Tag Archives: Activities

Smithsonian Museum Day Live! FREE Museum Entry on 9/29 at Many Denver/Boulder Attractions

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This sounds too good to be true. The Smithsonian Museums are always free to enter, but not so for many Denver & Boulder locations. So the Smithsonian has partnered with some great museums in our area to offer FREE ADMISSION FOR 2 on September 29. Here is a list of some of the participating museums/attractions:

  • Denver Botanical Gardens
  • History Museum Colorado
  • Boulder History Museum
  • Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
  • Forney Museum of Transportation
  • Molly Brown House Museum
  • Mizel Museum [Closed on 9/29, but FREE 9/30]

For a complete listing of FREE museums/attractions around Colorado click here.

Once you decide on a museum or attraction you simply complete some personal information and they email you a ticket good for 2 FREE ADMISSIONS to whichever museum you choose. Clearly you can use more than one email account and get more tickets depending on the amount of tickets your family needs. You do have to get the tickets ahead of time. Get them here.

Have fun!

#free #boulder #museums #families #kids

Boulder School Kids: Cool Days Off School Programs

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If you have school age kids you know that though school has started our kids are often out. There are professional days, conference exchange days, holidays–you name it. In fact we have only had one full week at this point. Sometimes these days off school even sneaks up on you. If you are a working parent, have something scheduled on those days, or your child just wants an opportunity to do something new, then you may be looking for something educational and fun for them. Here are some suggestions:

Factory Made: Offers creative programs for kids ages 7 to 17 on days when they are not in
 school.

YMCA: The Y offers an amazing variety of sports and general programs. They offer a sliding scale for most programs so everyone can take part.

CU Science Discovery: They offer classes in a wide variety of science related topics. Their offerings change so check back to see what fits best for your child.

Life Long Learning: They offer classes for kids and teens in a large variety of topics.

Square State Skate: These are fun skateboarding programs run by two educators. They know how to bring together education, technique and fun all wrapped up together. The programs are full days and reasonably priced.

Boulder Families Event Review: Treasure Island by Colorado Shakespeare Festival

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Exciting. Intriguing. Pirate-like. Captivating. Adventurous. These are the words 8 and 10 year olds used to describe the performance of Treasure Island by the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Earlier this week we had the opportunity to head to campus and watch this great play under the stars in an intimate outdoor setting. There was not a bad seat in the house! They did not know the story going in [I had meant to read the book to them before hand, but vacations got in the way!], but they were captivated by the experience and the story right away. Kids who love pirates, adventure and/or just a well acted story will love this show! 

We started over evening by parking on The Hill and walking over to campus. As we walked up we found people picnicking on the grass in front with characters singing to set the mood. We immediately found the food cart and purchased a cookie and we knew we were in for something special–the tone was set. We entered the building and handed in our tickets to find a mom and child ushering–it felt family-friendly right away. A quick read over all the information in the program offered the kids a brief synopsis of what was going to unfold. They were so serious the whole time which is a bit unlike two boys sitting together at 6:30pm when they generally find a way to wind each other up. The play started and immediately we were all swept in and an hour had passed when intermission was upon us. I was excited to see that there were snacks as well as kid-friendly and adult-friendly drinks available. We got a little something because who can resist during intermission at a play?

Swash buckling, gun fights, suspense and intrigue were peppered throughout the evening. There were kids of all ages that night. The house was silent, besides my kids asking a few questions, or so it seemed. I took that to indicate that Treasure Island was as exciting to the rest of the families there as it was to us. I personally felt carried away right in to the story. It felt professional, very intimate, engaging, and I highly, highly recommend it to all Boulder Families [and beyond]! But you don’t need to bring the kids because it would also make a great date night.

Kids’ Review

Favorite Character[s]: Long John Silver & Benn Gunn Why? Because I love pirates and I think Benn Gunn is funny!

Would you recommend this show to a friend? Yes. Why? Because it was fun to go and I like the story. There is a lot of sword fighting too.

What was your favorite thing about the play? It was well performed and exciting. Also, I like the stunt where people fell of the boat.

