Laser tag is a fun game for kids of all ages to play. Not only does it challenge your critical thinking and reaction skills, but it also takes quite a bit of physical effort to really perform well. While you could just pick up a laser tag gun and hit the course, a little tactile preparation will help you win the battle and make you a formidable opponent. Join us in today’s post as we discuss some of the tactical essentials to winning a round of laser tag.

Rally the troops.

Many times, laser tag games are played with teams made up of random players who all just happen to be ready to play at the same time. Teams will consist of players ranging in age, experience, and skill level. This is all part of the fun. However, like all good teams, to have a shot at winning, players must all be on the same page. Exercise leadership and rally your teammates before the round begins. Make sure everyone understands how to use their weapon and who is on the team — avoid friendly fire! Here, you can identify players strengths and weaknesses.

Conduct pre-battle checks.

Before the round begins, check your equipment. Make sure it is working and the vest is securely fastened to you. Make sure your hair isn’t obstructing your view and your shoes are tied. Check to make sure there is nothing that will fall off you while you play and take off any jackets that will only make you hotter during play. And, right before you enter the laser tag arena, check your ego at the door. Competition and winning are fun, but it is just a game! Have fun with it.

Keep a low profile.

Laser tag is all about moving and hunting your opponents. Not only is it no fun to find a hiding place and hunker down, but some people would consider it cheating. Head into battle with a solid movement plan that includes tactical movements that keep you from being hit. Move in fast, short bursts from one safe spot to the next, and when you can crawl to keep a low profile. Staying low will prevent you from being easily seen.

Cover your buddy.

Before the round begins, your team should break off into pairs. Players should move in buddy teams so that they can cover each other during movement and create 360-degree defense when you are still. You and your partner should watch as each other moves and lay suppressive fire to prevent the player who is moving from being hit by an opponent. When you cover each other’s movements, you can move quicker and safer.

Make it rain.

The fun part about laser tag is it isn’t real ammunition and reloading your weapon doesn’t take long. Since this is the case, there is no reason to conserve ammunition, so don’t! Maintain a steady round of firing that is sure to hit any player within range of your weapon. Harness the power of your weapon and make it rain laser rounds the entire game. Fire all your rounds, quickly reload and do it again. Your opponents will be hard pressed to charge you if you are continually firing. This is also tactically proficient in ensuring that even if your opponent does get a hit on you, you can return the favor.

Become an expert shot.

The key to winning laser tag is shooting with precision and accuracy. If you have never fired a weapon before, that’s okay, laser tag guns are extremely forgiving. But, with a little practice and remembering a few marksmanship basics, you can wield your laser tag gun like a true battle-hardened warrior. Unfortunately, when you play laser tag, you will be playing with a laser tag gun that cannot be calibrated or adjusted to you. You’ll just pick up a gun and go. This is where the application of Kentucky windage will come into play. The principal is fairly simple, since you cannot adjust the weapon, you’ll have to adjust your shot instead. Focus on a target and fire, notice where the shot hits. When you have identified where the shots are being fired, you can then adjust your aim to counter it. For instance, if you shoot dead center at your target and all of your hits are up and to the left, you can adjust your aim down and to the right to hit dead center.

Laser tag is an enjoyable game for small kids as well as grown adults. If you are looking to challenge your friends to a round of laser tag, head to your local family entertainment center like Rebounderz! For more information about our laser tag game, visit us online or stop by today!

The Holiday season has arrived! Days full of joyous celebrations with good food and the company of family. When it is cold outside and there are a million things going on inside, it can be difficult to make sure that everyone in your family is still active. Physical activity is incredibly important all year round, but special attention should be paid in the winter when it is more difficult to stay casually active — running around outside, visiting the playground, riding a bike to friends’ houses, while at the same time there is an increase in sweet treats and densely packed family meals. Physical activity for children is important to their neurological and physical development, maintaining a healthy weight, and helps promote better sleep and cognition. Join us in today’s post as we discuss some of the ways you can help keep your children active over the holidays.

Walking light show.

Instead of piling into the car and driving around to gawk at the amazing Christmas light shows, strap on your sneakers and pound the pavement instead! Bundle up the family and head out for a post-dinner walk to enjoy the lights and trees in your neighborhood. You can drive to other neighborhoods and get out and walk. Not only is this idea great for getting in some physical activity, but is also a nice bonding experience away from the noise and screens of the daily hustle at home. While you walk, it also allows you time to chat with your family, which will help bring you all closer together, and there is no better holiday gift than that!

Winter sports.

There is a variety of fun winter outdoor sports that you and your kids can engage in! Even if the ground is covered in snow, you can get out and have fun enjoying it! Take up horseshoeing, cross-country skiing, or hockey with your kids. You can go ice skating or find a nice hill to go sledding down. The great thing about winter sports — besides the fact that you can’t do it all year around — is that they are fun, so you don’t even realize the exercise you are getting! Additionally, participating in outdoor winter sports also helps your kids hone the skills needed to play non-winter sports!

