Make sure you check out the full review and enter to win an mBot2 at the bottom of the post!

Why Buy a Coding Robot for Kids?

I did the ultimate test to make sure this was the best for my child! I gave it to my website developer, my 12-year-old son! He is a coding wizard, and I knew if he enjoyed it, it would be a hit for all my boys!

Coding is a subject children should be learning because it is becoming a big part of our everyday lives. It is just like a language; if they start at a young age, it will be easier to learn more advanced coding concepts when they are older. The robot brings coding to life and makes it more accessible and motivating to learn.

I set my son up with the more advanced Makeblock mBot2 Rover Robotics Kit. He built the original mBot2 in about 30 minutes, and then the add-ons took him a few hours. To program this coding robot for kids, it uses a program similar to Scratch, a free coding program from MIT.

It uses blocks to stack pieces of code to program the robot. You can then look underneath the coding blocks to see the corresponding Python code and start learning Python, the most common coding language. 

Best Coding Robot for Kids

My son loved how easy it was to code the robot and was able to program it to move right away. It’s always great when your kids can figure something out quickly and immediately get a result from their work. We’ve only used it for a few days, but he has programmed the arms to move, made sounds and expressions, and programmed it to move back and forth. I know he’ll be using it all the time with over 22 learning cases, 4 complete projects, 8 courses he can try, and endless ways to customize the robot.

It’s also durable, with solid metal parts and heavy-duty wheels. It can even go outside and works over rocks and grass. My son has many rough-and-tumble little brothers, so this coding robot for kids must be built to last. 

I can’t wait to see all my son can do with his robot as he learns how to program and control it! Maybe he can make it help with his chores! LOL

More Makeblock mBot2 Features

Some more fun features the Makeblock mBot2 has that we haven’t had time to explore is the remote control, Lego compatibility, speech recognition and programmable sensors! 

The Bluetooth remote control will be great for hand-eye coordination and developing programs for item recovery or dueling. The programmable sensors can pick up on color, movement, expressions, and more! I’m really intrigued by the obstacle avoidance function because it is exactly what a lot of cars are using right now.

The mBot2 can also be customized with Legos and with the different components that are included in the add on Rover Kit. You can create anything you put your mind to with this coding robot for kids! “Robot, pick up my room!” Now wouldn’t that be fun!?

Coding Robot for Future Education

There’s a reason so many homeschoolers are adding this kind of robot into their curriculum. They know that coding and robotics is the future of work and innovation. More and more jobs require the understanding of basic coding principals. Proficiency in these areas will provide our children with a huge advantage in careers and in business. 

Not only that, Coding robots for kids help them troubleshoot and think critically. When a program doesn’t work as expected, they’ll learn to debug it, test, and try again—valuable skills for any area of work.

I really think including a coding robot in your homeschool curriculum will give them vital skills in the fast changing technological world.

Best Coding Robot for Kids Giveaway

Enter to win a Makeblock mBot2 coding robot kit worth $150! Simply fill out the rafflecopter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you Makeblock for providing this giveaway and robot for review.

Giveaway void where prohibited. Must be 18yrs. US Mailing addresses only. Ends 12/24/24.

The post Best Coding Robot for Kids? Makeblock mBot2 Hands-On Review and Giveaway! first appeared on True Aim.

It’s easy! Step 1 – pick your grade. Next, choose 1-2 books from each category starting with your core (Read, Writing, Math). Step 3 – place your order or contact me to have an an online event to get FREE and discount books!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information please read my full disclosure.

By making your own curriculum, you can let your children lead in their education. This means you can teach them about their favorite subjects while they learn exactly what they need for their grade level. Don’t be afraid to get creative with this and make it really fun for your kids!

To help you find books easily, I’ve created links to book lists for each grade level at the bottom of each curriculum guide. You can also use the search bar on the right in my PaperPie (Usborne Books & More)  store to find what you need! Here is a list of the Best Books for every Homeschool if you’d just like some help supplementing curriculum you already have.

Homeschool with Usborne Curriculum Guides

Prek – K Package

Each year, choose from one of the following. Create the curriculum package that matches the area of study you wish to focus on.

Reading: Start to Read Pack OR Very First Reading Set. Wipe Clean Books (Letters Focused ones); Learning Pallette K Reading; First Hundred Words.

Literature: 1 Quarterbound cloth books; Fairy Tale Treasury and Usborne Nursery Rhymes; 2 Picture books; OR the Usborne Picture Book Gift Set.

