5 Golden Tips for Disciplining Your Toddler

For many parents, learning how to discipline their children is one of the toughest parenting challenges. We love our children so much that it’s often hard to say no to them, let alone be rough and punish or yell at them in order to make them behave better. Being able to discipline your own kid is, first of all, a lesson of self-discipline. You need to set some strict rules and make sure that, most importantly, you’re not the one who’s breaking them. Here are some tips on how to discipline your kid.
Kids love to be praised and appreciated and although we are talking about discipline here, positive reinforcement does play an important role in the entire process. You’re trying to teach your child to make a difference between right and wrong and choose the latter. To encourage them to behave well, use positive reinforcement when they manage to do so. Next time they’ll be in a situation when they can choose right or wrong, they’ll remember how good it is to feel appreciated and praised and be more tempted to make the right choice.
Children learn by repetition and it is important to be constant when you want to teach your kid what they should and shouldn’t do. If you spot an inappropriate behavior that you want to eliminate, make sure you always say no to that case. Don’t overlook it when you are tired or engaged in something else. A no should always be a no, until your kid learns that, for example, throwing food at their baby brother or bothering the dog while it is sleeping is not ok.
Often, it is better to prevent misbehavior rather than have to deal with it when it arises. To be able to prevent your kid’s tantrums or any other type of behavior that might put them or you in a bad position, you need to learn what your kid’s triggers are.
This is not going to be too difficult if you spend much time with your kid and you have seen their best and worst moments.
Use your power of anticipation and always pay close attention to your kid. This way, you can intervene when they are on the verge of causing a scene. Whatever your kid’s nasty behavior is, as long as it’s something repetitive and predictable, you can take action before it happens.
For example, if your kid likes to draw on the walls, make sure you put their drawing tools away when you’re not there to supervise them, and draw with them, on more conventional items, when you have the time to.
Surely, when your kid is yelling and crying in the middle of the supermarket because you won’t buy them what they want, or when they tear apart toilet paper in the living room or spill liquids on your new carpet, it’s hard to stay calm. However, always remember that kids have a harder time than adults distinguishing and understanding emotions.
If you start yelling, they might be so surprised or even scared that they won’t even understand what the root of the problem was. Conversely, some kids feel extremely amused when watching their parents get angry. In this case, the end result is the same – they won’t learn they did something wrong and should stop doing it.
No matter how hard it is, if you really want to discipline your kid, it’s very important to stay calm at all times. Act seriously and explain what they did wrong, why, and what the consequences were or could have been.
Do you remember how you used to learn things at school when you were little? Repetition was important, wasn’t it? Your teachers kept repeating some concepts until you too could understand and apply them. This method is very useful in educating your child as well.
For them to understand certain abstract concepts and be able to make a difference between wrong and right, it takes time and … repetition.
You have to keep repeating and insisting on certain aspects until they will automatically adapt to them. After a while, they won’t even question your words anymore, they’ll simply apply what you’ve repeatedly told them as a routine.
We’re sincerely hoping that these tips will help you out. We’ve gathered them by discussing with several parenting experts and we’ve also tried to use them with our own children and enjoyed the results. We’re sure you’ll also be able to profit from some of these 5 tips for disciplining your kid and we’re looking forward to bringing you back on our page for more tips soon.

4 Tips to Help Your Child Feel More Confident

Being a child nowadays is tough. Even from an early age, children are exposed to all sorts of social media platforms, which automatically put some pressure on them as they grow up. This pressure can stem from being different than others or unsuccessfully striving to stand out. Then, there is also the critical issue of bullying, which affects kids of all ages. To raise a happy and fulfilled child and avoid all the sadness, fear, and frustrations kids often feel due to social pressure and other factors, you should work on improving their confidence. Here are 4 useful tips to help your child feel more confident.

 

Many kids lack or have low confidence because they don’t get the support they need at an early age. There are certain needs we might tend to ignore when kids are little, simply because we can’t imagine they already have them.

The need to feel encourages is one of them, kids too need positive reinforcement, even if they’re barely toddlers who have started discovering the world. Encouragement shouldn’t be mistaken with the love you show for your kid, although, love, of course, is, essential as well. Saying ‘I love you’ is not the same as saying ‘well done, I’m proud of you’, and kids need to hear both these things to boost their self-esteem and confidence.

