10 Car Games to Make Your Road Trip Fun

One of the universal constants in life is the exasperated, whiny, “Are we there yet?” that inevitably comes from the backseat for any car ride over an hour.

Built-in DVD players, hand-held gaming systems, and iPads have given some parents a bit of relief from this question.

But even those get old after a few hours. And really, do you want your child lost in his own world staring at a screen?

No, you don’t. First, there’s all kind of research about how bad this is for him.

And second, common sense just tells us that interacting and having fun with family is a healthier option.

So instead of dreading that road trip that comes along with your summer vacation, look at it as more time for some quality family bonding.

In addition to the standard favorites you should pull out like war, tic-tac-toe, and hangman, here are 10 games you can play to erase the boredom and increase the fun of being stuck in the car. 

License Plate Game

Print a map and bring along some crayons and color in each state when you spot a license plate from that state. 

This is a great geography lesson and can also be turned into a competition for older kids by having each child (or team of children) take different sides of the road. 

If you want to be really fancy, Melissa & Doug makes a wooden board version of this game that allows you to flip a plate over on each state as you spot them.

You can also read the state’s motto on the license plate and discuss anything it might tell you about the state.

I’m Going on a Picnic

In this memory game, the first person starts with “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing an apple,” or anything starting with the letter A. 

The next person has the letter B, but also has to repeat the item that was an A. For example, “I’’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing an apple and a banana.”

Continue through the alphabet, with players being out when they forget a previous item.

This is also a fun learning tool for younger kids, and you can give them hints along the way when they forget words.

20 Questions

One person decides on a person, place, or thing in his mind. You can narrow it down more and say it has to be an animal, or something found in nature, or any category you want.

The rest of the car asks questions to try to figure out what the person is thinking.

Does it have fur? Can it be a pet? Does it live in water? Are example questions.

The person who guesses what the animal was, then gets to come up with the next animal.

Restaurant Race

Each person picks a popular restaurant such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or Applebee’s.

Each time she sees that restaurant on a billboard, roadside exit sign, or the actual building, she gets one point.

Pick how long you want the game to go, say 20 points for example, and the first person who gets 20 points wins.

Alphabet Game

The goal is to find each letter of the alphabet, in order, on a billboard or other road sign.

This can be a group effort for younger kids, or you can divide into teams with each team taking a different side of the road and see who can get through the alphabet first.

Fortunately-Unfortunately

This is a great game for tapping into your children’s creativity.

The first person might say, “Unfortunately, there was a tiger standing by my bed this morning.” 

The next person has to do a “fortunately” statement, such as, “Fortunately he was sleeping.”

The game continues with no rules about the statements needing to be true or possible.

“Unfortunately, my brother woke him up,” “Fortunately, I had my tiger tranquilizer gun under my pillow.”

The sillier your children get, the more fun the game will become.

Treasure Bottle

This is a fun activity if you have a little prep time before you go. 

Fill empty bottles with rice and additional small items such as buttons, paperclips, M&Ms, anything that can get hidden in the rice when you shake up the bottle.

Keep a list of what’s in each bottle.

Have your child try to locate and write down (or you keep track of) each item he’s found. 

It can be just for fun, or a competition to see who can find all of their items first.

Find 50

Each person picks a common item and makes a mark each time he sees that item as you’re driving. The first person to get to 50 with their item wins.

The item could be something specific like a flag, creek, or barn, or more general like something red, or a sign containing a specific word.

Would You Rather

One person acts as the questioner and poses two options to the other participants. 

“Would you rather go without food or an internet connection for a week?”

The questions can be serious or silly, and often evolve into a conversation about why one choice is better than the other.

Kids really enjoy making these questions up, or you can simply google “would you rather questions” and get hundreds of examples to work from.

My Cows

When someone spots cows, they quickly count how ever many they see and claim them as “my cows.” 

When you pass a church, the first person to spot the church says, “I marry my cows.” The cows then presumably procreate and your 12 cows become 24. 

When you pass a cemetery, graveyard, or funeral home, the first person to see it says, “I kill your cows,” and kills off another player’s cows, forcing him to start again at zero.

When you pass a barn, you can say, “I put my cows in that barn,” which means they are safe and no one can kill them. It also means you can’t marry your cows. After you put them in a barn, you can take them out of the barn when you see another barn.

You can play for the whole trip, or for a specific time period. The person with the most cows in the end is the winner.

There are several variations of this game, including using different animals. You establish whatever car rules you want to make it most fun for your age range.

Expect Some Resistance

Kids often start out grumpy when being forced to sit next to their “gross” siblings for a long period of time. 

They may consider your games dumb or boring. Encourage them to just give it a try and they’ll surprise themselves with how much fun they’re having.

You may need to start off as the leader and a heavy participant in the game, but chances are they’ll continue on their own once their mood had lightened a little.

Have You Booked Your Summer Party?

Don’t forget to include KidsPartyCharacters.com in your summer fun. Whether its a birthday, other special occasion, or just for fun, Kids Party Characters has over 200 of your child’s favorite characters to choose from as his or her special party guest.

Check out our packages and all the extras we include to take the work off your shoulders at KidsPartyCharacters.com. 

And be sure to join us on Facebook for ideas, inspiration, and updates on planning your next party.

How to Give Yourself Permission to be Great

Yesterday we talked about the power of learning to say “no” to people when you’re a small business owner. You can catch up right here if you missed it.

Truth is, as stay at home moms, our first hurdle is often learning how to say “yes” to ourselves.

Part of the mom gene includes putting others first. 

And with kids, putting even one child first is a full time job.

The result is that we often end up with little or no time for what we really want to be in life.