Math:  1-2 First Dot-to-Dot; 1 Themed Wipe Clean book; Learning Pallette K Math; Big Book of Things to Spot

Science:  1 Science-themed Flap Book; 1 Science-themed Look Inside Board Book; 1 themed Lift the Flap;1 themed Big Book of Big

History and Geography:  1 themed Look Inside Board Book; Children’s Picture Atlas

Art: I can Draw; My First Color Book; Big Drawing, Doodling, and Coloring Book; Activity Books for Little Children

Critical Thinking and Fine Motor Skills: 1 Finger Match Set; 3 of First Stickers Books; 1-2 of Build a Picture Sticker Books

Click here to see a full selection of the different math books. Click here for reading! Then, view the Homeschool with Books video below to get a peek inside some of our best sellers.

Need help creating a curriculum for your specific child? Message me on Facebook here and I’ll make you a free book list.

1^st – 3^rd Curriculum Package

Each year, choose from one of the following, to create the curriculum package that matches the area of study you wish to focus on.

Reading and Writing: First Reading Set; 3 – 4 Beginners Books; Young Reading Series 1, 2, OR 3;  Any Series Fiction; My First Story Writing Book;  Illustrated Dictionary

Literature:    1 Myths and Stories; 1 Illustrated Originals; 2 Illustrated Stories; Shakespeare Collection

Math:  Learning Palette + 1 Wrap-up to Match Grade Level; 1 Illustrated Math Dictionaries; Lift the Flap Times Tables

Science: 1 – 2 Science Activities Books; 1 of 3 Science Experiments books; 1 of First Encyclopedias; 1 of Nature Encyclopedias; 1 Starting Point Science book

History and Geography: Time Traveler; Who Were the First North Americans; Then and Now; 1 of Themed See Inside Board Books; 1 Atlas

Art: Very First Art Sticker or My Very First Art; Art Treasury; Lift the Flap Art; Famous Artists Sticker Book; 1 Art Cards

Critical Thinking and Fine Motor Skills: 1 Pack of Activity Cards; 1 Language book; 2-3 of any Activities and Stickers Books

Click here to see a full selection of the different math books for this grade level.  Then, view the video below for a peek inside some of the choices above.

Become a Brand Partner!

You can create your own homeschool with PaperPie for FREE and get paid at the same time! There are no minimum sales requirements. No inventory needed, and you get your shop website free for 6 months! PLUS, I will personally coach you on how to build your book business or just as a fun hobby! Either way, we want YOU on the team! 

Click here to watch the web-class and learn more! Or sign up on my website! Don’t wait! Offer ends 3/31

4th – 6th  Curriculum Package

Each year, choose from one of the following, to create the curriculum package that matches the area of study you wish to focus on.

Reading and Writing:  Any Series Fiction; Write Your Own Story or Write Your own Adventure Story; Illustrated Thesaurus

Math: Learning Palette + 1 Wrap-­‐up to Match Grade Level (if not yet all used); 1 Illustrated Math Dictionaries; This is Not a Math Book

Science:  1 Discovery Books (Astronomy; Sharks; Snakes); Science Encyclopedia; 1 Mysteries and Marvels; 1 Complete Books (Science themed); Illustrated Science Dictionary; The World of the Microscope; 100 Things to Know about Science

History and Geography:  1 The Story of; Geography Encyclopedia; Sticker Picture Atlas; Lift-the-flap Picture Atlas; Encyclopedia of World History; World Religions; 1 World History; Castles;

Art: 1 Art Cards; Complete Book of Art Ideas,

Critical Thinking and Fine Motor Skills:  2­‐3 of any Activities and Stickers Books

Click here to see a full selection of the different books for this grade level. Then, view the video for a peek inside some of the choices for 4th grade and up.

7th Grade+ Curriculum Package

Each year, choose from one of the following to create the curriculum package that matches the area of study you wish to focus on.

Reading and Writing: Write Your Own Story; Write Your own Adventure Story; Write and Draw Your Own Comics; Illustrated Thesaurus

Literature: Illustrated Originals; Any Series Fiction; World of Shakespeare; True Stories;

Math: This is Not a Math Book; A Puzzle a Day; 50 Brain Games, Memory Puzzles. Illustrated Math Dictionary (if you don’t have one)

Science:  Pocket Books; Electricity and Magnetism; 3 Illustrated Science Dictionaries; 1 What’s All About

History and Geography: World History, World War book; From Pie Town to Yum Yum;

Art/Drawing Activities: Any Nature Coloring (can assist with Science); Any Pattern Coloring; Any Hobbie Guides; Optical Illusions

Click here for a list of the different books for this grade level.

Need help? Contact me and I can create a custom list for all your children!

The post Make Your Own Homeschool Curriculum with Books! first appeared on True Aim.

This review is sponsored. All opinions are my own.

When teaching my kids, number sense is something I am very passionate about! 

