Hotspotstag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//42008-07-02T21:41:19ZMovable Type 3.3350 Things to do with Kids in the Kansas City Area Before (or Even After) They Grow Uptag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11772008-07-02T16:41:04Z2008-07-02T21:41:19ZSo many fun things for locals and visitors to do with their kids or, even as, gasp, adults. A giant sculpture park, a maze and lots of water fun (and more) in the "City of Fountains."Cagey
Rancid Raves.
I grew up just outside the Kansas City area, but even as a high-schooler, loved driving into the city for various events. When I moved to Kansas City after college, I was fortunate enough to be based in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and always had a variety of clients situated throughout the area. As such, I got to know the area like the back of my hand. Now that I stay home full-time with my children, I still love driving back into the city. I hope my children grow to love Kansas City as much as I do.
Also, did you notice how I managed to sneak the word "area" into the title? Anyone from Kansas City knows that to limit one's activities to Kansas City "proper" would mean missing out on some really awesome activities.
Visit the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Built in memoriam for a police officer killed in the line of duty, the Farm is a special place to relax with your kids. You can walk the nature trail, sit in the butterfly garden, feed/pet the goats, take a hay ride, pan for gold and hook a live worm for fishing with a cane pole - just to name a few activities. This place is free, but I do throw a few bucks in the donation till.
Watch a marble-making demonstration at the Moon Marble Factory in Bonner Springs, KS.
Dress up in your Halloween costumes and go trick-or-treating at the annual Boo at the Zoo event in the Kansas City Zoo. The people-watching potential is superb, the candy is just gravy. For extra kicks, dress up yourself! Is this where I admit I began attending this event before I even had children?
Even if you are not a baseball fan, there is nothing like attending a live, major league baseball game at the Kaufman stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals. If you are a baseball fan, then attending a Kansas City T-Bones baseball game is a must. The T-Bones team is a member of the Northern League and are an excellent chance for your child to see baseball up close and personal.
Adopt a duck in the Duck Derby on Brush Creak at the Plaza.
Visit the Natural History Museum in Lawrence, KS at the University of Kansas. The Panorama of North American plants and animals is simply stunning. It is the largest diorama of its kind in the world and features the flora and fauna of habitats from the Arctic tundra to the rainforest.
In May, attend the the PowWow at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. The diverse student population represents members from federally recognize tribes from across the United States. It is difficult to describe how awe-inspiring it is to not only hear but to also feel the beat of the drums.
Visit the Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park. This indoor nature center is a great activity for steamy and frigid days.
Do some "banking", go "grocery shopping", lob some golf balls, and do some "gardening" at Wonderscope, the Children's Museum of Kansas City.
Go to the Plaza Lighting Ceremony the night of Thanksgiving. Watching the lights come on is simply magical and is a sweet way to kick off the holiday season. It is definitely worth braving the insane throngs of people to see this happen in person at least once.
On a bright Saturday morning, head down to the City Market and do your grocery shopping at the Farmer's Market. While you are there, check out the Steamboat Arabia, a steamboat that sunk in the Missouri River in the mid 1800s and was re-discovered in the 1990s.
During the Christmas season at the Crown Center, watch the mayor's Christmas tree lighting, then go ice skating.
Visit the Union Station (the traveling exhibits change frequently.) The space is just gorgeous and is a great opportunity to share a bit of important Kansas City history with your child. Be sure to check out the supposed bullet holes from the 1933 Union Station Massacre, the event that prompted the US Congress to strengthen the powers of the FBI.
See a play at the Coterie Theater, "one of the best five theaters for young audiences in the U.S.", according to Time Magazine.
Attend a NASCAR race at the Kansas Speedway. Don't forget to bring earplugs.
Take a ride on a vintage train in Baldwin, KS on the Midland Railway.
Have an old-fashioned chocolate soda at Murray's Ice Cream in Westport. Watch out for brain freeze.
Attend the Leavenworth County Fair in Tonganoxie, KS. A traditional country fair complete with demolition derby, 4H projects, smelly livestock, carnival games, cotton candy and dust. Lots and lots of dust.
Take a hike at the Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe, KS and let your child lead the way. The trails are (mostly) stroller-friendly and are great for toddlers. It's a great place to let your child run around and explore.
Hunt for butterflies at Powell Gardens, Kansas City's botanical gardens.
Visit the Harry Truman Presidential Library. If your kids protest that would be boring, insist it will good for building their characters. If that does not work, threaten to stick them in the car and drive them to Abilene, KS (a good 2.5 hours away) to visit Eisenhower's museum instead. While playing AM radio the entire way.
Eat lunch at both the original Gates Barbecue and Arthur Bryant locations. Brace yourself for the verbal abuse at Gates, but it is worth the experience.
Attend the American Royal - one of the largest combined livestock, horse and rodeo shows in the nation. Definitely make time for the opening event, the Annual American Royal Barbecue. Billed as the "world series" in barbecue, it is a two-day love affair with barbecue that allows you to sample nearly 500 offerings.
Visit 18th and Vine and learn about Kansas City's distinguished history in jazz.
Visit the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, the last remaining stagecoach stop on the historic Santa Fe Trail still open to the public.
Definitely, take your child to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. For serious - any event that states "Patrons are welcome to attend in costume." and that the venue is "Fifteen minutes and five hundred years from downtown Kansas City." is something you should attend.
The Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the largest St. Patrick's day parades in the country at 2 miles long with several hundred thousand spectators.
The Parkville Days Annual Riverfest - a day of jazz and blues in the historic downtown of Parkville.
Attend the Johnson County Old Settlers' Parade - an old-fashioned parade with off-tune marching bands, horses, cheerleaders, local politicians. The food theme is "If it ain't fried, it died" and no childhood is complete until one has had a Grange Pup, a bit of deep-fried hot dog heaven on a stick. Don't bother checking your cholesterol later.
Attend the Kansas City Scottish Highland Games. Take the opportunity to discuss why kilts and beer together may or may not always be such a great idea.
Take a stroll through the historic Rose Garden in Loose Park. Afterwards, cool off in the wading pool.
Visit the Kemper Art Museum - an easily accessible museum that won't overwhelm or tire out your kid. Resist the urge to plow your stroller into precious pieces of sculpture (not that I have done that, of course.) Afterwards, have a fancy lunch in the museum's cafe. After lunch, check out Kansas City's own Thomas Hart Benton at the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum. Then, go outside and let your kids run off some steam in the Kansas City Sculpture Park.
