Great books to read with your children

It’s always a good idea to introduce books to children at a young age, and here are a few great examples curated by the Funtides review team to share with them today.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Imagine spending the night in Mr. Lemoncello’s amazing library? Well, Kyle Keely and eleven other children get that very lucky chance! But when the doors don’t open at the end of the night, do you think Kyle and his friends will be able to make it out of the library safe and sound? You’ll have to keep reading or stay in suspense.

In this great read, the whole family will learn a lot about how libraries work and enjoy in the experiences of Kyle and his friends.

Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure by Ann M. Martin

This is the companion series about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s niece, Missy. Made up of a series of short stories, they create a very funny and heart-warming novel which will have you and your children wishing there was an upside down house in your town. This book will capture everyone’s hearts and may even help the adults with putting a stop to some of your children’s bad habits.

For more great family content, check out Funtides today.

Great books for kids

If you are looking for a few great children’s books to read to your kids, then why not pick up a few of these curated by the Funtides review team?

Babyfaces: Smile! by Roberta Grobel Intrater

Babies love to look at other babies, and this collection of full-page photos of cheerful tots is a perfect first board book to share with your baby.

Olivia by Ian Falconer

Have fun with Olivia... dressing up, singing songs, building sand castles, napping (maybe), dancing, painting on walls and - whew! - going to sleep at last.

Clip-Clop! by Nicola Smee

Every child adores getting twirled and tossed by Mommy and Daddy. Again! Again, they squeal. That’s the rapturous joy Nicola Smee captures, in simple rhythmic text and charming pictures. One after the other, a group of barnyard friends climb aboard Mr. Horse for a ride. Faster, they beg…, faster! But will faster lead to disaster? No…--just a satisfying ending that toddlers will love!

For more great kid-friendly content, check out Funtides today.

The best lines from Disney films

Here we celebrate Disney with some of the very best lines from their feature films, all curated by the Funtides review team.

Mulan

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”

Snow White

“Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”

Pocahontas

“Father, for many nights now I’ve been having a very strange dream. I think it’s telling me something’s about to happen. Something exciting.”

Brave

“Our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it.”

Sleeping Beauty

“They say if you dream a thing more than once, it’s sure to come true.”

Toy Story

“To infinity … and beyond!”

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A Bug’s Life

“First rule of leadership: Everything is your fault.”

Aladdin

“Phenomenal cosmic powers … Itty bitty living space.”

Dumbo

“What’s the matter with his ears? I don’t see nothin’ wrong with ’em. I think they’re cute.”

Bambi

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”

Lilo & Stitch

“Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind…or forgotten.”

For tons more great family content, check out Funtides today.

Powerful words to prove family is everything

Share these special words on the importance of family with the special people in your life, curated by the Funtides review team.

“Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” – Brad Henry

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.¨ — Khalil Gibran

“So much of what is best in us is bound up in our love of family, that it remains the measure of our stability because it measures our sense of loyalty.” — Haniel Long

“A man should never neglect his family for business.” — Walt Disney

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only – and that is to support the ultimate career.” ― C.S. Lewis

“Sister is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.¨ — Margaret Mead

“Everyone needs a house to live in, but a supportive family is what builds a home.” – Anthony Liccione

“There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.¨ — Jerry Seinfeld

“My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She’s ninety-seven now, and we don’t know where the heck she is.” ― Ellen DeGeneres

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.¨ — Desmond Tutu

“Parents are like God because you wanna know they’re out there, and you want them to think well of you, but you really only call when you need something.”― Chuck Palahniuk

“The informality of family life is a blessed condition that allows us all to become our best while looking our worst.” – Marge Kennedy

“The greatest gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you.” — Kendall Hailey

“I know all those words, but that sentence makes no sense to me.”― Matt Groening

“Having a place to go is a home. Having someone to love is a family. Having both is a blessing.” – Donna Hedges

“Being part of a family means smiling for photos.” –Harry Morgan

“That’s what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you’re not so lovable.”― Deb Caletti

“There’s nothing that makes you more insane than family. Or more happy, or more exasperated, or more secure.” – Jim Butcher

“Family is family.” – Linda Linney

“In time of test, family is best.” – Burmese Proverb

If you are looking for plenty more family-related content, then we’ve got you covered at Funtides.