I want my kids to not only be able to recognize number symbols, but to visualize the value of them. Sometimes young children have trouble understanding the difference. They can commit number symbols and operations to memory, but they don’t fully understand the quantities those things represent. 

To help teach this concept, I normally use base ten blocks or money but I have found something even BETTER! Newmero Bricks! 

They are amazing for building numbers and their representation. At first, these bricks seemed like simple stacking blocks with numbers. I realized they can be used in really creative ways to teach my kids math! 

On their website they also have a free pdf manual with tons of fun games and learning exercises for kids. These games and exercises are awesome because you can combine activities and the manual is super easy to read making setting up very simple. I can let my children help with set-up which just adds to their fun! 

Click the link to get the PDF Manual emailed to you! You will need to scroll to the bottom of the page to see where to enter your email. I have LOVED the free manual! 

5 Creative Ways to Teach Math with Manipulatives

Activity #1: Find the Fish! 

Math with manipulatives is so simple for number symbol recognition, but can also evolve into counting. 

You start by having the kids pick out all the yellow Newmero Bricks. This is a simple way for me to delegate tasks to kids. This peaks their interest even more and preps their mind for learning/having fun. 

Place the bricks out onto the floor. That pile then becomes our “pond”! The kids “fish” for the brick by choosing from the “pond”. They’ll say what number they see on their brick. If one of my kids is having trouble with saying which number they see, I’ll just have them count the knobs on the top! 

To make the game more challenging for my older kids we will use more than just the yellow bricks, we add different colored bricks into the “pond” to represent the hundreds and thousands and as they fish they’ll add up their numbers. 

If they get stuck, the knobs are always there to help them count! Isn’t that super fun? If you want to check this one out in action, check out the video below!

Activity #2: Who is Largest?

I like to call this “I am greater than you, I am less than you”.

This game you can change up in a lot of ways! I have a couple variations that my kids love and make this game more fun for them! We use mathematical language by saying “I am greater than you” if they have a greater number and “I am less than you” if their number is smaller.

You’ll find that your children are highly intelligent and will easily understand the proper language with instruction or explanation. We play this game in a circle using partners on the left and right and each child gets to say whether they are greater or less than the person on the right or left.

We also love to make shark or alligator hands and eat the bigger Newmero Brick number of the person on their left or right! This all helps with understanding size, and the shark and alligator hands will help when teaching greater than and less than symbols! > <

Math with Manipulatives Activity #3: Number Bingo 

Who doesn’t love a game of bingo?! It is a fan favorite in our home! When you sign up to receive the Newmero Bricks Manual it will have free bingo boards in the document. I repeat, free bingo boards! I do not know about you, but whenever I am playing bingo with my children I have to scour the internet for a blank bingo board or try to find an already done bingo boards and make it work for my activity.

The fact that they have one ready to go is perfect for me when teaching my kids at home. You can also print out the Number Bingo materials here.

This game is simple. All you have to do is get the bingo cards for your kid and lay out the Newmero Brick. I’ll usually start as the announcer, but I love to change it up by making one of my kids the announcer. Then, watch them lead with pride! If I am playing with lots of kids, I like to have crayons, markers, or even colored pencils, and when I say the number they can color their Newmero Brick on their paper! 

Activity #4: At the Cash Counter

This game is SOOO much fun for me and my kiddos! To start, the kids and I run around the house grabbing items we would like to put into our home store. Each child can choose pretty much anything in the house as long as it is not a danger.

My kids like to choose each other’s toys, it’s pretty fun. Then I set up the table and line up all the “products” we gathered and I’ll act as the store owner where I decide how much each item costs. The different colored Newmero Bricks are used as their money, and each person will start with a random handful so that no one has the same amount. Now they get to go on a small shopping spree from the items we chose at the beginning! Once chosen they’ll have to count out their “money” to make sure they can afford it. 

I usually let the child’s knowledge of numbers determine the price of the item; larger numbers for my older children, and smaller numbers for my younger children. Sometimes my kids work together by helping each other count, or even pooling their bricks together to buy something big!

When money or items run out I change the game up by allowing one of the children to be the store owner, or, if you’re very entrepreneurial, your children can sell items back to the store! How fun would that be?!

Activity #5: Ten Friends (I call this, Finding Friendships)

Ten Friends is all about making groups of ten using the jigsaw side of the Newmero Brick.

I lay out all of the yellow bricks and explain to my kids that we are finding friendships, not just any friendship, but a very special friendship that adds to 10. Only bricks that can add to 10 can fit perfectly together. For example if my child tries to connect a 4 brick and a 5 brick, the two bricks will not fit perfectly together. I then tell my kids to find all the special friendships.

What I love about this is my kids do not need a lot of knowledge of counting to do this task. Yes, if you know how to count this game would be easier and faster, but I love watching my kids explore the numbers as they try attaching different sides, and counting the knobs.

This is one of my favorite games because I love watching my kids explore the possibilities. Seeing how smart children are when they are able to learn for themselves is so rewarding. For changing this game up, I use the other colors and do Finding Friendships of hundreds and thousands! 

Newmero Bricks for Math with Manipulatives!

There are so many fun, amazing, creative games with Newmero Bricks! This list for Homeschoolers by grade with all of the games has been awesome for me and my kids.

I am super passionate about keeping math fun and engaging. These Newmero math bricks help me do just that! I did not even mention their games for higher level math, up to algebra, solving for missing numbers and side lengths.

If you have a creative math with manipulatives activity mention it below in the comments! All of our children could benefit from fun math learning tips, tricks, and tools! 

The post Ways to Teach Kids Math with Manipulatives! first appeared on True Aim.

Don’t miss the giveaway below, sponsored by Funhill Games. All opinions are my own. For more information, read my FTC. 

My kids were so excited to play these games. They are all about the strategy games! Some of their favorite games are Settlers of Catan, Risk and 7 Wonders. Sometimes Bible games are so focused on learning the facts, that they miss out on the fun!

New Bible Games for Kids

Here are three awesome new games to help you learn more about the Bible while having fun at the same time!

1.Disciple Detective: a game of mystery and knowledge.

This is a deductive card game. By piecing the clues together, you must find out which disciple you have before your opponents can figure out their’s. When you discover who your disciple is you score points. Whoever has the most points wins!

The kids really enjoyed this game because it was east to learn and reminded them of Clue. It was a fast game. We were able to finish in about 20 minutes. Each time you play you remember more about the disciples of Jesus!

2. Kings of Israel: an epic team game.

By working together you must remove all the sin from neighboring towns and cities, by praying to god and building alters. Remove all the sin blocks before time runs out!

This game has a lot of the names of major places in Israel and of the Kings and Empires that are talked about in the Bible. We haven’t played many cooperative games so this was so much fun because of how different game play was. It had a few features that felt like other games too. For example, to build an alter you had to trade in resource cards that you could get during the time of a good King’s rule. That made it easier to learn how to play for us.

3. The wisdom of Solomon: a critical thinking, strategy game.

In this game, you trade and gather resources to become more powerful than your opponents in an epic race to contain power and please God by sacrificing and praying!

This was by far the kids’ favorite game. Since they are a little older, (ages 8, 10 and 13) they like more complex games. This had a lot of their favorite features like using resources to build the temple, taking over territories, and the more competitive nature of the game. I loved the game because it has Bible verses, mainly from Psalms and Proverbs, on the game cards!

You’ll also learn a lot about life during the time of Solomon and some of the main occupations people had. This game would definitely be a hit with your older players!

4. The disciples floor puzzle: 

a gigantic 4ft puzzle with hundred of thick high quality puzzle pieces, that holds a complete picture of all the apostles!

The younger children had fun helping put this puzzle together. It really is very heavy duty, with bigger pieces that is great for smaller hands. I think it would be a good activity for a small Sunday School class too!

Bible Games for Kids Video Trailer!

Check out the video below to see some of the fun my kids had playing and reviewing these new Bible games! Which one would your kids like to try?

Enter to win a New Bible Game for Your Kids!

We are SO excited to be able to offer a lucky family their choice of one of these awesome new Bible Games! Enter your email in the Rafflecopter below to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post New Bible Games for Kids first appeared on True Aim.

Math was my favorite subject in school. I thought of equations as little games or puzzles. But it wasn’t because of what we did in school that I liked doing it.

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions about Math Mammoth Curriculum are my own. For more information, please read my full disclosure.

It was my father. He taught me early and he treated me like I was smarter than I really was. He shared problems with me that were way over my head and even though I didn’t fully comprehend them, just being taught like that was exciting. It made me beam to think that my Dad thought I was that smart already.

Homeschool Math Curriculum

With any Math Curriculum, you have to keep that in mind. If your children don’t like math, you can increase their motivation and retention by going slow and treating them like they are geniuses.

That’s why I love Math Mammoth. In addition to offering lots of different methods of practice, it gives children a more thorough understanding of the concepts in each grade level.

My daughter (2nd grade level) really liked the visual and pattern exercises that were different from anything that she was used to. These specific exercises help children’s metal math capabilities and make it easier for them to visualize more complex equations.

Although quite simple, my daughter also enjoyed the math practice games that came with our CD version, especially the baseball math. The curriculum download or CD comes with 8 different simple games that can be changed to suit the level of your child.

The math practice worksheet maker is convenient for basic math facts that your child needs to put to memory. Just remember to make it just one step easier for your child, so they breeze through it and gain confidence. The student workbooks are the ones that will teach and challenge your children.

Math Mammoth Curriculum is well balanced with simple practice to build a child’s mental math capabilities and rich content and exercises to teach your child new concepts.

What’s Included in Math Mammoth Curriculum

There are lots of different options when looking to purchase Math Mammoth. You can buy a bundled set and save money while having the flexibility to move as fast or as slow as you’d like. Or, you can purchase individual grades to see if Math Mammoth is right for your homeschool. Math Mammoth covers grades 1-7 and in the South African version it is available for grades 1-7. You can find a Placement Test here.

With every curriculum, you’ll find these things included:

• 2 Student Workbooks (A and B) with teaching explanations and exercises.
• Answer Keys
• Tests
• Cumulative Review Lessons
• Versatile Worksheet Maker

The downloads and CD versions include these extras:

• Extra files for different currencies in grades 1,2, and 3.
• Bonus Soft-Pak Software
• user guide (available also for free download on the web page of each grade level)

In addition to full curriculum, Math Mammoth also offers supplimental workbooks. I’m really excited to check out their “Make it Real” math activity workbooks for grades 3-12. The
exercises in these books are taken from real life, and use real data. They help answer the question, “Where is math used in real life?” and bring a practical application to the equations that children will use the most.

Remember, with any curriculum it is up to the parent to motivate and encourage the child. With those 2 things, you have nothing to lose when trying Math Mammoth Curriculum. Check out the video below for more information!

Math Curriculum Giveaway!

1 lucky reader will win a Full Math Mammoth Curriculum (digital version) worth $175! That covers 7 full years of homeschooling! To enter to win, please use the Rafflecopter below.

Mammoth Math Full Curriculum Giveaway!

The post Giveaway! Homeschool Math Curriculum: Math Mammoth first appeared on True Aim.

This post is sponsored by Spanish for You. For more information, please read my full disclosure.

Spanish is in the top three languages spoken around the world. With more and more people having the ability to speak this language, you can give your children the skills to communicate in any situation by teaching them this popular language too. Your children are going to love learning spanish if you choose the right curriculum to make it fun and easy.

Homeschool Spanish the Easy Way

To homeschool Spanish, you need a simple and affordable curriculum that requires no extra prep. If you are a homeschooler, you’ll need to be able to teach multiple ages and skill levels. If you don’t know anything about the language, you’ll also need your curriculum to come with audio so your children know how to properly pronounce the words. You’ll find all of these features in Spanish for You themed curriculum packages!

Spanish for You was created by Debbie Annett who has taught Spanish to children of all ages for 17 years! She wanted to create an easy way for anyone to teach her program at home easily and affordably.

Her Spanish curriculum is specifically for grades 3 to 8, but can easily be adjusted for different abilities. The year-long packages are themed so instead of completing levels, students progress by completing the themes.

You are going to love the Spanish for You curriculum. It will have you learning the language right along with your children! Here are the features that homeschool parents are so excited about:

• fun and easy lessons
• reusable materials
• flexible to use with different ages
• affordable – just $39.95 for the school year
• comes with audio for the entire text
• interactive activities
• children learn how the language works

Buy any Mi vida, Conversaciones, or Viajes themed packages and get the set of 5 supplemental songs for whichever theme you order free with the code: bluemanorfreesongs valid through April 2017. $8.99 value. Be sure to add the songs to your cart.

The post How to Homeschool Spanish the Easy Way first appeared on True Aim.

I was given these product for my honest review and am excited to share my experience as well as an awesome giveaway! For more information please read my full disclosure.

What are Gifts that Give Back?

You are doing double duty when you buy gifts that gives back. They are companies that give a portion or all of their profits to a charity.

Logos trading post does just that. Part of their proceeds go to support missions and buy Bibles for people in Asia Minor. Not only that, each of their products is made with the goal of spreading the gospel from the people who make them, to people who are given them, and even more, to people who see them as a result of your gifting.

Logos Trading Post

The mission of Logos is to spread the Gospel! Inspired by the beautiful Turkish rug, these Christian Gifts are also made in Turkey. My favorite gifts are the handmade serpentine stone cross necklace and the traditional Turkish style bookmarks. They are gifts that my friend who have everything will appreciate. They also carry so much more, including coasters, placemats, mousepads, and Christian Movies.

Christian Gifts

Need something really special for a person in your life? Check out these crown of thorns and cross rings made in Turkey and available in gold and silver.

Save 25% on anything in the shop and get free shipping on orders $40 or more! Use code 25BMED sale ends 12/31.

Logos Trading Post Gift Set Giveaway!

One lucky reader will win a gift set including necklace, coaster set, bookmark and mouse pad, a $46 value. Enter to win by filling out the Rafflecoper below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Christian Gifts that Give Back – Buy a Gift and They Give a Bible first appeared on True Aim.

Heidi (affiliate link) is a work of fiction written in 1880 by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, originally published in two parts as Heidi’s years of learning and travel and Heidi makes use of what she has learned. It is a novel about the events in the life of a young girl in her grandfather’s care, in the Swiss Alps. She is an orphan girl who has simple, but exciting mountain adventures! No wonder my daughter likes it. Heidi is one of the best-selling books ever written and is among the best-known works of Swiss literature.

I decided to look up some of the customs and traditions of the Swiss people. They are known for yodeling, cheese, wrestling, woodcarving and decoupage! I thought we would try our own little Swiss art project and made up a decorative template we could trace and make our own decoupage!

Decoupage for Kids

The picture below is an example of traditional Swiss Decoupage. As you can see, it is very intricate. Popular themes are black and white, cattle driving or Swiss scenery with floral and heart motifs. There is even a Swiss association called Friends of Decoupage!

For our decoupage, I made a simple template with birds and a flower. If you have older children, I have also made some templates with more intricate designs. You could also try making your own. A lot of artists will fold their paper in half and make the design, cut it out and open the fold so they have a mirrored symmetrical design.

The supplies we used in this craft were a cutting board, cardboard, craft paper, template, tape, a knife or push pin, a hole punch and some string.

We put the cardboard on a cutting board just in case we cut through the cardboard. After cutting out the template, we taped it on our craft paper and then started cutting with the knife. You’ll want to supervise your children very carefully so they are not putting their fingers in front of the knife and holding it correctly.

If you are worried, you can give them a push pin and have them poke small holes around the design instead. Then they can leave it the way it is, with just pin pricks in the paper showing the design, or they can cut it away with scissors.

We laminated ours with some clear adhesive paper and then hole punched the top to make a sun catcher.

The post Swiss Inspired Decoupage for Kids first appeared on True Aim.

Top 10 Father’s Day Films

Finding Nemo

This father-based inspiring Pixar film is set in the oceans. When his son gets kidnapped by divers, a clownfish braves his fear of the ocean to rescue his son. Filled with adventure and love, Finding Nemo is fantastic for the whole family!

Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof has been a family favorite, since it is so relatable for us. Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman in the early 1900s, has five daughters, three of whom are ready to marry! Not only is a fun musical great for the entire family, it also teaches important lessons of holding on, and letting go.

It’s a Wonderful Life

In this classic Christmas link, George Bailey learns how to be thankful for life, and embrace the ups and downs of life, and fatherhood.

Cheaper by the Dozen

With a family with 12 kids, chaos is sure to follow! After Mom gets a fantastic book deal that comes with a two week book tour in New York, the Baker family realizes big careers don’t always mean a happy family! Also, the original film, based on a true story, is also a great family film!

Madison

Set in small town Madison, Indiana, this film is inspired by the true story, as told by Jim McCormick’s young son. It’s a great American underdog sports film, about hard work and perseverance!

Father of the Bride

As every father can relate to, the hardest part of fatherhood can be the wedding day! In this sweet comedy, George’s beloved daughter is getting married, and during the wedding, chaos follows!

Courageous

In this Christian-centered flick, a group of police officers strive to become better fathers, after one of them suddenly loses a daughter. As police officers who have a duty to serve and protect their city’s citizens, these men discover they also have a duty to serve and protect their family.

For Teens

Life is Beautiful

Part romantic comedy and part drama, this Italian film is one of the few foreign language films to win several Academy Awards, including Best Actor. In the silly first half, Guido sets on a mission to open a bookstore, and win the heart of a lovely young woman who he meets accidentally. With enthusiasim, humor, and persistence; his dreams come true, and the couple have a son. The second half of the film is set in a concentration camp, where Guido uses his charm to hide the harsh realities from his son. This classic is almost problem-free in terms of content, and is Dove family-approved for ages 12+.

The Pursuit of Happyness

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll cheer! After growing up without a father, Chris Gardner promised himself his kids would always have a father in their life. It is a promise he keeps, even when his wife leaves him, and even when he and his 5 year-old son become homeless. Through hard work, love, trust and perseverance, Chris and his son slowly get back on their feet. It’s inspired by a true story, and it was also recently added to Netflix.

Frequency

In this scifi father-son drama, a son and his deceased father connect 30 years apart, with an old ham radio. Working together, through the fates and twists of time, they reconnect to stop a serial killer. (It’s rated PG-13 and not as graphic as it sounds, great for 12+) It also has great lessons on how your actions affect the future, and strong anti-smoking messages.

