpkin Fest and Corn Maze. This will teach the children about how different vegetables grow better in certain climates. 

Consider taking a drive up to Flagstaff to see the leaves change colors. A quick road trip is a great way to show the kids that not all of Arizona is a desert. This is a great opportunity to explain the importance of mountains and how they affect the weather. 

Winter

Although states like New York and Wisconsin may be filled with snow during December, kids in Arizona will notice the distinct lack of snow on the ground. We should take advantage of the weather to take the kids on a little hike and explain the difference between areas that experience four seasons while Phoenix only sees two. 

Another great winter activity is visiting the penguins at the Odysea Aquarium. The penguins are a great example of animals that can only live in certain regions based on the weather. This is a great way to teach the kids about the importance of climate. 

No matter where you live, experiencing change in the weather is a wonderful time to learn something new. The weather is a tool to explain to children the environmental importance of diversity. 

Preparing kids to go back to School

Going back to school is tough on every member of the family. Children are anxious to start a new grade and make new friends, while parents and nannies want to make sure the children are as prepared as they can be. But if caregivers stay organized and plan ahead, there are a few things that theycan do to prepare the kids to goback to school,

 

End of Summer Blues

The end of summer marks the end of zero homework and the beginning of structured days for children. It can be incredibly difficult to transition from having fun in the summer to being in school for eight hours. Not only is it important to make sure the kids have all the right school clothes and supplies, it’s important to make sure they are prepared mentally to go back to school. 

The end of summertime blues is not a joke. Changes in day duration and temperature have been proven to cause depression and anxiety. If your child is feeling down, consider using some change of mindset practices together.

Reframing a negative thought into a positive one has proved very effective in treating anxiety and depression. This technique is surprisingly easy and is an easy skill nannies can practice with kids throughout the day. 

For example, if you hear the kids saying things like, “I don’t want to start waking up early!” or “I hate doing homework,” suggest happier thoughts about school, such as “But won’t you have a great time with your friends?” or “But field trips are fun!” This small change in thought or in speech, can make the transition back to school much easier for your child. 

 

Rekindling Old Friendships

In K-12 who you hang out with defines who you are and how you fit in. There can be a lot of excitement and also anxiety about rekindling friendships during the new year. 

Nannies and parents should attack these fears by reassuring kids and validating their fears. Try to direct the possible anxiety, to excitement about getting to know new people, and seeing others for the first time in months. 

 

Finding A New Look

The best part about going back to school is back to school shopping. Buying new clothes and supplies are one of the most exciting back to school necessities for kids. A new year means a new time for a child to express who they are to their peers. 

If parents allow nannies to handle shopping, consider making a day out of visiting the malls and stores. Let thekidshave a say in what backpack and lunch box they get, and pick out outfits (if your school does not require uniforms) and accessories for the year. 

 

Set Up a Routine

Practicinga daily routine, a week or so before school starts will help the kids transition back to school. Nannies should begin implementing a few daily practices to help establish a daily rhythm

●   For Mornings:

A good morning routine starts by waking up at the same time every day. wake the children upabout an hour and a half or more before school starts. This will allow them to have time to feel awake and prepared. 

Starting this routine about a week or so before school startscanmake first week wake up much easier. Also try waking the teamup nicely, maybe sing to them or prepare their favorite breakfast foods. Nothing says “wake up!” like an enjoyable incentive. 

●   For After-School:

Before the school year starts, sit down and discuss your daily after school routine. If the older children are walking home alone, be sure to talk about safety and the responsibility of walking home alone. 

 

Getting Ready for Homework

Nowadays, children of all ages are sent home with some type of homework. And as Parents or nannies, it's often up to you to double up as caretaker and tutor.

Many kids dread the idea of returning back to homework. But this is the perfect time of year to share the importance of studying with children, and to implement an additional incentive system. Consider printing out a rewards chart for homework (or even other chores) to keep track of the children’s progress. 

Commuting to School

Whether you’re driving the children in the family car or walking a few blocks, take advantage off this time to bond with the kids and learn all about thoughts and perspective. 

For example, on the way to school, ask the children about the day coming up. This can be a great way to gauge how the child is feeling in a general sense, and is a great time to help enforce more positive thinking. On the way home, ask how their day went. This will be a great time to teach problem solving skills for any issues they may have had that day. 

Not everyone is excited to go back to school. Nannies are often placed in the position to deal with these attitudes, and it can be overwhelming. Luckily, all it takes is a little practicing before the school year starts for the children, their parents and caretakers to get pumped about classes this fall. 

Affordable activities to do this summer

Through out my years of nannying for many families I always researched new places to go with the kids when it was 100 and some degrees outside. Luckily some of the same activities are still around.

Here are my favorite 5 summer activity ideas

1.- AZ Movie Fun, for more than 35 years, Harkins Theatres has brought back some of Hollywood's best family films to keep kids entertained and cool during the summer. Kids can enjoy a movie a week for 10 weeks, for less than $1 per film. Make Harkins Summer Movie Fun for kids an annual tradition for your family.  All adults must be accompanied by children.  

2.- Create , is one of the attractions from the Phoenix Science center, they have camps for Pre-K age and up and its always a great indoor facility to visit, kids can create and explore around.

3.- As you wish is a pottery place with few locations around the valley, Pick a piece of pottery from our shelves, Design, decorate and doodle, As You Wish! and In just a few days, your piece will be glazed, fired and ready to pick up.

4.- Brunswick Lanes via Linda (bowling) summer games: With the Summer Games, you can bowl all summer for one low price—and save over 90%. Shoes are included with your pass, making the summer’s best deal on bowling even better!

5.- Bass pro shop in Mesa, Kid's Night - Every Tuesday 5-7pm
Bring the kids for FREE crafts, coloring, popcorn, archery, and the fish feeding at 6pm!
 

Friday We're in Love and Ready Nanny

We had the pleasure to work with Camille from Friday We're in Love. She wrote her honest review about Ready Nanny services and caregivers.

Excited to share it with you all: 

Take a look!

http://fridaywereinlove.com/2016/12/making-date-night-happen-finding.html

My Top Four Qualities to Look For in a Nanny

What is your idea of the perfect nanny? What would she be like? What kind of qualities would she have?

 For me, that nanny would:
        • Speak three languages--Mandarin, Spanish and English.
        • Be creative, patient, mature, relaible and fun.
        • Have lots of experience as a nanny and possibly have some camp counselor experience.
        • Be super flexible with our schedule.
        • Follow our family rules to the T.
        • Stay with my family for all the years that I would need her to.

In a perfect world, I would love for her to even read my mind when it came to my children.

We all want the best nanny possible, but we first have to know what it is that we are looking for in that person. What are the essential qualities that we are seeking?

There are many key personality traits that I seek in every caregiver, but my top four are:


        1.  She has to LOVE children. You can feel that she genuinely enjoys being around them. Anyone can teach kids the house rules and how to behave, but the key is to find a nanny who is truly joyful working with children. This quality is priceless.

        2. She must engage in your child’s life.  She shows interest in the child's development. She offers suggestions on a new toy, finds a new class at the library, and comes up with a new healthy snack.

        3. She is completely reliable.

        4. She is a good communicator. (This is a quality you can get a feel for while setting up the interview and even during the interview. Something as simple as communicating that she is running 5 minutes late would leave you a totally different impression of her than her not communicating at all.)

Which are the TOP 4 qualities you look in a nanny? Share with us!

NEW!! North Phoenix Moms blog directory

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We are proud to be part in the childcare services of this directory.