Updated and reposted from March 24, 2018

Simple ideas to create an elegant Easter table arrangement

Do you have family visiting for Easter? Whether you're planning your Easter celebrations for just your own immediate family or an extended gathering of friends and family, a beautiful table arrangement really sets the scene for a perfect Easter celebration.

Now, this can be  daunting consideration. But, don't feel you need to spend hours preparing a lovely display. I've found a collection of ideas, from a simple minimal approach to an amazing table overflowing with delight.

You may have decided to go with a separate table for the kids. That's fine. I've got that covered, too. So, just click through the images and find the table creation that appeals to you and your needs. There is a link on each image to the original and the instructions.

​And remember, you can add to or simplify the original concept or substitute items where necessary.

Just as an example, this Easter arrangement took minutes to prepare.
​Here's how...

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO CREATE AN EASTER TABLE DECORATION

STEP 1. Buy an Easter wreath. Yes, you can make your own but I didn't have time and you can find them everywhere.

STEP 2. Place the wreath in the centre of the table. 

STEP 3. Add a floral arrangement to the centre of the wreath- e.g.  lantern,  candles, or an apothecary jar filled with eggs. (You can buy a floral arrangement or make your own.)

And that's it!  Done. Simple. 
​Check out the other beautiful and creative ideas below. 

There are many other ideas from truly creative people, and I gathered some to show you, that will inspire you and provide some simple, yet beautiful solutions. From fun-filled kids' table arrangements to elegant designs to outdoor dining ideas, you'll find something in the following collection that, I'm sure, will help you create your own Easter table arrangement.

This amazing list of Easter Table Decorations can also be viewed on Listly.

​Or... check out the collection of Easter Table Decor YouTube clips below.

​And... as an added bonus, why not plan to include Easter themed table serviettes.
You'll find links to the instruction below.

Yes, there's more..
If you're looking for other Easter ideas and inspiration, then check out myEaster Pinterest board. Are you planning an Easter Egg Hunt? Here are some tips. And if you'd like an Easter that allowed you time to focus on what really matters, download my free book below, Stress-Free Easter.

Why not sign up below for VIP access to my library of FREE resources, where you'll find plenty more books, downloads and family resources?

( This article has been updated from that previously published March 6, 2018)
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​Yep… affiliate links are included which means that, at no additional cost to you, if you buy through me I get some coffee money …though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)

​​We all enjoy the fun activities that are a part of the Easter holiday weekend-  the hot cross buns, the family gathering, the Easter brunch- but we still want to encourage our children to focus on the real message of Easter. We want to create memorable family Easter experiences, ones that will bring new meaning and understanding of the Easter story and the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice for everyone.

Having said that… we all know that the question on every child’s lips will be, “When are we having the Easter Egg Hunt?”
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So, are you prepared? It's actually not as easy as you think, especially if you have a big, jostling collection of excited kids or a group of different aged children, particularly toddlers. You certainly want to keep everyone happy and avoid the tears of disappointment or the cries of, "It's not fair!"

So.. along with preparing cute baskets to gather the eggs, here are some tips that will make your Easter Egg Hunt rock.

TIP #1 ...  Choose the style of Easter Egg Hunt to suit your pint-sized participants and your resources.

Balloon Clues:

Little ones often struggle to find their Easter Eggs even with help from others. If you're looking for an easy Easter Egg Hunt idea for small children, how about attaching a balloon to each egg? They'll love collecting these eggs..especially if they get to keep the balloon, as well. And, there will no difficulty finding the eggs.

Scavenger Hunt:

If your kids are a bit older, they will rush madly to find every egg within a couple of minutes flat, probably knocking their friends over in the process. And then the egg hunt is over. But you can organise the hunt as a scavenger hunt with printed clues that will have kids searching and exploring. As another option, try this Easter egg hunt with scripture verses. Check out this well-prepared printable Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt.