The post Top 10 Father’s Day Movies to Celebrate Dad first appeared on True Aim.

This is the follow up sequel to the original Character-Building, Family-Friendly Movie Nights for Kids. (Thank you for such a great response!) We recently got Netflix, and have had fun exploring a plethora of great flicks!

For older kids, I believe “character-building” means thought-provoking flicks that force you to grow as a person in some way. For younger kids, I believe “character-building” can simply mean a positive flick with encouraging messages that good will triumph evil.

Kids

Charlotte’s Web – Wilbur is a young pig who befriends a wondrous spider, Charlotte. Filled with sweet lessons and beloved characters, this definitely is a classic for a reason.

Heidi (2015) – Based on the book, I haven’t seen this animated flick but this feel-good movie seems to be quality made and has positive reviews.

The Boxcar Children – The Boxcar Children was my favorite series growing up. Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are orphans running away from the grandfather. Along the way, they find an old abandoned boxcar. Through resourcefulness and teamwork, they call it home. I’m proud to say the movie did not disappoint. It closely matched the beloved book, and I felt it in no way was cheesy.

Fetch with Ruff Ruffman – This educational reality game show for kids is ran by an animated dog, but features real-life contestants who are sent on “missions” exploring different careers and professions, in a similar way “Magic School Bus” might. Growing up, I learned a lot through this show!

Joseph: King of Dreams – This is the biblical story of Joseph beautifully animated by the creators of the classic The Prince of Egypt. Lessons include trusting God, hard work, and perseverance.

The Prince of Egypt – A bit more violent than Joseph, The Prince of Egypt tells the story of Moses and the Exodus. The film has beautiful animation, and an even more beautiful soundtrack.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman – In Finding Nemo father-son style, ingenious dog Mr. Peabody shares his time-traveling adventures with his adopted son Sherman.

Walt Before Mickey – Before Mickey Mouse made him a success, learn about Walt Disney’s struggle to fame and fortune.

Here is a list of common clean and positive movies for young kids that I wanted to mention in case you hadn’t seen a few on this list.

• Veggietales
• The Rescuers Down Under
• The Three Musketeers
• The Emperor’s New Groove
• Mulan
• Robin Hood
• Pocahontas

Tweens (10-15)

The Gabby Douglas Story – Gabby Douglas was only 16 when she brought home the gold at the 2012 Beijing Olympics. Here is her inspiring story of hard work and determination!

1001 to 1 – Based on a true story, 1001 to 1 is about a high school basketball champion

God’s Not Dead – Partially based upon real events, a Christian student and his atheist professor clash heads. Based upon the hit song, this film has some great messages of sticking up for your faith.

Holes – Stanley Yelnats, “cursed” from great great grandpa, is sent to Camp Green Lake for stealing a pair of shoes. (which he did not) While there, he discovers the warden has a secret – buried treasure! There is a smidgen of profanity and a bit of violence to worry about, but overall, a quality family movie with lessons on helping others. Based on the Newbery winner by Louis Sacher.

Read It And Weep – This old Disney Channel Original Movie was a favorite of mine growing up. After accidentally turning her personal diary into an essay contest, shy Jamie soon becomes a best selling author and the most popular kid in school – until everyone realizes the characters are based on them! Although some may disregard it as cheesy, it is a clean family movie, and has important lessons of being a good friend, honesty, and how words can hurt.

Cow Belles – Another classic Disney Channel movie that follows two spoiled sisters who learn the value of friendship, hard work, and helping others! (Same warning as above!)

Masterpiece Classic: The Diary of Anne Frank (2009) – Ben Kingsley stars as Otto Frank in this movie about Holocaust victim Anne Frank and her diary. Although I don’t think Anne Frank is the best example of Nazi persecution, it’s a good movie, not graphic, and the story of how blind hatred can affect normal people. It also shows the courage of Miep Gies and the others who hid Anne and her family.

Nicky’s Family – Nicholas Winton, known as the British Schindler, rescued over 600 children in the Kindertransport during WWII, by transporting them to Britain. Here is his story in a non-graphic documentary/docudrama form, that includes interviews with many of the children he rescued.

Gifted Hands – Dr. Benjamin S. Carson grew up with the world stacked against him – he was poor, black, and growing up in Detroit to a single mother with a third grade education. Through his mom’s hardworking determination and the grace of God, Carson went to Yale and became the first neurosurgeon to help successfully separate conjoined twins. Based off his incredible memoir, I felt this story did a pretty good job of converting Carson’s life to film.

