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Month: May 2025

All About Marine Turtles: History and Conservation

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Sea turtles or marine turtles are reptiles with webbed feet, a streamlined body, and hard shells that protect them from predators. Turtles belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the world. Turtles were around even 200 million years ago and lived alongside the dinosaurs. This makes them older than snakes, crocodiles, and alligators.

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  • Habitat:  Shallow coastal waters, bays, lagoons, estuaries and occasionally the open ocean
  • Average Lifespan: 50 years or more
  • Diet: Varies from carnivore to omnivore
  • Largest Species: Leatherback
  • Smallest Species: Kemp’s ridley
  • IUCN Red List Status: From Threatened to Endangered

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Interesting facts about the Marine Turtle:

  1. Sea turtles rarely leave the ocean, except to lay eggs in the sand. However, they can migrate long distances. 
  1. There are seven species of marine or sea turtles. Six of them are threatened or endangered. 
  1. Surrounding temperatures play a big role in determining the sex of a baby sea turtle. During incubation, warmer temperatures (above 85°F) result in more female hatchlings, while cooler temperatures (below 85°F) produce more males.
  1. Their shells are made up of over 50 bones fused together. They literally wear their bones on the outside. Turtle bones are light and spongy, which helps them float.
  1. Marine turtles do not have teeth. They have beak-like mouths. 
  1. The Kemp’s ridley can weigh up to 40kg, whereas a leatherback turtles can weigh around 500kg. 
  1. Sea turtles can hold their breath underwater for a very long time. Some sea turtles species can hold their breath underwater for up to five hours! 
  1. Unlike a land turtle, sea turtle cannot retract its limbs, head or neck under its shell. 
  1. Sea turtles play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem of the ocean. By grazing on seagrass beds they maintain productive coral reefs and they also transport essential nutrients from oceans to beaches.

Also Watch full video Fascinating Facts About Marine Turtles

Fun and Easy Screen-Free Weekend Activities for Kids

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In today’s digital world, children are spending more time than ever glued to screens. While technology has its place, too much screen time can impact sleep, behavior, and creativity. That’s why many parents are now embracing screen-free weekends—a time to unplug, reconnect, and encourage active, imaginative play.

This article is packed with fun, affordable, and engaging screen-free weekend activities to help your kids explore, learn, and bond with family—no devices required.

Encouraging Inquisitive Minds To Explore The World Around Themselves WITH INFORMATION CARDS

Why Go Screen-Free on Weekends?

Going screen-free, even for just two days a week, offers a variety of benefits for kids:

  • Improves focus and attention span
  • Promotes creativity and independent thinking
  • Enhances physical activity
  • Strengthens family relationships
  • Reduces stress and anxiety

Ready to power down? Here are plenty of screen-free ideas to keep your weekend lively and full of fun!

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Indoor Screen-Free Activities for Kids

1. Build a Fort

Let your kids transform the living room with blankets, cushions, and chairs. Fort-building sparks imagination and keeps them entertained for hours.

2. DIY Crafts and Art Projects

Set up a craft station with paper, glue, scissors, and paint. Projects like paper plate masks, friendship bracelets, or homemade greeting cards are creative and rewarding.

3. Family Board Game or Puzzle Night

Board games are a great way to build critical thinking and social skills. Try classics like Uno, Monopoly, or Scrabble, or pick age-appropriate puzzles for quiet fun.

4. Indoor Treasure Hunt

Create clues and hide small prizes around the house. It’s a fun way to keep kids moving and thinking.

5. Cook or Bake Together

Get kids involved in the kitchen by letting them measure, stir, or decorate. Try simple recipes like homemade pizza, cookies, or fruit salad.

Watch full video on Everything You Need To Know About Heat Waves | How To Keep Kids Safe From Heatwaves?

Outdoor Screen-Free Activities for Kids

6. Backyard Camping

Pitch a tent, roast marshmallows, and tell stories under the stars. If you don’t have a yard, create a similar experience at a nearby park.

7. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Give your child a list of things to find in nature (e.g., pinecone, feather, red leaf). This boosts observation skills and encourages exploration.

8. Visit a Local Park or Nature Trail

A walk in nature helps clear the mind and gets the body moving. Bring a picnic and make a day of it!

9. DIY Obstacle Course

Use cones, ropes, or pool noodles to create a fun challenge in your yard. Add jumping, crawling, and balancing tasks to get them moving.

10. Gardening Together

Let kids dig, plant seeds, and water the plants. Gardening teaches patience, responsibility, and a love of nature.

Also read Top Summer Camps in Delhi NCR for Kids

Social & Community-Based Activities

11. Library Visit

Libraries often host storytime sessions, crafts, or reading challenges. It’s a great place for quiet screen-free enrichment.

12. Volunteer as a Family

Help at a local food bank, clean a park, or walk dogs from a shelter. Volunteering teaches empathy and community spirit.

13. Host a Playdate or Game Night

Invite friends over for classic games, relay races, or arts and crafts. No screens required—just good old-fashioned fun.

Also Checkout, Top Kids Bookstores In Delhi NCR

Quiet Time and Mindful Activities

14. Journaling or Drawing

Give your child a blank notebook and some colored pens. Journaling encourages self-reflection, and drawing boosts creativity.

15. Storytelling or Reading Aloud

Let kids choose a book and read aloud together, or make up your own bedtime stories. It’s bonding and brain-boosting all at once.

