Mormon Life - Activities

O Pioneers!

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Pioneer Day, July 24, commemorates the arrival of the founding Mormon pioneers into what would become Utah. Though it is a state holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day is recognized by Church members around the globe, sometimes in the form of Stake celebrations or Sacrament meeting talks given around the 24th. Because the day falls on Saturday this year, here are some ideas for making the day a memorable one for your family.

Have a "pioneer" lunch. Prepare meat and biscuits or rolls in a Dutch oven. You might even make Brigham Young’s favorite doughnut recipe. (Simply type "Brigham Young's doughnut recipe" into a search engine to find one of many slight variations.) Listen to some of the original LDS hymns while you eat, or pack it up and go for a hike.

Visit a local museum. Wherever you live, people settled your area through hard work and sacrifice. Find out more about your town or county and the people who made life as you know it possible.

Watch a period movie. From the 1940 classic Brigham Young to 2004's The Work and the Glory, you've got your pick of movies about pioneers. If that style doesn't suit you, use your imagination - any western or "heading west" movie could do.

Share pioneer stories from your family. Whether your gospel roots stretch back to the first Saints that traveled the plains or you are the first member in your family, get together with others and share the thoughts and testimonies of the pioneers in your life.

Top 10 Water Safety Rules for Kids

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Julie Christensen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: You can find some great general guidance for water safety at LDS Living's article "Water Know-how." For more specific rules on maintaining safety, check out this Top 10 list.

Stay away from open water in your neighborhood, including ditches, lakes, and drains.
Never enter a backyard pool or hot tub without an adult's permission.
Don't roughhouse, run, or push around a pool.
Never swim alone.
Don't dive in shallow pool water or into lakes or rivers.
Take a break when you feel tired.
Don't panic if you become exhausted. Call for help. Then turn on your back and float until you are rescued or have the energy to swim to the edge of the water.
Get out of the water if you see lightning.
Wear a life jacket whenever you're swimming in open water or riding in a boat.
Follow lifeguards' directions.

Water Know-how

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Julie Christensen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Time to hit the beach or pool. You have the beach towels, the sunscreen, and the cooler. But do you have a water safety plan? According to Kids Health, nearly one thousand kids drown each year in the United States, and most of those deaths occur while children are under the supervision of a parent or caregiver. Keep your kids safe this summer by understanding the basics of water safety: supervision, education, and safe swimming environments.

Watch Your Kids John Haynes of the American Red Cross says that the best way to keep kids safe is through constant adult supervision. Assign someone to actively supervise children at all times and stay within arm's reach of children under age five. Avoid distractions like talking on the phone, reading a book, or visiting with friends, and never entrust a child to watch another child. Keep a cell phone with you and always check the water first if a child is missing.

Young children between ages 1 and 4 are most at risk for drowning. In fact, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional deaths for this age group. Never leave young children alone around any body of water, including the bathtub, fountains, inflatable pools, and even the toilet. Haynes says that older children need supervision too. He explains that older children get into trouble when they become exhausted from playing too long or overestimating their swimming ability. Watch your kids for signs of fatigue and take frequent breaks. Even children with strong swimming skills have drowned.

Teach Kids Basic Skills Sign your kids up for swimming lessons. Previous recommendations advised parents to start children in swimming lessons after age 4, but according to a recent study by the American Medical Association, swimming lessons "may help protect against drowning in the 1-to 4-year age group." The American Academy of Pediatrics has formally updated their water safety guidelines accordingly, saying children ages 1 to 4 may benefit from swim lessons.

Ann Shindler, a registered nurse and owner of Starfish Swim School in Denver, Colorado, advises parents to look for lessons taught by certified, experienced teachers who teach children basic survival skills in addition to strokes. She advocates small group sizes (four to six kids per teacher) and warm water pools. "Swimming lessons are like car seats," she says. "They may not prevent every injury, but they're a great preventative measure."

Swim Safe Teach your kids to stay away from open water like creeks, canals, and drains in your neighborhood, as well as neighbors' hot tubs and pools. Drowning often occurs when children slip or fall into water. In fact, according to the National Water Safety Program, two-thirds of drowning victims never intended to get in the water. Teach children to always ask permission before getting into water and to swim in designated areas, supervised by a lifeguard.

Swim where a lifeguard is on duty, whenever possible, but remain vigilant in watching your children. In most public pools, the average ratio of lifeguard to swimmer is 1 to 25. Even the well-trained lifeguard might not see everything.

According to Safe Kids USA, 75 percent of drowning incidents occur in home pools. Keep your pool safe by installing a four-sided isolation fence with a locked gate. For an added layer of protection, consider installing pool alarms and covers. Remove pool toys after use so children aren't tempted to go in after them. Install a rigid lockable cover on your hot tub and always keep it locked.

Many families will spend time at lakes or beaches this summer. Teach your children that swimming in open water is different than swimming in a pool. Children should always wear water shoes to protect their feet from hidden rocks, broken glass, or trash. The water along shorelines may be shallow, but can unpredictably increase in depth. Insist that inexperienced swimmers always wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, even if they stay close to the shore. Rough waves or undercurrents can easily knock a child over.

Before your next swimming adventure, take some time to review safety rules with your kids. If you own a pool or spend a lot of time beachside, educate yourself by taking a CPR class and a water rescue class. That way, when temperatures soar, you can pack that cooler and head for the pool with confidence.

My Great Idea: The Family Cookbook

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Allison Lee Burton
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: At first my effort to compile my family’s favorite recipes was purely practical—continually calling my mom, siblings, and aunts for the same recipes was ridiculous. But soon my compilation took on a life of its own. It became a priceless treasure for all of our loved ones to enjoy. A week before Thanksgiving a few years ago, I found myself scrambling around making a dozen phone calls, trying to track down the family recipes I used every year. I realized this had become a pattern, yet as the busyness of the holiday would pass, I would lose track of the recipes once again, only to perpetuate the vicious cycle the following year. Even in between holidays, I found myself searching for recipes like Grandma Lee's homemade raspberry jam and Grandpa Skidmore's bread. Finally I decided enough was enough; I needed to develop a better system for holding onto the treasured recipes.

