2 | katy parent
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
WWW.KATYPARENT.COM
katy parent | 3
4 | katy parent
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
WWW.KATYPARENT.COM
katy parent | 5
S
ummer’s winding down and a new school year is just around the corner. How do you get the kids excited for the year ahead? Celebrating back to school with fun, meaningful activities helps prepare everyone for the big day and smoothes the transition from summer break to a new academic year.
Here are 18 simple, entertaining ways to kick off the back-to-school season and create lasting family memories.
Let the Fun Begin
Throw a back-to-school bash. Let your children plan the menu, then decorate the house with stacks of books, globes, and party streamers. Or host a backyard campout, complete with hot dogs, s’mores, and a school-themed game of charades. Infuse some laughter into your post-dinner routine with a few “too cool for school” jokes. Check online for the best, like this one: “Why did the boy eat his homework? Because the teacher said it was a piece of cake.” Get the whole clan to pitch in and declutter desks, study areas, and the living room corner devoted to arts and crafts. To celebrate your spruced up space, get creative with a few new art or school supplies and encourage the kids to make a drawing or painting for their new teachers. Pop quiz anyone? Get your kids into the study spirit with a short family-themed “quiz,” including multiple-choice questions about your children’s likes, dislikes, and other interesting factoids.
The Yum Factor
Whip up some cupcakes and decorate with the alphabet or a host of other ideas found online. Another big hit? Bake a giant chocolate chip cookie and decorate with your children’s names and the new grades they’re about to enter. Sweeten the countdown to the first day. Fill a jar with your children’s favorite candy, whether it’s
6 | katy parent
jelly beans, chocolate pieces, or gummy bears. Make sure to include enough candy for each child to get one treat a day. Or, for a healthier alternative, try cranberries or raisins. Visit your local pick-your-own orchard for the season’s fresh fruit. Bake up a batch of muffins, make smoothies or cut up fruit to top your ice cream complete with sprinkles! Freeze some to use for after-school smoothies or baking treats for your teachers! Poll the kids on their favorite lunch ideas, from preferred fruits and vegetables to easyto-make sandwiches. Plan a brown-bag picnic in the park and get everyone involved with the preparation, so they can pack their own lunches once the big day arrives.
Out & About
A trip to the library is sure to inspire. Peruse the stacks for school-themed books, like Marco Goes to School by Roz Chast and School Days Around the World by Catherine Chambers. Older students may enjoy How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart.
Younger children will love a trip to the school playground to introduce or re-familiarize them with the surroundings. Snap some action shots on the swing set to spur a later conversation about the first day. Older kids will enjoy reminiscing about their past first days of school.
Crazy for School Supplies
Organize a school-supply treasure hunt for the whole crew. Provide clues to help your children find pencils, pens, art supplies, and notebooks throughout the house or in the back yard. Gather old backpacks, hats, sports equipment, and other school necessities your family no longer uses and donate them to the local homeless shelter to brighten back-to-school time for families in need. The morning of the big day, surprise the kids with a visit from the “back-to-school fairy,” where they’ll find their backpacks stuffed with classroom supplies and a few special treats to guarantee a great first day.
Capture the Memories
Use a shoebox or a cylinder snack container to create a back-to-school time capsule. Contents may include drawings, newspaper clippings, photos, bits of nature, or mementos of your summer break. Plan to open the time capsule together before the first day of school next year.
Grab the sidewalk chalk and turn your driveway into a giant blackboard. Doodle away the afternoon or hold a contest to see who can sketch the best school-inspired art, from school buses to soccer balls.
From handmade creations to mini chalkboards or white boards, signs announcing the new grades your children will enter make those first-day photos special and memorable. Or, if you’re pressed for time, be sure to check online for a variety of free printable signs.
Invite the neighborhood gang over and get ready for recess with tried-and-true schoolyard games like foursquare, kickball, tag, and dodge ball. Or invent a new game your children can teach their friends.
Make a scrapbook to record the first day, or week, of school. From class assignments to photos of teachers and new friends, a scrapbook helps ease back-to-school jitters, and new items can be added each year.