What would you recommend to make it better? Actually act out everything, instead of explaining some parts. It interrupted the play. But I still really liked it, it could just be a bit better.

Overall Kid Ratings [scale of 1 to 10]:

8 year old–9

10 year old–8

Details

Ages: 6+, but family-friendly setting at most ages

Date/Times: 6:30 & 8:00pm on various dates through August 9, 2012 [2 1/2 hours long with an intermission]

Recommended for families: Yes, without reservation

Reservations: Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Kids tickets are only $10! 

It was a magical night for our family. I highly recommend Treasure Island. If your kids are elementary school aged or above they will fall in love with this production!

Boulder Families Trip Review: Touring The Denver Mint

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My kids are fascinated with money. For kids it is a constant source of questions: Can I buy that? Is it too expensive? Why can’t we buy that $500 toy? If you are reading this blog I know you get it. I thought it would be great for my kids to see how money is made and so we toured the Denver Mint this Monday. Touring the Denver Mint is a fun, free activity for kids in Denver.

History: The Denver Mint produces the most coins in the United States. They have a long and storied history that is part of the gold rush throughout the Western United States. The building is impressive–old and beautiful. It also holds a LOT of gold.

Experience: If you are like our Boulder family you know you are doing something special because you are going to the big city: Denver! You stand in line and get checked in by security much like the airport. Immediately you realize this is serious business and your small group [20 people] move into the building to check out some displays. The displays are somewhat interesting, but not overwhelmingly so because they are not hands on. Two tour guides take you through a few different rooms that hold displays. They also explain what is going on below you through the windows: they are making coins of all kinds. This is captivating! They are rolling out the coins we use daily. There were kids of all ages on our tour who seemed interested in the experience.

Logistics: You have to make reservations ahead of time on their website. They book far in advance, but if you can keep checking back and sometimes things open up.

Cost: Free!

Time: 30+ minutes

What we liked most: Seeing coins made and hearing the old lore about the Mint

What we liked least: The tour was short. It was not hands on.

Recommendation: We recommend going if your kids are seven [7] or older. Younger ones can go, but this older group will actually enjoy it the most.

Kids, Museums, and Trying Something New

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Exploring all around the Smithsonian Museums

Okay, I am not a big museum fan. Usually I head in, spend the requisite hour or so and then I am out again. Not these past few days! My kids and I have been in Washington, DC and we have hit the Smithsonian Museums hard. I am impressed with how much resilience they have [they are 8 & 10]. We have hit the Air and Space Museum, American Indian Museum [lunch], Natural History Museum, and the American History Museum all in ONE day. Then today we went to the museum where they have the Discovery space shuttle and so much about aviation history including every type of plane imaginable and flight simulators [my kids did them twice and would have stayed on forever!] It was magical! I cannot believe how amped up we ALL feel planning for, during, and after exploring something new!So in Boulder we don’t have the Smithsonian, but here are some ideas of a few places to go to stretch your kiddo’s [and our] minds:

Don’t forget to watch for FREE DAYS at the Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Denver Children’s Museum. I list them each week as they arise. Also, a great hint for keeping the kids engaged during  a visit to an art museum is to stop by the gift shop FIRST & let your kids each pick out a postcard of a piece of art that they like. Then engage them in finding that piece of art. Could work for other types of museums too. Go. Explore. Don’t worry how far you have to drive. Get out there. Have fun!

It’s Too Hot!: What To Do With Your Family In The Heat

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Here are some ideas to get you and your family out of the heat of Boulder. Sometimes in this heat our brains shut down and we cannot think of anything creative to do with the family to beat this heat–well here are some suggestions. Let us know what your favorite ways of having fun, but staying cool. We want to know!

Visit Pearl Street: Visit the pop fountain, take a ride on the TEBO train, get a coffee and/or kid friendly drink at Spruce Confection on West Pearl, where you can avoid the heat in their shady courtyard. You can also stop in to Piece, Love & Chocolate for a yummy treat.

Take a Tour: Check out the FREE Celestial Seasonings tour. They are open almost every day and you get free samples. Kids love this one! For more info click here.