We try to make ourselves feel better in the self care department by saying, well, I go to the gym three times a week, I had a massage last month, I took a knitting class at the community college.

These things are all great, but.

For many of us moms, we feel like we have a more significant mark to leave on the world than “greatest soccer mom,” or “provider of the best afternoon snack for the whole neighborhood.”

And so we tell ourselves that when our kids get older we’ll try to re-enter the work force, or maybe start that business that runs through our head as we’re contemplating what talents we have beyond diaper changing and family mediator.

If this describes you, then you’re about to get some good news, although it may make you feel uncomfortable, and you may even think “I can’t do that” at first.

You don’t have to, and you shouldn’t, wait another day to say “yes” to yourself.

Throw Away the Buts

The time to start your own business is today.

As you read that, if you find yourself saying, “But," followed by any  excuse, then it’s time for you to shed your buts.

Every single “but” you have is like a 10 pound weight you’re carrying around on your back. 

Your “buts” are literally weighing you down and stopping you from taking the action that you need to so that you can step into your greatness today.

The good news is, you have the power to throw every one of those “buts” off your back. Not a one of them is permanently affixed there, no matter what you currently think.

Taking the First Step into Greatness

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

This describes what your first step will be like.

You may feel like you’re different, like your “buts” are permanently cemented on your back.

That’s common. It just means that in the beginning, you’ll have to have faith that you can shed the excuses and get that business going today.

The first step to making any significant change is to silence the inner and outer critics and to firmly decide that you’re going to make it happen.

Why Not Wait?

But wouldn’t it be easier to just wait?

Wait until the buts fall off by themselves.

Until the kids are in school or grown, until your partner gets a raise and you’re more financially secure, until you’ve moved into a house that better fits your needs.

There are at least two problems with waiting.

First, if you wait for the excuses to resolve themselves, you’ll die before you get started.

Reality is, there’s always an excuse.

Second, do you really want to wait?

Does the thought of having your own business where you’re doing something you love that benefits others and they’re paying you for it excite you?

If yes, then why would you want to wait to fulfill this urge, goal, dream, whatever it is for you?

When Mama’s Happy, Everyone’s Happy

You’ve probably heard the quote “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”

It’s a popular quote because there’s a lot of truth to it!

So if one of your “buts” is that you don’t want to take time away from meeting your kids’ needs, give this quote some thought.

Your are your child’s greatest role model, like it or not.

When she sees how much excitement and satisfaction you get out of working your business, she will share your happiness.

Think of your business as a gift you’re giving to your whole family.

In addition to the personal satisfaction you’ll get from it, there’s also the extra income to get excited about.

And feeling good about the money piece doesn’t make you a sleazy salesperson. 

You’re giving value in exchange for money and that’s what makes the world spin.

This may buy your kids a few extra non-essential items, free up some financial tension in the household, or open up a whole new world of experiences you’d love to treat your kids to but couldn’t swing in the past. 

This All Sounds Really Great, But

You may still have some “buts” swirling around in your head. 

Kind of like when you go to the motivationally-charged Amway meeting but realize in the car on the way home that you really have no idea how to sell this stuff, and no one to sell it to anyway.

If you’re ready to step into your greatness today, if you’re willing to take that first step in faith and decide that you can do it, then we’re ready to help you here at KidsPartyCharacters.com.

Don’t know how you’ll find a couple extra hours in your day to run a business? We’ve got you covered.

Not sure what the first step to getting started is? We’ll lead you by the hand.

Wondering how you’d get anyone to notice your business? We’re experts at that too.

Kids Party Characters owner Cheryl Jacobs is a serial entrepreneur who started out as a single mom with two young children. 

She’s faced your hurdles and she’s committed to sharing the success she’s achieved by mentoring new entrepreneurs.

To make getting started as easy as possible, Cheryl is offering memberships to KidsPartyCharacters.com that provide you everything you need to get your own children’s entertainment business up and running.

In addition to an exclusive area in which to book parties, the right to use our 200+ costumes, and access to our casting director and acting coach, you’ll get business training and support from Cheryl herself and the entire team at KidsPartyCharacters.com.

Still have doubts, questions, or concerns? Or maybe you’re ready to get started today? 

Either way, book a friendly, no-pressure chat with Cheryl right here and she’ll guide you through figuring out whether this is the right opportunity for you and how you can get started.

To learn more about KidsPartyCharacters.com and keep up with our fun and rewarding business, join us for daily updates on Facebook.

When you say "yes" to yourself, it may feel like you're saying "no" to your children and family obligations. With Cheryl's mentorship, you'll see how having your own business is a big win for you and your entire family

One of the Most Powerful and Important Words Your Business Needs

When your business is new, or not yet making a consistent income, it’s common to have thoughts like, “I’d do anything for more customers.”

While this willingness to work hard and openness to exploring less than desirable ways to grow your business is admirable, it can also be deadly and counterproductive to your business.

It’s true that you won’t be able to be as picky about who you take money from and provide service to in the beginning as you will once you have more customers than you can handle.

But, it’s super important for the longevity of your business, and for your sanity, that you learn this simple word early on: No.

Technically, it’s easy to say “no.” As a parent, it’s almost an automatic response that comes out of your mouth as soon your child opens her mouth some days!

But as a new business owner, you can find it almost impossible to say “no” when faced with any opportunity that might make you more money.

 Today we’re going to uncover the formula for always knowing when “no” is the right answer, and look at some of the common situations where business owners often say “yes” when they should be saying “no.”

How to Always Know Your No

In the simplest way, it comes down to this: When you’re clear on your “yes,” it becomes easy to say “no.”

What exactly does that mean?

