ML Interest Tag: rabbit

15 Must-See Easter Movies the Whole Family Will Love

by Shelley Massey

Hop into spring with these Easter movies that are perfect for kids. From Easter Parade to The Dog Who Saved Easter—and everything in between—put these stories on your movie night bucket list, stat. You’ll find these Easter movies on Disney+, Netflix, and more of your favorite streaming choices. Keep reading for our favorite Easter movies for kids that are sure to delight your Flopsy, Mopsy, and Peter Cottontails.

Hop

Hop may just give the adults in the room a case of the jitters, but the movie is cute enough—and who doesn’t love Russell Brand, after all—that we can get beyond the main coming-of-age theme (Really, don’t give them any ideas about growing up, and maybe it just won’t happen, right?). This animated flick is about the relationship between the Easter Bunny and his adult(ish) son who moves to Hollywood to pursue his dream of being a rock star.

Recommended for ages 5 & older
Universal Pictures, 2011
Common Sense Media Review: Hop
Rated PG

Rent it here.

Easter Parade

Loaded with great Irving Berlin songs, this 1948 musical is wholesome, straightforward, and entertaining. Known as “The Happiest Musical Ever Made,” you and the kiddos will be tap-dancing your way to your nearest Easter parade with high expectations.

Recommended for ages 6 & up
MGM/UA, 1948
Common Sense Media Review: Easter Parade
Not rated

Rent it here.

Bugs Bunny Easter Funnies

Looking for a classic comedy with an Easter theme? Look no further. These cartoons are strung together and are united by what you’d most likely expect—a set of bunny ears and plenty of slapstick humor.

Recommended for ages 5 & up
Warner Home Video, 2010
Common Sense Media Review: Bugs Bunny Easter Funnies
Not rated

Buy it here.

The First Easter Rabbit

For a non-religious story about Easter, this animated musical tale will remind you of classics like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. But get ready—after watching this Easter movie for kids, your littles will be code red for dying eggs and frolicking in the grass.

Recommended for ages 3 & up
Warner Home Video, 2010
Common Sense Media Review: The First Easter Rabbit
Not rated

Buy it here.

Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit

When Wallace’s attempt to re-program rabbits to NOT eat the town’s veggies goes wrong, the iconic duo is faced with an ever bigger challenge—dealing with a were-rabbit. Parents should be warned that there are somewhat scary scenes of a cute rabbit transformation ala werewolf style, and like classic horror movies (think Frankenstein) the townspeople hunt the monster with guns. Overall, a fun movie for older kids.

Recommended for ages 7 & up
Dreamworks, 2005
Common Sense Media Review: Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Rated G

Rent it here.

Related: 20 Sweet Easter Basket Stuffers (That Aren’t Candy) 

Peter Rabbit

Peter Rabbit is like an Easter movie for kids
Sony Pictures

While this version of Peter Rabbit may be a bit edgier and more action-packed than the stories you remember from the classic Beatrix Potter books, you’ll still find Old Mr. McGregor, Peter, and all the animals on the McGregor farm. But don’t expect a peaceable kingdom—life’s tough if you’re on the run, and Peter relies on his street smarts to survive. And if you haven’t seen Peter Rabbit 2, this might be the perfect opportunity for a double feature!

Recommended for ages 7 & older
Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, 2012
Common Sense Media Review: Peter Rabbit
Rated PG

Rent it here.

The Dog Who Saved Easter

If you’ve fallen in love with retriever Zeus in any of the previous Dog movies, you won’t be disappointed in The Dog Who Saved Easter. Expect plenty of humor, a lot of cuteness, and a touch of puppy love (for humans and dogs, alike) in this Easter movie for kids.

Recommended for ages 6 & up
Digital Filmz International, 2014
Common Sense Media Review: The Dog Who Saved Easter
Rated PG

Rent it here.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

This Rankin-Bass classic is perfect for preschoolers not already disdainful of low-tech special effects and jerky stop-action animation. If your kiddos can see past the lack of flashy animation, they’re in for a wholesome treat.

Recommended for ages 4 & up
Classic Media, 1971
Common Sense Media Review: Here Comes Peter Cottontail
Not rated

Watch it here.

