Author: tigerandtim.com@gmail.com

Warm days are meant for spending time with the family outdoors! So here are your must-haves for the next great family road trip.

Ahh… summer! What better way to spend these warm days ahead than exploring and going on a family adventure? With tourism and travelling picking up once again, we all want to take a break and have fun under the sun!

Watching funny videos for kids or any kids shows playing on the telly all day can get a little boring, especially for young children. However, a road trip can be a great learning opportunity for kids that can be just as fun and entertaining as watching videos on YouTube!

However, some parents and grown-ups are still a little bit wary of going out with their Tiger Cubs. So here are road trip essentials that you must have to ensure everyone’s safety and keep the fun coming!

 

1. Safety Kit

With the virus still a threat, it is vital to keep you and your family safe during your road trip. Pack along with you some COVID safety essentials such as face masks, hand sanitisers, tissue paper or wet wipes, and disposable gloves. Don’t forget to pack trash bags, as well, to keep things neat during your trip.

Some parents suggest bringing other cleaning items such as disinfectant spray, laundry detergent, or bleach when staying in hotels or vacation home rentals just to be on the safe side.

2. Healthy snacks

While several adults have been vaccinated, most young kids are not, making kids more at risk of getting sick. This is why eating healthy snacks to boost their immune systems is a must! Bring plenty of fruit snacks that are loaded with vitamins and minerals that keep kids strong and healthy. I love me some healthy snacks!

(Watch how I cooked a healthy omelette ala-Tiger in this funny video for kids!)

Having enough supplies of food and drinks will also save you trips to the supermarket or convenience stores along the way.

3. Emergency medicine kit

Just as with any road trip, bringing an emergency medical kit is also a must. You’ll never know when Tiger Cubs get into minor accidents. Don’t let minor cuts or scratches ruin the trip! Bring along with your medicines and first aid relief items to ensure that everyone is a-okay and fit for the great outdoors!

4. Road trip plan

A wise tiger once said… All great road trips start with a great plan! (That wise tiger is me, hehe)

Given that our world is a little different nowadays, a little more planning is necessary to help make your family adventures more epic! Some of the things you would need to consider are places where you would sleep (hotels, rentals, or campsites?). You would also need to consider the crowd – too many people would make it more challenging to practice social distancing. Lastly, what types of activities everyone would enjoy in a particular place.

To make the trip extra special for them, you may have your kids plan with you – watch YouTube videos of travel vlogs to get a good idea about your itinerary.

5. Toys, books, and other entertainment

Looking at the scenery can get a little boring after a few hours! So keep the Tiger Cubs busy by bringing along small toys, art materials, books, and even board games. You can also let them pass the time by making them watch Tiger and Tim videos on YouTube Kids! Now that’s a great idea, don’t you think?

Road trips will always be an enjoyable and memorable way for families to spend during the summer months. Not only is it a fantastic way for children to learn new things, but it is also a unique way for everyone in the family to bond. Don’t forget to make fun videos and photos for kids to look back to for the years to come!

Stay safe, cool cats!

Tiger xoxoxo

Is it all Greek to you? Well then, learn many fascinating facts about Ancient Greece in our latest video in collaboration with Twinkl!

Hi there, cool cats! Have you seen our latest video that Tim and I made with Twinkl? (Watch it with the kids on Twinkl’s YouTube channel now!). It’s a super cool music video about Ancient Greece and what makes it sooo fascinating!

The video is part of our ongoing collaboration with Twinkl, a leading educational resource website. Look out for more Tiger and Tim funny and educational videos for kids on Twinkl TV coming out soon!

I had a lot of fun learning about this great ancient civilisation in this video, and I am sure many kids out there would find them interesting, too! So here are some fun facts about Ancient Greece to help children learn more about it.

1. Strange Food

Ancient Greeks are a superstitious bunch. Because of their beliefs, they wouldn’t even eat some types of food, thinking it might bring them bad luck. One example is beans, because they believe that these legumes contain the souls of the dead! Yikes!

2. Ancient Olympics

In our fun educational music video for kids, we mentioned that the Olympics originated in Greece, so here are some more fascinating facts about the ancient Olympics (right on time for this year’s 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, too!)

The first Olympic Games were held in the city of Olympia in 776 BC (hence, the name). Among all the sporting events held in the ancient Olympics, the toughest one has to be wrestling, as there are no rules in the game and athletes had to compete in the buff! Oh no!

