Category — KID STUFF

Every once and a while we come across a website that is really neat, even as a parent you enjoy it. We are sharing some of our favorite holiday website finds with you here.  If you have a great site, let us know about it by posting it in the comments!

Elf Yourself

Website URL: http://www.elfyourself.com/

Hunterdon Moms Online Comments:  This super fun site brought to us by Office Max is the hit of the 2007 holiday season.  On this site you can upload up to four images at a time and then crop out your faces to add them to the bodies of dancing elves.  During the process you can even call a special phone number and record a personalized message to add to your clip.  The end result is your photos as dancing elves! [Read more →]

I recently received an email from a parent who is desperately frustrated over the struggles her middle-school son is facing.  He has been diagnosed with ADHD and bi-polar disorder.  School and everyday life, she says, is a real struggle; he looses everything and forgets everything.  Like every other student I have met with these same characteristics, he also happens to be brilliant.

But, his mother says, “All I hear is, “I’m stupid! Over and over again…” 

Maybe he is.

There are several formal definitions of the word, “stupid,” according to Dictionary.com.    In my world, however, “stupid” is the word I use to describe someone who has talents, gifts, and skills, but is choosing not to use them.  Let me tell you, I know a lot of stupid people!

But, you don’t have to be one of them.  This struggling young man doesn’t have to be, either.  [Read more →]

As a classroom teacher, I used to hear excuses from a few students every morning about why they did not have their homework.  Most of them had to do with extra-curricular commitments: “I couldn’t do my homework last night because I had a baseball game.”  Or, “I had to go to my brother’s basketball game.”  Some of the excuses were due to family obligations: “We had to take my grandma out for her birthday last night.”  The best excuse I ever heard… “I couldn’t  do my homework because I had to go with my mom to get her nails done.” 

Many teachers would agree that the number one reason students fail classes is due to missing homework.  Creating excuses for homework lowers your grades and encourages a very bad habit for your future. [Read more →]

It is 6:00 AM…you have already hit the snooze button twice and  are dreading the morning marathon that lies in front of you.  Making sure everyone is dressed and ready for school is enough of a process, especially when everyone is bleary-eyed (and oh-so cheery) at the very beginning of the day.  Soon the chaos begins… “Mom, where are my shoes?”  “I can’t find my homework!” “Did you sign my field trip form?”  Everyone is scurrying around trying to get ready while you are sweating over being late…again.

Halfway to school, one of your children realizes that they have P.E. today, but they wore sandals instead of gym shoes.  So, after racing back home for the right shoes, you barely manage to drop everyone off on time and dash into work.  Fifteen minutes later, you get a call… “Mom, I forgot my lunch money.”

Morning Mayhem creates problems that last all day long…making students distracted with worry, teachers frustrated, and parents incredibly frustrated and exhausted.  This commotion sets a tone for the rest of the day that is very hard to shake! [Read more →]

Every once and a while you come across a website that is really neat, even as a parent you enjoy it. We are sharing some of our favorite finds with you here.

Disclaimer: Although we have checked each of these sites for appropriate content, we encourage you to preview the following sites before allowing your children to visit them. Due to the everchanging nature of the internet, we cannot be responsible for links to outside material over which we have no control.

Where’s George?

Description: Track US or Canadian dollar bills as they travel across the country. Enter the serial number and zip code to track its past history. Get email when the next person registers your bill!

Website URL: www.wheresgeorge.com

Hunterdon Moms Online Comments: We got hooked on this site when one day we received a dollar bill marked with the Where’s George website. Curious, we went and found out that the dollar bill we received as change had actually been originally logged on the site in Alaska! Needless to say, we were hooked. Since that first bill, we have received at least 3 other bills all being tracked by this neat site and have entered a few of our own. So next time you get change, check your bills and if you are curious to track your own money you can register for an account and track a few bills of your own. Just be sure to write on them “track me at www.wheresgeorge.com”

____________

Cute Overload!

Description:  A collection of all things cute!

Website URL: www.cuteoverload.com

Hunterdon Moms Online Comments:  I’m sure we’re late to the party on this website, as it has won the prestigious “Webby” award as well as many other kudos, however - now that we have found it you just can’t help but be hooked.  It truly is a cute overload and it’s great fun to see what’s new each day!

If you have a fun website that you love, please let us know by commeting to this post!