Yogi the Easter Bear

You can expect all of Yogi’s usual antics, like stealing picnic baskets and wreaking havoc on the Easter Jamboree at Jellystone, in this classic Hannah-Barbera holiday hit.

Recommended for all ages
Hannah-Barbera, 1994
Common Sense Media Review: None
Not rated

Watch it here.

Related: The Best Easter Bunny Ideas You Can Easily Pull Off 

Rabbit School: The Guardians of the Easter Eggs

When a streetwise bunny discovers that the mythical Rabbit School is real, he starts on a journey of self-discovery and finds that no matter your past, you can make a change for the better. Will Max gain Easter Bunny status?

Recommended for ages 8 & up
Viva Pictures 2018
Common Sense Media Review: Rabbit School: The Guardians of the Easter Eggs
Rated G

Watch it here.

Zootopia

Zootopia isn't an Easter movie for kids, but the star is a bunny rabbit
Walt Disney Studios

While this isn’t an obvious Easter-themed movie, it does feature a pretty strong rabbit lead. This fast-paced tale tells the story of police rabbit Judy Hopps who is determined to see her investigation through, no matter what. The message of courage, tolerance, and teamwork comes through tons of memorable characters and lots of laughs.

Recommended for ages 8 & up
Disney, 2016
Common Sense Media Review: Zootopia
Rated PG

Watch it here on Disney+.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Ok. This is decidedly NOT an Easter movie, but if you’re looking for something heavy on entertainment as well as rabbits, this is your jam. Combining live-action and animation, Roger Rabbit is a detective story with hilarious twists and double-crosses.

Recommended for ages 12 & up
Touchstone Pictures, 1988
Common Sense Media Review: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Rated PG

Watch it here on Disney+ or rent it on Amazon.

The Velveteen Rabbit

While this classic story takes place during Christmas, the central characters are bunnies, and you can’t beat the sweetness of this story. Based on the book by Margery Williams about a soft rabbit—and his buddies—that comes to life—it is a story about an only child finding a world of imagination, where love makes you who you are.

Recommended for ages 5 & up
Family1 Films, 2009
Common Sense Media Review: The Velveteen Rabbit
Rated G

Watch it on AppleTV here. 

Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo

What happens when Rabbit decides to replace Easter with Spring Cleaning Day? His pals from the Hundred Acre Wood—led by little Roo—come to the rescue and help Rabbit see the error of his ways, of course!

Recommended for ages 4 & up
Walt Disney Pictures, 2005
Common Sense Media Review: Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo
Rated G

Watch it on Disney+

Easterland

The villain Bad Clyde has cast an evil spell that banishes the Benny Easter Bunny to the Land of the Holiday Misfits, it’s up to Santa Claus and a few sidekicks to travel from the North Pole across realms to rescue Benny and save Easter for all the children.

Recommended for ages 4 & up
Gravitas Adventures, 2019
Common Sense Media Review: none
Rated G

Rent it here. 

—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

 

 

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18 Fun Easter Games for Kids That Go Way Beyond an Egg Hunt

by Erica Loop

The bunny may bring chocolate and marshmallow goodies, but what about when the hunt is over and you’ve got a free afternoon ahead? Try a few fun Easter games for kids. From eggcellent educational ideas to bunny-based movement activities, hop to it and add these Easter games for kids to your holiday activity list!

Looking for more Easter activities for kids? Check out our favorite egg carton craft ideas, Easter movies for kids, Easter jokes, and creative ways to decorate Easter eggs.

Smash the Eggshells

This fun Easter game for kids requires a little prep work, but worth the effort. Save your empty eggshells and bake them in the oven to get rid of bacteria. Then let your kids color them, or just leave them as is, give them a tub, a wooden hammer, and a colored die. Then, whatever color they roll is the color they can smash to their heart’s content!

Easter Minute to Win It Games: 4 Ways

Minute to Win It games are always fun, and these Easter-themed versions are perfect for a family gathering or Easter party! Watch the video above to learn to see the Cotton Ball Scoop, Peep Knock Down, Jelly Bean Transfer, and of course, the Egg Toss.

Easter Egg Number Match

Toddlers and preschoolers will love this easy-to-DIY number-matching puzzle activity. It makes a fun activity for kids to practice counting and number recognition this Easter! You may want to keep this one around all spring.

