Conjure up serious entertainment

You and your magic-loving tykes aren’t Hogwart’s Alum? No worries, because with a little practice, and a lot of illusion, the kids will be amazing audiences (probably you) in no time. We’ve got seven easy magic tricks, and don’t forget the “Alakazam!”

easy magic trick with a dollar bill
photo: Gabby Cullen

Paperclip Magic Trick

For our first trick, we chose a simple one with a major WOW factor. A dollar bill and two paperclips are all your magician will need to get “oohs” and “ahhs” from audience members of all ages. Make the magic happen by jumping over to Kids Activity Blog for the how-to.

Color Coded Cards 

Card counting isn’t a necessary skill when performing the color card trick, which makes it perfect for tiny magicians’ assistants. Simply separate a deck into black and red stacks (without showing anyone), then ask an audience member to pick, look at, and reinsert a card; after cutting the stack, “magically” select the right card (it should be the only wrong card in a colored stack). If you’re curious about the fine print, Funology has the details.

Leak Proof Bag
photo: Shelley Massey

Awesome Illusions
Your older brainiacs may know the secret behind plastic and polymers, so this “magic” trick is a great way to have your science pros impress any younger siblings. We’ve got the scoop for any sorcerers’ assistants right here.

Disappearing Coin Magic Trick

Beginning illusionists will really need to get their hocus pocus working if they want to make a coin disappear. From sweeping the coin under the table to saying the magic words, kids trying this trick will learn that practice makes perfect, and a lot of hand waving helps. You can get the whole tutorial over at Kid Spot.

easy magic trick with a toothpick
photo: Gabby Cullen

Floating Toothpick Magic Trick

This trick gives liquid soap a little mojo (we aren’t talking dirty dishes). Getting the five toothpicks to stay in the right place while floating in the water will be your little magician’s hardest challenge. This trick is all about the science of water and surface tension, so kids will be learning a little something, too! You can find out how to master this gimmick over at Kid Zone.

magneticpenciltrick_gabbycullen_magictricks_redtricycle
photo: Gabby Cullen

Magnetic Pencil Magic Trick

From levitating, and rubber-esque scribblers, to sticking a #2 through your head; there is more than one way to perform a magic pencil trick. The one we like for beginning magicians will defy the laws of magnetic forces—the pencil will seem to be stuck to the performer’s hand. Magneto would approve! Find out how to perfect this trick here.

matchboxtrick_gabbycullen_magictricks_redtricycle
photo: Gabby Cullen

Coin-in-Matchbox Magic Trick

Presto! The classic coin-in-matchbox not only looks super cool, but after a few practice rounds, it’s a trick even a muggle can manage. You don’t need anything but the box, a coin, and a few views of this awesome tutorial from Instructables.

Related: Make Magic with Your Very Own Fairy Garden for Kids

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Does it feel like you’re always sharing your phone, tablet or smartwatch with your kids? (“What’s the weather?” “Can I play a game?” “Ooh, pictures!”) With tech at every turn, it’s no surprise that kids love gadgets and gear just as much as us grownups. The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch is the perfect device to ease children into the digital world. Here’s why:

1. There’s an Interactive Robot to Share in the Fun

Children have a blast interacting with the Tobi robot character who speaks gibberish, giggles and has more than 100 expressions. With moving arms and legs, this interactive robot is here to play, learn and laugh with your kiddo. Kids will wow their pals with the cool wristband and illuminating LED lights, too!

2. They’ll Be Motivated to Be Active

There are a variety of fitness games to earn rewards. The pedometer, dance activity game and augmented reality Walk n’ Wonder game encourages kids to move their bodies (and have fun while they’re doing it!).

3. Creativity Is at Their Fingertips

Finally—your kids can capture pics and videos that won’t overtake your photo library. The dual cameras film videos and take pictures with a motion-activated selfie-camera. Kids can even customize their photos with decorative stickers and borders, store up to 3,000 640 x 480 pixels photos or 30 minutes of 320 x 240 pixels video and transfer their masterpieces right to your computer.

4. Tobi Is a Partner in Learning

The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch not only teaches kids to tell time, but helps them learn to manage their time with the stopwatch, timer, alarm clock, calendar and reminders. There’s a calculator and learning games galore. When kids want to have fun with friends, they can play head-to-head games like Tic-Tac-Tobi against other Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatches.