It means that when you know what you want, and have crystallized what your goals, values, and morals are personally and for your business, knowing when to say “no” becomes much easier,

Which means “no” will come out of your mouth quicker and with much greater confidence.

The best way to always know your “no,” is to develop a mission statement for your business.

Initially this may feel a little weird, you’re just one person, trying to build your dream business, not some big company with thousands of employees trying to change the world and needing to get everyone on the same page to do it.

But unlike many big companies, who have mission statements for the benefit of their customers, your mission statement is really more for you right now.

It’s to keep you on track and headed in the right direction so that your business does grow into what your dream is, and doesn’t get derailed into either a job you hate, or a hobby that costs instead of makes you money.

Your mission statement should include a summary of the value your business provides, and the core values you abide by to deliver that value while still operating as a business and not a charity.

If you need help getting started, check out these 27 examples of big brand mission statements. 

Just remember in looking at some of these examples, that while the goal of the big brand may be to come up with a flashy one-liner that sounds good to customers, your goal for now anyway is clarity, which is going to require more than a sentence.

When your mission statement is complete, you should be able to read it in any situation you’re faced with and know exactly whether your response is a “yes” or a “no.”

Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make

There are a few things most everyone gets wrong when they’re starting out. 

These are tempting “yeses” that should always be a definitive “no.”

Can I Get a Discount?

This is an especially big problem if marketing your product or service requires you to get on the phone with the potential client before the sale is complete.

But even if you have a product or service with a “buy now” button right there on your sales page, you’ll still get people emailing you about getting a discount or coupon code.

And then there’s the ever popular, “Can I pay you after I make some money,” or see whatever positive result comes from your product.

Don’t be shamed into the common logic these freeloaders use of, “Well, if it works the way you say it does, you have nothing to worry about, you’ll get your money.”

Customers who want something for nothing or who are always gaming for a discount are never worth the ensuing hassle they’ll create.

Just say no.

Now if you want to offer some kind of a discount or freebie as a promotion or in an effort to get exposure or testimonials for your service, that’s another thing. 

Just make sure the discount is always your idea and on your terms.

For $1997 I Can Show You How to Get More Free Traffic Than You Can Handle

Unfortunately, new business owners are a dream for many an unscrupulous marketer out there. 

This is the “how to make money online” crowd, whose mission statement is to sell everyone as much information as they can regardless of whether it’s good information and regardless of whether you need it in your business right now.

Once you become a small business owner, you somehow become a magnet for these types.

The old adage of “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” applies here.

Ignore their sales pages, unfollow them on social media, and unsubscribe from their email lists.

When it comes to anyone who wants to sell you a magic button solution for growing your business bigger and faster, just say no.

I Will Make Sure No One Ever Buys From You Again

Refuse to engage with anyone who bullies or trolls you online. Ban them, block them, erase them from your life.

This may seem like an obvious point, but it can be difficult when you’re starting out because you tend to be a little desperate for customers and you are definitely concerned about establishing and maintaining a positive reputation.

If someone is publicly harassing you online, politely invite them to direct message or email you and see if you can resolve whatever the situation is.

If they continue, have no tolerance for their behavior and whatever you do, do not engage in public bickering with them.

Don’t worry about their crazy threats to expose you for the fraud you are or make sure no one ever buys from you again, the rest of the sane world sees what you’re going through and sympathizes with you, not the troll.

In some instances it will help here to have a clear and very public refund policy.

And don’t hesitate to use it. Disgruntled customers cost you way more money than they’ve ever paid you.

Also, don’t hesitate to go outside of your refund policy and refund someone even if they don’t ask when it’s clear that they’re more trouble than they’re worth.

Simply issue the refund and send them a kind note about how it’s not going to work out, but you wish them the best of luck.

Finally, be careful about who you take money from to begin with.

No matter how bad you think you need customers, if you have that bad feeling in your stomach about this one, send him on his way before he even has a chance to become a client.

Kids Party Characters is Here to Help

No one builds a successful business alone. 

As with most things in your business, it’s best to have a mentor who can help you make the right decisions - and avoid all the wrong ones - so you don’t have to waste hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on trying to figure out how to make your business work.

Yes, you can always read your mission statement and determine whether something’s a “yes” or a “no” for you based on that, even experienced business owners operate this way.

But what if you had someone with business experience and expertise who could guide you through the hard stuff and get you into profit sooner rather than later?

KidsPartyCharacters.com owner Cheryl Jacobs is a serial entrepreneur who runs three successful businesses and who has a passion for mentoring others looking for anything from extra spending money to a six figure business.

To help cut down your learning curve, Cheryl is offering memberships to KidsPartyCharacters.com.

With membership, you receive an exclusive territory in which to book parties, the right to use all of our 200+ costumes, access to our casting director and acting coach, and business training and support from Cheryl and the team at KidsPartyCharacters.com.

Book a friendly, no-obligation chat with Cheryl at KidsPartyCharacters.com and she’ll answer all your questions and help you figure out whether your own children’s entertainment business is the right opportunity for your life.

Want to learn more about how fun and rewarding a KidsPartyCharacters.com business is? Connect with us here on Facebook for daily updates.

5 Reasons Kids Party Characters is the Perfect Business

How to Talk to Your Children About Memorial Day

If you ask a child what Memorial Day is all about, the most likely answer you’ll get is, “That’s the day the pool opens.” 

Research shows that many children are growing up without ever having much understanding of the significance of Memorial Day beyond this highly anticipated first splash in the pool.

A study commissioned by the National WWII Museum revealed that 80% of the adult respondents had only “little” or “some” knowledge of the day and its purpose.

