Austin Kids' Directory Blog
10 Tips & Tricks to Tackle the Summer Heat
Don’t let the heat keep you and your family from having a great summer. Although temperatures can soar into the triple digits, there are still plenty of opportunities to stay active in the mornings and evenings, in the shade, in the water or even indoors. By following a few simple tips, you and your family can stay safe while creating a lifetime of great summer memories.
1. Time Your Outside Play – Set times to play outside, when it’s not too hot. Staying active helps release built-up energy. But be on the lookout for signs of overheating, and know what to do when your child gets too hot.
2. Wear Sunscreen – Always use sunscreen when outside, whether it’s sunny or cloudy. UV rays can still burn skin even with no sun. Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours, especially if you’re sweating or in the water.
3. Stay hydrated! - It’s easy to get distracted with playing and having a good time, but always take time to have a drink. Carry a water bottle, especially when doing outdoor activities.
4. Be Water Aware – Kids love going to the pool during summer, so it’s important they know how to be safe in and around water. Parents also have a responsibility to watch their kids at all times, even if a lifeguard is on duty. The YMCA offers swimming and water safety classes that give children the skills they need. Financial assistance is also available. To register or find more information, visit www.SinkTheStats.org.
5. Bug Off! – If your child attends summer camp or is just playing outside, make sure they apply bug repellant. Insects can carry illness and bites or stings can be painful. Be cautious around unusual bugs, and don’t let your kids touch them.
6. Stay Nourished – Be sure to pack healthy, nutritious foods to fuel your summer adventures. But don’t forget the opportunities to let kids be involved with cooking meals. Summer is a great time for kids to learn their way around the kitchen. Although, children may not be ready to cook completely on their own, it’s good for them to know the basics and even experiment. The YMCA has parent/child cooking classes to teach kitchen safety and a few basic recipes. To sign up for a class, visit https://www.austinymca.org/programs/nutrition-programs.
7. Summer & Sports Camps – Summer camps and leagues sports are fun ways to stay active and try out new activities. The YMCA offers multiple sports camps and summer leagues for children 4-15 years old. The Y also offers summer day camps or mini camps for kids 4-14 years old at more than 20 area locations. For more information about the camps visit https://www.austinymca.org/programs/camp-information; For sports, visit: https://www.austinymca.org/programs/youth-sports
8. Give Back – Volunteering at food banks or animal shelters teaches responsibility and the importance of giving back to the community. To find family volunteer opportunities, visit https://www.generationserve.org/.
9. Check It Out – Go to the library every week and check out an armful of books. Set aside reading time to read to your child or on their own. Keeping your child’s mind sharp and educated will help prevent summer learning loss.
10. Take It Inside – For those rainy, summer days be ready with a list of fun things to do inside. Collect some cardboard and get creative: build a fort or a rocket ship or castle. Plan an arts and crafts project. Read a book or watch a fun family-friendly movie.
With a little planning, and a focus on safety, kids and families will be guaranteed to have a great summer.
The 2019-20 Field Trip Guide is Now Available!
Looking for more fun activities for your child? Or are you in charge of fundraising for your child's school or group this fall? The Annual Field Trip & Teacher Resource Guide is not just for teachers! This resource is organized by categories like field trips, fundraising, school carnival planning etc. All of the important contact information like addresses, websites, and phone numbers are at your fingertips making it quick and easy to contact the advertisers listed in the guide.
This free annual publication is distributed to public and private schools, childcare locations, doctor's offices, children's retail and children's activity locations in the Austin metro area, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Hutto and Georgetown. The Field Trip & Teacher Resource Guide can also be accessed by clicking here for an online version.
Questions about the guide or where you can find a copy near you? Give us a call at 512-263-2916!
Find Camper Jack Giveaway!
The Austin Kid's Directory Find Camper Jack Giveaway is back this June!
