Category Archives: Blog

Allowing Screen Time

Parents don’t want their children spending too much time in front of TVs, phones or tablets and they also need to be cognizant of the content they’re kids are watching. There are thousands of fun and entertaining apps from which to choose.

Small data allowances and poor internet reception are very real problems for many families, especially those in rural and underserved areas in cities. The following are just some of the apps that parents have found to be worthwhile when allowing screen time for their children and some have the added bonus of not requiring Wi-Fi or data.

Busy Shapes

Designed for ages 2 and over, it provides a digital playground where kids can explore, learn and it’s based on Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Artificial intelligence enables the app to automatically adjust and keep kids challenged as they become more proficient. It’s available for the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android operating system. The cost is $1.99 and doesn’t require Wi-Fi or data.

Khan Academy for Kids

This is an enormous database of activities with multiple learning themes for ages 3 to first grade that encompasses the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core standards. It contains books, videos, games, songs and other activities. In many ways, it functions as a digital preschool teacher. It’s available for the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, and Kindle Fire. It’s free and doesn’t require data or Wi-Fi.

Project Noah

The app is being redesigned and will be launched again in the fall of 2020. The citizen science app enables students to document sightings of different wildlife species. Participants earn digital patches for their submissions and can view local and worldwide sightings. The app also contains missions that students can join based on their specific location. It’s available for iPhone and Android operating systems.

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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Things to Consider when Renting an Inflatable Besides Cost

Inflatable entertainments offer hours of fun for kids and adults. Individuals often look at the cost of the rentals as a primary consideration, but there are numerous other factors to think about. The following are other essential considerations of which individuals should be aware of before deciding on a rental company.

Safety

The safety of the inflatable and users should always be the No. 1 priority. Individuals should receive operating instructions and a list of safety precautions pertaining to occupancy and usage. The equipment should have no signs or wear or patches.

Cleanliness

Rigorous anti-bacterial and anti-viral cleaning should be standard procedure after every rental is returned to the company to prepare it for the next person. When the inflatable is delivered, a company employee should have additional cleaning supplies on hand. Don’t be afraid to ask the company what sanitation procedures and precautions they employ, along with the frequency.

Delivery and Pick up

The rental company should provide delivery and pickup services, along with a complete setup. An inflatable should be user-ready when he/she is done.

Set Up Location

Individuals renting an inflatable should know how much available space they have in which to set up the inflatable. Each inflatable has specific space requirements and may not be appropriate for every location. Trees, stumps, gravel, roots and stumps will have an impact on the set up location. Be sure and let the company know about any narrow gates or access points, along with potential obstructions.

Utilities

Another concern is underground utilities. The rental company will need to anchor the inflatable to the ground and that requires knowledge of where underground utility lines run. The company will need to send someone to stake out the lines and mark them before the inflatable can be installed.

Supervision

Every inflatable should have ample supervision, especially when children are using it. Individuals should find out if the rental company provides an attendant or if a responsible adult will need to be assigned to perform the task.

Safety Reviews

It’s always a good idea to take the time to investigate and read user reviews about the company and specific products they offer.

Insurance

If an accident or injury occurs to a guest or the person delivering the inflatable, it may or may not be covered by a homeowner policy. The same is true for businesses and other organizations that rent the equipment for fundraisers and similar purposes. Before renting any inflatable, find out if accidents and injuries are covered for inflatables and/or the rental company’s liability responsibilities.

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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Fun Ways to Explore Nature with Kids

With the rigors and responsibilities of everyday life, adults can lose sight of the importance of exposing children to nature. There are dozens of fun ways for parents to explore the natural world with children of all ages that aren’t expensive and will instill a love of nature in youngsters.

Everything from the weather to rocks is just waiting to be discovered. Families don’t have to live near a forest or the beach to explore nature, though those locales can surely be included. Exploring nature is a fun and easy way to learn about the natural world. It’s a great way to relieve stress and children will also be learning disciplines that include math, science, and biology.

A walk in the park, nature trail or even the backyard provides healthy exercise and is one of the best ways to be up close and personal with trees, indigenous flowers, and wildlife. Children can collect leaves and identify different types of trees, learn about plants to avoid, and be taught about the preservation of endangered species.

