Enjoy Your Summer with Family Activities! | Corona, CA

Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone! We have officially made it to the kick-off of summer. And with that comes the constant nagging from the little ones about being bored. Now that we are back to having fun in public again, the options are never-ending. The time is now to plan some great family activities for the kiddos to look forward to as the season progresses. Make it a family vote and let the fun begin!

Camping. Stargazing at night will be a fun activity to do at night over some s’mores. If you don’t have easy access to a campground, do it in the backyard!

Sandcastles on the beach. Wherever you are in Southern California, you’re beach adjacent. It’s time for a family sandcastle contest!

Zoo. Many zoos have special activities planned for little ones, so make sure to look up what’s happening ahead of time to maximize your fun learning about animals.

Gardening. There is no better feeling than seeing your hard work pay off with beautiful flowers or delicious vegetables. Add some art by painting rocks to decorate your new garden!

Park playgrounds. A very cost-effective outing is your local park. Pack up a bit of lunch and spend the afternoon outside.

Theme parks. Theme parks are a perfect way to spend a summer day since there’s usually something for everyone.

Outdoor concerts. There are so many great outdoor events happening this summer, no matter where you’re from. Try to make it to at least one this season for a bit of culture.

Family bike rides. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone in most kids’ lives and a skill that they will never truly forget. Add some exercise to your schedule with a fun bike ride.

If you would like to learn more about random acts of kindness, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

When Bullying Affects Our Bodies | Corona, CA

During this stressful time in our lives, it is important for us to look after one another more than it ever has been before. Not only is there no school or activities available but staying inside all day can become an issue for families living in close quarters. Bickering and rough housing is bound to happen, but that is completely natural. What isn’t natural is bullying others online or otherwise. Not only is it mean, but it affects the bullied more than one may think. Not only does bullying have a huge emotional impact for those on the receiving end, but it can have a significant adverse effect on health, both in terms of current and future health.

Mentally. Anyone who has ever been bullied knows the stress that it can bring to your life. This anxiety also leads to insomnia and disturbed sleep, which not only impacts on how we perform, but how we feel. Your mood becomes depressed, including a loss of confidence and reduced self-esteem.

Physically. Feelings of fear increases its production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which trigger a number of changes within the body. General muscle pain and headaches is commonly experienced by those who are bullied. Abdominal pain, nausea and altered bowel habits are also commonly reported by people who have experienced bullying, as some bullied will have radical weight changes. Studies also show that when stressful situations are more prevalent, colds, flu, sore throats and chest infections are more likely to occur, as our white blood cells are not adequately prepared to fight the bacteria and viruses that cause these before they take hold.

If you would like to learn more about the affects of bullying, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

Keeping Everyone in a Routine | Corona, CA

If you’re like the majority of us, the days of you and your family were planned out and jam-packed with activities. Sports, PTA meetings, hitting the gym we always had somewhere to go and something to do. These days, however, our activities have taken a back seat to self-quarantines. But this is a time to have a sense of normalcy, so our daily routines should remain as normal possible. Here are some tips:

Give yourself time. How many times are we tempted to hit the snooze button over and over? Working from home isn’t time to lounge around in bed. Use that time to get up, make a cup of coffee or catch the morning news before the kids are awake.

Prep the night before. Take a moment the night before to help your kids set out clothes for the next day and their schoolwork ready. Meal prep to keep routines in place. These little things won’t take you long during the evening but can make a huge difference to your mornings.

Write it down. It’s always easier to stay organized when you know what you need to do. Create an age-appropriate chores/responsibilities checklist for the refrigerator to ensure everything you need gets done.

Set daily goals. Now that we have the time, make goal setting a family affair. Have family talks about what they want to accomplish that day, and help them set realistic, enjoyable goals.

Stay calm. Finally, don’t sweat it if things don’t do exactly as planned. It’s an uncertain time, but there is no need to overreact to the changes. Keeping calm will also help your little ones to cope with things easier.

If you would like to learn more about coping mechanisms, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

Beware of Halloween Scares…for Your Teeth | Corona, CA

We’ve finally made it – it’s Halloween, the day that we get to be anything we want for an entire day. Bonus? It involves free candy! Here’s the problem – it isn’t all that great for your teeth. But far be it for us to tell you not to enjoy the greatest holiday? Let’s just leave you with this… These are the best and worst candies for your teeth. Pick and choose your favorites and have a safe Halloween:

Sugar-free candy and gum. Was there a surprise here? Sugar-free gum may be the best treat this Halloween season because it leaves no sticky residue that can cause cavities.