Easter Egg Bowling

Easter game ideas for kids, Easter game ideas, bowling
Kid-Friendly Things to Do

Test your bowling skills by rolling your hard-boiled Easter eggs. You can devise different play methods and use stuffed bunnies and carrots to knock down. However you roll it, kids and adults will love this game. Get more details from Kid-Friendly Things to Do. 

Easter-Themed Bunny Bean Bag Toss

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas, Easter bean bag toss

Bring the fun to your backyard bash with this Easter-themed bunny bean bag toss game from Amazon ($10). The Easter game comes with a 30” x 54” gamepad and four carrot-shaped bean bags.

Name Hop Like a Bunny

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas
Fantastic Fun and Learning

Get in motor fun with this hoppy activity from Fantastic Fun and Learning. Not only can your kids hop like a bunny, but they can also build early literacy skills.

Related: 15 Perfect Easter Paper Crafts for Kids

Follow the Bunny Footprints

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas

Turn follow the leader into bunny fun with rabbit feet. Place these cardboard bunny footprints from Amazon ($6) in your backyard, on a walkway, or even in your playroom. The kids can jump from footprint to footprint or follow the rabbit around your home.

Potato Sack Race

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas

Your little bunnies can get hopping with this potato sack race game from Amazon ($19). Each set comes with six bunny-print potato sacks and bunny ear headbands.

Egg-extravagant Easter Egg Hunt

Are you looking for Easter games with eggs? Even though you could go with the same old Easter egg hunt your kids do every year, you also could kick things up a notch with a color-coded game, treasure map hunt, or one of these other amped-up options.

Colorful Egg Roll

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas
Hands On As We Grow

With some paper and paint, you can turn a classic Easter game into a fresh new tradition. We love what Jaime Reimer came up with, and it's a safe bet you will, too. Check out everything you need to know, including what supplies you'll need, by heading over to Hands On As We Grow.

Related: 13 Easter Movies to Watch with Your Kids

DIY Confetti Easter Egg Advent Calendar

Easter games for kids, Easter game ideas, easter advent calendar
Squirrelly Minds

This brilliant idea from Squirrelly Minds hits all the marks for a fun easter gamer. Each day in the week leading up to Easter, crack open an egg to a colorful explosion of confetti and an easter activity to do for the day. Check out the full tutorial at Squirrelly Minds. 

Easter Bingo

This Easter bingo game for kids ($9) is perfect for your family’s holiday party or just an afternoon of at-home play. Get your own set of cards and markers on Amazon.

Felt Egg Puzzles

This Easter, your kids can craft their own puzzle—with felt. Cut colorful craft felt into egg-shaped ovals. Use the felt scraps to make stripes, polka dots, and other pieces. Scatter the felt on a desk or the kitchen table. Your child can puzzle the pieces together to create a design. Unlike paper, the fuzzy felt will stick together. Add an extra layer to the game and ask your child to match colors or shapes on each egg.

Bunny Ear Ring Toss

Easter games for kids , Easter game ideas, ring toss

Need a fun family game or event for your Easter party this year? Inflate this bunny ear-ring toss game, and let the fun begin. The $9 game from Amazon includes two sets of purple bunny ears and 12 bright color toss rings.

Pin the Tail on the Bunny

A perfect indoor Easter Day game! Pin the Tail on the Bunny is just like the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey, except you’ll use cotton balls with tape on them rather than a donkey tail.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.

 

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Funny Easter Jokes for Kids That’ll Make Them Laugh Out Loud

by Amber Guetebier

When it comes to the season of the rabbit, we’ve always got a few good puns up our sleeves. These Easter jokes are ready to make your little bunnies laugh, whether you want a joke-a-day or just a day of jokes, these jokes for kids are the perfect way to celebrate the season. Don’t forget to check out our favorite spring jokes for kids, and riddles for kids!

Easter Bunny Jokes

What kind of bunny can't hop?

A chocolate bunny. 

What do you call a bunny with lice?

Bugs Bunny!

Where does the Easter Bunny like to eat out?

IHOP.

How does the Easter Bunny travel all over the world?

Via hareplane. 

How do you send a letter to the Easter Bunny?

Via hare mail. 

What do you call a Transformer Bunny?

Hop-timus Prime. 