5. It’s Easy to Use

Intuitive for kids 6+ years old and easy for parents to monitor, the splashproof Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch has features both children and adults appreciate. The kid-friendly touchscreen and adjustable wristband are simple for to navigate. Parental controls set limits on screen time and approve wireless connectivity connections. Another awesome perk—it can be used as a remote control with the Tobi™ 2 Interactive Karaoke Machine or Tobi™ 2 Director’s Camera (both sold separately).

-Jessica Solloway

Instagram continues to be a behemoth in the world of social media, with more than a billion unique visitors on a monthly basis. Teens and pre-teens use the site to share photos and memes, private message and follow brands, but the platform has its share of pitfalls. Today Instagram announced changes to the platform that include defaulting young people into private accounts and making it harder for suspicious accounts to find young people.

“Young people” are defined as 16 and younger in the U.S. In a statement, Instagram said “Wherever we can, we want to stop young people from hearing from adults they don’t know, or that they don’t want to hear from.” The biggest preventative step will be defaulting this audience into a private account as they join the platform, instead of a public account.

That step allows users to control who sees or responds to content. With a private account, people have to follow you to see your content and you approve those followers manually. Even more critically, private account content does not show up in places like Explore or in the hashtag search section. Instagram notes that new users can still choose to have a public account and teens who are already signed up will see a notification explaining the benefits of a private account.

Instagram has also developed new technology to track accounts with “potentially suspicious behavior.” These accounts belong to adults that may have been blocked or reported by a young person. This feature means accounts that exhibit this behavior won’t be able to follow or comment on young people’s accounts.  The technology is currently rolling out worldwide and isn’t perfect, but it’s another move by the platform to support online safety.

Finally, Instagram is limiting how advertisers can interact with its younger audience. The upcoming change means advertisers can only target ads to teens based on age, gender and location. Previously, ads could also target teens on interests, or on activity on other apps and websites. This change was based on conversations with youth advocates and will affect Facebook and Messenger, too.

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Gaelle Marcel, Unsplash

 

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Today is the last day to find great deals on Amazon Fire Kids Pro tablets, Amazon Fire Kids tablets and more for Amazon Prime Day!

Have a kid? They’re probably into screens. Of course, we are too, because technology expands our world, connects us and is fun! If you love the latest and greatest like us, you already know the tech gurus at Amazon make impossibly good tablets for younger kids, ages 3-7, with their line of Fire Kids tablets. Good news: Now we don’t have to be bummed once they age out of this innovative device—Amazon is rolling out all-new tablets that are tailored to older kids, ages 6-12! Amazon has our backs, too, because if you have a Fire Kids tablet, you can upgrade to Fire Kids Pro through the Amazon Trade-In program with a 20 percent discount. Read on to learn more about what makes the new Fire Kids Pro tablet line jaw-droppingly cool.

Learn more about the all-new Amazon Fire Kids Pro tablet and shop now!

Cool Tech for Big Kids

The all-new Fire Kids Pro tablets for kids ages 6 to 12, come with a 7-inch, 8-inch HD or 10-inch HD screen. You can expect these new tablets to look less like a toy compared to the original line for younger kids. The protective case is slimmer (dare we say, cooler?) and includes a kickstand to prop up the tablet and a home screen that looks more like the one you’d use. Aside from the grown-up look and feel, the available content is geared towards the older set, too, with a wider selection just for them (including music!).

Smart(er) Web Browser

More independence for them with less worry for you: The Fire Kids Pro web browser includes a setting that gives kids open but filtered access to the web. Now they can explore on their own with guardrails, research for a school project, or just chill out with a favorite movie. Bottom line: This tablet is now multi-functional and super practical! 

Profiles with Fire Kids Pro offer three levels of restrictions: limited, moderate and full. By default, the tablets use moderate restrictions, with tighter filters on web browsing and no access to in-app purchases or expanded content. Built-in controls are designed to help filter out inappropriate sites and you can block specific sites as you see fit. And there is another ally on your side—the Parent Dashboard! Here you can set time limits, see what sites they're visiting and for how long, establish learning goals, set a bedtime, block or allow specific sites and more—so you (are still) the boss.