Radio – Cuba Gooding Jr. excellently plays a developmentally disabled man in this light-hearted football drama that is based on a true story. A great family feel-good movie for tweens and up. (note some humorous uses of the S-word in one scene, and another scene where Radio unknowingly walks into a girl’s bathroom)

The Dropbox – Pastor Lee has rescued over 300 orphans and abandoned special needs babies throughout South Korea. Here is his incredible story and selfless life.

Monumental – I haven’t seen this yet, but it has come highly recommended. Kirk Cameron hosts this look at America’s past. If you liked this, you’ll also probably like Food Inc, a documentary exposing America’s food industry.

On Netflix DVD:

Facing the Giants – Grant Taylor, the head football coach at Shiloh Christian Academy, has yet to have a win in six years. After developing a new coaching philosophy, his life begins to change around.

Secondhand Lions – Growing up with his mom, Walter has known nothing in his life but instability and trouble. One summer, she dumps him off at his two eccentric uncle’s old place, where his life is changed forever. This coming-of-age film is one of my favorite films on this list, and has amazing lessons. The only negative in this PG-rated flick is there is some minor cursing (mostly d*mn).

Unbroken – Louie Zamperini grew up destined for trouble – until his older brother introduced him to track. Louie trained hard, and ran himself to the 1936 Berlin Nazi Olympics. When WWII broke out, he signed up to a 2nd lieutenant, and on a rescue mission, accidentally crashed. He and a friend survived 47 days at sea (with sharks and nothing to eat), and afterwards spent two years in a Japanese POW camp. After the war, his life spun downwards and he became an alcoholic, before committing his life to Christ and forgiving his captors.

Teens and Up:

My family has very low tolerance for sexual content, however we are more lenient on realistic war violence that does not glorify violence. I will list the pros and cons for each of the below movies.

Goering’s Last Secret – Herman Göring, Hitler’s second man, was one of the most infamous Nazis in WWII. In a stark contrast, his brother Albert was the exact opposite – who loathed the Nazi party and often subjected himself to danger to rescue people from concentration camps. Although he had the opportunity to become powerful, rich, and famous because of his brother – Albert chose a different path, and instead died penniless. It’s an intriguing and overall non-graphic look at two brothers who made drastically different life choices.

Hotel Rwanda – A true story set in the midst of the Rwandan genocide, Hotel Rwanda centers around a hotel manager who manages to save over 1,000 refugees. During the Rwandan genocide, over 800,000 people were murdered in a 100 day period. Despite this, the film (PG-13) strays from getting too graphic.

The Kite Runner – Based on the brilliant bestseller, The Kite Runner is a beautiful, yet heart-breaking story filled with family, friendship, loyalty, guilt, betrayal, and ultimately forgiveness and redemption. Amir is a successful writer living in San Fransisco, after moving there from Afghanistan in the late 1970s. However, memories haunt him of betraying a loyal friend, and Amir has a chance to make things right. The movie is rated PG-13, contains violence, some profanity, and is centered around a child rape. However, with powerful and poignant themes and a fantastic delivery, this movie is thought-provoking and eye-opening. I would highly recommend both the book and the movie. You can read my more detailed review here.

No Place on Earth – Incredible story of a group (ages 2-76) of 18 Jews during WWII who hid in an Ukranian cave. (They also set a world record for longest time underground interrupted.) I always think learning about other people’s lives is character-building, thought-provoking and eye-opening.

Call the Midwife – Although I cannot recommend the later seasons, we thoroughly enjoyed the first two seasons of Call the Midwife, based on the true memoirs of a British midwife in the 1950s. The series, similar in style to Downton Abbey, explore Britain’s poorest and lowliest memoirs of society.

Foyle’s War – This British 1940s mystery series is best for teens. Subjects often include murder and treason. Whether it is necessarily “character-building” may be up for debate, but contains good themes of good versus evil, and is a quality historical series that I honestly can’t help but include.

On Netflix DVD:

The Giver – When we hear about tragedy on the news, it can be easy to think, “Why does God allow evil?” In this adaption of Lois Lowry’s Newbery winning novel, meet Jonas – who lives in a perfect world. No crying, no pain, no war or heartbreak, and likewise no color, or differences, or happiness. The question is then asked: Is it better to live in a world of neutrality, or embrace both the good and the bad? A fantastic teen movie night that poses many questions and offers much discussion.

Movies I haven’t seen but that look good:

• My Italian Secret (the true story of an Italian cyclist who rescued Jews during WWII)
• Last Ounce of Courage (Christian film about a veteran who tries to bring patriotism and Christianity closer to his secular town)
• Korczak (the true story of Polish writer Janusz Korczak and his role during WWII)

I haven’t had Netflix for too long, so I’m afraid my list isn’t longer. What are your favorite movies on Netflix?

The post Character Building Movie Nights for Kids {on Netflix} first appeared on True Aim.