Kid Things

If there’s one thing both kids and adults expect from a party, it’s a fun time. Be it a birthday or a seasonal holiday party, people expect food, drinks, and fun. But planning a party takes a bit of effort, and unless you want your kid’s party coming off as mundane and uneventful, you’ll have to be creative.

Unfortunately, parents have a million things going on, and while you want to give your kids the best, there are important factors to consider like time, effort and (of course) money. Luckily, throwing an awesome birthday party that’ll make your kid the coolest in class without breaking the bank, or your back, is what this article is about. So check out some of these great party ideas.

A dance party

Turn on some music and you’d be amazed by your kid’s dancing skills. And guess what? Parents like dancing too, even though this may involve simply swaying their bodies from side to side in a rhythmless fashion. All you need is a dance hall — your living room should work — and a sound system.

And because it’s a dance party, snacks or finger food and soda should suffice. You can jazz it up by getting neon bangles and accessories. Note that this may be more for the older kids, since managing a bunch of toddlers in the dark could prove cumbersome.

An aqua-explosion party

Okay, you don’t have to call it an “aqua explosion”, but the theme behind it is a great one: create a watery adventure for both your kids and their friends. Now, you may be thinking, “Is a party like this going to send me into bankruptcy?”

The good news is: it won’t, if you know the right people. You can rent affordable water slides like a Blue Crush water slide. It is completely safe with trained specialists ready to install and operate it. You don’t have to do anything except make sure your kid is having fun.

You can also pull of a water party if you own a pool, whether it’s inflatable or permanent. You can throw a luau-themed party complete with tropical drinks, coconuts, barbeque, tiki torches (if you have them) and cute luau outfits.

A movie-themed party

From Star Wars to The Avengers to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, kids have their favorite cartoon and movie characters, and organizing their birthday party around these characters will get them fired-up. You may have to spend a bit on character-themed decorations but it’s nothing that breaks the bank.

A magic show/party

Some kids may not like clowns, but nearly all kids love magic. You can plan a magic-themed party or add a magic show to your regular party, and you don’t have to perform over-the-top magic acts.

If hiring a magician is within your budget, you can certainly do that. But if it isn’t, you can learn a few card and hat tricks and even ask the kids for magic tricks they know — you’d be surprised what some can do. Food can include regular snacks and candy, and the party can be indoors or outdoors.

An outdoorsy party

If you live near the great outdoors and have a lot of space, or your child loves adventure, you could throw an outdoor-themed party with a treasure hunt. You could serve food that kids would generally eat outdoors like burgers, chips, etc. And because the party is being hosted outdoors, you can save by using minimal decorations, like paper lanterns, streamers, and the like.

With an outdoor setting, you have a lot of options. Your party can be a treasure hunt. It can be barbeque-themed or a picnic. The possibilities are endless. With just a little imagination, you can turn your home into an adventure wonderland for your child. At the end of it all, you may be tired, but the smile on your child’s face will be worth it.

Studies continue to show that the pressures faced by adolescents aren’t showing any signs of letting up anytime soon. In fact, it seems that the proliferation of smartphones and increased use of social media websites like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook may in fact be contributing to an increase in cases of depression in teens. These facts are sobering and may explain why some teens turn to substance abuse as a way to escape or solve their problems. If your family is dealing with a teenager who needs help fighting their struggles with illegal substances, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Get the right information

Staying informed is one of the best things you can do for your family in any time of struggle. Hotlines such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration exist and are available to take your call at any hour of the day, any day of the year. These kinds of organizations offer resources to individuals and families who are dealing with substance abuse and its effects, and can offer you some perspective as well as strategies to implement in your home. You may also want to learn more about the sorts of issues that may be contributing to your teen’s substance abuse, as addressing some of these can help you and your teen get to the root of their problem.

If your child has been charged with a crime as a result of their drug or alcohol abuse, it may be a good idea to get legal counsel from an experienced Denver criminal attorney. A criminal record, especially for a juvenile, can be quite damaging. Knowing your teen’s rights and how to best mitigate any punishments or jail time requires the right information and is not something you and your family should try to face alone. Having someone like Richard Huttner on your family’s side can ensure you have the best chance possible to protect your child’s rights.