Expanded Amazon Kids+ Content

Fire Kids Pro comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which includes a huge selection of premium entertainment and educational content that older kids are drawn to. Kids can choose from thousands of apps, songs, Audible books, games including Teen Titans Go and Asphalt 8, books like Keeper of the Lost Cities and Chronicles of Narnia, PG and PG-13 videos hand-selected by the Amazon Kids team, plus educational content from National Geographic, Rabbids Coding, LEGO® and more.

In addition to Kids+ content, Fire Kids Pro tablets include access to a digital store so kids can request apps like Disney+, Spotify, Minecraft, Zoom and more. Once their request is sent, parents have the final say, approving purchases and downloads. 

Fire Kids Pro also includes a music row with stations like iHeartRadio Family. Kids can choose from an array of curated playlists like Acoustic for Kids and Homework Inspiration, as well as live radio stations—rock on!

Learn more about the all-new Amazon Fire Kids Pro tablet and shop now!

Video & Voice Calling

Hot feature alert: Kids can stay in touch and on top of school projects with the Fire Kids Pro, by making and receiving voice and video calls over Wi-Fi! This feature is available for kids to call contacts with a Fire Kids tablet, Alexa-enabled device, or the Alexa app. Parents have to approve the contacts and have visibility into calling history. Now kids can easily chat with friends to collaborate on homework or stay in touch with family. Kids can make announcements like “I’m done with my homework” from the tablet to Alexa-enabled devices at home—pretty cool, Amazon!

You Are in Control

Yes, this is a “more mature” tablet, but it comes with parental controls so you can customize your kid's experience, no matter where you are! With Amazon's Parent Dashboard you can control options from anywhere and make changes to access, view their activities, set time limits and more, all through your desktop or mobile phone without touching the tablet.

The Fire Kids Pro tablet is smart tech that grows with them, by adjusting the parental control preference as your kids age up. Why does that matter? It makes this device super flexible, fitting all types of parenting styles and kids' ages! You can also approve or deny purchases from the digital store. Kids can request apps from the digital store, then parents review requests and grant approval to app download or purchase, so no surprise charges—now you can let your kids explore without stressing about what they're doing and where they're going because you are in control of it all (but that can be our secret... ).

Learn more about the all-new Amazon Fire Kids Pro tablet and shop now!

Worry-Free Guarantee

Fire Kids Pro comes with one year of Amazon Kids+ with access to over 20,000 books, movies, TV shows and other kid-friendly content curated by Amazon—wow. That is a massive amount of content, and we are impressed!

Worried about drops and bumps? Don’t be. Fire Kids Pro comes with a slim but sturdy case in cool colors and fun prints to keep it protected. Even the case is genius. It features a built-in kickstand which is ideal for hands-free video-watching, game-playing, video chatting and more. The best part? All Fire Kids Pro tablets include a two-year worry-free guarantee; if it breaks, return it and Amazon will replace it free—you just can’t go wrong here.

Learn more about the all-new Amazon Fire Kids Pro tablet and shop now!

 

—Jamie Aderski

Have a preschooler? Then you know all about PAW Patrol and how much your kid is, dare we say, obsessed! What’s not to love? The PAW Patrol is heroic, has each other’s backs and knows how to have a good time! We approve. Of course, kids want to keep the adventure going with their favorite pups through imaginative play long after the episode is over. Just in time for crossing off holiday wish lists, PAW Patrol has new toys that will send them on epic rescue missions with cool new gear like a spinning helicopter, motorized ride and a dual race super-speed track!

Read on to learn why these three imaginative, inventive and innovative toys will be on every kid’s wish list! 

PAW Dino Rescue Patroller

Well, this is cool: the Dino Patroller is the first-ever motorized PAW vehicle! With the touch of a button, this powerhouse patroller is on the move with oversized wheels to conquer any terrain. Before you head out, load the projectiles into the launcher and get ready for adventure. Push T. Rex's tail to make its mouth open to help the PAW Patrol spot a dino in trouble, then launch the rescue nets and save the day!

This all new, motorized all-terrain vehicle features room for the whole pup squad (All six! But you knew that...) and includes an exclusive and collectible Chase figure in his Dino Rescue uniform and a T. Rex dinosaur, with moving mouth and tail—now you can create your own prehistoric missions! 

 

PAW Patrol Ultimate Cruiser

An XL, extra-special 5-in-1 cruiser is made for our hero Chase, but roomy enough that the crew can join to do the “Pup, Pup, Boogie!” The whole squad will be ready for action and equipped to handle any emergency, whether it’s on dry land, in the air or at sea.