Sample one of the best buttermilk pasta salads ever and then enjoy a fresh chocolate-chip cookie at Browne's Market, a 120+ year old market currently ran by the 5th generation of Brownes.
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Kids Crafts for the July 4th Holidaytag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11742008-07-01T17:27:36Z2008-07-01T17:50:51ZWe've scoured the web for five of the best and easiest Fourth of July crafts for kids.Catherinehttp://alphamom.com
July 4th falls on Friday this year and that means it's a looooong weekend. Which is great but also means that you need to keep those little kids' hands busy and out of trouble.
We've scoured the web for five of the best and easiestFourth of July crafts for kids.
Enjoy and have a happy and safe holiday weekend.
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Portland, Maine: 50 Things to Do With Kids Before They Grow Uptag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11732008-06-30T02:48:57Z2008-07-03T06:24:37ZAmanda of SouleMama, and author of The Creative Family, takes us through her hometown of Portland, Maine. If you and your family haven't visited Maine yet, make sure to put it on your must-visit list! Amanda Soule
SouleMama
Having grown up and lived most of my life in the Portland, Maine area, I have a special kind of hometown love for this coastal spot. But seeing the area with the new eyes of my children makes me fall in love with it even more with each changing season. While the city itself provides plenty of arts and cultural entertainment for us, the access to the ocean, lakes, mountains, and rivers give it just the right balance we love.
Whether you've been here for a while, or you're just here for a little vacation time, I hope you'll find something on this list to keep you and your little ones happy and having fun in Portland, Maine!
1. Take a walk on Mackworth Island, where you'll need to stop in the magical village of fairy houses to build your own fairy abode!
Dan Zanes at the LL Bean Concert Series
2. Head to LL Bean – not just for the shopping, but also for the outdoor evening Summer Concert Series.
3. Make the journey (about 2 hours North of Portland) to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s annual Common Ground Country Fair. Held the third weekend in September, the weekend has an old fashioned country feel with livestock, Maine farmers, and exhibits and demonstrations on sustainable living, organic farming, and Maine crafts. Don’t miss the special Children’s Area with plenty for your little ones to do!
4. About an hour west of Portland on the last weekend in September, you’ll find the Apple Acres Bluegrass Festival. Featuring local bluegrass music and a bbq, the event is held in the apple orchards. Perfect for dancing, and picking Maine apples at the height of apple season!
5. Check out the Old Port Festival, always held the first weekend in June. Be sure not to miss the larger than life, giant and beautiful puppets in the parade by Portland's Shoestring Theater.
Snowshoeing in Pineland
6. Rent snowshoes and head out on a trail at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester.
7. For cold and rainy days (or hot and humid ones!), the Children’s Museum of Maine is always a great time for the little ones.
8. A trip to the Old Port is essential from time to time – stop by Treehouse Toys for the little ones, and Edith & Edna and Ferdinand for handmade loveliness. And wrap it all up with delicious organic, local gelato at Maple’s Organics.
Spring Point Light House
9. Stop by Scratch Baking Co. in Willard Beach, South Portland for the yummiest bagels around town. Follow it up with a walk on Willard Beach and Fort Preble on the Southern Maine Community College campus. The lighthouse (Spring Point) is open for public tours on Saturdays in the summer months.
10. Take a trip back in time on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, where you’ll get a fabulous view of Portland’s waterfront.
11. Visit some Maine native animals in rehabilitation at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.
12. Catch a Portland Sea Dogs baseball game – the AA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
13. Go frog catching and bird watching at Capisic Pond.
14. Catch some mackerel off the end of the Maine State Pier on Commercial Street.
15. Walk the 4 mile Prout’s Neck Cliff Walk, beginning at Scarborough Beach State Park. The walk goes along the rocky coast, onto private beaches (with public access), and by historic waterfront homes.
Deering Oaks wading pool
16. Stop by Deering Oaks on a Saturday morning for a visit to the Farmer’s Market. Follow up with some play in the children’s wading pool.
17. Spend a day – any time of year – at Maine Audubon’s Gisland Farms in Falmouth. You’ll find a 65 acre sanctuary full of trails, an educational center and children’s discover room.
18. Take a half-day, day, or overnight sea kayak tour with Maine Island Kayak Company.
Scarborough Marsh
19. Canoe through the marsh, and discover the unique habitat at Maine Audubon’s Scarborough Marsh, in Scarborough. Both canoe and kayak rentals are available.
20. Visit the Yarmouth Clam Festival in Yarmouth, held in mid-July. Full of events, crafts, food and a fair atmosphere, the hour long parade on Friday night is not to be missed!
21. Charter a windjammer for a private 2-hour sail around the islands of Casco Bay.
22. Join the Mailboat on a ferry run at sunset as it goes about it’s business of delivering mail to Casco Bay’s island residents, while getting a scenic tour of the bay.
23. Gather some friends for an classic and scenic Lobster Bake on House Island.
Pick your own strawberries at Broadturn Farm
24. In June, head to a Broadturn Farm in Scarborough for some pick your own strawberry love.
25. Take a hike at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal. A beautiful spot for seeing the foliage in the fall, and hawk migration in the spring.
26. Head up an hour north of Portland to Sebago Lake State Park, where you’ll find a state park with great lake swimming, as well as Douglas Mountain – a great little hike for even the youngest of kids.
at Crescent Beach
27. Catch some surf at Higgins Beach in Scarborough or Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth (beaches are right next to each other). Bring your boards, or kayaks for some wave action!
28. Head to Old Orchard Beach for an old-fashioned carousel, and fries on the pier.
29. Visit Fort Williams, in Cape Elizabeth. The best spot around for kite-flying, lighthouse viewing, and fort exploring (bring your flashlights!).
30. For some great family vaudeville, check out Phyzgig: A Festival of Physical Comedy, held each year at SPACE Gallery.
31. Visit the Victoria Mansion at Christmas, where you’ll find the preserved historic home decked out in lavish holiday décor. (Also a great visit any time of year!)
32. See the classical holiday ballet performance of the Nutcracker by Maine State Ballet.
The ferry to Peaks Island
33. Take the Casco Bay Lines Ferry to Peaks Island, where you can rent bikes to ride around and explore the island.
34. If your little ones need a break from the outlet shopping you’re doing in Freeport Village, swing by Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, where you’ll find nature trails, guided walks, and plenty of osprey!
Holiday sleigh ride in the Old Port
35. Attend the annual tree lighting at Monument Square for some music, sleigh rides (don’t forget the blankets and hot cocoa!), and a sighting of Santa.