Indoor trampoline park.

To get your kids exercising and having fun at the same time, take them for a few hours at your local trampoline park. Research suggests that jumping for 15 minutes is equivalent to running for an hour — but is way more fun! Your Lansdale Rebounderz offers a variety of fun and active activities including a trampoline basketball court, air dodgeball, a 10,000 square foot trampoline arena, and a laser tag arena. Your kids will delight in running around all day, not even aware of the beneficial exercise they are engaging in!

Don’t wait until the new year to make your family more active, start today! Keeping your kids active in the winter will help make it easier to stay active all year! Join us at Rebounderz of Lansdale for some active indoor fun this holiday season. Check us out online or stop by today to find out about our specials and plan your day of fun!

The holidays are coming, which means that winter break from school is quickly approaching. Regardless of what traveling you do and whether your children have two weeks or two months out of school, there is bound to be plenty of downtime for your kids. While unstructured time is important for play and creative expression, left bored too long, it can lead to mischief! Winter presents some special challenges for activities for children because temperatures are lower and daylight hours are much shorter, making it much less desirable to frolic and play outside all day. Having your whole family cooped up inside for the entire school break can lead to bored kids and frustrated parents. To help keep your children engaged this winter break, and help you maintain some sanity, we’d like to offer you some helpful winter break tips for kids.

Activity stick jar.

Combat boredom now and in the future by making an activity stick jar. All you need for this project is a jar and either strips of paper or popsicle sticks. Everyone should write down some activities to cure boredom — “put on a talent show,” “build a fort,” “paint a picture” — and when your children complain of boredom over the winter break, encourage them to draw an activity to do. This kills two birds with a single stone — creating the jar is in itself a creative activity, and then when the activities are drawn, it provides your kids with an activity instead of having to continually search for ideas. Additionally, when your kids help make the jar, they can be sure that everything inside is something they want to do!

Get outside!

Yes, winter is a time that it is a little more difficult to get the kids outside to play. The sun isn’t up as long and temperatures have plummeted to uncomfortable levels. And, kiddos don’t seem to readily sense when they are too cold and will continue to play despite losing feeling in fingers, toes, and noses. However, that does not mean that your children can not still play outside, it simply means you’ll have to monitor it a little more than the warmer days. Playgrounds and water tables aren’t winter options when they are iced over. Some ideas for getting kids outside include sledding, ice skating, snowball fights, and building an igloo. Even when it is snowy and cold, it is still important to get fresh air and a healthy serving of sun-administered Vitamin D.

Family Entertainment Centers

Family entertainment centers (FEC) are great for winter breaks from school. Not only do they provide your entire family with exciting entertainment, but they get everyone out of the house and engaging in active fun. At Rebounderz of Lansdale, we have more than 10,000 square feet of trampoline surface in our jump arena along with a laser tag arena and other fun activities. All of these attractions are sure to keep your kids active during their entire stay, wearing them out. The best part about family entertainment centers is that they offer a wide variety of safe activities, which is sure to make your entire family happy.

To get your kids out of the house over winter vacation and provide them with active entertainment, stop by your local Rebounderz location today!

For more ideas, check out some of our other articles:

Chilly Weather Activity Ideas

Avoid Winter Hibernation and Get Active With Rebounderz

Who says you can’t enjoy trampolining well into your golden years? If anyone ever does, tell them they are misinformed! Trampoline rebounding offers more than a few benefits for silver sneaker members including great cardiovascular exercise, bone support (and even growth), and a sense of joy that can’t be found anywhere else! Of course, like any age group, there are a few safety concerns that seniors should follow when enjoying a trampoline. Here, we will discuss a few trampoline safety tips specifically for the aging generation of jumpers.

1. Know your limits.

No one knows your body or your physical limits better than yourself! The pure joy that trampolining can provide may distract you from any physical ailments you may have. It is important to be aware of anything that may be of concern while bouncing, such as a history of orthopedic injury, heart problems, or blood pressure issues. While exercise can help with all of these concerns, trampoline rebounding is not one of the safest.

2. Be mindful of the youngsters.

Indoor trampoline parks are full of kids of all ages, from two to over one hundred years old! The younger kids tend to jump with reckless abandon, without a care to who is around them. As you jump, considerately, be sure not to crush the kids who get in your landing path. Politely squeal to alert them of your presence and remind them to share the space. If they give you sass, remind them to respect your elders, or that you are bigger and can bounce higher should they challenge you!

