Funny face toast

Toddlers learn by doing. Making “Funny face toasts” is a fun and healthy way to learn. It helps small hand muscles grow stronger and lets children be creative. It also encourages them to talk and tell stories about the faces they make. What you need: whole wheat bread healthy spreads (such as hummus or low-fat…

Winter blues

Cold dark days can make you feel sad, sleep too much and overeat. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) says about 15 per cent of people in Canada get the “winter blues.” There are many ways to feel better in the winter: Get light Go outside during the day. Keep your curtains open and spend…

Tips for hosting a potluck

Potlucks are popular during the holiday season. A potluck is a meal or party where everyone brings food to share. Pick a date, time and place. Choose what kind of food you want, such as salads, main dishes and desserts. Make sure to: ask about food allergies. choose foods that can be prepared ahead of…

Easy roasted carrots

Carrots cost less than most vegetables. Roasted carrots are easy to make. What you need: 2 pounds of carrots 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1 teaspoon of salt ¼ teaspoon of pepper What you do: Turn on the oven to 425°F. Wash the carrots. If they are big, peel and cut them into smaller pieces….

Keep your finances in good shape

November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) partners with local businesses, charities and governments to hold events and share helpful information. During the month, you can learn tips on how to manage and pay down debt and keep your finances in good shape. Here are some tips to…

Halloween paper spiderwebs

Halloween is October 31. People decorate for Halloween to make things look scary, have fun and enjoy the holiday’s traditions. Here is how to make paper spiderwebs. What you need: paper pencil scissors tape What you do: Adapted from Little Red Window • Photo: Jade Chan

Road safety

Road safety is important in all seasons. In fall, there are fewer daylight hours and weather conditions change quickly. Wet leaves, fog, rain and black ice can make roads unsafe. Here are some tips for pedestrians to stay safe. Wear bright coloured or reflective clothing in low light. Use sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk,…

Yellow fish by the drain

Have you seen a yellow fish painted by a drain on the street? These fish are not decoration. They remind us that only rain should go down storm drains. Storm drains carry water to rivers, creeks and the ocean. If the wrong things go in, the water gets dirty. It can harm people, fish and…

Easy cinnamon apples

Apples are popular from summer to fall. This recipe is great as a side dish, snack or dessert. You can add cinnamon apples to oatmeal, waffles and French toast. This recipe makes three servings. What you need:   3 apples 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ⅛ teaspoon…

Give a Book. Give Literacy.

September is Literacy Month in B.C. Reading is a big part of literacy. It helps you learn new words, understand ideas and discover new things. It’s an important skill you use in school, at work and in life. Decoda Literacy is a charity in B.C. It helps people improve their literacy skills. This September, Decoda…

How to pack a picnic

One of the best ways to enjoy the summer is to eat outdoors. You can go on a picnic with your family and friends. You can picnic at a park, a beach, a campground or by a lake. What to bring on a picnic: a blanket a picnic table cover a picnic basket or tote…

Drought in B.C.

In B.C., we are getting less rain and snow than before. This is causing a drought. What is a drought? Drought happens when there is not enough rain or snow for a long time. This can lead to a lack of water. Water is important for drinking, growing food and keeping animals and plants healthy….

PNE and Playland

What is the PNE? The PNE is a fair. It is held at Hastings Park in Vancouver. Prime Minister Laurier opened the first PNE fair in 1910. The fair is open 17 days a year. It starts the third week in August and ends on Labour Day. Every summer, more than 900,000 people go to…

Summer idioms

What is an idiom? What does it mean when someone is a ray of sunshine?  Some groups of words mean something different than the meaning of the individual words. These groups of words are called idioms. Photo: Pexels/cottonbro studio

Go fishing on Father’s Day

Father’s Day is June 15. Fishing with your father is a great way to celebrate the day. You can fish for free during B.C. Family Fishing Weekend from June 13-15. Canadians who have lived here for a year or more can fish without a licence. Both freshwater and saltwater fishing are free. Learn to fish…

What is a pollinator?

Pollinators are animals that help plants make fruit or seeds. They move pollen from one plant to another. This fertilizes plants. Only fertilized plants can make fruit or seeds. Why are pollinators important? About 75 per cent of our food needs to be pollinated. People and animals need this food to survive. We could not…

‘Junebugging’ cleaning method

Sometimes when you start cleaning, it’s hard to stick to one thing. You notice more things that need cleaning and start those too. Then it feels like too much, and you get stressed. Junebugging is a way to help. It’s a cleaning method that keeps you focused and calm. What is Junebugging? A June bug…

Biking in B.C.