36. Visit the Portland Museum of Art, which features many works by Maine artists Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer. Free admission on Fridays from 5 to 9 pm.
37. Climb to the top of the Portland Observatory (built in 1807 to aid local ship owners) and get a full 360 degree view of Portland, the harbor, and the islands.
Windham Skate Park
38. Do you have a skateboarder in your crowd? Head to the Windham Skate Park in Windham, where kids can rollerblade, skateboard, and scooter to their hearts content (all under the eye of its well-supervised staff).
39. Drive up to Damariscotta in the early summer months to catch the running of the alewives as they travel up river to freshwater to spawn. You’ll likely catch some osprey and bald eagles watching the action as well.
40. Spend some time at the Maine Rock Gym, an inside rock climbing facility. The gym is a great spot for climbers of all ages and provides instruction as well.
Fort Popham
41. Visit Fort Popham in Phippsburg, for some great climbing and exploring. Pair it with a visit to nearby Popham Beach State Park, where you’ll likely see some seals in the harbor.
42. Eat lobsters on the rocks at Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth.
43. For the sweets-lovers in your family, Haven’s Candies offers tours of their chocolate factory each day in their Westbrook facility.
44. Catch a double feature at the drive-in movie theater at Prides Corner Drive-In in Westbrook.
45. Especially if your family includes a four-legged friend, take a stroll through the dog-friendly acreage in Robinson Woods in Cape Elizabeth, where you’ll find extensive trails through the woods and streams.
46. A great spot for the new little bikers in your family, Baxter Boulevard offers a 3 mile path along the Back Cove of Portland.
47. For the 4th of July, bring a picnic to hear the Portland Symphony Orchestra as they perform Independence Pops by the sea at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth.
Ice Skating at Riverside
48. Go sledding (or cross country skiing, or ice skating) at the Riverside Municipal Golf Course, where the trails and pond are groomed, and free to the public all winter.
49. Catch a starshow at the Southworth Planetarium on the USM campus.
Sunset at Ferry Beach
50. Bring a picnic to Ferry Beach in Scarborough to watch a summer sunset.
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Do we overprotect our children?tag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11682008-06-27T17:27:37Z2008-06-27T17:33:57ZAlice Bradley explores our current cultural tendency to overprotect our children. Do you believe in the blessing of a skinned knee? We want to know. Catherinehttp://alphamom.com
Alice Bradley explores our current cultural tendency to overprotect our children. Do you believe in the blessing of a skinned knee? We want to know. ]]>
Detroit: Things To Do Before Your Kids Grow Uptag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11602008-06-24T14:25:57Z2008-06-25T04:40:05ZVisit Detroit virtually if there are no plans to go there soon. I'm sure it will inspire some ideas for you and your kids. Catherinehttp://alphamom.com
Melissa from the Buzz Off inspired our current series that will continue for a couple of more weeks. Check back often for your locale.
Visit Detroit virtually if there are no plans to go there soon. I'm sure it will inspire some ideas for you and your kids. ]]>
50 Things to do with Kids in Chicago Before They Grow Uptag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11582008-06-23T08:27:12Z2008-07-03T06:25:52ZContinuing our series of Things Children Must Do in their cities, we tackle Chicago today. Note to self: must go to there soon!Kelly
Mocha Momma
Late one night, when we were all in bed,
Mrs. O'Leary lit a lantern in the shed.
Her cow kicked it over,
Then winked her eye and said,
"There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight!"
(*popular song lyric)
Chicago born and bred, I have to admit that it's the greatest city in the world. Locals and tourists love it here but visitors should be warned that our summer heat is nothing to be trifled with so plan ahead. It's not because of that famous Chicago fire either. We just like it hot and fun!
Millennium Park
1. Visit The Medici on 57th street in the Hyde Park neighborhood for Garbage Pizza and a chance to write your name on the booth.
2. Are you free on a Tuesday night? Go to the free Chicago Outdoor Film Festival (between July 15 and August 26).
3. Ride your bikes along Lake Shore Drive. Bike Chicago has great routes.
4. Do you need a reason to yell "Opa!" at any given moment? Attend the 3-day festival called “Taste of Greece” with children’s games, live Greek music, and plenty of delicious Greek food.
5. Visit the great Chicago Public Library that also has some artwork to peruse. Check out some books at one of the Chicago Public Library locations. A favorite of mine is the Harold Washington Public Library.
6. Speaking of books, browse some of the best books at some great literary events. Most especially, the Printer’s Row Book Fair.
7. Take the kids to Chinatown and be sure to visit local groceries for fun. Visit the Chinatown Summer Fair.
8. Planet Esme is the best in children’s book exploration, but wait! It’s not really a store. It’s an experience.
9. Try the mixed cheese and caramel popcorn from Garrett’s Popcorn. But be ready to stand in line. The smells will keep the kiddies quiet while you wait.
10. The Air & Water Show is always thrilling. If you can watch from a high-rise building it’s even BETTER. Grab a hot dog from Portillos and do it up Chicago-style.
11. Nearby Naperville has a great six-acre beach park that’s fun for the whole family. The carillon (think big bell tower) and river walk is a great place to spend a weekend walk and picnic.
12. The Chicago Blues Festival is fun for the whole family. Inject some culture! (so sayeth the multicultural gene in me). While you’re at it, see if your child’s school participates in Blues In The Schools.
13. On a lazy weekend morning (or afternoon!), enjoy the world’s best pancakes at The Original House of Pancakes. Try the Apple Pancake. It’s worth the 20-minute wait.
14. There is a foodie theme here. How did that happen? Treat them to lunch at Ann Sather. Then head on down to the Swedish American Museum at 5211 N. Clark.
15. Wacky good times are guaranteed at the Chicago Children’s Theatre.
16. Explore the coal mine at the Museum of Science and Industry.
17. Do you have enough disposable cameras for each of the kids? Good! Grab them (the cameras, not the kids – just holler for them to hop in the car) and have architectural fun at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House.
18. Play a game of checkers in the park. Bring your own pieces and let some of those elderly gentlemen teach you a thing or two. A good place to go: Rogers Park.
19. Visit the DuSable Museum’s children’s programs. They have a penny cinema show and they let you know the age appropriateness of each movie.
20. Take the kids and the pets to Sit! which holds regular events and pet adoption activities.
21. Celebrate art appreciation and visit the Hyde Park Art Center’s student exhibition from local high school students.
22. Oak Park has a lot of Frank Lloyd Wright history and is only a 9-mile drive from downtown Chicago. If you take the tour of his architectural masterpieces you’ll find lots of great eateries along the way.