How does the Easter Bunny stay in shape?

Eggs-ercise 

What does a bunny like to dance to?

Hip-hop. 

What do you call a bunny with money?

A millionhare. 

What is a rabbit's favorite jewelry?

A 24-carrot gold ring. 

What do you call a rabbit with a cold?

A runny bunny. 

What did the rabbit say to the carrot?

I'd like to get to gnaw you. 

What do you call a bunny who tells jokes?

A funny bunny! 

Why did the Easter Bunny go on strike?

He wanted a better celery. 

Easter Egg Jokes

Happy Easter sign
Priscilla du Preez via Unsplash

What did one egg say to the other egg?

Heard any good yolks lately?

What do you call a zen Easter egg?

An ommmmmmlet. 

Knock knock!

Who's there?

Wendy. 

Wendy who?

Wendy Easter Egg Hunt gonna' start?

What did the egg say when the Easter Bunny told a joke?

You crack me up. 

How many Easter eggs can you put in an empty basket?

Only one. After that, it's not empty anymore. 

What stories do Easter eggs tell their children?

Yolk tales. 

What did the Easter Egg ask for when he went to the hair salon? 

A new dye job. 

Why did Humpty Dumpty have a great fall?

To make up for his miserable summer.

—reader submitted by Kaci Y.  

Funny Easter Jokes

happy kids love Easter jokes
iStock

Why are you so tired in April?

Because you just finished a March. 

How does Easter always end?

With an "r."

Why did the jelly bean go to school?

Because he really wanted to be a Smartie. 

What kind of vegetable is angry?

A steamed carrot! 

Would February March?

No, but April May. 

Where does Easter take place every year?

Where eggs marks the spot!

How do you know carrots are good for your eyesight?

Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Sherwood.

Sherwood who?

Sherwood like to have as much Easter candy as you!

Where did the vampire keep his Easter candy?

In his Easter casket.

 

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All the New Kids’ Shows & Movies on Netflix in October

by Gabby Cullen

These new Netflix kids’ shows and movies coming in October are perfect for when the kids need downtime

Fall is officially here, which means chillier days and many excuses to relax on the sofa. Netflix’s October lineup is jam-packed with new releases and family favorites. No matter what you like to watch, there are plenty of new Netflix kids’ shows and movies this month. Family favorite Kung Fu Panda is back and there are a few new additions for Halloween, too. All that’s left is to decide what they want to watch first.

New Netflix Kids’ Shows and Movies Coming in October

Oct. 1

The Adventures of Tintin

This animated film is based on the comics of the same name. When young journalist TinTin buys a miniature version of a legendary pirate ship, he is unknowingly thrust into an adventure that involves traveling the world, looking for sunken treasure, and avoiding some nasty pirates. And he does it all with the help of his trusty sidekick Snowy.

The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 

While the Andrew Garfield version of New York’s favorite superhero might not be the favorite of the comic book film adaptations, these movies are still action-packed fun for the whole family.

Casper 

This modern take on a classic cartoon character spins the story of an afterlife therapist and his daughter becoming friends with a friendly spirit after they move into a crumbling mansion.

Drake & Josh: Season 1-3 

In this classic Nickelodeon series, two stepbrothers learn to live together and navigate high school even though they’re very different people.

Kung Fu Panda 

Go back to where it all began for Po and his ninja master friends. Enjoy the discovery of the dragon warrior all over again with this animated classic.

The Little Rascals 

Based on the classic “Our Gang” movie shorts from the ’20s and ’30s, Little Rascals follows the adventures of Alfalfa, Darla, Stymie, Spanky, Waldo, and more.

Megamind

This hilarious animated film about an overly smart reformed super-villain alien is back on Netflix. Starring the voice talents of Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Tina Fey, Brad Pitt, and many more, this is a perfect choice for family movie night.

Oct. 2

Strawberry Shortcake and the Beast of Berry Bog

In an all-new special, the Berry Scary Fright Night Carnival has arrived in Big Apple City and Strawberry Shortcake must solve the mystery of who is trying to spoil the fun.

Oct. 10

Blippi’s Big Dino Adventure

If you didn’t catch Blippi’s feature film debut this summer, here’s your chance. In this 60-minute length film, Blippi and Meekah set out on their biggest and best dinosaur adventure yet. They’ll meet up with friends like Park Ranger Asher and help to find some missing dino eggs before they hatch.

