A 2019 special supplement by
A Madison-area parent’s guide to everything kids!
2 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS March 7, 2019
Winter time is party time
Beat the winter blues with a party – indoors or out ALEXANDER CRAMER Unified Newspaper Group
As cabin fever starts to fully take hold, it might be time to take the kiddos and their friends out for an old-fashioned party, birthday or not. Luckily, there are many options in Dane County, as varied as a classic arcade, a park shelter beside a sledding hill overlooking a beach and playground and a ninja gym based on a popular competition TV show. So Photo courtesy Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources pack up the family and get celebrating, spring is just Cross-country skiing is popular in many areas, including Lake Kegonsa State Park, 2405 Door Creek Road, just north of Stoughton. The park is open for use all year and features cross country around the corner. trails, park shelters, a beach and playground area and fishing docks that allow patrons to see what Geeks Mania Arcade they can catch out of Lake Kegonsa. 6502 Odana Rd, Madison This “classic arcade out of tables, air hockey, pinball and aside for parties, and renting it a little more of the kids’ energy the 1980s or 90s” boasts doz- ski-ball, co-owner Mike Arndt for two hours includes a wrist- than they would at an arcade, band that allows participants in Go Ninja in Waunakee might be ens of arcade games, pool said. There’s a rental room set and out all day. Partiers bring your best bet. their own food and decoraThe “ninja gym” is styled off 4 6 5 1 CO . R D Z Z D O D G E V I L L E , W I tions, and are let loose on the the Ninja Warrior Challenge games, which are all set to free TV show and has obstacles play. designed to challenge young Though the ski-ball tickets and old alike. can’t be turned in for stuffed Parties are generally aimed at animals, there are two “skill kids age 4-16, manager Stephen cranes,” Arndt said. Howard said, who are set loose For information, call 316- on apparatuses such as monkey 1644. bars, warped climbing walls and padded obstacle courses. Go Ninja Parents sign a waiver, andmake sure their kids take off 1100 Frank H St., their shoes. From there, kids can Waunakee If you’re looking to burn off jump into the heavily-padded
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Photo courtesy Geeks Mania Arcade
Geeks Mania, 1980s and 90s classic arcade on Odana Road, offers birthday parties.
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 3
March 7, 2019 world of ninja agility. There’s a party room for exchanging gifts and eating cake, but Howard said most parties only end up spending about 15 minutes in there before the kids hustle back out to the gym to burn off more energy. For information, call 849-2591.
Lake Kegonsa State Park 2405 Door Creek Rd, Stoughton It might seem strange to have an outdoor party in the middle of March, but the park shelters don’t go anywhere in the winter, and it’s a better time than ever to soak up some Vitamin D. When it’s harder to find the motivation to get out and exercise, Lake Kegonsa State Park’s extensive cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails make a great excursion.
The upper picnic area at the state park just north of Stoughton is next to a sledding hill and has picnic tables and a grill for cooking. At the bottom of the hill, there’s a playground and a beach for when the weather warms up. Kids can take a break from sledding to roast weenies or make s’mores and its close enough to a parking area to make lugging the gear bearable, especially on a sled. Shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and costs $45 to reserve for a day, but reservations aren’t generally necessary in the winter. Parking requires a Wisconsin State Park pass, which is $8 per day or $28 per year for state residents. For information, call 873-9695.
On the cover
• “Season’s readings:” The importance of children reading over the summer months Pages 4-5 • Children prepare to save a life with CPR classes Pages 6-7 • How to limit the amount of time children spend on electronic devices Page 8 • Upcoming youth sports tournaments Pages 10-13
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John Cho, 8, creates a bubble out of a geometrically shaped wand. Libraries host reading programs and activities to keep kids busy during the summer months.
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4 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS March 7, 2019
Season’s ‘readings’
Library programs help prevent ‘summer slide’ EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
File photo by Amber Levenhagen
Sashi Bellam and his daughter Meera, 2, color and make crafts during the Verona Public Library’s summer reading program kick off party in June 2017. the entire summer break, whereas other libraries may confine theirs to June and July. In the middle of the summer, participants have the option of buying prize books the library was able to buy because of donations. “I don’t know what other libraries have the funding to buy prize books,” Harrison
said. Lynn Montague, head of youth services at Sun Prairie Public Library said she built its summer reading programs from “the ground up,” shaping it around the interests of parents and kids, who can track time spent reading or the quantity of pages. She said in comparison to other Dane County libraries,
programming age groups are more “ambiguous,” with more loosely defined “baby,” “kids,” and “teens” program. Kids have the option as sixth- and seventh-graders if they want to read as teens, or stay with the kids program until they become eighth-graders, since the incentives to read may no longer suit their interests, Montague said.
