No one likes to think about the threat of impending emergencies, much less sprinting out the door to equip the house for every eventuality. However, enlisting the cooperation of your teenager to help prepare your household for an emergency is the perfect way to get set, fast. It also presents a great opportunity to begin […]

One of the most important elements of the impressionist movement was subject-matter. Fascinated by the small moments of life, Impressionists used art to capture fleeting moments in time, such as light reflecting on a lily pond or the colour of the setting sun on the face of a cathedral. Explore impressionism with your child by

Charles Darwin is best known for discovering how species evolve and adapt, and summer is a great time for you and your teen to follow in his footsteps. Take advantage of the sunny, warm weather and accompany your teen on an adventure in species mapping.Here’s an activity that encourages your child to be outdoors and

An electroscope is a simple device that measures static electricity, or the freely flowing electrical charges of the atmosphere. Static electricity is caused by friction, or something rubbing against something else. This electricity-producing friction can be as harmless as a comb rubbing against hair or as powerful as ice crystals rubbing against each other in

Here’s a game to help ensure that your teenager hits the important aspects of analyzing a piece of literature. Use this game to prepare for a literature quiz, and a good grade is in the cards! What You Need:❑ A standard deck of cards, with jokers, face cards, and numbers 4-9 removed❑ An index card

Whether the party menu is Chinese take-out or cake and ice cream, your teen will love the novel look of these fantastic fortune cookie cards! Show your teen an offbeat way to let his friends know that their future includes a great party. His friends are sure to be impressed with these charming, unique invitations.

Snapping photos, filming videos and writing blogs-predominantly visual activities-are the most common ways to share experiences, while iPods help kids, and parents, tune people out. Why not help your teen use the gadget to connect with others?Your teen might not know it, but his iPod can be used to create audio guides, diaries and letters.

This activity could be used by a teen taking a high school science class at any level. Motivate your teen by issuing a friendly challenge. Bet he can’t tell whose fingerprints are on the drinking glass, the spoon, or some other household object! By becoming involved in a simulated crime scene you may be able

Your child’s “letter to himself” is a low-stress way for him to begin thinking about future goals and also spend some time reflecting on his life. This activity also provides an opportunity to talk about the future without all the urgency of SATs and college applications. Keep the letter he composed to his future self,

Let’s face it. You’d do just about anything to avoid having to sit and ponder your path to college. But by the second half of high school, the questions will start pouring in: “What do you want to study?” “Where do you want to go?” “Small college or big university?” And sooner or later, you’ll

Today, nearly everyone has a digital camera, and it’s easy to take a perfect photograph every time. But like many electronics, cameras may seem mystical and complicated to your child, and they can be expensive too. This project teaches how simple a camera can be, and how light forms an image on the film. It’s

When we think of masks, we usually think of Halloween, but they have so many other uses-as props in dramatic productions, as decorative objects, or simply as entertainment for a long school break. This papier-mâché mask is the perfect project for your budding middle school artist. As he brings form to his masterpiece, he’ll immerse

Put your child’s fashion design skills to the test with a project perfect for celebrating Earth Day, or simply transforming an old wardrobe. This activity will give her the opportunity to recycle an oldT-shirt by transforming it into a cute skirt using simple sewing techniques. This is a great way for your little one to

People have worn masks since the beginning of time. Masks have been worn for protection, concealment, performance, or even just plain amusement. Storytellers and actors wear masks to portray characters and make their stories more interesting. Every culture has some form of mask art. Some of the most beautiful masks in the world have come

Will you use paper or plastic? How about neither. Both bags produce environmental waste and take months (or in case of plastic, hundreds of years) to break down in landfills. Instead, choose cotton. Pick a shirt that too old or ratty to wear anymore, but you just can’t seem to part with it, and then