How To Tell Your Kids About Santa Without Looking Like A Liar

December 12, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

As kids get older, it gets harder to keep the Santa secret. But how to tell your kids about Santa without looking like a liar? That’s a tough one, and a lot of parents are afraid of approaching the subject for fear of their kid’s reaction. Today we have some good advice for talking to your kids about Santa, so you can be prepared instead of scared.

How To Tell Your Kids About Santa

Look for the signs that your kids are ready to talk about it

Have you been getting questions from your kids about who Santa really is? Or have they just out-and-out asked you if you are Santa? These are telltale signs that it is time to talk to them about Santa. It’s definitely easier said than done, though! We all like to keep belief in Santa alive and strong, because it’s fun. But it’s also a good idea to let them in on it before they hear it at school, or get teased for still believing.

It’s helpful to know that the average age when a child starts to question whether or not Santa is real is somewhere in the years between 7 and 10, depending on the child. When your child does ask you if Santa is real, ask him what he thinks before you answer. Your child’s thoughts can help guide your discussion.

Santa is a big deal to kids, so it can be hard trying to figure out how to tell your kids about Santa. It will make the whole process so much easier.

Be ready for a range of possible emotions

When your child hears that Santa isn’t real, her reaction may vary from anger or sadness to excitement. She may feel anger that you lied, or she may feel sadness that Santa isn’t real. Some kids feel like being let in on the secret is a sign that they are growing up–you can help them feel some responsibility to help keep the secret from younger siblings!

Are you stressing over trying to tell your kid that Santa isn't real? Here are the best tips on how to tell your kids about Santa. They'll help so much!

Help your child transition from believing in Santa to becoming Santa

How to tell your kids about Santa is a question some parents love to take on, and actually look forward to it. Plan ahead for this important talk. Take your child somewhere special, just the two of you–such as out for lunch or a shopping trip. Explain that she is getting old enough to “help” with Santa, and this is a big responsibility! Little kids get to experience the magic of believing in Santa, but older kids and adults get to be Santa–and that’s the most fun of all!

Not only do your kids now get to help be Santa at home, but in the community. Challenge them to think about the spirit of Santa Claus and how they can help spread it around to those who really need it. Teach them to notice the people around them, and watch for opportunities to “be Santa” to people who need it.

Great news–if your older kids help with Santa, they can also help with your Elf on the Shelf!

A Lesson in Gratitude: Thank You Letters for Santa

December 11, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

How many kids write letters to Santa asking for the stuff they want for Christmas? We all know it’s a lot! But how many of those kids write thank you letters to Santa after Christmas? Probably not nearly enough.

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You might be saying, “But what does it matter?” It matters because it is an opportunity to teach children a lesson in gratitude. Teach children how to write thank you letters for the gifts they receive and the kind acts done for them because it is a worthwhile task. Raising grateful children reaps dividends as they grow older. Gratitude positively affects attitude and behaviors for everyone!

Here are some tips to help you teach your children how to write thank you letters. It really doesn’t even matter if your children are pre-school age or teenagers. There are tips to help with every age:

No matter how old your children are, explain that receiving thank you letters makes other people feel happy.
Write the thank you letters as soon as possible, but skip out just because you think it might be too late. Later is better than not writing one at all!
Spend a little time with your child talking about the gifts he received and why he feels thankful for them. Help your child translate those thoughts into his thank you letters.
Keep fun, colorful craft supplies on hand for creating and writing thank you letters. This helps make it more fun so that your child will want to participate.
If your child isn’t writing yet, allow them space to draw or scribble on the thank you letter before adding the words. Try to write down your child’s own words about the gift. This makes those thank you letters more special to the recipients.
Let your child do as much as his age allows, including applying the stamps and dropping thank you letters into the mailbox.
Allow older children to come to the store and pick out their own cards if it helps create interest in the project.
Play music and drink hot cocoa while writing thank you letters to Santa to keep it fun!

Make writing thank you letters a regular part of your child’s upbringing. It’s worth the lessons in gratitude he will learn and apply for the rest of his life!

For more tips on thank you letters, see Emily Post.

12 Days of Christmas Activities for Kids

December 10, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

This year, make amazing memories with 12 days of Christmas activities for kids. With something to look forward to each day, the kids will remember the 12 days of Christmas with fondness for the rest of their lives. And if you prepare ahead of time, it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Check out this list of suggested activities the kids will love!

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Use paper plates and construction paper to create paper wreaths. You can also get the whole family in on creating a more permanent wreath for the front door.
Talk about the needs of the homeless population in your area. Look for a clothing, gift, or food drive where the family can purchase or donate goods this Christmas.
Bake and decorate Christmas cookies. And to make it extra meaningful, decide as a family who to share them with.
Have a Christmas movie night and watch a favorite show everyone can agree on.
Create some fun 12 days of Christmas popsicle stick puppets. If you’re really motivated, make some to match each verse of the 12 Days of Christmas song. “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me….”
Challenge the kids to go about their day today doing secret acts of kindness for others around them at school or at home.
Time for Christmas cards that the kids design and make for their friends. Here are some fun ideas to inspire you!
Get out the Legos and have a 12 days of Christmas Lego challenge. On slips of paper, write down things featured in the song, or other Christmas-themed objects. Everyone has to draw a paper and try to build that item out of Legos in a specific time limit you set. Have fun with it!
Craft some paper Christmas ornaments for the tree. Check out our post featuring 10 Christmas Tree Crafts for Kids.
Cut out snowflakes and hang them from the ceiling over the kids’ beds. They make going to sleep more magical every night!
The kids will love playing with glitter slime! Add sparkly colors to make the slime look like ice, or make white snow slime. It’s all fun for kids!
Time for a holiday light tour to get everyone really into the spirit of Christmas. Check out spots in your area where the lights are irresistible. In my area, the zoo is one place to go!

