One Book 4 Colorado: A Free Book for Every 4 Year Old! [Get Your Book April 23 through 28]

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From April 23 through 28, every 4-year-old in Colorado is eligible to receive their own copy of the same book to keep. This year’s book is Maybe a Bear Ate It by Robie H. Haris and Michael Emberley. It is a fun, illustrated, easy read and will be distributed at various locations, including Boulder Public Library. Main Library, Meadows Branch Library or George Reynolds Branch Library will have books will be available during storytimes & the library’s regular hours during the week of April 23-28.

For more information on this great program click here.

Boulder Family Events: April 20 to 26, 2012

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Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages.

don’t forget that earth day is this sunday, april 22nd.

Have a fantastic week!

Friday, April 20

  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

  • Family Game Night. Meadows Branch Library. 4:00 to 6:00pm. Fun for the whole family!

  • “Give It Up Pajamas” is a rewriting of the Merchant of Venice presented by Imagination Makers. All ages. Free. Main Boulder Library. 7:00 to 7:50pm. Followed by a cookies and milk reception.

Saturday, April 21

  • Children’s Peace Garden Earth Day Celebration. Ages 4 to 10. Free. 10:00 to 3:00pm. Hands on activities for kids as well as music.

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free. 10:15 to 11:00am. Ongoing activity.

  • Meet Mr. Bones at George Reynolds Branch Library. Free. All ages. 11:00am.
  • Meet Mr. Bones at Meadows Branch Library. Free. All ages. 3:00pm

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

  • Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts [BMOCA] provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages.

  • Dia Del Nino: Celebrating Traditions of Mexico at BMOCA. All Ages. Free. Hands on activities and events. 11:00 to 1:00pm.

  • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

Sunday, April 22 [Earth Day!]

  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science SCFD FREE DAY. Celebrate Earth Day all day with DMNS.
  • Denver Botanic Gardens’ SCFD FREE DAY.
  • Nature For Kids and Parents: Celebrate Earth Day!. All ages. 1:00 to 3:00pm. Free. Earth is home to billions of people and also home to millions of species of animals and plants. We can learn to use less and share resources so that wildlife habitats aren’t decreased or disrupted. Easy hike starting at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.
  • Earth Day Concert: Nature & Songs. Children and parents can join OSMP’s Jeff Kagan, Mark Wesson and Paige Doughty for an Earth Day concert of children’s music, nature education and fun! Music will be appropriate for children ages 3-8 but all ages are welcome! Meet at the Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain (map here).

  • Wanted: Nature Detectives. 4:00 to 5:00pm. Ages 5 and up. Can you solve a mystery? Search for clues? Who are they, and how to they do it – the feathered, furred, 6-legged and green beings who live on Flagstaff Mountain? Are you an investigator who can help us explore these

    Photo - Flagstaff Nature Center

    questions?Flagstaff Nature Center (map here).

  • The Flagstaff Nature Center will be open 1:00 to 5:00pm on Earth Day.
    Don’t miss the exhibits, fun activities and animal mounts in the Nature Center! Stop by and meet our naturalist volunteers. Follow this link to learn more about the Nature Center.

  • Go Club for Kids & Teens at the Main Boulder Library. 2:00 to 5:30pm. Ages 5 and up. Free. “Learn to play the ancient and mysterious game of Go.”

Monday, April 23

Tuesday, April 24

  • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
  • Open Space Story Hour. 1:00 to 2:00pm. All ages. 1 – 1:30 pm Nature-themed Story Books & 1:30 – 2:00 Five-Senses Discovery Hike! Gather at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. Our “Five-Senses Discovery Hike” encourages everyone to look, listen, smell and touch as we experience the outdoors.

Wednesday, April 25

  • Children’s Storytime @ Meadows Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

  • Cruisers & Crawlers @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:30am. 9 to 24 months. Ongoing.

  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

  • Barnes & Noble Storytime. Ongoing activity. 10:00am.

  • Gymboree Storytime @ Barnes and Noble. Stories, movement and more. Ongoing activity. 1:00pm.