Over time, my family's accumulation of recipes grew large enough that we decided to organize them into a family cookbook. Our first family cookbook was fairly simple. We typed the recipes on our computer, printed them out, placed them in sheet protectors, and loaded them into three-ring binders. Almost immediately they became a priceless addition to our family history, along with our blogs, journals, and other genealogy work. We even began giving them to extended family as gifts.

Ours were simple binders, but many self-publishing sites exist online where, usually for a fee, you can upload recipes, add pictures, and create professional-looking paperback or hard-cover copies of your family cookbook.

We gave recipes personalized titles, such as "Grandma's Sunday Orange Rolls." We further customized our cookbook by including a header beneath each recipe's title explaining where the recipe originated and why it was important to us. For example, "Sunday dinner was always a special treat at Grandma Hatch's with her warm and delicious orange rolls."

For our cookbook, we took pictures of our young children following the recipes while wearing aprons and chef hats and also included some of their hand-drawn pictures of specific recipes, all of which have become priceless to us. We have decided that for our next edition we will use pictures of family gatherings where the item was served or pictures of the person we associate with the recipe.

When creating your own family cookbook, involve as many family members as you can. Include recipes that have been passed down for generations, as well as new family favorites.

A family cookbook can be so much more than just recipes; if you have stories that go along with certain dishes, include them on the same page! What if someone brought a dish to a reunion that was a total flop and has become a running joke in the family? Include it, of course!

For us, our family cookbook was a fun project that brought our family together and has certainly become something we use often and will treasure for years to come.

16 Days of Summer Fun

Mon, 10 May 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Struggling to come up with a summer’s worth of activities? We’ll get you on your way in no time. If "I'm booorred" is an all-too-familiar phrase around your household during the summer, you'll probably want to jump start the fun this summer with the following activities. Here at LDS Living, we've pulled together some ideas to keep your children busy, many of which can be done without even leaving home. Try them and you may find that not only has the monotony ceased, but your family has created traditions your children will look forward to for years to come.

Day 1 Have a pajama day. Start the summer right by letting the kids relax. Make your first day a fun family activity. Make a favorite breakfast, watch cartoons, and enjoy a day of relaxation.

Day 2 Hold a family reading competition. Make summertime learning fun! Challenge each other to read a certain amount of books before the summer ends, either aloud and together or individually, and then reward yourselves with a fun trip or other family activity if you succeed. Make a simple chart to show progress.

Day 3 Host a car wash. Let your kids choose if they want to offer their services free to your neighborhood, or if they think they are professional enough to charge money. Let the kids save their earnings for a fun trip or activity.

Day 4 Play with bubbles. There are many ways to get fun and creative that go beyond buying bottles at the store. Let your kids make their own soap (dishwasher soap and water) and wands (pipe cleaners, coat hangers). Also, using powdered tempera paints, dish detergent, and liquid starch you can make colorful bubbles.

Day 5 Host an Olympics. Get together with other parents and create a Summer Olympics for all the kids on your block. The kids can help create different races and events; let them spend a few days "training" and then let the games begin!

Day 6 Hold a no-electricity day. At this point in the summer, you might think your kids' brains have already melted from TV rays. Pull the plugs on all your electronics and drag out the board games, have a picnic in your backyard, and spend some time together the old-fashioned way. Use candles at night instead of overhead lights.

Day 7 Make an "anything goes" lunch. For just one day, invite your family to have anything and everything they want for lunch. From Oreos and pancakes to potato chips and marshmallows, they'll think you're the coolest parent in the neighborhood!

Day 8 Grow butterflies. For $20, your kids can watch the life cycle of a butterfly in your own home. Go to insectlore.com to purchase a live butterfly garden.

Day 9 Live outside for a day. The fresh air does the mind good, and enjoying a cool summer breeze can be great when compared with a hot house. Go fly some kites during the day. When night comes, pull out the sleeping bags and get cozy. See if a friend has a portable fire pit you can use for roasting s'mores.

Day 10 Organize a block party. People often choose to move during the summer, so there's a good chance at least one new family will move into the neighborhood. Why not host a potluck block party and give everyone a chance to get to know one another better?

Day 11 Play Uno. No matter your age, you will always enjoy this family favorite. Start an Uno tournament that goes all week, complete with tournament bracket and elimination game. The kids will have fun playing with Mom and Dad, and even more fun beating them every now and then.

Day 12 Paint crazy. Tie up large canvases or old bed sheets, buy some nontoxic paint, and let the kids express their creativity with paintbrushes or their hands.

Day 13 Take a day trip. Find a new destination - that's only a half a tank of gas away! Tripadvisor.com/tankofgas lets you choose how much gas you want to use on your road trip (quarter, half, or full tank) and then gives you suggestions for places to travel to.

Day 14 Be chef for a day. Teach your kids to cook a meal. It can be as simple as a peanut butter sandwich for young children, or a casserole or roast for older children.

Day 15 Volunteer at an animal shelter. If your family doesn't have a pet and your kids are animal crazy, they would probably love to take some of the sweet shelter dogs for a walk. Contact your local animal shelter for more information.

Day 16 Play night games. It's summer; let your kids have one night to stay up really late. Play family night games and end the night with some hot chocolate.

For LDS Living's entire list of summer activities, check out our May/June 2010 issue. From Day 1 to Day 77 of summer vacation, we've got you covered!

Zoo Games

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: There's no better spring activity than a zoo activity. Find out when the animals will be reappearing at your local zoo and plan a trip. While simply looking at the animals is fun, try a few games to make your trip one to remember.

Baby Peek-a-boo: Find out from one of the zoo staff how many baby animals there are making their first appearance to patrons. Make sure they don't tell you which cages have babies! Each cage you come to, look hard to see if you can find the new animals. Set a goal to find a certain number; if you reach the goal, everyone gets ice cream cones after the visit.
What's in a Name?: Visit several cages with animals your children don't know the names of. Cover up the name and tell them to come up with their own for the animal. What would your child name a Coquerel's sifaka? Brownie points go to those who come up with the most creative names.
Animal Matching: Before going to the zoo, find out what animals your zoo has. Bring individual pictures of these animals on your trip. As you come to each cage, make sure to review information about each animal. At lunch, lay out the pictures for your children and ask questions about certain animals, using the information you discussed throughout the day. For instance, what animal's tongue is long, typically black, and tough due to the thorns it sometimes eats? (A giraffe.) If your kids like competition, tell them there is a prize for the person who gets the most questions.
Fantasy Feuds: As you exit the zoo, ask your children what two animals they would combine to make the most impressive animal. In a fight, whose animal do they think would win? What about in an animal show (similar to a dog show)? Have them give reasons why and then decide on a winner.

