Supplies: 1 cup flour 1 cup water 2 tsp cream of tartar 1/2 cup salt 1 tbsp vegetable oil food coloring Directions: Mix together all the ingredients, except the food coloring, in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over low/medium heat, stirring. Once it begins to thicken, add the food coloring. Continue stirring until the mixture is much thicker and begins to gather around the spoon. Remove the dough onto wax paper or a plate to cool. Store in a ziploc bag or sealed container.

Need some ideas for summer fun? Our 101 summer checklist will keep your kids busy all summer. PLUS! When you post your summer fun photos on Instagram with #FamilyandKidsGA you’ll be entered to win cool prizes, including passes to Georgia Aquarium, Animal Safari the Atlanta Puppetry Museum, Liberty Bell Pool, The Little White House, Oxbow Meadows Honey Harvest and more. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to find out this week’s prize. Have a water balloon fight Go to Woodruff Park Splash Pad Go camping Picnic at Cooper Creek Park Bake with mom Visit the Columbus Museum Have a nature scavenger hunt Plant a garden Have a themed movie night Go bowling Take a bike ride Feed the ducks at Idle Hour Park Play in the sprinkler Jump at Launch Trampoline Park Fly a kite Play hopscotch Fish Hatchery in Warm Springs Go to the movies Beach day Go to the Rock Ranch Make ice cream Do a random act of kindness Go to Animal Safari Pick up trash on a walking trail Rent a bounce house Go to the library Visit FDR’s Little Whitehouse Put on a talent show Take a first aid class Market Days on Broadway Make […]

If you have decided to return to work after the birth of your baby, you will need to do some careful homework in choosing a caregiver for your infant. Many quality daycare centers may have a waiting list. If possible, start looking several months before your baby is due. Here is some info to consider; There are three types of daycare centers – group, commercial daycares and in-home private daycares. Here are some tips on selecting the right one for your baby. If your employer has a daycare for children of employees where the tuition is supplemented, the cost may be lower than that of other daycare centers. While you don’t want cost to be the main concern when choosing a daycare, the monthly cost of the daycare you choose needs to fit into your budget. Also, if your baby will be attending daycare full time, consider the convenience of the location in relation to where you work, especially if you plan on visiting your baby during lunch. After setting criteria for budget and location, it is time to start researching the daycares that fit your requirements. One way to start your search is by looking for those with a […]

Keep Kids Active this Summer With the school year complete, kids are excited to relax after a year of hard work, learning and extracurricular activities. However, this may lead to the temptation of sitting on the couch watching TV or playing on a computer or mobile device. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Let’s Play initiative found that only 33 percent of children participate in daily active play, and for 30 minutes less than the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. It’s important for kids to get daily active play because it contributes to their physical, emotional and social development, and helps them maintain a healthy lifestyle. To ensure kids get the active play they need this summer, try boosting their playtime with these tips: Make playtime family time. According to the Let’s Play survey, in general, year-over-year younger children’s active play time is more likely to be impacted by busy family schedules. To make sure your family is getting the physical activity they need, find windows within your busy schedule to fit in some play, even if it’s just a brief break. For example, rather than asking about your children’s days at the dinner table, take […]

Local psychotherapist,  Dr. Ambroes Pass-Turner invites families to the Columbus Public Library on June 23rd from 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM for a launch party, book reading and signing of her latest book “Rex’s Journey”. Rex’s Journey is about a child who’s been struggling with understanding why and how he feels. From angry one minute to sad the next, he just wants to be a kid. What’s so hard about that? But, we can’t always control how we feel. Especially not as kids. Follow along with Rex’s journey as he learns to cope with his emotions in a safe and healthy way, something we all can learn from. Food will be served and children will be taught some fun, healthy coping skills. Dr. Ambroes Pass-Turner is a Doctor of Counseling Psychology and founder of APT counseling Services, LLC. She is a professor and author. Dr. Pass-Turner is an expert in working with behavioral and emotionally disturbed children, adults, families, and offenders within the criminal justice system. Rex’s Journey can be purchased from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Books A Million.

An important aspect of helping kids develop into responsible adults is teaching them the value and rewards of hard work and earning their own money. Through this they gain self-esteem, come to understand the real value of a dollar, and become more responsible in the way they spend money. Here’s a few ways tweens can cash-in this summer. The grass is always greener – What better way for kids to soak up the sun, get fit, and make spare cash all at once than mowing lawns? Young entrepreneur – Kids can make the most of neighbors’ garage sales by setting up a refreshment stand in your own front yard. Too old for toys and games? – If so, have your kid clean out those they’ve outgrown and hold a sale. Kiddie care – Is your child old enough to stay home alone? If so, maybe your kid is ready to babysit for other children. A little dirt never hurt – Garage cleaning is a big chore, especially for the elderly, or anyone who just doesn’t have the time. So have your kid offer services to relatives and neighbors. Fence finishing – Wood fencing requires ongoing maintenance. Suggest your child offer to assist neighbors by painting or […]