Thursday, April 26

Upcoming Events:

  • Tulip & Elf Parade April 28 @ 3:00pm

  • Boulder Ballet’s Mother’s Day performance of Cinderella. Tickets sell out. More info here.

Boulder Families: Just Because…

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Here are some family oriented resources I like, Just Because…

Wisdom: Surviving Summer an article on how to keep sanity during those long, seemingly endless days of summer. [thanks to Kid Project]

Literature:

  • Magazine: Brain, Child, “The magazine for thinking mothers” is an amazing literary resource magazine for parents [not just mothers!]

  • Book: The Rhythm of Family Life by Amanda Soule, highlights this popular blogger’s focus on family, ritual and the seasons.

Visual Interest: A great wind map that is fascinating to watch [thanks www.designmom.com]. Find link here.

Cultural Opportunity: Dia del Nino at Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art on April 21, 2012 from 11:00 to 1:00pm. Celebrating traditions of Mexico through dance and music, art-making and costumes. Free. More info here or call BMOCA at 303.443.2122.

Green Opportunity: Bike to School Day, April 19, 2012. Register before the day of the event here. All participants are entered to win prizes and get a free school lunch.

Don’t Forget: No School for Kids in BVSD on April 20, 2012.

 

Kids Eat Free in Boulder! [Updated List]

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Monday

  • Larkburger invites kids ages 12 and under to eat FREE every Monday from 4 p.m. to close when an adult spends $9. 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. 303.444.1487

  • Beau Jo’s Pizza’s Family Night is Mondays. Up to 2 kids eat FREE with each paying adult. Plus there is kids’ entertainment each night. They have gluten-free options. 2690 Baseline Road, Boulder. 303.554.5312

Tuesday

  • Oscar Blues in Lyons offers Kids Eat CHEAP on Tuesday. Kids eat for 99 cents off their kids’ menu. 303 Main Street, Lyons. 303.485.9400
  • Applebee’s offers a close to Kids Eat CHEAP on Tuesdays where kids eat for 99 cents. 1700 28th Street, Boulder. 303.442.8813

Wednesday

  • Up to 2 kids eat FREE with the purchase of an adult meal at the Lazy Dog Sport Bar & Grill on the Pearl Street Mall. 1346 Pearl St., Boulder. 303.440.3355.
  • The Attic Bar & Bistro offers a Kids Eat Free until 7pm. 949 Walnut St., Boulder. 303.415.1300.
  • Wahoo’s Fish Tacos serves up to two FREE kids meals for every $10 adult meal purchased after 4pm on Weds. Kids must be 12 or younger. 2790 Pearl Street, Boulder. 303.473.9072

Thursday

  • What restaurant should go here? Write a comment and I will update this list.

Friday

  • What restaurant should go here? Write a comment and I will update this list.

Saturday

  • Old Louisville Inn offers kids FREE meals with the purchase of an adult meal Saturday & Sunday. 740 Front Street, Louisville. 303.666.9982.

Sunday

  • Centro Latin Kitchen has Family Night each Sunday where Kids under 10 receive a FREE kid’s entrée (choice of any entrée from the Centro kids’ menu) with the purchase of an adult entrée after 5 p.m. 950 Pearl St., Boulder. 303.442.7771.

  • Old Louisville Inn offers kids FREE meals with the purchase of an adult meal. 740 Front Street, Louisville. 303.666.9982.

Everyday Discounts for Kids

  • St. Julien/Jill’s offers free meals for children 3 and under when they eat off the children’s menu. 900 Walnut St., Boulder. 720.406.9696
  • The Taj offers Kids Eat Free under 5. Between 5 and 10 years kids pay 1/2 price for meals. 2630 Baseline Rd., Boulder. 303.494.5216
  • Smiling Moose provides a Free Kids Meal with the purchase of any sandwich, chips, & a drink. Coupon is at the link above. 3223 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder. 303.530.2700.
  • Wild Mountain Brewery offers Kids Eat Free on the first Tuesday of each month. For kids 12 and under with a paying adult. 70 East First Street, Nederland. 303.258.WILD.

Don’t forget to always call ahead to make sure these restaurants are still offering their Kids Eat Free deals as they are subject to change at any time.