Get in the Creek: We are really lucky to have Boulder Creek running through town. Don’t forget there are family friendly sites just East of the library to play in the creek. Walk up the bike path from there to watch the kayakers navigate the kayak course. Bring a picnic. Head to the library to pick up a book, look at the art exhibits, or just play in the kids’ area.

Head to Nederland: It is always cooler in the Mountains. Take a trip to Nederland where you can ride on the Carousel of Happiness, get a yummy treat such as the “famous” donuts at the Train next door. It is a beautifully restored old train with stained glass windows and wonderful details including a very extensive candy shop–the kids will really love it and you can sit down in the cafe to enjoy the treats.

Go for a Hike: Try the Anne U. White trail for a shady hike that is approximately 3 miles round trip. This is a fun and easy hike for your family and much of it is shady and wanders along a creek. For more details and directions click here.

Other ideas: Make popsicles, make slushies, make juice ice cubes, turn on the sprinkler, make a fort in the living room or outside, buy a block of ice and head to your nearest large hill and ride the block of ice down the hill, sit under a tree and sketch the coldest place on earth, etc…

This should get you started. I am personally thinking chilly thoughts for all of us at this point.

#boulder #free #bouldercreek

Kids’ Summer Reading: Boulder Style!

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School is out. Kids are getting settled into a new routine. How do we keep out kids reading? Check out these great programs and resources to keep our kids reading all summer long! These programs really motivate kids to read with great books, give aways and incentives. Join 1 or all 3. Which ones do you like the most?

Boulder Area Reading Programs

Boulder Public Library: Their reading program, Dream Big: Read!, started today. You can sign up at any library  and your kids can earn prizes, books, and a pool party. Join any time, but the sooner the better!

Grandrabbits: This Summer join Grandrabbit’s “Jump Into Reading”. Staring June 11th, children 3 to 13 can join their Summer Reading Program at the store. Read books, fill out a tracking sheet, then bring it in for a special prize.

Boulder Bookstore: Their summer reading program starts June 1. The program is aimed at kids K to 8. Kids go to the store, grab a tracking form, & pick up a few books to kick off the program. Kids read 6 books total and they can earn a $5 gift card to the Boulder Bookstore.

Summer Reading Resources/Lists

Kids: What Do The Outdoors, Rock Climbing, and Special Needs Have To Do With It?

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I have been thinking a lot about differences. I have personal experience struggling with parenting my two very different children. Tonight I heard about the struggles of a friend’s preschooler who is very sensitive & at the same moment aggressive. I sit on a finance committee that makes though choices about how to spend money at a local public elementary school and hear from many different parents abohow the needs of their kids or find them advocating for a specific special need. The most recent being TAG & sensory integration (was a new one for me).

It is so easy for us to see one right way to be–especially for those of us with kids in public schools (even the ones described as great such as BVSD). Sit still. Listen carefully. Do your work. What about those kids who don’t fit into the mold? Your child may not be autistic or be diagnosed with ADHD, but there still some strong lessons. Here are a few inspiring articles about families with kids who have special needs and how they support them and themselves through activity and the outdoors.

Rock Climbing, therapy for ADHD? (I love this article! Thanks to Outsidemom.com)

Nature as a support for Autism

What about articles on how nature and outdoor activities support gifted kids?Howe about kids with dyslexia? And of course ALL our kids need nature and outdoor activity!

50 Free Things To Do This Summer!

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Here is a great list of 50 FREE things to do this summer in the Denver/Boulder area. Most of them are family friendly. Some will surprise even those of us who have lived here for a long time. Others will just be a reminder of things we have been wanting to do, or places we want to revisit–maybe now with kids. No need to pay. Just go. Have an adventure. Try something new. Have fun! What else is should we add to this list?

The FREE list includes:

  • Art Fairs

  • Exhibits
  • Concerts
  • Attractions
  • Tours
  • Day Trips

I would add:

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market

  • Band on the Bricks
  • Live music at 29th Street Mall
  • Pearl Street [playing at the fountain, on the animal statues, at the rocks]

Here’s the link to 50 FREE Summer Things To Do!

A big thinks to http://www.denver.org and @iknowdenver!

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: