creativechild.

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AUGUST 2017

Back to
SCHOOL
THE MUST-HAVE
LIST THAT MONEY
CAN’T BUY

PACKS
FOR
PINTS
UNIQUE
BACKPACKS
FOR KIDS OF
ALL AGES

CUTE CRAFTS

D.I.Y.
6 FUN
IDEAS
CUSTOM TO BATTLE
PENCIL END OF SUMMER
CASES! BOREDOM
 CONTENTS

in Season
5 Battle End of Summer Boredom
31 Tips for Children Changing Schools

about our cover

11 MadPax Backpacks

editor's choice
19 A Back-to-School List You Can’t Buy

kid's kitchen
27 Simple Beach Cups

craft corner
15 DIY Pencil Cases
39 Easy Tile Art
1
 CREATIVE CHILD

S T A F F
publisher/editor-in-chief
Scott Reichert

Operations director
Diane Morse

Art Director
Katy Stewart

marketing director
Marikate Wilson

digital content editor

Jenna Gleason

contributing WRITERS
Sarah Lyons
Deborah Song
Rebecca Eanes​
Michelle Dempsey
Web Developer
B&R Designs

president of MARKETING & ADVERTISING

Melissa Vincent
[email protected] | 818.897.9999

associate publisher
Mindy Reichert

Published by: Scooterbay Publishing, Inc.

2505 Anthem Village Dr. #E619 - Henderson, NV 89052
ph 702.837.2734 | fax 702.837.2701
scooterbaymedia.com

The Scooterbay Network:

3
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any of the upcoming shows:
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Children’son ourNew
Club, website!
York, #1782 &
FN Platform, Las Vegas; #80459

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 in season

Battle
End of Summer
Boredom
BY: Sarah Lyons

After the end of the school year

excitement fades and the thrill of
a trip to the pool wears off, I begin
to notice the first signs of summer
boredom settling in. The kids start
to bicker, they seem to be drawn
more to electronics and less to fun
outings, and getting them to pitch
in around the house is a chore
in of itself. After checking the
calendar and noting that the first
day of school is still weeks away,
something has to be done to battle
the boredom.

5
Change the Scenery
When the kids seem antsy and bored, try a change of
scenery for a quick mood adjustment. Go for a walk,
play in the backyard, hop into the car and do some
errands, or even play in a area of the house that you
don’t commonly use for play. We all get stir crazy if
we stay in the same place too long.

Take a Day Trip

Speaking of changing the scenery, consider taking
a day trip to break up the long summer days. Explore
local attractions or travel a few hours to visit a nearby
city. A trip to the zoo, amusement park, museum, or
water park can give you and the kids something to look
forward to and break up the boredom. If a bigger day
trip isn’t in the budget, pack a lunch and spend the day
at neighboring town’s park. Google to see what free
activities are in your area. There are often seasonal
activities that you may not be aware of.

Give in to Electronics
It won’t hurt to give in to the desire to play on tablets
and watch TV once in awhile. Plan a movie marathon
or let the kids have extra screen time to help kill the
boredom of the end of summer days. Take a trip to the
library to get some new books and exchange reading
minutes for extra screen time. The kids will be happy
with their bonus game time and they will sharpen
their reading skills before school starts.

6
 in season

Pick a Project
If your house is anything like mine, there are always unfinished projects
to work on. Clean the closets, sort the toys, or work in the yard. Teach your
kids how to bake a cake or encourage them to plan a menu and cook dinner.
You may need to assist depending on the age of your children. Give them
chores they have never tried before so they have the benefit of learning
something new and you gain the added bonus of a cleaner house.

7
Put a Crab in Water
An old friend once told me “Put a
crab in water.” which is a solution
for any age. A bath or shower can
lighten anyone’s mood whether you
are dealing with a fussy baby or an
exhausted mom. Water play can also
lighten the mood. Head to the pool,
set up the sprinkler in the backyard,
fill some water balloons, or visit the
beach. A day playing in water can turn
your kids from grumpy to happy in no
time.

Host a Playdate
Invite some friends over for the day.
Someone new to play with and talk to
can lighten the mood and give siblings
a much needed break from playing
(and fighting) with each other. As a
stay-at-home mom, I love to invite
other moms and their kids over. The
moms enjoy adult conversation while
kids enjoy play time and everyone is
glad for a break from the typical day.
The end of summer may feel long
now but before we know it the kids
will be back in school and the schedule
will be full of activities and we will
be craving a day off. In the meantime,
make the best of the long, lazy days of
summer and battle summer boredom
one day at a time.•
8
 ™

R
R A
ACCEE!!
F
FAACCEE””
Y
YOOUURR
N
IIN
HEE ““
TTH

AVAILABLE AT:

bit.ly/BNSHABOOM
 about our cover

PACK TO SCHOOL
WITH MADPAX
BY: digital media team & madpax
The pack is BACK, the
original MadPax. We rock
what is new and now for
kids of all ages. Request
a fly by and see what is
on board for the Pack to
School season.