What’s the 5-in-1 all about? More than just a hot ride for cool pups, you can launch the helicopter that’s tucked away inside with the push of a button, spin the propellers by hand and you’re off! This ultimate cruiser features dual motorcycles that pop off with a button—now you’re ready for that high-speed chase! They thought of everything for this majorly awesome ride, including flashing lights and sound effects that bring the excitement of a PAW Patrol mission to life!

PAW Patrol Adventure Bay Rescue Way

PAW Patrol is really on a roll with this action-packed lookout tower! It features two different tracks to send vehicles racing around the tower in a corkscrew, or flip the diverter to send them down the drop ramp—boom! Craving even more action? Use the dual garage launchers in corkscrew mode to send two more vehicles flying—launch up to six true metal vehicles at the same time! Push the periscope and watch the pups race to the rescue while you cheer them on! 

Bonus points: This high-speed track is equipped with exclusive True Metal die-cast Chase and Marshall vehicles—perfect for kiddos who love PAW Patrol and fast cars! Speed to the rescue and put out the fire with your favorite pups!

 

All three new toys are available in stores and online at Amazon, Target and Walmart.

 

 

—Jamie Aderski

 

Your kid wants a dog, and you’d approve if you didn’t already have so many living things in your household to keep alive.

In pops Squeakee—a balloon dog that’s inflated with personality and no expensive vet visits required. Oh indeed, you’ve never seen anything like this, and we are obsessed with this full-blown playful pup! Squeakee the Balloon Dog is interactive and responds to the sound of your voice, and unlike a real dog, balloon (or child), he listens to you! Read on to learn why Squeakee is the must-have toy of the season and why gifting it will make you the coolest adult they know.

Pumped Full of Personality

This puffy pooch is an over achiever in every way, and like no other dog you've met before. Squeakee will win over even the toughest tiny critic with his intuitive and innovative sense of play. Oh, and he's a character; with over 60 sounds and movements, his silly style and cheerful disposition will have the kids wrapped around his "paw" for hours. Tickle his belly and he'll roll on his back and beg for more, pet his ears and he'll sit. He even knows how to shake a paw! Your family may start wondering, "What's Squeakee up to?" when you leave the house. We get it—he's enchanting.

Who Loves Who More?

It's a toss up. By bringing the (electronic) balloon dog Squeakee into your household, you've given him a life he's only dreamed of in his inflatable head. Make your kid feel like a hero by teaching him things. Train Squeakee with his Squeaker Toy! Use it to teach him to sit or beg. He gets very excited when he hears it, just like a real furry best friend (minus the pet hair everywhere).

Real talk: like us, Squeakee's not perfect. You can holler and let him know when he's been naughty because raising a balloon dog has its twists and turns. Go on with your bad self, Squeakee! When you leave Squeakee alone, he will occasionally bark for attention. Continue to leave him and he will deflate and fall asleep, making cute balloon snores. Wondering what that sounds like? If adorable was a sound, it's that.

Sit! Stay! Fart?

He's a balloon, remember? "POP" him with his pin and watch him deflate; it's oddly satisfying. Never fear because you can bring him back to life in an instant by pumping him up (but not too much!). Here's where the dog part comes in: Squeakee just might pee or fart if fed too much air with his pump—gross! But we all know the kids in your life will LOVE IT. His balloon DNA just adds another exciting element of surprise and wonder. Expect the (delightfully) unexpected with Squeakee!

So get one for your favorite kid (make sure they’re your favorite because this dog is special). Or, get one for yourself; we won’t judge. Our recommendation? Get Squeakee in your squad now before word gets out and he’s sold out!

 

Squeakee the Balloon Dog is available now at Target, Walmart and Amazon. Batteries not included.

 

 

—Jamie Aderski

Between shopping for supplies, planning out schedules and figuring out lunches, back to school might as well be called “back to stress” for parents. Whether your littles will be in the classroom or learning virtually this year, there’s one school essential every parent needs to have on hand: Snacks!

When it comes to school snacking, Enjoy Life Foods’ Breakfast Ovals are a win-win! They’re packed with the healthy ingredients you’re looking for and come in tasty flavors that even picky eaters will approve! Plus, they’re gluten free and free of the 14 most-common food allergies—meaning your family can snack with peace of mind! Check out why these three moms are adding Breakfast Ovals to their back-to-school shopping list.

