Staycation: Messy Summer Fun for Families

Summer is in full swing: long sunny days where the sun doesn’t set until late in the evening, and lots of hours to fill entertaining little ones. In some Scandinavian countries, in fact, the sun barely sets at all during July!

But never fear, we have LOTS of great ideas on how to fill those summer hours with plenty of messy summer fun for families, with the added bonus of a small price tag to boot.

In this round up, we have messy projects – the kind kids love, and parents are usually afraid of – but all of these are easily cleaned up as long as they’re done outside. Whether you have a balcony, picnic table in the park, or a grassy yard, we’ve got some messy fun for everyone!

MESSY STAYCATION FUN

Fun Foam Twister

What you’ll need:

• * Plastic Twister board
• * Foam soap in a variety of colors or shaving cream and food dye

Honestly, Twister is fun in any season. But you can amp up the laughs for your little ones by using colored foam soap (look for kid-friendly versions usually used in the bathtub) that coordinates with the colored circles on the board. Fill in each circle with the soap.

Then play away! This is guaranteed to be slippery, squeal-worthy, laugh-out-loud fun.

(Can't find foam soap? Simply buy shaving cream, dispense into bowls, then add drops of food coloring to create colored soap foam. Warning: this version may stain light clothing.)

Finish up the game by having everyone run through the sprinklers, hose, or even the shower to clean off.

Variations:

Are your kids too young to know left from right? Use a washable marker to make a red circle on their right hand to differentiate the two.

Make it a bilingual, or trilingual, game by using a language such as French to yell out commands.

Here’s a quick French Twister cheat sheet:

• Right— Droite
• Left— Gauche
• Circle— Cercle
• Foot— Pied
• Hand— Main
• Red— Rouge
• Blue— Bleu
• Yellow— Jaune
• Green— Vert

Ice fossil hunt

What you’ll need:

• *Large plastic bowl
• *Cooking Spray
• *Small toys
• *Water
• *Plastic and/or wooden spoons

Note: Make sure you start this one the night before so you’re ready to play on a hot day:

Take a large plastic bowl (make sure it will fit in your freezer) and spray with cooking spray.

Then add an assortment of small plastic and rubber toys; think: dinosaurs, rubber duckies, anything you’d get in a party gift bag or at an arcade.

Then fill the bowl with water and freeze overnight.

The next day, take the bowl to any outdoor location. Unmold (this should be easy after the cooking spray). Hand out plastic or wooden spoons to the kids and let them dig for treasure.

Good, cold, wet fun!

DIY Slime

OK, you’re probably not going to like this one as much as your kids are – but remember, do this outside and clean up will be a breeze (consider lining whatever table you’re using with newspaper or wax paper).

There are a number of DIY Slime recipes around, but the ones that make plastic-y slime usually contain Borax, which isn’t safe for little mouths. This recipe is completely edible (although we don’t recommend eating it – yuck!), and plenty of fun to play with, too.

What you’ll need:

• Plastic bowls
• Water
• Cornstarch
• Food coloring

In a bowl, combine 1 cup of cornstarch and 1 cup of water. Mix until you have a good and slimy mixture.

Add 1 to 3 drops of food coloring (classic green is always a great starting point).

Repeat with other colors.

Then play away.

Kick Off World Cup 2014 With Fun Portuguese for Kids

The biggest sporting event in the world, The World Cup of soccer (or football as it’s referred to in most countries) is about to kick off in the South American country of Brazil! To help you get ready for this month-long international sports tournament, we’ve rounded up a helpful list of Portuguese futebol (soccer) terms and a fun word search so you can say Let’s play soccer! Vamos jogar futebol!

Portuguese For World Cup 2014

soccer = futebol
the ball = a bola
to kick = chute
to run = corre
to catch = pege
to throw = joge
head = cabeça
hand = mão
foot = pé
He is kicking = Ele está chutando
He is kicking the ball = Ele está chutando a bola
He is running = Ele está correndo
He is throwing the ball = Ele está jogando a bola
He is catching the ball = Ele está pegando a bola

Click image to download our free World Cup 2014 word search!