Oct. 12

LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising: Season 1: Part 2

The key to stopping the MergeQuakes from reaching their tipping point lies in the Dragon Cores. Can the Ninja find all three before it’s too late?

Oct. 13

Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, Spy Kids 3: Game Over

Now that you’ve seen the remake, how about going back to the beginning with the original trilogy? Follow Juni and Carmen as they follow in their super spy parents’ footsteps and help save the world with the help of some super cool spy gear.

Oct. 16

Oggy Oggy: Season 3 

Kind and curious kitty Oggy Oggy wants to spread joy to all his friends and neighbors. But sometimes, he gets into playful mischief instead. Miaow!

Oct. 17

I Woke Up A Vampire 

On her 13th birthday, Carmie discovers that she’s half vampire—and she must learn to navigate middle school while learning to control mythical powers like strength, super speed, and power blast. A fun new TV show for tweens.

Oct. 23

Princess Power: Season 2 

When there’s trouble in the Fruitdoms, these princess pals join forces to help each other—because sometimes problems are too big for just one princess!

Oct. 24

Minions

Gru’s sidekicks get their own feature-length film with this spin-off of the Despicable Me franchise. Find out where the minions came from and why they are obsessed with bananas.

Oct. 25

Life on Our Planet

Life as we know it has fought an epic battle to conquer and survive on Planet Earth. There are 20 million species on our planet in 2023, but that number is just a snapshot in time—99% of Earth’s inhabitants are lost to our deep past. The story of what happened to these dynasties—their rise and their fall–is truly remarkable.

Related: New, Original Family Movies You’ll Only Find on Netflix, Disney+ & Apple TV in 2023

Kids’ Titles Leaving Netflix in October

A League of Their Own

Jumanji

Nanny McPhee

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie

 

 

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11 Cool Things You Might Not Know about LA

by Andie Huber

Pop Quiz: Do you know how the Lakers got their name? Or which Disney princess has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? All the answers and more LA-inspired trivia, right this way.

LA is a magical place and along with that, comes some magical history and only-in-LA trivia. Impress your family and stump the kids with these little-known Los Angles facts. How many do you know?

1. In 1978, Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Other characters with their own star include Minnie Mouse, Shrek, Winnie the Pooh, and Big Bird. Oh, and Donald Duck, too! And only one Disney Princess has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hint: She survived a poisonous apple. Yep, Snow White.

2. A whopping 202 street lamps make up the Urban Lights installation in front of LACMA. And the coolest part? All of those 202 lamps are from the 1920s and 1930s and were originally spread throughout Southern California.

RELATED: See why LACMA is one of our favorite museums with kids. 

Courtesy of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection – Los Angeles Public Library

3. It used to snow about once a decade in Los Angeles and actually stick to the ground. The picture above is La Brea Blvd. in 1921. Unfortunately, it hasn't snowed since 1962—we are in a 50-year-plus snow drought. 

RELATED: Where to go to get your snow fix near LA

4. The carousel, now located at the Santa Monica Pier, was originally built in 1922 for the Venice Pier, but moved to its current Santa Monica location in 1947. In addition to the 44 hand-carved equine beauties, there are two additional animals that go round and round—can you guess? A rabbit and a goat. Next time you are there, see if you can find them.

RELATED: 25+ Fun Things to Do with Kids in Santa Monica

5. The iconic Hollywood sign was built in 1923 but it didn't originally spell out "HOLLYWOOD" but instead "HOLLYWOODLAND." It remained that way until 1949 when the "LAND" portion was removed. 

Security Pacific National Bank Collection via Los Angeles Public Library

6. The LA Zoo is not the original LA Zoo. In 1966, more than 2000 animals were moved from the Old Griffith Park Zoo (which was built in 1914) to the zoo's new location, two miles away. You can still visit the old zoo's stomping grounds—heck, you can even have a picnic there. 

7. You don't have to go all the way to Anaheim to visit some historic Disney artifacts. Walt Disney's original barn and workshop, where he controlled his 1/8th scale model railroad, is located on the north side of Griffith Park, where it's now part of the Los Angeles Live Steamers Museum. If you want an up-and-close visit, they allow guests to visit every 3rd Sun. of the month. Check their Facebook page for the latest information. 