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Summertime is the season for outdoor activities, get-togethers with friends and family and making memories while school is out. But librarians across Dane County say those summer months are also the perfect time to grab a book, sit under the sun and get some reading done. For children and teens, to help prevent what’s known as the “summer slide.” That’s when, during the three-month break from school, kids might not retain what they’ve learned during the previous year. To help prevent that slide, libraries have summer reading programs in place to engage people of all ages – this year’s theme is all about a “universe of stories.” The Verona Public Library has programming available for 0-2-year-olds, 3-11-year-olds and kids 12 and older. Assistant director and head of youth service Julie Harrison said the most popular program is for the 3-11-year-olds, as they can obtain coupons, some are which donated from the local Culver’s. “Kids can sign up to track what they are reading and come back for coupons and free books,” she said. Harrison explained the program is spread out throughout
File photo by Amber Levenhagen
Dozens of families attended the summer reading program kick off part at the Verona Public Library in June 2017.
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 5
March 7, 2019 “You’re never too old to do it,” she said. Montague said readers are able to get prizes – an example could be a pass to a Madison Mallards game. When kids complete the summer program, she said they get a yard sign that reads “A library champion lives here.” Lori Bell, a children’s services librarian at the Middleton Public Library, said its program is similar to other Dane County libraries, except participants gain entry into
a grand prize drawing for a party at the Henry Vilas Zoo. Bell said one year, a child won a ride on a biplane. Middleton Public Library offers programs for 0-12-yearolds, 13-19-year-olds, and adults beyond 20. The “bones are the same” but the prizes are different for each group, Bell said. Like most libraries as well, Bell said “all summer long we have special events and special performers” that coincide with programming.
File photo by Kimberly Wethal
Luca Totaro reads a magazine in the children’s section at the Verona Public Library.
The Caring Center/ Verona Montessori House File photo by Amber Levenhagen
Adyson Weaver Larson, 4, runs through a cloud of bubbles during the Oregon Public Library’s summer reading kick off party in 2017.
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Evelyn Otterson, 7, paints her canvas red for the background on her canvas during a children’s painting class at the Stoughton Pulic Library.
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6 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS March 7, 2019
Kids to the ‘Rescue’
Youth CPR, safety classes available around Dane County SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group
“Don’t be scared, be prepared.” Kids of all ages like to show they’re independent and can do things for themselves. When it comes to health and safety, there are plenty of courses and classes around the Dane County area where kids can learn skills and confidence they can use their whole lives, even if they don’t grow up to become an EMT or firefighter. Since 1991, Oregon School District educator Dale Schulz has taught safety and basic First Aid classes for kids, which in recent years has morphed into the “Rescue Kids” course for fourth-graders. With a class
learning how to take care of themselves and others. “Kids are starting to stay home a little bit, are assigned a little more responsibility with their parents and are taking care of little brothers or sisters for a longer time,” Schulz said. “We thought it would be a good thing to introduce to kids the happenstance – what if?” Schulz said he appreciates working with their EMTs and firefighters during the classes to let kids see up close what they do. “They talk to kids about what to expect if a real emerPhotos submitted gency happens, if an ambulance comes to your house, Landon Schulz and Jameson Noack practice saving infants who are not breathing at the Rescue Kids class in Brooklyn in January what are they going to see,” he said. “If you expect things, 2018. they won’t be as scary.” When Schulz retired from motto of “Don’t be scared, be prepared,” he said, it’s a good time for kids to start teaching full-time a few years
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Cienna Sarnow and Parker Hoefen are practicing life-skills during Rescue Kids training in Brooklyn in January 2018.