A 2000 Gallup poll showed that only 28% of the people knew the true significance of Memorial Day, that is to honor those who have died in a war. Another 40% believed the day was for remembering and honoring all veterans.

To put your child ahead of most adults, take a few minutes away from the barbecue and beach towels and talk with her about the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Here are a few ideas of how you can approach it to make the discussion meaningful and interesting for your child.

A Day of Gratitude

Talk to your children about this day honoring those who went to work and never came home. Many of them had children just like your kids.

Those we honor on this day won’t be home with their kids to eat potato salad and enjoy the summer sun.

A quick online search will reveal personal and specific stories of real people that you can share with your child to help him understand the true impact of losing a loved one to war.

Try not to be a complete downer here, but let’s face it, the significance of the holiday is a grim one.

We obviously don’t want the kids to sit around crying all day, so approach it from a perspective of gratitude.

Talk about being grateful for all of your child's friends and family members and the fact that they are safe and present at today’s celebrations.

Take a few minutes to be grateful for those who served and lost their lives in war. 

Do this even if you are a person who does not believe in the conflicts we send our soldiers into. 

The politics of war make this an increasingly tough and touchy subject, but remember the purpose of the day, and that the fallen solider didn’t choose or maybe even support the battle. 

She just showed up to do the job she committed to do in the name of serving her country, and for that we can all be grateful.

What it Takes and Means to Be a Soldier

Whether you’d ever want your child to be in the military, there are many characteristics instilled by military service that are valuable assets for all humans.

Talk with your child about the discipline and commitment it takes to sign up for military service and complete the necessary training to serve in the soldier’s area of interest and expertise.

In this sense, military service mirrors other areas of life that require discipline and commitment to be successful.

Another trait of the soldier is courage, as from the moment they sign on, soldiers often go into situations not knowing what to expect and having to trust themselves and learn as they go.

Again this mirrors civilian life, especially for kids, when trying new and different things can be scary and uncomfortable.

Being a soldier also means learning teamwork, as everyone has their speciality and must learn to work with and rely on other team members to complete any mission.

Teamwork will always take you further than you can go alone in life. 

Use this opportunity to talk with your child about the importance of concentrating on his strengths and interests, and not worrying about the things he may not be the best at. 

It’s impossible, and completely unnecessary, to be good at everything. And if you learn how to work well with others, you’ll be more successful just concentrating on what you love anyway.

These are just a few characteristics to get you started. Think about what personally appeals to you and draw the comparison between being a soldier and any aspect of life to share some easy personal development lessons with your child today. 

The Beauty of Living in a Free Country

Again this can be a tricky one because there are a variety of beliefs about the purpose of military involvement in different wars these days, but don’t let this fact keep you from discussing the beauty of living in a free country with you child.

The very fact that we can openly criticize any and everything our government does is a big advantage of life in the U.S.A. that many children don’t even realize since we completely take it for granted.

Talk to your child about the fact that not everyone enjoys the right to free speech, the right to vote, to publicly assemble, and pursue any job or business venture you want.

At some point anyway, these freedoms are all things that had to be fought to gain or keep.

National Moment of Remembrance Act

Possibly in response to the 2000 Gallup poll revealing only 28% of Americans got the true meaning of Memorial Day, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act that same year.

The Act calls for everyone to take one minute at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day and stop everything. Use this minute to honor the men and women who have died in service to their country.

Many organizations participate in this minute, including Major League Baseball halting all games for one minute, Amtrak trains blowing their whistles, and bugles across the country playing Taps. If you are driving at the time, turning your headlights on is a common sign of remembrance.

Whatever discussion you decide to have with your child, participating in the National Moment of Remembrance is a nice way to take action on that conversation.

Happy Memorial Day

Despite is sad underpinnings, Memorial Day is a time for celebration and appreciation of life and country, not for mourning death. 

At KidsPartyCharacters.com, owner Cheryl Jacobs and all the team wish you and your family a safe and happy Memorial Day, and we can’t wait to see you at your child’s next party!

Make sure you join us on Facebook to keep up with all that’s going on at KidsPartyCharacters.com.

The Case Against the Participation Ribbon for Kids

If you have a child over the age of 4, chances are you have a participation ribbon laying around the house somewhere. 

Or at least you’ve thrown one away in your last purge of all things no one wants or needs.

Participation ribbons, medals, or trophies are given to the losers in most children’s sporting events these days, and in an increasing number of other activities for merely showing up and doing the minimum.

Rewarding every child who shows up as a “winner” has become so common that millennials are often referred to as the “participation trophy generation.”

Because sporting events and competitions have such a big impact on preparing our children for handling victory and defeat throughout their life, it’s worth taking a look at what message the participation ribbon is sending our children

Encouraging Mediocrity

One problem with declaring everyone who shows up to be a winner is that it sends the message that all you need to do in life is show up and you’re entitled to be rewarded for it, regardless of the effort you put in or the actual results you achieve.

While some kids are going to be internally motivated, this is a dangerous message to send. 

Even the kids who don’t take home the first place trophy are capable of doing more than showing up and going through the motions. 

But why bother, if everyone is rewarded in the end anyway? 

The participation ribbon creates a sense of entitlement to a reward even when you’ve done less than your best effort. 

This attitude will cause some kids to expect a good grade for simply turning in the assignment, and eventually to expect a raise for simply punching the clock on time.

Acknowledging Excellence

We also need to consider the message we’re sending to those who do win if everyone is rewarded and celebrated as the winner.

Especially as children get older, the winners are usually the kids who have combined some amount of natural talent with hard work.

They’ve gone above and beyond showing up.

They’ve attended every practice and given it their best effort, they’ve worked on their skills outside of practice, gone to bed early before competitions, and paid attention to their diet. 