Energetic Scavenger Hunt:

Want to get the kids moving or make it a bit harder for slightly older kids? How about an active scavenger hunt. The eggs are decorated to look like sports equipment and inside are instructions like- crab-walk around the couch, 10 star jumps etc They can earn points for finding and completing the task to claim the Easter egg prizes later.

Smartphone Event:

Tweens and teens have probably out-grown the simple fun of an Easter Egg Hunt... unless you make it high-tech. Create a smartphone event with clues presented with QR codes. Use eggs that are less brightly coloured, too, to make them harder to find for these veteran Easter egg hunters.

Glow Hunt:

For something a little different, consider holding your Easter egg hunt at night with glow eggs. You could include an outdoor movie night to accompany the hunt. You can obtain a kit with everything you need: full Egglo Kit for your own egg hunt adventure with eggs, stuffers, storybook, DVD, Scripture Scrolls, and more.

You can also make your own glowing Easter Eggs and other glowing decorations.

Children's Ministry Program:

If you're presenting an Easter Egg Hunt as a part of your Children's Ministry Easter program, then you might be interested in the Easter Egg Hunt lesson, to help kids find Jesus. How about a Bible Easter Scavenger Hunt?

Easter egg Hunt Box:

And… if your family and grandkids live miles away (like some of mine), why not send them an Easter egg hunt box? I made this for my own grandkids and it was a heap of fun!

​TIP #2. ...  Start your preparations early

I know it seems as if an Easter Egg Hunt is a simple matter of buying some eggs, hiding them, and letting the kids search for them. But there's a lot more to it if you want to avoid tears and disappointment from those who couldn't find any or couldn't compete with the older kids.

A bit of planning and preparation can turn this simple Easter activity into a wonderful and memorable family event- a real moment that matters.

So... are you going to hide plastic eggs or go with the chocolate and candy egg option. (Don't forget to check for food intolerances such as dairy or gluten.) As a general rule of thumb, you'd probably need to work on 8-10 eggs per child.

Plastic eggs have become a popular option, largely because they can be used in so many creative and fun ways:

* Fill the eggs with stickers, small gifts or numbers that correspond to other prizes to be collected  later. Check out some of these non-candy ideas.
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* You probably have one or more of your kids who are competitive, even though it’s just an Easter egg hunt. So, tears are sure to follow for whoever doesn’t find many eggs. You can avoid this scenario if you designate different areas for different ages.Then send the children to particular coloured zones determined by their age. Use matching coloured balloons to identify the location of the zones.

* If you only have few kids, give them each a different coloured basket or pail and tell them to find only the eggs of that same colour.

* Alternately, you can tell the kids to collect only one egg of each colour.

* Organise the kids into teams and send the teams out into different areas. Each plastic egg they find as a team contains a puzzle piece. When every piece has been found, they must work together to reassemble the puzzle and gain extra points. Award the team and individual prizes accordingly (though I'd probably give everyone much the same prize to avoid disappointment.)
You can find the Easter Story puzzle ​if you'd like to use it for this activity..
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*You might also like to tell the kids that there is one, or a couple, of golden eggs to be found. If or when you find and open them, you'll find either a large piece of gold paper, a gold sticker or gold glitter inside. The golden eggs can be redeemed for extra points or a bigger prize.

TIP #3 ...   Easter decorations look amazing, add to the excitement, but also help your event run smoothly.

The focus of An Easter Egg Hunt is, of course, finding eggs. And I know the children are bouncing up and down in eagerness to start looking for their Easter eggs. But the excitement really starts well before the hunt. And how much better if the hunt begins with brightly coloured balloons and wonderful signage that shows the children just where to start looking for their Easter egg success.

It sets the scene, prepares the children and helps to keep them going in the right areas.

Actually, you'll find a growing number of Easter egg Hunt kits in the stores and, if you can find just what you want, that does make it easier. But there are plenty of wonderful resources online that are FREE; just download, print, cut out and attach to a small wooden dowel. Add your signs at intervals to direct the children, fuel any flagging enthusiasm and keep them on track. Check out some of the options:

Simple printable signage ... looks great and encourages those looking for eggs. 