3. Wear grip socks.

Not only are the grip socks that are provided at trampoline parks fashionable to make you appear hip to the hop, but they also help protect you from the illnesses and stickiness that the young kids who are sharing the trampoline may leave behind! The grip socks also help you prevent slipping which allows you to land perfectly and catch more air on the rebound! The grip sock provided by Rebounderz help to reduce static electricity that commonly afflicts trampoline jumpers.

4. Watch your landing.

Everyone who jumps on a trampoline should always be mindful of their landing. Indoor trampoline parks offer safer landings than backdoor trampolines. Especially the Exoskeleton Jumper at Rebounderz, which eliminates gaps, exposed springs, and metal bars in the trampoline arena. Although trampolines are springy, small joints are at risk if you don’t land correctly. Most importantly, with all the kids jumping all over the place, when you nail your backflip, you don’t want to land on top of one of them!

Jumping on a trampoline offers a variety of benefits to the senior population, the most important of which, is fun! By following these tips and the safety rules dictated by your local indoor trampoline park, trampolining can be safe enough to enjoy for many years to come. For all of your trampoline enjoyment, come check out the trampolines at Rebounderz of Lansdale today!

Although trick-or-treating has been a Halloween tradition for decades, in recent years more and more parents are opting out. There are several reasons for the cutback on door-to-door candy searching including food allergies, potential cruel intentions of the candy distributors, poor weather, and lack of responsive neighbors. Whatever the reason, many parents find themselves searching for ways to offer celebration to their kids that doesn’t involve candy or visiting strangers’ homes. In today’s post, we will offer a few Halloween activities for kids.

Trunk or Treat

Trunk or treat events are becoming a common trick or treat alternative, offering a safe community experience where children of all ages can dress up and pedal for candy in one location. Families, organizations, or communities will establish a meeting area where they will decorate cars or booths and pass out candy in one location. This eliminates door to door trick or treating and allows the entire community to visualize the happenings. Additionally, it prevents trick-or-treaters from attempting to visit someone who isn’t participating!

Malloween Events

Many malls nationwide offer trick or treating at the stores in the mall rather than forcing families to go door to door through their neighborhoods. These events are great for a few reasons such as inclement weather will not affect the event, the lighting is great, and it provides the opportunity for various activities in one spot. At these corporate-sponsored events, there are usually many forms entertainment including pageants, concerts, and a variety of treats. Mall Halloween candy events tend to be during business hours, so you can also get your shopping in!

Passing Out Candy

If you love the idea of trick-or-treating for the enjoyment of seeing everyone all dressed up collecting candy, you can enjoy all the costumes and candy from the safety of your own porch. Rather than walking door-to-door, visiting stranger’s homes, you can provide the candy to the trick-or-treaters instead. Staying home to pass out candy also gives you the opportunity to decorate your house and lawn for the whole neighborhood to enjoy. You can watch Halloween movies while you wait for the doorbell to ring and you can turn off your lights and go to bed whenever you’re ready.

Trampoline Park

A fun and active alternative to trick or treat candy hunting is visiting your local indoor trampoline park. Halloween invites jumpers to come in costume and leap about uninhibited! At Rebounderz trampoline park, you can jump at our trampoline arena or race around in our haunted laser tag course. Your kids can have fun and be active instead of munching sugary treats.

Halloween is all about dressing up in costume and having fun! There is no reason that it means that your children have to go door to door asking strangers for treats. Make your own, safe, Halloween traditions in your family. Let Rebounderz of Lansdale help make your Halloween safe and fun this year and all the years to come! Contact us or stop by our indoor trampoline park today.

The last Saturday in September is reserved each year to observe and celebrate National Health and Fitness Day. This year, September 29 is the day to get your family active and moving! If your family — yes, ALL of the members — is already getting the recommended amount of physical activity, the day will be a day to celebrate your fitness and the health benefits that come along with it. It is also a day to bring community awareness to the cause and encourage others to be as active as your family. However, if you are like the nearly 60 percent of American families that don’t get nearly enough physical activity, September 29 is a day to begin! To help you get started on your family fitness journey, here we will share some ideas on how to get your family active.

Register for a community walk/run and start training

One fun way to get your family active is to set a goal together and work toward it. A community fun walk/run is a perfect goal that the whole family can register for — sometimes even your furry friends can join! Once you have decided on the goal or event, you can begin family training. If you have registered for a 5k, get out and go for daily family walks or jogs, building up to the full distance.

Sign up for an extracurricular activity.

Since every member of your family has different interests and skills, you can embrace this by having each family member sign up for a physically active extracurricular activity. Ideas include swimming lessons at the local pool, karate at the local dojo, soccer at the local rec center, or spin class at the local gym. Whatever it is, get each family member engaged in some activity. Not only will this help each family member be more active and feel better about themselves, but it will offer something to talk about over healthy family meals!

Take turns cooking healthy meals.