For those with an artistic flair, buy a sketchbook and let them draw what they see. Younger children often enjoy finding colorful leaves and pressing them between the pages of a heavy book. Go on a seed hunting expedition to find different types of seeds and talk about how they’re transported from one location to another.

Even the weather has possibilities. Have kids keep a journal of the weather conditions at the same time each day. They can record the type of clouds they see, especially vibrant sunrises or sunsets and what caused the colors, and what the air smells like after a rain. It’s also an excellent way to teach kids about signs of incoming storms and precautions they should take.

Everyone loves a scavenger hunt and parents can create one with a nature-based theme. Send children out to find items such as three different flowers, aromatic leaves, pine cones, acorns or different types of rocks. Plants aren’t the only things to discover in nature.

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Beat the Heat with an Inflatable Water Slide

The turn of the seasons from summer to autumn doesn’t mean the end of hot, muggy weather in South Florida. With everyone looking for opportunities to beat the heat, one of the best ways is with an inflatable water slide. They’re available with multiple themes, come in sizes to accommodate little tykes to adults, and provide hours of watery fun.

Inflatable water slides are an economical way to have fun. The water is recycled so it’s easy on a family’s water bill and it uses far less water than a swimming pool. A water slide virtually screams family fun and the sounds of laughter from those using it will bring a smile of joy to anyone’s face.

Water slides that can be rented provide a bigger thrill than any that can be purchased at stores. Inflatable water slides are available in one and two-lane styles and of special interest is the Tropical Cyclone. The 30-ft. water slide is new and built exclusively for South Florida Bounce. It features two lanes of sliding fun, each at a different height, to accommodate smaller children and one for older youngsters and adults.

South Florida Bounce is also the home of the Typhoon, Twister, and Hurricane water slides, all of which feature an exhilarating 40-ft. drop. The Twister can be assembled without a curve for a crazy long ride of 110 ft.

A theme party is no problem with a water slide. They’re available in an extensive range of designs to capture anyone’s interest. For those that fancy pirates, the “Black Pearl” with a 32-foot drop empties into a pool for an added splash at the end of the pirate ship-themed water slide.

Superhero fans can beat the heat with The Hulk, a 36-ft. tall water slide with 100 feet of dual-lane sliding fun that deposits riders in a pool at the end. Captain America is 30 ft. tall and features two lanes. Also available is the Purple Rain water slide at 25 ft. tall and highlighted with a slip-n-slide and pool at the bottom. Any water slide selection provides an excellent way to beat the South Florida heat.

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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Great Tween Reads

A lot of emphasis has been placed on books for young children, but it’s just as important for tweens to have access to inspiring and entertaining reading material. There are dozens of good stories and parents need to remember that their tweens can have significantly different reading tastes and interests than they do.

As long as it’s appropriate for the age and sensibilities of the child, it doesn’t matter whether tweens are reading religious, fantasy, horror, or mystery stories. The important thing is that they’re reading. The following are just some of the books that represent great tween reads.

All of Me by Chris Baron

Body positivity and image isn’t just a “girl thing.” Ari is bullied for being overweight, his mother insists he start a diet, and his parents are divorcing. Despite everything that he’s experiencing, Ari finds friends, a way to be positive about himself, and feel comfortable in his own skin.

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

The heartwarming story is the tale of Pax the fox that’s rescued as a baby by Peter. When Peter’s father joins the Army, he sends Peter to live with his grandfather and demands Pax be returned to the wild. Peter is determined to be reunited with his friend and Pax waits patiently for the return of his boy. It’s a New York Times Bestseller that will touch the heart of readers in deeply profound ways. It’s won several awards, is a New York Times Bestseller, and an Amazon Book of the Year.

Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

Any of the books in the Percy Jackson series are excellent reads. The son of Poseidon, Percy struggles to find himself and how he fits into the normal world, along with one filled with demigods and heroes of old come to life. The series has won numerous awards in the U.S. and abroad.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

The community is afraid of Xan the witch and sacrifice a baby to her once a year – which she nourishes and sends to good homes. When Xan accidentally feeds Luna with starlight, she raises the girl herself. Luna turns 13 and discovers she has magic of her own that has dire consequences. A New York Times Bestseller, it also won a Newberry Medal.