If we don’t acknowledge these kids for going above and beyond, we’re sending them the message that it doesn’t matter. 

The reality of life of course, is that these things make all the difference.

Preparing Our Children for Life

If the participation ribbon was merely about making younger kids feel good about being involved in sports, then there would certainly be no harm.

It’s definitely better to show up for your 8:00 a.m. soccer game on Saturday morning than it is to be sitting in front of the TV eating a bowl of Lucky Charms.

But since sports do play a big part in preparing our children for life, we need to be more conscious about how the rewards are handed out.

Competition is a good thing, and is inevitably a part of our grown up work life, whether you eventually have a traditional job and are fighting for promotions, or enter the entrepreneurial space and are fighting for more customers. 

And finishing last, or somewhere towards the bottom of the pack can actually be a good thing. 

As adults, we recognize that some of our biggest lessons come from our failures. 

Some of the most successful people in the world talk about how they’ve failed their way to success, meaning they’ve learned from each failure and gotten better.

What better way to teach this to our children than to say no, you didn’t get a medal today, but if you want one, let’s work on how you can get better.

Truth is, some kids are never going to get a medal in some activities no matter how hard they try. 

And this is a valuable lesson too. 

Maybe this isn’t what you’ll ever win at, so let’s go explore your other interests and find out where exactly your talents lie. Then the combination of talent and hard work is almost guaranteed to produce the reward.

The child who’s last on the race track may find herself sitting first chair violinist in the school orchestra.

This is an especially valuable lesson for entrepreneurs, who often only succeed once they’ve learned to focus on their strengths and find someone else to handle the things they’re just plain bad at.

Conscious Parenting

The participation ribbon makes parenting easy. We all go home at the end of the day with a ribbon and feel really good for showing up. 

This does a disservice to our children and deprives us of opportunities to help them learn valuable lessons. 

We wouldn’t need the participation ribbon if we took the time to talk to our kids about how they feel when they don’t win and how to turn this feeling into a good experience, whether that means practicing more, looking at other interests, or being okay with just having fun at the activity without being the best.

On the flip side, we do our children a disservice if we don’t talk with them about their first place medals too. 

How they got there, how to stay on top, how to be a good sport and use their status to help and positively impact others. 

Taking some time to do the often hard work of parenting would eliminate the need for a participation ribbon and have positive outcomes for everyone involved. 

Every child is a winner at something, as parents it’s our job to commit to helping our child find his something and nurturing him to success.

Celebrate Your Child With KidsPartyCharacters.com

Of course, at KidsPartyCharacters.com we’re all about celebrating your child and all things positive about being a kid.

When you’re ready for a day away from competition and the more serious side of life, book your favorite character to appear at your house and put on a show for your child and her friends that will create a lifetime of happy memories.

Browse our selection of over 200 unique characters and see all the extras we have to offer at KidsPartyCharacters.com. It’s never too soon to start planning your child’s next party!

Also join us on Facebook to see how Kids Party Characters is bringing magical fun to children’s parties every day.

Why a Family Hike Should be Part of Your Summer Routine

School is out, or will be very shortly, and you’ve now become your child’s full time social director.

The pressure’s on you to meet all his educational and entertainment needs for the next three months or so, and that’s on top of all of the commitments you’re already juggling.

Suddenly, your child has gained an extra seven hours in his day, and you certainly can’t afford to lose seven hours in your day!

If you had a dollar for every time he’s bound to tell you, “I’m bored,” a lot of your problems would likely be solved.

So how do you make summer fun and enjoyable for the whole family, rather than a stressful time that ends with everyone just wishing school would hurry up and start again?

One great thing to make a consistent part of your summer routine is a family hike.

Yes, this is an activity that will involve you, and take up some of your time, but you’ll find the benefits of scheduling a short hike once or twice a week to be worth it.

The fresh air, unstructured time together, and getting out and moving around is great mental health therapy that is sure to improve everyone’s mood and disposition.

Here are four more reasons you should make the family hike a part of your summer routine, even if you encounter a little resistance in the beginning.

1. Hiking is More Than Just Exercise

Of course hiking provides great exercise without really feeling like you’re exercising. 

It strengthens your muscles and improves your endurance and stamina.

And, research shows that exercising outside provides even greater benefits to our health than indoor activity.

But even more than that, hiking is great for improving your child’s balance and coordination as she navigates over rocks and tree roots, wades through creeks, climbs trees, and moves up and down hills.

As a bonus, hiking can also offer mental exercise for your child as she problem solves how to navigate through tricky spaces.

2. Hiking is Educational

Hiking gives your child an opportunity to learn outside the classroom and experience things first hand rather than through a text book.

There are an endless number of creatures in nature, as well as plants, trees, and rocks.

If you are in an area that allows you to remove things, your child can take home an interesting rock or flower and learn more about it.

She can also draw or photograph things that catch her eye in nature, or take an encyclopedia-type book to help her identify things that her attention is drawn to.

3. Hiking is Perfect for Bonding

Because you’ll be free from distractions, hiking provides a natural opportunity for bonding with your children.

You’ll find your child to be more open and relaxed in an environment surrounded by nature. Don’t be surprised if he starts to open up about things he previously was reluctant to talk about.

If your family holds family meetings, you may want to sneak a few of the less popular topics in during your hike by bringing them up naturally.

Of course, you don’t want to ruin a fun outing, so tread lightly here. 

Just be conscious that the family hike will become a time when everyone feels good and has a sense of togetherness as you all tackle the hike.

It’s common for kids to open up more in such an unrestricted and relaxed environment.

And don’t stress if the hikes don’t start out this way. Especially with older kids, and especially if this is a new activity, they may need a little time to let their guard down.

