Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest
This holiday season, travel to Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis, Florida, where you can pick and cut your very own Christmas tree! —————– In 1986, Jack and Judy Ewing joined the Florida Christmas Tree association, and a year later planted their first Christmas trees. In 1989, they opened Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest to the public and... Read More
Traditional Thanksgiving with a Celebrity Twist
Serving up the same old traditional Thanksgiving recipes is simply for the birds. Ever wonder what holiday spread celebrity chefs cook up for their festive feast? As Emeril Lagasse would say, “Bam,” it’s time for holiday meal makeover! Please your family’s palates with these Thanksgiving favorites “kicked up a notch” from Chefs Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck. Plus,... Read More
Festive Native American Napkin Ring & Place Setting
Turkey and ham and yams, Oh My! Stuffing, green beans, and butter on rye. Cobblers and pies a mouthwatering surprise. Thanksgiving is on its way. First comes the location, then the guest list…plans for Thanksgiving are officially underway! This year, when considering how to adorn your holiday table, invite your children to help by creating personalized place settings. These dual-purpose... Read More
Crispy Good FrankenTreats!
Crispy Frankenstein Treats Turn ordinary crispy cereal treats into cute green monsters! Prep time: 1 hour Total time: 2 hours Makes: 18 bars Bar Ingredients 1/4 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter 1 (10-ounce) package (40) large marshmallows 1 teaspoon green food color 6 cups crispy rice cereal 18 wooden craft sticks, if desired Decorations Black or white decorator icing or... Read More
Fort De Soto Park – Family Troops Enjoy Campground Fun!
Located just off the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, Fort De Soto Park embodies a long military history. Yet, these days, it is better known as a family fun site thanks to its seemingly untouched, pristine beaches, an abundance of kid-friendly activities, and spacious campgrounds. The park is the largest in Pinellas County and spreads over 1,136 acres on five interconnected keys filled... Read More
Dog Feeding Sign
Paws down… with this very handy sign, you won’t need to worry about when your dog was last fed. Materials: Thin Wood Sign (available at your local craft store) Acrylic Paint & Paintbrush or Colored Markers Ribbon (12” length) Wooden Decals (optional) Hot Glue Gun Steps: Paint a base coat on both sides of the wood sign, any color (we chose black). Paint or color the... Read More
The Dancing Grapes Experiment
Not enough time on your hands to think of scientific experiments your child can do? Think that most require lots of shopping? Actually, you’ll find most of what you need to conduct meaningful experiments right in your kitchen. The challenge, however, is knowing what to do. Science is all about discovering how things work and trying to solve problems. Simple, hands-on experiments... Read More
Orange County Regional History Center – Taking a Step Back in Time
Have you ever wanted to travel through time? Here’s your chance. Go on a wild adventure through history at the Orange CountyRegional History Center! In 1942, as part of the Central Florida Centennial Celebration, the Orange County Regional History Center opened its doors to the public as a “pioneer kitchen exhibit” in the old red brick, 1892 Orange County Courthouse. The... Read More
Glass-Bead Picture Frame
This craft is one that kids can easily make…just in time for Grandparents’ Day on September 9. Really make Nana and Grandpa’s day special and let the kids put a photo of themselves into this colorful frame for a unique, personal gift. Materials you will need: Wooden picture frame (craft store) or old framed mirror. Make sure frame has a flat surface and is wide enough to... Read More
Back to School “WOW” Board
With the end of summer vacation (sigh…) comes the start of a new school year. Soon your child will be working on new projects and accomplishing new things. But instead of just hanging your child’s important academic, artistic, and sporting accomplishments with a standard, run-of-the-mill refrigerator magnet, why not feature these milestones on a personal WOW Board made with... Read More
Titanic: The Experience