Talk to your teen

While it can be a challenge to broach the subject, it’s vital that you keep communication open and transparent with your child as they struggle with substance abuse. Speaking to teens about your concerns is crucial, too, and it may be worth gathering a few close friends, family members, and some of your teen’s mentors to have an intervention. An intervention isn’t something you should initiate without first gathering more information about treatment options and the side effects of long term abuse. Sharing personal anecdotes as well as hard facts can be a way to keep these kinds of interactions compassionate, yet firm, as the sort of perspective a teen needs to be motivated to seek recovery.

Find a treatment solution that works

Not everyone can recover from drug or alcohol abuse on their own, even if they truly want to quit. In some situations, your teen may have a drug or alcohol dependence disorder, which can make the stages of withdrawal even more harrowing to face without doctors or licensed medical professionals on call. In some situations, it may make sense for your teen to enroll in a community of other teens to seek individual or group treatment for their addiction. Residential homes for troubled youth offer a specialized solution away from home to allow your teen to explore strategies to combat their substance abuse in a safe and nurturing environment. With other activities offered as an outlet to drug abuse, your teen can begin to build a life full of fulfilling hobbies and interests without having to rely on illegal substances.

Finding a rehabilitation program that fits your teen’s interests and needs is important. Since it can lead to a higher success rate if your teen has some buy-in to the process, make sure to speak with them about the options available to them to get treatment. While frightening to face, substance abuse can be beaten by teens and their families, as long as the subject is approached from a space of care and compassion.

Deciding where to go out to eat might seem stressful, especially when you have young kids. The restaurant you choose should have food that your kids will love, even if they’re the pickiest eaters. You’ll want to avoid any restaurants that aren’t very welcoming toward children. And you know that kids can get bored if they’re forced to just sit quietly the whole time. You need a family fun restaurant everyone can enjoy.

Luckily, there are plenty of options throughout Portland that are not only accommodating to families, but that also offer an enjoyable experience for kids. Whether you’re a Portland resident or just visiting the area, these five restaurants will be fun for the whole family.

1. Hopworks Urban Brewery

Also known as HUB, this family-owned brewery allows you to grab one of the craft beers Portland is famous for without having to leave your kids at home.

This family fun restaurant includes play spaces sponsored by local toy stores, with items such as games, books, and train sets that can keep kids entertained for hours. So this restaurant really does have something for everyone in your family.

Kids and adults can enjoy burgers, pizza, and quinoa bowls. And for the youngest members of your family, you can order organic baby food. The service is very friendly, catering to families and willing to accommodate any requests your kids might have. It’s also a short distance away from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, so you can plan a full day of family fun!

2. Laughing Planet

Laughing Planet is a restaurant that prides itself on being very environmentally friendly, winning a Portland BEST Award for its sustainable business practices. In keeping with the planet theme, the restaurant is filled with dinosaur toys, which your kids will love playing with.

The restaurant uses local organic ingredients, so you know you and your family are getting the best quality food. The kids’ menu includes both mini- and tween-sized burritos, mini quesadillas, and kid-sized smoothies. The family fun restaurant also makes sure to include information on which of their menu items are vegan, gluten-free, or contain nuts, in case of any dietary restrictions.

Prices are fairly reasonable, as all of the items on the kids’ menu are around $5.50 or less. The service is also quick, so you don’t have to worry about anyone getting impatient.

There are locations in different areas throughout Portland, so you can go to whichever one is most convenient for your family.

3. Mother’s Bistro & Bar

Mother’s Bistro & Bar is a very popular, well-loved spot in Portland. It’s especially a favorite choice for Sunday brunch. For kids, the restaurant features a play area with toys and books.

The menu is full of traditional comfort foods that everyone will love. For instance, the kids’ menu features pancakes, grilled cheese, meatloaf, and chicken dumplings. The main menu has a wide variety of choices, and for adult beverages, they have wine, beer, and a number of delicious cocktails. The food also comes from recipes by actual mothers!

This includes the special “Mother of the Month” items. Every month, a mom is highlighted and honored with her recipes appearing on the menu. You can find more information on this and even nominate a mom on their website.