Birthday Party Ideas

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Erin Jones
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Birthday parties are better when they’re more than a cake-and-gift affair. But themes require creativity and money. Never fear! With these simple birthday party themes, the footwork is already done for you, and there is no reason to spend a fortune. Trying to make this year's birthday extra special? Check out our simple and inexpensive birthday ideas.

Around the World Party Take the kids on a vacation without leaving your house! Set up one room like the interior of an airplane, and several other rooms like countries, each room resembling a different place (Tahiti, France, China, etc.). Have the kids start the journey in the airplane room, and serve the passengers peanuts and drinks. As you stop at each "country," bring the kids into that country's room. Each room can have snacks and an activity related to that country. For example, in the Japan room, the kids can eat fortune cookies and learn how to fold origami.

Under the Sea Extravaganza Decorate the party area with relics of the sea, such as seaweed, seashells, and starfish. Swimming and water games are good choices for this party, but that isn't the limit. One idea is to fish for prizes (each guest sends a fishing rod over a wall and someone on the other side attaches a prize to their line). Prizes can include Goldfish Crackers, snorkeling gear, or towels.

Younger kids might enjoy playing in a sandbox, while all ages can play Sharks and Minnows, a version of tag where the person who is it (the shark) has to tag the other players (the minnows). When a minnow gets tagged, they become a shark. In the pool, this takes the form of the shark closing his or her eyes and listening for swimming minnows. If someone gets caught out of the water (shark yells, "Fish out of water!"), the person on land becomes the shark!

Service Birthday Party Some kids may scoff at the idea of a service-oriented birthday, but you would be surprised how many kids love to help! In place of presents, invite guests to bring toys for donating to a charity. Service ideas include making cards for hospitalized children, tying blankets for displaced families, or making key chains for needy kids. And kids love taking a field trip to do a fun service project. Take the party guests to deliver their cards and toys or to sing at a nursing home. For service ideas in your area, check out volunteermatch.org, SERVEnet.org, or idealist.org.

Western Birthday This party is a favorite for younger kids. Make invitations in wanted poster format, with your child's picture at the top. Have the guests come dressed in cowhand attire, and let them practice roping using rocking horses and stuffed animals as the targets. Hide prizes in a sandbox and let the guests pan for "gold." A favorite activity is a squirt gun war with Mom or Dad as the villain.

Rocking Seventies Birthday Both kids and teens love going back in time for a little disco fever. Have the guests come wearing seventies attire such as bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and flared jeans. Decorate the room with a disco ball and let the kids rock out to the sounds of the seventies. Have the guests tie-dye their own shirts or socks. Other activities include decorating records with paint and stickers or learning a seventies line dance such as the Hustle. Don't forget the cake--decorated in the shape of a big, yellow smiley face!

Luau Birthday What could be better than a birthday in Hawaii? Ahead of time, ask around and find someone who knows how to hula. When the kids arrive, welcome them with a lei and a hearty "Aloha!" Teach them fun words they can use: mahalo (thank you), 'olu'olu (please), pupule (crazy), and, of course, Hau'oli La Hanau (Happy Birthday). Barbecue hamburgers, chicken, pork, or shish kabobs--and don't forget the pineapple juice! Challenge party guests to a hula hoop contest or a limbo dance off. Set up a volleyball net and let the guests play some beach volleyball. Ask your "hula expert" to teach the kids a few hula moves, and then let them go crazy to tropical tunes!

Pirate Party The Pirates of the Caribbean movies have increased kids' interest in pirates, so why not use that to your advantage? The kids can come dressed as pirates (eye patches make great party favors). Encourage them to use pirate accents.

Of course, the big hit of the party will be the homemade treasure hunt: Hide a bag of chocolate gold coins, and lead the kids to the treasure using clues. The trail of clues continues until the kids find the treasure!

My Great Idea: Charity Swap

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Kalani Stevenson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: By working together with our neighbors and friends, I've been able to get rid of unwanted items and find plenty of new treasures--all while raising money for charity. When I was fifteen and living on the North Shore of Hawaii, I realized that I had a spending problem--the majority of my hard-earned paycheck went to new clothes. Even as a teenager, I recognized that this was becoming a bad habit. Making the decision to change was easier said than done, since I loved getting new clothes and being able to change my style every day. I didn't know how I would ever be able to sacrifice the excitement of shopping.

One day a friend of mine came over and began combing through my closet for style ideas. To my surprise, her favorite pieces were the ones that I never wore. An idea came to me--we should swap! That week I told all the girls in our neighborhood about the big clothing swap that I would host that weekend.

Saturday was the big swap, and it was a success. All of the teenage girls from the neighborhood came over with bags of clothes they rarely wore. In my room, we dumped all the bags into the center and then took turns picking out things we wanted. We tried to make sure that everyone left with equal amounts. At the end of the day, anything unwanted was put into bags and taken to the local second-hand store. It was even better than going shopping--I got new clothes, I made more space in my closet, I helped out a few friends, and I didn't spend a penny!

As I got older and was looking for a way to wrap up my Personal Progress, I decided to use my swap as a way to raise money for charity. I asked more than just my friends to come--I invited everyone in our neighborhood and our ward and told them to bring anything and everything they didn't use or wanted to get rid of. I would still make all the items free, but on each table I would set a jar for donations. On the day of the swap, I asked everyone to make a donation to the jar for whatever they thought the item was worth--anywhere from a dime to five dollars, depending on the taker. At the end of the day, we collected all of the donations and gave them to a local charity. It was an even bigger hit than my little clothes swap, and it also meant that we could make a difference.