Kids need this kind of support as they grow up and, most of them are eager to receive it. This is why they try out different things that draw your attention. They are hungry for your love and admiration. By praising them (if and when they deserve it), you will fuel their desire to keep developing. They will feel they’re on the right path and should move on, for example, when you tell them they’re great at drawing or playing football. Encouragement makes a tremendous difference, it can help your kid discover their future career or bury it altogether. You play an essential part in your kid’s future development, so be their number one fan!

There is never a single side to an important thing. Happiness can turn into sadness, success founds its counterpart in failure. Kids need to learn that life isn’t a continuous string of achievements. Even the most successful people have failed before they reached the top. Failure and success often succeed each other, the first being just a step in reaching the second.

Kids who are used to getting what they need might find it hard to accepts failure, which can shake their confidence. Teach your kid that it’s normal not to be able to achieve your goals sometimes and they should only see failure as another opportunity to learn and improve themselves.

This is a hard one. I know that, as a parent, the last thing you want to experiment with is seeing your child walking away from you. However, kids need to learn how to be independent. It’s an essential survival skill in today’s world. You won’t be able to always be there for them, so they need to know how to handle things by themselves. Once they do, this will give them great pride and confidence.

The ability to feel and act independently is very empowering. An independent person has the strength to do whatever it takes to achieve in life and overcome any obstacles. This is what you want for your child, right?

Confidence means knowing you’ve got what it takes to achieve what you want. But how do you know what it takes if you don’t get the chance to practice? Practice is an active verb, it involves actually doing something to achieve a result. Even if they are little, kids need to know that success comes from work, which means taking on some responsibilities. Here is where you can step in.

Assign small, simple tasks to your kid, such as cleaning the table after they’ve eaten, help you wash the plates, or help you sort out the laundry. This way, you will teach them to feel useful, which will help build a good sense of confidence.

Later on, they will see how responsibility is linked to success and confidence. These small lessons are just the preparation for their academic and career achievements.

 

Finally, don’t forget that you are your first role model for your children. If you want them to be confident and achieve their dreams, and not be the victim of bullying or discrimination of any kind, have a confident and positive attitude yourself.

What Toys Are Suitable for Toddlers?

Toys play an essential part in your toddler’s development and they are their loyal companions during the first years of their life. Nonetheless, not all toys are suitable for kids at this age and choosing some products that are too complex or hard to manage can make your child frustrated instead of happy and willing to play. To avoid this, it’s always a good idea to read each toy’s label before you purchase it, so that you can see the age it is intended for. Also, to get a better idea of what toys are suitable for toddlers, we’ve put together a shortlist of popular options. We hope it will help you make an inspired decision next time you buy a present for your toddler.
Magnets have an undeniable appeal for children, especially toddlers who are yet too little to understand why these small items are attracted to each other and stick to one another so easily. Although your toddler might become fascinated by the tiniest magnets, it’s not recommended to let them play with small items as there is the risk they swallow them. With magnetic wooden blocks, you’re on the right side. These pieces are big enough not to tempt a toddler into swallowing them and they allow kids to build all sorts of creative structures with ease and having tons of fun.
For similar reasons, kids love lego as they can unleash their imagination building all sorts of interesting objects from these colorful pieces. The great thing about lego is that these blocks come in such a wide variety of models that are suitable for all ages and preferences. Simply browse or ask for a product that is designed for your kid’s age and you’ll certainly get a generous offer to choose from. Besides their cool aspect and functionality, lego is also useful in developing your kid’s dexterity and, of course, imagination.
Basketball goal
If your kid is the active type, and most toddlers are, you might want to opt for something that challenges their physical ability and prompts their growth and passion for sports – a basketball goal. These products are also available in different variants and finding one that is suitable for toddlers is not difficult. Moreover, as your kid grows, you might be able to easily adjust the height of the goal so that he or she can keep on practicing.
Wooden puzzles for toddlers are a safe and fun pastime for your little one. These toys can teach your child lots of new and useful things about the world. Depending on the theme of your puzzle, you can use them to help children learn animal names, colors, common household objects, or all sorts of other things about nature and day-to-day life. These puzzles can improve your kid’s cognitive and linguistic skills and help them make associations easier and sharpen their matching abilities.
Teepee tent
One of the most appreciated items for toddlers many parents are delighted to have at home is a teepee tent. Teepees for kids offer a great refuge for privacy and rest. Most kids love to play inside a teepee tent because it makes them feel comfy and safe and helps them wander around in an imaginary world, while the ‘real’ world outside can temporarily be put on hold. Most teepee tents are large enough for more than a kid or they can fit a child and an adult, so you can rest assured you will be able to spend precious moments with your precious one inside.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our suggestions and you now feel more confident about the next item you are going to purchase for your child. If you’re interested in finding out more interesting tips on how to raise toddlers, we’re here for you. We are constantly updating our blog with new and useful posts, so let’s keep in touch!