Enjoy Life Foods has an Allergy Friendly Welcome Bundle that’s perfect for school snacking! It includes two flavors of Breakfast Ovals and other delicious allergy-free snacks. Use the code ‘TRYME’ to get free shipping on your welcome bundle.

 

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Like most kids, Ariel Scheer Stein’s two daughters have had their routine change over the past few months, but their love of snack time has stayed the same! They’ve loved trying all four flavors of Breakfast Ovals: Chocolate Chip Banana, Maple Fig, Berry Medley and Apple Cinnamon.

 

 

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Kariss Farris is a mom of two, and soon to be three! While she’s getting ready for school to start and preparing for a baby, Kariss has a photography business, meaning this family is always on the go. Enjoy Life Foods’ Breakfast Ovals are an easy snack for Kariss to toss in a bag or lunchbox, and have the healthy ingredients her family needs in a snack!

 

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As mom-of-two Kristen Sellentin‘s kids head back to school, finding healthy, school-safe snacks is a must! Thanks to allergen-friendly ingredients, Enjoy Life Foods’ Breakfast Ovals are perfect for hectic mornings, adding to lunchboxes or a filling after-school snack!

Enjoy Life Foods has an Allergy Friendly Welcome Bundle that’s perfect for school snacking! It includes two flavors of Breakfast Ovals and other delicious allergy-free snacks. Use the code ‘TRYME’ to get free shipping on your welcome bundle.

The LEGO® Group just unveiled the latest addition to it’s LEGO® City line, and we’ve got total city envy. From recognizable characters in The City storyline to the sweet green space right in the middle, this is one set that’ll keep your master builders occupied for hours on end. Plus, we’re pretty sure Emmett would approve because basically, everything about it is awesome. 

The brand-new 1,517-piece set comes with 14 minifigures, a City Hall, an intercity tram, a classic diner, an adorable green space with a statue of Harl Hubbs’ great grandfather, and there’s even a concert stage. It’s a perfect way for kids to enjoy the buzz of city life without having to leave the house. Easy enough for kids ages five and up to tackle, after it’s complete, there’s hours of pretend play waiting to happen. Do you collect the LEGO® City line? Then you’ll recognize several city characters, like Poppy Star, Duke DeTain and even Mayor Fleck, who comes complete with the all-important keys to the city.

This new set also comes with ‘Instructions Plus,’ an interactive building guide you can access via the free LEGO® Building Instructions app for smart devices—there’s a zoom and rotate feature that helps younger builders visualize the finished product as they go. Your kids will become Master Builders in no time.  

Recommended for ages 5 & up.

Available on Sept. 1st, for $199.99 at LEGO.com.

—Gabby Cullen

All images courtesy LEGO®

 

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This is sponsored content from our partner. The reviews and opinions published are solely ours.

Between games, videos and ever-changing viral trends, the internet is constantly vying for your kids’ attention and offers up plenty of challenges for parents. How can you be sure where they’re headed is parent-approved, enriching and worthwhile? 

It’s undeniable that going online has so much to offer—content that sparks creativity, inspires kids to try a new skill or teaches them about the world. To satisfy their curiosity and minimize your stress, parental control and content customization are key, and exactly why we are loving the YouTube Kids app! Here are 8 reasons why you should give it a go.

YouTube Kids is a separate app made just for kids that lets little ones explore and gives parents peace of mind! Download YouTube Kids for free here.

1. Age-based content for kids!

YouTube Kids was created to give kids 12 and under a more contained environment making it easy and fun for them to explore on their own. Videos on YouTube Kids are family-friendly, even the ones that come up in search. You’ll select content levels based on your kid’s age (4 & under, 5-7, 8-12) which means your preschooler will see videos about counting instead of multiplication. And thanks to online creators, there is always something new to learn, do, and enjoy!

2. It’s easy for kids to navigate!

The YouTube Kids app is made specifically for kids, including kid-friendly design and fun graphics. Whether they’re on a computer, tablet or phone, large buttons and simple categories make it easy for kids of all ages to independently pick content. Putting them in charge of what they watch helps little ones explore their own interests!

3. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to kids or families

Unlike most websites and apps, YouTube Kids puts the control in the hands of parents and makes their experience fully customizable. When you create your YouTube Kids account, you can choose exactly how you want to use the settings and controls. You can keep it simple by adjusting your settings to show your kids videos based on their age, or you can design an entire afternoon of online enrichment by selecting approved content and adjusting timers for learning!

4. Approve what your kids can watch

If you want complete control over what your kids are watching, you can also use an “Approved Content Only” mode that allows kids to watch videos, channels or collections that are hand-picked and approved by you, meaning you can set your child’s profile to only show crafts content for some at-home art inspiration.

Trusted partners and the YouTube Kids team create “collections” of videos and channels, with everything from Sesame Street to science experiments, and you can make entire collections available when using the “Approved Content Only” mode.

5. Limit screen time—not imagination

With YouTube Kids, you’re in control while your kids are empowered to explore, discover new interests, learn, grow, and play in a safer, curated environment.

We’ve all caught ourselves spending a little too much time scrolling—kids included! When creating individual profiles for each child, parents can set a timer to limit the time kids spend on the app and help them build their own healthy screen time habits.

6. Block content—not curiosity

If you need a break from Baby Shark or another glitter explosion, YouTube Kids also lets parents block a single video or an entire channel, and makes it easy to update the settings on an individual profile at any time.

7. You can relax while they fearlessly explore!

Customizable settings enable parents to confidently allow their kids to explore new videos, discover new interests and develop new talents along the way! Content that shows up in their feed isn’t just filtered by you, it’s constantly updated by YouTube Kids to ensure videos are family friendly.

8. It’s free and can be used on the go!

Yes, you read that correctly! YouTube Kids is free to use, with the option to upgrade to an ad-free version. When you create one account, you can access profiles across multiple devices, including phones, tablets, computers and even a television.

Thanks to parental controls and engaging content, YouTube Kids is a great way for kids to learn more about themselves and the world around them, all guided by you! Learn more at YouTube.com/Kids!

“I love how creative you are” is just one of the things you can say to your son to give him a self-esteem boost

Research has shown that the development of self-esteem starts as early as babyhood. Thus, raising our sons to grow up to be confident, kind, and empathetic men means ensuring that they always feel safe, loved, and accepted. While it sometimes seems easier to lavish praise on our daughters (especially for dads), our sons also need our TLC. Here are 13 everyday compliments for boys to bookmark for the next time your kiddo needs a boost.

iStock

Thank you for simply being you.

Letting your son know that there’s no singular way to be a boy or a man teaches him that he has the freedom and support to blaze his own, unique path in the world.

You are a great listener.

Help your son learn how to treat others with respect by complimenting him when he listens. 

I’m so proud of you.

Because kids need to hear this from their parents. Every. Day.

I admire your good taste.

Whether it’s his choice of clothing, music, food, or friends, letting your son know that you approve of his choices will boost his confidence and help him make good choices throughout his life.

siblings
Kipp Jarecke Cheng

You are a wonderful brother.

The way a boy interacts with and treats his siblings can reveal a lot about his approach to relationships with others. Boys who have positive and supportive relationships with their siblings are more likely to have positive and supportive relationships with other family members, friends, and teachers.

Your adorable, quirky laugh reminds me of your dad’s (or mom’s) adorable, quirky laugh.

Letting your son know that he’s a chip off the old block can remind him what you love about your spouse, and also reinforces how you’re all connected as a family.

I love spending time with you.

There’s no better compliment than letting your son know what a pleasure it is to spend quality time with him. 

You are kind and smart and funny and strong.

Encouraging kindness, intelligence, humor, and strength tells your son everything he needs to know about what your family values.

I can always count on you to do the right thing.

Like all kids, boys will test their parents and push boundaries. Let your son know that you trust him to do the right thing.

 

Related: 20 Empowering Things to Say to Your Daughter Every Day

Austin Pacheco via Unsplash

I love how creative you are.

Because creative expression—whether it’s dancing, painting, or music—isn’t just for girls.

I appreciate how helpful you are.

Recognizing your son’s enthusiasm for pitching in will encourage him to develop good, collaborative habits.

I trust you.

Start saying this to your son early and often—it’ll establish an open line of communication once they hit the rough tween and teenage years.

The best job I’ve ever had is being your parent.

In the hustle and bustle of life, we don’t tell our sons often enough how much we love being their parents.