Years later, when my husband and I moved away from Hawaii, we brought the idea to our new neighborhood in Georgia. Now, each summer, every family on the block sets up a table in front of their house and fills it with anything the family no longer uses, but is in good shape. Everyone then walks around the neighborhood and takes the things that he or she wants.

The neighborhood swap has created friendships, fun, and a spirit of giving for everyone involved. It's brought the neighborhood together, and we've all (literally) gained a lot from each other.

My Great Idea: Santa's Workshop

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:00:00 -0700

by Amy Johnson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Our family has found a unique way to clear some space for new Christmas presents while helping others in need. I'm not a pack rat, but there are so many useful things around that I can't bring myself to throw them away.

Six years ago my husband and I walked into our kids' playroom and took a look at everything they didn't use. There were some great toys down there! From just one toy box in the corner, we found a doll that wasn't even scuffed, a remote control car in good condition, a plastic kitchen set that our daughter had grown out of, and a zoo of stuffed animals.

In another pile were ten other toys that needed a little bit of sprucing up. But I had a box of craft paint, a sewing kit, and some superglue sitting in a drawer upstairs ready to go to work.

It was a Saturday, and we needed to find something to entertain the kids anyway, so we brought them downstairs. Instead of handing out toys and sentencing them to quiet play time, we put them to work. With supplies in tow, we transformed our playroom into a mini Santa's workshop and sent all those less-than-perfect toys down the assembly line. First the toys were cleaned, then repaired, then painted and improved if possible.

With the idea that the local homeless shelter could use the toys more than our family could, we again went through the playroom with the kids, and they volunteered more toys to share with another family. By the end of the day, we had two boxes of Christmas presents and set off for the nearest shelter.

There are quite a few places that look for toys around the holidays. We've looked up shelters and homes, YMCA, Goodwill, and local foster services. Depending on the agency, we either leave presents unwrapped, so workers can see the items and match them to the right children, or wrap the gift and attach a card with the sex and age of a child for whom the toy would be best.

Over the years the playroom has become more and more elaborate, decorated to take on the magic and spirit of Santa's workshop. On the wall is a list of shelters and homes and names of some of the kids we've met over the years. Pictures have gone up and friendships have been made. With the neighbors and their kids pitching in too, our playroom is as busy as FedEx during the holiday season.

Maybe it's just because they're getting older, but now the kids seem to take better care of their toys throughout the year and look forward to giving them away at Christmas. They're even more willing to share with their brothers and sisters in the meantime!

Christmas Spirit Gifts and Messages

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Janice Stringham LeFevre
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Continuing on the idea of Janice LeFevere's solution to the Santa Claus dilemma (see "Santa and the Christmas Spirit" in the LDS Living's November/December 2009 issue), these great ideas will introduce your family to the Christmas Spirit and add a fun, new tradition to your celebrations. The Christmas Spirit is a representation of anonymous giving that I created to help explain the truth of Santa Claus to my children. (Click here to read the article explaining the concept.) Read on to find some ideas for introducing the Christmas Spirit to your home.

Gift Ideas for the Christmas Spirit

The guiding rule for choosing gifts is that they must focus on the Savior. They can be directly linked to Christmas and the birth of Christ, or they can simply be Christ-centered. These presents do not have to cost very much money and can be homemade. If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of after-Christmas and other clearance sales.

Choosing items that have several pieces allows you to give the gift one piece at a time over a period of several days. When my children were small, I made sure that the Christmas Spirit had enough things so that he could come at least three or four times during the month of December.

Nativities. These can be decorative nativities, toys, or homemade wooden ones (which, in our ward, we have made in Enrichment Meeting).
Advent calendar. Choose one that focuses on Christ's birth. My favorite is sold by Story Time Felts (storytimefelts.com). It features Mary and Joseph traveling by donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Each day, the children move Mary and Joseph down the path. When they reach Bethlehem, a nativity scene is set up in a stable.
Flannel board story about Christ's birth. Purchase them from the Distribution Center; cut them out and glue small pieces of flannel on the back of each piece. Boards can be made from a large square cut from a cardboard box and covered with flannel. These are more inexpensive than Story Time Felts' materials.
Quiet books to use during sacrament meeting. Insert pictures of Jesus and scripture stories in plastic sheet protectors and snap them into a three-ring binder. Pictures can be purchased inexpensively from the Distribution Center. Begin with giving the binder and then provide the pictures one by one. Or, if you are more creative, you can make a cloth quiet book.
Christmas ornaments. Choose ornaments that feature the symbols of Christmas or the nativity story. Again, ornaments can be purchased or homemade.
Books. Choose from a wide variety including the Scripture Readers sold at the Distribution Center. Board books, picture books, and doctrinal books are also great. As my children got older, I gave them books written by general authorities about the Savior.
Scripture Scouts CDs. These delightful CDs feature children and a dog who act out scripture stories and sing songs about the gospel principles they are learning. There are five sets in the series, featuring the Book of Mormon, the New Testament, the Old Testament, the Articles of Faith, and the Proclamation on the Family. They can be purchased at Deseret Book.
Religious videos or DVDs. I purchase most of my religious DVDs from the Distribution Center. They are inexpensive and, most importantly, doctrinally correct.
Religious music. CDs, hymn books, the primary songbook, or sheet music. Be sure to buy some by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Inspirational Christmas stories recorded on tape or CD. If you can't afford to buy professional recordings, then purchase your own blank cassette tapes. Then talk to a friend (whose voice your children won't recognize) and see if she will read and record a story for you to give to your children; reciprocate, and do it for her, too.
Framed picture of Christ. Purchase pictures from the Distribution Center or you can even cut them out from old issues of the Ensign, New Era, or Friend. Frames do not have to be expensive - many suitable frames can be found at the dollar store. And remember - it can be at any stage in life; maybe one of the nativity with help them think of Christmas, or maybe one of him as a youth will help remind them they can be an example even at their age.
Framed scripture verse. Choose one that is meaningful to you or your child. You don't have to do calligraphy or anything fancy; you can simply choose a pretty font and print it out on a computer.
Christmas poetry, sayings, or quotations. These can be framed or put in a binder. I framed one poem that explained the meaning of common Christmas symbols - the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook, the color red reminds us of Christ's atoning blood while green symbolizes eternal life, and so forth.
Stickers. Craft and scrapbook stores sell many stickers that feature the nativity. You can provide your kids with colored paper, and they can make their own scenes.
Coloring books. You can also add a new box of crayons for each child; crayons cost just a few cents a box during the summer back-to-school sales.
Chocolates shaped like figures from the nativity - Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the animals, and so forth. These handmade candies are simply melted dipping chocolate that is poured into molds; they are inexpensive and extremely easy to make. Give the chocolates one-by-one, or you can just give the molds and the unformed dipping chocolate to the children and help them make the candy themselves. Chocolate molds can be purchased from culinary stores and, sometimes, Wal-Mart. My favorite store is Gygi Culinary Solutions, based in Salt Lake City (gygi.com; click on "Food and Candy" and then on "Candy Molds").
Cookie cutters. One year I found some of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus cutters. If you can't find "Christmas" cookie cutters, search for animal shapes, hearts (to symbolize Christ's love for us), stars, and so forth. Plan an afternoon with your children so you can make sugar or gingerbread cookies using these cookie cutters, and then share some of them with your neighbors.