11
 The world is dynamic and your
backpack should be no different.
Your pack should scream fast
and fresh, funky and where did
you get that? MadPax is for you!
From top to bottom, inside and
out, all the way around. Grab it,
ground it and rock it! But what
are MadPax? (for those who ask
that is…)
MadPax represents the
evolution of the backpack. We
rock 3D backpacks and power-
packcessories that are two parts
funk, a pound of punk and a dash
of double dare. So take a bite!
MadPax are for kids of ALL
ages, yes that means you. It’s
time… Express yourself with
the perfect fusion of fashion
and funk-tionality. Our unique
packs have all the pouches,
pockets and zippered capacity
that make no concession to
utility.
We make a positively progres-
sive pack and roll it into the ac-
cessory of your choice…Size,
surfaces and colours that any-
one would crave. So dig in!
Welcome to the fun factory.
We’ve been waiting for you. •
FIND THESE PACKS & MORE AT MADPAX.COM!

12
 VisitVisit
our us
booth
at booth
at ASTRA
#449
#920

High Quality Award Winning Educational Products for Children

Over 40
new items
for 2017!

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT US:

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Toll free: 1-877-839-3969 • Tel: 1-602-787-1115 • Fax: 1-623-879-0125 • Email: [email protected]
Connect with us today!
 craft corner

D.I.Y.
Pencil Cases
This easy DIY pencil case project is just in time for Back
to School season. All you will need is a plastic zipper folder,
glue, shoelaces and a sharpie marker. Gather your kids and
let’s get started on this awesome pouch!
BY: Digital Media team

15
materials:
• Plastic Zipper Folder
• 1 Pair of White Shoelaces
• 1 Pair of Green Shoelaces
• Hot Glue Gun
• Sharpie Marker
• White Paint

directions:
1. Cut a half circle out of the folder (cut after the
zipper in order to close the pencil case).
2. Next, staple the ends all around the outer edge of
the circle.
3. Hot glue one green shoelace to the edge of the circle
to cover the staples. Next glue the white shoe lace
right below the green to give the appearance of
the white layer in a watermelon. Do this to both
the front and back. Cut off the plastic ends of the
shoelaces and use a lighter to burn the frayed ends.
4. Draw seeds with sharpie and white seeds in paint
at random to make it look just like a watermelon.
Then you’re done!
Tip: For a different fruit simply swap out the folder
colors and shoelaces. For example use a yellow folder
with white and green shoelaces for a lemon case.
Using the base of this craft, use felt paper to design
anything you want such as a soccer ball, baseball, or
even a moon.

16
 “
Adorable horses and
fantastic app -- my 5 year
old is in love with both!
Trot to talk. I have yet to find product that
incorporates her love for screen
Piccoli Plush Toy
time with my desire for her to be
Horses and Apps active. As a mom - it is the best of
www.PiccoliHorses.com both worlds!
+1-859-469-4343
Buy a horse and download the app
[email protected] - you won’t be disappointed.
3 Simple Words, LLC. Somerset, KY Amanda, Emily’s mom
®
 editor’s choice

The Back-to-School List

You Can’t Buy
BY: Rebecca Eanes

A nother summer is coming to an end. Back-to-school items are

bursting out of shelves everywhere. Backpacks, notebooks,
pencils, calculators, you can find all the material necessities to get your
child ready for the new school year, but there are some things your child
needs before the first day of school that money can’t buy. Below is a list
of skills that will help make your child’s school year successful.

19
Assertiveness
We want our children to stand up for
themselves and what they believe in. We want
them to confidently communicate their ideas
and feelings. These are skills that can be taught
which will help our children to be more successful
in their personal and, one day, professional
lives. Assertiveness helps kids build confidence,
healthy relationships, and self-esteem.
Assertiveness isn’t bossiness or aggression. It
isn’t being demanding without considering the
feelings of others. Assertiveness is the ability to
create boundaries and advocate for oneself. To
teach your child to be assertive:
1. Model assertiveness. When you create
a boundary and hold it with empathy, you are
modeling assertiveness. When you state what
you need from your child in a respectful way,
you’re modeling assertiveness. When you speak
up at the restaurant that your order is wrong
but you do so showing respect and kindness, you
model assertiveness.
2. Give your child choices. Allowing her to
choose her own hairstyle or clothing teaches her
that her voice matters. Of course, children can’t
always make their own decisions or they’d have
chips and fruit snacks for dinner, but giving
them control where you can will help them build
this skill.