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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Challenging Your Picky Eater

Few things are as frustrating to parents as dealing with a determinedly picky eater. The situation can be exacerbated during quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic as many supermarkets are still experiencing shortages of some items and limiting others. The following are some tips that will introduce youngsters to new foods and make them more well-rounded eaters.

  1. Calling a child a picky eater can actually make the situation worse and lead to other undesirable food-time behaviors. Similar phrases such as “He won’t eat that” or “She only likes pasta” serves to reinforce the behavior and gives tacit approval of what children are doing.
  2. It may sound harsh, but you buy the groceries and children need to eat what you purchase. Stock the pantry and fridge with a variety of healthy foods that you want them to eat. Stop buying cookies, beverages and other foods that cater to their pickiness. The transition won’t be easy – stand firm.
  3. Don’t turn the dinner table into a battlefield. Simply serve the meal and let children eat as much or as little as they want. Eliminate phrases such as “Just try a bite.” Kids are more astute than you think and those types of phrases open the door for children to try to negotiate terms for the return of their picky favorites.
  4. Remember that food isn’t a reward – it’s the fuel the body needs to live, work, and play.
  5. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with serving breakfast foods for lunch or dinner. Mix up the selection and try not to always serve the same dishes for the same meals.
  6. Youngsters want to feel as if they have some control and you can provide that while still getting them to eat healthy. Letting them choose blueberries or strawberries, carrots or cauliflower, or a bagel versus cereal will make them more agreeable about their mealtime selections.
  7. It can be helpful to involve children in the meal preparation and you’ll also be teaching them some valuable life skills.
  8. Keep trying, no matter how long it takes. Youngsters can be extremely resistant to change, just like their adult counterparts. They may try staging “hunger strikes” or throw a tantrum. Stay neutral and don’t give in to manipulative behavior.

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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Keeping Kids Active During Pandemic

Every parent knows how quickly children can become bored, especially while quarantining due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the attention span varies with age, eventually every parent will hear the all too familiar refrain of “There’s nothing to do.” To help relieve the boredom, the following are some ideas that parents can employ to keep youngsters active and limit screen time on mobile devices.

  1. There are dozens of inflatable amusements that can be rented ranging from waterslides and bounce houses to obstacle courses, mazes, and yard games.
  2. Bike riding combines healthy exercise with fresh air that will also benefit restful slumber.
  3. Children of all ages love forts and it’s easy to build one at home with sheets and blankets.
  4. It’s easy to enjoy the fun of camping in the great outdoors from the safety of the back yard.
  5. Chalk art has become a popular way of getting children outdoors while encouraging their artistic abilities.
  6. An at-home scavenger hunt is easy to stage and will keep youngsters busy for hours.
  7. Go old school with hula-hoops, marbles, hop-scotch, and jump ropes, all of which are outdoor games.
  8. Tag and freeze tag are perennial favorites for children of all ages.
  9. Hide-and-seek is a game that never goes out of style.
  10. For families with a pool, a game of Marco Polo can be invigorating.
  11. Wall ball is great for building coordination and works particularly well if children don’t have siblings with which to play.
  12. Virtually every child has played “the floor is lava” in the house and it’s equally fun when played outdoors.
  13. Dance parties provide fun and active movement. Parents can look up new dances for the kids to learn.
  14. The classic game Twister is easy to play outdoors and will have participants laughing – something everyone needs right now.

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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Why Arts Education is Important

Many schools have eliminated a variety of traditional classes as cost cutting measures or to accommodate curriculum courses that prepare students for standardized testing. Art is typically one of the first classes on the chopping block, despite the many ways in which it benefits students.

Art is important at every age, whether it’s a first grader expressing themselves with color or high school students learning how to work with clay. While what they learn usually won’t turn into a profession, the knowledge and skills they gain will be useful throughout their lifetime, particularly in creative careers.

Most people automatically think about painting in regard to art, but it includes much more. It encompasses the disciplines of painting, sculpting, dance and drama – to name a few. The following are just some of the reasons that arts education is important.