Messages from The Christmas Spirit One year, when the Christmas Spirit gave a nativity to the children, I included these letters with each piece. Each note addressed the children and was signed, "Love, the Christmas Spirit." Each subheading indicates the nativity piece given with the letter.

Stable I am the Christmas Spirit. I am here to help you remember the real reason for Christmas. I will be bringing you small gifts from time to time during December to help you remember Jesus and the celebration of His birthday. I hope you like them!

Sometimes I will ask you to do something. You will not have to do it as soon as you get my letter. Usually the best time to follow my instructions is after your schoolwork and chores are done. Wait for the time that your mom or dad says is best.

This is your first gift. Do you know why Jesus was born in a stable? Hint: Look in Luke 2:4-7. Can you guess what gift you might get next?

Shepherd Here I am again! Do you know why we have candy canes at Christmas? What are they supposed to remind us of? Here's a hint: Look at the shape of the shepherd's crook (the staff). How is it shaped?

First Wise Man (given with a clipart of the three wisemen) These men are very wise. That is why we call them the Wise Men. What made them so wise? I think it's because they read the scriptures, believed in Jesus, and tried to do what was right. What do you think?

What can you do so that you will grow up and be wise men and women, too? You won't go on a journey to see baby Jesus, but maybe you'll be there when he comes again someday!

Second Wise Man These wise men lived two thousand years ago. Did you know that there are wise men and women who live now? They are not the kind that go on journeys to find baby Jesus. They are wise because they know a lot about Jesus. They love Jesus so much that they obey Him. They also teach you about Jesus.

Who do you think these wise people are? What are their names? Here's a hint: Think of some of your church leaders and of your parents. They are all wise men and women. If you follow their teachings, you will become wise men and women, too!

Third Wise Man Hi! It's me again! Was Jesus still in the stable when the Wise Men came to see Him? Look in Matthew 2 to find out. How old do you think Jesus was when they arrived? Why do you think it took the Wise Men so long to get there?

Do you think it took a lot of faith for the Wise Men to see a star and then to travel for two whole years before they were able to see Jesus? I think it did. I think you can have that kind of faith, too!

Angel After Jesus was born, a lot of angels came to see the shepherds. What did they say to the shepherds? Look in Luke 2:8-14.

Do angels really have wings like the one on this figure? Why do people sometimes show angels with wings? What do the wings symbolize?

Who are angels? Look in the Bible's Topical Guide under "Angels" and ask your mom and dad to read it to you.

Listen to the song "Circles of Angels" on your Book of Mormon Scripture Scouts tape, and then sing along with it.

Donkey Hi! Are you having fun? I hope you like my visits.

Why do you think I am giving you a donkey? Who rode the donkey? Why was she a special woman? Listen to the first tape from the New Testament Scripture Scouts and sing the donkey song.

Manger Jesus's birthday celebration is getting closer! Are you getting excited? We celebrate Jesus's birthday on December 25th, but this is not His real birthday. Do you know when He was really born? Here's a hint: It's the same time that the baby lambs are born. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was also organized in 1830 on the real anniversary of Jesus's birth.

Can you think of something that you can give to Jesus this Christmas? You won't be able to wrap it in wrapping paper. Ask your mom and dad to help you think of something.

Joseph This is a very special man. Heavenly Father trusted him to watch over Mary and to raise Jesus. He was a carpenter. What was his name?

How did he find out that Mary was going to be the mother of the Son of God? Look in Matthew 1:18-24.

I love you! I am glad that you are trying hard to be good followers of Jesus.

Mary This person was the mother of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God the Father. She must have been a very special woman!

Look in your New Testament Reader and read the story of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus with your mom and dad. Tell your mom and dad about your favorite part of the story, then draw a picture of it.

Your next gift will be your last one! I'll bet you can guess what it will be!

Jesus Jesus loves you very much. He came to earth so that He could be our Savior. What does this mean?

Jesus came so that He could die and be resurrected. Because Jesus was resurrected, you will be resurrected, too! Jesus also paid for our sins so that we can repent when we make mistakes. Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all. His atonement made it possible for us to be pure and clean so that we can return to live with Heavenly Father again. What can you do to say thank you to Him?

Halloween Tricks

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Try these "tricks" to spice up trick-or-treating this year! Trick-or-treating usually just involves treating. Here are a few fun "tricks" your kids can offer for their candy!

Carol with Halloween songs as you walk up to the doors (go to squidoo.com or dltk-holidays.com find new lyrics to classic tunes).
Teach your kids the dance to the "Thriller" chorus so they can perform it at the door; you can get a copy of the song to play on your phone.
Ask the homeowner if there's a quick one-minute chore the kids can do, such as take out the garbage on their way out.
Give your children cards with simple Halloween trivia on them. Ask the person who answers the door a question related to the trivia, and then read the answer. Ideas include: "What words does Halloween come from?" (All Hallows Eve) "Why did people start carving pumpkins?" (To scare away ghosts) "What were the first jack-o-lanterns made of?" (Turnips)

The best way to do some of these is to ask first if you can perform the trick; most people will be more than happy to receive them.