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 7
March 7, 2019 ago, he was presented with a lifetime award by the American Red Cross for his years teaching the kids’ First Aid class. Calling it a “huge honor” he was never expecting, it was overshadowed recently by a letter he received from a “Rescue Kids” alumnus. The fifth-grader, home with her little brother and a teenage babysitter, noticed her brother was choking and immediately her training from the class took over. “She told the babysitter to call 911 and went through the steps,” Schulz said. “She noticed he couldn’t make any sounds, so she gave him abdominal thrusts and opened up his airway again. “She wrote me a letter, ‘Mr. Schulz, please tell the kids on your class to pay attention, because it helped me save my brother.’” And while most kids won’t face life-or-death situations like that, Schulz said the whole point of the class, and many others like it offered by the Red Cross and other groups, is to be prepared. “You can go home and talk to your parents about what kind of plan do you have just in case, and share this with your family, the skills you
Yamir Disch and Everett Dammen are assisting a “choking adult” at the Rescue Kids class in Brooklyn on Jan. 13. guys have just learned,” he said. “What if someone in your family becomes injured? “You are that age where you’re old enough to learn this stuff.”
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8 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS March 7, 2019
How to set up parental controls on children’s tablets The Internet is a valuable tool that can benefit kids in the classroom and beyond. But as parents know, the internet also can be a danger to youngsters. As hard as parents may try to govern their children’s Internet usage, kids’ curiosity often compels them to go online when parents aren’t keeping watch. Parental controls are a great way to protect youngsters while they’re online. Setting up such controls may vary depending on the type of devices kids use, and the following guide can help parents whose children use popular Android, Amazon Fire and iOS devices.
Android The parental controls on Android devices allow parents to restrict access to various types of content, including television shows and
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movies, games and apps. The Family Link app, which can be downloaded through the Google Play store, enables parents to track their kids’ online usage and even set up limits on how much time they can spend online each day, as well as monitor the location of the device and when it is on. When using the Family Link app, parents will need to create a separate Google account for their children.
Amazon Fire Amazon Fire is another popular, user-friendly tablet that many children use. Each Fire device comes with FreeTime built-in. FreeTime bans advertisements and restricts purchases so kids cannot spend their parents’ money without permission. In addition, FreeTime allows parents to restrict content, ensuring kids will only be able to see content already approved by adults. Adults also can set up time restrictions to limit the amount of time their kids spend online,
and they can even prevent access to certain activities, including video games.
iOS The iOS is an operating system for mobile devices manufactured by Apple. The Screen Time function on iOS devices allows parents to restrict the use of and downloading of certain apps, including those built-in on iOS devices. Parents can specify which websites their children are allowed to visit, preventing them from visiting sites that kids should not see. Screen Time also allows parents to block purchases made through iTunes, ensuring kids won’t run rampant spending money on music, television shows and music. Parental controls can help parents’ monitor their youngsters’ tablet usage and protect them from visiting websites designed for adults. – Metro News Service
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 9
March 7, 2019
Enjoy a stress-free summer with the kids Between camp, going on holidays and playdates, summer vacation can feel like endless planning and shuffling from activity to activity. You can use these tips and tricks to cut down on your stress and enjoy quality family time together.
Create a schedule Jot down family activities and commitments on a large calendar and keep it on the fridge so everyone can see what’s coming up. This will help give the kids a sense of security and routine that’s missing during the summer months. Just be flexible, and make sure to schedule plenty of free time to relax and enjoy quiet time with a book.
Cut down kitchen time Don’t like having to choose between healthy and quick, easy meals? Look for simple, nutritious meal options that take much of the work out of cooking. Some work as great side dishes to complete a fast and healthy meal.
Plan special dates
Go to the park, spend time at the library and visit your local community swimming Getting out of the house regularly pool. Keep the kids on top of chores and doesn’t mean having to use up the family other duties by presenting these activities travel budget. Give the kids an excuse to as rewards for a job well done. use up their energy and get some fresh air by scheduling some fun, free activities. – Metro News Service
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10 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS March 7, 2019
Get your head in the game Youth sports tournaments from April-July There are plenty of youth baseball, basketball, golf and soccer tournaments this spring and summer, close by and others just a short drive away. Here is a list of some of the upcoming tournaments: – Mark Nesbitt Whitewater
May 3-5 • 2019 PYB Tournament 9U-12U – Portage
May 4-5 • Badgerland Spring Invite Madison - 9U-12U – Madison • Beloit Bombers Opening Season Bash - 9U-14U – Beloit
May 10-11 • CG Sluggers 13U Mother’s Day Off Tourney at Madison College – Madison
May 10-12 File photo by Anthony Iozzo
Reese Koepke slides safely into third base for a stolen base for Stoughton 12U in the third inning Saturday against the Oregon 12U Panthers at Statz Field in the Oregon Youth Baseball tournament.
