Parent’s Talk: Finding Activities for Kids During Winter Break

The winter break hiatus from school is coming up soon for kids. How will you embrace the break?

I’m assuming most youth attending school – from elementary to high school – are ready and waiting anxiously for the upcoming winter break. While kids of all ages tend to look forward to a break from school, sometimes it can be a little challenging for parents. From finding alternate daycare to combating the “there is nothing to do” phrase or just being the sole source of transportation, winter break from school can be both a blessing and a curse for parents. This week, we’re asking parents to help out each other this holiday season. SHARE: What ideas do you have for kids and families to do during winter break? What are your favorite “go to” places in the winter months? How do you handle daycare challenges? Share your ideas and thoughts in …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Richfield's Young Artists Recognized

This year’s Richfield Teen Art Show opened on the evening of Monday, Nov. 26.

How Do You Help Your Child Make A Holiday Gift List?

Share your thoughts and tips on creating a good holiday gift list with your child.

Ten Books for Kids Under 10: Holiday Gift Guide

Forget the toys. Get something to get their imagination going.

Parents Talk: Helping Your Kids Create a Reasonable Holiday Gift List

Kids have started making their lists and checking them twice. How do you help them make their lists?

When I was a kid, the excitement that would blow through the Burgess home as the holiday shopping season began can be pinpointed to one thing: The Toys-R-Us catalog arriving. My sister and I would pore over the pages, carefully dog-earring them to call special attention to the items circled therein. We would proudly hand it to our parents, believing we had done them a great service. (There would be no way they could disappoint us if they took our direction on the gifts.) Of course, I never got that electric Barbie car. (Sigh) A paper catalog seems a little old school now with the Internet and so many shops to choose from. So, how do you help plan your kids' gift lists? Do you take them to the store? Supervise them online? Or do you wait …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Scare Your Kids Into Reading With These Halloween Books

Check out ReadKiddoRead's list of the best Halloween books for kids.

All of us—adults, teens and children—enjoy a scary chill.  What better time of year than Halloween to indulge in stories that make our spines tingle?  It's the perfect time for your family to share some spooky stories each evening. To get you started, here are some Halloween books filled with ghosts and ghouls, wizards and witches, haunted houses and black magic that everyone can enjoy together. PICTURE BOOKS for ages 2-6 The youngest children love the fun of Halloween: costumes, trick-or-treating and gentle tales of ghosts and goblins. Here are some books for this age group: GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE By Kazuno Kohara For ages 1-6 There are fuzzy pumpkin costumes in sizes as small as 6 months, so why not a Halloween board book for toddlers? This…

• Photos (1)
• Videos (3)

(PHOTOS) Residents, Neighbors Flock to 'The Avenue' For Open Streets At Penn Fest

People from all over Richfield and neighboring communities enjoy a day of fun in the sun with activities, music, vendors and more.

Richfield's first Open Streets at Penn Fest event was an indisputable hit among residents and those of neighboring communities. While Penn Fest itself was in its fifth year, a Blue Cross Blue Shield grant that allowed organizers to afford the closing of nearly all of Penn Avenue for a few hours drew an enormous crowd. Of course, the beautiful weather helped, too. The Avenue was lined with vendors, musicians, attractions, kids activities and bargains. From crafters and fitness classes between 71st and 73rd streets, to free rootbeer floats at Lund's on 63rd Street, event-goers had something to take in at every turn. Stay tuned for more photo galleries from all Sunday's festivities. If you have a photo you'd like to share with the community, …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (43)

LAST CHANCE: For Fun, Food On-A-Stick at Minnesota State Fair Monday

Monday, Labor Day, is the final day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

For the final day of the fair, many merchandise and food vendors are offering Last Chance bargains; flyers with deals listings are available at all information booths. It’s also Kids Day, and children age 5 to 12 pay only $7. The rides at Mighty Midway and Kidway have a one ticket discount all day. Barns close for the day at 3 p.m. In addition, all day in Carousel Park, Cub Foods is sponsoring giveaways, appearances by local celebrities, prize drawings and live performances. As for the evening's entertainment act, Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller play the grandstand at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 and $39. If you're looking to hitch a ride to the fair on a shuttle, look no further than Richfield to do so. The $5 shuttle from Best Buy corporate …

• Photos (1)

Getting Kids to Read: Author James Patterson Partners With Patch

Patch has teamed up with James Patterson’s ReadKiddoRead program to bring you reading lists for every age.

Looking for a great book for summer reading? Patch has teamed up with author James Patterson’s ReadKiddoRead program to bring you reading lists for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for some great summer reading options, check these lists of his favorite page-turners. Read one, or read ‘em all, and post your thoughts in the comments section. Or, if we missed your favorite book, tell us in the comments! (Click the links below to see each age group's list.) James Patterson's Summer Reading List for Tweens and Teens, 11 & Up James Patterson's Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 8-12 James Patterson's Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 6-9 James Patterson's Summer Reading Lists for Preschoolers & Kids Ages 2-7

• Photos (1)