Food + Fun

Haunted Houses and Trails in Charlotte

Editorial staff,

Prepare for a thrilling weekend or evening scare at one of these haunted houses or trails.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Eve White,

Want to catch a great ball game this summer? Find out more about regional teams all across the Carolinas.

The Kitchen as a Classroom

Sheena Maria Acerado,

Family time stirs up lessons in manners, nutrition and safety.

Avanti's: Authentic Italian at the Arboretum

Kelly Yale,

Take the family to Avanti's for great cuisine in a welcoming environment.

Parent Survival Kits

Elizabeth Weisner,

On the road, at the game or at a restaurant, we've got great ideas on how to help parents survive with three handy kits to to keep those kids entertained.

Cool School Tools for 2009

Amanda Talbot,

Gadgets and gizmos the make the school year better.

Keep Your Home Secure While Away

Mark MacYoung,

Learn simple tricks and tips to keep burglars away while your family is on vacation.

Viriginia Creeper Trail

Karen M. Alley,

Try this exciting, outdoor hiking and biking adventure in neighboring Virginia.

Keep ‘Em Busy – Products that Make Summer Fun

Amanda Talbot,

From easy-to-use sunscreen to a breezy story about summer clouds, to the latest Phineas and Ferb DVD, we've got a list of great products for the summer.

Make Your Own Tornado

Site Staff,

Step by step instructions for cool, weather craft and experiment.

Family Bike Adventures in the Southeast

John McManus,

Take your family on a bike ride this summer on one or more of these four awesome trails! These are some of the nicest trails in the Southeast.

Mother's Day Pizza

Art Insititute of Charlotte,

Kids (with supervision) can make mom an awesome homemade pizza for Mother's Day.

Mother's Day Crafts

Tramaine Howard,

Perfect for Mother's Day! Fun, easy craft using pipecleaners. Even preschoolers can help create this cute bouquet of flowers.

Button Frame Craft

Tramaine Howard,

Craft for Mother's Day that is personalized and memorable!

Eye Injuries in Sports

Lee McCracken,

Eye injuries can be troublesome on the field. Learn about the most common ones and read our tips on how to avoid them.

Creative Ways to Tell Your Child 'I Love You'

Kimberly Blaker,

Valentine’s Day is just one opportunity to show your child just how much she is loved. Use these creative ideas to show how much you care on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year.

Parents plan family vacations fully intending to make everybody happy, but, let’s face it, if the kids ain’t happy, nobody’s happy. With that in mind, you’ll want to take special care to select a destination that appeals to the kids, even involve them in the planning process, so that it truly is a "vacation" for everyone!

Traveling and the New Red Tape

Shelley Bokman,

Since September 11th, we have been subject to many new security precautions. Knowing the alternatives, most of us understand we must tolerate these new regulations, along with whatever extra time and energy they require. But, as parents, we now have even more "red tape" to get used to. We have researched some of the new rules for you to help you become more aware and better prepared for your child’s next trip.

Ridin' the Rapids

Donna Mitchener,

There's something for everyone at the U.S Whitewater Center. Plan an outing for your family this summer.

Ages & Stages: 6-10: Creative Ways to Beat Summer Boredom

Denise Morrison Yearian,

Some of my finest childhood memories are of sweltering summer days spent wading through the shallow creek close to home. With an empty jar in hand, my neighborhood buddies and I spent hours catching minnows and examining streambed rocks in search of the best skipping stone.

50 Years of High-Flyin' Fun

Site Staff,

While throwing a popcorn lid at a Thanksgiving Day picnic more than 50 years ago, inventor Walter Fredrick Morrison was inspired. Afterward, he took a gravity-defying concept to an innovative toy company with a plan to bring his revolutionary flying disc concept to back yards, parks and beaches everywhere.

20 Outings under $20

Sarah Wright,

If you’ve found yourself frustrated by the cost to take your family out for a day of fun, we can relate. This summer, enjoy the following 20 things for under $20 based on a family of four. Details are subject to change, so be sure to call before you go.

5 Summer Boredom Busters

Suzanne Brown,

You can find lots of ways to beat the blues with your kids when summer boredom sets in — even in your own back yard.

Airport Diversions and other Kid-Friendly Tips

Site Staff,

Summertime travel with children, especially when it includes airports, can be challenging. Jerry Chandler, aviation expert and father of five, is a correspondent for Cheapflights’ "Flight News" blog. He offers these tips for families flying with kids. • Book direct, non-stop flights whenever possible, to avoid airplane changes.

10 Tips for a Summer Block Party

Gina Roberts-Grey,

Looking for a way to finally introduce yourself to the new neighbor down the street? Are your kids begging you to host an all-day water balloon war? Whether wanting to swap recipes or socialize within the neighborhood, block parties are time-honored traditions in neighborhoods all across the country.