Books parents can enjoy with their young children

If you are looking for some great reads the entire family can enjoy together, then look no further than these books curated by the Funtides review team.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Have you ever wanted to sleep overnight in the library? Well, even if you haven’t, you’d like to stay overnight in Mr. Lemoncello’s unique game-focused library, and Kyle Keely and eleven other kids get that chance! But when the doors don’t open at the end of the night, will Kyle and his friends can make it out of the library? You’ll inadvertently learn an extreme amount about how libraries work, and the whole family will join in the games and sit at the end of their seats in suspense.

Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure by Ann M. Martin

If you grew up with Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, you’d be thrilled with this fantastic companion series about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s niece, Missy. If you have never heard of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, don’t worry – you and your family will still love this series! Made up of a series of short stories that compile together to create a hilarious, heart-warming novel, this book will have your kids wishing they had an upside-down house in your town.

Missy Piggle-Wiggle will capture your hearts, and she just might give you some ideas for conquering those bad habits you see in your kids!

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Ready for some realistic fantasy? Introduce your kids to a whole new world – well, almost. The Underland is technically part of our planet; it’s merely beneath the world as we know it. Gregor is an ordinary boy who finds himself a great part of the Underworld, a kingdom he had no idea even existed.

Get ready for giant bats, a perilous adventure, and a quest to bring a family together. This book will captivate every member of your family.

For more great family reads and eBooks, check out Funtides.

Best 3 Audiobooks That You Can Listen to With Your Family

There is nothing more soul-soothing than sharing a story with your family. Audiobooks improve your kids’ comprehension ability and boost their literacy skills. Here are some of the best family audiobooks that Funtides offers.

The Worst Witch - Jill Murphy

This audiobook tells Mildred Hubble, a disaster-prone trainee witch at the famous Miss Cackle’s Academy of Witches. This amusing tale of magical mayhem is likely to capture your interest. Jill uses characters that know how to offer an impressive and memorable performance that will leave you and your family laughing out loud.

Inkheart - Cornelia Funke

Originally published on September 23, 2003, this audiobook tells the story of Meggie, a 12-year-old girl who sees a stranger looking at her from outside her window. Meggie tells Mortimer, her father, about what she saw. Lynn Redgrave is the narrator of this audiobook; she has made the story more interesting by adding humor. Cornelia plays a big part in making readers feel the suspense of encroaching villains.

The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief follows Percy Jackson’s story, who is having difficulty staying out of trouble. Things get out of hand when his algebra teacher turns into a monster and attempts to kill him. He claims that the boy is not like the others his age. The book introduces readers to new gods and creatures right alongside Percy.

For more audiobooks that you can share with your family, sign up with Funtides.

Strengthen Your Family Bond With These Fun eBooks

Audiobooks are the best source of entertainment for families with kids. They improved their reading skills and comprehension ability. Here are some of the best fun eBooks that promote family togetherness.

Why We Sleep - Matthew Walker

Originally publishes on September 28, 2017, this eBook talks about how long you sleep can affect your life quality. Matthew explains how sleep affects your body in general - starting from your mental health to physical wellness. Walker is a professional neuroscientist who is well experienced in his line of work.

Shoe Dog - Phil Knight

Phil Knight is the founder of Nike. In this eBook, Knight talks of how he started creating Nike from scratch. He mentions how he borrowed $50 to launch the swoosh Nike logo. Reading this book will make you learn about the various obstacles faced when struggling to start his company off the ground. He also highlights how important it is to build work relationships, which helped him make the famous brand we see today.

Troublemaker - Leah Remini

Troublemaker is one of the best eBooks written by a celebrity. The book follows the story of a scientist known as Gonzo, who meets her favorite celebrity. They go for a walk in the city of Hong Kong, sharing stories of their childhood. The celebrity happens to be Tom Cruise, who stars as a character with a British accent.

For more fun eBooks that you can enjoy with your family, visit Funtides.com.

Inspiring Jane Goodall Quotes About the Environment

Understand the connection between humans and the natural world with these powerful and inspiring Jane Goodall quotes.