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May 11-12 • Fort Atkinson Jr. Blackhawk Baseball May Classic - U9U13 – Fort Atkinson • Park City Classic - 9U-13U – Janesville
May 18-19 • WI Spring Tournament - U9U14 – Beloit
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JUNIOR SESSION
• Play Ball Golden Egg 9U-12U – Beloit • Easter Classic BB - 9U-14U – Mauston
• Park City Classic - 9U-13U – Janesville
KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 11
March 7, 2019 May 24-26 • River City Showdown 8U-14U – Janesville
May 25-26 • Middleton Baseball Diamond SHowdown - 10U, 12U – Middleton
May 31-June 2 • Battle in Blackhawk 9U-13U – Janesville
Basketball
April 12-14
• Rock Spring Classic 10U-17U boys – SEA, Stoughton
April 12 • Gym Rats Wisconsin State Championship - 4th grade-varsity – JustAgame Fieldhouse, Wisconsin Dells
April 19 • We’re Jamming Slamfest 8th grade-varsity – JustAgame Fieldhouse, Wisconsin Dells
April 27
File photo by Anthony Iozzo
Luke DiLorenzo slides into home last summer against the 13U Panthers in the Oregon Youth Baseball tournament at Zach Field.
• Showboat-Tug’s Classic - 4th grade-varsity – JustAgame Fieldhouse, Wisconsin Dells May 4 • Capitol City Classic - 6th • Girls Hoops 4 a Cause grade-varsity – MATC, 9U-17U – SEA Stoughton Madison East locations, May 4-5 Madison
Tear the Team Scoopie Token off your Kid’s Meal bag, and save up for some cool stuff! • A scoop of frozen custard • A Free Kid’s Meal (10 tokens)
You can also purchase Team Scoopie Kid’s Meal items at any time. File photo by Kimberly Wethal
A participant in the ProStar basketball camp last August tells former University of Wisconsin basketball player Frank Kaminsky he plans on putting the photo of them on Instagram, with a caption of “Me and my best friend.” Another former UW basketball player, Sam Dekker, was at the camp.
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12 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS March 7, 2019 • Great Wolf Lodge All-Star Classic - 4th grade-8th grade – JustAgame Fieldhouse, Wisconsin Dells
June 8-9 • Boys Hoops 4 a Cause 9U-17U – SEA Stoughton, Verona • June Jam 9U-17U boys, girls – SEA SToughton, Verona
June 14 • Janesville Parker Invite Summer Classic – Janesville
June 15 • Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Invite – Marshfield • All-Star Shootout - 4th grade-varsity – JustAgame Fieldhouse, Wisconsin Dells
June 21 • Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Invite – Prairie du Chien
June 29 • Garding Against Cancer Classic - 8th grade-varsity – JustAgame Fieldhouse, Wisconsin Dells
June 30 • Garding Against Cancer Classic - 4th grade-7th grade – JustAgame Fieldhouse, Wisconsin Dells
Golf wiscjuniorgolf.com
June 13 • Wisconsin Junior PGA future tour – Vitense Golfland, Madison
June 21 • Junior tour – the Beloit CLub, Beloit
July 1-2 • The Dells Junior Golf CHampionship – Trappers Turn, Wisconsin Dells
July 9 • Junior Tour BH/Jr. Tournament – Odana Hills Golf Course, Madison
July 14 • Future Tour Scramble – Edelweiss Country Club, New
Kids Need Good Homes File photo by Anthony Iozzo
Foster Parents Needed!
Kennedy Eslick gets a save for the U10 Thunderbolts during the Oregon Fall Fury tournament a few years ago. Many youth soccer teams will be participating in tournaments over the summer.
