There are kids’ birthday parties and then there are BIRTHDAY PARTIES! Taking your child’s birthday celebration to the next level does not have to be an exercise in over-spending and over-indulgence. There are many ways to make your child’s party a fun-filled and memorable experience for both the birthday boy or girl, and their guests.

A popular choice for many busy parents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is to plan their child’s birthday party outside the home, at another destination. There are hundreds of party places [...]]]>

There are kids’ birthday parties and then there are BIRTHDAY PARTIES! Taking your child’s birthday celebration to the next level does not have to be an exercise in over-spending and over-indulgence. There are many ways to make your child’s party a fun-filled and memorable experience for both the birthday boy or girl, and their guests.

A popular choice for many busy parents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is to plan their child’s birthday party outside the home, at another destination. There are hundreds of party places throughout the GTA; find one that’s fun and friendly, and willing to make your child feel special on his or her big day.

At Dynamix, children will be entertained, energized and leave wanting more. Kids and teens participate in teambuilding activities that are creative, analytical and high energy. There’s incredible games, a tribal council and the opportunity to win prizes.

4Cats will bring out the inner-artist in your child and his/her guests. There are a variety of fun and exciting art themes including Pop Art Party, Paint Splatter Party, Vincent Van Gogh Party, Clay Party and a Georgia O’Keeffe-Inspired Party.

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) also hosts birthday parties. Children go on an interactive tour throughout the gallery and make an amazing art project to take home. The party includes a special AGO-made birthday cake.

If you are looking for a more hands-on experience for children, then how about a LEGO® party? At a Bricks 4 Kidz birthday party (available at two locations in Mississauga and Oakville), children will build LEGO® models, create and participate in games and challenges. Bricks 4 Kidz birthday parties offer a fun and unique experience for all busy builders.

Little Party Goers will personalize your child’s birthday party to make it a memorable event. Trained professionals will come to your location and entertain the children at your event, so that the party is relaxed and stress free. Various themed activities are available, including a princess party, a safari journey, tea time, a car adventure and puppet show.

From set up to clean up, ALLtimate Party ‘N’ Play really does it all! The playcentre features two separate play areas over 3,600 square feet. The Play Park has a large inflatable bouncer, a playhouse with kitchenette, tool bench, air hockey and table soccer and many other toys including motorized and non-motorized ride-ons. The Jungle Room features a rock climbing wall, an adventure climber with two slides, a costume/dress up area, a performance stage and a ball pit. Themed party options include a High School Musical, Batman, Magic Show, Hannah Montana, Spiderman and Superman.

The ancient Greeks believed that raising a well-balanced child involved training in music and gymnastics. These fundamental aspects of education have carried through to modern times, and the influence of the ancient Greeks is still part of our education system. However, the arts, such as music and painting, and sports and fitness, are often the first subjects that are cut back in the modern day school curriculum facing budgetary pressures.

Happyimagination keeps both a child’s body and [...]]]> Happiness for Mind, Body and Soul

The ancient Greeks believed that raising a well-balanced child involved training in music and gymnastics. These fundamental aspects of education have carried through to modern times, and the influence of the ancient Greeks is still part of our education system. However, the arts, such as music and painting, and sports and fitness, are often the first subjects that are cut back in the modern day school curriculum facing budgetary pressures.

Happyimagination keeps both a child’s body and mind healthy by utilizing creative tools to nurture all aspects of his or her development. Art educator (M.A. in art education) and personal trainer, Vila Woo, who offers a unique combination of art and fitness in the comfort of your home, founded happyimagination in November 2009.

Vila brings all the supplies to entertain your child and their friends.  They participate in age appropriate activities based on a weekly theme and activities take place in a stress-free environment for both parents and their children. As host parents, there is no need to leave the home or feel rushed to get your child from one location to another. Plus, the other parents know that their children will be safe in a friend’s home for the 90-minute class. A small class size ensures that each child receives personal attention throughout the experience, as opposed to community or school programs with larger groups.

All classes begin with yoga and functional exercises to help increase balance, coordination, endurance, and strength. Children learn to follow instructions, work cooperatively and become aware of their body and surroundings. They will increase coordination, strength, balance, and endurance through fun exercises using hoops, balls, stability pads, etc.

During the art segment, children engage in an interactive story, an educational activity and sketching before creating their final masterpieces. Happyimagination’s theme-based art projects help children connect with a subject. For example, the young artists engage in listening to a story about the Mona Lisa before painting a portrait. They explore various art materials, art techniques and learn art vocabulary.  Most of all, they enjoy the little surprises such as mixing different colored paints and sharing what they have discovered. Children can take their time to explore a variety of materials and equipment without rushing.