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
Adventure Kids University www.AdventureKidsPlaycare.com 281-769-2398
Benedictine Tutors www.benedictinetutors.com 832-588-4408
Central Baptist Church www.cbchou.org 281-492-2689
Challenge Island NW Katy www.challenge-island.com/ nwhouston-katy 281-901-1034
Childrens Lighthouse Learning Center www.ChildrensLighthouse.com Cinco Ranch 281-395-4466 Clay Rd. 281-492-2688
Club Z www.ClubZTutoring.com 281-558-CLUB (2582)
Counter’s Tutoring Connection www.CountersTutoring.com 832-341-6621
Five Star Montessori School www.FiveStarMontessori.com West Houston 281-556-6078 Katy 281-578-1616
Guide Post Montessori www.GuidePostMontessori.com/ Katy 281-972-8999
Ivy Kids Silver Ranch www.IvyKidsSilverRanch.com 832-487-3001
Katy ABA Center of Texas wwwKatyABAofTexas.com 281-74.4226
Kids Developmental Clinic & Kids Developmental Therapy www.KidsDevelopmentalClinic.com www.KidsDevelopmentalTherapy.com 713-668-6690
Learning RX Katy www.LearningRX.com/Katy 281-394-5533
Little People’s School www.katyfirst.org/lps/ 281-391-6577
Primrose Schools www.PrimroseSchools.com Cinco Ranch 281-693-7711 Kelliwood 281-828-1600 N. Mason Creek 281-492-7400 West Cinco Ranch 281-347-1212 Woodcreek Reserve 281-371-0099
Speech Center of Katy and Bridging the Gap of Pediatric OT www.SpeechCenterofKaty.com/ 281-758-8793
Sugar Creek Montessori School www.SugarCreekMontessori.com Katy 281-693-7267 Fulshear 281-394-9797 Sugar Land 281-261-1000
Texana Children’s Center for Autism www.TexanaCenter.com 281-239-1497
Texas Young Autism Project www.TexasYoungAutismProject.com 713-353-0254
The Goddard School www.GoddardSchool.com Cinco Northwest 281-392-1133 Cinco Village Ctr. 281-392-1912 Ranch Point 281-392-1200
The Tutoring Center www.TutoringCenter.com 832-437-0635
WWW.KATYPARENT.COM
katy parent | 7
8 | katy parent
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
Adventure Kids Playcare www.AdventureKidsPlaycare.com 281-769-2398
Children’s Lighthouse Cinco Ranch www.ChildrensLighthouse.com/ CincoRanch 281-395-4466
Connolly Dance Arts
www.ConnollyDanceArts.com 281-693-1232
Counters Tutoring Connection
www.CountersTutoring.com 832-341-6621
Fun Fair Positive Soccer www.FFPS.org 800-828-7529
Republic Gymnastics and Dance Center of Texas
www.RepublicDanceCenter.com 281-345-7555
Sugar Creek Montessori School www.SugarCreekMontessori.com Sugar Land: 281-261-1000 Fulshear: 281-394-9797 Katy: 281-693-7267
Stars Gymnastics
www.StarsGymTX.com Katy 713-364-2631 Houston 713-464-1996
The Little Gym
www.thelittlegym.com/katyTX Katy: 281-347-1400
The Goddard School
Guide Post Montessori
https://guidepostmontessori. com/katy/contact 281-972-8999
Katy ABA Center of Texas www.KatyABAofTexas.com 281-574-4226
Katy YMCA
www.YMCAHouston.org 281-392-5055
Katy Youth Soccer
www.KatyYouthSoccer.com 281-392-5972
Paloma Trails
www.PalomaTrails.com 713-715-9363
Primrose Schools
www.PrimroseSchools.com Cinco Ranch 281-693-7711 Eldridge Parkway 281-589-1500 Kelliwood 281-828-1600 N. Mason Creek 281-492-7400 West Cinco Ranch 281-347-1212 Westchase District 713-783-9800 Woodcreek Reserve 281-371-0099
www.GoddardSchool.com Cinco Northwest 281-392-1133 Cinco Village Ctr. 281-392-1912 Ranch Point 281-392-1200
The Sugar and Spice Ranch
www.TexasHorseCamps.com 830-460-8487
The Tutoring Center
www.TutoringCenter.com 832-437-0635
Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Katy www.KatyTkd.com 281-829-9300
Westwood Gymnastics & Dance www.WestwoodGym.com 281-347-2000
WWW.KATYPARENT.COM
katy parent | 9
When children resume school and extracurricular activities the stress level rises for moms as the family transitions into the new schedule. While children are learning their ABCs, moms can learn the ABCs of self-care to prevent becoming frazzled and stressed by juggling so many demands. Here are 26 quick ways to enter a more Zen state.
no newspaper or television. How does it make you feel?
Ask for help. Let someone else be the giver for a change, it will make them feel better as well.
Start a success Journal. Daily jot at least one success you had and periodically review your successes.
Deepen your Breath. Consciously take a deep inhale and a deep exhale before you start any activity or conversation.
Exercise Kindness, starting with you. Treat yourself the way you treat your best friend.
