Thursday, 24 April 2025

3 Fun Ways to Teach Kids the Art of Hospitality Through Play (Collaborative Post)

 3 Fun Ways to Teach Kids the Art of Hospitality Through Play 


Today I'm hosting a post from an American guest author who talks about hospitality. It is a skill we all need to learn, and begins in childhood. It doesn't have to be formal, even just having friends over to play teaches children many skills that will come in handy throughout their lives...

In today's fast-paced world, hospitality is becoming a lost art. People barely have any time or energy to host meaningful connections. The bitter truth is that even the importance of hospitality has become limited to transactional means. 

If you don't want such a culture to influence your kids, teach them hospitality while they're young and little. We always make time for things we consider important. When your children see the significance of this ancient practice, they will not abandon it as adults. 

Indeed, children are not often great listeners, at least when it comes to lectures. However, they respond positively to fun and play. Is there a way to make hospitality attractive to kids through play? Yes, and this article will discuss three ways to do so. 

Use Hospitality-Themed Storybooks for Role-Playing 

Maria Montessori believed that the main goal of childhood education is to activate a child’s natural curiosity and desire to learn. Children try their best to make sense of the world around them. 

This is to imply that your kids will be willing to read and learn when even those activities become a part of play. Invest in some good storybooks that feature various aspects of hospitality. 

Start with the classic The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant (affiliate link). Here's an excerpt that will give you an idea of how the book paints hospitality in vibrant colors, 

“In a rainbow-colored station wagon that smelled like a real car, the relatives came. When they arrived, they hugged and hugged from the kitchen to the front room.” 

These two lines are enough to sense joy in welcoming and hosting guests. This particular book focuses on showing hospitality in a large family. 

You can have the kids read the book out loud. Once done, they can reenact the scenes and express what the story means to them on a personal level. Let them express what they’ve picked up about hospitality from the storybook. 

Another good book is A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker (affiliate link) It's a perfect learning tool for those who consider hospitality to be a nuisance. In the story, the bear likes to be alone, but the mouse keeps visiting him. It's through the latter's persistence that the bear learns the joy of welcoming someone into his space. 

Besides these, other books based on the themes of kindness and care for others include - 

  • Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse 

  • Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña 

  • Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson 

  • Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson 

Host a ‘Mini-Party’ 

Practice only seems real when it moves from role-playing to real-world applications. So, you can have your kids host a mini-party for all their friends. Let them know beforehand that a successful party is all about making guests feel welcome and safe. 

Have your kids help out as far as possible - 

  • They can help you plan the guest list, pick a theme, create homemade decorations, and prepare the menu. 

  • As guests arrive, have your children greet them with joy. 

  • Let them help each guest find a seat and offer refreshments. 

  • Ask your children to keep an eye out in case a guest seems uncomfortable. 

As you emphasize the importance of comfort, teach about safety too. Ask your kids to clear out any clutter from time to time and check for obstructions that may injure guests, as you can be liable for any harm caused.

If the party is in your backyard, encourage children to inspect the ground for loose paving stones or soil, and tree roots/branches. Backyards are full of unforeseen risks, as a woman in Colorado Springs learned the hard way. A portion of the ground opened up and she unexpectedly fell into a deep hole in her yard while casually walking. Had she been a guest invited to a party, that incident could have made a strong case for premise liability, even warranting the involvement of a Colorado Springs personal injury attorney

According to the Springs Law Group, every property owner is responsible for making their space safe for visitors. If the property owner’s negligence is established, they could be looking at a sizable settlement. 

Good hospitality factors in guest safety, not just convenience or comfort. Through the mini-party, you will have plenty of opportunities to teach complex scenarios surrounding hospitality in a way your children can grasp. 

Leverage Your Children's Favorite Activities 

If hospitality is the theme of your education, you can use your children's favorite activities to teach this life-changing practice. Let's say your kids love to undertake arts and crafts projects. Their fun hours spent repurposing things or creating works of art can be used strategically to teach hospitality. 

You can ask your children to paint a ‘welcome scene’ based on their imagination. Give them a prompt that the artwork should reflect kind actions and spaces where others feel valued. 

If needed, offer a few inspirational pictures for reference. Alternatively, asking your kids to paint welcome cards as invitations for the mini-party is a good idea. Once they’re done, let them express how their art showcases hospitality. 

You might just be surprised at the unique perspectives each child brings to the table. The same goes for music. Are your children fond of it? Let them sing along to songs about kindness and welcoming others. Here are a few examples - 

  • Make New Friends 

  • This Little Light of Mine 

  • If You're Friendly and You Know It 

  • The More We Get Together 

  • Kindness is a Muscle 

Children can even dance along as they sing. To make things more fun, have them sit in a circle and pass a stuffed toy till the music plays. When it stops, the child holding the toy should say something nice they’d do for a guest. 


Did you know that American parents are struggling to manage their children's emotions? In a recent poll, 63% of parents were unsure as to how to help children cope with anger

Parents need to model a good example since anger goes against the spirit of being welcoming, kind, and hospitable. Your playful classes on hospitality will help bring many difficult emotions and deep-seated negative thought patterns to the surface. 