Whether or not your kids think it's a good idea to "trick" (or do it at every house), it's a fun way to add some thrill to Halloween night!

A Great Escape

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: The weather is changing, making it the perfect time for you to curl up with a good book. But that's not the only reason to read in October. October is a month to escape to somewhere fantastic, without having to leave your home. It's National Book Month, when people everywhere are encouraged to read just for the pleasure of it.

With fall here and settling down, it's important for kids - and everyone else, for that matter - to remember the delights that come from reading for enjoyment. Here are some tips from the National Book Foundation for getting the whole family involved in National Book Month, and perhaps creating some lifelong habits of reading good books.

Family trips to the local library. Encourage each family member to check out at least one book.
Family reading night. Set aside time to read each week. Afterward, hold family discussions, giving each member a chance to talk about the book they are reading.
Family game nights about literature. Play some of your favorite family games with a literary twist, like charades based on favorite book titles.
Reading with your kids. Not only does this help your child realize the importance of reading, it is a great opportunity to spend one-on-one time together.

The American Library Association, which was founded in October 1876, also has programs in place to encourage reading. Visit ala.org to find out more.

Family Summer Olympics

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Start a great summer tradition with your family an compete in your own summer games! Warm weather has a way of bringing families together. This year, as the summer comes to a close, hold a family Olympics. Here are some ideas for events:

Hula Hoop Record See who can set the record for the longest, shortest, or silliest hula hooping. You can most likely purchase inexpensive hula hoops from a dollar store in your area.

Flag Finding Hide several small flags around the house or yard. The person who finds the most flags wins a prize.

Dive for Dollars Bury a variety of coins, such as pennies, nickels, and dimes in a child's sandbox. The children should search through the sand for the coins. Hide only one quarter in the box, and the child who finds it is the winner!

Water Balloon Volleyball Fill water balloons and divide the group into two teams. Each team has a towel with which to launch the balloon. Play volleyball as you toss the balloon back and forth. Whichever team lets the most balloons break loses.

Seed Spitting See who can spit watermelon seeds the farthest!

Bubble Blowing Give the contestants a few pieces of gum and let them chew for a few minutes. When given the signal, everyone should try to blow a bubble. The largest bubble wins!

Name that Person Display various coins and bills. The person who can correctly name the most figureheads on the money wins a prize.

Cake Decorating Give each team a cake and various decorating ingredients or tools. Award prizes for the most creative, most original, and best decorated. Enjoy the cakes afterward.

My Great Idea: Back to School Breakfast

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Colleen Clark
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Getting back into the school year schedule after a summer of sleeping in and relaxing can be difficult—not only for kids, but for parents as well. By providing an early incentive a week before school, I’ve found beating the beginning-of-the-school-year blues can be fairly easy. I love the summer months, when I am essentially worry-free about getting my kids dressed, fed, and out the door on time at an early hour. Although some days are an exception, the summer is a free-for-all where sometimes even Mom gets a few extra hours of sleep.

For years it was difficult to make the switch from summer vacation to the "early to bed, early to rise" school routine. The first day of school would always go great - my kids and I used the adrenaline we had from the excitement of the new school year to get us through. But a day or two later, we found ourselves already struggling. Seven in the morning is a far cry from nine, especially when you have three kids to get ready who aren't particularly keen on getting up.

Several years ago I was searching for ways to help beat the beginning-of-the-school-year blues when a neighbor told me about her idea for a neighborhood "back-to-school breakfast." Instead of starting off the school year on the first day by suddenly getting up early, she said we could all start the school year schedule a week early. I jumped at the chance!

When my kids first heard the idea, they cringed - I became the mom who was cutting out a week of precious summer sleeping. But once I explained to them that we were going to have great foods - like doughnuts, French toast, or cinnamon rolls - and that their friends would be there, too, they quickly jumped on board.

Here's how we did it: Beginning the Monday before school started, all the neighborhood kids (and their parents) woke up at 7 a.m. and got ready as if they were starting the day and heading out to school. We rotated the breakfast between houses so that no particular person was bearing the brunt of the expenses. In the years since we started, as the idea spread to the greater neighborhood, we limited each group of breakfast eaters to six houses (leaving Sunday for a family breakfast).

Providing a fun, early morning breakfast has given my kids a definite incentive to get up before their usual summertime schedule. Now, by the time school starts, my kids and I are accustomed to waking earlier, and many of the struggles from previous years have been eliminated - not to mention we're all well fed and energized!

The Perfect Summer Barbecue

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Barbecuing is one of those events that defines the summer season. It brings family and friends together for a few hours and is the perfect setting to unwind and have a good meal. As you get ready to host your perfect summer barbecue, here are some tips that will help you keep the occasion stress-free and enjoyable.

Go shopping one or two days before. This will give you extra time to prepare your home or backyard.

Stick with the classics. Grill hamburgers and hot dogs. It's oftentimes cheaper and easier, and in all reality, these foods are the essence of a barbecue. Also try providing a veggie option, such as grilled corn. It's simple, yet classic, and everyone is satisfied! Ask some of those coming to bring a side or a dessert and it will further simplify your party.

Setup and prepare everything beforehand, and let yourself enjoy. This way you don't have to worry about rushing around in hopes that everyone is happy. It's a summer night - it should be filled with chips, dig, and a burger, not the usual stress that may come with hosting.

Arrange for background music. Music provides a low hum that relaxes people; they don't have to worry about making conversation the entire evening. Fun music perfect for barbecuing music can include anything from Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong jazz to oldies by the Beatles and Creedance Clearwater Revival. Keep it low so your guests still have the chance to mingle, but if you deem it necessary, turn it up and dance.

Family Games

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Ashton Kelley
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: With TVs, iPods, and video games to entertain families all day and all night, sometimes it’s just easier not to plan family-fun time. But with the kids out of school, summer is the perfect season for reconnecting as a family through simple, wholesome activities. Look over the following list of games; you and your children can learn to play again! Camping and Outdoor Games

Constellation Creation Start the game by pointing out one of the well-known constellations to the group, and then tell the mythological story behind it. Then, have everyone take turns making up new constellations and stories to go with them. For a tricky twist, have each constellation's story build off of the last one told.

