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Youth Development

red, orange, green stipes with words over black rectangle: Celebrat Black History

Dive deeper into Black History Month with family activities

Have you ever watched a movie that was adapted from a book and thought, “Oh my goodness! The book was SO much better. I can’t believe they left that part out!” I do it all the time. I leave the theater (or more often, get up from the couch) feeling indignant. The book had so much richness, so many...
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woman with eyes closed and head resting on folded hands

3 mindfulness techniques to help you reset

In my family, when interactions start to escalate or an argument is spiraling out of control, you can often hear one of us say the words, “Can we have a restart?” That’s a sign that someone has recognized this interaction isn’t headed in a good direction and we need to take a step back.  Being...
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family sitting at a table taking a selfie

5 fun activities to keep kids busy this winter

Winter can be tough. It’s hard to get motivated to go out and do things when the sky is gloomy and the cold seems to make everything harder. But fear not! There are tons of fun, family 4-H activities that you can do from home to help get you through the grey months. This is a great opportunity for...
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healthier happier family info graphic

Habits for a healthier, happier family in the new year

Happy New Year! After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I sometimes feel like January allows us to hit the refresh button on our lives. It’s a great time to start new routines or build habits that can make you and your family healthier and happier. And here at University of Illinois Extension...
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girl looking stressed holding wrapped gifts

3 ways to reduce stress this holiday season

Holidays can bring forth so many emotions and whether those emotions are happy, stressful, or sad, they often seem magnified during the holidays. Several of our Extension colleagues from across the country have shared tips on reducing stress this holiday season. Here are three of my favorite ones,...
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hands painting something gold

Easy DIY gifts this holiday season

The old saying it is better to give than to receive is something that has always resonated with me. I love to give gifts and I especially love giving an item that I have created by hand. Making gifts can be time consuming, and with the holidays are upon us, time is running short to create any...
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man, child, and woman sitting on couch holding head in their hands looking stressed

3 Ideas to help reduce stress for busy families

I know as I enjoy the leaves changing colors and falling to the ground, I am also reminded of the busyness of this time of year. As with any busy time, it is common for people of all ages to experience stress. With all the factors that can lead to stress, it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint the...
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line of pumpkins with words Spooky STEM activities

Try these spooky STEM activities with your little goblins

I love Halloween! The costumes, the decorations, the candy, the jokes (Why did the ghost starch his sheet? He wanted everyone scared stiff.) – it’s all great!  But this year, why not take some time out from the spooky tricks and sweet treats to include a little learning amongst all the...
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