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The best toys for 8-year-olds are ones that encourage them to use their imaginations and engage in collaborative play. Plenty of activities let your kid just zone out, but toys that require kids to dream up a backstory do much more in the way of learning through play. Interactive toys are winning gifts for 8-year-old boys and girls, because they are more educational, not to mention versatile, which means they have a much longer shelf life and lower boredom factor.There are some milestones to keep in mind while shopping for holiday toys for 8-year-olds. According to Stanford Children’s Health, 8-year-old...

Have a child between the ages of 2 and 8+ who needs a little extra help with reading, math, or other skills? Try the HOMER Learning Program free for 30 days! Homer Learning Program If you have a child between the ages of 2 and 8+ who needs extra help with reading, math, or other skills, the HOMER Learning Program may be just what you're looking for! HOMER is an essential early learning program that builds skills for school and life— taking kids on a personalized learning journey that boosts their confidence and grows with them. HOMER is even proven...

Connection is crucial. To feel connected with your partner is to know that you can share anything with them and that they can expect the same from you. It means that you’re comfortable with one another; that you understand one another; that you know you’re for each other. Couples who feel connected to each other are happier and more satisfied in general. They’re less stressed. They’re kinder.But connection needs maintenance. It requires effort and shouldn’t be taken for granted. And maintaining that connection with your spouse isn’t all that difficult. It means asking questions, listening, paying attention to the small...

When it comes to household chores, you’ve got plenty of tasks to go around. More importantly, when kids are required to pitch in and help with age-appropriate chores, they’ll learn how to cooperate, gain a sense of independence and feel a sense of accomplishment. If you’re wondering what exactly to put on your chore chart for kids, we’ve broken it down by age, from toddlers up to tweens. From picking up toys to helping with dinner, here are the top chores for kids. photo: iStock Two-and Three-Year-Olds Pick up the toys. Ask your toddler to help clean up when playtime...

I’m thrilled to welcome Laura Brown and Elly Kramer to the Mixed-Up Files to celebrate their upcoming release of two exciting new chapter books: Trillium Sisters 1: The Triplets Get Charmed and Trillium Sisters 2: Bestie Day. They’re illustrated by Sarah Mesinga and will be published by Pixel+Ink on June 1, 2021. Three sisters discover that they and their pets have superpowers they can use to protect the world around them in this fantastical new chapter book series about family, friendship, and environmental responsibility perfect for fans of Mia Mayhem and The Wish Fairy. This is such an amazing concept...