Should You Let Your Kid Quit?
When my son was in a tween, he asked if he could take golf lessons. I signed him up for introductory lessons with a golf pro. He enjoyed it so much I sent to a summer golf camp for a…
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Why Teen Parents Should Know About B.R.A.K.E.S.
In January 2008, NHRA drag racing star Doug Herbert got the phone call every parent fears. His two sons, Jon and James, had been in a car accident. Neither survived. As Herbert fought his way through grief, he became resolute…
WEEKENDER: Washington, DC
Much like Disneyland and The Grand Canyon, a visit to the nation’s capital is an essential family vacation. Washington DC teems with iconic monuments, sights, and museums that give kids a glimpse into the country’s history. Tour famous landmarks like…
7 Things to Know About Friendship Circle’s New Inclusive Fun Zone
Beginning this month, Charlotte kids with special needs have a brand new indoor adventure park to explore. Here are 7 things to know about Friendship Circle’s new Inclusive Fun Zone, which opens at 6619 Sardis Road on October 6. …
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
CELEBRATE HOWL-O-WEEN AT GREAT WOLF LODGE Great Wolf Lodge Concord’s annual Howl-O-Ween celebration kicks off October 1 and runs through Halloween. This year’s festivities include a Trick-or-Treat Trail, Monster Bash Dance Party, Halloween-themed yoga, arts and crafts, and more. The…
How Does Your Garden Grow?
As parents, it's common to worry about what our children are eating. We want them to enjoy a wide range of nutritious foods and to develop a healthy relationship with food, but getting children to try new flavors and eat…
ASK A MOM: Blended families, inflation anxiety, and age-appropriate books
Q: My kid’s stepmom’s birthday is coming up. We’re not BFFs, but we get along really well and she’s been a great SAHM to my kids while I’m at work. We haven’t had much interaction outside of the kids, so…
Books for Back to School
The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn (2007) Age group: preschool, early elementary It’s time for Chester Raccoon to start school, but he doesn’t want to go without his mom. Mrs. Raccoon soothes his worries with the Kissing Hand—a family secret…
TRAVEL: Island Hop Through the Florida Keys
Fly to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, rent a car, and head south to the Florida Keys. Make these stops along the way or set up a home base and take a series of day trips with your family. Miami Book an…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
CREATE A STARRY CONSTELLATION Drop by the Mint Museum Randolph Wednesday, September 7 through Saturday, September 10 during museum hours and pick up a Mini Art Kit. This month’s kit includes out-of-this-world drawing materials to create a starry constellation at…
A Family-Friendly Guide to Fall
Here’s a guide to fall activities for parents and children—heck, grandparents and grandchildren, too—that comes close to what you might have encountered in 2019, the last time we could bob for apples without the embarrassment of having failed to take…
Ask A Mom: Boundaries, tough conversations, and curbing end-of-summer boredom
Q: My daughter and her boyfriend are going out a lot, but they never tell me where! And they come back so late! I don't know what to do... A: Ask her. You’re her mother, not her friend. You control…
Easy At-Home Arts & Crafts for the Non-Pinterest Parent
If you’re not a creative and crafty parent, fear not. We’ve pulled together five easy projects that are simple to execute, make minimal mess, and entertain your children. No arts degree required. Paper Plate Maracas Items needed: Paper plates Stapler…
WEEKENDER: New Bern
If you drive toward the coast, about 4.5 hours east of Charlotte, you’ll find the waterfront town of New Bern, North Carolina. Nestled where the Neuse and Trent rivers converge, this small city is the state’s former colonial capital and…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
BUILD A SUMMER CAMPER Bring your little builders to Home Depot on Saturday, August 6 between 9 a.m. and noon for their monthly Kids Workshop. August’s project is a summer camper, and all kids in attendance receive a kid-sized Home…
LILY BAKES: Cake Pops
Lily Barnes is our 11-year-old resident kid baker. Each month she shares an original recipe that kids can make at home with their parents, plus a few behind-the-scenes tips and tricks to make your treat extra special. Here is Lily’s…
ASK A MOM: Toddler table manners, camps for kids with developmental disabilities, and boundaries with video games
Q: What do you say and do when the 2-year-old throws food at the dinner table? A: Ask them to pick it up? Not to be basic, but that’s what I do. My son, Hobie, turns 2 this month. Meals…
A DIGITAL DETOX
Because children’s brains are malleable, they can learn and retain new skills, like foreign languages, more rapidly than we can as adults. But bad habits tend to stick, too. In other words, a child who learns to love screens in…
Spontaneous Summer Fun
Summer may already be in full swing, but that doesn't mean it’s too late to plan some family fun. We’ve got a roundup of outdoor adventures and weekend getaways you can still add to your calendar. *See approximate driving time from Charlotte listed…
GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month
CELEBRATE JULY 4 AT THE BALLPARK Come see the Charlotte Knights take on the Norfolk Tides on July 4 at 7:15 p.m., and stay for a fireworks show at Truist field immediately following the game. Gates open at 5 p.m.…
LILY BAKES: Five Ingredient Vanilla Cake
Lily Barnes is our 11-year-old resident kid baker. Each month she shares an original recipe that kids can make at home with their parents, plus a few behind-the-scenes tips and tricks to make your treat extra special. Here is Lily’s…
15 Kid-Friendly Summer Excursions Under $15
GET OUTSIDE Quest 6345 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 Located at Latta Nature Preserve, Quest’s brand new 13,000-square foot facility offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Walk the Carolina Raptor Trail, hike alongside a naturalist, create a nature craft, kayak,…
25 Ideas to Kick off the Summer With Kids
Find fun, affordable kid-friendly activities to fill the month of June.
WEEKENDER: North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands
North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands encompass five barrier islands—Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island—along the southernmost stretch of North Carolina’s coast. It’s roughly three-and-a-half hours from Charlotte; from Ocean Isle Beach, you’re about halfway…
THE PINT-SIZED FOODIE: An introduction to Calle Sol
Each month, our 8-year-old resident foodie visits a different Charlotte-area restaurant that’s kid-friendly—but not a kid-topia. He orders something he’s never tried before and reports back with his recommendations for kids and their parents. Here is his review of Calle…
Education Resources
Enrichment + After School
Programs and classes for kids, including music, art, dance, gymnastics, martial arts and more.
Area Schools + Education Guide
Private schools, preschools, charter schools and boarding schools.
Charlotte Education Resources
Tutors, homeschool helpers, childcare resources, counselors and more.