Titanic sets sail again for its 100th Year Voyage! Step aboard the most famous, exquisite ship in history and experience the voyage of a lifetime. —————————- Titanic: The Experience, located on International Drive in Orlando, is a first class attraction acquired by RMS Titanic, Inc. in 2011 and completely redesigned in January... Read More
A Legoland Adventure
Brick by brick, your family will be amazed at these architectural wonders. And when they are done LEGO gazing, there are roller coasters, shows, a water adventure park, and lots more. It was 1932 in Denmark when Ole Kirk Christiansen began making wooden toys in his small workshop he named “LEGO.” In his wildest dreams, he probably never imagined that his passion would turn... Read More
Old Fashioned Taffy Pull
Ingredients: 2 cups sugar 2 tablespoons corn starch 1 cup light corn syrup 2 teaspoons glycerin (optional) ¾ cup water 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon salt ¼ to 1 teaspoon flavoring (vanilla, lemon, banana, coconut) 3 drops food coloring (optional) Mix together first 7 ingredients in a 3-4 Qt. sauce pan. Place sauce pan over medium heat and stir with a bamboo spoon until sugar... Read More
Beach Treat Cups
INGREDIENTS: 1 Box of Blue Gelatin Mix (3oz box makes 4) Clear, Small Plastic Cups Graham Crackers Gummy Fish Paper Parasols DIRECTIONS: Prepare half a batch of the blue gelatin mix per package instructions and fill each plastic cup halfway. Place in refrigerator until thickened. Place gummy fish on top of mixture. Prepare the remainder of gelatin mix and fill each cup to the... Read More
Popsicle Delights!
Your kids will feel COOL eating these scrumptious juice pops. You will need: 1 cup of Strawberry /Kiwi Juice 1 cup of Orange Juice 1 cup of Lemonade 1/2 of a 3 oz. pack of Strawberry Jello 1/2 of a 3 oz. pack of Orange Jello 1/2 of a 3 oz. pack of Lemon Jello Popsicle Sticks & Trays Optional – you can add real fresh fruit to the juice blends prior to freezing. Do you... Read More
Wild & Wacky Water Games
Summer time means pool time for most of us. And whether you own your own pool or visit the local pool or beach, it’s always fun to play in the water. Having several game ideas on hand for the kids to play in the water can keep them from getting bored. Don’t have a pool? That’s OK – some of these fun games are easily played with a sprinkler. So, dig out those swimsuits and... Read More
Simple Science: Air Pressure Experiments
Hey kids (and parents)! Ever wonder about the term “air pressure?” With a couple of simple experiments, we can demonstrate that air wants to travel from high pressure to low pressure. There is an old saying that “Nature dislikes a vacuum.” Of course, this does not mean a vacuum cleaner, but rather refers to a lack of air. What is “pressure?” Air pressure is basically... Read More
Playing with Your Food Can be Good for You
What’s better than pizza and ice cream? Pizza, ice cream, and watermelon…of course! Summertime means plenty of play time; so, why not play with your food? Finding creative ways to enjoy healthy foods like watermelon is a great way to encourage the whole family to eat well and have fun while doing it. Here are two ways you can get the whole family in on some fun and healthy eating: Watermelon... Read More
Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island
A peaceful, relaxed destination for family fun. Easy to get to, hard to forget Summertime means lazy days and family vacations, a time to regroup with those you love most. Family experts agree that both children and parents need that reconnection only a family vacation provides and the memories are something that will never go out of style or be forgotten. There’s no need to spend... Read More
Camp – More Than Fun For Kids
When your child goes to camp, you know he’s going to meet new kids, make friends, and have fun. Yet, the camp experience can provide much more than just a great time. Camp offers kids a wide variety of experiences to expand their thinking, strengthen their self-esteem, and enhance their self-reliance. Build Confidence Camp provides opportunities for kids to build confidence. Both... Read More
Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter
Butterflies land on your fingertip and even your nose at this Oviedo attraction! We pulled into the crunchy gravel parking lot at Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter in Oviedo, Florida with a sense of adventure. My grandkids and I were about to embark on a tropical adventure and become one with the butterfly and its habitat. In 2004, the owners of Lukas Nursery, a fourth generation... Read More