Labels, signs and other helpful printables that look good and help keep the fun moving. Download and print signs and directions to add to the excitement.

Set out the perfect trail for your Easter Egg Hunters to follow... and it looks great, too.

And there's more..... ​more amazing signage , and it's free.

Oh... there's also some cute bunny footprints to download, print and set out for the little ones to follow. These are particularly helpful, and cute, for those who can't read. 

Your Easter Egg Hunt will certainly run more smoothly with some signs, directions or clues to direct the kids and encourage them to look in the right direction.
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TIP #4  ...   What's an Easter Egg Hunt without baskets?
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If you're planning an Easter Egg Hunt, your kids will need to have baskets for gathering their eggs. And.. there are lots of options.

Refresh an old basket
Perhaps  you already have an old basket;  you can refresh it with an Easter lining.

Make your own
Add some additional excitement with a 'Make your own Easter Basket' activity before the kids go searching.

How about a bucket?
They don't need to use a basket- an Easter tin bucket works just as well. 
An amazing collection of Easter Egg basket ideas for kids of any age.

Buy them online
And... if you're running out of time to make your Easter baskets, you can find some online, like these beautiful hession baskets with lace and ribbon, for the kids: yep, there's something special about gathering beautiful Easter eggs in a basket.​
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Tip #5 ... Include some Easter games and special gifts

Prepare small packs of other Easter gifts to hand out to each child when they return, triumphant or discouraged, from the hunt. It will serve to remind the children that the Easter egg hunt is not the most important thing at Easter. Some suggestions might be the Easter message told with jellybeans, or gift ideas that are not necessarily designed for the sweet tooth.

So.. here are some simple but fun Easter games and activities to present following the Easter egg Hunt:

* Egg & Spoon race- an old favourite. Add a modern twist with a water egg on a spoon race.
* Bunny, Bunny, Hop- this is the same as Duck, Duck. Goose.
* Egg Bowling- yes, it's much harder to bowl with an egg. Give it a try.
* Use some printable games like anEaster Tic-Tac-Toe.
* Easter egg ker-plunk is a lot of fun, too.
​*Easter trivia games to print and play.

And just a bit more...
*It's a great idea to include a photo booth with some Easter props.

* Easter crafts... now, there are so many of these to choose from that I create a special Pinterest board you might like to check out and follow.

And finally,

​if you wanted to finish with something that would place the focus back on others, then a Caring Basket would be a great closing activity for the kids. They can be involved in assembling and/or giving Easter baskets to those in need: the elderly, the sick or a needy family. 

Now, are you feeling inspired or overwhelmed? I really hope it's the former because Easter is a wonderful celebration to share with your family and friends, especially if you can also share the Good News of the first Easter story.

Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.

​(Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)

​As a mother and grandma, the most wonderful places I've been and the best memories I've made all revolve around my family, kids and grandkids. And I'm fortunate enough to have some of my grandkids living close by.. actually, right next door.

But, like many others, the rest of my family and grandchildren live quite some distance away. It's great when I can organise time to hop on the train and travel up to spend some time with them. Ahh.. they seem to have grown so much and so quickly every time I visit. 

I'm painfully aware that you can't hold onto time so the moments that I do get to enjoy with my grandkids  are important. With that in mind, there are a few things that are worth thinking through as I plan each visit with family.
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​Maybe you're like me. Maybe some, perhaps all, of your grandkids live a long way from where you live. Gone are the days when generations of families stay in the same area where they were born for most of their lives. 

When my youngest grandson was born, the family spent almost a year in areas many miles away. I travelled by plane or my train to visit with them. So, when they were at last able to return and visit with us, it was very exciting. My daughter was holding little Griffie in her arms as gathered up children and bags and emerged from the car. There was a brief moment of tense uncertainty on my grandson's face when I opened the door. And then he relaxed, leaned towards me and breathed "Nan," as he threw himself into my arms.