5 Tips to Tackle Your Toddler's Tantrums

Kids’ tantrums are annoying, let’s face it. No matter how much we love our children, having to put up with loud cries, tears, and shouts is never a pleasure, especially if this type of behavior manifests itself in public, which is often the case with toddlers. Yet, tantrums are a normal, unavoidable, and necessary step in your kid’s evolution. While we cannot promise you that we can help you stop your kid from ever having a tantrum again, what we can do is offer you 5 proven tips that help you tackle these moments of crisis. Many parents have successfully experimented with them, including the author of this post. Hopefully, they will also work for you.
One of the most common strategies we adopt when we’re faced with a problem is tackling the consequences. It’s just like mitigating the symptoms of an illness without further investigating what caused it. This is the normal response most people also have in a situation that requires immediate action and, well, when your kid is yelling on the floor of the supermarket and refuses to get up, you’re more than entitled to strive for a fast solution.
However, as a therapist once told me, it’s important to understand the root of the problem in order to solve it for good and prevent it from happening again or at least be more prepared to face it the next time it does. There are countless reasons why kids have tantrums; they might be tired, hungry, jealous or feel neglected. Instead of simply giving in to their whims and trying to soothe them with presents or other things they desire, as a solution to stopping the tantrum, it would be great if you could focus on what caused it. And the only way you can find this out is by talking to your kid, which takes us to tip no.2.
It’s not easy to understand a grown-up person, especially when they are angry and feel overwhelmed by a mixture of different emotions, let alone kids. Let’s face it, sometimes it’s even hard to understand ourselves and sort out our inner conflicts in order to understand what makes us feel angry, frustrated, or alone. Kids experience all these negative emotions too and, quite understandably, they have a hard time understanding what is happening to them.
This is why they often explode in a tantrum, as a way of communicating those feelings and letting the tension out, which, in the end, gives these crises some sort of merit. So, what can you do to help your child get through these moments of hysteria faster and easier or, in the best-case scenario, prevent them altogether? Talk, talk, talk, this is the only way you can truly find out how your little one feels. If you feel that a tantrum is approaching, ask your child what they need, how they’re doing and what they would like to do. All these questions will help you understand your kid’s needs and find a way to address the cause and not the unwanted symptoms.
Kids are innocent and sensitive beings that can easily get influenced by the feelings of those around them, especially those of their parents. Although it’s a natural reaction to feel angry when your child is having a tantrum, this is not the sort of feeling you want to let your child see right then and there. Although he or she can make you feel embarrassed, stressed, or powerless during their hysteric burst, you need to understand that you’re in control of the situation. You’re responsible for your child and you’re the only one who can stop the crisis and bring back the smile on their face.
Try dealing with the tantrum just like you would with a work problem. I am sure you’ve had a lot of those as well and you were able to control your emotions back then and find a logical and efficient solution. I know keeping calm doesn’t come easy, not for everyone, but it’s surely the best way to counteract your kid’s tumultuous behavior. If you both start yelling, the most likely result is greater tension and louder cries because the natural reaction anyone gets when someone is hostile is becoming even more aggressive themselves and you don’t want to promote this sort of behavior in your son or daughter. Instead, by talking to them using a calm tone and loving gestures, you’re on the right path to putting an end to the tantrum.
If your kid is yet a toddler, you are probably still able to distract them when they’re right on the verge or in the middle of a tantrum. Diversion is a tricky tactic you get to master in time, but it is usually an effective one. The smaller the child is, the easier it should be to distract them when they start becoming annoyed or frustrated by something and, with toddlers, this happens quite frequently.
Toddlers are normally drawn to the things they see around them, at this age, the world is a wonderful place full of mysteries they want and need to discover.
As a parent, this journey is not easy. It’s not easy when you walk into a friend’s home with your toddler and they want to play with the crystal vase or put their hands in the cat’s food bowl, but remember, this is normal behavior. Your little one experiments the world through their senses. Yet, to avoid unpleasant consequences, you should have at hand something that can distract them. Be it a colorful toy, a jewel they’re mad about or the keychain, try to use that object to distract your kid from grabbing an object that doesn’t belong to them or could hurt them. This tactic usually works with kids under the age of three. As your child grows up, you would need to think of similar things that can help you upgrade and still make good use of this strategy.
Finally, a tantrum can also be a cry for more independence. We love our children so much that we may fail to realize that we are suffocating them with too much love and always try to do everything for them so that all their needs are covered. It’s wonderful to take care of your son or daughter, but you should also bear in mind that they will one day grow up and when that day comes, they will need to be able to do things on their own.
No matter how little they are, kids have an innate desire to become independent and they often show you this even in the first months of life. If your kid sends you signs that they want to do things on their own, try to trust them and let them test their abilities before you intervene. It is often this lack of trust and the feeling that they are constantly controlled that makes kids rebel and start a tantrum.
Kids’ tantrums are difficult and annoying, but keep in mind one essential aspect – they are only temporary. As your child grows up, you will see less and less of these crises. In the meanwhile, try to tackle our toddler’s tantrums with the 5 tips above.