Chocolate. It’s true! Chocolate, without sticky fillings, won’t stick to your teeth and therefore is a much better option if you’re craving something sweet.

Hard candies. Hard candy like lollipops or jawbreakers may not stick to your mouth, but they take a long time to dissolve, giving sugar plenty of time to attack your teeth.

Sour candies. We know it’s a child favorite. But sour candy is bad for your teeth because it has a higher acidic content, which can break down tooth enamel. They may not require chewing but contain nothing but sugar and can lead to cavities.

Sticky candies. Taffy and candies filled with caramel, coconut, or nuts are the worst kinds of candy for teeth because they stick to everything inside of your mouth, including the grooves of your teeth. Because it’s tough to get out of these crevices, sticky candies are the worst option for your sweet tooth.

If you would like to learn more about safe Halloween candy, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

Protect Those Little Humans with Pool Safety | Corona, CA

Let’s face it – it feels like the earth is basically melting beneath our feet these days. Not only do we have to worry about hydration and wildfires, but now we get to add immanent death to the list. But nothing can beat the heat more than a dip in the pool. Your pool, a community pool or a good friend’s pool are the best meeting points for summer fun. But amidst all that fun we need to make sure we are also safe. After all, pool and spa submersions and drownings happen quickly, especially when they involve children. And believe it or not, but a child can drown in the time it takes to answer a telephone. Be alert to the hazards of drownings, non-fatal submersion injuries and drain entrapments — and how to prevent them.

For infants and toddlers, an adult should be in the water and within arm’s reach. For older children, an adult should be paying constant attention and free from distractions. If this is your pool, insist that the following rules are followed:

  • Keep toys away from the pool when the pool is not in use
  • Empty blow-up pools after each use
  • No electrical appliances near the pool
  • No diving in a pool that is not deep enough
  • No running on the pool deck
  • Teach children basic water safety tips
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
  • Have a portable telephone close by at all times when you or your family are using a pool or spa

If you would like to learn more about pool safety, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

Wrap Up the Sunny Season as a Family | Corona, CA

As we bring this season to a close and embark upon a new school year, it’s important to send your little one’s off with a happy heart and plenty of family memories. It’s the perfect opportunity for many families to enjoy each other company, while engaging in fun-filled activities. Family Fun Month is a wonderful time to take advantage of enjoying your families company, while bonding over whatever activity you all choose to partake in. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Order pizza and watch a movie in your backyard
  • Take a trip to the beach and collect sea shells
  • Take a day trip to the zoo to learn about the animals
  • Go on a camping trip to a new and exciting place
  • Learn about stargazing and then try to identify as many constellations as you can
  • Pretend to be pirates for a day. Dress up, plan a treasure hunt and talk like a pirate
  • Throw a backyard luau with family and friends
  • Have a themed karaoke night
  • Cook a delicious meal together
  • Bake cookies to make ice cream sandwiches
  • Have a little picnic at your local state park
  • Take a family bike ride
  • Go hiking in your local national forest
  • Have a water balloon fight
  • Take a family vacation to somewhere new
  • Have a talent show night
  • Take a fishing trip
  • Enjoy a backyard campfire and tell ghost stories
  • Build a fort in your backyard
  • Volunteer at an animal shelter or nature center

If you would like to learn more about Family Fun Month, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

August Marks Family Fun Month

Each and every year, Family Fun Month is celebrated throughout the entire month of August. It’s the perfect opportunity for many families to enjoy each other company, while engaging in fun-filled activities.

Fortunately, summer is a perfect time of the year where you can partake in several fun activities with your entire family. Family Fun Month is a wonderful time to take advantage of enjoying your families company, while bonding over whatever activity you all choose to partake in. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list so you can get an idea of what sort of fun you can have with your family this summer!

