Category: Personalized Gifts

Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids

Posted on | by KD Novelties

Leading a busy life can leave little time for breakfast, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For kids, what they eat before going out to play or heading off to school can also have a dramatic impact on their behavior, their development, and their ability to adapt or to absorb information. Finding a healthy alternative to quick fixes like toaster pastries or sugary cereals can be tough, especially if you need something quick and easy, but by considering some of these suggestions, breakfast might be easier than you think.

Fruit
Fruits are an essential part of any diet, and they are a great way to start the day. Things like apples and bananas provide essential dietary fibers, potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins. Unlike other sugary options, the natural sugars found in apples are not as damaging and the phytonutrients found in apples can actually help regulate blood sugar levels. Speaking of sugar, despite the sugars found in apples, studies show that eating an apple is a much healthier alternative to drinking coffee. Potassium-rich foods like bananas have been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure, and can help you stay fuller longer as well.

You can prep a quick snack chock full of apple slices or banana coins when in a rush, but these super fruits can also be easily added to other heartier, and healthier options, like oatmeal, yogurt or toast, and can be enjoyed with an extra helping of peanut butter or other fruits like raisins or blueberries.

Granola
If your kids love sugary cereals, then granola may be a great alternative. Like when shopping for cereal, checking the sugar content and the number of processed ingredients is still important if you want to stay healthy. But granola can still be chock full of flavor and incredibly versatile. Add it to yogurt, sprinkle fruit on top, add honey, or eat it on the go as a snack.

The oats in granola contain an impressive amount of iron and fiber. Granola that also contains nuts and seeds can help to add heart-healthy unsaturated fats and some protein to your morning meal as well. You can buy granola from the supermarket, making sure to research beforehand, but you can also make granola yourself ahead of time. Home-made breakfast bars can include granola, fruit, and other ingredients that you can then have ready to-go if you’re in a rush, or just throw some loose granola in a plastic bag for kids to munch on at snack time.

Smoothies
Smoothies can make breakfast feel a little more fun, especially for kids. Combining some of the fruit and yogurt ideas above, you can mix these ingredients along with other things like juice, or even sneak in some greens, to make a delicious and healthy concoction that is both quick and easy. Smoothies also make for a great on-the-go option, too, and with the right container they can accompany your kids on the ride to school if you’re running especially late or if they simply want to savor their first meal of the day.

Ready Made
If you’re really in a hurry, or if your kids tend to be picky, microwavable options or quick-mix go-to may be something more up your alley. Buying items like these can be tricky, especially since many of them contain preservatives, or lots of sugars and high fructose corn syrup. Everything in moderation is key, so finding some troubling ingredients like corn syrup may not be the end of the world, but always make sure that the rest of the ingredients are healthy or pack some nutrients.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with splurging once in a while or treating yourself and the kids to something a little less than health-conscious, but make sure that it is not an everyday thing. Not only is it better for your health and wellbeing in the long-run, but it can also make indulging on sweet treats like waffles, pancakes, egg sandwiches and lots of bacon all the more special when you do have the time or simply feel like having something a little extra special.

You can research and find some pretty inspired lists of healthy breakfast treats and recipes online for kids. Depending on your schedule or your ability to plan ahead, you can consider adding some of these recipes to your breakfast menu to brighten your kid’s day or just to mix things up a little.

For more parenting tips and reading resources be sure to follow us on our blog, and check out our unique books for kids that build self-esteem while promoting literacy.

Spring-Break Ideas for Kids and Families

Posted on | by KD Novelties

Now that the major holidays are over, there are only a few more breaks before school is out for the summer. Depending on where you live, a Spring break may be headed your way. It’s important that parents and guardians provide ideas and encouragement when it comes to certain activities that children can do during their time off from school. Here are some suggestions for the upcoming spring break.

Hitting the Road

If you have the opportunity, traveling somewhere new can help broaden your child’s perception and understanding of the world around them. Visit a part of the country you’ve never seen or look for something new to do if you’re visiting a family favorite location. Traveling in general can be incredibly beneficial for children, especially when they are young. Exposing them to different places, people, cultures, climates, and other activities can help encourage their creativity as well as their ability to connect with different people, too.

Children’s museums are a great option that can help entertain the whole family while teaching you all a little something new, too. Museums geared towards children, or museums that offer special children’s tours, can help make learning fun and more interactive, while also providing a unique experience.

Even if you can’t afford an extravagant vacation, day trips are also a great option. Consider taking the kids to a nearby metropolitan area, museums as mentioned, looking for historic landmarks or even visiting any nearby National Parks or forests if the weather permits outdoor activities. Pick up a new skill, take a class, or even volunteer.

