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How to Embrace Back to School Season
Over the past few months, we’ve discovered a new appreciation for our schools and teachers, especially as we look ahead to back to school season. This time of year always feels like the holidays for many parents and students. While this year likely continues to look and feel different for many students and families, we still believe back to school can (and should!) be celebrated. No matter if you’re prepping to learn virtually from home or return back to the classroom, below are four tips for embracing back to school this year.
Start Incorporating Learning:
Depending on where you reside, you’re either days away from returning to school or you have another month filled with summer fun. Either way, one of the best ways to start getting into the school mindset is to ease it back into your everyday routine. Set aside time for your kids to read, switch to an educational game on a computer or iPad, dive into a math game, or complete a science experiment. By welcoming learning back now, students will feel more ready to fully embrace a school schedule in the days and weeks to come.
Create a Schedule:
The summer is when we all relax our schedules and embrace a go-with-the-flow mindset, but schedules are key during the school year. Take a moment to revisit first grade teacher Mrs. Lamb’s tips from the spring. She and her kids discovered how they can best learn while at home. Mrs. Lamb said sometimes that involves incorporating more focused work during the morning followed by an increased emphasis on play in the afternoon. Start determining how you think your family’s ideal school day will look and feel now. Then give it a try in advance of your official start date.
Shop for School:
We know how much students love shopping for new school supplies, and this year should not be any different even if you’re planning to learn virtually from home. Purchase new folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, tech, and more just like you normally would. This nod to normalcy will feel comfortable, familiar, and exciting to your kids, and we think you will enjoy it too.
Also, consider shopping for back to school clothes! We’ve found it’s best to make a concerted effort to get dressed every day even if we’re working at home, and we think the same is true for kids. Think about shopping for new tops, pants, dresses, and shoes from their favorite stores, like Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh, GAP, Kohls, Dicks Sporting Goods, and more through your Shopkick app as you embrace the fall season together. You’ll earn kicks, and your kids will keep up with their fun school year style.
Embrace the School Season:
Just as you did during the spring, now is the time to embrace the school season whether it involves learning from home or returning back to the classroom. The more you and your student lean into learning, the more fun and normal it will become. Many of us are facing the same challenges, so keep this in mind: We’re all learning together, Shopkickers!
How are you and your kids embracing back to school this year? We would love to hear your thoughts on Facebook!
P.S: For more on our “How to Homeschool” series with Mrs. Lamb, click here!
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Camp Shopkick: Camping Week
We’re back with the latest theme for this week’s edition of Camp Shopkick! In case you’re new to “camp”, we believe summer isn’t summer without themed weeks of fun to enjoy with your family, whether you try a new activity each day or plan a packed day to fit in as much as possible. We hope you and your family have already made wonderful memories during Barbecue Week and Family Fun Week. This week, we’re taking “camp” literally – it’s Camping Week!
Have you ever taken a camping trip? Whether you’re an outdoor camping novice, someone who frequently pitches a tent in the backyard, or a camper with plenty of experience in the great outdoors, we thought we would dive into everything you need to know to take a camping trip at a campground. Let’s dive into the essentials!
Where to Go:
Once you have decided camping is officially on your agenda, it’s time to decide where to go. Parks are a great place to begin your research because many offer both camping facilities (wash houses are wonderful!), campsites, and plenty of information to review before you arrive. You can also look into official campgrounds. These can range from sites you will need to hike to, to locations where you will drive up and keep your car parked nearby. Some sites even include amenities, like pools, to encourage you to have even more family fun while meeting other families in the process.
What to Do:
When deciding where you would like to go on your camping trip, you will also likely need to decide what you hope to do as a family while you’re there. One decision will help to guide many others! Many camping sites are located in wonderful areas to hike. If hiking will be a new experience for your family, you will want to research trails that are clearly marked for beginners. Some trails are even flat, which are excellent for young kids! You will also want to be prepared in advance to swim, so research if your camp is near a stream, lake, or beach open to water play.
Must-Have Items:
Some of your must-have items will largely be driven by the activities you plan to do while you’re camping, but there are also plenty of other items you will want to have on hand. Keep the following in mind:
- Tent (P.S: One Crazy House has plenty of tent tips!)
- Foam Flooring/Air Mattress
- Sleeping Bag
- Clothes
- Flash Light
- Kitchen Items & Food
- Toiletries
- Hiking Gear
- Toys for Kids
- …and plenty more!
We discovered this packing guide for camping, particularly camping with kids, on the blog Em for Marvelous. Make sure to open the PDF she created titled Master Packing List. It’s excellent and so thorough!
Recipes to Cook:
Before you set out on your camping trip, you will want to create a meal plan. This will help you to know what you will be making well in advance, so you can make sure to have all of your groceries on hand. Cooking over a fire is a must while camping, and we thought we would think beyond hamburgers and hotdogs. So, we highly recommend trying Camping Breakfast Burritos from Taste & Tell, Grilled Cheesy Buffalo Bacon Fries from Tablespoon, and Campfire Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches from Homemade Heather. All three recipes sound delicious!
Of course, our top tip is to simply have fun on your camping trip! We are so excited to hear about the adventures you either experience or plan to experience on a camping trip with your family. Keep us in the know on Facebook!
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The CPG industry has seen a number of dramatic shifts over the past decade, with the digitization of many aspects of daily life and the rise of high-quality, private label brands.