Shave Mr. Balloon-face Everyone participating will need a balloon and a permanent marker. Everyone should blow up their balloon as full as possible. Participants will then draw on their balloon to give it a face. Apply shaving cream to the balloon's cheeks and chin, and use a plastic knife or safety razor to shave with. Start the race, and the first person to shave Mr. Balloon-face without popping him is the winner. Make this even more risky (and fun) by shaving water balloons!

Tree Hugging Split the group into pairs. Each pair chooses one person to be blindfolded, and one person to be the guide. The guide leads their partner in a roundabout way to a tree (maybe having them duck under imaginary fences, jump over imaginary streams, etc.). At the tree, the blindfolded partner inspects the tree (with the blindfold still on). You can hug the tree, trace its bark with your fingers, touch the ground and roots, and touch the branches and leaves - anything you want without looking. The guide then leads the blindfolded partner back (again in a roundabout way) to the starting point. Then the blindfolded partner takes off the blindfold and tries to find the correct tree.

Frisbee Golf This game is best played in a large, open field. (Each person will need one Frisbee.) Choose around six or seven objects as targets for your golf "holes." Players will then take turns tossing their Frisbees toward the target. Keep track of how many throws it takes to hit the target. The player with the fewest throws at the end wins.

For Communication

Memorable Moment Start off the game by telling your child three things that happened throughout your day. Then, have your child try to guess which one was most exciting for you, and why. After he or she has guessed, tell your child which event was more exciting for you than the other two and why. Next, it's your child's turn to think up three events, and your turn to guess. Your child will enjoy sharing, and you will learn at least three things he or she did that day.

Smarter Than . . . Who? This is a game you can save for the beginning of the school year! Ask your children to quiz you on the things they learned at school that day. For example, if your student is studying world history, they may ask you, "When was the Magna Carta signed?" You answer, and they will tell you if you are correct. Then let them ask another question. By the end of the game, your children will feel proud of all that they've learned (and extra proud when they stump you!), and you will have a little glimpse into what they are learning at school.

Road Trip Games

The Car Next Door Come up with stories about the people in the other cars on the road. Pick a car and glance at its passengers. Then have everyone take a turn telling something about the life of the people in the "car next door."

Animal Battle Everyone gets to create an animal by combining two real or imaginary creatures. For example - a snonkey (snake-monkey), an elephino (elephant-rhinoceros), or a unifly (unicorn-butterfly). Then, everyone in the car takes turns defending why their animal would win in a battle against the other imagined animals. Include rules against graphic descriptions to keep it light and fun.

Who Am I? One person thinks of a person, place, or thing that everyone in the car can recognize. The person thinking of the subject will give one clue at a time. For example:

I am bigger than a horse
I live in water
I was in a movie

(Answer: Willy from the movie Free Willy)

After each clue, anyone can guess. The first person to guess the person, place, or thing is then "it" and gets to think up the next subject.

Firework Safety

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Summer celebrations all over the world occasion the use of fireworks, and everyone loves seeing them! They are breathtaking symbols freedom. However, they can also be very dangerous. Firecrackers account for nearly 10,000 injuries in the U.S. each year, nearly 4,000 of which are children. Children make up the largest percentage of injured people, partly because they have less knowledge of how to handle dangerous situations.

In those places where consumer fireworks aren't banned altogether, follow these tips to help make your fireworks celebration this year fun and safe.

Look for labeling. Legal fireworks will have steps for use and warnings; illegal fireworks most likely won't. This is a good way to tell what kind of fireworks you're buying. But don't stop there! Take the time to read the directions and safety precautions for each item for using it.

Don't let children handle the fireworks or light them. This includes sparklers, which are in the top three causes of injuries every year. Many think they are safe, but sparklers can burn up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit and can easily cause clothing to catch fire. If you do want to give your children sparklers, pull hair back and put them in closed-toed shoes, and instruct them to keep it at least six feet from anyone's body and at arm's length from their own, to never hand a lit sparkler to someone or hold more than one lit sparkler, to not run with sparklers, and to always stick the sparkler in a bucket of water when it stops burning.

Keep animals inside or safely secured in their pens. The sound can easily irritate and spook animals, making stressful or even dangerous situations more likely.

Let sleeping duds lie. Don't try to re-light or fix a "dud." If the item fails to go off, let it stand at least five minutes before approaching it and putting it in a bucket of water. Read the package directions on how to safely dispose of it.

Follow the law. It can be tempting to skirt the law of the land in order to buy some amazing fireworks or kits to assemble them, but they're illegal for a reason. One of the most dangerous illegal fireworks, the M-1000, is like a stick of dynamite, and all illegal fireworks have incredible firepower, making them powerful enough to blow off human appendages. Be the party-pooper parent this once and don't mess with illegal fireworks.

My Great Idea: Family Home Vacations

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Kennth Cope
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: No money in the budget for summer travel? You can still have a great family vacation right in your own home. Some years ago, as parents of three daughters under the age of ten, my wife, Kathy, and I thought it was time that we start making memories in the family vacation department. We wanted these events to be something we could do every summer, things that we would all look forward to. But we also realized we must be careful about starting such traditions, as the recurring annual expense can become a plan-altering factor in any given year.

Now we all know that vacations can be expensive, especially when it comes to travel and accommodation expenses. Thankfully, my smart wife did some exploring and found an idea in a magazine about "vacations on a budget." The writer called it a staycation, which incorporated the idea of having a vacation in the privacy of one's own home. We really liked this idea, and we began planning for one.

We decided that, while on our staycation, we would turn off the phones, as if we were really gone - out of town and unreachable. Staying at home meant that our only vacation expenses would be for food and entertainment, and we were willing to really spend the money there. We thought if we could have a five-day vacation with our little family, and spend only five or six hundred dollars making memories, what a savings we'd make!

The plan was this: since there are five of us, the vacation would unfold with each member of our family choosing a theme and the events for one of the five days . . . sometimes with a little help from mom or dad.