  1. Order pizza and watch a movie in your backyard.
  2. Take a trip to the beach and collect sea shells.
  3. Take a day trip to the zoo to learn about the animals.
  4. Go on a camping trip to a new and exciting place.
  5.  Learn about stargazing and then try to identify as many constellations as you can.
  6. Pretend to be pirates for a day. Dress up, plan a treasure hunt and talk like a pirate.
  7. Throw a backyard luau with family and friends.
  8. Have a themed karaoke night.
  9. Cook a delicious meal together.
  10. Bake cookies to make ice cream sandwiches.
  11. Have a little picnic at your local state park.
  12. Take a family bike ride.
  13. Go hiking in your local national forest.
  14. Have a water balloon fight.
  15. Take a family vacation to somewhere new.
  16. Have a talent show night.
  17. Take a fishing trip.
  18. Enjoy a backyard campfire and tell ghost stories.
  19. Build a fort in your backyard.
  20. Volunteer at an animal shelter or nature center.

There’s plenty of ways to enjoy Family Fun Month, so don’t let this summer slip by without spending some fun filled quality time with your family. You can create a bucket list out of a few of these ideas, and even add a few of your very own as well. Make this one of the most memorable summers, so your children remember it their entire lifetime!

We here at Simple Acts of Care and Kindness want both you and your entire family to make the most of your summer! To learn more about Simple Acts of Care and Kindness, contact us at 866-459-7225 today. Or visit www.simpleacts.org to learn more about the S.A.C.K. foundation. 

Summer Activities for the Family | SACK of Corona, Ca

122406213School is almost out for summer, which means you’re searching for ways to avoid the dreaded “I’m bored” complaints from your kiddos. Luckily, there’s no shortage of parks, beaches, museums, and more just begging to be explored and experienced with your kids. The trick is to plan ahead. Brainstorm ideas for things to do now, so you don’t wind up spending the entire summer watching television.

We’ve put together just a few summer activities for some of our favorite kid-friendly things to do:

Road Trip: Between the car games, the new places to discover and the special time spent together, it will be an experience you will remember forever.

Fishing: Fishing can be such a relaxing pastime. Head out to your favorite lake or river and spend some quality time with your family

Sandcastle: Wherever you are in Southern California you’re beach adjacent! Sandcastles are great because they can be as modest or extravagant as you have the patience to make. Plus, they’re so much fun to smash. Get your pail shovel and head for the beach!

Stargazing: Looking up at the stars on a clear night is beautiful and fascinating, especially if you’ve got a telescope in tow. See how many constellations you can find or how many different shapes you can find out there in the universe.

The Zoo: Learn about your favorite animal at the zoo this summer. Many zoos have special activities planned for little ones, so make sure to look up what’s happening ahead of time to maximize your fun.

Gardening: Growing a garden with your kids is a great way to get them to learn to nurture something from seed to bloom. There is no better feeling than seeing your hard work pay off with beautiful flowers or a delicious vegetables.

Art: Spruce up your garden or walkway with custom painted rocks by your little artist(s).

Paddle Boating: If you’re wanting to get out on the water without having to travel, try paddle boating this summer. It’s a great way to get the kids on the water, especially if it’s for the first time, and is easy to do in a pond at a park.

Backyard Campout: Grab the marshmallows and sleeping bags and have a fun camping trip in your own backyard. This is also a great option for younger kids who might not be ready to spend a night in the woods.

Park Playgrounds: Kids love playgrounds. Not only is it a great way to use some of that bottled up energy outside, but it’s also a good way to meet new friends (for both kids and adults). Instead of hitting up the same playground all the time, try to mix it up a bit, for variety.

Theme Parks: Southern California is a hot bed of Theme Parks! There is nothing more thrilling than riding a roller coaster. Even little ones get a kick out of the kiddie-sized rides. Theme parks are a perfect way to spend a summer day, since there’s usually something for everyone, including some less-adventurous thrill seekers.

Outdoor Concert: There are so many great outdoor events happening this summer, no matter where you’re from. Try to make it to at least one this season and it’ll be an unforgettable experience for your family. Contact your local Parks & Rec for information on outdoor concerts they may be offering.

Family Bike Ride: Learning to ride a bike is a milestone in most kids’ lives and a skill that they will never truly forget. Whether your little one is still on training wheels or not, get some exercise this summer by taking a bike ride as a family to a new park, a library or even the perfect picnic location

Take advantage of your summer by spending as much quality time with your family as possible!

For more information visit our website at: http://simpleacts.org/