Also, much like our modern Olympics, winners in the Olympic Games are celebrated when they go back home. Hooray!

3. Ruled by Gods

Since the ancient Greeks have no way to explain natural phenomena around them (like the rain, sunrise, and sunset!), they look up to their gods and goddesses to understand why these things take place. Thus, the ancient Greeks worship many gods and goddesses and believe that all the good and bad things happen to them because of these gods and goddesses. 

I find Greek mythology very interesting (there is a god for almost everything!), and I’m sure your kids will enjoy learning about it, too. There are several educational videos for kids online about Greek gods and goddesses that they can dive into!

4. Greek Inventions

Ancient Greece is one of the most advanced civilizations in history, partly because of the several modern inventions that had their origins in Ancient Greece millions of years ago, such as the yoyo and even the alarm clock! So thank you, ancient Greeks; because of your invention, Tim can wake up early to prepare our breakfast!

5. Majority Wins

One way Tim and I decide on things around the house is through majority wins – too bad for Tim he only has two hands while I have four paws!

But did you know that the concept of majority wins, or as grown-ups call it, democracy, was first born in Ancient Greece? And this has been the blueprint for several justice systems and laws worldwide up until today. Amazing, right?!

6. Origins of Marathon

Are you fond of going on a funny video marathon with your kids? Well, you have the ancient Greeks to thank for that.

No, they did not invent the television, silly billy! But it was in Ancient Greece that the idea of a marathon began (the actual marathon!). It all started with a messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to tell the high officials about a significant war victory. The messenger ran a total of nearly 40 kilometers!

7. Greek Theatre

Aside from the Olympic Games and marathon races, the theatre also originated in Ancient Greece! The Greeks back then genuinely loved watching the theatre that they built theatres that can hold 15,000 people! This number may not be as massive in terms of YouTube views, but believe me, kids, that’s a lot of people in ancient times!

    8. Chronic Nappers

If there’s one thing that I share with the ancient Greeks, it has to be our love for naps! 

Taking mid-day naps is considered a tradition in Greece that began centuries ago. They believe that a bit of shut-eye in the middle of the day is healthy. I have to agree!

9. Shake it Off

To add to the long list of things that originated in Ancient Greece, let’s add the handshake to it, too!

Yup, the custom of greeting someone with a handshake is believed to be part of Greek mythology when Hera (goddess of marriage) shook hands with Athena (goddess of intelligence).

Ancient Greece is indeed a fascinating place and time in history! If you need more Ancient Greece facts, watch our Twinkl video on YouTube with your kids and just about everyone who wants to know more about this trailblazing ancient civilisation!

Talk to you again soon!

Tiger xoxoxo

Can’t wait to travel with your Tiger Cubs? Here are some tips to help you plan a fun and safe summer family holiday!

Summer is finally here, and wouldn’t it be nice to go out and enjoy the warm days outdoors? I know a lot of you cool cats are itching to travel with the entire family again. Travelling is a great learning opportunity for kids, like our fun videos! With several tourist spots and destinations opening their doors to visitors for the season, you might be wondering if it is safe for Tiger Cubs to travel – I know grown-ups are eager to show their kids the great outdoors!

Here at Tiger and Tim, we don’t just make videos, but we also want kids to enjoy the world around them! So we have rounded up some tips from experts on how you can plan your summer holiday 2021 with the whole family.

1. Go wild for the wild

When it comes to adventures, the great outdoors never ran out of some good old-fashioned experience. If you plan to travel with your Tiger Cubs, national parks and camping sites are still your best bet, as they offer wide-open spaces to social distance (however, experts warn against overcrowded camping sites – it would be better to check ahead of time).

Kids learn a lot when given a chance to explore nature. They get to experience things they only see in videos or pictures up close! Ain’t that cool?

2. Consider renting an RV

When travelling with kids, research shows that travelling in your private vehicle with people from the same household is still the safest option. 

Road trips are my favourite! But if you want to make things a little bit different, you might want to consider renting your RV! You get to travel along with the necessities from home and without worrying about sharing communal areas in camping parks. Plus, an RV looks cool – enough said!

3. Go for vacation rentals

Hotels can get pretty crowded during peak summer months, and it might be difficult for you and your family to social distance yourself in a packed elevator or indoor hotel restaurants. Furthermore, several hotels typically have stricter health protocols to ensure the safety of their guests.