Staying Indoors

If you’re staying indoors then you may be thinking of other activities that are both wholesome and exciting to keep your child occupied.

Reading is a great way for kids to experience new things without necessarily having to go anywhere. The act of reading can help bolster cognitive function, abstract understanding, and communication skills while also helping your child develop other key skills that will help them academically. Reading can also help introduce your child to new ideas, expanding their imagination and their ability to empathize with others. Choose a book series you can explore during the break or consider some personalized books, from our website, that provides kids with a uniquely personal experience that they may not be able to experience otherwise if a trip or vacation is out of the question. Plus, plenty of libraries offer kid-centric activities year-round but especially during school breaks to help keep kids active or to help parents who may still have to work during the spring-break recess.

Get Creative and Make Memories with the Kids

Aside from exploring and discovering new stories and adventures through books, you can create some, too by getting creative with arts and crafts! Create a family adventure and write it down, complete with illustrations and scenes that you can act out together.

However, no matter what, family time should take priority during breaks like these, even if parents or guardians still have to work during the day. Make time to prep dinner together, creating lifelong memories. Making a point of eating dinner together is important for families no matter what time of the year or day of the week it is, but you can make the occasion extra special over the break by preparing a well-loved family meal, trying something new, or making a project out of it.

It’s also important not to underestimate the power of family movie night. There are hundreds of family friendly movies on subscription channels like Netflix or Hulu that you can tune into from the comfort of your own home, and plenty of family friendly and kid movies are released in the early spring as well. Make a small outing, get some snacks and hit the theater! Local libraries and community centers sometimes host movie nights or other events for kids and families to partake in, so those are worthy of considering as well.

A break from school may seem like a small vacation to some, but if you plan accordingly and explore your options, you and your kids can make the most of it before school is back in session!

5 Reasons to Buy Personalized Kids Gifts

Posted on | by KD Novelties

personalized kids gifts

Forget the Barbies and the Hot Wheels; personalized gifts are a wonderful way to show the kids in your life just how much you care. From an embroidered blanket to a children’s books, personalized presents are something a child can cherish for a lifetime–and here are a few reasons why:

Help Little Ones Learn Their Name

We all know that watching a baby begin to learn new things is an amazing sight. But did you know that a baby starts learning long before you see the signs of recognition? In fact, studies have shown that babies begin processing language as early as two days after they are born.

A personalized kids gift can help that little one come to understand his or her own name early in life. This can also help them process language and develop important social skills, ultimately making them smarter and more well-rounded kids! In this way, your personalized present will actually be an essential learning tool.

Builds A Connection

Children love things that share their name. When they are young, before they’ve developed a “thing” (you know, an interest or hobby they form their identity around), their name is the one thing that connects them to their identity. This is essentially why the personalized keychain trend persists through the years.

When you give a child something that bears their name, it creates a feeling of connection with the object or the activity, depending on the gift. This can be a truly wonderful thing–for example, who wouldn’t want to give their child the personalized book that sparked his or her love of reading?

personalized kids gifts

Makes Them Feel Special

Think about those personalized keychains I mentioned before for a moment. Why did you want once so badly as a kid? Part of the reason is that connection we just discussed, but there’s another reason, too – one you may be more familiar with: a personalized kids gift simply feels special.

Unlike your standard toys and gifts, personalized items feel more… well, personal. It reminds a child of his or her uniqueness, which can help build up their self-esteem. Any child will love a book, toy, or piece of clothing that features their name, and they’ll certainly love the person who gave it to them, too.

A Keepsake

When you buy a personalized kids gift, you aren’t giving him or her something that will wind up in next year’s garage sale. Instead, you’re giving them a keepsake. This kind of gift is something they can carry with them everywhere. It’s something that will remind them of their childhood – and of you.

Personalized gifts are a wonderful way to make a memory the child will always cherish. Whether you give them a book where they’re the star, an accessory that bears their name, or a toy that bears their likeness, you can be sure that your gift will last a lifetime.

It’s Fun!

This is probably the most important reason to buy a child a personalized present: they are so much fun! Personalized presents are truly unique, which sets them apart from all the usual toys a child may receive. Even when a personalized gift does feature a well-known character, the personal touch makes it even more special to a little one’s soul.

The next time your nieces, nephews, cousins, or grandkids celebrates their birthdays (or any other gift-giving holiday, for that matter), give them a gift as special as they are. Pick up a fun and original personalized present today!