A big part of health and fitness is diet. It is important to nourish your family with healthy meals, snacks, and drinks. To help the entire family be more healthy food conscious, encourage family members to take turns planning and creating healthy meals for the family. If a family member struggles with the menu, this is a great opportunity to have a family discussion about healthy diet and nutrition. Have the kids help you clean out the pantry and review the health status of each of the foods in your house. Encourage moderation in the things that are less healthy and offer alternatives for unhealthy foods.

Bounce on over to your local trampoline park.

Get out and engage in some active fun! Spending active quality time together helps to promote healthy physical activity. At an indoor trampoline park, you and your family can jump to your heart’s delight, all the while knowing you are improving your overall fitness while you are having fun!

Here in Lansdale, PA, Rebounderz indoor trampoline park offers quality entertainment that is also healthy for the whole family! Read some of other blogs to learn about all of the health and fitness benefits of trampoline rebounding and then hop on over to trampoline park today!

-Telling the Truth

One of the most important values to teach your child is how to be honest. How can you help them be truthful? The best way to teach them this value is by leading by example and being a truthful person yourself. Kids learn a lot from watching their parents, so if you tell white lies and half-truths, they will assume it is okay if they do it, too. It’s hard to teach a child right from wrong when there are exceptions to the rule or if you say it’s okay when you do it. The old saying “Do as I say, not as I do” only serves to confuse children, as it muddies the message you’re trying to get across.
No matter how big or small a lie is, being deceptive is not something you want your child to pick up. This extends beyond your interactions with your child, as they will be paying attention to how you interact with other adults. Show them the value of honesty first hand and teach them why it is important to be considered trustworthy. Explain how people can be hurt by dishonesty so they understand the effect it can have on someone. If your child lies to you, don’t overreact. Instead, calmly explain to them that you won’t be mad and that you just want to know what the truth is. Many times, children lie because they’re afraid they’ll get in trouble for something. 

-Doing the Right Thing

Whether you call this good manners or justice, it’s vital for children to understand why they need to do the right thing. When they do something wrong, they need to know how to say they’re sorry, but they also need to know why they’re saying sorry in the first place. Teach your child how to make amends with someone in a productive way. This will help them understand how to treat people fairly, which will make their interactions with others in the future stronger. From sharing toys to taking turns, an overall sense of fairness and decorum will help them in social situations as they get older.

-Taking on Challenges

When you’re a kid, every experience is a new one. While some are easy and exciting, others are scary and daunting. Encourage your child to take on challenges, stay determined about finishing them, and foster a desire to always get better. Avoid praising them excessively, because when it isn’t the truth, you’re teaching them the wrong lesson. Instead, give them gentle, but honest feedback. Give them words of encouragement when they attempt something that is difficult for them and recognize that effort. This will help them be more determined to try things that might not come to them easily.

-Empathy for Others

We’re all on this planet together, so we might as well be nice to each other while we’re here. Teach your child about considering other people’s feelings and experiences, which may be different from their own. Show them why it is important to show consideration to others, whether they’re family, friends, or strangers. Explain to them why it is better to be kind to people instead of being selfish about their own desires. This helps them be more aware of their impact on the world and the people around them, so they will be more considerate about their actions and how they treat others. 

-Love and Affection

Some parents believe that children are just naturally affectionate and loving, but in order for that to last as they get older, that love needs to be reciprocated. Show your child love, be open about your affection for your spouse (even when it makes them roll their eyes), and talk about the love and appreciation you have for your family and friends. It’s also important to teach your child how to love and care for themselves, as this will help them value their lives and experiences more. Small displays of love can go a long way towards helping your child develop their self-esteem while fostering their own desire to be caring toward others around them.

In our busy day-to-day lives, it can be hard to keep these life values in mind. But when you can teach your child about these values, it can improve your life as well. You will be raising a more considerate, determined, honest, empathetic, and loving child that you can be proud of. Another value you should teach your child about is the power of physical activity. Fostering a love of physical activity will help your child lead a happier and healthier life. If you’re looking for a fun place for your child to get some exercise, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Lansdale. Maybe they’ll test out their determination on the exciting JumpXTREME Tower or learn how to share and take turns on the Slamball Court. Either way, we know they’ll have a blast. See you soon!

-Prevent Cancer

Exercising regularly strengthens our bodies, which makes us more equipped to fight against cancer. That is because of the effect physical activity has on our body’s operation. From top to bottom, the benefit from increased blood flow, circulating vital nutrients and oxygen throughout makes us healthier overall. This means that our body’s defense mechanisms are able to fend off cancerous cells and other maladies. The cancers that are affected the most by regular exercise include colon, prostate, uterine, and breast cancers.

