Kid Activities

Thanks to Freedom Mobile for sponsoring this post.

Day trips don’t have to be limited to the summer months. In fact, a day trip is a great way to break up the monotony of any season.  It’s not quite ‘tourist season’ yet, but you can still find fun things to do as a family such as great museums, awesome indoor pools and hot springs which are open all year long.

To have a successful day trip in the off season, it’s even more important to have a network you can trust. Freedom Mobile has been expanding their home network and is rolling out Extended Range LTE.

We put this to the test with a trip to Alberta’s dinosaur capital, Drumheller. Below, you can find tips for making your off-season day trip with kids a success as well as learn how my iphone X from Freedom Mobile handled being outside of our home network.

1. Plan before you go

Check the weather and the road conditions, look-up the operating hours of the place you are planning to visit and get an estimate for how long your drive should be. The Royal Tyrrell Museum for example is open year round, but Fossil World is only open seasonally.

2. But stay flexible

There’s no need to stay set on your original plan. Sometimes things don’t take as long as you expect, or you may see something that looks really cool while you are there. You can easily check hours, find directions and look up reviews on the go. We ended up stopping at a couple of roadside attractions on the way home. It was super easy to get directions from Drumheller to where they were located in Irricana.

3. Pack an emergency kit and warm clothes and blankets

This is always a good idea but when there is potential for chillier weather or poor road conditions it becomes extra important.

4. Have activities for the kids in the car

Even if your trip is only an hour or so it can feel like a long time for the kids. Or for you, if you have bored, bickering children. It doesn’t have to be much, a new activity book, car bingo sheets, tablets or a movie can all do the trick. Younger kids may enjoy having a few hand held toys like cars or dinosaurs and some families really enjoy listening to audio books together or playing car games like eye spy.

5. Don’t forget snacks and water

Even though your trip might not be long, you’ll save money, time and your sanity by packing some snacks and water along with you.

6. Bring cords and extra batteries

Although newer phones like my Iphone X have a much better battery life than older phones, it is still a good idea to have the ability to charge your phone. Not only is this important in case of emergency, your also don’t want to miss a cute potential photo op because your phone has died.

7. Check for apps to make your visit even better

More and more places are creating their own apps to enhance your travel experience. The last time we were in Drumheller, we rented audio-sticks so we could listen to an audio tour of the Royal Tyrrell Museum. We didn’t realize it until we got there, but now they have an app that you can download onto your phone for free instead.

The verdict:

Throughout our trip to Drumheller and back, my Freedom Mobile away network was there whenever I needed it. Although there were a few short stretches of on a minor road we took where I did lose connectivity, this was no different from my husband’s work phone which is on another network.

We used the phone fairly heavily (which is pretty normal for us) – we checked road conditions, got directions, searched google for an article about the different dinosaurs figures around Drumheller, downloaded the Tyrrell Museum audio-tour app, made a call home and more.

I’ve tried Freedom Mobile for 6 months now, and it’s been trouble free. Although we spend most of our time in Calgary, it’s great to know that it can handle our road trips too.

Thanks to Shaw Communications for sponsoring this post. Check out the bottom of the post for more information about how your child can apply for a Kindness Sticks Grant to make a difference at their school.

Small acts of kindness show your kids that they have the power to make their world a better place and that even small actions matter. Doing small acts of kindness with your kids is also a great way to begin conversations about spreading kindness and empathy to those around them.

You can read our ideas for sharing kindness with people you know here [link]. Another way you can spread kindness is with random acts of kindness. Random acts of kindness are small actions that are intended to bring more kindness into the world. They aren’t done with a specific person in mind, in fact the recipient is often a complete stranger.

Here are some ideas for random acts of kindness you can do with your kids:

1. Pick up trash

Grab a garbage bag, put on some disposable gloves and head out to your local park, boulevard or other area that could use a little extra attention.

2. Paint kindness rocks

Write inspirational messages on painted rocks and spread them around your neighbourhood.

3. Be a snow angel

Shovel the sidewalk for one of your neighbours.

4. Buy a coffee

Pay for the coffee for the person behind you in line.

5. Donate books

Drop books off at a little free library or start your own!

6. Help the Homeless

Put together travel sized toiletry bags and give them to a homeless shelter

7. Hold a free lemonade stand

Put a twist on the traditional lemonade stand by giving the lemonade out for free or collecting donations to support your favourite charity.

8. Start a neighbourhood tradition

Anonymously drop off a little bag of treats at your neighbour’s house with a note attached that says “You’ve been Elfed” at Christmas or, you’ve been “Boo-ed” at Halloween.

9. Put change in a vending machine

Leave a surprise for the next person by pre-loading a vending machine with money for a snack.

10. Pass out stickers to kids waiting in line

Know a place where kids will be waiting in line? Offer them a sticker to bring a smile while they wait.

11. Create fun with chalk

Use chalk to create a game people can play on your sidewalk like hopscotch.

12. Help kids keep warm

Donate mittens or hats to your school for kids who need them.

13. Dry the slides at the park

Take a towel to your local playground after the rain and dry off the slides.

14. Make cards for a seniors home

Brighten their day with artwork and a kind message.

15. Blow bubbles at the park

Create some extra fun at the park by blowing bubbles. For even more fun, bring some extra wands and a dish so other kids can blow bubbles too.

Kindness Sticks Grant Program

Do you know a student who would like to make their school a better place?

With the Shaw Kindness Sticks grant program, Shaw is looking to partner up with students who have an idea to make kindness stick at their school.