1. “Here we are, the most clever species ever to have lived. So how is it we can destroy the only planet we have?” – Jane Goodall

2. “I think empathy is really important, and I think only when our clever brain and our human heart work together in harmony can we achieve our full potential.” – Jane Goodall

3. “To me, cruelty is the worst of human sins. Once we accept that a living creature has feelings and suffers pain, then by knowingly and deliberately inflicting suffering on that creature, we are guilty, whether it be human or animal.” – Jane Goodall

4. “The greatest danger to our future is apathy.” – Jane Goodall

5. “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

6. “Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love.” – Jane Goodall

7. “If we kill off the wild, then we are killing a part of our souls.” – Jane Goodall

8. “Chimpanzees, more than any other living creature, have helped us to understand that there is no sharp line between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom. It’s a very blurry line, and it’s getting more blurry all the time.” – Jane Goodall

9. “To reconnect with nature is key if we want to save the planet.” – Jane Goodall

10. “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.” – Jane Goodall

11. “I do have reasons for hope: our clever brains, the resilience of nature, the indomitable human spirit, and above all, the commitment of young people when they’re empowered to take action.” – Jane Goodall

12. “We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place ― or not to bother.” – Jane Goodall

13. “In what terms should we think of these beings, nonhuman yet possessing so very many human-like characteristics? How should we treat them? Surely we should treat them with the same consideration and kindness as we show to other humans; and as we recognize human rights, so too should we recognize the rights of the great apes? Yes.” – Jane Goodall

14. “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.” – Jane Goodall

15. “Chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans have been living for hundreds of thousands of years in their forest, living fantastic lives, never overpopulating, never destroying the forest. I would say that they have been in a way more successful than us as far as being in harmony with the environment.” – Jane Goodall

For more family-focused content, check out www.funtides.com.

Funny tweets every parent can relate to

Here are some of the funniest tweets from parents that every parent can relate to.  

A Love of Literature
Six-year-old: *checks out another Star Wars book from the school library*
Me: Why do you always get Star Wars books?
Six-year-old: I only read the classics. —@Xplodingunicorn

Personal Chef
Before having kids:
“I am NEVER making separate meals for my children.”
Four years later: “Let me repeat your order: tricolour pasta (al dente) with butter and cheese on a bed of string cheese on a fairy plate, cup of water with star-shaped ice cubes, yogurt two ways, Cheez-Its.” —@bretjturner

Fish have Feelings
Son: What’s for dinner?
Me: Fish.
[He screams, starts hyperventilating, begins to break from reality.]
Son: [Suddenly stops] Wait. Have I ever had fish? —@DadandBuried

Call Steve Irwin
Recently, a little boy politely said hi to my nephew. He responded, “Hi! I am Alligator” and pretended to eat the other kid with his arms. I have never been prouder. —@karencheee

A New Godzilla
My four-year-old is insisting he’ll only eat “monster food,” and whatever that is, it’s definitely not the grilled cheese my wife just made. —@Dadpression

A Personalized Bath
My friend Luke didn’t realize until he was an adult that lukewarm was a real temperature. He thought it was just a term his mom used to describe his bathwater. —@Adam__Melia

Door Jam
In my experience, when one door closes it reopens and closes 13 more times by a small child. —@mommajessiec

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk
Four-year-old: Daddy, I spilled some milk.
Me: A little or a lot?
Four-year-old: A tiny bit.
Me: Okay.
Four-year-old: But that tiny bit went everywhere. —@Distracted_Dad

Public Enemy
I told my daughter that showing her chewed-up food to her brother in public is gross, and she said, “Well I’m not here for the people.” —Saladin Ahmed, writer

Eat Your Veggies
“The carrots are working!”—My six-year-old son, finding his shoes in a dark room. —@whatbabytalk

Make It Rain
*Making macaroni and cheese*

Five-year-old: I wanna put the cheese in!
Me, handing her open packet of powder: Okay, can you very carefully pour this in?
Five-year-old: *Just waves the packet around like she’s throwing rice at a wedding* —@copymama

No Paparazzi, Please!
Me to a kid in the elevator holding a stuffed pig: Hey! Is that a pig?
Kid: He doesn’t like you.
Me: How can I make him like me?
Kid: If you stop asking questions. —Helen Rosner, food writer