Public Domain

8. Ever wonder how LA basketball team the Lakers got its name? The Lakers originated in Minnesota, aka “Land of 10,000 Lakes," before coming to LA in 1960.

Wikimedia Commons

9. LA by the numbers: A little over 10 million people live in Los Angeles County—that's about the same as the population of the entire country of Sweden. There are 7.8 million cars registered in the area, 3.9 million people commute every day by car and the average Angeleno spends 119 hours a year stuck in traffic. That's equivalent to five days. Yikes!

10. Love LA's iconic Palm trees? They may not be around much longer. They are not native to the area and were planted solely for their looks. A vast amount of them were planted in the 1930s (in just 1931, 25,000 of them were planted!) and are now nearing the end of their lifespan and are unlikely to be replaced.

11. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department's Forestry Division has a special way to reduce the risk of fire. They use goats! The grazing goats clear brush along steep mountainsides.

 

 

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16 Cardboard Box Crafts That’ll Keep the Kids Busy

by Kate Loweth

If you are like us, you are likely swimming in cardboard boxes. Fear not! There are loads of ways to get crafty with them from crafting them into Halloween costumes to turning them into amazing forts. Scroll through, find your favorite cardboard box crafts, and get that packing tape and scissors ready!

Cardboard Box Castle

Cardboard Box Snowman

Mini Foosball Game

Bullseye for Target Practice

Cardboard Box Rocket Ship

Cardboard Box Dinosaur

Mini Bunny Rabbit Put-Put

Whack-a-Rabbit Game

Cardboard Masks

Cardboard Box Craft for Soccer Fans

Cardboard Box House for Stuffies

Cardboard Dinosaur Hats

Cardboard Box Fort

Cardboard Box Car

Cardboard Box Pretend Play Safe

Cardboard Ocean World

 

RELATED STORIES
15 Halloween Costumes You Can Make with Amazon Boxes
18 Fun Things to Make with a Toilet Paper Roll
30 Easy & Fun Paper Crafts for Kids

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4 Creative Ways to Introduce Kids to Poetry

by Amber Guetebier

Think all poetry has to rhyme? These inventive ways to teach kids about poetry are all about the free verse. All you need is imagination, a sense of humor and a few craft supplies. Read on for our four ways to teach your little bohemian the fine art of poetry.

cut up method of poetry collage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

For the Baby Beatnik
Beat Generation writer William Burroughs’  “cut-up” method works strikingly well for the half-pint crowd. Think of it as a collage with words. Get out the safety scissors, grab some magazines and cut out words. You can also write words on paper and cut them out. Once you’ve got them cut up, toss them in the air. The order that they land in is the order you write down or recite.
Tip: Stick to words kids will recognize like animals and colors and don’t forget your articles (a, an, the) and conjunctions (and, but, if). Schoolhouse Rock flashbacks, anyone?

photo: Niall David Photography 

For the Nature Lover
If you prefer your poetry in the garden Emily Dickinson-style,  try rock art poetry. Using waterproof ink and stamps or paint or paint pens, write words or individual letters on smooth stones. Arrange the words into a simple verse. As an added bonus, you can rearrange it anytime.

kids books stack spine poetry
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

For the Aspiring Avant Garde
Book spine poetry is about as simple as they get and a great intro for kids to poetry. Just stack books spine out and recite. For example:

What am I?
My Father’s Dragon
Demolition
The Dark

For the Free-Lovin’ Free Verser
Elementary school teachers will tell you the secret to those adorable poems your kids bring home are based on this easy method known as cinquain (pronounced “sin-kane”). It’s a five-line poem, with a 1, 2, 3, 4, 1 sequence. There are variations on the method, but here’s one you can try with yours:

Line 1: one word, noun
Line 2: two words, adjectives to describe the noun in line 1
Line 3: three words, verbs that relate to line 1
Line 4: four words, feelings that relate to line 1 (make this one a complete sentence, e.g., “It makes me laugh.”)
Line 5: one word, noun/synonym for line 1

Example:

Rabbit
Fuzzy and white
Hopping, Sniffing, Hiding
How I Love You
Bunny

—Amber Guetebier; photos by Amber Guetebier except where noted.