Here are some suggestions from other Hunterdon Parents on the best kid-friendly eating establishments in our area to get us started.  If you’ve been someplace you love to take the family, please comment to this post and let us know about it!

“We love Rockafella’s!”

“Rockafella’s is good. So is Finnagel’s near McDonalds on Rt 31 S in Clinton.”

“Our favorite “kid friendly restaurant in Hunterdon county is The Sunset Inn On Rte 31 across from the High Bridge Hills Golf Course. Tuesday is “Kid’s night”. Up to two Kids eat free for each adult dinner purchased and even if you don’t purchase a “quote” Dinner Entree, as long as you spend a certain amount (I think it’s about $10.00) they let you slide. They have a room with a big fish tank. The kids love to get close up looks at the fish, and there’s an atrium room with windows all around. Also, they have a Clown on kids night that makes balloon animals and things and the kids love it. The only negative thing that can be said is that if your in a hurry and can’t wait for a seat in the non smoking area to open up, you “will” smell and breath smoke. Like-wise, on your way out, your family has to walk through the smoking section which always seems to be very smokey. All in all our Kids love it.”

“In Hunterdon I’d have to say Spinning Wheel Diner is the best we have come across. However, if you go across the bridge in Milford and head North, the best Restaurant to take children to is Great American Grill!”

“Chelseas on rte 22 in lebanon is FANTASTIC!! Great for the whole family. We love it!”

“Sneddon’s family restaurant is definetely child friendly. Its simple and delicious food. Plus its located right in downtown Lambertville so its wonderful to take a stroll and town afterwards.”

“I would have to say that Pamela’s Cafe on Route 22 East is the best Kid Friendly Restaurant. They provide great food, a friendly atmosphere, and plenty of room.” from Bill P. 

Clinton Station Diner ….on 78 west exit 13 strives to be family/kid friendly. On Monday nights is “kids night”, they have a clown that makes lots of baloon animals for the kids, a 30 feet salt water fish tank and trains going around the room on suspended tracks (from the ceiling) along with the historic 1929 Blue Comet train car that you can seat in and eat. 

Planning your child’s birthday party year after year can be a daunting task. Between deciding whether to have it at home or out somewhere, the invitations, food, games and goodies - well it’s enough to drive any sane mom over the edge. We hope our birthday planning ideas with suggestions from other Hunterdon Moms like you will help make things a little easier. Please feel free to leave your own party idea suggestions in the comments to add to our current information.

Local Birthday Party Ideas submitted by Hunterdon Moms…

‘Last fall, I held my daughter’s birthday party at Peaceful Valley Orchards in Pittstown, NJ. The party was a hit with all of the children! Located on the farm, the kids were able to take in the countryside as well as interact with the farm animals! Peaceful Valley Orchards provided pizza, drinks, birthday cake, and coffee for the adults. Also provided was coloring books, crafts, and games. It was perfect! I would recommend a party at Peaceful Valley Orchards for any child’s birthday!’ - from Hunterdon Mom Carlie

[Read more →]

Check out these great homework-help websites.

www.bjpinchbeck.com
www.libraryspot.com
www.school.discovery.com
www.kidsclick.com

We’ll post more as we find them, or if you have a good one post a comment and let us know!

Hunterdon Moms Online Recommended!

Makes 3 1/2 cups

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

2 cups cold water 

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, mix together the flour, salt, oil, cream of tartar, and water.

Cook uncovered over medium heat, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until the dough is the consistency of mashed potatoes.

Divide the dough into four equal portions. It should have a soft, smooth texture.

Add approximately six to eight drops of food coloring to each portion, kneading the color into the dough to distribute it evenly.

Store the play dough in a re-sealable bag or airtight container. 

TIPS

Soak the saucepan you use to make this immediately after you remove the play dough in hot water. This will insure you don’t have a real sticky hard mess to clean up if you let it set to long. It cleaned up very easily if you soaked right away.

We keep our play dough wrapped in saran wrap and then, put it into an airtight container to keep it from drying out.

Comments

I made this recipe with my kids last winter and they still use it now. The dough is as soft and as fresh as the day we made it! It’s great!!

It’s also fun to use it to make dried dough crafts as well. Let the kids use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and put holes in them for decorations, jewelry or whatever. They can make figures with it too. It dries extremely hard and doesn’t chip, flake or break apart easily!

Have fun!