A Real Bad Boy
One of the weirdest things people would ask me when my kid was younger was, “Is he a good baby?”
Oh, no, this is one of those extremely bad babies. He runs an organized crime syndicate from his crib and sneaks cigarettes whenever I’m not looking. —Anne Thériault, writer

Roll With It
Today my child is upset by “All the stuff that doesn’t have wheels.” —@MyMomologue

Daily Motivation
Instead of brushing her teeth like I asked, my five-year-old went to the bathroom, lay down in front of the toilet and took a nap. I guess what I’m trying to say is she’s my new life coach. —@daddysdigest

Back-Handed Compliment
Daughter: What’s nostalgia?
Wife: It’s when you miss something that’s really old.
[Later] Me: I’m home from work!
Wife: Aww, we missed you!
Daughter: [whispering] Nostalgia. —@NewDadNotes

Hamper Damper
How to stay on top of the laundry when you have two or more kids:
1. You can’t.
2. Find a new dream. —@MacgyveringM22

For more family fun, check out www.funtides.com.

Cute Family Quotes and Sayings

If you have children you have likely used the phrase: "Can't live with them, can't live without them." These cute family quotes can help lighten the burden of stressful situations and help you express your love for your family.

Family ties mean that no matter how much you might want to run from your family, you can't.

The bigger your family, the bigger your problems.

Family is like that annoying itch you can't scratch.

Caller ID was invented for family screening.

Family is a blessing. Just keep saying that when you are irritated by something a family member does or says.

Once a mother, always a mother.

Family knows your flaws but loves you, anyway.

Love your family as you love yourself.

Family makes you who you are and who you aren't.

God wouldn't have given you a family if He didn't think you needed it.

Where there is family, there is love.

Family is the heart of a home.

Love starts with family.

A family takes care of their own.

The strength of family isn't determined by the number of members, but rather by the amount of love given and received.

Family is forever.

A hug from family lasts a lifetime.

Whoever said, "Love 'em then leave 'em" wasn't talking about family.

Life begins with family and ends with family.

A mother's love never wanes.

You can't control what your family says, but you can control how much you listen and how you react to it.

The love of family is like no other.

A family who disagrees, cares.

You inherited a piece of everyone in your family. If you insult them, you insult yourself.

Family gives you the roots to stand tall and strong.

Tears flow from the eyes of loved ones the day you're born, and the day you pass.

In a family, the sadness of one is the sadness of all.

Family love is never broken.

It only takes two to make a family.

There is no love greater than the love shared within a family.

Your family will always hold your heart.

Family is there to support you and honor your decisions.

No matter what happens, a family will always have your back.

A family is the purest form of love and acceptance.

No one knows you better than your family does.

Love, honesty, and connection are cultivated in a family.

The bond between a parent and child is unbreakable.

A family that supports one another thrives.

Connections within a family are powerful forces of nature.

All families are different and unique, but they all have one thing in common- love.

Families should celebrate each member's unique identity.

No matter how big or small the family, what matters most is love.

A family is a group of people who love unconditionally.

Through ups and downs, a family will stand by each other.

A family creates a safe space for each member to grow and develop into the person they were meant to be.

There is no more powerful love than one a parent feels for their child.

A family is who you choose to be by your side and love unconditionally.

Families shape who we are and who we choose to become.

It's hard to put into words just how much love a parent feels for their child.

No matter what a family looks like, it is always filled with love.

For more content celebrating family, check out www.funtides.com.

Quotes for Kids to Inspire Them to Take Action and Be Proactive

Here are some great quotes to share with your children to teach them about the importance of taking action and being proactive.

“A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.” – Henrik Ibsen

“Action is the foundational key for all success.” – Pablo Picasso

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” – Mother Teresa

“Knowing is not enough. We must apply. Willing is not enough. We must do.” – Bruce Lee

“Folks who never do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for any more than they do” – Elbert Hubbard

“Don’t wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it.” – Cathy Hopkins

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

“The fact is that in order to do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand shivering on the bank thinking of the cold and the danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.” – Sydney Smith

“People who end up with the good jobs are the proactive ones who are solutions to problems, not problems themselves, who seize the initiative to do whatever is necessary to get the job done.” – Stephen R. Covey

“It will never rain roses: when we want to have more roses, we must plant more roses.” – George Eliot