Kid Culture Around the World: What’s New in Paris

Kids often wonder what children like them are doing around the world. So at Little Pim we’ve decided to help open a window to cultures both near and far for our little learners, allowing them to get a peak at their international counterparts while learning a bit more of their favorite language. First up: Paris, France.

Our blog team member Melissa Klurman is just back from Paris, the City of Light, and here’s what she spotted les enfants (children) doing there:

Eating Sunday lunch (Manger le dejeuner du dimanche)

Family time is très (very) important to French families.

Even when they’ve had a busy week, they schedule time for a long leisurely lunch en familie (with their family), usually at a bistro (a casual restaurant).

As you can see here, the reward for sitting patiently through frites and croque monsier (the French version of fries and grilled cheese)? Dessert!

Playing Dress Up (se déguiser)

What's more fun than dressing up at home? Doing it in a real castle! These costumes are ones you can borrow at the Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte outside of Paris. Kids can wear their fancy dress to visit all the rooms in the chateau and then learn to play games from the olden days (really old, we're talking 1600s) out in the beautiful gardens.

Swimming in the Pool (Nager dans la piscine)

As summer approaches, all thoughts turn to la piscine (the pool!).

Since French weather can stay a bit cool until August, indoor pools (such as this one at the Shangri La Hotel) often fill in for the outdoor version.

Playing games (Jouer des jeux)

Just like kids everywhere, French enfants love to play outside, biking, running, and playing games. Something new to catch their attention are  life-size game boards that line the Seine River in Paris like this giant maze.

How Kids Say “Happy Mother's Day!” Around the World

We love our moms so much here at Little Pim that we wanted to find the most ways we could to tell them. We think we did a good job with our “I Love” “Mom” “Happy Mother’s Day” language guides, below. Pick a phrase or word and language and have your kids print them (help if you need to)  along with their handprint or hand outline on heavy cardstock to create a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day Card.

We bet mom will say a big Gracias, Merci,Xièxiè, Grazie, Danke, Arigatō, Shukran, Toda, Spasibo, Obrigado! (THANK YOU!)

Mother's Day Language Guide

Happy Mother's Day!

Spanish

--  ¡feliz Día de la madre!

French

-- Joyeuse Fête des Mères!

Chinese

-- Mǔqīn jié kuàilè!

Italian

-- Buona festa della mama!

German

-- Alles Gute zum Muttertag!

Japanese

-- Haha no hi omedetō!

Arabic

-- Sʻyd ʼMhāt al-Ywm

Hebrew

-- Yom ha-em same'ach!

Russian

-- S dnyom Materi!

Portuguese

-- Feliz dia das mães!

Mom

Spanish

-- Mamá

French 

-- Maman

Chinese 

-- Māma

Italian

-- Mamma

German

-- Mama

Japanese

-- Mama

Arabic

-- Oum / Mama

Hebrew

-- Ima

Russian

-- Mamoo

Portuguese

-- Mamãe

I love you!

Spanish

-- ¡Te amo!

French

-- Je t'aime!

Chinese

-- Wǒ ài nǐ

Italian

-- Ti amo!

German

-- Ich liebe dich

Japanese

-- Aishite iru

Arabic

-- Ana behibek (to female)

Hebrew

-- “Ani Ohev Otach” (man to woman) / “Ani Ohev Otcha” (man to man) / “Ani Ohevet Otcha” (woman to man) / “Ani Ohevet Otach” (woman to woman)

Russian

-- Ya tebya lyublyu

Portuguese

-- Eu te amo

Cook Up a Fiesta for Cinco De Mayo

Uno, dos, tres, quatro, CINCO!

The fifth day of the fifth month is more than just May 5, it's also the festive Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo.

