Thanksgiving break begins in a little less than 2 weeks. You know what this means..it's time to start thinking about family, cooking, and more importantly, what to do with the kiddos while they're out of school. 

Because I work, as so many parents do, no matter full-time or part-time, holiday stress is compounded with school breaks. I worry about childcare and how to keep the kids busy and happy while I'm working.  Fortunately, I have family nearby willing to help but I know this is a luxury not all have, especially military families.  Luckily, there are options like holiday camps, special programs at childcare centers and babysitters for parents when school is out.

See our Camp Calendar for Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Camps. These are starting to grow in popularity so we hope to see more in future years. We'll be adding these as information is sent to us so keep checking the calendar.

If you don't necessarily need child care but still need to entertain the kids, let us help you plan Activities & Family Fun. This section has a complete list of area resources and don't forget to check the Events Calendar too for ideas. It's great for out-of-town guests --- just email what you find using the Parent Planner.

Some of my family picks in Shreveport Bossier during Thanksgiving Week:

• Sci-Port Holiday Camps
• Pilgrim Month at Jubilee Zoo
• Meet & Greet with Calio Critters Mrs. Fisher Cat @Toy Fair
  
• LSU-Shreveport Youth Classes/Camps
  
• Christmas in Roseland
• & check the Events Calendar for more!

Happy Thanksgiving from the SBfamilies.com Family!
Jennifer@sbfamilies.com

View all 29 Events on the Calendar>>>

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

School Schedules | After-School Activities

Looking for something fun for the kiddos to do over the Thankgiving and Christmas break? Check the Camp Calendar to view all winter/holiday camps in Shreveport-Bossier. These are growing in popularity!

You've been thinking about the Thanksgiving menu but what about the meaning of ThanksGIVING.  It's easy to forget to take a moment to teach your kids thankfulness. Seize this opportunity to talk with your kids about being thankful and why we celebrate Thanksgiving.

Most likely your child has learned about the history of Thanksgiving through lessons and special programs at school but how does it relate to their own life? Sometimes you must bring the point home by making it personal. Yes, you should take your child to feed the needy but one of the VERY best ways to teach your child to be thankful is by example. Tell your child everyday what you are thankful for and ask them to do the same.

Here are some Parent Tips we just love...

• Raising Giving Children through Empathy
• Trim the Cost of Your Holiday Meal
• Raising Giving Children
• Thanksgiving Crafts
• Helping Others
• Food Hotlines - Turkey Hotline!!!
  
• Families Giving Back

Turkey Hand Cookies - Make these with your children!

* 1 roll refrigerated sugar-cookie dough
* 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
* ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
* 1 box confectioners' sugar
* Resealable plastic bags
* Parchment paper
* Icing - colored using different food colors
* Mini chocolate chips
* Candy corn
* Colored sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Knead the cookie dough, flour and cinnamon together on a clean work surface until smooth. Divide the dough in half. Roll out one piece of dough to a scant ¼-inch thickness.

Trace your child's hand on a sheet of paper and cut out template. Using the paper hand template cut out as many hand shapes as possible. Transfer to the prepared sheet pans. Repeat with the remaining dough and reroll scraps to make about 12 cookies Bake until cookies are golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rake and cool completely. Repeat with remaining cookies.

Decorate with different colored icing to make the feathers or colored sprinkles. Candy corn makes a good beak and feet. Use mini chocolate chips for the eyes. Let your children use their imaginations to make the funniest or the most colorful turkey. Eat & Enjoy!

Parents, it's time to sign your kids up for Basketball!

YMCA Basketball:

Y basketball season begins January 9 and runs through March 6th. Boys & girls 3 to 14 years old. Registration ends November 20th. Price: $38-$89, depends on age and YMCA membership). Register at the Broadmoor YMCA or Downtown YMCA OR online at www.ymcanwla.org. Got questions? Broadmoor staff has answers 674-9635

SPAR Basketball:
The season is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2010.
SPAR will offer age divisions from 6-18 yrs. old (based on the child's age as of December 31, 2009). Registration information is available online at www.myspar.org (Click on "Athletics") or at the SPAR Athletics Office - call 318.673.7748, 318.673.7749 or 318.213.0433.

BPAR Basketball:

BPAR season begins January 9, 2010.  Registration ends November 14th, 2009 and December 8th for 13-14 year olds.  Visit Bossier Parks and Recreations website for more details and to download the registration form and Schedules.