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” – William Hutchison Murray

“An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Folks who never do any more than they get paid for, never get paid for any more than they do” – Elbert Hubbard

“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” – Barack Obama

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” – C.G. Jung

“Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe.” – Mitch Albom

“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” – William James

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“Don’t count the days, make the days count.” – Muhammad Ali

“Do what matters, now.” – Leo Babauta

“Forever is composed of nows.” – Emily Dickinson

“Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank

“It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” – Honore de Balzac

“Set wide the window. Let me drink the day.” – Edith Wharton

“So early in my life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise.” – Malcolm X

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” – Khalil Gibran

“Action expresses priorities.” – Mahatma Ghandi

“If you don’t make a conscious effort to visualize, who you are and what you want to become in life, then you empower other people and circumstances to shape your journey by default. Your silence makes you reactive vs. proactive.” – Shannon L. Alder

“I say if it’s going to be done, let’s do it. Let’s not put it in the hands of fate. Let’s not put it in the hands of someone who doesn’t know me. I know me best. Then take a breath and go ahead.” – Anita Baker

For more family fun related content, check out www.funtides.com.

Disney Jokes That Are Certain To Give You a Good Laugh

Here is some good-quality Disney-themed humour for the entire family.

A man went to see the doctor and exclaimed, “Doctor, I need your help. Some mornings I wake up thinking I’m Mickey Mouse, and other times I think I’m Donald Duck!”

The doctor nodded. “I see. And how long have you been having these Disney spells?”

If you watch The Lion King closely, you’ll notice lots of Simba-lism!

Q: What happened the first time Mickey and Minnie saw each other?

A: It was glove at first sight!

Q: What does the rapper Lil Jon say when he visits Disneyland?

A: Turn down for Walt!

Q: What did Captain Hook’s sidekick say to Adele?

A: Hello, it’s Smee!

Q: Why is Peter Pan flying all the time?

A: He Neverlands!

Q: What does Daisy Duck say when she buys lipstick?

A: Put it on my bill!

Q: Where does Captain Hook go to get his hook replaced?

A: The second-hand store!

Q: Why did Goofy wear two pairs of pants when he played golf?

A: He heard he might get a hole in one!

Q: Why did Mickey Mouse become an astronaut?

A: So he could visit Pluto!

Q: Why is Quasimodo great at solving crimes?

A: He always has a hunch!

Q: Does the God of Thunder like ice cream?

A: Sure, but he prefers Thor-bet.

Q: How does Scarlet Witch channel her magic?

A: With a magic Wanda!

Q: Who is Thor’s favourite rapper?

A: MC Hammer!

If you and your family are true Disney fans, then you will love the family-related content at www.funtides.com.

FUN FAMILY ACTIVITY IDEAS TO DO TOGETHER

Here are a handful of really fun and easy ideas to share as a family.

PLAY A CARD GAME

There’s UNO, SNAP! and even GoFish! as a few fan favourites.

VISIT THE BEACH

At the beach you can swim, build sandcastles, or just chill out as a family.

GO ON A PICNIC

Packing the picnic basket is part of the fun, so get the kids involved. Grab some bread rolls, bottles of water, salad and some kid-friendly snacks.

GO TO THE LIBRARY

Visit your local library and borrow some new books.

HAVE A STAYCATION

No need to jet off to another part of the world for a getaway, stay where you live. Book a hotel and explore your home town.

GROW A HERB GARDEN

All you need is a pot, some herbs, some soil and you’re on your way. Let the kids go crazy. Best of all you get to eat your garden later.

PLAY A BOARD GAME

Get out your old board games and have a family game night. Try Twister, Monopoly, Pictionary or anything else you’ve got hanging in the cupboard.

LET THE KIDS COOK DINNER

This will depend on the age of your children of course, but they love knowing they’re contributing to dinner. If they’re old enough to chop, let them chop up ingredients, or if you’ve got teens on your hand… let them make the whole dinner.

GET IN YOUR GARDEN

Put on our gloves, crank some music and weed together as a family.

For more family friendly fun, check out www.funtides.com.