23. Visit a “make and take” workshop through the Muntu Dance Theatre and create African necklaces, masks, or fabric design.
24. A farm in the city? You bet! Spend time at the City Farm where earth-friendly growers prove that you can cultivate crops even in the midst of a city. Contact them via e-mail before visiting.
25. Journey to a place where the real wild things are: at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
26. Explore the largest indoor aquarium in the world at Shedd Aquarium. They have whales there, people! Whales!
27. Attend the 57th Street Children’s Book Fair. (Sept 29 from 1-6pm) Call 773-684-1300 for more information.
28. If you’re old enough to remember “Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries, cheeps! No Pepsi, Coke!” from Saturday Night Live, then you will enjoy watching your kids order food at the Billy Goat Tavern. It’s underground, so this is a great place to eat with your older kids.
29. Enjoy the cool spray of the Buckingham Fountain. If you stick around in the evening the water lights up in different colors.
30. Do you have younger children? The Nature Oasis has Toddlers, Tunes, & Turtles to tickle their fancy.
31. Athletic kids love this sort of stuff: register for the Mayor’s Cup Soccer Tournament.
32. You won’t need to stretch out for this one if you catch the Jesse White Tumbling Team.
33. Hola! How’s your Spanish? How about some Viva Chicago?
34. Navy Pier has enough activities to fill an entire Saturday. Try them all!
35. Drive over to Lawrence’s Fisheries on Canal Street and enjoy the best fried shrimp in all of Chicagoland. Stay to eat here because the kids will enjoy the view.
36. Millennium Park is brimming with outdoor fun if you're a people watcher. Cool off from the faces that spit water. (That's what we call them. You will, too! Just watch!)
37. Chicago has just about every ethnic culture hot spots. And just about every neighborhood has their own festival. Attend them! Go here to search.
38. Watch fireworks with the kids at Venetian Night (July 26) with several boats all lit up along Lake Michigan. Events begin at 7:45. Sit anywhere between Shedd Aquarium and the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe Street.
39. Pair the trip to the aquarium with the Adler Planetarium which is within walking distance.
40. Get the kids some disposable cameras and take pictures of flowers at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
41. Travel down to Grant Park and let your kids pig out at the Taste of Chicago. It can become costly, so we usually eat a small snack first. Also, this is a time to remember that we share. We share, kids!
42. Enjoy the city view from the skydeck at the Sears Tower at 110 stories high. Now, that's a highrise! Check out The Sky Deck for some information.
43. The motto is “Eat and Get Out” at Ed Debevics. A lively staff ensures good times and the kids can keep the souvenir sundae glass from the World's Smallest Sundae. A perfect ending to a great burger at Ed's.
44. Don’t feel bad about not going to church that one Sunday. Go to the Gospel Music Festival for fast-paced music of the gods. Or God. There’s a Gospel Art Fair, too. Round out your architectural visits at the Chicago Sinai Congregation and drink in the beauty.
45. The Old Town Triangle Association puts on an Old Town Art Fair. It's probably time to pack some cold fried chicken and a cooler filled with lemonade to enjoy while you're looking at some art.
46. Take a double-decker bus tour.
47. Wow Bao is a fun place to eat meat and vegetable yeast-dough creations while you’re visiting Water Tower place. Take your cultured palates and fill up.
48. You can find several events at Water Tower and older kids will enjoy this more than younger ones. Moms will enjoy the shopping, of course, but it's a Chicago landmark so the wee ones can suffer through since you'll be happy you visited. Right? Right.
49. Visit the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. It's another great place to take those disposable cameras and is fun for the whole family. Fine, it's probably time you just taught the kids to use your digital, ok?
50. Take the daring young kids on a thrilling ride on one of the speedboats. This is especially fun during a fireworks display.
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50 Things To Do with Kids around Boston Before They Grow Uptag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11462008-06-19T14:02:39Z2008-07-03T06:26:41ZWhether you live in Boston or have plans to visit in the future (like who doesn't want to go there?), keep this insider's guide to activities in and around Boston handy.
Christina
Fairly Odd Mother
What I love about raising my children around Boston is the variety. Want to take them to a museum? There are many. Feel like sitting by the ocean, a lake or a river? No problem. In the mood for sunny picnics or icy cold skating? Coming right up, give or take a few months.
Boston can feel like a big city or a quaint neighborhood. Travel less than an hour and you are in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or even on the ocean with no land in site. The trouble with compiling a list is narrowing down the options. I'll give it my best shot and share with you my favorite things to do with my kids while they are still young enough to want to be seen in public with me. Everything listed here should be within an hour's drive, but all bets are off if you get stuck in traffic on the Southeast Expressway. Please feel free to add to this list; I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Hope you enjoy this trip through Boston!
1. Splash in the outdoor fountain at The Frog Pond in Boston Common. Bring a picnic lunch and, when the kids tire of The Frog Pond, bring them to the adjacent playground to climb and slide. Oh, yeah, they can get wet there too.
2. Grab a blanket and watch a movie under the stars at the Hatch Shell's Free Friday Flicks, running from June through August.
3. Hit all the best ice cream hot spots around town: Christina's, J.P. Licks, Emack & Bolio's, Herrell's, Toscanini's (and don't forget the suburbs!).
4. One sweet word: Scooperbowl .
5. Experience Castle Island in South Boston. Grab cheap eats at Sully's, run around the playground and then search for cool rocks and shells on the beach. Every minute or so, pause to watch planes fly directly overhead.
6. Grab a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands. Go fly a kite at Spectacle Island, see Boston Children's Theatre at Georges Island, or even camp out overnight on Grape, Bumpkin or Lovells Islands in a little patch of secluded heaven.
7. Visit the new and improved Boston Children's Museum (renovated in '07), and watch your kids climb three stories up a funky enclosed staircase. When hunger strikes, walk behind the Children's Museum and grab lunch at Flour Bakery. Their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a (kid) connoisseur's dream.
8. Visit Canton's Blue Hills Reservation and hike to the Observatory. You can also swim, ski, ice skate or hike, depending on the season.
9. Take a ride over the Zakim bridge at night and see the most visually stunning aspect of the massive Big Dig project. Tell the kids that they are riding on the widest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
10. Indulge your child's inner actor and bring the family to one of the ImProv's Family Nights held Saturdays at 6pm.
11. Take the elevator to the top of the Prudential Tower ("The Pru") and get a high-flying bird's eye view of the city.
12. Catch a ride on a Duck Tour and lose all dignity as you quack your way through the city.
13. Take them out to the ballpark with a Fenway Park Tour.
14. Explore the Museum of Fine Art, using their guides and activity sheets just for kids.
15. Stroll through the North End, stopping for a lobster tail or cannoli from both Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry. Debate the relative merits of each before succumbing to the sweetness of it all.
16. Salem for the month of Halloween. 'Nuff said.
17. Read Make Way for Ducklings and then go meet Mrs. Mallard and her 'acks in Boston Public Garden. Especially cute is the Duckling Day Parade on Mother's Day.
18. Watch your kids on stage at the Lyric Stage Company's Once Upon a Stage with Kidstock.
19. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it among the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo.
20. Attend the annual Christmas Tree lighting in the Boston Common with music, food and, of course, Santa Claus.
21. Listen to E.B. White read The Trumpet of the Swan on audio book and then head down to the Public Garden for a ride on the Swan Boats. Do you hear Louie?
22. If Red Sox tickets are out of reach, take a drive to one of the family-friendly Minor League parks to see the Lowell Spinners or Pawtucket (RI) Red Sox.
23. Baby Loves Disco! A monthly kid party at Revolution Rock Bar.
24. History doesn't have to be boring: let the kids reenact the Boston Tea Party with the Freedom Trail Players on the Liberty Clipper tall ship.
25. Pick your own berries, apples or pumpkins at Belkin Family Lookout Farm, just 30 minutes from Boston. Let the kids loose in their large play area featuring pony rides and a burlap maze.
26. Visit the Museum of Science Boston for hands-on exhibits, Butterfly Garden and the Planetarium. The Discover Center gives the littlest ones a space of their own.
27. Head up to Arlington for Robbins Farm Playground (aka Skyline Park) for not only the fun playground, but also the gorgeous view of Boston.
28. Attend First Night Boston and ring in the New Year with their 7pm Family Fireworks.
29. Check out a different kind of New Year's celebration: Chinese New Year.
30. Bundle up and go Ice Skating at The Frog Pond in Boston Common.
31. When you absolutely must have some water fun, hit CoCo Keys in Danvers.
32. Find a spot and park yourself on the Esplanade for the Head of the Charles for a fun mix of families, college students and crew enthusiasts.
33. Catch a Boston Harbor Cruise shuttle from Long Wharf to Charlestown Navy Yard to see the famous USS Constitution.
34. Animals, cotton candy and midway rides all at the Topsfield Fair, less than an hour north of the city.
35. Grab a lobster roll at Jasper White's colorful Summer Shack and then knock down some pins downstairs at the uber-cool Kings Bowling.
36. Wild and fast: Snowtubing at nearby Amesbury Snow Park, for kids over 4.
37. Immerse yourself in nature without leaving the city at the Arnold Arboretum.
38. Plan a day at Canobie Lake Park in nearby Salem, New Hampshire, where there is a ride for everyone, a wet play area for hot days and even a serene boat ride around Canobie Lake.
39. The chowder really is tops at Legal Sea Foods. Plus, the bustling Prudential location is perfect for chatty kids.
40. See the Boston Ballet's annual performance of The Nutcracker.
41. Almost an hour south in Carver, the holiday lights and music will put you in the mood at Edaville Railroad. Take a warm train ride after dark and then brave the (cold) amusement park rides if you dare.
42. Got Chocolate? Yeah, it's fancy and decadent at the Langham Hotel's Chocolate Brunch, and your kids will think you are the best parent ever.
43. Go sledding at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline.
44. The Boston Sports Museum, for the next generation of Boston sports fanatics.
45. At least once, brave the crowds to see runners in the Boston Marathon whiz by. The Newton Hills provide loads of drama with a teeny bit more elbow room.
46. Lie on the soft, white sands of Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester. Go at low tide so the kids can climb on the rocks and splash in the shallow water.
47. The New England Aquarium's penguin exhibit enthralls and amuses all. Try to catch a feeding.
48. Fly through the air with the greatest of ease: yes, you can ride a trapeze at Jordan Furniture's Reading location (it's pricey but also fun to just watch). There is also a jellybean town, food at FuddRuckers, an IMAX theater and random water fireworks (of course, they have furniture too).
49. The DeCordova Sculpture Park allows kids to experience art over acres and acres of green lawns and woods.
]]>
50 Things to do with Kids in St. Louis Before (or Even After) They Grow Uptag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11482008-06-19T03:53:15Z2008-07-03T06:27:08ZIf you're not lucky to live in our around St. Louis, Missouri you may want to plan a visit soon, after taking a virtual tour with our local host, Angela of Fluid Pudding. Angela
Fluid Pudding
I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Sadly, when you've lived somewhere for years and years (and years), it's sometimes difficult to view your city as a tourist in order to avoid the "There's nothing to do here!" vibe. I'm happy to say that my interest in St. Louis was recharged about five years ago after we welcomed our daughter Meredith into the family. Seriously? This town is simply bubbling with events and attractions for kids of any age. Here are some of the things we love to do.
1. Pick up a sandwich from Amighetti's on the Hill (they have a great kids menu, too!), enjoy a picnic lunch in Forest Park, and spend the afternoon at the St. Louis Zoo! Admission is free!
2. Travel back to the good old days and enjoy a chocolate phosphate and a chili dog from Crown Candy.
3. Check out an Omnimax show at the St. Louis Science Center. While you're there, take a few hours to explore the special exhibits–including the space show at the Planetarium!
4. Let your imagination go wild at the City Museum. The shorties will especially love the recently expanded Toddler Town, and because the museum is open until one in the morning on weekends, the adults can come back in the evening and play big people style.
5. Get out on a rainy day and explore the St. Louis Art Museum. Many family programs are offered during the spring and summer months!
6. Get your exercise by strolling around 100+ acres of outdoor art at Laumeier Sculpture Park. (Art camps are offered during the summer for kids ages 4-15.)
7. Put on your big goofy foam fingers and head to Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game! (Be sure to stop by Gus's Pretzels on the way to the stadium! They've been twisting pretzels for nearly 100 years!)
8. Head over to Fitz's Root Beer for an amazingly fun lunch. If you get there early enough, you can request a table near the bottling line. That will keep the kids hypnotized until the food is delivered! (Added bonus: The kid meals are delivered in a mini car!)
9. Grab your eye patches and parrots and head out to the St. Louis Pirate Festival! There are merchants aplenty and lots of swashbuckling!
10. If my grandma was still with us, she would to tell you to pack up the kids and head to Hodak's for lunch. I think you'll agree that they serve the best chicken in St. Louis, and have been doing so for nearly 50 years.