If you are looking for hotel amenities but without the crowds, go for vacation rental houses instead. Many vacation rentals are located near beaches and mountains, while there are also units that come with their swimming pool for your exclusive use!

You can familiarise your family with the location of your vacation rental by letting your kids watch videos or read articles about the area.

4. Skip visiting grandma and grandpa if unvaccinated

We all love grandpa and grandma! But if they are still unvaxxed, you might want to rethink your travel plans. Best if you can wait until they get the jab before visiting them to ensure that everyone’s on the safe side!

5. Mask up!

Health experts and officials still recommend the use of masks in public spaces. While many of you would want to go without the mask, some establishments and even transportation services like planes, buses, and trains still require masks for everyone. 

Explain to your Tiger Cubs that wearing masks will be part of the trip. However, it would be better to show kids how to wear their masks properly, too! 

6. Preparation is key

Travelling requires a lot of planning – so I heard! So with COVID-19 still hanging around, preparation is the key to ensuring the whole family gets to enjoy the trip!

Part of your preparation is to know the rate of transmission in your destination of choice so you can assess better if you’d push through or look for a different area instead. You can also have kids watch learning videos about the places you are planning to visit.

Another way to prep for the trip is to boost your family’s immune system. Load up on fruits and vegetables before and during the trip. Pack healthy snacks (yum!) and remember to stay hydrated at all times, too!

Lastly, prepare extra masks, hand sanitisers, wet wipes, and other disinfecting essentials, as these can help everyone stay safe and healthy.

7. Follow your instincts

Several airlines, hotels, and resorts offer discounted rates and special summer promos to encourage everyone to travel. While this is good for some, you do not have to pack your bags and travel if you are still uncomfortable. 

There are several ways your kids can enjoy summer without having to go far (Check out our suggestions here!). Kids can spend their days in safe places near your home. They can also watch more learning videos on the stuff they want to learn more about, too!

Travelling and going to new exciting places is a great way for kids to explore the world outside their favourite videos. Of course, there are ways in which they can travel safely if your family is up for it, but they can also very well enjoy summer in the comforts of your home (and neighbourhood)!

Talk to you again soon! Stay safe, cool cats!

Tiger xoxoxo

Healthy eating is essential in your Tiger Cubs’ holistic development. Here’s how parents and other grown-ups can help kids develop good eating habits.

Everyone knows how much I love eating! I even learnt how to cook for myself in one of our videos (Watch it on YouTube here)! Just like me, your kids also need to eat healthy foods to grow strong, bright, and full of energy. For this reason, developing positive eating habits for Tiger Cubs is essential for their development. Much like the Tiger and Tim videos for kids, eating healthy can also be fun for everyone in the family. Here’s how you can help your kids develop healthy eating habits.

1. Have regular family meals

Eating together as a family is a great bonding activity (much like watching Tiger and Tim funny videos for kids!). It is also a good way for your Tiger Cubs to develop healthy eating habits with your guidance, as they can see you eat. They can also begin to associate mealtimes as a positive experience when you eat together.

Do you know what I love most about eating with Tim? He always lets me have the last bite off his plate!

2. Variety is key

Another way to help kids develop healthy eating habits is through serving a variety of healthy foods and snacks. It will be easier for you to put vegetables and fruits in the mix with a varied menu. It will also be an excellent way for your kids to develop their palettes and know what kinds of food they love to eat.

Try to limit sweets and processed foods and always have yummy healthy options for the whole family. Keeping a varied menu for the family can be tricky, especially with picky kids, but there are several recipe videos online that can help you plan easily.

3. Be a role model

Kids look up to the grown-ups at home in many ways, including the adults’ eating habits. If you want your Tiger Cubs to develop healthy eating habits, then mum, dad, and the other grown-ups at home should act as a role model for them.

Young children are very impressionable. Seeing you eat healthy foods is the first step in helping them love eating healthily as well. Seeing you have fun while eating healthy food is great for kids to develop healthy eating habits. Videos about eating vegetables and fruits (like Tiger and Tim *ahem*) can also positively influence your Tiger Cubs.

4. Let kids in

Another way to develop healthy eating habits among your Tiger Cubs is to let them have a say in what they eat. Involve them in the process of planning, shopping, or cooking to make them feel part of the family. Involving your children can also be a great way to spend some quality time together, and they can learn a lot from you just by doing so. Planning with your kids can also be a great way to teach them about nutrition. Let them watch videos on YouTube Kids about planning and eating healthy meals, too!