Below you will find the FREE Courtesy Listings for summer camps in our area.

Free business listings are provided as a courtesy to our site visitors. These businesses are not supporters of Hunterdon Moms Online. To request a FREE Courtesy Listing in our directory with your business name, location and phone number, click here.

If you would like to upgrade your current listing to include a link to your website, then check out our additional advertising options.

Nothern Hunterdon

The Youth Center
Glen Gardner, NJ
908-537-4594

Spartac “Total Soccer”
Lebanon and Califon
908-806-7080

The Roving Nature Center Summer Nature Camp
Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary in Tewksbury, NJ
1-800-284-0973

Ivy Leaf School
Lebanon, NJ
908-735-0901

Central Hunterdon

Hunterdon County YMCA Camp Carr Summer Day Camp
Situated on 26 wooded acres, located on the South Branch of the Raritan River just south of Clinton.
908-236-0055

Academy of Dance Arts
Whitehouse Station, NJ
908-638-4880

All Children’s Theatre
Clinton, NJ
973-335-5328

Bright Tomorrows Child Care Center
Flemington, NJ
908-788-6540, ext. 1

Camp Brett-Endeavor
Private, non-profit Christian Summer Camp
Lebanon, NJ
908-236-2882

Community Horizons Travel Camp
The Arc of Hunterdon County
Annandale, NJ
This travel day camp offers children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience daily fun!  Campers should be approximately 7-12 years of age, reside in Hunterdon County and must be DDD registered.
730-7827, ext. 231 

CompuChild Technology Camps
Clinton, NJ
908-788-7987

Eleanor Connell School of Dance
Annandale, NJ
908-735-7212

Gymnastics Unlimited
Flemington, NJ
908-782-8887

HealthQuest
Flemington, NJ
(908) 782-4009

His Loving Arms Summer Camp and Daycare
Clinton, NJ
908-735-2700

Hunterdon Art Museum
Clinton, NJ
908-735-8415

Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission Summer Camp
Camp programs will be held at locations throughout the county.
908-788-1405

KidVentures Summer Camp
Lebanon, NJ 
908-236-0226

Little Engines Daycare
Kingwood Township, NJ
908-996-0881

Michael’s Arts & Crafts - Summer Craft Camps
Flemington, NJ
908-788-9220

Nolan’s Family Daycare Summer Day Camp
Rocken Horse Farm
Milford NJ
908-996-7489

Our House Summer Camp
Lebanon Township, NJ
908-652-1152

Peaceful Valley Orchards Farm Camp (Ages 7-10)
Pittstown, NJ
(908)730-7748 or (908) 713-1705

Readington Museum Summer Camp
Readington Township, NJ
908-236-2327

Red Mill Museum Village Summer Camp
Clinton, NJ
908-735-4101

Roger Atkinson Ballet Center Dance Camp
Frenchtown, NJ
908-996-6544

Nature Center at Spruce Run Reservoir
Clinton, NJ
(908) 638-8572

Stanton Learning Center
Stanton, NJ
908-236-0917

Star Maker School of the Performing Arts
Flemington, NJ
908-788-5601

Summer Performing Arts Day Camp
Clinton, NJ
973-335-5328

Summer Pottery Camps @ Paint It! Pottery Studio
Clinton, NJ
908-730-9090

Riegel Ridge Community Center
Holland Township, NJ
908-995-9260

Rogers Dance Academy
Flemington, NJ 
908-237-0009

Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center
Camp Cold Brook
Oldwick, NJ
908-439-9636

World Play - Language and Cultural Enrichment Programs for Children
Clinton, NJ
(908) 735-9911

Southern Hunterdon

Hunterdon County YMCA South Camp:
Day Camp is held at South Hunterdon High School, Mount Airy Road, West Amwell, N.J.
908-782-1044 extension 619

The Arts - Summer Art Camps
Stocton, NJ
609-773-0207

Mill Ballet School
Lambertville, NJ
609-397-7244

Rambling Pines Day Camp
East Amwell Township, NJ
609-466-1212

Somerset County, NJ

Girl Scouts of Rolling Hills Council’s Camp DeWitt
Hillsborough, NJ
908-725-1226

Warren County, NJ

Eyes of the Wild
908-328-4470

Musconetcong Valley Community Association
908-876-3141

Centenary Performing Arts Guild
908-979-0900