The holiday commemorates the Battle of Pueblo, where a small band of Mexican soliders pushed back advancing French forces in 1862.

(Interesting fact: This is not Mexican Independence Day, that’s celebrated September 16).

Today, the holiday has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, especially for Mexicans living abroad and in the United States. If you live near a major city, you can probably find a Cinco de Mayo fiesta (party) featuring mariachi bands and lots of traditional foods.

But no need to leave the comforts of your kitchen. You can create your own fiesta of dips and chips, perfect for little hands to help create, with our easy recipes below. We think they'll make your whole family say: "Mmm, Cinco de Mayo qué bueno está!" (Mmm, Cinco de Mayo is yummy!)

Fiesta Dips for Cinco de Mayo

(recipes courtesy of Saveur)

These dips are both creamy and rich and perfect for dipping tortilla chips, either blue or yellow. But try cutting up some jicama, a crunchy white tuber found throughout Latin America, or carrots and celery for colorful (and nutritious) dipping options.

Guacamole*

Don’t have a mortar and pestle? Don’t’ worry, we used a big spoon and sturdy bowl and got great results.

• 2 tbsp. finely chopped white onion
• 3 firmly packed tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tsp. finely chopped jalapeño
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 medium-ripe hass avocados
• 3 tbsp. diced tomato

1. Grind 1 tbsp. of the onions, 1 tbsp. of  the cilantro, jalapeño, and salt together in a molcajete (mortar and pestle) until all the ingredients are well ground. (Alternatively, use a fork to mash the ingredients to a paste in a wide bowl.)

2. Cut avocados in half. Twist the halves to separate them and remove the pit with the tip of the knife. Place an avocado half, cut side up, in your palm and make 3 or 4 evenly spaced lengthwise cuts through its flesh down to the skin, without cutting through the skin. Make 4 crosswise cuts in the same fashion.

3. Scoop the diced avocado flesh into the molcajete or bowl. Repeat with remaining avocado halves. Gently fold the avocado into the chile–onion paste, keeping the avocado pieces fairly intact.

4. Add tomatoes, remaining 2 tbsp. of the cilantro, and remaining 1 tbsp. of the onions.

5. Fold together all the ingredients. Taste and add salt, if necessary.

6. Serve immediately, directly from the molcajete (or bowl), with tortilla chips.

Chile and Cheese Dip *

Even our friends at Saveur couldn’t’ find a substitute for the easy melting Velveeta in this classic American-Mexican dip; a perfect dish for this festive holiday.

• 1  10-oz. can diced tomatoes and green chiles
• (preferably Ro*Tel brand)
• 2 tbsp. lager-style beer (such as Corona), chicken broth, or white grape juice
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1⁄2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 lb. Velveeta cheese, diced
• 1⁄4 cup grated aged monterey jack cheese
• 1⁄4 cup sliced scallions
• 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 plum tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
• 1⁄2 lime
• Tortilla chips

1. In a 2-qt. saucepan, stir together diced tomatoes and green chiles, beer, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and garlic. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.

2. Add Velveeta and whisk until melted. Transfer dip to a serving bowl and top with monterey jack cheese, scallions, cilantro, tomatoes, and jalapeños. Squeeze the juice of lime over the top. Serve with tortilla chips.

*Note: you may want to cut down, or leave out, the jalapeno in these recipes if your kids aren’t’ used to spicy foods.

Share Your Little Pim Stories

As your kids grow up with Little Pim, your stories are our greatest joys, and our greatest successes. Now, we want to say thank you. Share your Little Pim stories with us this month and you'll be featured on our beautiful new Stories page. You also might win a $75 gift certificate. Entering is simple:

1. Pick your favorite social media platform: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 2. Post a status, tweet, photo, or video that completes the sentence: My family uses Little Pim because...3. Add the hashtag #ILoveLittlePim. 4. Like/follow Little Pim.

And that’s it. We’ll pick out our favorite Little Pim stories and select a winner at the end of the month. In the meantime, join the conversation on the Stories page of our website!