  1. Youngsters learn problem solving skills. How to convey emotion through color or dance are prime examples.
  2. Just as learning to color within the lines teaches control of motor skills, so does learning new forms of art at any age.
  3. Art expands perspective and encourages critical thinking, thereby providing an opportunity for students to view the world in new and different ways.
  4. Education in the arts is inclusive and provides students with a chance to connect with their own culture, along with others around the world and how art relates in societal and historical contexts.
  5. The ability to take risks arises from self-confidence, an essential element for success and one that students learn through participation in the arts.
  6. Students at all levels of education are four times more likely to achieve greater academic success when they participate in art classes.
  7. Some studies have indicated that students that receive arts education in school experience fewer disciplinary actions, have higher attendance rates, score better on tests, and have increased graduation rates.

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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Pros and Cons of Adopting a Dog

At some point, almost every child begins asking for a pet – usually a dog. Adopting a pet is a serious undertaking and shouldn’t be done frivolously. By adopting a dog, an individual is agreeing to care for that pet throughout their lifetime and provide them with the food, medical care, and safe environment that will enable them to thrive.

Adopting a dog from a shelter is less expensive and deprives puppy mills of profiting from the pain of defenseless animals. Adopting from a shelter also provides a home for a dog that might otherwise not have a chance at a long life. Most people want a puppy, but don’t overlook older and adult animals. The following are the pros and cons of adopting a dog.

Puppies certainly won’t be housebroken and some older dogs may have never received the training when they were young. They can all be housebroken, but it requires a significant time investment. A dog will also require a number of vaccinations, along with flea and tick treatments, to protect them against a variety of communicable illnesses and diseases.

A dog will require regular walks to relieve themselves and obtain necessary exercise. Individuals will need to clean up the mess and dispose of it appropriately. Adoptive pet parents will need to have some idea of how large the canine will be as an adult. A Great Dane isn’t suited for a small apartment. It’s also a good idea to erect fencing for the protection of the dog and others if possible.

The equipment and food for a dog can be expensive. The animal will need a collar or harness, leash, and dishes for food and water. For those that travel a lot or work long hours, adopting a dog isn’t a good idea. A dog that’s bored will find mischief. Don’t expect to relegate dog-related tasks to the children – the adults typically still end up taking care of the dog themselves.

Two of the most profound pleasures of adopting a dog are the unconditional love and companionship they provide. A dog is a faithful friend that’s always excited to greet their humans when they arrive home. They always do their best to please and sharing affection with a dog provides humans with a variety of health benefits. A dog is always prepared to provide comfort and demonstrate how happy they are to share your life.

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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Fun Summertime Dessert Recipes

It doesn’t matter whether kids are home for a normal summer or cooped up due to the pandemic. Kids of all ages love out of the ordinary treats. The following are some summertime dessert recipes that everyone will love and for adventurous parents, they can even have the kids help prepare them.

The recipes use few ingredients, are very easy to create, and kids will love the “fancy” desserts made just for them. Just don’t forget to save some for the adults!

Ice Cream Magic

The treat is known by many names and really easy to make. Lightly sprinkle nuts or candy sprinkles in the bottom of a disposable cup. Add a scoop of ice cream and drizzle chocolate syrup that forms a hard coating over the ice cream. Skewer the scoop with a craft stick and place in the freezer. Cut away the cup and the treats are ready to eat.

Tropical Pops

These can be made with yogurt and a fruit of choice or a premade smoothie mix available at supermarkets. Blend the yogurt and fruit until creamy, then pour into ice pop molds and freeze. If a smoothie mix is used, simply pour into the molds and freeze – you can also add fruit slices to the smoothie mix.

Frozen Banana Bites

Cut the desired number of bananas into 1 or 2-inch chunks. Place the chunks on a craft stick and slather on some peanut butter before rolling them in nuts, candy sprinkles or any other topping desired. Place on a tray with waxed paper and put them in the freezer until frozen.

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

This can be made with any flavor yogurt and fruit. Place a portion of yogurt in the bottom of a glass. Place a layer of crushed graham crackers on top of the yogurt. Then place a layer of fruit on top of the graham crackers. Repeat the layers until the glass if full.

Glazed Doughnut Strawberry Shortcake

There are numerous versions of this. One of the most simple utilizes premade glazed doughnuts, fresh strawberries that have been hulled and sliced, and a choice of either whipped cream or cream cheese. Cut the glazed doughnut sideways so there’s a top and a bottom. Place one half on a plate, spread on whipped cream or cream cheese, then add a layer of strawberries. Place the other half of the doughnut on top. Put a dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese on top.

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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