If you tried one of the Kids Eat Free! deals, did you like it? Which restaurant[s] are your family’s favorites in the Boulder area? Where are some other great deals for families? Any favorites for the gluten free crowd? Dairy free crowd? I cannot wait to hear the juicy details…

Family Blogs: Travel, Outdoor Adventures, Design, Crafts, Advice, and Much More

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I am sharing some of the great family blogs I follow daily. Take a look. They are witty, insightful, useful, timely, and written by parents like you and me. I am really inspired by those who share their experiences with others!

I use an iGoogle page to manage my blogs. On iGoogle I can use RSS feeds to monitor all the blogs I am watching. Then I can just open one page and see at a glance what is happening on all the different blogs. I click through to what looks interesting. For more info on using iGoogle pages stay tuned for an upcoming blog post or send me an email and I can help you get a page started so you too can share some of these great blogs. 

What family blogs do you like? Do you use a page other than iGoogle to manage a large number of blog feeds?

Design Mom: This is a fun blog by mother of six living in France right now with her family. She takes great photos of her family in dreamy places all around Europe, has great craft ideas, etc…

Mommy Points: This blog is all about collecting travel and hotel points with a focus on family travel. Her tag line: “Giving my family the world [for free] one point at a time.”

Soule Mama: Amanda Soule, mother, writer, editor, gardener, reader. Hard to say what this amazing woman doesn’t do. I think she home schools her kids also, but don’t quote me on that one. This is a delightfully slow and close look at life of a family. Very well written!

Kid Project: This family of four loves to go on outdoor adventures. They keep on the road with their young ones climbing, hiking, and generally enjoying being together.

Improvised Life: This blog is about doing MORE with less…NOT striving for perfection but for personal expression, fun, creativity, and unique solutions. It is about found ideas from every field.

Delicious Baby: Making travel with kids fun! This blog offers city guides, product guides, and travel tips. This mom of three from Seattle makes travel with kids more fun and accessible.

Other Recommended Family Blogs:

Stroller Derby

Parent Hacks

Reboot This Marriage

Homemade Time

Little Coffee Beans [local Boulder blog]

What other blogs do you recommend?

Boulder Family Events: April 13 to 19, 2012

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Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages.

Have a fantastic week!

Friday, April 13

  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

  • Family Game Night. Meadows Branch Library. 4:00 to 6:00pm. Fun for the whole family!

Saturday, April 14

  • Fishin’ Fun! Join OSMP’s Vijay Viswanathan for a two-hour fishing excursion. Equipment provided. 9:00 to 11:00am. Program is wheelchair and kid-friendly. Call 303-441-3440 for the location and to make your reservations.  Ages 6 and up.

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free.

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

  • Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts [BMOCA] provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages.

  • Cool Moves!, an African dance, hip hop and salsa experience for families. Performances and audience participation led by Malang Diatta’s African Dance Troupe, Streetside Studios, & SalsaKo dancers. Canyon Theater at the Main Boulder Library. 11:00 to 1:00pm.

  • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

  • FAM. Day at the Movies @ Boulder History Museum. Take part in hands on activities based on their current exhibit: Hollywood, Colorado. All ages. Free with admission to the museum.

  • CU International Festival 2012. Experience cultures, food samples, performances. Free. All ages. Glenn Miller Ballroom. 4:00 to 10:00pm.

Sunday, April 15

Monday, April 16

Tuesday, April 17

  • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
  • WOW Museum Discovery Days. Be a scientist and discover all there is about Our Animal Friends. Free with admission.

Wednesday, April 18

Thursday, April 19

Globetrotting Kids: Check Out These Kids’ Blogs About Traveling

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National Geographic Kids is supporting kids to blog about their experiences on their Around The World family trip. Way to go National Geographic. I am SO jealous! For some interesting reading check out these two kids’ blogs:

National Geographic is such a great resource! My kids pour over it when it arrives and invariably there is an article & certainly photos that capture their curiosity. When I was researching stories about traveling with kids I found some great resources at National Geographic:

Boulder Family Deals: SCFD Free Museum/Arts/Gardens Days List

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Some of the big museums and locations in Denver offer FREE Days throughout the year! Take a look, make a plan, and take advantage of a FREE day for the family. The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District [SCFD] funds FREE Days at the following locations throughout the year:

***Click here for a list of FREE Days***

I will include the FREE Days in the weekly Boulder Family Events as they come up. The upside of these FREE Days is that–well, they are free. On the other hand they are often busy! Either way I would love to hear how it went if you go. I hope you enjoy!