Biking is one of the best ways to see B.C. You can see mountains, rivers and wildlife. You can stop for a picnic in a park or go for a swim at a beach. Here are some places to see by bike. Stanley Park Seawall Stanley Park is in Vancouver. Ride along the seawall. You…

Ways to help the Earth

Earth Day is April 22. It is a special day to care for our planet. Here are some things you can do to help the Earth on Earth Day and every day. Adapted from CBC Kids News • Photo: Pixabay/FIDigitals, Pexels/Thirman, Pexels/Tara Winstead, Pexels/SHVETS production

Are you drinking enough water?

Usually, it is good to drink at least six to eight cups of water every day. You may need to drink more or less water. This depends on how healthy you are, how much you exercise and how hot the weather is. Our bodies lose water by: sweating breathing urinating You need to replace what…

Lost dog rang doorbell

Athena is a dog. She lives in Florida. On December 15, Athena ran away. Her family searched for her. She stayed missing for more than a week. They felt sad. She might miss Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Athena rang the doorbell. She used her paw. Her family felt happy. She came home for Christmas.  …

Remembering Barbara Howard

Barbara Howard was born in Vancouver in 1920. She loved to run fast. At 17, she became the first Black woman to race for Canada. She won silver and bronze medals at the 1938 British Empire Games in Australia. Howard wanted to race in the Olympics, but the Second World War stopped the Games. She…

Hot chocolate recipe

This recipe needs only a few ingredients. It makes one cup of hot chocolate. What you need: 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tablespoon water 1 cup milk pinch of salt What you do: Mix sugar, cocoa powder and water in a small pot. Stir and heat on medium heat. Add milk…

Word of the Year 2024

The Cambridge Dictionary is a popular tool for learning English. Every year, it picks a top word. The 2024 word is “manifest.” Over 130,000 people searched for it online. What does the word mean?  Manifest means thinking about something you want and believing it can happen. People picture their goals or say positive things to…

Tips for keeping New Year’s resolutions

In January, people often make New Year’s resolutions. They set goals to do something or be a little better at something. For example, people may want to save money, lose weight, improve their mental health and other things. Most people have trouble keeping their New Year’s resolutions. Here are some tips: 1. Do not make…

Apple crisp recipe

Apple crisp is a great potluck dessert. It is easy to make. You can serve it at room temperature. What you need: 7 apples (peeled, cored and sliced) 4 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract 1 cup of brown sugar 1 cup of rolled oats ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon ½…

Walking pneumonia is on the rise in B.C.

B.C. has more cases of walking pneumonia this fall. Many young people are getting it. Doctors call it “walking pneumonia” because it is usually not serious. People can still do things, even if they feel sick. Common symptoms are cough, sore throat, fever, aches and a cough that can last a while. You get walking…

Muggins, a war hero

Muggins was a small dog with a fluffy tail. He was born in 1913 in Victoria. Muggins became a hero during the First World War. He learned to walk through the streets by himself. He had two donation boxes on his back and collected money for charities like the Canadian Red Cross that fed hungry…

Keep children safe on Halloween

Halloween is on October 31. Children will be going out in costumes at night for candy. B.C. Children’s Hospital has these tips to keep children safe: Safe costumes Use face paint, not masks so children can see better. Costumes should not drag or trip. Stick together An adult should always be with children. Hold hands…

Roasted pumpkin seeds recipe

When carving a pumpkin, you can save the seeds to bake for a tasty snack. What you need: • 1 ½ cups pumpkin seeds • 2 teaspoons salt (plus more for serving) • 2 teaspoons oil • 2 teaspoons of your favourite spices (curry, garlic salt, chili powder…etc.) What to do: 1. Preheat oven to…

National Truth and Reconciliation Day

In June 2021, the Government of Canada created a new statutory holiday.  The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30.  Why is there a new holiday?  From 1880 to 1996, Canada sent Indigenous children to residential schools.  The children were taken away from their families. Many were treated badly. Many died.  The…

Study tips

Here are some ideas to help you study: Stay organized It can be hard to know where to begin. You may have many things to study at once. Make a list to help you stay organized. Write down what you need to study. Add important dates to your calendar. Break it up Learning information in…

September is Literacy Month

In B.C., we celebrate Literacy Month. Literacy is important for everyone. This year’s theme is “Literacy: The Ripple Effect.” Literacy skills can improve life at home, at work and in the community, creating a positive ripple effect. Get Involved! Enter the Literacy Month Contest 1. Complete the following sentence by providing one or more examples:…