Entries accepted through 5/31/14. For official contest rules click here.

April is National Autism Awareness Month

At Little Pim, we’re proud of all of our little learners. But recently, we’ve been hearing some amazing stories from some Little Pim families in the Autism community. We'd thought we'd share a few to celebrate April's being National Autism Awareness Month: 1. “My 4-year-old daughter received a Spanish language set as a gift.  She is enjoying them, but I was very surprised to find that my 7-year-old son has become so interested in them.  He has Autism Spectrum Disorder and is an emergent reader.  The simplicity and repetition for a child who is an auditory learner over a visual learner is key. The content and the color palette is soothing enough not to overstimulate and therefore, makes it easier to keep his attention.   He has been watching them every morning and loves to call out his new words like "Perro!" and "Lapiz!" and "Manzana!"…It's hard to find a learning activity for both of my children.  It's hard for a child on the Autism Spectrum to hold his interest. These are wonderful tools for them.” 

2. "When our son was diagnosed with autism at 2 years of age, one of our main concerns was the delay in his language. After some research we purchased the Little Pim complete set in English. We were very pleased with the clear pronunciation of words and entertainment of the video. Little Pim provided our son with a fun opportunity to learn. Any child can benefit from Little Pim’s Immersion Method, whether it is to enhance their native tongue or to learn a new language."

We were delighted to hear such amazing stories. But we also wondered about how Little Pim’s language learning system was able to work so well for these emergent learners.

Adrienne Borgersen’s nephew has autism spectrum disorder. She’s also on staff at Little Pim and was  able to share this interesting background and perspective with us:

"Little Pim taps into both ‘ABA’ (Applied Behavior Analysis) and ‘echolalia.'

ABA is a tool used to educate students on the spectrum. It includes repetition reinforcement and reward.  Really, every teaching method uses repetition. You don't teach a child something once and expect them to learn it.

Echolalia is when children on the spectrum sometimes pick up bits and pieces of things and tend to repeat them.  If you recognize the echolalia speech, you can adapt your understanding of what someone is saying to help teach him conversation and social skills…it’s the same concept as teaching a different language.   For example, if you sat with a child who spoke only Spanish, and you didn’t speak Spanish at all, you would first try to learn what he was saying. You would listen to what he said more than once. Through repetition, once you learned why he was saying it, then you could reverse and teach him your language.  It’s the same thing. When the communication is successful, you reward them. That’s the ABA techniques to teach, and hopefully diminish, echolalia.

This is all why my nephew is responding to the Little Pim method.  The color palette, the repetition, the calm, consistent style, is ‘speaking his language’.”

You can learn more about ABA at Autism Speaks' incredibly informative and user friendly site.

In addition, we'd like to say  Mazel Tov! (Hebrew), Felicitazioni! (Italian), Omedetô! (Japanese), and Pozdravlaiu! (Russian) in addition to our own hearty Congratulations! for all the accomplishments our special learners achieve every day. 

5 Secrets to Smart Packing for Spring Break

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – spring break!  Whether you’re going to grandma’s house or to a tropical beach, the first step to a successful vacation with kids is packing right. Travel expert Melissa Klurman can get you from overstuffed diaper bags to sleek and chic suitcases in just 5 simple steps.Then it's Buon Viaggio as our friends in Italy say! 1. Make a List, Check it twice: Stop! Before you even think about putting something in your suitcase, make a list for each member of your family. Then pile all the items on your pad outside your suitcase before you pack. Then edit out as many items as you can out (bring stain remover sticks and Woolite single packs to stretch wardrobe options.)  Your goal is a lean, light suitcase. Remember: No one ever came back from a trip with kids saying “I wish my bags had been heavier and I had to carry more.”

2. Do you homework: Check out the weather in your destination on an app such as WeatherBug and pack for the climate without  bringing “just in case” clothes. Consult the hotel’s website, or give them a call, to determine if they have supplies you can leave at home. Many hotels stock everything from baby proofing kits to booster seats.