Stretch like a Cat. Get down on all fours. As you exhale, round your back to the sky, drawing your chin to your chest, belly to your spine.
Practice Legs up the wall pose. Sit sideways against the wall and then swivel; swing legs up the wall and lie down, moving your pelvis away from the wall until you are comfortable.
Move Daily. Pick an activity you love and start doing it for 10 minutes each day. If you already move daily, can you add 10 minutes to your current routine? Eat mindfully. Sit down to eat healthy, nourishing food. Really look at your food, taste your food and give thanks for your food. Forgive someone who has slighted you and move on. Giggle. Call a friend who always makes you laugh. Read or watch something funny. Hydrate by drinking more water, less juice, coffee and soda. A hydrated body is more energetic and alert. Ignore media for a day. No facebook,
10 | katy parent
Meditate. Set a timer, sit comfortably (yes a chair is fine) and just watch what thoughts arise in your mind. Don’t judge, simply observe. Say No to a request for your energy or time that you are not excited about. Open a spiritual or motivational book. Let the uplifting material soothe your soul.
Pause before you React. Ask yourself, will this be important in 10 minutes? In 10 months? In 10 years? Lower your Standards. If you are feeling stressed does the floor really need to be vacuumed today? Use that time for you. Commit to a regular Time out with your partner, children or family members to reestablish your connection. No electronics, no distractions, just shared focus for 10 minutes. Turn your world Upside down and change your perspective. Learn to do the yoga pose “down dog” at www. yogajournal.com/poses. Examine your Volunteer commitments. Assess how much and how often is practical in your current life. Be open to taking a break or choosing a new focus if you need to. Take a Walk. Start with 10 minutes. Reconnect with nature and yourself. Go eXtreme. What is the most decadent, delightful act you can think of? Now go do it.
Buy a Pair of PJs that you love. Make sure your body feels cuddled and treasured wrapped in the fabric. Savor the feeling as you slip into them at bedtime.
Add some Yellow to your life. The color of the sun makes you cheerful and optimistic because your body releases more feelgood hormones when surrounded by yellow.
Quit all electronics 30-60 minutes before bed. Notice if it improves your sleep.
Catch more ZZZZs, go to bed just 10 minutes earlier and see how that makes you feel.
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
WWW.KATYPARENT.COM
katy parent | 11
August Family Friendly Events
FREE THURSDAYS AT HOUSTON MUSEUMS
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston courtesy of Shell Oil Company 5-9pm www.mfah.org/visit/visiting-mfah-free The Health Museum 2-7pm http://houmuse.org/visit/the-healthmuseum Houston Museum of Natural Science Permanent Exhibits Free on Thursdays 2-5pm http://houmuse.org/visit/houston-museumof-natural-science/ Children’s Museum Houston 5-8pm www.cmhouston.org
FREE ADMISSION HOUSTON ZOO
August 3 12-until Closing This summer, we’re offering special Free Tuesdays sponsored by PNC Bank during June to August. Tickets will be available on the Wednesday before at 9:00 a.m. Online reservations are required for all guests and members during this time. Tickets will not be available at the gate. www.houstonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/ prices-and-discounts/free-tuesdays/
CINEMARK SUMMER MOVIE CLUBHOUSE
Aug 4 • Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs Summer Movie Clubhouse is back at Cinemark with 8 weeks of kid-approved movies! Enjoy safe and exciting big-screen entertainment for just $1.50* per ticket for each movie. Save even more with $1 OFF deals on kids’ snack packs, large popcorns & large drinks during Summer Movie Clubhouse showtimes. www.cinemark.com/series-events-infopages/summer-movie-clubhouse
SUMMER FUN VIBES AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOUSTON AND FORT BEND DISCOVERY CENTER!