Raising the Kids to Be Critical Thinkers

We all want to give our kids the best possible start in life, to ensure they’re equipped with every possible tool in order to achieve success. And while we can certainly go out and buy every possible kind of educational toy and product designed to boost their brain power, or even play classical music while they’re in the womb as some have suggested, one of the best boosts we can give our kids may just life in how we speak to them.

In asking our kids questions, rather than merely explaining things to them, we may increase their odds of becoming critical thinkers later on in life. If, for example, your child is assigned some homework but is overwhelmed by the task, a better option than sitting with them and explaining the assignment may be to ask “what do you think the first step should be.” From there, your child may just be able to work their way through the assignment, provided they’re prodded with the right questions along the way.

It’s an approach that may be difficult to adopt at first, but definitely one worth considering, and one that could easily be applied to many aspects of life. Key questions like “How will you remember to remember?” “Do you think you’ve eaten enough to be done dinner?” or “What do you need to do in order to…?” could go a long way to raising some critical thinkers.

Looking for some family fun? Visit our online library at www.funtides.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

Raising the Kids to Be Critical Thinkers

We all want to give our kids the best possible start in life, to ensure they’re equipped with every possible tool in order to achieve success. And while we can certainly go out and buy every possible kind of educational toy and product designed to boost their brain power, or even play classical music while they’re in the womb as some have suggested, one of the best boosts we can give our kids may just life in how we speak to them.

In asking our kids questions, rather than merely explaining things to them, we may increase their odds of becoming critical thinkers later on in life. If, for example, your child is assigned some homework but is overwhelmed by the task, a better option than sitting with them and explaining the assignment may be to ask “what do you think the first step should be.” From there, your child may just be able to work their way through the assignment, provided they’re prodded with the right questions along the way.

It’s an approach that may be difficult to adopt at first, but definitely one worth considering, and one that could easily be applied to many aspects of life. Key questions like “How will you remember to remember?” “Do you think you’ve eaten enough to be done dinner?” or “What do you need to do in order to…?” could go a long way to raising some critical thinkers.

Looking for some family fun? Visit our online library at www.funtides.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

Card Games for the Whole Family!

It’s the best night of the week, family game night! But what to play? Here are some of the best card games around that are tons of fun for the whole family!

Uno. A variation on Crazy Eights, Uno has delighted friends and families since its invention in the 1970s, and thanks to many variations of its own it now reaches a wider audience than ever! Kids and adults alike love the game’s unpredictability, and families can certainly add some of their own rules for an extra level of enjoyment.

Concentration. Sometimes the classics are still the best, and this time-testing matching game comes with plenty of single-player and multi-player variations. Cards are laid out in a grid with the goal being to match the pairs. Some versions reveal pictures or puzzles as the pairs are matched, but for those in a pinch the game can be played with nothing more than a single deck of standard playing cards.

Phase 10. Much like Uno, Phase 10 is a variation of an existing game, this time Contract Rummy, but with interesting twists and gimmicks. In each round, players must lay down the right number of runs or sets to move on to the next “phase.” The challenges do get more difficult as the rounds go by, making the game frustrating at times, but ultimately quite rewarding! The game has a number of variations of its own, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Looking for great reads for the whole family? Visit our online library at www.funtides.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

Why You Should Read With Your Kids

As if you didn’t have reason enough, here are five reasons why you should read with your kids.

It’ll get them started young. Reading with your kids, even before they’re ready to read, is a great way to get the kids started early on books. They’ll mimic your actions one way or another, might as well show them how much fun it is to read!

It’ll promote active imaginations. Kids are definitely imaginative creatures to begin with, but any imagination could use a boost from some inspiration. Books are filled with magical worlds of awe and wonder that serve as the perfect fuel for the creative engines in your kids’ minds.

It’ll expose them to a whole range of topics. Books can help expose children to the world and teach them more than perhaps even their parents know.

Reading together helps strengthen bonds. There’s nothing stronger than the bond between a parent and child, but the act of sharing in a world of imagination through reading only helps strengthen that bond.

It’ll get you into the habit of reading too. Between work and home life, odds are you haven’t had much time to read lately. Reading with the kids is not only a great way to get some of your own reading time in, it’s likely to help you prioritize reading in your down time.

Looking for more family fun? Visit our online library at www.funtides.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more, accessible anytime from your favorite devices.