Maintaining a close connection with your family and grandkids is important... and those memories are the ones I treasure most. But I also want those memories to be treasured by my children and grandkids. 

When you live a long distance from your grandkids, you probably don't get to see them very often. Today, most grandparents still work, so they're lucky to get to see the grandchildren during vacations and holidays. Having such a short time together can make it hard to know what to do to make each visit special. ​

1. Let Mum and Dad Lead the Way

It doesn't matter if you did it "that way" and all turned out fine. Your child has made a choice with their spouse to do things a certain way: their way, not yours. It's not a critique of your parenting skills when children do things their own way. Try to remember what it was like when your parents or in-laws didn't comply with your wishes with your kids, and don't do the same thing. 

You don't have control over this situation and no amount of fighting it will give you any control. If your child is not abusing your grandchild, just let mum and dad lead the way and follow their rules for the kids.

If you do this, you're going to enjoy the visit a lot more than if you fought them about how they do things. And the last thing you want is for them to dread your every visit.
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​2. Save Gifts for the Last Night

This is especially important when you don't see the grandkids as much as you want. Don't show up and shower gifts on the grandchildren right away. You don't want the grandkids to think of you as some kind of rich Santa Clause. You want them to know who you are outside of gifts. 

Save gifts for the last night or the day you leave to help them cope with the change instead. This will ensure they're thinking of you long after you leave. Also, only give parent-approved gifts. You can source some amazing choices online, too. I discovered a Cardboard Rocketship Playhouse and a Robot Turtles game that teaches kids to code. Want to get them outdoors? How about a durable Hop Scotch Rug, suitable for indoors or outdoor?

​Double check the appropriate ages for the gifts too. The packages say the ages for safety reasons. You'll be glad that you did that. ​
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​3. Get Some Alone Time

Nothing is better than giving the parents some time to themselves so that you can get time with the grandkids alone. That one-on-one time is something they'll remember forever. And, the parents probably have little opportunity to enjoy time alone together. Plus, by letting the parents get out alone, you're helping your grandkids by encouraging a healthy marriage.

It's a lot of fun to have alone time with grandkids. If you have multiple grandkids, try to get some time alone with each one whenever it's possible. That will also increase your bond with them. It creates a  special time with their grandma/grandad when they don't have to compete for attention. And you can learn so much more about them when they can talk to you without interruption.
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4. Experiences Over Things

You know how fast time goes when kids are little. They grow so fast that the best toy today will be too childish for them in six months. That's why giving experiences is a better gift. Give lessons that you know they'd enjoy like dance, gymnastics, swimming or karate for your grandkids - with parents' permission, of course.

​Another idea for older kids is sending them to Holiday Camp, if they'd enjoy it, or taking them to a theme park. These are the types of gifts that will be remembered when they're adults.

5. Get Creative 

If you have the craft gene, go ahead and plan some sort of crafty activity together during your alone time - such as baking or making mom and dad gifts. Or if you're not crafty by yourself, try taking them to a painting or other type of class. Check out their local library or community events for fun opportunities.

Another option is working on a course together online. How about a chalk pop-art class. A class for decorating biscuits is another option- a delicious one, too. If you're anywhere near an Apple store, their free workshops are great- Coding Lab for kids is a popular choice. Courses will generally give them something to take away from the experience and remember it by. 

These ways to make your visit with your grandchildren special will pay off in a big way over time. After 18 years of building your relationship, your grandkids will be very happy that you did and so will you. 

Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.

Discover the simple ways you can make your family history come alive for your grandkids

(Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)

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"Quickly, you two; sit down before the train gets going. Oh, wait.. I can hear the horn.. now, we'll be off. At least it's a smooth ride, not like the rattle and chug of the old steam engines." 

"What! You had steam trains when you were a kid? No way!"  ...  Sigh... sometimes I feel very old! :)    
I looked at my grandkids and smiled. 

"Well.. yes, for a while before they changed over to rail-motors. That was before the electric ones we're enjoying today. "

The kids were wild with excitement. "I would so love to have been a kid then. It would have been so cool to go on the steam engine."