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March 7, 2019
July 30
Glarus
July 15-16 • Sherri Steinhauer (girls only) – Blackhawk Country Club, Madison; Pleasant View Golf Course, Middleton
July 18 • Junior Tour Edelweiss Chalet – Edelweiss Country Club, New Glarus
July 22 • Junior Tour the Oaks Golf Course – Cottage Grove
July 26 • Future Tour Monona Golf Course – Monona
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• Junior Tour Pleasant View/ BH Jr. Tour – Pleasant View Golf Course, Middleton
• Reddan Thunder - U11-U18 boys, girls – Reddan Soccer Park, Verona
Soccer
July 13-14 • Oregon Internationale Soccer Tournament - boys, girls U9U19 – Oregon
soccer-tournament-guide. com/reddan-spring-shootout. html
April 12-14 • Reddan Spring Shootout U11-U19 – Reddan Soccer Park, Verona
May 17-19 • MAYSA Cup - U9-U14 boys, girls – Reddan Soccer
File photo by Anthony Iozzo
Alex Bailey celebrates at second base after a double for the Stoughton 12U team in a game against Waunakee.
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Ashton Ritter throws a strike in the first inning Saturday as the Oregon 13U Panthers took on the Verona Outsiders at Zach Field.
14 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS March 7, 2019
Three tips to manage kids’ party guest lists Drafting guest lists for children’s parties is no small task. Parents may hope to include all the kids in their child’s class, only to be met with some difficult decisions due to budgets and space. Parents planning their kids’ birthday parties can keep these three tips in mind as they work toward finalizing a guest list.
Pick the venue first The size and scope of the party venue can help parents determine just how many children they can invite to the party. An intimate party at home may mean fewer children, while a big party center can comfortably and safely accommodate lots of kids.
Consider the budget Determining how much you want to spend on the party can help you decide on the guest list. Children’s party centers may charge anywhere from $10 to $25 per head. BabyCenter.com found that roughly one-quarter of parents surveyed spend more than $500 for a child’s first birthday, and the U.K. firm Vouchercloud found the average kid’s party runs $400 before presents. Much like with
weddings, one of the easiest ways to cut to the guest list, explain in advance that you birthday party costs is to trim the guest do not have a limitless budget, so some list. names may need to be trimmed to accommodate the money available for the party. Focus on the child The guest list for kids’ parties can someRather than the party being a “who’s- times be tricky to negotiate. But three simwho” of guests, let the guest of honor cre- ple strategies can make the task that much ate the guest list. This way the guest lists simpler. reflects the child’s preferences. If you’re – Metro News Service concerned kids might add too many names
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March 7, 2019
Making the most of family vacations Family vacations can seem like daunting endeavors to organize, as planners must cater to each member of the family and their individual needs. Family vacations can cost several thousand dollars, which only adds to the pressure planners may be under. But careful planning makes it possible to simplify the process so more time can be spent resting, relaxing and having fun.
Child-friendly hotel One of the “musts” when booking a family vacation is finding the right accommodations. This often means booking rooms at family-friendly hotels. Things to look for when seeking hotels include amenities like swimming pools and recreation areas, nearby parks and other attractions that kids can enjoy, and easy access to stores that sell necessities. When booking a room, request one that is close to the elevator or the breakfast buffet. If you have youngsters who nap or go to bed early, try to book adjoining rooms or one-bedroom suites. This way the kids are tucked in but accessible, allowing adults to enjoy their downtime.
Allow for downtime While it’s beneficial to have an itinerary, leave some moments for spontaneity and rest. You don’t want to return home so tired from the trip that you need another break. Use downtime as opportunities for kids to lead the way.
Travel off the beaten G e t t h e e n t i r e f a m i l y path
Plan the trip together
Mature children may like sights and sounds that aren’t necessarily designed for kids. So while it may be tempting to stick to big-name resorts that cater to families, there’s plenty of enjoyment to be had exploring lesser-known islands or villages. And while Pack as lightly as you’re at it, introduce chilpossible dren to native cuisines so they Pack light and, if possible, can broaden their culinary buy some necessities when palates. you arrive. Few things can Relive the memories be as headache-inducing as M a ke l a s t i n g va c a t i o n dragging along extra luggage with kids in tow. Choosing a memories more by putting hotel or resort with laundry together a photo album or facilities can be advantageous scrapbook. to active families who may – Metro News Service get messy along the way.
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