Conversation Starters and Explorations
Here are some topics and suggestions to help you spark meaningful exchanges with your kids.
Talking to Your Kids About Manners—At the Table and Beyond
Kids aren't born knowing how to behave at the dinner table. Talking about dining etiquette can be a fun way... Read more
Making New Friends—How Parents Can Help
For most kids the social aspects of school are as important as the academics. While some kids breeze into a... Read more
Talking to Kids About Their Report Cards
With the end of the school year comes your child's report card. Will it create concern or evoke pride? Will... Read more
Putting Spring in Your Step
April is a great month for kids and parents to observe nature "spring" into action. With everyone so busy, it's... Read more
It’s in the Mail! Explore the Joys of Exchanging Letters
Kids love receiving and sending letters by mail. Besides encouraging reading and writing, posting letters provides children with insight into... Read more
The Play’s the Thing! Kids Creating Plays
Put together a group of kids and place parents (aka enthusiastic potential audience) in the next room—and what do you... Read more
Talking to Kids About the Election!
Get your kids involved in the upcoming election! Here are some talking points to help the youngest to oldest children... Read more
On the Road—5 Activities to Make Travel Fun
When you travel, play games that encourage kids to interact and observe what they see out the windows. Here are... Read more
Plan a Picnic with Your Kids
Organizing a picnic is a great way for kids to learn to plan, problem-solve, and consider contingencies! Whether the picnic... Read more
8 Ways to Enjoy Humor with Your Kids
You can support your child's sense of humor by creating a playful environment in your home. Experimenting with words, exchanging... Read more
7 Family Games to Play Anywhere!
Remember those fun, informal games that parents and kids have enjoyed for generations—no batteries or equipment required? They're perfect this... Read more
Talk-Friendly Settings
Some of the most meaningful conversations between parents and kids occur when the two parties aren't facing each other. Walking,... Read more
Conversations for the Start of the School Year
Your children are back in school, and you want to hear all about it. What is the teacher like? Has... Read more
Using Highlights and Highlights High Five to Help You Share Music with Your Kids
Music is a wonderful way for different generations to connect and have fun. Everybody, from the youngest to the oldest... Read more
Summer Explorations
The summer is a great time to explore some of the special attractions in your community--those farms, museums, historic sites,... Read more
How to Get a Conversation Started and Keep It Going
Does a dialogue with your child sometimes sound like a monologue? If you say, "What happened at school today?" does... Read more
Ways of Saying Thanks
We all want our kids to be able to express their gratitude, and there are many ways of saying thanks.... Read more
Make the Most of Museum Visits
When winter weather has you looking for interesting indoor activities, consider taking a trip together to a local museum. Talk... Read more
National Teacher Appreciation Day-- May 8
On May 8, millions of schoolchildren and parents across the country will be honoring their teachers. This would be a... Read more
Presidents’ Day Dilemma
The largest voter turnout in any U.S. presidential election over the past 75 years was in 1960, when 62.8%, or... Read more
Kids and Privacy
In an era when privacy is in short supply, how do we help kids understand that not everything needs to... Read more
What Field Trip Would Your Child Like Best?
On HighlightsKids.com, we asked kids to select the field trip they'd like most. Here are the choices: Visiting the Baseball... Read more
Learning How to Interview One Another: An Activity Suggestion from Highlights®
In the February 2007 issue of Highlights, there's an activity called "Produce Your Own Radio Show" (page 11). Suggestions include... Read more