5. Keep it colourful

Kids eat with their eyes (just like me!). Anything colourful looks attractive and appetizing for them. One way to make them eat and love healthy foods is to keep their plates exciting. Put a variety of colours from different vegetables and fruits to keep them engaged (and full, too!).

If you’re feeling creative, try making them fun bento lunches full of different colours and shapes that are healthy and yummy! There are many videos online that will teach you how to make fun bento boxes for kids.

6. Watch out for overeating and undereating

Young kids don’t always have the best control of their appetites. Some children tend to overeat (yup, can relate!), especially if you serve them their favourite meal. While it can be fun to indulge our Tiger Cubs, overeating can have adverse effects on their eating habits. If your child tends to overeat, offer them smaller portions and let them finish those first before giving them another one. Using a smaller plate can also do the trick.

On the other hand, some kids tend to undereat. If that is the case, serve small amounts of food during snack times to encourage them to eat during mealtimes. Avoid giving heavy snacks near mealtimes, as well. You can also watch educational videos for kids or nursery rhymes that promote healthy eating habits during mealtimes to reinforce the habit.

Mealtimes are a fun and positive way to bond with your Tiger Cubs. Serving them healthy foods and helping them develop healthy eating habits is something they would carry with them as they grow older.

There you have it, cool cats! I hope you’ll enjoy your next family meal with your young ones. After supper, gather the entire family and watch the latest episode of Tiger and Tim on YouTube Kids and our other streaming partners.

Tiger xoxoxo

 

Summer Gardening Activities For Kids

Make the most out of summer while having a blast with these gardening activities for kids!

Summer is a beautiful time for everyone to go outside and enjoy nature! What better way to take a break from watching movies and kids’ videos than to bust out those gardening tools and start a-digging! There’s no denying that kids love to play around in the dirt (me too!), so these activities will give kids the chance to learn and have a lot of fun while at it – kind of like Tiger and Tim learning videos for kids!

Gardening is an excellent way for kids to learn about nature and could even lead to them developing their green thumb (or, in my case, my green paw!). Gardening also shows kids how hard work and patience can lead to something beautiful and fruitful (delicious!!).

So here are ten fun and kid-friendly gardening activities to try with your Tiger Cubs this summer!

1. Water plants

One way to introduce gardening to children is by allowing them to water the plants. We all looooove to play and splash around with water, and watering the plants every day is a fun little excuse to get our feet wet.

2. Make seed bombs

Born out of the desire to make more green spaces in highly urbanised neighbourhoods, people started making seed bombs that are fun while serving a great purpose. Let your kids make seed bombs from flower seeds, compost, powdered clay, and some water. Then, go through nearby places that can use a little greenery in them and throw them away! Take videos so kids can go back to these spots throughout the year and watch as their little seed bombs grow.

Check out this article for a more detailed tutorial on how to make seed bombs.

3. Make a herb garden

If you live in a flat and have no access to your backyard, then creating a herb garden indoors is the way to go!

Using recycled cans, yoghurt cups, and even egg trays, kids can make their herb garden even inside the house. Through planting herbs, kids can learn many things in real life, not just through watching videos. They get to be more involved and develop a sense of responsibility as they take care of their herb gardens.

4. Create upcycled pots and planters

Make planting more interesting for your kids by having them upcycle pots and planters from different materials. Whether from used plastic jars to an old pair of boots, kids can unleash their creativity while decorating these upcycled planters to make them their own. Upcycling also helps kids learn about taking care of the environment and shows them that even kids can help save the planet.

5. Grow a magic beanstalk

Okay, so Tim told me that my beans are not really magical – but this activity still works wonders on kids!

Get some beans, a clear jar, and some wet (but not soaked!) cotton balls. Now put the wet cotton balls at the bottom of the jar and wedge a bean between them. Put your bean jar by a sunny window and let your kids observe their growing beanstalk every day. In this fun little science experiment, kids learn about what plants need to thrive. Let them watch videos about the life cycle of a plant for them to better appreciate their bean jar experiment.

6. Garden clean-up

Your backyard may not be precisely summer-ready right now, but that’s okay! Get your kids involved in sprucing up your garden before planting and growing new greenery. Younger Tiger Cubs can help pick up fallen sticks and twigs while older kids can help rake the dry leaves and prune old plants and shrubs.

7. Have their own space in the garden

Let the children cultivate their own little space in the garden! You can have them choose to either plant greens and flowers or fruits and vegetables (or both!). Give them the task of watering their plants every day and let them observe the growth of their little garden. If they can, kids can take videos and photos to document their precious greenery.

8. Make their watering can

Make watering plants even more fun by letting kids make their own watering cans. There is no need to buy new ones as you can always upcycle cans, jars, or bottles and use them as watering cans. Let kids show their creative side by decorating their watering cans, too!

9. Build a bean teepee

Make your garden look more magical and fun with a bean teepee! Children can also help build this fantastic plant structure before they begin their adventures. Kids will be learning many things and will definitely have a good time as they help make the teepee. Here’s a video showing how to build your very own bean teepee.

10. Create butterfly puddles

Butterflies make any garden look and feel more colourful! One way to attract more butterflies to your greenery is by making butterfly puddles. The best part about butterfly puddles? They are easy to make! All you need is a shallow container, sand, and some soil (you can also use compost or salt). Leave the puddle in your garden and wait – before look you’ll enjoy watching different butterflies drink from the puddle. Kids can also take videos and photos of their butterfly puddles to make this summer even more memorable!

There are several lessons kids can learn from gardening. Videos and books can also help but will only do so much. Getting their hands (or paws!) dirty will help children develop life skills such as patience, perseverance, and responsibility, while also learning the importance of nature.

That’s it, cool cats! Enjoy building your garden, whether big or small! Talk to you soon!

Tiger xoxoxo   

Juggling work while at home with the kids is not easy. Here are some great tips that will help keep your kids busy!

Hey, cool cats! Are you still washing your hands? I hope you are because we still want to keep everyone safe and healthy! (Watch our ‘Wash Your Hands’ episode on YouTube) I hope your kids, too, are also regularly washing their hands!

The COVID -19 pandemic has made a lot of changes in our lives, including how many mums and dads work. Most parents have started working from home, too and until now, many are still in a work-at-home setup.

We know that many of you are looking for worthwhile activities for your kids while attending your video conferences, so here are 5 Tiger-approved fun videos and activities for kids (and kids-at-heart, too).

1. Watch fun educational videos for kids

What better way to let your Tiger Cubs spend their free time than by watching educational videos for kids like Tiger and Tim episodes! Aside from learning a lot of cool and exciting things about the world, they also get to have a lot of fun! For kids, watching educational videos is not just some passive activity, but it can also become an extension of their lessons in school.

2. Get creative

Here’s something that The Art Critique definitely recommends – do something creative! Let your kids paint, draw, or do some arts and crafts while you work (Read about how art can benefit children here). The best part is, we can feature your kids and their masterpieces on our YouTube videos. Check out some of our fun arts and crafts activities from The Art Critique here!

3. Go on book adventures

While going on adventures in far-away places may not be possible yet, let your kids go on their own book adventures! Let them fall in love with reading as they discover extraordinary places, people, animals, and many others, all in the comforts of your home. They can also extend their learning from what they’ve read when watching funny videos for kids about their favourite book characters. Kids would love to see the images on the pages of their books come alive on screen. Speaking of book adventures, go check out our special Tiger and Tim books for your Tiger Cubs!

4. Puzzles and blocks

Open-ended toys like blocks and fun brain teasers like puzzles are a classic when it comes to entertaining kids. Let their imagination run free as they build, create, and make whatever they may fancy using blocks and puzzles. These toys are not only fun to play with, but they also hone their creativity, problem-solving, and motor skills of your Tiger Cubs!

5. Sensory play

For babies and toddlers, sensory play is not only fun but crucial to their development, too. Sensory play lets young Tiger Cubs explore and learn different textures while developing their fine motor skills such as pinching and grasping. Slime, clay, rice, and pasta are just some of the items you can incorporate in sensory play. 

If you’re not sure how to create a safe sensory play environment for your kids, there are several tutorials on YouTube that can help you make sensory play a hit for your Tiger Cubs.

We want to know what your Tiger Cubs’ go-to activities are while you work! Let us know in the comments below! But for now, why not grab a yummy snack and let your kids enjoy our latest episode up on our YouTube channel? I don’t know about you, but that’s my most favourite activity to do!

Catch up with you again soon!

Tiger xoxoxo