How to Engage Grandparents in Playing with Toddlers

Having grandchildren is a true blessing and spending time with them can be one of the most rewarding experiences. However, kids, especially small ones can be a handful, and playing with them can be challenging even for parents, let alone their elder grandparents. So, how can you engage your parents in playing with your kids? We’ve got a few useful tips for you right here below.
Explain the benefits
Help your parents or in-laws understand how lucky they are to have grandchildren by highlighting the benefits of their relationship with little ones.
Many people struggle with loneliness as they age, and socializing is one of the best ways to cast away this bothersome feeling. As people age and stop being as active as they used to, they often feel anxious or depressed, which has a great toll on their overall well-being. In this context, grandchildren can be a true remedy.
While spending time with kids is no rocket science, it does, however, have a positive effect on an old person’s cognitive performance as it stimulates the brain and requires emotional and mental effort.
Moreover, having one or several grandkids around can be beneficial for the body as well. Taking the kids to school or for a walk, preparing the meals, and simply running around after them is energy-consuming, but it is also an excellent workout for the elderly, especially those who aren’t very active on a regular basis.
Being surrounded by cute and energetic kids has a great impact on an elder person’s mood and emotional well-being. It keeps their mind and body active and helps them steer clear of loneliness, depression, and lack of activity, thus helping them stay healthy.
Besides these benefits, unlike parents, grandparents have the terrific chance to watch a child grow up without bearing the full responsibility of having to educate and care for them.
Encourage them
People of all ages make mistakes and have doubts. It’s normal to feel this way especially when you’re dealing with little children who are barely discovering the world around them. Tell grandparents that they shouldn’t worry, in the end raising a child is, in many ways a trial-and-error process. Parents who are the closest persons to children often make mistakes too. No matter what type of fears or worries grandparents might have in handling little ones, encourage them to overcome them.
This can be done by trying new strategies all the time and experimenting with different ideas, especially when playing with little ones. Furthermore, it’s also useful to constantly encourage grandparents to be transparent with you and to talk to you about any problems they might stumble upon in their relationship with your kids so that you can find solutions together.
Inspire them with these ideas
Sometimes, no matter how hard they try, grandparents find it difficult to engage their grandchildren during playtime. With today’s technology and innovative games, it’s no wonder that kids as little as 3 no longer find it fun to play with the ball as they’re already able to use the tablet.
For grandparents, this can be off-putting as they can’t handle the pace and style in which little ones play these days.
Nonetheless, given that children are always active and eager to learn more, it’s worth trying to use some old-style ideas when playing with them. Here are a few old-fashioned activities grandparents can try to use to lure little ones during playtime.
Cooking can be fun for kids as it allows them not only to taste all sort of yummy foods but also to experiment with different sorts of tastes and textures. Whatever simple tasks grandparents might assign them, kids will most likely find them fun and engaging as there’s nothing more fascinating when you’re little than imitating adult behavior. Moreover, helping their grandparents at cooking will also teach little ones to use their little hands and improve their dexterity.
Children can be extremely creative and encouraging them to boost their creativity can prove extremely beneficial later in life. Based on what skills the little ones already have and their preferences, grandparents can steer them in different directions. If kids love music, grandparents could teach them songs, or have a karaoke session together. If they’re good at painting, they can have fun together painting different things and discovering the magic of colors. Some kids are naturally gifted at telling stories and, if their grandparents also love a good story, inventing stories together could be a great pastime.
A common activity among the elderly is gardening. Some indulge in it with pleasure, while others see it more as a responsibility. However, when grandchildren are around, this activity can be turned into a fun and purposeful pastime. Children love spending time outdoors and being allowed to play in the orchard or plant a flower and get their little hands dirty would be thrilling for them.
Having grandchildren around is very helpful for the elderly who get to stay active this way. Use the tips above to help your parents or in-laws make the most out of the quality time they spend with your kids. This will be beneficial both for them and the little ones.