Children learn to work independently and in a group, while building their self-esteem in a warm and supportive environment. Happyimagination also offers birthday parties, special play dates, activities for holidays and professional days.

Happyimagination is proud to continue its 3^rd annual Summer Camp in your backyard! Starting June 25^th until the end of August. Just imagine 90 minutes of outdoor activity.

Extended time available upon request.
Activities include:

• Water Play
• Nature Art
• Treasure Hunting
• Finger and Face Painting
• New this year -Fun with Food (Creating art with healthy foods), and much more.

Cool Themes:

• The Circus
• Musical Instruments
• Bubbles & Balloons
• Summer Sweets
• Dolls and Puppets
• Treasures and Jewels…..and more.

Happyimagination’s goal is to encourage creative minds and healthy bodies.

Adapted from Chirp Magazine.

Used with permission of Bayard Presse Canada Inc.

Illustrations by Bob Kain & Jason Bone.

A big thank you to our friends from www.OwlKids.com !! They [...]]]>

Get your kids in summer camp mode with these great games from OwlKids. They can also be a great distraction in the car ride to camp so you can start fantasizing about your upcoming free and quiet time. Dont forget to bring crayons so they can let their artistic spirit flow when theyre done!

Adapted from Chirp Magazine.

Used with permission of Bayard Presse Canada Inc.

Illustrations by Bob Kain & Jason Bone.

A big thank you to our friends from www.OwlKids.com !!

They are dedicated to creating a world of fun around reading and learning for children of all ages.

There are birthday parties and then there are Birthday Parties! The difference is that some parties offer a “creative” twist alongside the usual offering of cake, balloons and birthday party fun. Here’s the scoop on some “artistic” suggestions for birthday parties in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

If creativity is what you are looking for, then The Clay Room offers paint-it-yourself ceramic party packages for various age groups. At The Mess for Fun Indoor Playland and Ceramic Centre, All [...]]]>

There are birthday parties and then there are Birthday Parties! The difference is that some parties offer a “creative” twist alongside the usual offering of cake, balloons and birthday party fun. Here’s the scoop on some “artistic” suggestions for birthday parties in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

If creativity is what you are looking for, then The Clay Room offers paint-it-yourself ceramic party packages for various age groups. At The Mess for Fun Indoor Playland and Ceramic Centre, All Fired Up Paintable Ceramics in Etobicoke and Color Me Mine in Markham, birthday party goers can choose from a wide variety of unpainted ceramic pieces and then give them a custom decorating job before the birthday celebrations begin!

Both kids and adults can get in touch with their inner Picasso at the Paintlounge.  The concept is called social painting: Paintlounge supplies the canvas, brushes and paint, and you provide the creativity in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Kids can produce a collaborative canvas or an individual picture, and then feast on gourmet cookies or cupcakes.

Kids can also choose an art-inspired theme for their birthday party at the 4 Cats Arts Studio. If paint splatter is your artistic bent, then take over the splatter room and create like an abstract expressionist. Or if you want a Van Gogh-inspired event, then guests create work on a canvas inspired by the artist’s beautiful sunflowers.

Children ages 4 to 12 can also explore their artistic personalities at birthday parties at the Avenue Road Arts School. Qualified art instructors and professional artists lead a variety of theme-based art projects such as Picasso Portraits, Animals in their Habitats, Magic Wand and 3D Landscapes.

Arts, crafts and cooking are on the menu at the Academy of Artisans in mid-town Toronto. Youngsters can learn to bake, knit, design jewelry and do flower arranging all in one space. Every creative leaning is catered to: kids choose their favorite activity and then a birthday party is designed around the creative endeavour.

Dance and music are two creative pursuits that lend themselves well to birthday bashes. At Salsa Babies, you can choose from the Fiesta Dancin’, Fiesta Shakin’ or Fiesta Groovin’ packages for birthday parties. Parents and their children learn to move and groove to lively Latin rhythms to heat up the birthday party’s mood.

How about a Kindermusik birthday party at 88 Keys where kids and their parents are entertained and educated at the same time? Children learn about various instruments, participate in instrument play-alongs, sing, explore creative movement and more.

There’s no end to creative possibilities when it comes to birthday party celebrations.

Many brides spend a lot of time and money planning their wedding down to the last detail, but it is often the smallest member of [...]]]> Wedding season is just around the corner and your ‘lil darling may have been asked to be part of the wedding party or may have been invited as a guest. While either request may give you the jitters, remember that your child likely views the upcoming nuptials as little more than a big party.

Many brides spend a lot of time and money planning their wedding down to the last detail, but it is often the smallest member of the wedding party who can derail even the best-planned event. Patience, preparation and prodding may be needed to make sure that the day goes smoothly for both the big and little guests.