11. Take a tram ride through Grant's Farm, where you'll see free roaming bison, antelope, and zebra! While there, be sure to visit the Budweiser Clydesdale Stables, where up to 15 foals are born each year.
12. If you're itching for a theme park, Six Flags is surprisingly clean! If it's particularly hot, you might want to walk over to Hurricane Harbor and enjoy one of the country's largest wave pools.
13. If, like me, you're in love with the smell of old books, you need to make the trip to the Greater St. Louis Book Fair. Located in the West County Mall parking lot, the fair opens for four days in the spring. During that time, over a million books, CDs, and DVDs are available, and the funds raised provide services to promote education and literacy in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.
14. Take some time to study the St. Louis Walk of Fame while you're strolling around the University City Loop. You'll be surprised at how many amazing men and women have called St. Louis their home!
15. For an especially unique tour of the city, grab your bike at midnight and join in on the Moonlight Ramble. If your kids aren't up for the twenty mile tour, a ten mile tour is available!
16. Learn all about the history of St. Louis at the Missouri History Museum. Be sure to check the schedule during the spring and summer months to see which local bands are performing (for free!) during the museum's Twilight Tuesdays concert series!
17. Head on down to the riverfront and travel to the top of the Gateway Arch! Helicopter rides are available for those who want an even more elevated view of the city.
25. Are you looking for something safe to do with your family on New Years Eve? Plan on attending First Night Saint Louis–the visual and performing art festival that has been helping families ring in the new year since 1992!
26. Welcome the holiday season by driving through the Way of Lights. If you're feeling particularly brave, you might want to take a ride on a camel! (If not, you can always pet a donkey at the petting zoo!) This light exhibit has been entertaining my family since I was a kid. (And that was a long time ago.)
27. The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is one of the most amazing things you'll see. Be sure to visit Forest Park for the balloon glow held the evening before the race. (Seriously. Check out this amazing photo of the glow.)
28. You know you've always wanted to go to a Renn Faire. Why not attend the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire? It gets bigger and better every year. The merchant list alone is very impressive!
29. You're not a true St. Louisan unless you've stood in line for a Ted Drewes frozen custard. (If you're one of those people who never know what to order, get the Dutchman Delight Concrete. Chocolate, butterscotch, pecans... You'll be thanking me for this recommendation.)
30. Check out Purina Farms, where visitors can milk a cow, watch a canine competition, or play in a hay loft!
31. St. Louis is proud to have its own one-ring European circus! Circus Flora made St. Louis its home in 1987, and the big top shows take place in June.
32. The St. Louis Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of my family's favorite events. Good food, great music, and a musical petting zoo for the kids. Who could ask for anything more?
33. Are you in the mood for some exploration? You can pan for gold, dig for fossils, or take a riverboat ride while visiting Meramec Caverns.
34. The Wolf Sanctuary is an amazing place dedicated to the preservation of rare and endangered wolves. Be sure to call ahead to take the 1/2 mile walking tour, as the sanctuary closes during the breeding season.
35. See a show at America's largest and oldest outdoor theater–The Muny. If you're not in the mood to pay for premium seats, the theater offers 1,500 free seats in the last nine rows of the theater. (The free seats are available on a first come, first served basis, so get there early!)
36. If water parks are your thing, you're going to love Raging Rivers. (Personally, I'm a big fan of the Endless River.)
37. Along with their spectacular concert program, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra offers several casual Family Concerts throughout the year, free community events, and amazing holiday concerts. There's something for everyone at the symphony!
38. Enjoy the music, dancing, and presentations at the St. Louis Earth Day Festival.
39. If you find yourself in St. Louis on Independence Day, you need to spend some time at Fair St. Louis! So much food! So much music! An incredible fireworks display at the Gateway Arch!
40. Eat yourself silly at the International Horseradish Festival. The kids will enjoy the games, and you might enjoy participating in the Bloody Mary contest!
41. Buy some fresh produce at the oldest farmer's market west of the Mississippi–the Soulard Farmer's Market. If the peaches are good enough for Bill Clinton...
42. If a quiet stroll is what you need, the Butterfly House is perfect. The 8,000 square foot Conservatory Garden was designed to ensure a natural and safe habitat for nearly 60 species of butterfly!
43. During the summer months, be sure to scope out one of the many Frontyard Features. Free family-oriented movies under the stars! Perfect!
44. Although I'm not a big sports fan, I've always loved attending a St. Louis Blues hockey game. Rowdy crowd, arena food, and ice fights!
45. The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival provides professional and free Shakespeare performances outdoors! If you arrive early to the show, you'll be entertained by fire eating clowns, jugglers, and various other strolling performers.
46. Visit an ancient Indian civilization at Cahokia Mounds! Public tours are available in June, July, and August.
47. There's nothing quite like a good tailgate party before a St. Louis Rams game!
48. The Museum of Transportation showcases steam, diesel, and electric locomotives, as well as automobiles, streetcars, and aircraft. Their Creation Station is a big hit with kids ages five and under.
49. Pick peaches, strawberries, blackberries, apples, or pumpkins at one of Eckert's Country Farms. You can even cut your own Christmas tree at Eckert's during the holiday season!
]]>
Gardening with Kids: Summer Plantingtag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11492008-06-17T04:50:44Z2008-06-25T04:41:59ZIt's not too late to start a summer garden with your kids. We point out the easy-to-grow flowers and vegetables you can grow in containers or in your garden. Catherinehttp://alphamom.com
Jen and Tonic
Some of you have read the first twoinstallments and not planted anything yet, right? I understand. We mean to get to it, or the kids don't seem interested or perhaps it feels like you have to buy too many things to get things growing.
Potted Sunflowers
A friend told me a story about how she grew up in a large urban area, no real gardening, mostly apartment dwellers. I guess a bird must have dropped a seed in an old abandoned plant pot on the fire escape, because by summer time a beautiful sunflower had bloomed. Sunflowers would be a great place to start if you haven't yet. Get any only pot, some dirt, and a few dwarf or mini sunflowers. Add water, and sun and by the middle of the summer you should have blooms. They will make you happy, your kids will be overjoyed that something so simple and tiny created something so much bigger and yellow and flowery.
Lettuce, Beans and Wheat Grass
A few other things that are not too late to grow are 1) baby greens or mixed lettuce (pictured below) 2) scarlet runner beans, and 3) wheat grass or cat grass in a planter.