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Camp Shopkick: Family Fun Week
The summer fun themes continue, Shopkickers! Last time, we shared activities, recipes, and even crafts for you and your family to enjoy with your grill in mind. And, this week, we’re back with 10 new ways you and your family and play together in your backyard this summer and well into the fall. Let’s get started!
Tie-Dye:
Tie-dye is the must-do craft this summer, and we think it’s because it’s quick and easy (albeit a little messy!). There are all-in-one kits for sale online from most craft stores, and we also discovered great tutorials from the dye brand, Rit. On their site, Rit shares new methods for creating tie-dye patterns, how to best prep your fabric before you dye it, and even faster ways to encourage your pieces to dry. Take a look!
Open a Little Free Library:
This summer, we have been reading non-stop! Although we have all largely been keeping our physical distance from our friends and neighbors, one fun way to help your community to feel more connected is by building a Little Free Library for your neighborhood. The idea is neighbors can stop by and take a new book, and the hope is they will add a new or used book to your library in return.
Put on a Play:
Put your family’s acting skills to the test and put on a play or talent show! You can encourage your kids to create a show of their own or have them recreate an old favorite. You can also encourage them to show off their talents. If friends and family want to see the debut performance, encourage them to stop by with masks and their own chairs placed 6’ apart.
Design a Fairy Garden:
We have suggested planting vegetable and fruit gardens, and flower gardens are always a given. But, we have a new garden idea: create a fairy garden! Country Living has great inspiration for you to use to create one of your own at home.
Jump Rope:
Whether your kids have already experienced the old-fashioned fun of jump rope games or they have yet to play, embrace this classic game at home! For new jumpers, consider having them begin by jumping rope on grass. This way if someone does trip, they’re falling on a soft surface rather than on hard pavement.
Make Popsicles:
What is summer without a cool treat to enjoy outside? Try your hand at making your own popsicles. With a few simple ingredients, you can create smoothie inspired popsicles your kids will love making and eating. Thank you to Lemon Tree Dwelling for sharing this delicious recipe! If you’re allergic to dairy, try adding extra fruit and orange juice in lieu of yogurt.
Add Swings:
If you have a large tree in your yard that feels like it’s simply waiting for a swing, now is the time to install one! Try shopping online, make your own, or stop by your local hardware store for a pre-made option. Another idea? Install a porch or deck swing!
Play Mini Golf:
Put your golfing skills to the test from home! Consider purchasing a mini golf set to enjoy in your backyard, or task your kids with coming up with a course for everyone to play. Don’t forget your clubs, balls, and scorecards!
Play Life-Size Memory:
We love playing backyard games because they feel even more fun when they’re life-sized. So, try creating your own version of memory! Make the cards big enough to create a large game in your backyard on your lawn. Who can match the cards the quickest?
Car Wash:
With soap, sponges, and a hose, you can create a few hours of fun for your kids outside with a car wash! Think about having them help you to wash the family’s cars, or create a “kid’s car wash” where they wash their own bikes and scooters. Everything could likely use a good clean. Why not make an afternoon out of this form of water fun?
How has your family been spending time outside together in your backyard this summer? Chime in on Facebook with your ideas!
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Merry Christmas in July: How to Save Early with Shopkick
We have reached July, Shopkickers! One of the best things we have focused on this year is the joy of simply having something to look forward to, and Christmas definitely fits the bill. Even though Christmas and the holiday season are still six months away, that simply means there is plenty of time to sneak Christmas songs onto your playlist, start organizing your Christmas movie watch list, and begin prepping to save for the holiday season.
We know every little bit helps, especially during a year filled with so much uncertainty, so celebrating Christmas in July by sharing easy ways you can earn kicks and gift cards to stow away well in advance of the holiday season. Let’s dive into the simple steps you can take before, during, and after you shop!
Before Shopping:
- Turn on Bluetooth for Walk-ins: When you open your Shopkick app, you will be prompted to turn on Bluetooth. Make sure you do! This enables you to receive kicks, whenever available, for walking into your favorite stores.
- Link Your Card: Whether you’re shopping in stores or online, make sure to link your credit card. You can do this by clicking on the person icon in the upper left hand corner of the home screen. Then scroll down to “Linked Cards”, which is found under “My Account”. The trick is making sure to use the card that’s linked when you shop!
- Turn on Notifications: Whether you’re receiving notifications while you’re at home or as you’re walking into stores, make sure to enable them on your phone. This will allow you to be in the know about kicks before you start your shopping trip.
During Shopping:
- Scan While You Shop: While you’re shopping in stores, like Walmart, Target, and your grocery store, take a peek at the list of items that are available for you to earn kicks. While you’re strolling down the one-way aisles, scan! This is such a simple way to earn kicks on items you were already planning to purchase as well as those that might not be on your list during your current trip.
- Submit Your Receipts: If you have scanned an item that also can be redeemed for more kicks by submitting your receipt, make sure you send a photo of your slip in! Your kicks will be rewarded shortly after your receipt is received by the Shopkick team. Keep an eye on your kick total, and watch it grow!
After Shopping:
- Explore the Discover Tab: While you’re at home watching Hulu or enjoying your backyard, take a moment to explore the Discover Tab. You will find plenty of content, including lookbooks and links to blog posts. Plus, you also might just find hidden kicks!
- Watch Videos: Brands love launching videos in the app, so keep your eyes peeled! Videos appear while you’re shopping in stores, and they’re also on the Discover Tab. Make sure to watch so you can earn even more kicks.
What are your go-to ways to earn kicks? How are you saving for the holiday season? Let us know your best tips and favorite Christmas movies on Facebook!