While it’s great for kids, this restaurant also has chic décor that adults will really appreciate. And everyone will love the incredible family-friendly service. This is the perfect restaurant for a nice family outing that still lets your kids have fun.

Because of its popularity, it would be in your best interest to make a reservation ahead of time, especially if you’re going for a weekend brunch.

4. Mississippi Pizza

Pizza, of course, is a favorite food for people of all ages! And at Mississippi Pizza, there are many, many toppings you can try, including making your own pizza. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.

Throughout the week, this restaurant hosts family fun entertainment. This includes live music for kids, with artists such as Mr. Ben and the Alphabeticians, and other events, like spelling bees and family-friendly trivia. Be sure to check the schedule on their website to see which events are coming up.

The shows are usually at 4:00 or 5:00 p.m., so you don’t have to worry about them being too late for kids. You can also reserve a space for parties or special occasions. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere and is part of an exciting neighborhood.

5. Bullwinkle’s

Here at Bullwinkle’s Entertainment in Wilsonville, you’ll find delicious food, an arcade, and plenty of attractions. We have both indoor and outdoor activities for all kinds of weather, which means there are different possibilities for fun all year long!

For instance, our mini golf is open rain or shine. In the warmer months, check out our bumper boats. Kids will love the indoor four-story play area, Kidopolis Playland. While kids are playing on this, adults can be nearby and keep an eye out in a sitting area, which also has free Wi-Fi.

Other attractions include go karts, a zip line ride, and laser tag. And keep a look out for our 16-lane bowling center that will be coming soon. There are enough options for everyone in your family to have a full day of fun and to keep coming back for more!

The restaurant in the family fun center has food items that both kids and adults will love, like specialty pizzas, wraps, BLTs, and cheeseburgers. We can also be a venue for kids’ parties and offer special birthday packages. You can find out more about Bullwinkle’s and purchase tickets on our website.

As you can see, there are many family-friendly options for food and entertainment throughout Portland. This is one of the many reasons why the area is such a wonderful place for families. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just an everyday meal, you’re sure to have a great time at any of these family fun restaurants.

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Keeping kids busy can be a huge job on its own. They tend to have short attention spans and if they aren’t attended to can get up to mayhem. During holiday periods especially, you may want to keep them busy as they have so much free time. Aside from opening presents on Christmas day, think about new and exciting things that the whole family can do together. No matter how busy life gets, you should always find time to spend with your little ones as those tend to be the memories that count. Here are a few ideas for fun activities that you can do with your kids during the upcoming holidays.

Make Christmas Cards

Since Christmas is around the corner, why not add making personalized cards to the list of things to do? This is a great way to spark your inner creativity and do something that’s thoughtful together.

When making cards, use unconventional paper sources like wrapping paper combined with other items like thicker card materials. Also, don’t forget to keep scraps as they can be used to cut out shapes and make other additions to the cards. Let everyone add their own personal touch to their cards and ensure they distribute them to the recipients in time for Christmas.

Watch a Show

Another activity to think about doing with the kids is going to watch a live show at the theater. If you’ve never done so before, this is your chance to go for the first time as a family. Seeing as it’s the holiday season, see a show such as Disney on Ice as it’s something most people can connect with. In case you’re worried about how expensive it would be to go with the whole family, look for a ticket sale so you can get a better rate than normal.

Create Your Own Tree Ornaments

If you’re going to be putting a Christmas tree up this year, why not make your own decorations as a family? This is something that could be turned into a family tradition and remembered in years to come. To create your own ornaments, you’re probably going to have to go to the DIY shop to get a few materials.

In terms of what ornaments you could make, you could take plain baubles and add your own design to them. You could also put your sewing skills to the test and try an embroidery hoop wreath ornament. Wooden could also give your tree and added touch as well.

Make a Video

This seems to be the age of live recordings and one of the great things about it is the number of memories you’re able to relive. On that note, why not make a mini film of your holiday which documents how your family celebrates the holidays and some of your family traditions? Coupled with funny, sentimental, and priceless moments, it’s something you can watch together in the coming years.

Beyond the four tips mentioned above, there are so many other ways you can keep your kids entertained during the holidays. Just resolve to make sure you’re fully present and live in the moment.