2. Switch It Up – When it’s time to pack, don’t think "one suitecase-one person." Intead, divide everyone's clothes over multiple bags. You should have some of your kid’s or spouse’s pieces in your bag, and vice versa; covering you in the (hopefully rare) case that one of your bags goes missing or is left at home (trust me, it happens).

3. Plastic Rocks! – If you remember only one word about vacation packing with kids, make it PLASTIC. Put suntan lotion, shampoo, or anything that might leak in Ziploc bags for checked luggage. Tuck a few more into your suitcase for wet bathing suits, sandy shoes, or dirty bibs. Plastic zip bags for snacks on the go turn into drip-free garbage bags when you’re done eating. And if you’re packing for a dressy occasion, pack outfits in individual plastic dry cleaner bags and then place in a garment bag – the plastic layers keep clothes wrinkle free.

4. Roll, Roll, Roll – To save space when you’re packing, skip the “square” fold and roll instead. Lay shirts flat, fold arms in and across each other, fold in half length-wise, then roll from top to bottom. Tuck rolled items up against each other to create rows of rolls. In the corners, place shoes which should be filled with rolled socks.

5. Mesh to the rescue – Mesh laundry bags, usually sold for laundering your delicates, are travel lifesavers for families. For babies and tots, place easily visible, whole outfits into the transparent bag, then tuck the dirty clothes back inside when you’re done with them for easy drop and wash when you get back home. For you, place bathing suits and lingerie for easy snag free packing and washing. Added bonus: if you’re flying with carry-on luggage and your bag gets inspected, you can skip the whole  strangers-holding-up-your-unmentionables part of the inspection since the contents are partially visible.

Happy Travels!

Melissa Klurman is an award-winning travel writer and editor who has professionally demonstrated how to pack suitcases on CBS, FOX, and NBC programs – she still, however, has trouble deciding which shoes to bring on vacation.

Top Family Travel Trends from the 2014 Travel Show

Our resident travel expert and Little Pim blogger Melissa Klurman hit the floor at the NYT 2014 Travel Show to find the “Next Big Thing” in travel for families. Here are a few of her favorite finds, just in time for summer vacation planning.

1. Croatia – Looking for an affordable European vacation destination without the crowds? Croatia, the newest member of the European Union (they joined in Septemer 2013), should be at the top of your list. The country has beautiful beaches lining the crystal blue Adriatic Sea, storybook Medieval cities, and great value for money. And for proof that Croatia is family friendly, look no further than Disney Cruises, which has added the picturesque walled city of Dubrovnik to all of its Mediterranean cruises.

2. TripWing – There are probably more travel apps available for download than raisins squished into your minivan, but this is one of the most innovative we’ve seen: It let’s you research and compare trip itineraries from travel tour operators and then book directly on the site. Currently, only 3 of the 30 tour operators on TripWing let you book directly without a travel agent. So now you can do your family travel research and booking completely on your own schedule (check out some of the offerings for family friendly Biking in France or Eco-Tourism in Costa Rica if you need an afternoon distraction.)

3. Jersey Shore – Proving they’re “Stronger Than the Storm,” New Jersey pulled out all the stops at the Travel Show to highlight their family friendly beaches as THE east coast destination to spend your summer vacation. If you’ve never been before, fly into Philadelphia and drive to lovely Cape May – kids love the historic lighthouse and you’ll be enamored of the Victorian architecture. Stay at historic Congress Hall, which offers beach chair and umbrella service along with chair-side waiter service.

4. Puerto Rico – Tropical beach fans should say Hola! to the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico– their Travel Show stand highlighted not only their easy access (a short 3 hour direct flight from the NYC area), but also the fact that they’re a Commonwealth of the US, meaning you can visit without bringing a passport or exchanging currency. Once you arrive, you have your choice of white sand beaches, wonderful Latin culture, and a number of affordable family-friendly resorts (we especially like Copamarina Resort in Guanica on the southwest corner of the island).