Featured image: iStock 

RELATED STORIES:

Haiku for You: Simple Haiku Writing for Kids 

How to Write a Limerick with Your Kids

Fill-in-the-Blank Poetry Fun 

Beyond Mother Goose: Best Poets for Kids 

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Sweet Valentine’s Day Activities for Families

by Christine Lai

Love is in the air! There are plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the family and spread some love and we gathered up a few of our favorite ideas to get you started. There are themed hikes, arts and crafts and baking classes to whip up extra special treats.

iStock

Take Your Kids to a Local Candy Shop
Treat your favorite little sweet tooth to a local sweet shop visit that has all the heart-shaped macarons you could ever desire. 

Share the Love
Show some love for the grandparents, neighbors or anyone who needs a little cheering up with a DIY Valentine's Day card or pick up a Valentine’s Day Cards Take Home Craft Kit beginning Feb. 5 or check out a Cards Galore event on Feb. 12

Celebrate Love at the Lake
Lake Chabot hosts a special Valentine’s Day escape with a two hour rental of a decorated, covered patio boat complete with a picnic basket full of snacks and treats. Enjoy an idyllic family Valentine’s day adventure out on the water! Feb 1 - 28. Event details.

Take the Valentine Kindness Challenge
Ideas of how to generously spread love every day of the month are available in this challenge. 

Splurge on Fancy Hot Cocoa
These Bay Area shops have all the fancied-up hot cocoa that you want this Valentine's Day. Be sure to try the spicy versions if you can take the heat! 

Watch Penguins Waddle for Valentine cards
Visit Cal Academy’s penguins as they receive felt Valentine’s cards that they love using to line their nests. Can’t make it down to the museum? Watch the live stream here. Feb. 12 & 13, Event details 

Join a Baking Class to Make a Special Valentine’s Day Treat
Calling all bakers! Kids will love learning how to make Heart cupcakes Feb. 10 or Cake pops Feb. 14. 

San Francisco Ferry Building

Visit a Pop Up Flower Wall
It’s back! The Insta-worthy flower wall at the Ferry Building is back for sweet photo ops along with craft activity stations and other delicious surprises to be found in the Ferry Building. Feb. 13. Event details

Get Outside for Love
Drop by the Del Valle Visitor's center where kids will learn about friendship and love in the wild in this drop-in program also design Valentine’s day cards to take home. Feb. 12. Event details 

Join one of the following Valentine themed hikes: Love is in the Air Hike Feb. 5,  Black Diamond Love Stories hike Feb 12, Art for the Heart Hike & Crafts Feb. 12

 

Laurie Berkner

Valentine’s Day Family Concert
Iconic children's musician Laurie Berkner invites everyone to celebrate the sweetest day of the year at a special LIVE virtual family concert. Fans of all ages can decorate their homes for Valentine's Day and wear something fun and valentine-y to the show. Feb. 13. Event details. 

Visit the Hearts & Crafts Market
Daggett Plaza celebrates Valentine’s Day with local artists and makers who will have treats, flowers and jewelry along with a live jazz band. Feb 12., Event details 

Little GF Chef

Get Hungry for Love

Valentine’s Day often involves sweet treats so we like to try and keep things balanced with healthy snacks and meals with some of our recent favorites below:

Little GF Chef’s baking kits let families bake delicious gluten-free food at home - we loved the pizza party kit, complete with red and white checkered tablecloth! 

There can always be more cheese and Cello’s Fontal and Copper Kettle cheeses are perfect for pairing with crackers, fruit and honey.

Joi

Plant-based almond and oat milk are all the rage these days and JOI makes a sustainable concentrate that is added to water for a delicious, creamy dairy-milk alternative. We also love that JOI can easily be swapped in for all baking needs—brownies, cheesecakes cookies and more! Need more inspiration? Check out these recipes for the sweet low down. 

We couldn’t get enough of NuTrail’s keto nut granola that is delicious over milk or yogurt for either breakfast or a snack. 

