Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of fun activities and helpful information for everyone in the family.
Tag Archives: crafts
April 2017 Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of fun activities and helpful information for everyone in the family.
Spring 2017 in Washington, DC
March 20th is the first official day of Spring, and the city is alive with so much to do. Take advantage of longer days and warmer temperatures to get outside and explore the city with your host kids. From cherry blossoms on the Potomac to Easter egg hunts at Hillwood or even Madame Tussauds, there truly is something for children of all ages.
Activities from Some of Our Favorite DC Blogs:
Kidfriendly DC
- The Best Events of the 2017 Cherry Blossom Season for Families
- Tips for Families Viewing the Cherry Blossoms (2017)
- Easter Celebrations for DC Peeps this Spring
- Live Entertainment on Local Stages this Spring
Red Tricycle DC
Capital City Au Pairs (That’s right- don’t forget that this blog has plenty of ideas too!)
About Travel DC
St. Patrick’s Day 2017
St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17th and has been celebrated in the US since 1737. St. Patrick is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Traditional icons of the day are the shamrock, leprechaun, the color green and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Celebration Ideas on March 17th
- Au Pair in America’s St. Patrick’s Day pinboard has lots of creative suggestions for crafts, baking, and other fun ideas.
- Take your picture in front of a green fountain! The White House was designed by Irish architect James Hoban. For the past several years, the White House fountain has been dyed green on March 17th in celebration of the holiday.
Spring Holiday Crafts
Looking for fun Spring craft ideas? APIA’s Spring Holidays Pinterest Board has lots of creative ways to celebrate the return of warmer weather and many of the Spring holidays.
March 2017 Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of helpful information and fun activities for everyone in the family.
February 2017 Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of helpful information and fun activities for everyone in the family.
January 2017 Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of helpful information and fun activities for everyone in the family.
Winter Vacation Battle Plan (2016)
During the last weeks of December, many host kids will have between ten days to two weeks off from school for winter vacation. The thought of having the kids home for multiple days during the winter can send even the most seasoned childcare giver into a panic. Cold weather, shorter days, extra sugar, later bedtimes, and visiting relatives can be a challenge, but with some pre-planning, you can provide your host kids with a vacation to remember.
Tip #1: Plan Ahead
- Take advantage of your host children’s free time. Pull out your calendar and read the Capital City Au Pair’s Winter Fun for DC Kids (2016-2017) post for hundreds of holiday and winter-themed events going on right here in DC.
- Play tourist with your host kids. Again, use the free time to explore DC. (Use the DC Guides section to help.) We live in an amazing city!
Tip #2: Dress the Part
Winter has finally arrived in DC. It’s important to dress for cold weather and to make sure that your host children are dressed warmly too. If this is your first experience with really cold weather, ask your host parents for advice on staying warm. For more info, read this blog post from October: It’s Cold Out There! A Guide to Dressing for Winter Weather.
Tip #3: Plan a Cozy Day Indoors
- Staying home for the day? APIA’s Pinterest boards have loads of winter fun and holiday crafts and activities.
- Help the kids organize their toys and rooms with these suggestions. With mom and dad’s permission, perhaps your host kids can donate some of the toys they have outgrown. This will create more room for the new toys from Santa.
- Looking for a fun baking activity? Gingerbread is a delicious way to celebrate the season!
Tip #4: Make a Date
Playdates can be a great way for kids to socialize and work on the important skills necessary to being a good friend. Talk with your host family about planning a playdate over winter vacation. With their permission, you can use our cluster list to find an au pair who lives near you and has host kids who are compatible ages with your host kids. If hosting doesn’t work, you can also make plans to meet up at the library for a free story hour or crafting session.
December 2016 Calendar Ideas
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of helpful information and fun activities for everyone in the family.