-Blood Pressure Management

Studies have shown the powerful effect physical activity has on our stress levels. With lower stress comes lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart disease. Alongside lowering the risk of heart disease also comes a reduced risk of stroke, which is a development often caused by high blood pressure. Other positives of proper blood pressure management include improved vision and stronger kidney function. When blood pressure is too high, it damages our kidneys to the point where they are no longer able to regulate our blood pressure. At that point, the risk of kidney failure is greatly increased.

-Boosted Energy Levels

While you might think that physical activity drains our energy levels, you’d be surprised that it actually increases our overall energy. Regular exercise gets our blood flowing and our heart pumping, distributing vital oxygen and nutrients throughout our body. When our body is being nourished by those nutrients, it is less prone to getting tired since it has the fuel it needs to operate. This creates a cycle where the more you exercise, the more energy you have, leading you to exercise more often. It also ensures you won’t have those crashing moments during your normal day to day activity, something that is incredibly important for kids to pay attention in class.

-Improved Emotional Health

The stress-reducing power of physical activity stretches across our entire emotional well-being. Many people say they have a sense of calm and happiness after exercising. This is likely due to the release of serotonin during exercise. Serotonin is a natural chemical found within our body that plays a role in everything from our mood and appetite to our motor and cognitive skills. As it is released into our system while we are active, our mood and functions improve, which gives us a better sense of confidence to keep being active.

-Everything In Between

The effects of physical activity are wide reaching and numerous. Along with everything else we’ve discussed, exercise helps to improve our self-esteem, helps us sleep better, and improves our coordination by establishing connections between the different parts of our brain. Boosted energy levels and strengthened circulation not only helps us concentrate and think, but it also makes sure the food we eat is digested properly so that we’re getting the fuel we need. Physical activity has many definitions, which means that it can be social and done with others, or it can be something we pursue on our own to find a sense of inner peace.

Physical activity is something that is often ignored nowadays, with many people of every age preferring to live a sedentary lifestyle attached at the hip to their couch or computer chair. However, the positive benefits everyone stands to gain from regular exercise cannot be ignored. From improving our moods and fighting depression to making our bodies stronger and prepared to fight illnesses, physical activity has a profound effect on improving our quality of life.
If you want to show your child the fun of physical activity, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale. No matter if they just want to bounce on the trampoline, test out their skills on the Ninja Warrior course, or live out their daredevil fantasies with the massive JumpXTREME tower, we know everyone will find a fun and exciting way to be active. We hope to see you soon!

-Stronger Heart

As one of the most important parts of our body, the heart needs a little extra love and care to keep us healthy. What many people overlook is that the heart is a muscle, in addition to being a vital organ. Just like other muscles, you can exercise your heart to make it stronger. This is very important for the health of kids and adults alike. When your heart is strong, not only does it improve circulation — more effectively bringing oxygen and nutrients to the parts of our body that need them — it can also help fend off the spectre of heart disease. Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, even in young kids, this isn’t something to be ignored.

-Clear Arteries, Clear Veins

In order for our heart to do its job properly, the circulatory system needs to be in good condition. When we exercise, it reduces the amount of dangerous cholesterol and fats in our blood. Physical activity also makes the walls of our blood vessels more flexible and lowers blood pressure. This also goes a long way toward reducing someone’s risk of heart disease and stroke.

-Stronger Lungs

When we work out hard, it increases our lung capacity. With more lung capacity, our body is more efficient in moving air in and out, bringing in more oxygen and expelling more carbon dioxide and other harmful waste gases. Exercising on a regular basis will also help to prevent the reduction of oxygen we take in as we get older or become more sedentary. As you can see, it’s incredibly important for our body to have enough oxygen in order to prosper.

-Reduced Blood Sugar Levels

One of the most common ailments affecting the youth of today is diabetes. While a lot of that is due to our diets, a lack of physical activity causes just as many issues. Working out helps to prevent sugar from building up in our bloodstream, as it will trigger our muscles to consume more glucose from our blood to use for energy. When sugar isn’t able to build up in our blood, we’re less at risk of developing diabetes.

-Weight Control

Childhood obesity is on the rise, and a sedentary lifestyle only serves to continue that epidemic. Being sedentary causes us to take in more calories than our body needs to operate, resulting in an accumulation of fat. Physical activity properly burns those calories and the associated fat, helping to maintain a healthy weight. A person at a healthy weight will put less strain on their heart and help to fight against diabetes.

-Stronger Bones

Our bones are the structure that hold our bodies up and allow us to move. Similar to the way muscles become stronger under stress, so too do our bones. Working out increases our bone density, which helps to prevent conditions such as osteoporosis, in which our bones lose density, weaken, and become fragile and porous. When we have a strong structure underneath, it allows us to build on top of it for a more healthy overall body.

That brings us to a close on the first of our series discussing the benefits of physical activity for kids. If you want your child to thrive and lead a healthy lifestyle, establishing a love of physical activity early on will go a long way. Bring them over to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale to foster that love of exercise in a fun and safe way.

