It’s interesting to watch a few drops of food coloring spread in liquid. But does the liquid’s temperature change what happens? Which mixes colors faster, hot or cold water? Let’s find out. Like any good scientist, though, make a guess about what will happen before you start the experiment.
Brown-bag lunches are a breeze to make—and even more fun when kids help prepare them.
What You'll Need: Whole-wheat bread, lemon juice, peanut butter and apples
In our "How Do We Celebrate" series, we share the unique and special traditions of all families, particularly with regards to spirituality and religion, but also other traditions that connect to meaning.
Holidays are times of joyful gatherings and fun traditions for families all over the world. From special meals to funny characters to celebrating the values that unite us, each culture brings its own flair to the festivities — during the winter holidays and throughout the year.
Here are simple ways to boost kids’ interest in food, desire for adventure and appreciation for what goes on in the kitchen.
In 2017, Darius Brown watched the coverage of hurricanes Harvey and Irma and noticed that so many dogs needed help. The disasters displaced the pups, and the dogs overwhelmed animal shelters.
Whoever says that if something tastes good it’s bad for you hasn’t tried one of these.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Makes: 12 doughnuts
What Kids Learn
Go ahead. Pump up the volume. We’ve found tunes for all seasons and reasons.
Mother’s Day is all about honoring the moms and mom figures in our lives. What better way to delight her than to give her handmade Mother’s Day crafts she will adore?
Give your child a chance to boost summer learning and create some excitement when school’s not in session. Encourage your kids to be creative by choosing a weird or out-of-the-box place to read, like in a tub without water or on a seasaw on the ground (yes, really!).
Let’s admit it: In many ways, summer is as much a relief to adults as it is to kids. But as we enjoy the lazy days of swimming pools and sleepovers, there may still be one little worry in the back of our minds: the so-called “summer slide.”
Start off summer fun strong with these cool sure-to-please summer activities.
Diwali is the holiday that feels like it belongs to me. “My Diwali Light” tells the story of Devi, named after my grandmother, as she gets ready to celebrate Diwali her way. Like so many major holidays, different families and communities have their own way of marking the season.
With its endless days and late nights, summertime gives kids a chance to relax and unwind from the school-year grind. But as we all know, too little to do in the summer leads to the whine we all cringe to hear: “I’m BORED!”
The average U.S. coin is in circulation for 30 years, so it’s no surprise that coins get dirty! Pennies, with their copper exterior, often look especially tarnished. Try this experiment to see if soap or vinegar does a better job at making pennies shine again.
Every 4 years or so, February has 29 days instead of 28 so that our calendar year stays in sync with the solar year — that is, the amount of time it takes Earth to make a trip around the sun.
Sure, kids make messes and need help from adults — but children as young as 18 months old can learn how to do simple chores like folding clothes and contribute to the household.
These 5 tips will help you feel at ease when cooking with kids, while also helping your child feel at ease shopping for and chopping veggies, measuring ingredients and helping you cook and serve dinner.
As November approaches and election conversations surround us, conversations about politics can be intense. Children are not immune.
These improv games will get your kids' creative juices flowing—and make everyone laugh out loud! Perfect to play in person or virtually.
When you volunteer as a family, you give kids an up close and personal way to observe life’s complexities and to see how the world looks from another perspective. Here's how to get involved and enjoy volunteering together.
There’s no need to buy toys when everyday objects can provide hours of entertainment for baby. Use what you have at home and try these ideas for fun.
As children grow, it’s normal for them to experience ups and downs day-to-day, depending on what’s happening at school and with friends and family.
Our award-winning magazines for kids deliver a monthly dose of encouragement, keeping kids of every age inspired and challenged. Help them learn and grow with kids magazines from Highlights!
One of the most memorable parts of raising a child is recounting all the hilarious things they say when they’re little. Whether it’s pronouncing “blueberry” as “boodiddy,” or giving you advice on how to do your job, kids come up with some pretty funny stuff.
There is no perfect formula or kindergarten readiness checklist to follow, but understanding what kids learn in kindergarten, what they do during their day, and how early childhood learning happens can help parents decide if it is the right time to enroll.
The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and the snow boots (hopefully) have seen their last wear of the season. Hurrah for spring!
Got a few cardboard boxes taking up space in your garage or attic? Give them a second chance, as cars or other toys for your children.
A humble cardboard box packs a world of possibilities. Try these DIY ideas to boost creativity and clear the clutter.
When your kids are looking for something new to do, introduce them to these high-spirited, old-school outdoor games you played as a kid. Warning: you may not see them for hours! Try these all-time outdoor game faves to keep your kids happy, busy and active.
Butterflies are beautiful insects. They’re also great pollinators. Plant a butterfly garden to encourage butterflies to visit your yard or even your balcony, roof or other outdoor space!