In the same manner as the sunflower, all you need is soil and seeds. With not as much sun will give you a salad in 6-8 weeks for the lettuce. Lettuce is a cool weather crop, meaning it doesn't need full on southern exposure to flourish. All of these supplies are available at your local home improvement center or hardware store.
The scarlet beans will need a trellis, but we have had quick growing success with ours and they made the move over to a cooler place in the new house hardily. The cat grass needs some sun, but it grew REALLY quickly and the cats had a good nosh.
Potted Cucumbers
The best luck we had in starting seeds in pots, were with the cucumbers. We had so many seedlings I was giving them away. Just putting them in little peat pellets (see potted vegetables article) in their mini greenhouse on a window sill made them all burst forth. Our biggest challenge was too many! And the labels of what types of cucumbers we planted got, um, rearranged. It was adult and not child error in this case. We have the cucumbers in pots next to the sunniest side of the house and Charlotte insists we say hello! every time we walk by. We have high hopes and are putting stakes and sticks in all the pots in case they need to climb onto anything!
Fun with Flower Beds
One of the last things we did in our mother-daughter gardening extravaganza was sow seeds by hand directly into our flower beds in the yard. Dad did help by holding the bowl of seed mix. There are several seeds you can literally toss into sparse patches in your flower beds, or heck, wherever there is dirt to be had. You can plant poppies, marigolds, zinnias, larkspurs (my favorite), California blue bells, sunflowers, cornflower, cosmos, forget-me-nots and others. Again, you can check the back of your seed package to see if you can directly sow your choice of flower into your yard. The key to doing this with your kid (ok, and my husband) was to mix the seeds with something else. The reason you can sow these flowers into your soil directly is because they are tiny and you needn't do much more then rake the soil with your fingertips in order to get the seeds deep enough. I mixed our teeny seeds with lentils for bigger seeds, rice for smaller seeds and in the end, a mix of everything plus some slightly damp soil. I learned to do this because when a child, well, my child, is given a thimble sized amount of poppy seeds, they all get dumped at one into a tiny spot. It took practice and encouragement to get Charlotte to throw and toss those seeds into the flower bed. We tried this at the house we recently moved out of. I hope the new owners appreciate the sudden color later in the summer. I ended up just giving Charlotte more rice to throw because she really had her groove-on, throwing seeds.
So you are not off the hook yet. There are still a lot of options in the next few weeks. I know some kids are just getting out of school and these are some good activities for children of a wide age-range.
You can do most or all of these fun gardening projects, depending how south you live. Some of you are lucky to be able to grow certain things all year round. A simple search on Google should tell you when you can still put seeds in the ground and expect blooms or veggies before a frost, if you even get frost where you live. We have tight constraints around here, in Canada, the gardening season is short and if you don't get a jump on it right away, you have fewer options from which to choose. I hope hope hope you try some of these ideas, remember, it is not too late! Please ask questions or at the very least check out the flowers photos people are putting up on Flickr for next year's inspiration.
]]>
50 Things to Do with Kids in Nashville Before They Grow Uptag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11452008-06-16T12:47:22Z2008-07-03T06:27:41ZNashville was made for children. Read our insider's guide of the events, exhibitions, playgrounds, shops, and restaurants-- all created with kids in mind-- to visit whether you are a resident or a visitor. suburban turmoil
Suburban Turmoil
Nashville was made for children. Seriously, there are more events, exhibitions, playgrounds, shops, and restaurants created with kids in mind here than I've seen anywhere. So it was hard for me to keep this list to 50 things, as opposed to 100, OR ONE THOUSAND. Take that, Detroit.
Anyway, here are a few of my favorites...
1. Get up close and personal with the stars on a Kids Exploration Night at Vanderbilt's Dyer Observatory.
2. Sing along with The Professor, Mary Mary, and a peanut gallery of puppets during the Nashville Main Library’s weekly Story Time.
9. Spend a night in Rugby’s haunted Newbury House and read about others’ ghostly experiences in the inn’s guest books.
10. Don a bathing suit and run through the fountains at Bicentennial Mall. Afterward, play geography tag on an enormous map of the United States carved into the concrete.
11. Feel the rhythm with West African Dance or Djembe Drum classes at the Global Education Center.
12. Make reservations for your teenagers and their friends to attend a free dress rehearsal and backstage tour at the Nashville Opera.
13. Ensure a nice, long afternoon nap with a morning Pop In Playtime visit to Pump It Up.
14. Welcome in autumn with pumpkin picking and a hayride at Gentry’s Farm.
15. Let the kids make dinner on their own after attending classes at the Young Chef’s Academy.
16. Count deer and make plenty of picture-taking pit stops on a leisurely and beautiful drive down the Natchez Trace Parkway.
25. Treat the kids to lunch and a special Santa musical at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre.
26. Let your child watch talented musicians at work by purchasing orchestra view seats at the Nashville Symphony.
27. Go on a Kids Adventure Cruise down the Harpeth River with Blue Heron Nature Cruises.
28. Take a picnic supper to Centennial Park and watch an outdoor family movie.
29. Let your children create their own works of art in 30 hands-on stations at the Frist Center's ArtQuest Gallery.
30. Spend a cold, rainy day wandering through the lush indoor gardens of Opryland Hotel's vast conservatories.
31. Chow down on the best biscuits and fried chicken in the world at the Loveless Café.
32. Take a kid-friendly walking tour of historic downtown Franklin.
33. Tap your Christmas shoe-clad feet to the Nashville Ballet’s annual Nutcracker performance (or as my three-year-old daughter called it afterward, “The Nut-pooch-en-sticker.”)
34. Catch a fly ball at a Nashville Sounds baseball game.
35. Send your child to a week-long Mad Science day camp, where she can get psyched about NASA, chemistry, or hovercrafts.
36. Re-live the life of President Andrew Jackson at his meticulously-preserved estate, The Hermitage.
37. Buy your favorite hard-to-find dolls, toys and games at Phillips Toy Mart.
38. Rent a canoe at Tip-a-Canoe just outside Nashville and spend an afternoon floating down the lazy Harpeth River.
46. Let nature guides show you how to catch crawdads, make mud pies, and survive in the woods at Warner Park.
47. Tour the Belle Meade Plantation and learn about life in the mid 1800s. Have lunch afterward at Martha's, a restaurant routinely featured in Southern Living magazine.
48. Take the teenagers on a wildly popular Nash Trash Tour, hosted by the infamous Jugg Sisters.
49. Learn how the pioneers lived at Manskers Station, where costumed interpreters bring the 1700s to life.
50. Bring a blanket and chairs and catch a kitschy old movie at sundown in funky Hillboro Village's Belcourt Theater parking lot.
