Hit ‘Play’ and Hit the Road AUDIOBOOKS THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE
The stress of holiday road trips can tempt any parent to let their kids zone out in front of a screen, but don’t give in! To prevent bored youngsters from disappearing into their tablets or phones during long drives, consider healthier modes of entertainment, such as audiobooks. Unlike passive entertainment media such as movies and video games, audiobooks can accelerate a child’s reading ability by making more complex language accessible. Also, the whole family can enjoy listening to a good audiobook, even sitting in separate seats in a moving car! Apps like Libby or Hoopla provide access to audiobooks and ebooks through participating public libraries. Amazon Prime subscribers can access some free audiobooks through Audible. For suggestions on family fare, ask your local librarian or check out the nonprofit Common Sense Media website for recommended holiday-themed books. For elementary school children, consider “The Snow Queen,” a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. This classic story of a girl saving her friend from danger, read by Julia Whelan, will inspire listeners with its lessons about fidelity and courage. Another classic is “The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden. Read with dazzling
energy by “Monk” actor Tony Shalhoub, this tale of a streetwise city mouse encountering a country cricket in a New York subway station is an engaging, easy listen. For tweens, “The Mother-Daughter Book Club, Book 5” by Heather Vogel Frederick tells of five book club members setting
out on holiday trips from the tropics to the Alps. Of course, numerous disasters befall them before the book’s satisfying ending! Another Christmas-themed winner is “Nickel Bay Nick” by Blair Jackson, a coming-of-age novel about a troublemaking 11-year-old boy who gets a chance to redeem himself when a mysterious neighbor blackmails him to perform acts of charity in their down-and-out town. And “Juniper’s Christmas” by Eoin Colfer is a Christmas adventure about 11-year-old Juniper Lane, who is accidentally exposed to North Pole magic after she asks for help from a mysterious woodsman living in a nearby park. As you listen, you can enjoy knowing that in addition to entertaining the family, you are stimulating your child’s imagination and language ability as they visualize the people and places in these delightful stories.
Embrace Autumn the Old-Fashioned Way
Try These Rustic and Cozy Hobbies
Fall is magical: the crisp air, changing leaves, and shorter days practically beg us to slow down. While modern life is often a blur of screens and schedules, autumn offers the perfect excuse to unplug and reconnect with simple pleasures. This fall, why not embrace a few old-fashioned hobbies that bring warmth, creativity, and nostalgia to your routine?
and productive. Whether embellishing tea towels or repairing a sweater, hand-stitching is a calming and purposeful way to unwind. Bake like a grandma. Fall and baking go hand in hand. Instead of scrolling for trendy recipes, try pulling out an old family cookbook, or better yet, Grandma’s handwritten recipe cards. From flaky apple pies to buttery shortbread, baking the old-fashioned way fills your home with delicious aromas and memories to cherish. Get lost in letter writing. Snail mail might be considered a relic, but there’s something satisfying about sending and receiving a handwritten letter. As the pace of life slows with the season, take time to write to a loved one. Share your thoughts,
your gratitude, or just say hello. It’s a small gesture that carries a ton of meaning. Forage and craft with nature. Channel your inner homesteader and get outdoors. Fall is a beautiful time to collect colorful leaves, pinecones, or acorns for crafting. Whether you create a rustic wreath, press leaves, or show off your finds in a bowl, nature-based decor is grounding and beautiful. Try your hand at canning. What about preserving a bit of fall flavor for winter? Not only is it rewarding, but you also engage in a useful practice. Canning applesauce, jams, or pickled veggies brings an old-world skill back to life and leaves you with shelves full of delicious, homemade canned goods, yum!
Cozy up with hand stitching or embroidery. Nothing feels as soothing as stitching by a cozy window with a cup of tea nearby. Embroidery, cross-stitch, or simple hand-mending can be therapeutic
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