families | VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

Yesterday I said that summer vacations and activities can put a strain on your budget. When we get stressed about money, life can seem more difficult and overwhelming.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on snacks or desserts!

Try this simple and economical one (as in easy and cheap) that even your preschooler can help prepare and EVERYONE in the family will enjoy eating.

COOL AND REFRESHING ICE POPS: Simply pour grape, apple, orange or any other juice into 3 ounce paper cups. For a less sweet, less concentrated pop, dilute the juice with water. Put in the freezer (stand the cups up in a plastic container so they won’t tip over…you can also cover each cup with plastic wrap). After the cups have been in the freezer for about 90 minutes, insert a popsicle stick into each cup and return to the freezer till completely frozen. Tear away the paper cup and you will have a delicious, healthful, economical ice pop for snack-time or dessert. So much less expensive than buying ready-made pops from the store. And, NO preservatives or additives!

For a more “gourmet” ice pop (this one will taste like a creamsicle):

Put 1 cup softened vanilla ice cream or ice milk, 1 cup orange sherbet and 1 (11 oz) can mandarin orange sections (drained) into a blender and pulse till well-blended.
Spoon into 3 oz paper cups.
Cover and freeze till firm (about 90 minutes).
Insert popsicle sticks if desired…or your child can eat it out of the cup with a spoon.

Important tip: You and your child can experiment with different fruit, sherbet, ice cream and yogurt combinations.

This past week I talked about safety tips for the summer and helpful hints for traveling with preschoolers. But, summertime vacations and activities can put a strain on anyone’s budget. Did you know that one of the best places you can take your child to this summer is FREE?

It’s your local LIBRARY!

If you are not a regular visitor there, check it out. Most libraries have all kinds of programs for children of all ages. The shelves are filled with books that will open up a whole new world for your little ones.

One of my children’s favorite picture books was A GIFT BEAR FOR THE KING, written by Carl Memling and illustrated by Lillian Hoban. A very talented bear-cub is sent as a birthday gift for the king by a loving old couple. As the bear-cub journeys to reach the king, he meets and helps many people. However, when he finally arrives at the palace, the king’s birthday has passed and the guards lock him up in the dungeon because he is so late. What will happen? Will he be rescued? Who can help him? All these questions will be answered if you get the book and read it to your child.

For a simple craft activity after reading the story: help your child make a king or queen for a day crown. All you need is some paper (a grocery bag will do if you don’t have construction or copy paper), crayons or markers, sticky stars (optional), scissors and tape or paste.

Cut several strips of paper and use tape or paste to attach the strips together so they fit to the size of your child’s head.
Decorate with crayons or markers. Add the sticky stars if you have them.
Cut along the top to make points.
We can all help our children feel special…perhaps today, when your child is wearing the crown, he gets to choose the dinner menu or the story that will be read at bedtime.