Ongoing There’s something new to do and celebrate every day of summer! Get away and soak in the fun during the
12 | katy parent
Museum’s splish-splashing, flip-flopping “Fun Summer Vibes.” Set sail on a voyage of discovery filled with exciting, non-stop adventures every day, all day long! Open from Tuesday through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Free Family Night Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.) Don’t forget to book you visit in advance as the Museum will be operating at a limited capacity. www.cmhouston.org www.childrensdiscoveryfb.org/news/ reopening-june-8
WESTWOOD GYMNASTICS EVENTS
August 6 and 20•Open Gym Kiddos run, jump and play through 4 hours of FUN! Pre-register online. $16 August 13•Flip Flop Clinic A two hour tumbling clinic that will include a warm up, basic tumbling, cross tumbling, standing back handsprings and back tucks, round off back handsprings, layouts, fulls and more. We will separate tumblers by their ability level, beginners through elite tumblers are welcome. Come Flip till you Flop. Parent’s Day Out August 3 and 6•Parents Day Out FREE TIME for Students & Non-Students, Boys & Girls, Ages 3 (potty-trained) & Up! 9am - 1pm Kiddos run jump and play through 4 hours of FUN! If you are pre registered, check in at the main table and if you need to register at the door, check in at the side table. Kiddos in kindergarten and under must get a wrist band from the left side of the gym as we separate the younger kiddos from the older ones. Don’t forget to pack a lunch www.westwoodgym.com/events
REPUBLIC GYMNASTICS EVENTS
August 6 • Tumble Clinic Don’t miss your chance to get extra tumbling practice in at our Tumbling Clinic offered one Friday a month from 7-9pm. August 6• Parents Day Out Do you need a day out without the kiddos; are you looking for an exciting and safe environment for the kids to have fun, run, jump & play? Parent’s Day Out is from 9am - 4pm Full Day, 9am - 1pm/12pm - 4pm Half Day or hourly. Don’t forget to pack a lunch! August 13• Parents Night Out Do you need a night out without the kiddos; are you looking for an exciting and safe environment for the kids to have fun, run, jump & play? Parent’s Night Out is on
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
select Friday nights from 7-11pm. August 20 • Skills Clinic Don’t miss your chance to get extra tumbling practice in at our Skills Clinic offered one Friday a month from 7-9pm. www.republicgymnastics.com
KATY VETERANS MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Ongoing “The G.I. Joe Museum” is a first-class military exhibit of historical significance encompassing every foreign conflict involving the United States. Special group tours available on request. Memberships available and contributions appreciated. Admission is free. Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 9am - 2pm. www.cityofkaty.com/visitors/museums
SATURDAY FARMERS’ MARKET KATY, TX
Saturdays Free Farmers Market On Grand Parkway Come meet the hands that feed you. We offer you local sustainably grown produce, locally raised meats, farm fresh eggs, local raw honey, freshly baked bread & baked goods, jams & jellies, spices, snacks, multicultural foods, Artisan crafts & gifts, handmade soaps & spa products, Texas-raised herbs, flowers, plants and much more! We Grow It, Bake It and Make It! We are your friendly neighborhood Farmers’ Market! Leashed pets welcome. https://fb.me/e/1WaiEPSrh
SATURDAY FARMERS’ MARKET FULSHEAR, TX
Saturdays The Fulshear Farmers’ Market offers a vast array of produce and food products that were grown or produced within a 200 mile radius of Fulshear. The lineup includes seasonal vegetables and fruit, fresh seafood, Artisian breads, pastured Red Wattle pork, Dorper lamb, Certified Grassfed Wagyu beef, farm eggs, free range chicken, pies, cookies, pastas, granolas, dried fruit and nuts, Houston Chili Pepper Festival awardwinning salsas, soaps, toiletries, Cold-pressed juices, local honey, fresh quail and quail eggs, pecans, local wines, kombucha, BBQ sauces, pickles and canned goods, Indian food, heat and eat meals, locally roasted and blended coffees, plants, and more. You will always find a delicious food truck or two, as well. http://fulshearfarmersmarket.com
5 EASY WAYS FOR KIDS TO MAKE NEW
F•R•I•E•N•D•S
at school! New at school? Or just looking for a few new friends? HERE ARE SOME EASY WAYS TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, EVEN IF YOU’RE SHY.
1
Look for others that look like they may need a friend.
2
Introduce yourself to your friend’s friends.
3 4 5
If someone is sitting alone at lunch, or walking alone down the hallway, introduce yourself and ask if you can join them. Many kids just need someone that is a little bolder than they are to break the ice.
If you notice your friend has a new friend, approach them when they are together. Your friend will probably introduce you, but if not, just introduce yourself. When it comes to friends, the more the merrier.
Find someone with common interests. Do you play sports? Are you in theatre, or band? Whatever your interests are, kids with the same interests make the best friends. If there isn’t a club for your favorite pastime, start one. If your favorite after school activity is playing Minecraft, it makes sense that other kids interested in Minecraft would be a great friend match for you.
Be Approachable. Keep your head up, make eye contact, smile and say hello if the opportunity is there. If you look away every time someone looks your way, or if you wear headphones and keep your head down, others will think you just want to be alone, and they will leave you alone.
Ask people about themselves. Most people love to tell you all about themselves. The more you ask, the more they will talk. When the questions turn to you, try to keep the conversation going by offering more than just a short answer.
WWW.KATYPARENT.COM
katy parent | 13
14 | katy parent
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
15 | katy parent
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600
16 | katy parent
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 281-480-3600