-Start Teaching Them Young

If you try to teach a teenager responsibility when they haven’t had those expectations previously, you’re much more likely to get push-back on what you ask them to do. At that point, entitlement has already started to set in, and they’re much less likely to follow through on chores or other responsibilities. Instead, start teaching your child about responsibility when they’re young — around toddler age — so they have an understanding of what is expected of them early in their life. Small activities such as putting away toys when they’re done playing is a perfect level of responsibility to start off with.

-Invite Them To Help

We know housework is probably not your favorite thing to do, but you can make it fun while teaching your child about responsibility. Make it a team activity and let your child help out, even if that makes it take a bit longer to complete. If you’re handwashing dishes, have your kiddo dry them off and put them away. This is a great opportunity to teach your little one about taking ownership of their area, which will give them pride when they take care of it. Having them help with a chore that has multiple steps will also teach them about breaking tasks into pieces to make them more manageable.

-Get On Their Level

As you’re teaching your child anything, especially responsibility, it’s important to do it at their skill level. If you throw them into an activity that is too intense for them, it will cause them to lock up and avoid responsibility in the future. Show them how to finish simple tasks that they would need to know how to do. For instance, if your kid wants a snack, show them where the fruit is and how to clean it off. This will allow them to do this sort of thing on their own in the future. When you start off small and show them how to do things, it gives them a greater sense of self-sufficiency and makes them more likely to take on more responsibility as they get older.

-Set a Good Example

Kids learn a lot about how to act from watching their parents. When you show them how to take responsibility through your own actions, they understand that is just a normal part of life. However, just because you’re setting an example doesn’t mean they should just be a bystander watching what you do. Make it an inclusive activity, saying something like, “Now that dinner is done, we put our dishes in the sink.” Have the rest of the family participate as well to show everyone has things they are responsible for. The more you do this, the easier it is for a habit to take hold.

-Give Them Praise

Children enjoy helping out, because it gives them a chance to feel involved with “grown-up stuff”. You can make this an even more positive experience by praising them for taking responsibility for specific actions. For instance, saying “I’m very proud of you for putting away your toys!” gives them appropriate and specific praise tied to something they’ve accomplished. This will foster a sense of ownership over their actions and an understanding of the value of a job well done.

-Manage Your Expectations

When you are teaching your child about responsibility, it is important to keep your expectations in check. When they’re just learning about how to do something, the quality of the work might not be at a high level. They might make their bed and it’s a little uneven, but that’s ok. Avoid criticizing them and instead show your gratitude for them trying. The next time you make your bed, invite your child to watch so they can learn your tricks to make it easier.

-Avoid Rewards

While rewarding good behavior is certainly ok in moderation, when you initially start teaching them about responsibility it is better to make completing something a reward in its own right. A rewards system can make them expect to be rewarded anytime they do something that is expected of them. This makes it more about what they get out of doing something instead of taking responsibility because it’s the right thing to do. Reserve rewards for activities that go above and beyond what is typically expected of them.

-Make it Structured

Kids get the most out of situations with structure and order, because it prevents things from from getting out of control. Setting up a morning and afternoon routine will give them a checklist of things they need to take care of every day. For example, a routine where they need to brush their teeth, eat breakfast, and get ready for school will give them a structure for their responsibilities. Whether you want to give it a specific order to make it easier or allow them to choose when they complete tasks, having them listed out can help give them direction. When you teach them about structure and routine, you can carry that over to their homework and other responsibilities they’ll take on as they get older.

-Teach Them Consequences

Every responsibility carries with it a consequence if it is not completed. Helping your child understand this will teach them exactly why they are doing specific things. Explain to your child that if they don’t brush their teeth when they’re supposed to, they’ll get a cavity. Another example is that the trash will overflow and stink if it isn’t taken out regularly. Teach them that even if there aren’t consequences in that direct way, there will be consequences in the form of being unable to do something they want to. Responsibilities need to come first before we can have fun. When you show them there are rules and what happens if they ignore their responsibilities, they will be more likely to follow through without too much pushing. This lesson carries more power when you avoid doing things for your child that they should be doing on their own. It not only shows them the consequences of not doing what is expected of them, it prevents them from feeling like they’re entitled to someone taking care of it for them.

Responsibility is one of the most valued and important traits a person can have, no matter how old they are. When you teach your child early about why it is important to take responsibility, they will grow up with a stronger work ethic and a pride in a job well done. For a great way to teach your child about being responsible for their health, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale! It’s a fun way to stay healthy.

Last week, we took a look at some of the ways that you can help your child succeed in school. That blog discussed why going to parent-teacher conferences, visiting the school, supporting homework expectations, and sending your child off to school ready to learn are all so important to their success in their studies. Today, we’ll be concluding our two-part series with a few more ways you can help out. Giving your child opportunities to be physically active will help their brain function, so why not bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Lansdale so they can have some fun while getting exercise?