4. Hiking is Always a Unique Experience

Even if you are hiking in the same area, you’ll find each hike to be a unique experience. 

The weather will be different, the creek will change, you can take different paths, you’ll see different wildlife and flowers as the season progresses.

And, your child will notice different things each time, no matter how many times she walks the same path.

Check with your library and you’ll likely find at least one book that contains all the hiking trails in your area. 

Make it a point to visit several different places that are close to you, and narrow it down to the ones your family enjoys the most.

While it’s fun to explore different places, it’s also fun to have your tried and true destinations where you can see how things change throughout the summer.

Don’t Forget to Make Kids Party Characters a Part of Your Summer

Another unique experience you’ll want to schedule this summer is a KidsPartyCharacters.com party. 

Whether it’s your child’s birthday, another milestone, or for no particular reason at all, KidsPartyCharacters.com is your one-stop shop for stress-free party planning.

We have over 200 characters to choose from as the next special guest at your child’s party. We also have all your child’s favorite party extras, such as cotton candy, face painting, and balloon artists.

Start planning your summer party now at KidsPartyCharacters.com, and be sure to join us on Facebook to get ideas and inspiration for your party, and keep up with all the magic that’s happening here at KidsPartyCharacters.com.

5 Reasons Kids Party Characters is the Perfect Business

If you don’t have your own business yet, or maybe you’re one who would say, “I’ve tried a few things and they didn’t work for me,” listen up.

You’ve likely heard a lot about how hard it is to be an entrepreneur. 

How you have to be able to endure failure, wait for years for the real pay off to happen, and learn to navigate the complicated technical aspects of running your business online.

There is some truth to these things, hence the saying, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

But in reality, not everyone is interested in having their own business, which is great. 

There are a lot of advantages and ease about working for someone else. And if everyone was an entrepreneur, how would we all staff our businesses?

If you’re reading this, having a job outside your home doesn’t work for you for some reason. 

Either you’re a stay at home mom who needs the flexibility a job can never offer, and/or you just have an entrepreneur’s heart and are never truly happy working for someone else.

Unless you’re brand new to KidsPartyCharacters.com, you likely know that owner Cheryl Jacobs is offering memberships to her business that allow you to have your own Kids Party Characters business. 

Today we’re going to talk in more detail about why the opportunity Cheryl has set up here is so unique and ideal for stay at home moms and entrepreneurs looking to add an income stream.

Most business opportunities come about from the creator’s desire to make more money.

But with Cheryl, it’s different. She understands your pain, she’s been there.

Cheryl was once a young mom with two small children and in dire need of a way to support them. 

Having worked her way into a successful business, the opportunity she’s created here for you comes from her desire to give back, to see that others can also have a life they now only dream of.

So if you have any interest in having your own business, here are five important advantages that KidsPartyCharacters.com offers.

We Have a Proven Model

A common fatal mistake for new business owners is they try to be different. 

They think if they can tap into a new market that no one else is selling to, they can capture the entire market and find fast riches. This is a bad idea unless you have a lot of money to lose.

Fact is, there are a number of proven markets out there. Health and wellness, how to make make money, fitness, kids and parenting, personal development, and green living are just a few.

Many people make the mistake of thinking these markets are too overcrowded and too competitive.

These are all billion dollar industries, which means there’s a share waiting for you.

Kids Party Characters is not only a part of the proven market of kids and parenting, but we also have a simple business model that’s proven to work.

How do we know it works? 

Well in theory, thousands of people have built six figure businesses and beyond using the very same model Kids Party Characters does to market and run our business.

But, even better than that, we know it works because you’re getting the exact same thing Cheryl has used to build her Kids Party Characters business to six figures.

There’s no more trying it to “see if it works for you.” It works. 

We Offer a Unique Solution

Even though the kids and parenting market is wide open and the options for how to make money in this space are truly limitless, it can be hard and time consuming to get people to notice you when you’re just starting out.

There is a lot of competition out there, and figuring out how to set yourself apart from the rest requires some business knowledge and experience.

Your KidsPartyCharacters.com business naturally stands out in the crowd because our business is so unique.

We have over 200 hand sewn costumes that includes about every character imaginable.

We don’t pay high school kids to dress up and come stand in the corner at children’s parties. We have a casting director and an acting coach. Your character puts on a show for you and is the life of your party when you book through us.

We also provide all the extras like cotton candy, vending machines, face painting, and balloon twisting. 

And when you start your Kids Party Characters business, you have all this too. 

There’s no pulling out your sewing machine and starting your own costume collection or trying to get access to quality actors to set yourself apart from other companies. 

What’s ours is yours and it’s all included in your KidsPartyCharacters.com membership.

We Offer a “Business in a Box”

If you’re a mom, you’ve probably resorted to making brownies from the box the night before your child’s school function. 

You know, the ones where you only have to add three simple ingredients rather than the 12 listed in the recipe you were aiming to make earlier in the week.

We go with the box because it’s easier, and doesn’t take as much time. (And really, no one knows the difference!)

Same goes for your Kids Party Characters business. 

It’s easier and doesn’t take as much time as starting your business from scratch. And the only missing ingredient is you!

A membership at KidsPartyCharacters.com truly gives you everything you need to be successful. This includes business training so you’ll know exactly how to quickly profit in your business.

We Excel in One of the Top Rules of Selling

If you really want to maximize your income potential, you’ll keep this important business rule top of mind: It’s easier to sell to an existing customer than to find a new customer.

Your KidsPartyCharacters.com business is a dream come true when it comes to this rule.

First, repeat business is a common thing once people see how unique and fun our parties are.