"Actually, it was pretty hot- no air-conditioning. I remember how your great-grandpa would dust off the seats before we sat down in the carriage so that we didn't get dirty. The seats were often covered in dust and soot from the engine."
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"Did you take any photos? Can I see them when we get home?"

I laughed. "Well, we did have cameras but nothing like your iPhone ones. Yes, I do have some photos, though, at home. Remind me to show them to you."

​One of the best parts of being a grandparent is sharing your family history and heritage with your grandkids. Grandkids like hearing stories about your life before they came along, especially if their parents are included.

Here are some fun ways for grandparents to share history with grandchildren. 

1. Write a Book

There are many stories you can share in a book. The best way to prevent readers becoming overwhelmed is to focus on sharing a specific story with each book. It might be a book about your life up until today, or it might be a book about the family tree; maybe you could write about the comparison in your and your grandkids' schooling styles or technologies. It's up to you, and you don't have to do just one. You could write separate books such as "The Day You Were Born", "How Grandpa and I Got Married", and more. ​

Another fun way to write your family's history, your legacy, is to create a book of family recipes with information and anecdotes of special events, fun times together and even funny family quotes- wonderful memories of shared family mealtimes.

How about writing a family history book as a family legacy journal. A family journal serves a special purpose. It provides a more personal opportunity to journal about your life, your grandchildren, the quality time you spend with them and your family, faith and life lessons you've learned, and the ways you seek to build a legacy of faith for your kids.

​If you sign up to Robin Grunder's newsletter, you  can access her "Legacy of Faith Journaling PromptsTwenty-five Days to Writing Your Story of Faith." with prompts for writing your own legacy journal.

2. Make a Video

If you are more comfortable recording a video of the story, try that. You can usually record a video using the software right on your computer, tablet, or cell phone. You can then send it to them via email or via a private Facebook group, or share through file-sharing software like Google Drive or Dropbox. Again, stick to one story at a time to keep them short and to the point.

I really enjoy using the Animoto online program for creating videos. So much is provided for you: movie sizes and styles, backgrounds, transitions, background music. You can upload and use either photos or movie clips and add titles and quotes. It's a lot of fun. You can create a short movie with a free account or pay a bit extra for more features. Check out the most popular Animoto styles for home movies.
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3. Make a Family Photo Album

A really great way to connect your grandchildren to their history is to create a family photo album that is accessible online. Arrange it by name, event, and by year. In this way, you may have duplicates, but it will be easier for them to find the photos they are interested in at that time. 

MixBook do this really easily and well. Beautiful photo books become treasured keepsakes that are perfect to give as gifts or purely to grace your own coffee table or bookcase. It's pretty much straightforward but if you need more detailed instructions, check out this page.
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​4. Create a Family Calendar

A different idea to connect with family history is to create a family calendar with everyone's birth dates, death dates, wedding dates, and other important dates recorded for the past and the future. You might like to create your own calendar today with Google Calendar and Gmail.

Again, the other great option that I enjoy using is MixBook. It really is a great place to start when you're thinking about a family calendar. Their designs are amazing and the finished result is everything you'd want in a quality product. And.. it's really easy to use.

Start by choosing your calendar design (and there are heaps), then upload your photos (as feature images or to add to individual calendar dates) and then add details about important family days and dates to remember. Stickers can also be added as special highlights or decorative details.

Creating this type of personalised calendar is not only a wonderful tool, it’s a great way to connect as a family. You’ll all literally be “on the same page,” and you’ll come to rely on the family calendar.

​If you decide to give copies as gifts, you’ll likely find that friends and family members will be delighted to discover and share those special family dates and memories– and you’ll realise that yet another meaningful family tradition has been created. 

5. Create a Family Tree

It's interesting for kids and families to look at family trees and trace their origins. This can be harder depending on your situation if there are divorces, adoptions, and so forth, but it is a great way to show your grandchild where they fit in with the family history by looking at a family tree image. There is a lot of software now to help such as FamilyTreeBuilder or FamilyTreeMagazine.

And, there are free sites like FamilyTreeNow that will help you create a simple FamilyTree or sites that will create amazing depictions of your family ancestry like MyHeritage. Some of these sites will also encourage you to dig deeper into your family's past which is intriguing but generally involves a cost factor.

​Just keep that in mind and decide beforehand whether you will stick with the free options or pay for more depth and information.

6. Create a family website

Although the thought of setting up a family website may initially sound really daunting, it's not as difficult as you might imagine. And... there are some really good reasons why this can be a wonderful way to remember, reflect and share your family history- family traditions, activities and memories.

Interested in using this tool to build and share your family's history? Take a few moments to read a bit more here about just how a website for your family can be a really meaningful tool.

But there are other ways to go about setting up a website for your family. An online/app family journal is a more simple option and it won't take much time at all to set up. 

Don’t let the good times slip away: build memories that can be easily shared with an online/app family journal like Cozi to quickly capture and share stories and family photos. A Cozi calendar app can be shared with the whole family.

The included journal feature allows you to keep memories of vacations, holidays, perfect spelling tests, amazing soccer goals, and fabulous family trips. Take a few moments to check it out.

7. Plan Trips to Discover Your Heritage

This final suggestion is certainly a lot of fun but it may be more difficult financially to achieve. A fun way to talk about and discover history to share with grandchildren is to plan heritage-themed vacations and trips. For example, if your family comes from Ireland, why not travel where everyone came from? If your great-great-grandparents met in Paris during the war, go to Paris and walk on the same streets they did. 

It certainly would be heaps of fun and an amazing way to share your family background and history. But it may take a lot of saving and planning. Still, it's certainly worth considering. And if the cost of travel is beyond you and your family, the internet provides amazing resources to access photos, maps, images and movie clips to share with your grandkids.
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The more you can pass on family history to your grandchildren, the more connected your grandkids will feel to their heritage. Being connected to the past is a great way to ensure that the future is better than the past, and it can all happen through stories.
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Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.

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Affordability

Many people with chronic health problems are on a reduced income because they aren’t able to work or have to work fewer hours or in less well-paid jobs than they’re capable of. Make sure that you’re receiving every benefit that you’re entitled to and taking advantage of concessions that are available to boost your income and make what you have go further.

You should also consider how you came to be in this position; would your state of health have been better if your healthcare provider had done more for you? Are you the victim of a medical misdiagnosis? If so, you could be entitled to compensation, which would be a great help in making your life more comfortable.


​Getting started

The best way to get going is to start small. A simple planter that you can sow with lettuce seeds is as good as anything, and you’ll soon find that the enjoyment of watching your seeds germinate and grow and harvesting fresh greens for the table is so rewarding you’ll be looking to add to your crops.

​Planters and pots are ideal for people with chronic health problems, as there’s no heavy digging involved, no bending and stretching, and harvesting is easy.

There are many more gardeners aids you can use to make gardening easier, so have a look and see what’s available that could help you with your particular problems. The benefits of gardening are so many that it’s an activity you can be sure will improve your health and quality of life, so get started this spring.

(Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)

A guide to relaxation techniques for anxiety and stress in kids and teens.

​The doctor leaned back in this chair and watched us as we settled into the padded seats opposite him. I glanced quickly down at my son, smiled, and squeezed this arm. We'd run the gauntlet of doctors and tests with no definite answers.

"So..." I began, "Any idea what's causing his ongoing cramping pains and distressing nausea?" I wasn't hopeful.
"Yes. Your son suffers with abdominal migraine."
"Oh.." I felt a little stunned. "I've never heard of it."
"There are various triggers but it's often stress-related. We don't medicate. But regular exercise, maybe swimming, and diet can help. I'll give you a follow-up referral with a specialist who can discuss it with you and formulate a strategy plan."

I hadn't been aware that my son was even stressed. He was quiet but seemed to have no problems at school or with his friends. Mmm..... more talk-time with us and sharing his concerns were in order.