-Teach Organizational Skills

While being organized can certainly come to some people easier than others, it is a skill that can be taught. By giving your child a solid foundation of staying organized, not only will they be able to be more successful in school, they will carry those skills onward into adulthood. Being organized will save your child time and stress, as they won’t have to search high and low for what they’re looking for, since they’ll already know where it is. That gives them the ability to stay focused and avoid the anxiety that comes with losing something important.

What should your organization expectations be at an elementary school level? You can make organization easy with an assignment book and a homework folder where they can store their homework and projects. This will help them keep track of where their assignments are and when they are due. It’s important that you provide a level of accountability for your child as they are developing these skills. Check their assignment book every school night to ensure you’re familiar with the assignments they’re working on so you know they aren’t falling behind. This will also give you a chance to check in with them in case they are struggling, so you can discuss ways to pull them out of a slump.

Kids often have assignments or papers that need a parent’s signature, so it’s a good idea to set up a box for these types of papers. Likewise, you can put together a box for completed and graded assignments, report cards, and other pieces you may want to hold onto. This will also give you a chance to toss out anything that isn’t important so your child’s backpack isn’t cluttered with unnecessary items. While you won’t necessarily be able to help your child keep their desk or locker clean and organized, do what you can to show them how helpful it is when things are in order so they will be compelled to keep them that way at school. It’s also a good idea to teach your child about making to-do lists and using a calendar or agenda to help them know what is a priority.

-Teach Them How to Study

Just like organizational skills, knowing how to study can have a great affect on your child’s success, even beyond school. Good studying skills translate to good learning habits as they get older, which they can then apply to their future careers. For elementary school, most classes have end-of-unit tests in math, spelling, science, and social studies that they will take every so often. This is why it is important to have a good schedule for school assignments and tests, as it will help you plan for what needs to be studied on a given night.

When a test is coming up, remind your child to bring home any necessary supplies, books, notes, and study guides that they might need for the test. Help them break down their studying into smaller, more manageable tasks that make the test less overwhelming. Depending on your child’s skill level, you can teach them handy memory tricks, such as mnemonic devices or acronyms, that will help them retain tricky information. It’s a good idea to keep these sessions to 45-minute chunks before taking a break. That break is important to help your child process and remember the information they’ve just learned.

-Familiarize Yourself With Disciplinary Policies

Typically found in student handbooks, schools will detail their student code of conduct to ensure everyone knows the behavior that is expected of them. This will also get into the consequences of not meeting those expectations as they pertain to behavior, dress codes, use of electronic devices, and acceptable language. These policies may also cover attendance, vandalism, cheating, fighting, weapons, and bullying. When you understand the policies and consequences contained in the code of conduct, you’ll be able to teach your child how to behave in school, as well as what to do when a classmate is not following those guidelines. When you make behavior expectations consistent between home and school, you show your child that both environments are safe and caring, which gives them the confidence to succeed.

-Volunteer in School Activities

Getting involved in events the school puts on is a great way to show your interest in your child’s education. Many elementary school kids love to see their parents at school or school events, but it is important that you gauge how much interaction your child is comfortable with. If they begin to feel uncomfortable with you being around at school, it’s a good opportunity to take a more behind-the-scenes approach with your volunteering. Let your child know that you’re not there to spy on them and their friends — you just want to do your part to support the school community. Some examples of ways that parents can get involved include:

• Volunteering as a classroom helper or homeroom parent
• Organizing or helping with fundraising activities, such as bake sales, car washes, and book fairs
• Chaperoning a field trip
• Planning a class party
• Participating in school board meetings
• Joining the school’s PTA (parent-teacher association)
• Assisting in the library
• Reading a story for the class
• Speaking at career day
• Attending school concerts, plays, or sporting events

Talk with your child’s teacher or another school staff member to discuss volunteer opportunities that you can fit into your schedule. All it takes is a few hours during the school year to make a huge impression on your child and show them how much you care about their success in school.

There are so many ways that you can give your child the tools to succeed in school, but we hope these help get the ball rolling for you. Being an active participant in your child’s learning has the power to make them more motivated to do well. Teach them how to be organized and study, understand the rules and expectations the school has of your little one, and volunteer to help out when you can to ensure they thrive in their education. A great way to reward a strong report card is to bring your child here to Rebounderz in Lansdale. We’re sure they’ll love jumping around in our super safe trampoline park. We hope to see you here soon!