How to Engage Your Kids in Fun Technology-Free Activities

Technology is present in every aspect of our lives nowadays. We use technology every day at work, we rely on it to communicate, shop, or entertain ourselves. Almost everything we do these days relies on some sort of technology. Naturally, our children are exposed to it from an early age too. These are the generations that learn to use the tablet before they learn how to tie their shoes. So what can we do to engage our kids in every now and then? Here are a few suggestions.

 

Spend time outdoors every day

Teaching your children to spend some time outdoors every day is a great way to keep them far from gadgets, at least for a little while. Most kids love the outdoors, especially when the weather is nice. 

However, it’s up to you as a parent, to set a good example. If you go for daily walks in the park or simply choose to walk them to school or to their grandparents, instead of driving (if the distances are reasonable), will offer them a great example.

For many busy adults, walking is the only type of workout they can engage in. Walking is healthy for the body, helps burn calories and clears the mind. Your kids will benefit later in life if they get this habit from you. 

 

Discover their passion for nature

On a similar note, you might want to do something to help your kids discover the wonders of nature. Once they do this, they’re more likely to want to spend time walking in nature, swimming, or hiking, instead of staying at home playing computer games.

Just like us, children develop certain preferences and skills as they discover what type of natural setting is best for them. The majority of kids love water. Whether you can go to the sea, a lake, or river, teaching them how to swim or practice water sports from an early age can contribute to a healthy lifestyle later. If you have mountains or forests nearby, you can take the chance to go hiking regularly, this way, you’ll reduce the number of hours your little ones spend stuck in front of the tablet or computer. 

 

Play creative communication games

Direct communication is essential if you want to raise happy, confident children. They need you to be by their side both physically and mentally. No matter how tired you are when you get off work, you should take some time each evening to communicate with your children and, why not, try to play some fun technology-free games at least for a couple of minutes.

There are countless words games like the hangman you can play with them, which don't need to involve a tablet or smartphone. You can also tell them riddles and ask them to guess the word, or play classic puzzles, or any other game that brings you together and makes you put your mobile phone aside. 

 

Get a pet 

I know that this one might be the hardest one, but we swear is also one of the most efficient ways to keep kids entertained without any gadgets. Children love animals, especially their animals, the ones they get as a present when they’re little and literally grow up together with.

Whether it’s a puppy or a kitten, your kid will be delighted to see the cute little creature happily walking around the home every day. Yes, pets are messy, and they do require care and attention, but if you teach your children to be responsible for them, you will only enjoy the benefits. Pets can boost the morale of the entire family, help kids move around more instead of sitting on the couch watching YouTube videos, and help your kids become more mature and responsible. 

 

These are just 4 things you could do to help your children get engaged in technology-free activities. I’m sure there are plenty of other examples that will come to your mind. Remember that whatever method you choose to apply, first of all, you have to be a good example and try to avoid spending too much time texting or browsing while you’re at home.