You don’t have to spend big bucks to find fall activities for kids. These 29 ideas are fun, practical, active, creative, inspiring and free (or ridiculously inexpensive).
I was born and raised in Mexico City and ironically, as soon as I left my country 17 years ago, I started paying more attention to how I celebrate my Mexican traditions, like Day of The Dead, and magically they got a whole new and powerful meaning.
Some days it seems as if mass shootings, toxic spills and natural disasters are making news with alarming frequency. And chances are your school-age child will learn about these shocking global events and tragedies, whether you discuss them at home or not.
Just because you know where something is hidden doesn’t mean you can find it easily (think about the last time you lost your keys). Help your kids develop their nose for uncovering hidden objects with this portable treasure-hunt game.
The air is full of colorless gas. So what makes a sunny sky so blue?
On a beautiful summer day, puffy white clouds drift in a sky that’s very blue. It looks like an ocean you could dive into.
Kids love Halloween! Scary stuff can be so fun . . . or it can ruin bedtime.
Looking for a stack of great ideas to make the most of the long weekend, with meals, games, activities and crafts to keep the family busy and happy for 3 straight days? Look no further. We’ve done the research and found 11 novel ways to boost the fun and excitement of the Memorial Day weekend.
Your kids will learn about joints and hinges by putting together this make-it-yourself Green Gobbler monster craft. As they fit the pieces together, they’ll also be improving their dexterity (cutting and pasting) and their sequencing skills (following directions).
Get little fingers moving, wiggling and reaching with this finger twist game. Kids spin the two spinners and move their fingers as directed. The player who keeps their fingers down the longest wins.
Ready to host an epic sleepover? Just gather your kid’s best buds, serve pizza or breakfast at midnight and let them have a ball testing their creativity and skills before they go to bed.
Location: Your kid’s favorite mall
Craft skills and math skills add up to some high-velocity fun when little hands make mini versions of Olympic bobsleds (the pros call them “bobs”). Race ’em down a cardboard track and time the results. Which sled is the fastest? Which sled is the flashiest? Try it and see!
Lights on. Lights off. Door open. Door shut. Cause and effect? Yep, and babies get that. Check out our super fun mini experiments for babies and toddlers. Your little one will love them.
Bite Size Lessons turn mealtime into discovery time with fun facts perfectly sized for curious minds. Each printable table mat transforms ordinary moments into learning adventures – no screens required!
1. Spruce up your footwear. Decorate plain white sneaks. Using paint pens, doodle your own designs or paint blue skies, wispy clouds, green trees and lavender flowers.
Welcome summer adventure! Whether you're a parent, teacher, camp organizer or caregiver, this printable bingo game is designed to entertain kids and create lasting memories.
When it’s time to pass around the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, serve up a few of these Thanksgiving jokes for kids. Everyone will want to gobble up these Thanksgiving jokes because they are deliciously funny.
Remember those fun, informal family games that parents and kids have enjoyed for generations—no batteries or equipment required? Here’s a refresher course in the classics, which you can adapt to your own family. The bonus: They help boost language, memory and other learning skills.
Looking for some fun this April Fools’ Day? If you have a few jokesters in your house, they’ll love planning each of these April Fools’ pranks and laughing all day long. These April Fools’ jokes are harmless, hilarious and perfect for the whole family!
Between the sweet baby smell and the sound of your little one cooing with delight, there is so much to be excited about in this new chapter — and, of course, plenty of unsolicited advice.
To celebrate Black History Month, we dove into our Highlights archives. From space to sports, these original stories and activities from Highlights magazines will inspire you to learn more about Black history all year long.
Best for: 0–4 months
You’ll need: Store-bought or homemade fingertip puppets
There’s no question that it’s important for your kiddos to keep moving. Research has shown the huge benefits of exercising: children who exercise daily are more likely to be physically, mentally and emotionally healthier than their peers who do not.
Hanh Bui fled her homeland of Vietnam as a child. She remembers the challenges of arriving in a new country, with new customs, language and expectations.
Kids stuck inside with nothing to do? Try these 11 "boredom busters" to up the family fun factor.
Are your kids having another “I’m bored!” moment? At Highlights, we understand that it can be hard to think of things to do when your kids as bored. Alas, look no further than this list of more than 40 creative things to do when bored at home.
Little kids are always learning, and playtime is no exception. As they interact with each other during play, young children are building important social skills.
For 75 years, Highlights magazine has received thousands of letters and email from kids every year, and we answer every single one. “Dear Highlights” has always served as a way to help ease children’s concerns and help encourage them to become their best selves.
Kids love to imagine what could be – like traveling to mystical lands or exploring the furthest reaches of our universe.
It is, most likely, inevitable: One day your 2-year-old cutie is quietly sharing her favorite stuffed animal with her 4-year-old brother, when out of nowhere you hear her shout, “Let go!” in the most assertive tone ever.