Tips to Make Screen-Free Weekends a Success

  • Plan Ahead: Make a list of activities and gather materials before the weekend starts.
  • Set Expectations: Let your kids know the plan and get their input to increase buy-in.
  • Be a Role Model: Limit your own screen use to encourage your child to do the same.
  • Create a Routine: Start with a few hours screen-free, then gradually expand to full weekends.

While screens have their place, weekends are a great opportunity to reconnect with your kids and spark creativity in new ways. These screen-free weekend activities offer your family a chance to slow down, engage fully, and make meaningful memories—one fun idea at a time.

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Everything You Need to Know About Khelo India Youth Games 2025

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The Khelo India Youth Games 2025 is a major national sporting event that started on May 4 and will end on May 15, across multiple locations in Bihar and New Delhi. Over 5,000 young athletes from various states and union territories of India participated in 27 different sports disciplines, including athletics, gymnastics, shooting, and esports (as a demonstration event). Athletes compete to win medals, and each medal contributes points to their respective state or union territory’s overall tally. The state or union territory with the highest number of gold medals at the conclusion of the games is declared the over- all winner. The Khelo India Youth Games serve as a significant platform to identify and nurture young sporting talent, promoting sports development and encouraging a culture of athletic excellence throughout India.

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The official mascot of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 is Gajasimha. Gajasimha is a mythical creature combining the power of an elephant and the heart of a lion, inspired by ancient temple sculptures from the Pala dynasty period in Nalanda and Bodh Gaya. It symbolises strength, wisdom, endurance, and fearless leadership, representing the spirit of young athletes competing in the games.

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Khelo India Youth Games 2025 medal tally

What is the Khelo India initiative?

The Khelo India initiative is a national program launched by the Government of India in 2017-18 to promote sports and fitness across the country, especially at the grassroots level. Its main goal is to improve India’s sports culture by identifying talented young athletes, organising structured competitions, and developing sports infrastructure nationwide.

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Everything You Need to Know About National Endangered Species Day

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Did you know that some of your favourite animals might disappear forever if we don’t protect them? That’s why we celebrate National Endangered Species Day every year – to remember how important it is to take care of animals and plants that are in danger of going extinct. India, along with the rest of the world, has celebrated National Endangered Species Day on the third Friday of May every year since 2006. This year the National Endangered Species Day will be celebrated on May 16.

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History

National Endangered Species Day was started in 2006 by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Coalition in the US to help people learn about animals and plants that are in danger of disappearing forever.

Why is it celebrated?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, forty percent of animals, insects and plants on this planet are at risk of extinction. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about endangered species-animals and plants that are at risk of extinction because of things like habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and hunting. It reminds us why it is important to protect these species and their homes to keep nature balanced and healthy for future generations.

How is it celebrated in India?

In India, National Endangered Species Day is observed with activities that teach people about the country’s endangered animals. Schools, wildlife groups, museums, and communities organise events such as workshops, online campaigns, and educational programs to spread awareness and encourage people to help protect these species.

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India’s Endangered Animals

Here are some important endangered species in India that you should know about:

  • Bengal Tiger: India’s national animal, the Bengal tiger is critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
  • Asiatic Lion: Found only in the Gir Forest of Gujarat, this lion is smaller than African lions and critically endangered.
  • Snow Leopard: Lives in the Himalayan mountains and is endangered because of habitat loss and conflicts with humans.
  • Red Panda: Looks like a mix of a cat and bear, lives in forests, and is threatened by deforestation and poaching.
  • Great Indian Bustard: One of the heaviest flying birds, critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
  • Blackbuck: A beautiful antelope endangered because of poaching and habitat loss.
  • Gharial: A long crocodile found in rivers, endangered mainly due to polluted water.
  • Pangolin: A unique ant-eating mammal poached for its scales and meat, critically endangered.
  • One-horned Rhinoceros: Mostly found in northeastern India, vulnerable but recovering due to conservation.
  • Nilgiri Tahr: A mountain goat living in the Western Ghats, endangered due to habitat loss and climate change.
  • Indian Bison (Gaur): The largest wild cattle, threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
  • Kashmiri Red Stag: Critically endangered deer species found in Dachigam National Park.

Word Check: 

An endangered species is one that’s at serious risk of extinction — meaning it could disappear from the planet entirely. This can happen for several reasons:

  • Habitat loss, such as deforestation and urban development
  • Poaching and illegal trade
  • Pollution, including plastic and chemical waste
  • Climate change, which affects food sources and breeding cycles
  • Invasive species introduced by human activity

Watch full video on Cheetah- The Fastest Mammal on LandLeopard Facts For Kids 

The Gruffalo Is Back with a New Story After 20 Years

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The Gruffalo-the big, scary but lovable monster with knobbly knees and a poisonous wart on his nose-is coming back! Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the amazing team who created the original Gruffalo books, are making a brand-new story that will be out in September 2026. The Gruffalo first appeared over 20 years ago and became one of the most popular children’s books ever, loved by millions of children around the world.

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Now, Julia Donaldson is writing about a new adventure for the Gruffalo and his friends, inspired by a reading campaign that helped children enjoy stories even more. Axel Scheffler is already drawing incredible pictures for the new book, and the story promises to be just as fun and exciting as the old ones. The original Gruffalo story is about a clever little mouse who tricks big animals in the forest by pretending to be friends with the scary Gruffalo. The new book will also help encourage children everywhere to love reading and storytelling, with support from charities that want to make reading fun for everyone.

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