Category: Well-Being

When selecting a trampoline for your family, you must determine whether you prefer an outdoor or indoor one. Although they are commonly used as outdoor play equipment for children, we will discuss the pros and cons of each option.

Should You Buy an Indoor Trampoline?

Indoor trampolines are a convenient and fun solution for limited outdoor space or undesirable weather conditions. They can provide an opportunity for kids to stay active indoors on days when it’s too hot or cold outside and take up minimal space.

Pros of Indoor Trampolines

Below are some of the advantages of an indoor trampoline:

Safe and Secure

Indoor trampolines are often preferred by people because they are perceived as safer compared to outdoor trampolines. They often have extra-thick padding and are designed to prevent kids from accidentally falling off the edge or hitting the steel frame. Many parents feel safer letting their children play on a trampoline that is indoors.

For example, Vuly trampolines are indoor trampolines with a patented rebounding system designed to reduce impact and provide a soft, cushioned bounce.

Less Maintenance

Compared to outdoor trampolines, indoor ones need minimal maintenance. You won’t have to think about lawn care, trimming foliage, or storing the trampoline during rainy weather. Cleaning an indoor trampoline is easy. Just use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface.

Easy to Install

Indoor trampolines can be quickly and easily set up without any tools or mounting hardware. These trampolines are a great option for people who are short on time or energy and can’t put together an outdoor trampoline.

Cons of Indoor Trampolines

Although indoor trampolines offer a lot of benefits, there are some downsides that you should be aware of, too:

Less Bounce

Compared to outdoor trampolines, indoor trampolines have a softer and more cushioned design which results in a lower bounce. Therefore, kids may not feel the same level of thrill while jumping on them.

Less Durable

If you plan on using a trampoline frequently, it is recommended that you choose an outdoor model since indoor ones are typically less durable. This is because indoor trampolines are usually made from softer materials which can lead to quicker wear and tear. It is essential to be extremely careful and take extra precautions to prevent the trampoline from coming into contact with heat sources, sharp objects or any other potential hazards.

Higher Cost

Consider buying an outdoor trampoline instead of an indoor one to save money. Indoor trampolines are typically more expensive due to their design.

Should You Buy an Outdoor Trampoline?

Trampolines that are meant to be used outdoors are ideal for keeping kids active while providing them with an enjoyable outdoor activity. They tend to be bouncier than indoor trampolines and are generally more resilient.

Pros of Outdoor Trampolines

Below are some of the advantages of an outdoor trampoline:

More Bounce

Outdoor trampolines generally have a lot more bounce than indoor models, which is why they are so popular with kids. This can take jumping to the next level, providing a much more exhilarating experience.

More Durable

Trampolines designed for outdoor use are usually constructed with stronger materials compared to those intended for indoor use. This enhances their durability and reduces the likelihood of damage from prolonged use. Therefore, an outdoor model is the better choice if you plan on using your trampoline frequently.

Less Expensive

If you’re trying to stick to a budget, consider choosing an outdoor trampoline. They’re often less expensive than indoor trampolines and come in many different sizes and styles, so it’s simple to find one that fits your needs without overspending.

Cons of Outdoor Trampolines

The following are some disadvantages of using outdoor trampolines:

Safety Issues

To avoid injuries, it’s vital to set up and maintain outdoor trampolines correctly. Use a safety net, inspect the trampoline regularly, and put it in an area clear of debris and other hazards.

Maintenance

Outdoor trampolines require regular maintenance, such as lawn mowing and trimming bushes. This can be tedious, especially if you have a large backyard. Furthermore, you must put away the trampoline when it rains or snows to prevent damage from moisture.

When purchasing a trampoline, it’s important to think about the pros and cons of indoor and outdoor options. Your budget and personal preferences should guide your decision. While both options can offer many benefits for children, it’s important to carefully consider which type would be most suitable for you and your family.

Team building activities are not just for adults, they can also be a valuable tool for children to learn important skills. Communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership are the main benefits for those taking part in a team building event. These activities also encourage creativity while fun with peers.

Let’s explore four exciting and engaging team building activities for kids that are sure to create lasting memories and valuable learning experiences.

#1 Marshmallow Tower

This classic team building activity is a unique and captivating task requiring teamwork and creativity. Divide kids into teams and provide each group with a set of marshmallows and toothpicks. Their mission is to work together to build the tallest freestanding tower using only marshmallows and toothpicks. Set a time limit to increase the challenge. The team with the tallest tower when time runs out is proclaimed the winner. Learn more about this and other games by visiting https://www.eteambuilding.org.

#2 Egg Drop Challenge

The egg drop challenge is an enthralling team building activity that requires kids to use their critical thinking skills. The primary goal is to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height. Divide the kids into teams and provide them with materials, including straws, tape, paper, and cotton balls. Instruct them to design a protective container for the egg using these materials, and then drop the containers from a height. The team whose egg survives the drop without any cracks or breaks wins the challenge.

#3 Human Knot

Have kids form a circle and extend both of their arms towards the center. Direct them to grab the hands of two different people on the opposite side of the circle. Both their left and right hands should not be connected to someone that is directly standing beside them. The challenge is for everyone to work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other’s hands. This activity requires communication, cooperation, and problem solving skills to untangle the human knot. It can also be a great icebreaker activity to promote bonding among any group, as well as providing a fun alternative to classroom learning.

#4 Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a is a popular team building activity that can be done at any location, indoors or out. Create a list of items for kids to find, either in a specific location or around the house or yard. Divide everyone into teams and provide them with the list. Instruct them to work together to find all the items within a specified time limit. The winning team is the one that finds all the items first or the most items after a specified time limit. Scavenger hunts especially promote communication as everyone is separating to find different items more quickly before other teams do.

Team Building Benefits for Life

There’s no better way to foster team building skills than organizing activities that are also a ton of fun. Kids will naturally work together, drawing from their own personal skills, and offering them in service of their team to win any game set before them. The skills developed by each child will serve them well into adulthood, whether they are playing sports or games, working to develop their career, or volunteering with others for a common goal.

Many things in life cannot be controlled, and death is one of them. Although death is a normal part of life, it’s a difficult topic to discuss, especially with kids who have recently lost someone dear to them. This could be a parent, grandparent, best friend, or pet.

As a teacher or caregiver, know that children react to loss in different ways depending on their age among other things like their personality and their relationship toward the person who died.

For instance, a younger child might mourn by throwing temper tantrums while an older child displays regressive behaviors like bedwetting. Some may even avoid school or get in trouble in school. While these are normal, it’s important to support them through this difficult time.

This article explores ways to help a child deal with their emotions healthily and move forward in life.

Welcome their questions

A child who lost a loved one may approach you with questions like… Where do people go when they did? Why did they have to die? Did it hurt? What is a funeral? Who will take care of me now? These questions are valid and they need to be answered in an authentic way, using language they can easily understand.

Have ongoing conversations about death instead of allowing for only one conversation and ignoring other questions. And while you provide them with reassurance, be careful to avoid making any promises you cannot keep.

Maintain their usual routine

Routines bring a sense of familiarity to a child’s life. It allows them to feel safe and in control. Losing a family member causes a disruption in their daily routine, including school, meal times, and bedtimes. If you’re having difficulty keeping their schedule consistent, don’t hesitate to ask for help from trusted friends and relatives.

What would also be extremely helpful is to explain to a child what to expect so they won’t get confused. You could, for example, tell them who will take them to school tomorrow (in case you can’t do it) or when the funeral will happen and the people who might attend the funeral.

Use resources to help them express themselves

Taking advantage of therapy tools, such as trauma worksheets and handouts, is an opportunity for a child to heal from a loss. This might be their very first time to experience losing someone or a pet, which makes these resources beneficial for processing what happened.

For example, one of our trauma worksheets called “My Trauma Story” lets kids share about an upsetting event. It asks about the emotions they felt and encourages them to explore healthy coping skills, such as deep breathing, grounding, and positive self-talk.

Kids who are having frequent negative thoughts can find comfort in reciting realistic, encouraging statements like:

• What has happened to me does not define me.
• It’s okay that I feel this way. My feelings are allowed to be here.
• I can do things to help myself feel safe.

Reflect on happy memories

One of the ways people can move on from the pain of losing someone is through remembrance. It entails reflecting on and sharing the beautiful memories you’ve had with the person. This honors a person’s life and at the same time sparks positive emotions.

Turn this into a therapeutic activity by making something creative, like a scrapbook or memento of the child’s memories with their deceased loved one. It can be a collection of photos or objects (e.g. dried flowers or a piece of clothing that represents the loved one).

While completing the activity, they will be able to pour out their emotions. This is especially helpful for kids who won’t talk about their feelings yet.