First look through a copy of the June issue to find the cute little dog, Camper Jack. You can also hunt for him by looking at our online version at http://austinkidsdirectory.com/directory/flip/. Once you find him just send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and tell us which ad you found him in and you will be entered into our drawing for some summer FUN prizes like:
* 4 tickets + a parking pass to a Friday Fireworks Round Rock Express Game
* 4 passes for a round of golf at Monster Mini Golf
* 4 tickets to Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
* 4 passes to Playland Skate Center
Drawings will be held each week during the month of June so the earlier you enter, the better your chances! One entry per person! Winners will be notified via email. Good luck!
The 2019-2020 Childcare and School Guide is Here!
Are you in search of childcare or schools in Austin? Every year we publish a Childcare and School Guide to help parents find out what is available in the Austin metro area by publishing and distributing this annual publication. The latest edition is now being distributed!
This guide is organized by area making it easy to find childcares, preschools and schools in your neighborhood or close to work. You will also find information about enrichment activities, after school care, drop in child care, tutoring and more.
Take a look at the new 2019-20 online edition of the Childcare and School Guide by visiting our website!
May 11th is Lemonade Day!!!
Lemonade stands have a long history in the US, dating back to the late 1800’s. Having a lemonade stand for children is both early introduction to entrepreneurship and a fun rite of passage. While lemonade stands can range from simple to sophisticated, here are some tips for your kids to have the best stand in the ‘hood.
Question and answer yourself first: Before you make your first pitcher of lemonade, ask yourself important questions. Why do you want to start a business? What do you want to learn from this experience? Do you want a business partner or to work alone? Write down your answers and build your goals from that.
Figure our your costs and supplies: Determine the costs of running your business. Write a checklist of items—don’t forget lemonade and serving supplies, ice, your stand, posters, etc.—and figure out your cost per cup. Then determine how much to charge per cup. Your pricing should cover your costs and make some money on each cup, but not be so high that people will not buy. Also, finalize how you get the money to start your business—usually a loan from a friend or family member and make an agreement to pay them back after your stand.
Set your $ goals: Set your financial goals. How much do you wish to make once your costs and loans are repaid? What will you do with your money? Lemonade Day recommends that with their earnings kids, “Save Some, Share Some (non profit) and Spend Some.”
Location, location, location: Look for safe places with lots of vehicle or foot traffic. Or contact the managers of a local business to get permission to set up in front of their store. Wherever you locate your stand, check with your city or municipality beforehand to determine if a food permit is needed. If you’re going to be set up on a running/bike trail where people might not carry cash but have their phone with them, consider accepting Venmo or other wireless payments and listing that on your signage.
Determine what makes your stand unique and diversify your offerings: What makes your stand a step above the rest? Do you offer multiple flavors? Secret family recipe? Do you have the coldest lemonade or the warmest customer service? Will your proceeds benefit a charity? Will you offer baked goods, or free hugs or anything in addition to your lemonade? Whatever it is, make sure your customers know about it through your products, marketing and communications.
Make your stand…a stand out: Make sure your stand is functional and fabulous! Use pictures from the web, Pinterest or other sites to get inspiration for your stand. Signage should be easy to read, even from far away, and include name, pricing and important information. Decorate with props: fresh ingredients, flowers or objects that go along with your theme. Offer a free sample or something to giveaway with each cup sold. Try a 2-for-one or volume discount. Also, promote your stand ahead of time through social media or flyers in the neighborhood. Make sure people know when and where to find you!
Deliver great customer service: The most important asset to any business is its customers, so practice with your family before you go out to sell. Determine ahead of time what you both will say to people when they walk up to the stand. Make good eye contact, remember your manners and thank your customers.
Recap after the event: A good entrepreneur never stops learning. Write down what you did well with your stand, what goals you achieved, didn’t achieve and what you could improve upon in the future. Compare your results against your goals and budget. Have fun and continue to learn about and spread the love of entrepreneurship.
For additional lemonade stand resources, please visit: https://lemonadeday.org/resources
Lemonade Day is a free entrepreneurial program for children. On May 11th, in Austin, kids will set up stands all around the city in honor of Lemonade Day. Registration is still open if you'd like to take part in Lemonade Day Austin 2019! Register at: https://lemonadeday.org/austin.
Please go out and support a future entrepreneur on 5/11! A map of stands can be found at: https://lemonadeday.org/austin/stands-map
