Spring Program Newsletter

for Parents, Guardians, and Community-Based Bigs

Highlight from our Bigger Together Facebook Group

for Community-Based Bigs:

Help us welcome our new match: Little Toby and his Big Michael!

BIGS: Be sure to join the Bigger Together Facebook Group and post photos of activities you do with your Little to help everyone else come up with fun ideas!

FUN TOPICS TO BREAK THE ICE

What is your favorite holiday?

Do you feel safe at school? Are there any bullies at school?

What is your favorite springtime memory?

What is something you really love about yourself?

Which one is better: water ice or ice cream?

What made you laugh today?

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Do a random act of kindness for someone else - leave positive notes around the grocery store to be found by others, bake cookies for a neighbor or grandparent, or take a walk on the boardwalk and compliment people. Click the button below for even more ideas!

MAKE AND FLY A KITE

Make a DIY kite and then head out to the park and see if it flies. This is a fun and creative way to get kids outside and running around in the fresh air now that the weather is warming up. The dollar store usually has kites if you are not feeling crafty enough to DIY one.

SPRING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Shake off the winter blues, get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Now is the time to start planting flowers in the yard. Your little ones will love getting messy in the soil and being on garden hose duty. For more spring outdoor activity ideas click the button below.

CREATE A FAIRY GARDEN

Learn how to make a fairy garden with this easy step-by-step beginning gardening tutorial for children and adults. A miniature DIY fairy garden filled with gnomes, little fairies, toadstools, or cute tiny fairy houses offers children and adults an enchanted play space to develop their creativity and imagination. 

THE KINDNESS ROCKS PROJECT

Go rock collecting and paint inspiring messages on them. Leave them around your community to help spread kindness to your neighbors. Click the button below for tips on painting the rocks, sample quotes, a supplies list, etc.

INTERNET SAFETY FOR KIDS

NetSmartz is an online safety education program that provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children be safer online. Their goal is helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline. 

SUMMER EBT PROGRAM

This summer, NJ is implementing a new child nutrition program that will give $120 Summer EBT benefits per eligible child, to help lower income families buy food at participating retailers. Your child/children must be eligible for FREE SCHOOL LUNCH to get Summer EBT. You have until April 19th to submit a school meal application and to contact your child’s school to make sure your mailing address is correct. If your child is enrolled, be on the lookout for your child’s EBT card in the coming months.

CAPE ATLANTIC RESOURCENET

Sponsored by Cape Atlantic INK, Cape Atlantic ResourceNet provides a wide range of information about support, resources, and services for families in Atlantic and Cape May Counties, New Jersey. Families can find specific recreational activities, health providers, support groups, and events in their area. 

FREE NALOXONE FOR OVERDOSES

Naloxone, sometimes referred to by the brand name "Narcan," can revive people who have lost consciousness due to opioid overdose. New Jerseyans aged 14 and over can obtain naloxone freely and anonymously at participating pharmacies. One two-dose naloxone nasal spray kit will be provided per visit. People who obtain naloxone do not need to provide a name or a reason.

WEBSITE FOR JOB RESOURCES

There's a great new job out there waiting for you — and My Career NJ can help you find it. This website features the resources you need to get the job that you want, with personalized job listings, online classes for upskilling, certification information, and apprenticeship opportunities.