Tip: Incorporate other activities that also relieve stress, such as yoga and scooter rides.

Consider grief therapy

This step is important because some children, unfortunately, find themselves struggling with the loss for a very long time. They may be feeling guilty and somehow responsible for the death even though they had nothing to do with it, or have had multiple traumas before the loss, which made them more anxious.

Watch out for warning signs that indicate the need for a child to receive grief therapy, such as being preoccupied with thoughts of the deceased loved one, changes in their personality, and losing interest in their hobbies and school.

Grief counseling comes in different forms like groups where they meet other kids, or individual therapy in which they speak privately with a counselor.

Wrapping It Up

Whether the loss of a loved one was sudden or not, children grieve in their own way. It’s normal for them to cry, regress, and worry a lot, but more importantly, we need to be there to help them cope and get professional help if necessary. Healing from grief takes time. Don’t hesitate to seek resources that will allow a child to make sense of their loss.

Related Resources

Helping your child move on after a friendship ends.

Everybody is using social media platforms these days, and these platforms have become essential factors in people’s everyday lives. People make many of their daily decisions based on what influencers say on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Influencers’ effect on people’s vital decisions makings undeniable.

One of the phenomenons of social media platforms in the new era is kid influencers, who are children with thousands and millions of followers with solid online exposure.

Kid influencers have become controversial, and there are many debates regarding how ethical it is to let kids become influencers. Moreover, with the existence of online bullies and assaulters, how safe is it to let our children become kid influencers? If you have the same questions, we are here to answer them all. In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of letting your kids become influencers, and we will also talk about some tips for parental control. We will also introduce some of the most successful kid influencers for your reference. So, continue reading, and you will get the answers you seek.

Should we allow our kids to become influencers?

As social media platforms develop, many job opportunities have emerged for people in different age ranges, such as children, to become an influencer. As we all know, influencers can become rich and famous, but besides all these advantages, should we as parents motivate children to become an influencer?

All families have their own beliefs and attitude; as a result, it depends on the family to decide about their child to start and follow a career as an influencer. Parents should evaluate the drawbacks of this career and know that their children will face many responsibilities and pressure on this path.

Parents need to make sure that their kids can handle the pressure of content creation and manage the time they need to be active on social media and the time they should spend with friends and family. Parents are the only s who can realize if they can face bullies everywhere in the online world. Eventually, parents should evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of this job and talk to their children about it before making any decisions.

Even though most influencers, no matter what age group, seem happy and successful, it makes sense that many parents are still worried about their children being part of this culture. Of course, any kid can become successful as an influencer, but parents should always pay attention to their mental health and emotional growth. Counseling for teens can help young influencers cope with the stress and expectations that come with their public persona. The fact that influencers should always look perfect and create engaging daily content can lead to lots of stress and anxiety, which can eventually impact a child in the wrong way.

Parents should compare the pros and cons of letting their child become an influencer. If you agree about your child becoming an influencer, you have to talk to them constantly about their feelings and experiences to make wise decisions.

Tips for Parents

Here are tips for parents who agree their kids will become influencers.

Find out about the programs and apps your child is using.

Parents should be aware of the programs and apps their child uses as an influencer. You must learn about these tools’ features and privacy options because they can help you set some limitations and rules for your child’s online activities. Talk to your child about how to use these technologies and learn how to use monitoring tools to make sure they are safe while staying online.

Be enthusiastic about your child’s online life and ask questions.

You must become engaged in your child’s online presence as a parent like you are involved in their offline life. Talk to your children about what they like to do online, what websites they are interested in, what they will post on their accounts, and who they are in touch with online.

When interacting with your child, you will show interest in their behavior. You can supervise their online activity simultaneously to ensure any danger does not threaten them.

You should communicate with your child and make non-destructive boundaries, and keep them informed about being responsible.

Keep tablets and computers where you can see when your child is using them.

Parents always want to ensure their children are safe, especially in this digital era. Still, kids should be able to access different technologies, such as smartphones and tablets. In addition, it is necessary to supervise them while they are using these technologies.

One method that can help you as a parent is to put these devices where you can see them in the house. The reason is that you can supervise or monitor them while using these gadgets. Moreover, your child will feel more comfortable because they know you are there next to them if they need help or support.

You can put these devices in living rooms or the kitchen, where ever you and your child feel more comfortable, which can be a thoughtful way to ensure your child’s safety.