5 Awesome Family Photo Ideas

Photos remind us of the most beautiful and fun moments of our lives. If you’ve always liked taking photos, you definitely enjoy them even more now that you are a parent and you want to capture all those wonderful moments your kid is going through while growing up.
Taking an awesome photo doesn’t necessarily involve a professional camera or extensive preparation. You just need a good idea and a good mood, and you can make it happen.
At Ary’s Land, we also love photos, so we’ve decided to brainstorm some great family photo ideas and we came up with 5 options we’re thrilled to be sharing with you in this article. Enjoy and apply!
1. Sitting on the sofa
For many families, there’s no place more homey, cozy, and familiar than the living room. This is the part of the house where many of us spend most of our time and it is definitely the place where most family interactions occur. Here, you get to enjoy a board game with your spouse and kids, or a nice movie in the evening. Why not take advantage of this well-known space, put some nice clothes on, a smile on your face and make that awesome photo happen.
2. Cooking or indulging in a meal
Who doesn’t love a great meal, especially if you get to enjoy it together with those who matter the most – your family members? The kitchen is another place of your home where you surely get to spend a lot of time with your kids and partner. Whether you’re someone who loves cooking, or you prefer ordering, a family lunch or dinner is another great occasion to capture the happiness and closeness of your beloved ones in a natural and memorable photo.
3.  Enjoying nature
Nature has amazing healing powers and health specialists often recommend spending more time outdoors, which is good both for the body and the mind. If there is a nice place in nature where you often go out with your kids to have fun, play, or simply take a relaxing walk, why not take some photos there? It can be the park where you used to walk with your child when they were only a few months old, a mountain or a forest that’s popular among people who love spending time outdoors. You know your area better, so you’ll surely make an inspired choice, and if good weather is bound to come, take that camera or your mobile with you and create a lovely family memory.
4.  A walk on the beach
Not all of us are lucky enough to leave by the sea, but with a little bit of effort, we can get there at least once a year. Children simply love water and most adults too. The beach is also a lovely place where you can  enjoy the sun, the breeze, play with your kids in the sand, and feel comfortable far away from the setting you live in every day. Some of the best family photos you can find online were taken on the beach. If you love the sea and you want to remember the precious moments you spend there with your family, you know what you have to do 😊.
5. A bit of history
You don’t need to be a specialist in history to enjoy visiting a museum or simply admiring beautiful old buildings when visiting a new country or city. If you are passionate about these things, your kids will surely grow up loving them too and they will appreciate learning more about this wonderful world. Whether you go on a trip to Europe or simply visiting a town nearby, if there is a beautiful place that inspires you, take the chance to make the moment last forever with a family picture.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our suggestions and we’re certain you and your family can make good use of them. For more tips and family-related topics, stay connected to Ary’s Land.

6 Family Day Out Ideas

Spending time with your kids is super important and, in today’s hectic world, it seems like times something no one has enough of. Weekends and holidays seem to be the only time when you can really connect with your children at ease, without constantly checking the time and thinking about your work or house chores. As busy parents, we know exactly how you feel and we want to help you make the most out of your precious free time. Therefore, we’re going to present you 6 family day out ideas you can use to spend memorable moments with your kids.

1 Visit a national park 

A great way to enjoy the outdoors and also teach your children interesting things about the native wildlife in your country or area is going to a national park. Little ones will definitely embrace this challenge joyfully, especially if it involves fun trails or a tasty picnic. Depending on where you live, you might need to plan a weekend out so that you can really take the time to enjoy nature if there’s no national park within reasonable driving distance. Nonetheless, a night at a hotel is also a great pastime for kids who love novelty.

2 Go to the beach 

Children love playing in the water and there’s no bigger joy and challenge than being able to do this at the ocean or sea. Even if your children are yet too little to learn how to swim, they will certainly find ways to spend a lovely time simply playing in the sand and in the water. Besides, a day on the beach is also a great occasion for you to recharge your batteries and relax while swimming or bathing in the sun.

3 Visit the countryside 

If you love the typical laid-back lifestyle you can only enjoy in the countryside, you might want to share this passion with your children. The countryside offers great views you can instantly fall in love with if you come from a crowded and noisy city. Moreover, the countryside can also be the perfect setting for you to relax with your kids, enjoy a picnic, or visit a farm and teach them more about animals, crafts, and traditions.

4 Visit a local museum 

Now, that’s not quite the utmost definition of fun for many parents and children alike. However, depending on your interests, a day at the museum can be an interesting and engaging way of spending time with kids. And if you’re the type of parent who’s always eager to teach their kid new things, there’s no better place to go to than a museum. Whether you want to show them classic or modern art, teach them more about science or the universe, there are plenty of places you can choose from. If you want a truly educative experience, you can even book a guided tour for your family.

5 Enjoy a day at the indoor park 

If the weather’s not good or you are not quite a fan of outdoor activities and yet, you want to do something fun and exciting with your kids, a day at an indoor activity park might be a great option. There are different types of themed parks to choose from and they’re specially built for families with kids, so your little ones will definitely not get bored. Children love activity parks as they can really invest all their energy in the different challenges they find there. For you, as a parent, going to such a place is also a chance to have fun and do something different. 

6 Go camping 

A practical and inexpensive family day out idea is going camping. You might have multiple or only a few places in your area where you can do this safely with your children. Based on how used you are to camping and how extensive your camping gear is, you might even want to spend the night over and enjoy the fresh air and the view of the starry night. If you’re only planning a day trip, this can also work well for kids as setting up the tent and playing all day long outside are fund activities that will get them exhausted by the end of the day and help them sleep like angels at night. 

If driving in a camping area is too much, another alternative for kids is mounting a teepee tent in the backyard. These portable items are very easy to install and kids can have as much fun there as they do in a real tent.

There are plenty of fun and interesting things you can do in your leisure time to bond with your children and also educate them. These were just six of our family day out ideas we’ve got for you, but stay connected to our blog as plenty more are bound to be posted.

5 Toddler Facts Parents Should Know

Your baby is now a toddler? Then you’re definitely going through an amazing period of development together, one that is both challenging and rewarding. Often, toddler years are the best years you get to spend with your child. At this age, little ones are eager to grow and discover the world, and you, as a parent are their superstar, the special one that is always by their side and helps them reach new milestones. If you’re interested in knowing more about how your kid feels at this stage and what it means to be a toddler, here are 5 interesting toddler facts parents should know.

 

If there is one thing that characterizes all toddlers, that is their amazing energy. These little human beings seem unstoppable, especially when they’ve got a new goal in mind and they’ll stop at nothing unless they reach it. On an average, a toddler takes around 176 steps per minute! Of course, for you, as a parent, this means a lot of running behind them in order to make sure they don’t fall or get hurt, but in the end, this is all part of the beauty of being a parent. 

 

One thing you don’t notice until you have a toddler is that children aged 2-3 are yet ambidextrous. This means they are able to use both of their hands up to the same extent in performing any type of task. Around the age of 3 and above, children start developing a preference towards either their left or their right hand. Later, after they go to school and start writing, this preference becomes a permanent choice as most kids lose their ability to use both hands, especially to write or draw.

 

Another impressive fact many adults are not aware of is that children aged 1-4 have a very fine sense of hearing. According to scientific data, toddlers are able to hear higher frequency sounds than adults.

This sharp sense of hearing contributes to toddlers’ rapid growth process as it enables them to gather information from their environment quickly, by means of sound. Also, it enables them to easily learn a new language and improve their speaking abilities in their mother tongue. Not surprisingly, toddlers are able to pick up a new language far easier than adults and speak 2 or more languages simultaneously if they are exposed to a multilingual environment.

 

Now, this is a skill adults struggling to cope with a new language would gladly acquire. Anyone who’s been spending some time with a toddler realizes how quick these kids are in picking up new words. You’ve barely told them what the name of an item is and the next moment, they’re already using that new word in the right context. This is due to their outstanding cognitive capacity of learning new words that enables them to add a new word to their vocabulary in approximately 2 hours and the average toddler learns around 5 new words per day.

 

If you want to learn any life lesson from your toddler kid, this should concern your ability to laugh. Children in general, and toddlers in particular, are more eager to share smiles and laughs and enjoy life. You can blame it on their age, the fact they haven’t been spoiled by society yet, or the good night's sleep they can still enjoy, but toddlers laugh approximately 300 times a day while adults only laugh around 60 times.

There are many incredible facts you can learn about and from toddlers. Kids at their age are incredible and you’re the most important person in their life who gets to see the miraculous growth process they’re going through. If you want to spoil your fats-learning toddler with a handy gift that will boost their individuality and creativity, don’t forget to check out our teepee tent.