Get Ready, Get Set: Screen Free Week Is Coming…

SFW-logo-with-2013-date-and-website

Screen Free Week is coming up, April 29 through May 5, 2013. This is the nationally organized week dedicated to getting us all to turn off electronics and commit to play, read, create, and get physically active!

But wait, how could we get along in this world without our multiple gadgets and screens? How many times do you find yourself just checking that last email as you are trying to rush your kids out the door? Let’s take this week and power down! Let’s roll model how to be present and unplug!

I was excited to hear that the City of Lafayette’s Bob Berger Recreation Center is offering kids K-12 a free week pass to the Rec Center if they register and commit to go screen free. More information and to register for the FREE REC CENTER WEEK PASS here.

screenfreeweek

Want more information on how to go screen free? Ideas for homes, schools, and communities can be found at screenfree.org. http://screenfree.org or visit them on Facebook.

Boulder Family Events: April 5 to April 11, 2013

Life size LEGO car!

Life size LEGO car!

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Friday, April 5

Saturday, April 6

Sunday, April 7

Monday, April 8

Tuesday, April 9

Wednesday, April 10

Thursday, April 11

Please let me know of any upcoming events that should be listed here. I am happy to include your free, low cost or unusual event in Boulder Family listing of weekly events. You can reach Boulder Families here or visit us on Facebook.
#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #April

Boulder Family Events: May 11 to 18, 2012

may 11 to 18, 2012

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, May 11

Saturday, May 12

  • Hill Flee Market. An event happening on The Hill with great finds, yoga, music, and much more. For a listing of kids’ events click here.
  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free. 10:15 to 11:00am. Ongoing activity.

  • Top Hogs: The Einsteins of Porcine. Join the Boulder Library for 2 amazing, comedy-filled trick pig show that is action-packed and fun for the entire family. All ages. At George Reynolds Library from 11 to noon. At the Meadows Branch Library at 3:00pm.

  • Golden History Museum’s Blacksmith Day. Blacksmiths will be forging iron into useful items. Amazing to watch!  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. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages

  • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: May’s theme is Running Water: Rivers, Streams and Faucets. 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!

  • Bookmaking for Kids at Two Hands Paperier. Ages 5+. 10:30 to 1:00pm. Cost $55 [1 child/1 adult]

Sunday, May 13 [Happy Mother’s Day!]

Monday, May 14

Tuesday, May 15

  • 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. 10:15 to 11:00am. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.

Wednesday, May 16

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

  • Wednesday Storytime @ 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, May 17

Upcoming Events:

Please let me know of any upcoming events that should be listed here. I am happy to include your free, low cost or unusual event in Boulder Family listing of weekly events. You can reach me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook

Boulder Family Events: May 4 to 10, 2012

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. there are a lot of free day events at major museums this week to enjoy.

Have a fantastic week!

Friday, May 4

  • 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!

  • Bold Doors Student Art Exhibit. 3:00 to 5:00pm & May 5, 9:00 to 3:00pm.

    This is a student art exhibit and kick off event featuring repurposed doors artistically redesigned by students. Sponsored by the Center for ReSource Conservation. Support a great local organization and our artistic children!

Saturday, May 5

  • Dan Zanes and Friends at the Boulder Theater. Great kids’ music and a treat to have them in Boulder! Tickets cost $12.50/kids & $25/adults.

  • Denver Art Museum Target FREE day.
  • Nature Journaling and Migration with OSMP. All ages. Free. 9:00 to Noon. You must register ahead of time by calling 303.413.7657.
  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free. 10:15 to 11:00am. Ongoing activity.

  • French/English Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free. 10:15 to 11am.

  • Colorado Railroad Museum is FREE today.
  • 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

  • African Dance and Drum performance at the Canyon Theater of the Boulder Main Library. All ages. Free. 2:00 to 3:00pm.
  • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: May’s theme is Running Water: Rivers, Streams and Faucets. 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!

  • Bold Doors Student Art Exhibit. 9:00 to 3:00pm. This is a student art exhibit and kick off event featuring repurposed doors artistically redesigned by students. Sponsored by the Center for ReSource Conservation.

Sunday, May 6

Monday, May 7

Tuesday, May 8

Wednesday, May 9

  • 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, May 10

Upcoming Events:

Please let me know of any upcoming events that should be listed here. I am happy to include your free, low cost or unusual event in Boulder Family listing of weekly events. You can reach me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook

Happy Earth Day! and What to do on Earth Day in Boulder…

This is a day to focus on Mother Earth. How can we help our children become great stewards of the Earth? Great lovers of nature? Explorers & people who ask the important questions about how we will leave the Earth for their children and then next 7 generations or more?

One year we went around our neighborhood and picked up trash and put it in our red wagon. We were all amazed at how quickly we filled the wagon in a neighborhood that didn’t appear to have much trash laying around. Another year we went on a long hike with friends. What do you do to celebrate Earth Day with your family?

Listed below: 1) Things to do in Boulder on Earth Day, 2) Some nature blogs to check out, and 3) A link to the Osprey Webcam so you can spy on those amazing birds [2 eggs].

What to do around Boulder on Earth Day:

  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science SCFD FREE DAY. Celebrate Earth Day all day with DMNS.

  • Denver Botanic Gardens’ SCFD FREE DAY.
  • 11th Annual Wild Earth Day sponsored by Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center. All ages. 11:00 to 4:00pm. FREE. Scientific speakers, animal demonstrations, and much more.
  • 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. Join the OSMP for an 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! Follow this link to learn more about the Nature Center.

Here are some Nature Blogs you might like.

Boulder County Open Space’s Osprey Nest Webcam. Take a live look at these amazing birds. There are 2 eggs in the nest!

How did you spend your Earth Day?

Boulder Family Events: April 20 to 26, 2012

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 Family Events: April 13 to 19, 2012

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

Boulder Family Deals

  • 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

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