Social media parental control tools

The safety of children in today’s digital world is the most crucial thing that all parents should care about. Different Instagram parental control tools can assist parents in supervising their children’s activity in the online world.

Parents can use built-in parental control features on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. This feature will help parents limit certain content, block users, and restrict their child’s app usage.

Parents can also use third-party parental control tools such as Family Time, Boomerang, Qustodio, etc. You can customize the tools based on your priorities for your child’s safety. For example, you can block websites, supervise their emails and text messages, and even set time limitations for screen usage.

You should be honest and transparent with your children about using this software and explain that you are doing this to ensure their online safety on social media platforms. Because, ethically, you should use these tools with their consent and not behind their backs. With an open conversation with your child, you can describe their social media roles and responsibilities and ensure they follow these rules to stay safe.

Here are the top social media parental control tools:

• Qustodio
• Aura
• Bark
• Canopy
• Kaspersky Safe Kids
• Kidslox
• Net Nanny
• eyeZy
• Norton Family Premier

Top Kid Influencers

Young influencers are mastering social media platforms, and we can say this is a beginning of a new era. These children have millions of followers on social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. For example, Ryan Kaji is an 11 years old kid influencer with over 34 million subscribers on his YouTube channel Ryan’s World, proving that all children can become influencers. It is anticipated that the number of young influencers is expected to increase in the new year, and they will become famous and wealthy by gaining more audience worldwide. Based on predictions, a big wave of kid influencers will master social media platforms by 2023. On the other hand, there are still many ethical debates regarding kids’ participation in this industry. Many experts are worried about the consequences and pressures of this job on children’s physical and mental health.

Niana Guerrero

Nian Guerrero, AKA Niana Jose Evidente Guerrero, is a 17 years old Filipino dancer and singer on social media. Many of her dance moves with her brother Ranz Kyle have become viral.

Everybody loved her spectacular dance moves and high energy. She started dancing when she was very young and worked harder every day to improve so her audience could enjoy her activities. Today, she is one of the most loved dancers in the world, and she inspires many people and children.

She has millions of followers around the world who are following her passionately. She also covers some of the most famous and challenging dance moves, which many people of different ages and genders have welcomed.

Niana also sings besides dancing; her voice has brought tears to people’s eyes as she has an impressive and touching voice. She wants to make people feel good as she has a cheerful and bright personality, and making people happy also makes her happy.

Niana always tries to communicate with her fans, share her affection in dancing, and to sing with others. She has inspired so many people so far, and she will become one of the biggest stars in the future.

Elle Lively McBroom

Elle is a six years old American  YouTuber, and she is the child of Austin McBroom and Cathrine Paiz. She is very popular, and many people love her because of her cute face.

She has a sweet personality, and so many people adore her. Her parents share some sneak peeks of her life on their family vlog and are very proud of their little girl.

She has many followers despiting her young age, and her fans always look forward to her appearing on McBroom’s family vlog. Elle always brings smiles to her followers’ faces by singing, dancing, and showing her adorable antics.

She has a bright future ahead as a very young Youtuber, and we are waiting to see what she will bring to her fans in the following years to come, and we are excited to witness her flourish as a star very soon.

Fateh Halilintar

Fateh is a 17 years old Indonesian influencer, and he has more than 5 million followers around the world. He shares photos and videos of his everyday life with his followers and has two more accounts for his extra content.

With the explosive growth of social media platforms, it is no wonder that kids like Fateh have more than 5 million followers and are gaining more attention every day. Fateh tries so hard to share engaging and exciting content with his followers and wants his fans to enjoy scrolling through his social media accounts.

Even though his main social media account is exploding with engaging content, he has increased his activity on social media by adding two more backup accounts for more refreshing content. Undoubtedly, Fateh will continue surprising his fans and inspiring them with his unique and compelling personality.

Conclusion

Social media platforms are one of the most significant assists beyond the traditional entertainment industry, which can help many people start their brands and affect many people globally. Still, if you are considering letting your child become a social media influence, you must consider many factors, weigh their pros and cons, and guarantee your child’s mental and physical health.

Parents are responsible for setting up understandable instructions, talking to their children about online safety, and knowing how to use parental control tools and features. Because at the end of the day, nothing is more important than your child’s well-being and safety, and they should always be your top priority. To learn more about kid influencers, check out our list of top influencers and their incredible stories.