Save the Date
Fri, Aug 10: SOJO SUPER HERO 5K & KIDS 1 MILER at Heritage Park - The City of South Jordan
Fri, Aug 10: Summerfest International Art & Folk Festival - Bountiful Davis Art Center
Fri, Aug 10: 2018 Wasatch International Food Festival at Utah Cultural Celebration Center
Fri, Aug 10: Sandy Hot Air Balloon Festival at Sunrise Storm Mountain Park - Sandy, UT
Sat, Aug 11: Kids Obstacle Challenge at Soldier Hollow
Sat, Aug 11: Tacofest 2018 Supporting Meals On Wheels! - Salt Lake City
Sat, Aug 11: The Sandlot 25th Anniversary at Glendale Neighborhood - Salt Lake City
Sat, Aug 11: Bubble RUN at Utah State Fairpark
Wed, Aug 15: International Folk Festival - FREE at Sandy Amphitheater
Sat, Aug 25: Intermountain All-Women Hoop Dance Competition - This Is the Place Heritage Park
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout.com readers:
What profession do you think is most affected by the back-to-school craze, other than teachers? You might think it's the retail salespeople at the malls or the stock suppliers at the office stores. But my friend Jodie, who is a hairstylist, is pretty sure it's people who cut hair. She says she sees it up close and personal for the two weeks before school starts, and even the week after.
Jodie has a degree in social work, and she finds that her training comes in handy, especially at back-to-school time. "Families are rushing around like crazy people," she says. "Everyone is stressed and pressed for time, they're doing all of their shopping last-minute. YOU try to get a 7-year-old boy to sit happily in a chair for his back-to-school haircut after being dragged through the city shopping for clothes and supplies, and see how cooperative he is."
But Jodie, who has given this matter years of thought, has a secret weapon: a Beanie Baby moose named Mousse, which she whips out in moments of trouble. Mousse might snuggle under her client's chin so he's looking down at the ground while Jodie buzzes the back of his neck. Or Mousse might need her antlers stroked. Sometimes Jodie even places Mousse on the mother's head and tells her client to watch carefully to see whether the moose falls. "Just by giving the kid something to do, a purpose other than 'sit still and let me put this sharp implement near your face,'" Jodie says," it makes the whole enterprise possible."
If you give a kid a purpose, it opens up a whole new world. Or a whole new level of peace for you. Or both.
I asked Jodie if she had any specific advice for parents this time of year. I expected she'd say something all analytical and mental-health jargon-y. But her reply was pretty simple: "Tell them just to chill out. Everyone will be happier."
—Debra Ross, Publisher
Clay Hand Impressions | As You Wish Pottery
Capture your kiddo's little hand prints to cherish forever! We’ll capture your child’s hand impression in clay and create a special keepsake you’ll cherish for years to come! Reservations are recommended! Choose your location, date and time of reservation, and your choice of shape. Then select whether or not you’d like to paint it yourself for no extra charge, or if you’d like an AYW staff artist to paint it for you for an additional $15.00. Due to the size of our little prints they are recommended for kids ages 10 and under. Prints will be available to paint 2 weeks after date of impression.
Click here for more information.
Children are encouraged to ask questions about nature and to seek answers through collecting things, counting and measuring, making observations, and experimenting. Made possible by the Henry W. and Leslie M. Eskuche Foundation, AT&T, Lawrence T. And Janet T. Dee Foundation, and the Ruth Eleanor and John Ernest Bamberger Memorial Foundation. For children ages 2 – 5 years. Parents must remain with their child during entire session. Sign up to participate at the Info Desk. Limit 12 students per class.
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I've Got No Strings! ... Sheer Joy! From the Disney animation with additional music from the brilliant composer of Wicked ... The sets! The costumes! The dancing! The music ... When You Wish Upon a Star ... Pinocchio and Geppetto both learn loving life lessons in this timeless tale! By Stern and Schwartz. Special Engagement - for ages 3 and up. Come be a kid again! A treasure!
Click here for more information.
H.M.S. Pinafore - The Off Broadway Theatre
That’s right, the OBT is going back to the sea. In the wake (see what we did there?) of the OBT’s rambunctious production Pirates of Penzance, we have decided to bring back another Gilbert and Sullivan classic in our wacky style.
Click here for more information.
Have you ever wondered about winged warblers? Have you been curious about carnivorous condors? Come explore at our Birdosity program. Discover the life of birds, brush up on your identification skills and learn about a variety of bird related topics. Whether you are an eggs-pert or have a new found love of birds, Birdosity is a program the whole family will enjoy.
Click here for more information.
Back to School Sleep Schedule Tips
Have your kids been sleeping in during these lazy, hazy days of summer? Mine, too! But sleep is essential to growing bodies and learning minds, so now's the time to get your children back on a sleep schedule that will make you all feel better. We have tips for you in our article Catching Zzzzz’s to Get A’s: Getting Your Kids on a Regular Back-to-School Sleep Schedule. Your kids will be nodding off in no time.
Traditions Help Make Back to School Time Extra Special
Whether your kids are super-excited to break out the new school supplies or dragging their feet all the way to the bus stop, each new first day of school is an important rite of passage. So celebrate it with family traditions that will make the big day memorable for years to come. Our Phoenix editor and social media guru Meg Brunson shares 14 Super Fun Back to School Traditions.
Get Organized for Back to School
The new school year can be exhausting! Getting ready in the morning, completing all of that "grown-up homework" of paperwork and emergency cards, remembering the daily activities in school as well as after school. It can start to feel pretty overwhelming. How can you get organized and transition into a whole new year with as little stress as possible? Well, start with these organizing tips. With our help, you'll conquer the school year.
Read Back to School: Get Organized!
Back to School Means Packing Lunches
Packing lunches can feel like an awful chore as a parent, and finding ideas for balancing good nutrition and delicious tastiness can be a challenge. We're constantly looking for recipes and tools to make lunchtime easier. Here are some articles to give you some ideas