While a lot of your child’s educational success comes down to the effort they put in while at school, support from parents can give them that extra boost so they can get the most out of their learning. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the best ways that you can help your child succeed in school. This is an opportunity to foster a lifelong love of learning that will enrich your child’s life long after they’ve finished their schooling. Today will be the first part of our two-part series regarding your child’s educational success. Something that can help with your kid’s brain function is ensuring they’re getting enough physical activity. When you’re looking for a fun place for your kid to be active, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Lansdale!

-Go to Back-to-School Nights and Parent-Teacher Conferences

Getting involved in your child’s education has a tremendously positive effect on their performance. One of the easiest ways that you can get involved is by attending functions that allow you to meet with your child’s teachers. Not only does this give you a chance to see what their expectations are for the school year, it will also help you understand the curriculum that will be covered going forward. When you have that information, you’ll be better equipped to assist your child if they are struggling with their homework.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will also help you track your child’s progress. When discussing how your child has done over the past semester, their teacher will bring up concerns or recommendations for improvement. This is a great chance for you to create a game plan with their teacher for how to help them succeed. Whether it is a struggle with homework, poor testing, or bad behavior in class, together you’ll get an idea of where your focus needs to be placed. If there is a point where you believe a special meeting with a teacher would be beneficial, most teachers are able to make arrangements at any time during the year.

-Go to the School and its Website

When you visit your child’s school, you’re able to get a better idea of how it is laid out so you can connect with your child more when they discuss their school day. Make sure you know where the main office, school nurse, lunchroom, gym, playground, auditorium, and your child’s specific classrooms are.

Checking the school’s website will provide you with a wide range of information, such as:

• The school calendar, including holidays when school will not be in session.
• Upcoming events like field trips or tests.
• Contact information for the school’s staff.
• Lunch menu, which allows you to plan when you might need to pack a lunch.

Many teachers and schools keep their websites updated with homework assignments, testing dates, and field trips as a special resource for parents. With this information, you’ll be able to remind your child about important days and assignments that they need to focus on.

-Support Homework Expectations

While many kids find homework boring, the truth is its purpose goes beyond education. Homework helps to form a child’s work ethic when they’re outside of the classroom. This makes it doubly important for children to practice good study habits, as those habits will carry over throughout their lives. This will also impress upon themselves a sense of responsibility for their own actions. When you foster responsibility and work ethic, they will have a stronger feeling of control over their success.

To make homework a priority in your household, it’s important to provide your child with an effective study environment. Make sure their workspace is quiet, well-lit, comfortable, and stocked with plenty of supplies like pencils and paper. Keep the area clear of distractions like TV that would pull their attention away from their studies. Depending on the assignment, you may be able to set a start and stop time to give your child a similar structure to their work as they would have while at school.

A good guideline to keep in mind for homework or studying is it should take about 10 minutes per elementary grade level. That is to say, fourth-graders will typically spend about 40 minutes on homework or studying each night. However, if you notice it is taking much longer than that, it is a good sign you should speak with their teacher. Their workload may be too much for them to handle or they may be struggling with the subject matter and require extra teaching.

Make yourself available to your child while they’re studying in case they need help interpreting assignment instructions, extra guidance, or answer questions to help them understand a tough project. However, that does not mean you should provide the correct answers or complete the assignments yourself. A great deal of learning comes from making mistakes, which is an experience you don’t want to take away from your child.

-Start Their Day Off Right

Brains need nutrients in order to function properly. This proves the old adage is true: Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. When a child starts their day off with a nutritious breakfast, they will have more energy, be more attentive in class, and grasp complex concepts easier than if they are working off an empty stomach. Kids that eat breakfast will also be healthier, which means fewer trips to the school nurse or days spent sick at home.

You can help improve your child’s attention span, ability to concentrate, and information retention with a breakfast rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein. It’s a good idea to steer clear added sugars, which can cause an energy crash halfway through their day. Packing a snack with fresh fruit, nuts, or yogurt can help ensure they have energy throughout the day.

Outside of breakfast, there is another way that you can ensure you’re sending your child to school ready to learn. Most school-age kids need around 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night in order to be productive the following day. Help your child practice good bedtime habits by turning off electric devices one to two hours prior to their bedtime to ensure they get enough sleep. When kids don’t get enough sleep, they will be more likely to be irritable or hyperactive and struggle to focus in class. A consistent bedtime routine is key to helping your child be ready for school every day. Do what you can to manage your child’s schedule of after-school activities, recreational sports, video games, computer time, and other activities to ensure they’re getting a full night’s rest.

There are many ways that you can help your child succeed in school, which we’ll be covering in the near future. Keep an eye on this space for more helpful tips to ensure your child gets the most out of their academic pursuits. When you’re looking for a great way to reward a wonderful report card, bring your child to Rebounderz here in Lansdale. Whether they want to jump around in our exceptionally safe trampoline park or they want to test their might in the Ninja Warrior course, we know they’ll find a fun and exciting way to be active. We hope to see you here soon!