The Global Surprises of a Caribbean Getaway

If you’re anything like us, this winter’s arctic blasts, piles of snow, and ice coated roads have left you longing for a tropical break. To get you ready for a spring break warm-weather escape, we’ve rounded up great Caribbean getaways with an extra bonus: the chance for your family to practice their new-found language skills at islands throughout the Caribbean where bilingual culture shares the bill with sandy beaches. Enjoy our favorite Bilingual Islands of the Caribbean:

Trilingual Appeal

St Marten/St Maarten

Here’s a unique cultural experience beneath the palms: this little island is split in two by an imaginary line that creates Dutch-speaking St Maarten and French-speaking St. Martin. Rent a car and you can sample authentic croissants a la plage for breakfast and imported Gouda on the beach for lunch.

Where to Stay: On the Dutch side of the island, the Westin St Maarten is the place to stay with kids, with the largest fresh water pool on the island, Camp Scallywag for daytime escapades, as well as all the beach watersports fun they can handle.

French Flair

St Barthélemy

Petite “St Barths” feel like a slice of France on the Caribbean Sea with French cuisine and language infusing the beach scene here with a certain savoir faire. The French have laid claimed the island since 1877, but you’ll also hear English throughout your stay. Head to Lorient Beach for the friendliest family scene on the tres chic island.

Where to stay: The most kid-friendly spot on St. Bart's is the full-service resort, Hotel Guanahani & Spawhich features private suites and cottages (14 with private pools) and two separate kids’ programs.

Dutch Wonderlands

Curaçao

The largest of the Netherlands Antilles, known as the ABC islands (Aruba and Bonaire are the other two), the island's capital, Willemstad, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering a colorful trip through colonial history and architecture.

Where to stay:Sunscape Curaçao takes the family resort prize as the only all-inclusive property on the island, meaning not only all of your food and drinks are taken care of with one-stop shopping, but also that the excellent Explorer’s kids club and Core teen center are included in the price as well.

 Aruba

Another option to hear Dutch is on this sunny, wind-swept island, an independent entity of the Netherlands. Although you’ll see Dutch architecture in the capital city of Oranjestad, listen closely while you're here and you’ll also hear Arawak, Spanish, and the local lingo, Papiamentu. Global Caribbean indeed!

Where to stay:Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino is popular for it’s kids’s program and numerous family-friendly amenities and activities including a three-level pool complex with a cascading waterfall and two-story water-slide.

Spanish Caribbean

Puerto Rico

Rich in Spanish language culture and heritage, yet a Commonwealth of the United States, which means you get a salsa beat and the rich historic atmosphere of Old San Juan, without having to exchange your US dollars or even bring a passport. Kids will love the old Spanish fort of El Morro and it’s grassy slopes where kite-flying is a must.

Where to Stay: In addition to six pools and 500 landscaped acres on a cliff overlooking the turquoise sea, the family-friendly El Conquistador Resort also features Coquí Water Park and Palomino Island, the resort's private island which offers everything from snorkeling to horseback riding.

Dominican Republic

This Latin Caribbean nation is a great place to practice your Spanish while enjoying beautiful beaches and the all-inclusive resorts the island is known for (since the DR, as it’s referred to, has the most resort hotel rooms of any island in the Carribbean, you can also expect to hear English spoke in most hotels, too). Head to Santo Domingo’s cobblestone streets to walk in the historic footsteps of explorers such as Columbus and Ponce de Leon.

Where to Stay: At Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe, pint-size pirates can tame the high seas at Pirate’s Cove – a waterpark complete with a themed pool, swashbuckling pirate ship with water slides, and a one-of-a-kind wave pool.  There’s also a teen nightclub and an 18-hole mini golf course. Plus, the opportunity to soak up the sun on a beautiful white sand beach, por supuesto.  

--Melissa Klurman