20
 editor’s choice

3. Teach your child to speak up.

Role-playing is a great way to teach
assertiveness skills because you can
practice what words to say and the
tone in which to say them. Practice
this several times a week until your
child feels comfortable with it.
Find more examples of assertiveness
here and learn more tips for teaching
your child this skill here.

21
Problem-Solving
Children who can solve problems and think outside
the box possess a valuable skill as this helps them cope
with the problems they will face. This skill takes time to
develop, and young children need a lot of help from their
parents. Yet, as children get older, we should allow them
to take more control over their problems. This builds
creativity, persistence, and confidence.
1. Identify the problem. Teach your child to state
clearly what the problem is. “I want the doll but Janice
has it.”
2. Generate solutions. Once the problem has been
identified, brainstorm solutions with your child. Try to
give your child the leeway here, offering ideas if they get
stuck. “If you take the doll, how would that play out?
Yes, that would lead to an argument and isn’t respectful.
What about asking Janice for a turn or finding another
doll to play with?”
3. Follow through with your solution and see if it
works. If she decides to ask for the doll and Janice tells
her she will get a turn next, then help her wait patiently
until her turn comes. If Janice seems to forget or just
puts the doll down, have her say, “May I have my turn
now?” If Janice is unwilling to share, brainstorm new
solutions.
4. If the solution fails, go back to step 2.

Read my article Raising a Problem-Solver.

22
 editor’s choice

communication skills
1. Teach her to use “I feel”
statements. “I feel sad when you
won’t let me play” is both assertive
and good communication as it does
not attack the other person.
2. Help your child develop good
listening skills. Read aloud to them
and then ask questions about what
you just read. Tell them about your
day and have them repeat back to
you what you said. Practicing this
often will help your child become an
excellent listener.

23
 3. Talk to your child about nonverbal
language. Practice by using several body
gestures and ask her what it communicates.
You might try slumping over and looking away,
rolling your eyes, crossing your arms, and
different facial expressions.

Friendship Skills
Some children just seem to be a natural at making
friends. They get invited to all the parties and are
always surrounded by a group. Others struggle
with this crucial skill. Fortunately, teaching
your child good social skills will help them make
friends and build positive relationships. Below
is a list of friendship making skills to work on
with your child. Again, role-play is a valuable
teaching tool here.
• Eye contact
• Active listening
• Knows how to start a conversation
• Asks to join in
• Exhibits good manners
• Emotional intelligence (identifies and
expresses them appropriately)
• Respects personal space
• Read social cues •

24
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Jenga® is a registered trademark of Pokonobe Associates. Jenga® Throw ‘n Go!™ is a trademark owned by Pokonobe Associates. ©2017 Pokonobe Associates. Used under license
from Pokonobe Associates. All rights reserved.
 KIDS’ KITCHEN

Simple
BEACH CUPS
BY: digital media team
These simple beach cups are a yummy delight, and
oh so fun! You may even have all the ingredients in
your pantry. They are easy to prepare and fun to eat
with your kids. Enjoy!

27
INGREDIENTS:
• Vanilla Pudding Cups
• Graham Crackers
• Gummy Bears
• Life Savers
• Goldfish
• Plastic Bag

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place graham crackers in a plastic bag and
roll over it with a rolling pin to crush the
crackers to a fine sandy texture.
2. Open your pudding cups. Scoop out a
spoon full of the pudding, and place some
graham cracker sand in the center. The
place the pudding back in the container.
3. Place more “sand” on top. Add gummy
bears, gold fish, life savers and an umbrella
on top. Then you’re ready to serve!

28
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 in season

10 Tips for Parents

WHOSE CHILDREN ARE
ATTENDING NEW SCHOOLS
Starting a new school can be scary, and what I’m going to say
next is not that it doesn’t have to be. All significant change is
intimidating for a child. Remember kids crave routine. Even if
change doesn’t happen directly in your child’s life but happens
to your child, those external changes can have profound effects
on a child’s life as well.
BY: deborah song

31
 When my oldest daughter’s best friend switched
schools, she moped around for weeks and refused
to play with anyone else. Meanwhile, her best
friend visited the nurse’s office three times in
two weeks and finally made the admission that
she didn’t want to be in class because she had no
friends. They reluctantly went to school wearing
each other’s pictures in lock necklaces we made
them. Her mom and I exchanged stories via text
message through tears. We lived five miles apart.
Melodramatic? Depends on the kid.
My youngest daughter was sad too when her
best friend moved to China. But only for a day. I
barely flinched because she barely flinched.
The effects of significant change vary from
child to child and from move to move. The
empowering part and constant in this equation
is there’s actually a lot parents can do to make
the change in their child’s life become a defining
and empowering moment. Here are 10 ways to
help our child have a successful transition to
their new school or circumstance.
• Deal with guilt. Maybe you had to uproot for
work or because of financial circumstances.
It’s easy to feel guilty but your best is good
enough. Besides, guilt makes you want to run
from situations so holding onto it will only
lessen your ability to confront challenges
with your child.