​Stress is a real and growing issue for both kids and teens.
After all, their lives are not exactly easy. They’re trying to get good grades, make friends, handle the ever-present social media in their lives and adapt to the changes that are part of growing up.

Most kids have experienced stress at some time, especially in relation to school and test anxiety. And, of course, some stress is a natural response to life changes or events. But stress that is too intense or too prolonged becomes a problem.
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​Not sure if your kids or teens are stressed or why? 

Signs of stress in kids and teens can usually be detected through changes in their behaviours, emotions and reactions. Unfortunately, families today seem to operate on routines and schedules that are full to overflowing with busyness. And that contributes to stress. Additional overstimulation through technology and social media can pile the stress on, too. 

How can I help my stressed child?
In general terms, there are simple practices that will help everyone, not just your kids, tweens or teens to handle the stresses of everyday life.

A big one is sleep. Ensuring your kids had sufficient sleep was easy when they were little. And their behaviour certainly let you know if they were over-tired. But this can be an issue for your older kids, too. Although they may want to stay up later and later, they still require a good night's sleep.

​Insufficient sleep for these tweens and teens can express itself in stress and anxiety. (Actually, it's not good for anyone.)

A healthy diet is another factor to consider. And this makes a big difference, too. But if your teens are out with friends, the tendency is to grab a fast-food option.. not good for their health or dealing with stress. 

Stay connected with your kids. Use meal times to talk about their day and discuss situations that may have been stressful. Maintaining positive relationships with your kids, even if they roll their eyes, helps them deal with stress.

Many people are delighted with the results obtained with relaxing essential oils. Twig+Petal produce a relaxation kit.. (Relaxation Multi-Purpose Oil +Deep Relaxation Bath Salts +Relaxation Room Spray + De-Stress Blend) ...haven't tried it yet, but I do love their Allergy roller. It's so easy to use. (I also like Twig+Petal's focus on producing quality products in small batches with ongoing testing.)

So, essential oils might be worth considering. 

But... there are other helpful, specific, age-appropriate activities suitable for any stage of development, from preschoolers to teens... ideas you can use to help kids and teens deal with stress.
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Check out the following ideas to help your children develop relaxation techniques to relieve anxiety and stress.

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​Sharing Relaxation Practices with Younger Children

Sure, it would be tough (almost impossible)  to train a toddler to relax for a half hour when they can barely sit still long enough to eat. But even small children can relax and focus if you use movement and sound to make it interesting. It also helps if you provide an inspiring role model by managing stress constructively yourself.

Try these techniques:

1. Make it fun.
Be sure to present relaxation practices as a helpful tool rather than punishment. There is no point in telling our kids to just go to their rooms and rest. Instead, we can encourage them to read or maybe read to them (even better). Books like Flurry of Worry for your young ones are fun to read and help them handle stress and worry. Play some quiet games together. Work on a zigsaw puzzle together or a board game. Don't expect them to spend hours on these more restful activities. Pay attention to your child’s limits so they’ll stay engaged.

2. Keep it brief.
As little as one minute of seated quiet activity can be an achievement for a preschooler. Plan multiple activities so you can switch things around if your child seems to be losing interest: playdough, sticker fun, colouring in, puzzles, lego. Try to plan some restful, quiet family time throughout the week to enable everyone time to relax and reconnect with each other.

3. Deep breathing.
Focusing on their breathing is an excellent starting point at any age. 
Ask your child to imagine filling their stomach and chest with air and then releasing it like a balloon.​ There's also an app to help kids relax and breath deeply- Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame. Calm for kids is another app that focuses on helping kids relax, unwind and fall asleep.

4. Play music.
Does your child have some favourite songs? Take turns singing different parts or ask them to listen for certain notes. There has been plenty of research done and reducing stress is just one of the benefits of listening to music or singing. (Birde media player, designed especially for kids, produce a guided relaxation pack.)