—Christine Lai & Kate Loweth

featured image by iStock

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19 Sweet Valentine’s Day Recipes for Kids

44 Easy Homemade Valentine’s Day Cards

21 Adorable Valentine’s Day Gifts from Etsy That Your Kids Will Love

13 Brilliant Valentine’s Day Gifts for $20 & Under

 

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This Upcoming Book Series Will Have Your Kiddo Celebrating Their Uniqueness

by Marianella Orlando
Partner Content

Think back to your favorite movies, cartoons and books as a child. Did you have a list of beloved characters that you needed in every toy possible? Maybe it was a zany animal, a cuddly creature or a lifelike friend.

Now, imagine them all coming to life. That’s exactly what Kip, a shy girl living in a boisterous city, finds herself encountering in The Odds.

A graphic novel written and illustrated by bestselling children’s author Matt Stanton, The Odds follows protagonist Kip and her eventful journey of meeting ten fictional characters in the real world. As the first installment of Stanton’s book series for kiddos, readers of all ages will find themselves immersed in the challenges Kip faces from meeting her imaginary group.

One morning, Kip wakes up to find herself face-to-face with characters she’s either seen in TV shows, video games, her nightmares and even her father’s drawings. Known as “The Odds,” the quirky ensemble is made up of a dragon-hunting rabbit, a ninja, a race-car driver, an older man and a scaredy pants dinosaur. Thankfully, she has her dad by her side to help her with being forced to step outside of her timid bubble and down the path to self-discovery.

With Stanton’s colorful illustrations, humorous plot and heartwarming messaging, The Odds is a read the entire family will love—parents, included! Through Kip’s coming-of-age reflections, kids will learn about creating their own identity, developing new friendships, facing their fears and accepting themselves for who they are.

The Odds is hitting bookshelves on Jan. 4, 2022, so be sure to mark your calendars to grab a copy!

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When You’re at Your Lowest & Nobody Knows

By Laura Costas

Today’s theme is: a time you were at your lowest and nobody knew.

This was Alex’s grade seven graduation day. We were beyond ecstatic. Alex did not enjoy elementary school for the most part. Grade seven was the exception. It was a perfect mix of a fantastic teacher, wonderful aide and a group of lovely kids who all made him feel comfortable and accepted.

The majority of the rest of his time there was hard on all of us. There were so many times when he resisted going. To the point of us having to pry his fingers off the doorframe to not be late.

We got a lot of calls, emails and daily reports about how he wasn’t able to do this or that. He wasn’t even able to just ‘be’ at school. It was disheartening and often traumatic, to say the least. This was a period of years when he had a lot of meltdowns. We were almost always on eggshells waiting for the next one to happen.

This graduation day started off great. We were so happy to be moving on while simultaneously anxious about what high school would bring. I pressed his clothes and helped him dress. I took a moment to admire my handsome boy in his new shirt and blazer that I had bought special for the occasion. He fidgeted a little but managed.

I proceeded to get myself ready and it all started to hit me. The auditorium would soon be filled with all the school staff, students and lots and lots of families. What if it’s all too much for him? What if he has an epic meltdown and we need to physically escort him out of there screaming and crying with all those eyes on us? My face got hot at the thought. All the memories from the past eight years came back. The thought of what if high school is no better?

My mind went down the rabbit hole, and before I knew it, I was breathing really shallow. I felt like I was suffocating. I started to sweat and tremble. I raced to the window and threw it open and stuck my head out for some fresh air, but it was already warm out so that didn’t help. I was having a full on panic attack. I realized it too which made me panic even more. Thankfully, I turned the cold water on and splashed my face and neck and it kind of snapped me out.

I then proceeded to bawl my eyes out and silently ask why everything has to be so hard and why can’t we just enjoy this day like everyone else? I took a few minutes to collect myself and reapply my now smeared makeup.

I didn’t tell anyone. We went to the graduation ceremony and ended up having one of the best days ever with Alex. He was happy and smiling and we got some amazing pictures. No meltdowns. Probably helped that we kept reminding him after that day that he would never have to go back and then we were getting a treat after, lol.

I remember sitting in that school auditorium, looking around at all the parents and thinking, “If you only knew what it took to get us here.”

This post originally appeared on The Autism Ride on Facebook.

Hi! My name is Laura and I'm a mom of two beautiful kids in Vancouver, Canada. I write a blog on Facebook called The Autism Ride, all about the ups and downs in life with our teenaged son on the spectrum.

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