If your idea is selected, your school could receive a Kindness Sticks grant of up to $5000 to make it happen. Be creative and involve your school.  Make sure your project is submitted before April 30, 2018, 5 p.m. MST.

Want to apply but not sure where to start? Consider the following questions:

• How does my project contribute to a positive school environment?
• What kind of budget does my project need?
• How can people volunteer and get involved to make my project come to life?
• Who does my project impact and reach?
• How is my project creative and unique?

For more information go to the Kindness Sticks webpage.

Thanks to Shaw Communications for sponsoring this post.  Check out the bottom of the post for more information about how your child can apply for a Kindness Sticks Grant to make a difference at their school.

Small acts of kindness show your kids that they have the power to make their world a better place and that even small actions matter. Participating in small acts of kindness with your kids is also a great way to begin conversations about spreading kindness and empathy to those around them.

Here are some acts of kindness ideas you can do with your kids in your community:

1. Bake treats for your neighbors

One of our favourite traditions is baking treats for our neighbours and dropping them off as a special surprise. We usually do it around Christmas but you could do it any time of year.

2. Create appreciation cards

Brainstorm some things that you appreciate about your friends and neighbours. Write a quick note and drop it in their mailbox.

3. Host a neighborhood BBQ

Increase the feeling of community in your neighbourhood by hosting a simple barbecue in your backyard. Invite your neighbors and introduce people who don’t know each other.

4. Drop off treats at your local fire station or police station

Thank some of the people who help make your community a better, safer place to live.

5. Share a meal

Bring food to a neighbour who has had a new baby, illness or death in the family.

6. Welcome new neighbors with a gift and greeting

Nothing makes a new house feel more like a home faster than receiving kindness from your new neighbours.

7. Bring flowers or treats to your child’s teacher

Brighten their day with a few fresh flowers.

 

8. Visit an elderly relative

Take some paper and markers for the kids to keep them engaged when visiting an elderly relative. Then leave their pictures as a reminder of their visit.

9. Write a good review of a business you love

People are more likely to leave reviews after bad experiences than good ones. Help out one of your favourite places by letting them know why you love it.

10. Offer to pick up fruit for a neighbor with a fruit tree

Sometimes neighbours have trees on their properties that produce a lot of fruit, which can be overwhelming to manage. It’s a great job for kids to help with and can be a real relief for someone who needs the help.

11. Recognize someone for giving good service

Make a point of telling the manager at a restaurant or coffee shop that a server or employee did a good job or made an extra effort for you.

12. Bring a cup of coffee for your teacher or hairdresser

It’s an easy way to brighten someone’s day!

13. Make a card for a friend

Create a thoughtful note and drop it in their mailbox.

14. Drop off a sunshine box

Put together a small gift basket of yellow things for someone who is going through a hard time.

15. Host a playdate at the park

Get some neighbours together for a playdate at the park – bring some snacks to share to make it feel extra special.

Kindness Sticks Grant Program

Do you know a student who would like to make kindness stick at their school?

With the Shaw Kindness Sticks grant program, Shaw is looking to partner up with students who have an idea to create positivity and inclusiveness at their school.

If your idea is selected, your school could receive a Kindness Sticks grant of up to $5000 to make it happen. Be creative and involve your school.  Make sure your project is submitted before April 30, 2018, 5 p.m. MST.

Want to apply but not sure where to start? Consider the following questions:

• How does my project contribute to a positive school environment?
• What kind of budget does my project need?
• How can people volunteer and get involved to make my project come to life?
• Who does my project impact and reach?
• How is my project creative and unique?

For more information go to the Kindness Sticks webpage.

When I am trying to solve of a parenting problem I’m having with Nicky, I often find myself thinking back to how I dealt with the problem with Gordie. But sometimes I realize that I never had to deal with that parenting problem with Gordie. With your first child, they set the pace. With your second, well your first still seems to be setting the pace.

I’ve found this to be particularly true while we are out exploring playgrounds. Weather is one consideration – too hot, too cold, too windy, too rainy, not enough shade. I don’t even think Gordie had rain boots until he was 2.

One of the things I’ve found helpful is bringing along a toy or two for Nicky to play with. Disney Baby’s Nemo Rollin’ Round Ramp is the perfect take along park toy. (Although it would be fun anywhere). The carry handle makes it easy to take from place to place and it’s nice an light too. The other thing I love about it as a mom is that there aren’t a lot of pieces – you may have to spend a couple minutes finding nemo but other than that you are good to go.

Nicky’s loved this toy since it arrived in the mail and comes back to it again and again whether it’s at home, at the park or at someone else’s house. She’s always been fond of fish (fish was one of her first words!) and she loves putting opening and closing the cavern door to put Nemo in and out and sliding him down the slide. She also loves dancing to the little tune the starfish makes which I have become very familiar with.

With a little planning and a little Disney Magic, it was easy to find happiness at the playground for both my kids. 

Here’s a short video of Nicky playing with Nemo:

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Disney. I received this toy and financial compensation in exchange for sharing it with you. 

About the Nemo Rollin’ Round Ramp: The Nemo Rollin’ Round Ramp is a fun play set for baby that features characters from Disney’s Finding Nemo, plus adorable tunes and SFX. The play set includes a brightly coloured Nemo character, complete with a fun roller-ball on his belly. The lively tunes & SFX are activated as Nemo slides down the ramp or as baby pushes the starfish button. The tote features an open/close door for put-and-take play, a roller-ball Bloat to bat at, and a seahorse slider. The richly detailed handle makes this play set perfect for play at home or on the go!