32
 in season

• Acknowledge your child’s

plight. Sometimes our best
parental intentions to
protect our kids end with
belittling statements like,
“You’ll be fine. Try not to
think about it.” Parents
often think that if we don’t
give attention to our kids’
fears, they won’t either.
Not true. Repressing fears
don’t make them go away.
Acknowledge that what your
child is facing or will face is
a legitimate challenge. Then
reassure him he is not alone
and that bravery is acting in
spite of fear.

33
• Be patient. You might find kids are withdrawn,
more sensitive, not doing as well in school, being
uncooperative,” says Suzy Martyn, founder
of Mother’s Friend. This may prove very frustrating.
But try to remember this will pass with time. Make the
appropriate allowances for this transition period and
have realistic expectations.
• Embrace the challenge. Now onto the fun part. Give
your child his due attention, then continue on with
life. Don’t let the insurmountable amount of boxes
keep your family withdrawn and cooped up. Take a
stroll down your new neighborhood, find good eateries,
scope out the park, and keep doing the activities you
and your child always loved to do inside and outside the
home.
• Excite them about school. Find out what you can about
the school and the activities they offer. Maybe your
child’s new school has a stellar journalism program or
chess club. If they don’t, perhaps it’s time to create one.
Peruse the school website for fun facts, a list of classes,
extracurricular and sports activities.
• Tour the new school. “Include your kids in the
process,” suggests Debbie Glasser, Ph.D and founder
of NewsForParents.org, who moved three children to
a new state. Attend the school orientation together
or arrange for a tour. You may even try getting your
child accustomed to the new school schedule. Locate
the bathrooms, cafeteria and auditorium. Talk with
the guidance counselor. Helping your child familiarize
himself to the new school may alleviate some of his
fears on his first day of school.

34
 in season

“...To get plugged in with the new

school, contact the principal
and other school leaders and
introduce yourself. “

35
• Encourage your child to join an organization. Telling
your child not to be nervous will only get him more
focused on his anxiety. Instead divert his attention.
Delving into an activity that consumes your child’s
interest will help take the focus off of making new
friends, which is the best and most natural way to
make friends anyway.
• Parental involvement is key. Time and time again,
research shows that parent involvement at school is
critical to a child’s success. Just merely seeing mom
or dad around school will make a child feel less alone.
To get plugged in with the new school, contact the
principal and other school leaders and introduce
yourself. Getting to know other parents will likely
get your child invited to play dates and other
events, especially if your child is young. Look for
opportunities for your child to meet his classmates
over the summer.
• Stick to a routine. If seismic changes have your child
feeling unmoored, knowing what’s expected at home
can provide a soothing anchor.
• Keep in touch with old friends. Maybe old friends
don’t seem like they will be of much use to your child’s
new life. It may even seem tempting to rip off the old
band-aid and cut all ties. But consider the long-term
affects. Maintaining friendships will teach your child
that a move or change is not synonymous with the
end of a friendship and will help your child have a
healthier outlook on future life changes. •

36
Self Literacy
 craft corner

EASY
TILE
ART
This art project is a fun,
easy and inexpensive way
to express your child’s
creativity. With just a few
materials your kids can
create beautiful designs. Tile
art is a great rainy summer
BY: jenna gleason day indoor activity!

39
Materials:
• Tile Pieces
• Rubbing Alcohol (91% preferably)
• Sharpie
• Foil
Directions:
1. Wipe your tile pieces with a wet paper towel.
2. Draw! This art won’t be a portrait or a landscape for
example, but more abstract, so have fun with it!
3. Pour alcohol over the marker on the tile. You can do
drops, single pours or spray bottles, each way leaves
a different type of marble design. No too much, just
enough to spread the ink on the tile pieces.
4. Then you can let it dry the way it is and see a marble
like piece of art. If you see the alcohol is too much
and is taking way too much color just blot it off with
a paper towel and you’ll see a different type of tile
art! Then you’re done. Wait for it to cool off and
you’ve got a cool piece of tile art!

Glue tiles together to make a giant art piece to hang on

the wall or fill a room with them! Use them for a craft
room; the floor would look unique and colorful. Use them
as a background on a wall, or glue them in cool designs
and show them off in your kids play room. If your kids
want more fun for later, wipe off the tiles with alcohol
and they will be as good as new. Have fun with it!

40
 My First Lab ®

The World is Their Lab!

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• View 3D objects, specimens, and slides!

• Get a closer look with 20X and 50X
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d Slides • Super light and portable--explore on
e
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Prepar

• Top and bottom long-lasting LED lights

• Includes prepared slides ready for
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Discover more at www.myfirstlab.com!

Helping Children Discover, Learn, and Grow.
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