Highlights from Past Years

Our eldest daughter, having loved Madeline the little French girl, was interested in "going" to France. We began the day getting some lovely croissants and pastries at a local French bakery for breakfast. Then we went to a children's museum for a couple of hours. Afterwards, we went to an authentic French restaurant for a late but very French lunch. And finally we came home, had a little nap, and then watched the Madeline movie with all sorts of snacks to eat.

One summer, another daughter chose Dinosaurs as her theme. After a simple breakfast, we traveled north to the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden, Utah, and spent quite a few hours exploring, eating, and playing with million-year-old reptiles. Later we caught the then-new animated movie Dinosaur in the theater.

As each new summer would approach, our girls - who now knew what to expect - became more and more inventive. Over the years, we've traveled through a homemade time machine, gone to the Hawaiian Islands, and even journeyed into outer space. And all that for a pretty reasonable price.

Few musicians have impacted a culture or genre as acutely as Kenneth Cope, a composer, producer, performer, singer, and songwriter. His first album was released in 1987, and when the best-selling and critically acclaimed Greater Than Us All (1989) followed soon thereafter, songs like "His Hands" and "Never a Better Hero" quickly became LDS classics. His most recent album, All About You, is a focused return to providing uplifting, contemporary music for everyday worship. Kenneth, his wife, Kathy, and their three daughters live in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Do you have a great idea? A tip for a church calling? A fun and educational family activity? Basically any idea that has made your life a little easier or more fun? We want to hear about it and share it! E-mail your idea to editor@ldsliving.com.

Summer Memories

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by LDS Living Staff
source: MormonLife.com

Celebrate the art of photography this summer by taking some of your best photos ever.

Taking pictures like the pros is what we all aspire to, but it can be really frustrating when our pictures don't look anything like the ones in magazines. So to boost your confidence as a photographer, here are a few general guidelines for taking a fantastic photo.

Go by the rule of thirds. Divide your photo into thirds both horizontally and vertically - the subject should usually be placed near the intersecting lines.

Lighting is key. The best times of the day for outside photography are dawn and dusk, when lighting is softer. Try to avoid pictures in the middle of the day, as the lighting is harsh and will wash out your subject. Cloudy days work best.

The flash is your friend. Most people use the flash only while indoors. In reality, using the flash outdoors will help diminish shadows.

Experiment with angles. Add some dynamics to your photo by tilting the camera at a 30 degree angle. This technique looks especially good in action photos.

Get close. Move to an equal plane with whatever you're photographing. For a bold image, move in close and fill the whole screen with the subject. It's a great way to capture an image from a whole new perspective.

Sane Family Travel

Fri, 29 May 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Jamie Cline
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Staring at the countless miles you have to travel before reaching your destination, can be daunting - especially when you have children or pets in the backseat of the car. So you mutter a silent prayer, gird up your loins . . . and then what? Most of us have experienced the infamous family vacation - kids shouting over seating arrangements and fighting over toys; parents glassy-eyed and exhausted, as a piping voice asks for the thousandth time, "Are we there yet?" Then, the family dog throws up in the back seat of the car. Isn't it high time to change our road trips from family fiascos into family fun?

When the Pets Go

Not willing to leave man's best friend at home? Understandable. But keep in mind that traveling puts a lot of stress on animals; so before you leave, take the time to make your trip as uncomplicated as possible.

The most important thing about traveling with pets is to be prepared. Having the proper knowledge and supplies is essential. The fewer surprises, the better.

First, consider your pet's health. Is she pregnant? Ill? Very old? Recovering from surgery? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you should probably do your friend a favor and leave her at home or in a kennel.

If you've deemed your pet voyage-worthy, start adapting him to his carrier a month before your trip. At the beginning, leave him in the carrier for a short time, and then gradually increase it to an hour. Give your pet a few treats while he is inside so he'll learn to like it (or at least tolerate it).

Make sure the hotel where you are staying allows pets. If you don't find out in advance, you could be in big trouble when you reach your destination. You can search for pet-friendly hotels in and out of the United States at pettravel.com.

If you are flying with your pet, check with the airlines beforehand to see if they have any restrictions or fees. Flying can put extreme pressure on pets, so most veterinarians encourage driving. Make sure to check on restrictions for your particular breed, just in case it is one that has unique problems with travel (such as pug-nosed animals). And don't tranquilize your pet - it may seem like a good idea, but it's the top cause of death for pets during air travel.

Sadly, many pets get lost while traveling; this increases the need to have proper identification on your pet. The microchip, a licensing device implanted by your vet, is the best option, especially for cats. A collar with a current license listing your phone number is also very helpful. Also, bring along a current picture of your pet in case he or she does get lost so you can show it to locals.

Have Children, Will Travel

Although leaving pets at home is usually an option, leaving kids usually isn't. Unless you're going on a second honeymoon, chances are the munchkins will be coming along.

Let your kids help you decide where to take that special trip. Give them a few choices and discuss the pros and cons of each. True, Disneyland is sure to be suggested over and over, but if you show them the merits of Yellowstone and Yosemite, they are bound to get excited. Traveling is always better if the kids are eager about the destination.

Bring along lots of food and drinks. The last thing you want on your road trip is to be plagued by the dreaded "I'm hungry!" refrain. Pack things that won't make a mess, like fruit snacks, bite-sized crackers, and hard candy. And keep the food easily accessible - you don't want to have to be digging around, looking for the munchies without a seatbelt on.

You never know what can happen on a trip, so prepare for the worst. A first-aid kit is a must, along with plastic bags (for motion sickness), baby wipes (for dirty hands and faces), and trash bags. Medicines such as children's pain relievers, motion sickness drugs, and any needed prescription drugs should be the first things you pack.

The trick to peace in the car is to keep boredom levels low. When your kids are entertained, they are far less likely to start a wrestling match for amusement. As far as "onboard entertainment" goes, engaging toys like crayons, word search games, or electronic Sudoku games (for older kids) are your best bet. Buy a small tub with a snap-on lid for each child. This keeps all their possessions in the same place and also provides a desk for them to color on. Books on tape or CD are a great option for the whole family, especially when considering series like Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia, which are written for children and yet entertaining for adults. And don't forget the age-old favorites - stories and songs. This can be a wonderful time to share your own childhood experiences with your little ones.