These are just some of the possible 12 days of Christmas activities for kids. Do you have some activities you love that aren’t listed? Please share with us in the comments!

Christmas Gift Ideas That Aren’t Toys

December 9, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Thinking of Christmas gift ideas for kids can be tricky. You want them to enjoy their Christmas, but you don’t want to add too many toys to the pile they already never play with, right? This year, try giving your kids gifts that aren’t really toys at all. And don’t worry, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t fun! Check out the following Christmas gift ideas that aren’t toys.

Christmas Gift Ideas That Aren’t Toys

A garden tool kit might be the perfect thing to help introduce your child to the wonders of gardening. And what kid doesn’t really love digging in the dirt? This gives them license to do it, but learn and explore at the same time. Who knows? You may have a budding green thumb on your hands! This kit is available at Amazon for under $17.

This “toy” is certainly not meant for mindless fun! With the Lego Boost Creative Toolbox, your kid can learn all about coding and programming–useful skills in today’s technologically based world. This kit won a Toy of the Year Award for 2018. That’s how awesome it is!

Does your kid enjoy musical theatre? Give them tickets for their favorite Broadway show! Anytime you can give an experience rather than a toy, it’s a definite plus. Creating memories is always better!

Puzzles are one of my favorite Christmas gift ideas. Puzzles teach kids how to think analytically. The sense of accomplishment they can gain from completing a difficult puzzle is worth the time spent. Older kids might enjoy a 4D puzzle such as this Harry Potter 4D puzzle with over 890 pieces in three layers. Work on it with them for valuable family time!

Give your child the gift of art–an art class, that is. If they aren’t into art, give a gift that reflects their interests. How about a karate or dance class? Christmas gift ideas that encourage your kids to develop their talents are gifts they’ll thank you for as they grow older.

What Christmas gift ideas that aren’t toys do you have? Share in the comments!

5 Kid-Approved Desserts for Fall

October 26, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

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Kids and Fall fun go hand-in-hand, so kids will love a few desserts for Fall that are specifically meant for them to enjoy, wouldn’t you agree? Good thing there are so many kid-approved desserts for Fall that the whole family can enjoy! Take a look at the following ideas I’ve come up with!

Caramel apples are a famously kid-approved Fall treat. But there is a way to make them even better {and less of a mess!}. Increase the caramel-to-apple ratio by coring and slicing your apples. Put each apple slice on a stick. Now dip them in caramel, chocolate, and other yummy stuff. Let the caramel apples set up and then enjoy! Hint: the kids will love dipping their own!

It’s no secret that kids love cupcakes anytime of year. Make some kid-approved Fall cupcakes in either a peanut butter or spice cake flavor. Peanut butter cupcakes are delicious with peanut butter buttercream frosting. Spice cupcakes are yummy with a cinnamon buttercream. Add some Reese’s pieces or caramel flavored M&Ms for an extra Fall flair. Here’s a delicious peanut butter cupcake recipe to try!

Do your kids love snickerdoodles as much as mine do? Then try a little Fall-flavor adjustment. Make some pumpkin snickerdoodles that the kids are sure to love. This recipe from Cooking Classy is a good one to try. The addition of pumpkin puree makes the snickerdoodles are extra soft and chewy. Yum!

Apple pie is a traditional Fall dessert, since Fall is prime time for apples! Take the kids to pick apples at an apple orchard, then use some of those delicious apples to make a kid-friendly apple “pie.” Just add some decorative pie crust to the top of your favorite baked apples before you put them in the oven. It’s a fun Fall dessert the kids will be happy to dig into!

Ingenious Ways To Manage Your Child’s Halloween Candy {Without Hiding It!}

October 26, 2020 by Jessica Moore Leave a Comment

Every Halloween, a lot of parents worry about how to manage their child’s Halloween candy. Do you resort to hiding it–and then re-hiding it every time your child finds it again? Well, there’s a better way. Today I’ve got some ingenious ways to manage your child’s Halloween candy–without hiding it. Free yourself from Halloween candy stress once and for all!

Ways To Manage Your Child’s Halloween Candy

As with anything else, the best way to manage is with a plan. Plan ahead for the Halloween candy you know you’re going to have to deal with, and you’re halfway there to maintaining control.

One way to plan ahead is not to buy your Halloween candy too early. If your house is like mine, everyone knows it’s there, and that means we’re all fighting to stay out of it before Halloween. That just doesn’t happen! So don’t buy it too early and you won’t be tempted {and neither will the kids!}.
If you get the chance to have a say in your child’s class Halloween parties, push for healthier choices. So many times our kids get sugared up before they’ve even left school–and trick-or-treating hasn’t even happened yet! A party full of games and healthy snacks is just as much fun, and I’m sure other parents will thank you for it.
Hiding the Halloween candy isn’t actually managing it. What happens when you hide it? The kids just go on an all-out quest to find it and when they do they’re going to eat even more than if you just let them have it in the first place. So there’s something to be said for establishing rules over the candy.
Rules to manage your child’s Halloween candy are individual, but I find that when they include all the times the kids CAN have some of their candy, they’re much less likely to go crazy. For example, your rules may state that you child can choose a piece or two of candy after meals, or as part of their after school snack. You might let your child choose some candy to include in his school lunch.
Practice some swap outs. Have healthier choices in your pantry that the kids like and can swap out some of their candy to get.
Some parents establish a candy buy-out after trick-or-treating. This allows your child to give you some or even all of their candy in exchange for money. For some kids, money is preferred over candy!

Do you have any additional ways to manage your child’s Halloween candy {without hiding it}? Please share with other readers in the comment section. And before you go, check out these deliciously spooky Halloween snack ideas!