In addition, we have a huge referral business based on word of mouth, and the fact that each party guest goes home with a treat bag that contains your business card.

And it’s almost inevitable that many of those guests will be saying to mom, “I want a party just like Johnny had!” 

Finally, you can put all of your customers on an email list, which allows you to stay in touch with them.

Then you can become an affiliate for other products that parents would love and want to know about, and when you email your customers about those products and they purchase them, you get a commission.

Of course this is optional, but is just as example of the unlimited potential in your KidsPartyCharacters.com business.

We Focus on the One Essential Thing Most People Overlook

Entrepreneurship can be so lonely. 

There’s no paid company trainings, or corporate retreats to the Bahamas.

Most people try to figure their business out on their own, by reading things on the internet and/or buying courses with fancy titles like “How to Make $10K Online in 30 Days.”

This results in months or years of struggle and money down the drain, until the lonely entrepreneur finally gives up, or lucks upon the right mentor.

At KidsPartyCharacters.com, Cheryl knows that having the right mentor is a crucial first step in your business, not a last resort.

That’s why membership includes a six module business training course put together by Cheryl herself, based on what’s made her successful in three different businesses.

You’ll also get ongoing support by Cheryl and the Kids Party Characters team. And remember, Cheryl was likely very much like you at one time in your life. She has a soft spot in her heart for you, is dedicated to your success, and knows how to get you there.

 Book Your Call Now

Are you even just a little bit excited about what a KidsPartyCharacters.com business could do for your life and what a difference it could make to your family?

Book a high-value, no-pressure chat with Cheryl right here and she’ll answer all your questions and help you figure out if this is the right opportunity for your life.

To see more about how fun and rewarding a Kids Party Characters business is, join us on Facebook for daily updates.

What to Do When Your “Why” Isn’t Working

A big ingredient in a successful business is your “why.”

Why do you want to build a business that brings in 10K a month?

Why do you want to work from home?

Why do you stay up until 3:00 a.m. working on your dream business when you have to get up and go to your “real job” in the morning?

Once you’ve got your “why” figured out, no matter how many “why” questions get thrown at you, the answer will always be the same.

Your why is that big bulldozer that keeps pushing you forward - over, around, and through the excuses, the setbacks, the failures, the haters, the self-doubt . . . your why makes you unstoppable.

And oh what a beautiful thing it is.

Having a big strong why is what sets you apart from the 9 to 5’ers who will forever be at the mercy of a boss who controls their time and how much that time is worth.

But, the Wheels Will Fall Off

Sorry to burst the bubble of entrepreneurial bliss that you’re riding high on right now, but there will come a time that your why will fail you.

You may even find yourself in one of those times right now. 

You’re struggling to move your business forward to create a consistent income for you, or maybe even struggling to get your business started at all, despite your clear dream and solid why.

The good news is, that doesn’t mean you have to close up shop, abandon your dream, or start filling job applications out online.

When you’re steadfast about your why, but your business just isn’t working out the way you so carefully and optimistically planned that it would, you simply need a plan B.

Here are the steps to making that plan. 

1. Don’t be Too Hard on Yourself

As moms, a big part (if not the whole part) of our why has to do with our kids and what we want to be able to provide for them in life. Not just the material things, but the experiences, and the freedom to spend time with them.

So when suddenly even the thought of making your business work for their sake isn’t enough to kick you into action and write that next promotional piece for your business, you’ll likely start to feel pretty low.

Don’t I love my kids enough? I’m a bad mom. I say I’d do anything for my kids, why can’t I do this?

All these are thoughts that may run through your head.

Stop the negative self-talk. It can only make things worse.

If growing a successful business was just about loving your kids enough, we’d all be rich.

What you’re experiencing now is just a bump in the road and you’re about to get through it. 

2. Take a Defined Break

Instead of frantically trying to fix things, which can often just result in spinning your wheels, step back for a minute and just declare yourself off work.

Pretend you’re a fast food employee who can just leave work at work, and it’s not your shift today.

Define how long your break will be so that you don’t end up drifting totally off course.

Maybe you need a day, maybe a week. 

Just stick to it once you decide, and let existing clients and prospects know you’ll be back.

3. Work in Smaller Steps

Overwhelm is a huge problem for entrepreneurs. There is and always will be an endless number of things you can do.

When you’re stuck, it’s good to set small commitments that allow you to see yourself making progress. 

Maybe you can’t run a mile today, but you can take a step. And after you take one step, it feels so good and so doable that you’re likely to take another. 

Pick something you want to get done in your business and break it down into the smallest tasks possible. Don’t commit to getting the whole project complete. 

Simply commit to doing the one small thing that inches the project forward, and go from there.

4. Develop Habits

Habits are the secret to why running a successful business looks easy for those who are actually doing it.

If you’re looking at someone who is successful with their business and wondering what she has that you don’t, it’s nothing more than the right habits.

Fortunately, with a little persistence and determination, you can develop habits that will make your business run that smoothly too.

A full discussion on habits needs far more time than we’ll give it today, but let’s start with something simple.

Let’s say sending out follow-ups emails to your prospects is one of the tasks you can never seem to get done.

First determine a trigger for when you’ll do this during the day. Then determine how you’re going to reward yourself for doing it.

For example, you could decide that you’ll do your emails every morning as soon as the kids leave for school. And you’ll reward yourself with a cup of your favorite tea when you’ve done it.

At first it will be hard.

You’ll have to force yourself to sit down and write those emails. But you’ll do it because you’ve made a promise to yourself, and because you really want that cup of tea.

Soon it will become habit, and you’ll sit down and write those emails on the same type of autopilot that makes you brush your teeth in the morning.