Make sure that a child is comfortable in their new clothing because scratchy pants or uncomfortable new shoes will surely turn even the most easygoing child into a cranky and uncooperative participant.  Let children put on and test drive their party clothes in advance of the big day. If they have roles to play in the wedding party, then rehearse their roles with them in the quiet and comfort of your home.

Little girls love to play dress up and weddings provide them with an occasion to turn into their favorite princess. Do-Gree Fashions, a Montreal company that imports clothing and accessories for women, men and children, carries a beautiful and child-friendly dress line called Blush by Us Angels.  The dresses are designed especially for children and are not simply scaled down versions of formal outfits for adults. The special occasion dresses are for flower girls at weddings, first communions or other celebrations, and the sizes range from infant and toddler, up to sizes 4-16. Accessories such as gloves, cover-ups and headpieces are also available.

Finding “age appropriate” clothes for children either invited to a wedding or in the wedding party can be a challenge. Here are a few pointers for parents who may be shopping for dressy attire for their youngsters:

• Coordinate the child’s clothing with the wedding theme or colors, such as a matching dress sash or bow tie.
• Play off the seasons and put flowers in a girl’s hair or a colored vest on a ring bearer.
• Replicate the look of the bridal party (i.e. bridesmaids and groomsmen), but remember that long dresses are difficult to manage for very young girls and that little boys will not like restrictive accessories, such as cummerbunds, on tuxedos.
• Consider the child’s age and size when purchasing dress clothes, and buy them big enough to accommodate a child’s growth before the wedding day.

Youthful simplicity and classic styling are best when selecting formal wear for children. In this way, the celebration will be an enjoyable experience for both parents and their children.

Want to Win Wedding wear for your kids?  Make sure they are glowing in the chapel! Enter now for a change to WIN…girls and boys wedding fashion

The Biosphere offers many special events, exhibits and activities throughout the year to help you learn more about the environment.

The Montreal Biosphere offers an environmental education in a unique and [...]]]> Environmental Awareness at the Montreal Biosphere: Educating children about the importance of protecting the environment involves more than textbook learning. Getting out of the classroom and into nature will show kids the value of becoming advocates for the environment, and will nurture an understanding of the connection between man and nature.

The Biosphere offers many special events, exhibits and activities throughout the year to help you learn more about the environment.

The Montreal Biosphere offers an environmental education in a unique and spectacular setting. Located in Parc Jean-Drapeau in the dome designed and made famous by R. Buckminster Fuller, the massive metal structure is an architectural masterpiece and symbol of the former site of Expo ’67 in Montreal.

The Biosphere hosts interactive and educational exhibitions aimed at increasing the understanding of major environmental issues, such as biodiversity, climate change, sustainable development, etc. There are temporary and permanent exhibitions that show the importance of protecting the environment and reducing our ecological footprint.

2012 Exhibitions: Montreal Biosphere

ONE – Outfits from a New Era’ features 16 outfits fashioned from mass consumption products. Accompanied by videos and music, these unique creations present car parts, batteries, salmon skins, electronic waste and other discarded objects in a whole new light.

One of the permanent exhibitions ‘+1 degree C: What Difference Does It Make?’ looks at the effects of climate change and rising temperatures on the planet. At the centre of this exhibition is a ‘Magic Planet’ the only interactive digital earth globe in Quebec. Through satellite imagery, the globe allows visitors to observe natural, meteorological and climatic phenomena, such as ocean currents and hurricanes.

Bring a change of clothing if you plan to visit the ‘Water Wonders!’ exhibition. Eight interactive modules allow you to play games, conduct experiments and tackle challenges such as sinking a ship, generating energy and even walking on water! Dive in and test some ideas by using your skills and creativity.

Outdoor Activities

A few steps away from the Biosphere is the ‘Ecoological Solar House’, a self-sufficient, intelligent and ecological solar-powered house. The materials, devices, structure and architecture have been carefully selected to reduce their environmental footprint. The special features and technological innovations make it a healthy place to live. Along with demonstrating alternative methods of producing renewable energy, the Ecoological House also aims to promote a new way of modern living.

Ready for adventure? The Biosphere offers you the chance to experience the Île Ste-Hélène BioKit! With your BioKit and a GPS receiver, both available at the Biosphere, live an adventure where you are the hero! Discover the combination of the safe left by Pehr Kalm, one of the first botanist who explored the island, walk through Île Ste-Hélène and discover all the treasures of its rich biological diversity!

The Biosphere offers many special events, exhibits and activities throughout the year to help you learn more about the environment.

