Simple School Lunch Ideas for the Kiddos

 

School lunches are the bane of parents everywhere. There’s no guarantee that even if you prepare your kid’s “favorite” foods that they’ll eat them. Trying to create healthy selections can be even more difficult. The good news is that there are multiple combinations that can be created with some ingredients that are cost effective, visually appealing, and healthy.

Any type of fruit or vegetables that kids like should be on the menu. One of the tricks parents can use to persuade kids to eat their veggies is to cut them into interesting shapes. Boiled eggs and cheese sticks are always welcome. Kids also need carbs and they can be found in the form of mini muffins and items such as Goldfish crackers.

To add variety, instead of a plain sandwich turn the fillings into a wrap using tortilla shells – a grilled cheese roll up, for example. You can also create unconventional options such as a peanut butter, jelly and banana burrito. Pizza toppings on toast are also delicious.

Sliders that are perfect for little hands are easy using dinner rolls. There’s something about food on a stick that’s particularly appealing. Try placing favorite sandwich ingredients on a mini skewer. Just because its lunch time doesn’t mean the meal can’t encompass breakfast foods. Combine sausage links, mini pancakes or waffle sticks, with fruit and a container of syrup.

Don’t overlook the value of leftovers like tacos and chicken wings. The idea is to offer variety so kids aren’t bored, ensure they’re eating a healthy lunch, and you know they will be since you prepared it yourself. It should incorporate a combination of protein, fruits, veggies, and carbs.

When preparing kids’ lunches you shouldn’t underestimate the value of sauces and dips, along with items like single serve, prepackaged hummus, veggies and fruits. They’re nutritious, convenient, and you don’t have to worry about keeping them refrigerated.

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Adding a Pet to the Home

 

There will come a time in every person’s life when they consider pet ownership or their child asks for a dog or cat. The decision to adopt a pet of any type shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. A pet is a lifelong commitment – their lifetime, not yours. Animals are living beings with feelings and needs – not a disposable accessory.

It’s your responsibility to ensure pets are fed, vaccinated, have the physical comforts required, and children are taught how to treat the animal with kindness, caring, and compassion. No matter how much your child begs, you need to honestly evaluate your child’s maturity level before adding a pet to the family.

The Downside

  • Canines need to be trained not to relieve themselves indoors and it takes time and patience. Smaller breeds will need to relieve themselves more often.
  • Dogs and cats go through teething like kids and will chew on anything available
  • Keeping animals in ‘training cages’ often leads to boredom and destructive behaviors
  • Dogs need obedience training
  • You’ll need a pet sitter if you travel frequently
  • If you get a cat, they’ll need a litter box that will require daily cleaning
  • Pets shed and it increases when they’re stressed
  • You may be allergic and not know it
  • There are considerable expenses associated with a pet
  • Depending on their natural behavior patterns, they can be noisy at night
  • If a dog attacks someone, you can be sued for any medical costs and the dog may be taken and euthanized
  • You’re liable if your dog destroys someone’s property
  • Pets can outlive you
  • All animals don’t like kids

The Benefits

  • Pets provide unconditional love and comfort
  • They empathize with you
  • They relieve stress
  • Pets can be the impetus for you to get more exercise
  • Pets don’t judge you
  • They look to you for love and comfort – yes, even cats
  • Pets reduce blood pressure
  • Pets improve mental health

Having an animal companion can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have, but it’s also an expensive undertaking and requires commitment. Adopting from a shelter provides a forever home to a deserving animal and aids in curtailing pet mills. Never give an animal as a gift for Christmas, Easter, or other occasion.

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Friends and Family New Year’s Party

With Christmas behind us, many people are looking ahead and preparing for their New Year’s party. You don’t have to settle for a traditional gathering when you have the option of incorporating bounce houses, inflatable slides, carnival games, mechanical rides, fun food machines, and photo booths.

Carnival Games

Everyone loves a carnival and you can bring the excitement to your party with game booths featuring favorites that include ring toss, magic ball, basketball toss, shooting gallery, fish bowl, skee ball, and others.

Foam/Snow Cannon

Even if you live in South Florida, you can have “snow” for Christmas. Kids and adults alike will be enamored with the environment you create with a foam/snow machine. If you don’t want foam, a bubble machine is a great alternative.

Fun Food Machines

Treats like cotton candy and snow cones are no longer limited to public events. You can provide the edibles at your own party. You can also choose popcorn machines and hot dog rollers/steamers. They’re an ideal solution for kids and adults alike that eliminates hours in the kitchen creating canapes, hors d’oeuvres, and appetizers.

Inflatables

The variety of inflatables is enormous, with dry/wet slides coming in as the most popular. There are multiple versions, heights, and themes from which to choose. Inflatable bounce houses keep children entertained for hours and some incorporate mini games for additional fun.

Mechanical Rides

From virtual rollercoasters and bungie trampolines to rock walls and mechanical bulls, the range of mechanical options to enliven any party is extensive. You can also choose from surfing and entertainments that simulate surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding.

Photo/Selfie Booth

One of the most popular additions to celebrity parties in Hollywood, photo/selfie booths provide a memento of the event and can easily be shared online. Different types of booths are available. Some provide a printed image, others are digital, and some enable individuals to embellish their souvenirs in multiple ways.

Trackless Train

Spread the holiday spirit with a train trek through the neighborhood. It doesn’t require tracks and will keep kids occupied for hours.

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Great Social Activities for Young Kids

All kids will benefit from social activities, but it can be especially difficult for parents to choose appropriate pursuits for young children. The level of involvement will depend on the age of the child and it’s best to engage in non-competitive activities for very young children.

Sports

Team sports such as pee-wee baseball are typically one of the first organized sports that parents turn to in their quest to socialize their child and set them on a path to extra-curricular activities that will hopefully lead to college benefits. Team sports are an excellent way for kids to learn to work together and to do so toward a common goal.

A sport of any kind demonstrates by example how to be a good sport if the team loses and not to be braggarts when they win. Kids learn about practice and commitment, time management, and hard work. Through trying, even if they fail, they develop confidence in themselves.

Dance

Whether kids are enrolled in ballet, tap, swing, or interpretive dance it’s an activity that essentially teaches youngsters the same lessons as sports. It also has some additional benefits that include better balance and self-discipline, along with problem solving skills and perseverance. Dancers learn that there’s always someone better than they are at a particular skill, not to take it personally, and to keep trying.

Martial Arts

A dojo is a great place for youngsters to begin learning lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime. The first is that learning is a lifelong endeavor and even small, incremental improvements produce long-term results. The discipline helps kids focus, concentrate, and they have better balance and control.

Respect, humility, discipline, and mastery of one’s self are all emphasized. Youngers discover that nothing is attained without a certain amount of risk and that adversity is overcome through mental strength and fortitude. Kids also find that there are no shortcuts to true success and not to compare themselves to others.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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