5. Connect With an Experienced Mentor

This may be the most important step of all because you’ll need someone to help you stay on track with steps one through four.

Your mentor can be a formal coaching arrangement, or just someone who’s further along than you and is willing to help you through this tough time.

The crucial qualities for your mentor are: 

- Someone you can relate to. Don’t just go to the biggest name guru you can find. Pick someone who you feel like understands you and has a real desire to help you.

- Someone who’s been there. Don’t pair up with a buddy who’s also struggling right now. And don’t be intimidated to ask for help from someone who is clearly successful. If she’s got a business that’s consistently making money, she’s been through what you’re going through now to get there.

- Someone who will be real with you. This is not the time for coddling. You need to make sure that your mentor will give you the truth, whether you like it or not. And you need to be prepared to handle the truth, whether you like it or not.

If you’re feeling stuck in your business, or even stuck on taking the first step to start a business, consider booking a call with Cheryl Jacobs, owner of KidsPartyCharacters.com.

As a serial entrepreneur who runs three successful businesses, Cheryl has been through the struggle and has a passion for mentoring other entrepreneurs.

To help you get started, or add an extra stream of income to your life, Cheryl is offering a limited number of memberships to KidsPartyCharacters.com.

With membership, you get your own exclusive territory to book parties, the right to use our 200+ costumes, access to our casting director and acting coach, and ongoing training and support from Cheryl and the team at KidsPartyCharacters.com.

Book a friendly, no-pressure chat with Cheryl right here and see if she might be the perfect mentor to help you meet your business goals, whether that means earning a little extra income, or building a six figure business empire.

Also keep up with how fun and rewarding it is to have a KidsPartyCharacters.com business by joining us here on Facebook for daily updates.  

Barbie vs. Hot Wheels: The Myth of Girl and Boy Toys

As a parent, do you get that uneasy feeling when your child plays with or asks for a toy that is perceived as inappropriate for his or her gender?

Many of us do. And it’s not because we think there’s something wrong with our child - surely we’ve outgrown any fear that the “wrong” toy could make our child gay (gasp!).

Our uneasiness is most likely tied to social norms.

Will the other kids make fun of Johnny for taking his favorite doll everywhere he goes?

Will the other moms not ask Jane over for playdates if she likes to bring her monster trucks and train sets?

It’s time to stop letting marketing departments shape our children’s identities. Parents need to take an active role in deconstructing the girl toy-boy toy myth.

The Push for Toy Equality is Under Way

The decision-makers are fortunately starting to understand that pushing boys towards different toys than girls isn’t serving them well.

In 2015, Target made the decision to stop labeling certain aisles as girl toy aisles, and others as boy toy aisles. 

The fact that they suffered some backlash over this decision tells us we still have a long way to go before we get it right.

But at least we talking about it, and some big players are starting to do something about it.

In 2016, the White House held a conference on Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes in Media and Toys so that Our Children Can Explore, Learn, and Dream Without Limits.

The press release related to the conference stated that to close gender gaps in the workforce, “children need to be exposed to diverse toy models and taught a variety of skills so they can develop their talents and pursue their passions without limits, and so that we as a nation can meet the needs of our economy in the coming years.”

Organizations like Let Toys Be Toys have a mission to convince retailers to end the categorization of toys and books as boy or girl.

Why the Girl Toy-Boy Toy Distinction Matters

It’s a little sobering to think that how a toddler toy is marketed to effects the career path they choose, but certainly the White House comments recognize how early your child’s path can be set.

And the differences in “boy” and “girl” toys is drastic.

A study by the National Association for the Education of Young Children found the girl toys to be associated with “physical attractiveness, nurturing, and domestic skill.”

The boy toys on the other hand, were characterized as “violent, competitive, exciting, and somewhat dangerous.” 

But children need the skills both “boy” and “girl” toys help instill. 

Dolls teach empathy and how to care for another person. No one would question a father pushing a stroller down the street, a fact that makes questioning a young boy pushing his doll in a stroller seem ridiculous.

Dolls and pretend kitchen and other household play sets help children learn cognitive sequencing of events and language skills.

Legos, blocks, and puzzles help with spatial skills that are the foundation for learning math principals in school. Such principals are often the cornerstone for the more traditionally thought of male-dominated jobs.

The Gender Distinction is a Fallacy

But maybe girls naturally gravitate towards Barbie, and boys towards Hot Wheels?

Research shows otherwise. 

Young children show no preference for toys based on the gender they are marketed as. 

In fact, if a girl sees a group of girls playing with a truck, research shows the girl will be more likely to play with it and see it as a “girl” toy.

A study conducted with a group of children ages 4 through 9 showed that when given unfamiliar toys in boxes labeled “boy” or “girl” toys, the girls played with the toys in the girl box, while the boys played with the boxes in the boy box.

Interestingly, the study also showed that the children remembered the whether items were labeled by the researchers as “boy” or “girl.”

The good news is this shows we have the power to change the inappropriate stereotyping by simply directing our children towards gender neutral environments and letting them choose the toys that interest them.

Kids Party Characters is Here to Help

At KidsPartyCharacters.com, we have over 200 characters to choose from as your child’s special guest for his or her party, and you’ll find no boy or girl section on our website.

Let you child choose her favorite. We’ll happily put on an exciting Spiderman show for your little girl, or a magical princess show for your little boy. It’s all the same fun to us!

When you book your next party through KidsPartyCharacters.com, not only do you have about any character imaginable to choose from, we can also handle all the extras like face painting, balloon twisting, and cotton candy.

Get an idea of how much fun your child’s next party will be with KidsPartyCharacters.com by joining us on Facebook for daily updates.