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3 Simple Tricks to Be An Awesome Parent

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Life is made up of small moments, but how often do we take the time to make them special? With a little creativity, even the most mundane tasks can become magical memories.

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Life’s busiest moments are often the ones we overlook, yet they hold the potential to become cherished memories. Transforming everyday routines into special experiences doesn’t require grand gestures—just a touch of creativity and intention. Here are some simple, effective ways to turn mundane moments into magical memories.

Themed Dinner Nights

Turn an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary event by introducing themed dinner nights. Pick a theme—such as Italian Night, Taco Tuesday, or even a Pajama Party Dinner—and involve the whole family in the planning and preparation. Decorate the dining area, dress up according to the theme, and play corresponding music.

Step-by-step:

  1. Choose a theme: Involve the kids in picking a theme for the night.

  2. Plan the menu: Select dishes that fit the theme and assign simple tasks to each family member.

  3. Decorate together: Use DIY decorations or items you already have to set the scene.

  4. Add entertainment: Play themed music during dinner.

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard with their daughters, engaging in a themed family dinner at home. The dining room is decorated with fairy lights and whimsical elements, and the family is enjoying the moment together

Transform an ordinary dinner into a magical family experience

Family Sing-Alongs During Car Rides: Turning Travel Time into Quality Time

Transform car rides into mini-concerts with family sing-alongs. Create a playlist of your family’s favorite songs and encourage everyone to join in. For a mix of fun and education, incorporate "Popcorn Brainstorm" episodes that include music and trivia—click through from our Resources section to check out their full list of free-to-listen offerings. Not only does this make travel time enjoyable, but it also turns it into a bonding experience.

Step-by-step:

  1. Create a playlist: Compile your family’s favorite songs and fun "Popcorn Brainstorm" episodes.

  2. Encourage participation: Get everyone involved by suggesting sing-alongs and trivia quizzes.

  3. Make it a routine: Turn this into a regular activity during car rides to keep the family engaged and entertained.

Surprise Lunchbox Notes

Add a dash of magic to your child’s school day by slipping a surprise note into their lunchbox. These notes can be as simple as a joke, an encouraging message, or a fun fact—check out our Resources section for a cool list of ideas. This small act can bring a smile to their face and remind them of home throughout the day.

Step-by-step:

  1. Prepare notes in advance: Spend a few minutes each weekend writing notes for the week.

  2. Incorporate trivia or jokes: Use content from "Popcorn Brainstorm" to make the notes more fun and educational.

  3. Add a personal touch: Customize each note with a personal message or drawing.

How Anna from Frozen Gets it Right

Kristen Bell, the beloved actress known for her roles in "The Good Place" and as the voice of Anna in "Frozen," is a shining example of a parent who turns mundane moments into magical memories. Kristen and her husband, Dax Shepard, have shared stories of how they creatively engage their two daughters during everyday activities. One of their favorite traditions is hosting themed family dinners. Kristen once transformed their dining room into a whimsical fairyland, complete with fairy lights, wings, and a magical soundtrack. The family cooked "enchanted" recipes together, making the meal preparation and dining experience truly unforgettable.

In addition to themed dinners, Kristen is known for her fun approach to road trips. She keeps her kids entertained with sing-alongs and trivia games, often using their favorite songs from movies and educational podcasts to make the time fly by. This approach not only keeps her children engaged but also strengthens their family bond.

Resources

Fun Audio Experiences for the Whole Family

Limiting screen-time is often at odds with your kids enjoying their favorite films and series. But not with Popcorn Brainstorm! Jokes & Trivia for Kids, the chart-topping Kids & Family podcast from Netflix. Featuring trivia, games and jokes about Netflix films and series, Popcorn Brainstorm is an audio experience that keeps everyone in the family connected, entertained and having fun.

Listen to episodes about Leo, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, The Dragon Prince and many more!

Some Ideas to Get it Rollin’

Meal Kit - to get you out of the meal prep rut

Get a Game Going - it oughta be good for the adult kids too

Lunch Box Note Ideas - #5 is a good one!

Last Word

Elevate the ordinary to extraordinary, creating lasting memories with your family.

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