Boulder Family Deals

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  • Free Kids Cocoa at Peet’s: Mamasource coupon for a FREE kids hot cocoa. Good through April 12, 2012. Get the coupon here.
  • 15% Off at Playfair Toys: Off your entire purchase through April 15, 2012. And 20% off on all Melissa and Doug products. Just mention that they have a coupon on their website.
  • Boulder Loft Playdates Deal: $13 for 2 play admissions, 2 beverages and 2 baked goods at the Boulder Loft Playdates from Livingsocial. Here’s the link.
  • One-Year Subscription to Ranger Rick, Big Backyard, or Wild Animal Baby from National Wildlife Federation for only $10. See this Livingsocial deal here.
  • Get Local Deals at Best of My Town. These are great deals on many, many local businesses you already frequent [e.g., Abo’s, Ozo Coffee, Tandoori Grill, etc.]. They are organized by location. Click on your location or check out the deals at a few locations: Boulder Deals, Lafayette Deals, Louisville Deals, Longmont Deals
  • Boulder B.Cycles is offering free day passes on April 21 & 22. More details here.
  • 2 Free Tickets Family Dance Planet: Sign up now to receive 2 free tickets to this fun upcoming dance event on April 28, 2012. You can purchase additional tickets.

Boulder Family Events: April 6 to 12, 2012

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Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages. This week is packed, especially april 7, with some great events! Have a fantastic week!

Friday, April 6

  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

Saturday, April 7

  • French/English Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free.

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

  • Denver Art Museum. All ages. Free admission all day. Ongoing: free the first Saturday of each month.

  • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

  • CU Wizards: Hope for a Broken Heart! 9:30 to 10:30am. All ages are welcome, but aimed at grade 5 through 9. The CU Wizards program brings the joy of science to young people. Cristol Chemistry 142 on the CU-Boulder campus

  • Open Space Story Hour! 1:00 to 2:00pm. All ages. Free. City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks. 1 – 1:30 pm Nature-themed Story Books, 1:35 – 1:55  The Hunt for Spring Hike, 2:00 – 2:30  More Nature-themed Story Books.

  • Flagstaff Mountain Bouldering Tour with Open Space and Mountain Parks. All ages. 10:00 to 12:00pm. Free. Learn about the Flagstaff Mountain bouldering formations, where the bouldering problems are, and enjoy a beautiful day out. Meet at the first overhang parking area. See link above for more details.
  • Grand Rabbits 36th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Free. At Boulder store. 10:00 to 2:00pm.
  • Elks Club Easter Egg Hunt. All ages. 11am. 3975 28th Street, Boulder. Call to get more information 303.442.5003.

  • Boulder Valley Church of Christ Egg Hunt. All ages. 2:00 to 4:00pm. 270 76th Street, Boulder.

Sunday, April 8

  • Go Club for Kids & Teens at the Main Boulder Library. 2:00 to 5:30pm. Ages 5 and up. Free. “Learn to play the ancient and mysterious game of Go.”

  • Red Lion 3rd Annual Egg Hunt. Open to the public and guest. Ages 2 to 12. Free.

    1:30 to 2:30pm. Every child finds eggs and trades them for prizes and treats.  Please call 303-443-5882 or email Tina Mueller at info@redlionrestaurant.com for more information.

Monday, April 9

  • Boulder Folders– Origami Creation Group at the Main Boulder Library. 6:30 to 9:30pm. Ages 10 and up or experienced younger folders. Free. They provide paper & instruction.

  • Children’s Storytime @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

Tuesday, April 10

  • Read to the Dog at Meadows Branch Library. All ages. Free. 3:30 to 5:30pm. To participate please call the library ahead of time at 303-441-4390.

  • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.

Wednesday, April 11

Thursday, April 12