About the Biosphere. Architectural masterpiece and symbol of Expo 67, the Biosphère is a unique and spectacular structure, located at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montréal. Treat yourself to its interactive exhibitions aimed at increasing understanding of major environmental issues. Participate in its animated activities and special events throughout the year to learn more about day-to-day solutions to protect the environment. Check here to see all activities available at the Biosphere

While some kids willingly complete their homework [...]]]> When the kids come home at the end of the school day, the first thing they want to do is run outside to play or sit down to watch their favorite television show. But as a parent, the first thing that you want is for them to address their daily homework. Even kindergarten children have homework these days, and the after-school workload demands grow each year as kids move up through the school system.

While some kids willingly complete their homework with minimal fuss or distraction, for many others homework is a bore and a chore.  What should take a short time to accomplish turns into a lengthy and frustrating session both for kids and parents. Some kids have no trouble completing daily homework and can work independently. However, some kids lack organizational or study skills and have trouble preparing for tests or other assignments. No parent likes to see his or her child struggling with school or homework.

If your child is in this latter category, then an after school assistance program (A.S.A.P.) may help your child prioritize his or her daily homework and assignments, and figure out strategies for upcoming tests or other challenges. Trained staff guide students within the A.S.A.P. program at 2Torial Educational Centre  in Montreal and encourage student independence while actively assisting those students who need additional help completing assignments and studying for tests. All of this is accomplished in an environment geared to make learning stimulating, fun, and easy, with professional assistance to ensure success.

The educational centre provides support for students with academic challenges from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. The approach is student-centred; in other words, 2Torial focuses solely on the student and what is best in his or her particular circumstances. 2Torial also offers private tutoring with students receiving individual lessons in one-on-one sessions.

You don’t have to be in elementary school to take advantage of 2Torial’s services. Private or semi-private tutoring is also offered for high school and CEGEP students. In addition to helping students between the ages of 5 and 25, the centre also offers adult education and special education courses. Teachers are available in both English and French, and as subject matter specialists, they are able to help students in every subject and level (math, history, science, etc.).

2Torial motivates students to become successful learners. Its goals and your goals as a parent are one and the same: to ensure your child’s success and future.

Mmmm… les macarons! Import this delicious French finger dessert straight to your kitchen from the wonderful world of Betty Crocker’s instant batter! Great if you are hosting a birthday party, baby shower, work event or if you are just looking for something light and creative to do with your kids!

Budget and planning may be factors when deciding whether to hold your child’s birthday party in your home or outside the house at a venue where the kids are entertained and fed.

It is possible to stage a birthday party in your home without incurring a major investment of time and money. And it also is possible to provide delicious alternatives to hotdogs and cake, while leaving the preparations to someone else. What about hand-rolled, soft pretzels or frozen yogurt in [...]]]>

Budget and planning may be factors when deciding whether to hold your child’s birthday party in your home or outside the house at a venue where the kids are entertained and fed.

It is possible to stage a birthday party in your home without incurring a major investment of time and money. And it also is possible to provide delicious alternatives to hotdogs and cake, while leaving the preparations to someone else. What about hand-rolled, soft pretzels or frozen yogurt in innovative flavours for your little partygoers? Check out what “deals & steals” we have going on for them!

The one-stop party shop, Giggles, can supply party supplies and gift bags in popular themes often requested by children. Picking the “just right” party favours to encourage a youngster’s imagination or buying a gift that is both educational and inspirational is easier with the assistance of Art Enfant or Bilibaloo.

However, many busy parents prefer to leave the arrangements to “professionals” who are practiced at dealing with groups of excited children. This also gives parents a relaxing and perhaps more enjoyable experience.

Thekidscoop.com has some top picks for party venues Montreal:

• Sportball birthday parties will entertain your child and their friends with high-energy sports and activities. Sportball will run your child’s birthday at a Sportball facility or at an indoor or outdoor location of your choice. Coaches supervise the party from start to finish, encouraging and fostering the participation of all children in non-competitive sports and games.

• Dynamix offers active and engaging birthday parties for children ages five and up. Dynamix parties are hands-on and interactive, and are famous for keeping children entertained, energized and always wanting more. Dynamix is the leader in teambuilding and character development programs for kids and teens.

• You can invite a princess, fairy, superstar or pirate to an enchanted castle to celebrate your child’s birthday. Princess Stephanie specializes in fairytale parties for kids ages three to eight. All parties include exciting games, fun crafts, beautiful costumes and a captivating story time.

• If your child enjoys the kitchen, a party at a Loblaws’ cooking school provides hands-on instruction for children five years and up. Your child and their guests will each prepare a self-decorated treat, depending on the party’s theme.

• Many child-friendly indoor playcentres offer birthday parties, complete with food and a range of supervised activities. You can find dancing and music at Funky Feet or Gramofun, fun themes at Pi-O Centre d’Amusement or Jungle Adventure and play at La Tasse Gamine.