]]>
Last Minute for Father's Daytag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11412008-06-13T19:36:51Z2008-06-15T05:58:17ZSomeecards provides you a collection of funny (and slightly offensive) but free ecards to send out. Other favorites are the personalized music videos you can send to dear ol' dad from JibJab Sendables. Catherinehttp://alphamom.com
If it looks like you've already blown it and missed the postal deadline for delivery on Father's Day, we've found some last minute sources for you. Someecards provides you a collection of funny, snarky (and some, slightly mean) but free ecards to send out. Other favorites are the personalized music videos you can send to dear ol' dad from JibJab Sendables. It's not free but it's affordable and takes 10 minutes to create after you upload a photo.
Happy Father's Day!
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Father's Day Gift: Cooking With Beertag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11382008-06-11T23:31:23Z2008-06-15T05:58:53Z
A cookbook for Dad for Father’s Day? No way. Yes way because this cookbook uses beer in its recipes, which just may be incentive enough to get Dad to cook.Catherinehttp://alphamom.com
A cookbook for Dad for Father’s Day? No way. Yes way because this cookbook uses beer in its recipes, which just may be incentive enough to get Dad to cook.
Cooking With Beer available for $12.98
]]>
Father's Day Gift: The Ultimate Hammocktag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11342008-06-10T16:14:16Z2008-06-15T05:59:28ZHammock made from recycled soda bottles, $189. Letting dad pretend he is laying on a hammock by the beach for Father’s Day, priceless.Catherinehttp://alphamom.com
Hammock made from recycled soda bottles, $189. Letting dad pretend he is laying on a hammock by the beach for Father’s Day, priceless.
The Ultimate Hammock available for $189.
]]>
Father's Day Gift: Portable iPod Speaker tag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11332008-06-09T19:38:28Z2008-06-15T05:59:59ZJust in time for Father’s Day-- as well as for the beach and picnic seasons-- this portable (and water resistant) speaker and case for dad’s iPod will have him singing a happy tune. Catherinehttp://alphamom.com
Just in time for Father’s Day-- as well as for the beach and picnic seasons-- this portable (and water resistant) speaker and case for dad’s iPod will have him singing a happy tune.
The iHome portable speaker is available in several different colors for $69.99.
]]>
When You Were Small tag:www.alphamom.com,2008:/hotspots//4.11242008-06-04T22:17:39Z2008-06-15T06:00:36ZAnother great Father's Day book directed towards fathers and sons. In this sweet book, a boy and his dad's nightly ritual includes retelling of how when Henry was small... they would use Henry as a chess piece. Catherinehttp://alphamom.comWhen You Were Small is another great Father's Day book directed towards fathers and sons. In this sweet book, a boy and his dad's nightly ritual includes retelling of how when Henry was small he would... take a bath in a teapot. And, when Henry was small, they would use Henry as a chess piece. Aren't the illustrations just lovely?
July 4th falls on Friday this year and that means it's a looooong weekend. Which is great but also means that you need to keep those little kids' hands busy and out of trouble.
We've scoured the web for five of the best and easiest Fourth of July crafts for kids.
Enjoy and have a happy and safe holiday weekend.
]]>
Melissa from the Buzz Off inspired our current series that will continue for a couple of more weeks. Check back often for your locale.
Visit Detroit virtually if there are no plans to go there soon. I'm sure it will inspire some ideas for you and your kids. ]]>
Lettuce, Beans and Wheat Grass
A few other things that are not too late to grow are 1) baby greens or mixed lettuce (pictured below) 2) scarlet runner beans, and 3) wheat grass or cat grass in a planter.
In the same manner as the sunflower, all you need is soil and seeds. With not as much sun will give you a salad in 6-8 weeks for the lettuce. Lettuce is a cool weather crop, meaning it doesn't need full on southern exposure to flourish. All of these supplies are available at your local home improvement center or hardware store.
The scarlet beans will need a trellis, but we have had quick growing success with ours and they made the move over to a cooler place in the new house hardily. The cat grass needs some sun, but it grew REALLY quickly and the cats had a good nosh.
Potted Cucumbers
The best luck we had in starting seeds in pots, were with the cucumbers. We had so many seedlings I was giving them away. Just putting them in little peat pellets (see potted vegetables article) in their mini greenhouse on a window sill made them all burst forth. Our biggest challenge was too many! And the labels of what types of cucumbers we planted got, um, rearranged. It was adult and not child error in this case. We have the cucumbers in pots next to the sunniest side of the house and Charlotte insists we say hello! every time we walk by. We have high hopes and are putting stakes and sticks in all the pots in case they need to climb onto anything!
Fun with Flower Beds
One of the last things we did in our mother-daughter gardening extravaganza was sow seeds by hand directly into our flower beds in the yard. Dad did help by holding the bowl of seed mix. There are several seeds you can literally toss into sparse patches in your flower beds, or heck, wherever there is dirt to be had. You can plant poppies, marigolds, zinnias, larkspurs (my favorite), California blue bells, sunflowers, cornflower, cosmos, forget-me-nots and others. Again, you can check the back of your seed package to see if you can directly sow your choice of flower into your yard. The key to doing this with your kid (ok, and my husband) was to mix the seeds with something else. The reason you can sow these flowers into your soil directly is because they are tiny and you needn't do much more then rake the soil with your fingertips in order to get the seeds deep enough. I mixed our teeny seeds with lentils for bigger seeds, rice for smaller seeds and in the end, a mix of everything plus some slightly damp soil. I learned to do this because when a child, well, my child, is given a thimble sized amount of poppy seeds, they all get dumped at one into a tiny spot. It took practice and encouragement to get Charlotte to throw and toss those seeds into the flower bed. We tried this at the house we recently moved out of. I hope the new owners appreciate the sudden color later in the summer. I ended up just giving Charlotte more rice to throw because she really had her groove-on, throwing seeds.
So you are not off the hook yet. There are still a lot of options in the next few weeks. I know some kids are just getting out of school and these are some good activities for children of a wide age-range.
You can do most or all of these fun gardening projects, depending how south you live. Some of you are lucky to be able to grow certain things all year round. A simple search on Google should tell you when you can still put seeds in the ground and expect blooms or veggies before a frost, if you even get frost where you live. We have tight constraints around here, in Canada, the gardening season is short and if you don't get a jump on it right away, you have fewer options from which to choose. I hope hope hope you try some of these ideas, remember, it is not too late! Please ask questions or at the very least check out the flowers photos people are putting up on Flickr for next year's inspiration.