Simple tomato salad

What you need: 2 sliced ripe tomatoes mozzarella cheese slices olive oil and balsamic vinegar fresh basil What you do: Arrange the tomatoes and cheese on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with basil. Submitted by Margaret Sutherland • Photo: Unsplash/Marcus Spiske

Sun tea

Sun tea is tea that is brewed using heat from the sun. What you need: 4 black tea bags 8 cups of water a large glass jar with a lid What to do: Fill the large glass jar with the water. Add tea bags to the jar. Cover with lid. Place the jar in a…

Pride season

Pride season in Canada is from June to September. Pride is about being proud of who you are no matter who you love. Pride celebrates and promotes equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people. The letters stand for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex. The plus sign (+) includes other words that people use to identify…

Totem poles

Totem poles are tall wood carvings. They are made by West Coast First Nations. Most totem poles are carved from cedar wood. You can see totem poles in many places throughout B.C. There are totem poles in Stanley Park in Vancouver. There are also totem poles in Victoria, Sechelt, Alert Bay and Haida Gwaii. A…

Help keep wildlife safe

There are things you can do to help keep wildlife safe. These things can help you stay safe too. Keep wild animals safe Food can attract wild animals. It can be dangerous for both people and the animals. Here’s what to do: Store garbage indoors or get a bear-proof container. Pick up fruit that falls…

Elephant’s feet crosswalks

Some communities in B.C. have special crosswalks. They are called “elephant’s feet” crosswalks. They help keep people on bikes and pedestrians stay safe when crossing the road. What do they look like? Elephant’s feet crosswalks have two lines of white squares. The squares look like an elephant’s footprint. Sometimes there is a bicycle symbol between…

Tick season

Spring is tick season. Ticks are small bugs that suck blood. They live in many places in B.C. Ticks can spread disease to people and animals. Getting bitten by a tick can make you sick. WildSafe BC has tips on how to avoid ticks and tick bites: Avoid areas where there are ticks. Walk on…

Make a milk jug greenhouse

A milk jug greenhouse is a great way to reuse empty and clean milk jugs. When it is too cold to plant seeds in the ground, you can start growing them in a milk jug greenhouse. What you need: clean, plastic milk jug knife seeds soil duct tape water What you do: Cut around the…

Tax time help

  It’s tax time. Do you need help filing your tax return? Volunteers can help you at a free tax clinic. They can help people who have no income or low income. You can get help if: your income is less than $35,000 for one person. your income is less than $50,000 for a family…

March Break staycation tips

This March Break take a staycation. A staycation is a stay-at-home vacation. You can do fun things in your own town or city. You can save money on travel, airfare or hotels. Here are some staycation tips. Free activities  Look for free concerts, movies, festivals and fairs in your community. Check online or visit your…

B.C. food from the sea

B.C. farms and sells many types of food from the sea. Have you tried any of this food? Geoduck clams The geoduck clam is the world’s largest burrowing clam. It can weigh over two pounds. Geoduck clams are salty and sweet. They are expensive. They can cost as much as $30 per pound! Sea cucumber…

Valentine’s Day

In ancient times, Romans held a feast day in February. The day brought people together as couples. Why is it called Valentine’s Day? Valentine was a Roman priest. The Roman emperor wanted young men to be soldiers and not marry. Valentine helped people marry in secret. Valentine was caught and killed on February 14. People…

Swedish butter ball cookies

These cookies are tasty and easy to make. They are great for all year round.   What you need: 1 cup soft butter ½ cup icing sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 ¼ cups white flour 1 cup chopped pecans ¼ cup icing sugar What you do: Heat the oven to 400 degree F. Cream the…

Be prepared

  Winter driving can be dangerous. Roads can be slippery. It can be hard to see the road when it is snowing. Sometimes cars get stuck. You might have to wait for help. A winter emergency kit can help you stay safe and warm. Your winter emergency kit doesn’t have to be big. You can…

Make a snowman card!

When you give someone a card, it shows you care. Here is a card you can make yourself. A homemade card can be special. What you need: white cardstock paper orange paper pink paper a black marker scissors glue stick What you do: Fold a piece of white cardstock in half. Cut out a carrot…

November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada

November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. Financial literacy means knowing how to spend and save your money. It also means knowing how to invest and borrow money. In November, organizations help Canadians learn to: • manage their money and debt. • save for the future. • understand their financial rights and responsibilities. Here are…

How to French tuck or half tuck

Do you tuck in your top or leave it untucked? Before, people either tucked in a shirt, or they didn’t. But now, some people tuck in only part of the shirt. There are two ways to do this: the French tuck and the half tuck. These are casual looks. Use loose, lightweight tops and mid-to-high…