5. Share some physical activity
Exercise helps to burn off the stress hormone 'cortison'. So..take a walk. It's a wonderful opportunity to appreciate your surroundings while you’re moving around. Go to the park and identify as many different kinds of flowers, trees or birds as you can. Take a frisbee with you. A large skipping rope is another simple but fun physical activity.  Just a simple walk along the beach works wonders. Doing simple exercises together can be fun as well as helpful for reducing stress.

If you’re still looking for something more, see what’s available in your neighbourhood. Check event listings at your local library and other resources to find courses; maybe less physical but equally fun,  like photography or gardening classes.  

6. Time to journal or colour
Colouring is a rhythmic activity that, regardless of the age or abilities of those involved, will calm the brain and provide relaxing fun. Printable pages or books are available or store-bought options can be easily found.

​Sharing Relaxation Practices with Teens

With teens, you can build on the techniques designed for younger children and introduce some new lessons. But the causes of stress can be very different for teens. You will be well aware of the growing stress that teens today experience. Changing relationships with friends can fuel stress. There may be a growing pressure to experiment with drugs or alcohol. They may even be bullied at school and online. They may feel the pressure to achieve high scholastic results especially if they look toward university requirements. They may feel expected to make far-reaching decisions, such as career choices, even though they don't have the life experience to do so.


There are still things you can do and strategies to implement that will help.

​7. Set a limit on your teen's activities.
Sure.. it's great if they have skills and interests that they enjoy and may wish to develop. The activities may be wonderful opportunities. But too many activities that take up too much of a teen's time and will result in stress.

Sit down together and list those activities and the time per week/day each activity requires. Determine how much time for rest is needed. Work out a reasonable daily schedule. It may mean that some changes will need to be made. Maybe some activities can be discontinued for a time. But setting time aside for fun and relaxation is crucial.

8. Model Philippians 4:6-7

Talk with your teen/s and encourage them to ask for God's will and direction for their lives and the individual challenges they are facing that lead to stress. Pray with them. Talk about times when you have struggled yourself with stress in your life and how God has helped and enabled you to handle it. If your teen can see how you cope with stresses, they will be encouraged in their own lives. Remind your teen that God has promised us peace that seems beyond our understanding. A copy of Reflecting on the Names of Jesus: Jesus-centred colouring book and devotion might be something that might benefit your teen, too.

​9. Work on basic problem solving skills.
Stress often results when lots of small problems are unresolved. These, then, can cause mounting stress. Help your teen take a serious look at the problems and identify the underlying issue- why does your teen have difficulty confronting and handling the problem? Then work on the steps needed to resolve each problem. Your teen will develop strong problem solving skills to handle future issues by working through these current problems in a logical and thoughtful manner.

10. Take time to journal 
Numerous studies have shown that 15-20 minutes of writing, done daily or a few times each week, reduces stress. Encourage your teen to write about their thoughts and concerns. Take time to reflect on those things that have brightened their day, the unexpected highlights and blessings, and the small but important 'moments that matter'.

A journal is also the perfect place to record and track goals. This can boost your teen's sense of achievement and lessen the stress.
​
11. Give thanks
 It sounds easy. But it's something that needs practice, for all of us. Giving thanks, taking note of the big and small things that have brightened your day or lightened your load is something that we all need to remember. And your teen is no exception.

But it's an activity that really does reduce stress and add joy to your life. It's so easy for us all to focus on problems ahead and stress. We need a regular reminder to stop, discover the gift of the present, thank God... and trust Him for the future.

Nothing seems to help?
Now, you may find that, no matter what you do and how you try to help your teen to instil helpful strategies for handling stress, nothing improves. When that happens, you may need to seek professional counselling services for your teen. 

Kids, tweens and teens can benefit from relaxation practices whether you use a modern app or an old-fashioned teddy or cushion to cuddle. Introduce your sons and daughters to positive habits that can help them grow up to be happy and peaceful. Help them see that everyone struggles with stress at certain times in their lives.

​But there are many strategies that can help them deal with stress. 
​What relaxation techniques work for you? ​

​Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.