Ultimately, you won't just instill hospitality into your kids, but facilitate overall emotional development. So, take the necessary steps to raise children who are akin to a warm hearth on a cold night. 




Amazon links are affiliate, which means I earn a few pence if you buy through my link,

but you don't pay a penny more...



Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Best Ways to Help Your Teen Recover from a TBI After a Car Accident (Collaborative Post)

 Best Ways to Help Your Teen Recover from a TBI After a Car Accident

Recovery from Traumatic brain Injury Photo of young person with comedy bandage around head

My family have experience of helping someone recover from a brain injury, as my partner developed meningitis back in 2013. Recovery was very slow, but rewarding at each step, and aside from minor memory problems he is now 'himself'. Recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents unique challenges for teenagers and this post, written by a US author and hosted here on The Brick Castle, looks at ways to support recovery.

The journey extends far beyond physical healing, requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses emotional well-being, cognitive rehabilitation, and educational adjustments.

Thursday, 17 April 2025

COVID-19, Measles, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 17th April 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 17th April 2025

World Health Organisation members, after over 3 years of discussions, have agreed the wording for the legally binding Pandemic Treaty. The draft agreement will be up for consideration (and hopefully accepted) at the upcoming World Health Assembly next month.
This is only the 2nd time such a treaty has been drawn up, the first being a tobacco control agreement in 2003. 
Under terms of the treaty member countries will share data about pathogens swiftly via the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS). 10% of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics will be given to WHO, and another 10% will be supplied at affordable prices.

Little walks daily are good for your mental health UK NHS Rough drawing of a person outdoors with trees in distance

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

3 Fun Ways You Can Use LEGO to Teach Road Safety to Children (Collaborative Post)

 3 Fun Ways You Can Use LEGO to Teach Road Safety to Children


LEGO car model with minifigures on top looking at the engine bay. Beside is a LEGO child minifigure on a go kart


Years have passed since LEGO was born, but its charm remains unfaded. This collaborative post by Daniel Washington shows how LEGO can be used to teach your children important life skills - which will last as long as their LEGO...

Monday, 14 April 2025

How to Upgrade Your Family Car While Keeping Costs Under Control (Brand Collaboration)

How to Upgrade Your Family Car While Keeping Costs Under Control

Upgrading your family car doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you need more space, better safety features, or just want to enjoy the latest tech, there are smart ways to get behind the wheel of something new without the hefty price tag. In this collaborative post written by Julia Evans, we'll explore how you can upgrade your family car while keeping costs under control, including a closer look at the often-overlooked option of leasing.

Side view of the Simpson's car from the LEGO Simpson's house set, with 4 of the family in the front and back seats, and Maggie in the boot

Wednesday, 9 April 2025

Navigating Common Health Issues for Trans Women in Later Years (Collaborative Post)

Navigating Common Health Issues for Trans Women in Later Years

Photograph of a woman with blue and black hair in plaits, wearing sunglasses reflecting a rainbow or pride flag

For some groups in society good quality health advice can be harder to find, so I'm delighted today to be collaborating on an incredibly informative post about the health issues which can be faced by trans women. 

As trans women grow older, they encounter specific health challenges that require specialised attention to support long-term well-being. Prolonged hormone therapy, cardiovascular concerns, and bone density maintenance become increasingly crucial. 

Moreover, those who have undergone gender-affirming procedures must focus on pelvic health. Mental health care and routine cancer screenings are equally crucial for a healthy aging process. 

Understanding these challenges and taking preventive steps can significantly improve the quality of life. In this article, we’ll explore key health concerns for aging trans women, emphasising proactive healthcare planning and informed choices for overall well-being.

Friday, 4 April 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 4th April 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 4th April 2025

The UK has announced Spring COVID boosters, with a focus on "protecting those who are most likely to become seriously ill", the same as last Spring, but unlike previously you have to COME FORWARD and book your appointment, rather than waiting for an invitation. Do this online at nhs dot uk /bookcovid or by calling 119.
Those eligible include:
- people aged 75 or over by 17th June
- residents of care homes for older adults (not staff or carers)
- people meeting immunosuppression criteria (check online for a list)

image of a Uk pharmacy symbol - green cross, with text over

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has agreed an extra £167m funding (over 2 years) with Community Pharmacy England.
On top £193 million of debt for community pharmacy owners will be written off. 
In return community pharmacies in England will:
- all offer the ‘morning-after pill’ free of charge
- offer patients prescribed antidepressants "convenient support at pharmacies".
- cut red tape, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver services such as medicines advice, Pharmacy First services, and blood pressure checks.
- have financial incentives boosted for pharmacists to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure, to take pressure off GPs.
- have funding for medicine supply boosted, so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them. This includes writing off the historic debt linked to dispensing activity during the pandemic and increasing fees linked to dispensing prescriptions.