Here's a fun science project to do on Sunday before you toss your jack o' lanterns to the squirrels: DIY Puking Pumpkin!
Step 1: Sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the jack o' lantern.
Step 2: In a glass mix a healthy pour of vinegar, some glitter and a few drops of food coloring.
Step 3. Place the jack o' lantern on the edge of the sink and pour in the liquid and watch poor Jack puke his guts out.
Enjoy much squealing and delight!
Happy Halloween!!
Running out of socially distanced summer fun ideas? Me too. Which is why we're so grateful the Springfield Museums asked us to check out their new Hooray for Heroes Activity Kit.
This kit is geared towards kids in grades preschool through fifth and is available for purchase for $35. It includes enough activities to keep the kids busy for the rest of this very quiet summer:
From the Springfield Museums:
Blast off into adventure with our Hooray for Heroes kit! Let us help keep your children busy at home with art, culture, and science activities for children, featuring both super and real-life heroes. Kits are a perfect way to experience the museums from home or extend your in-person visit, combining education and entertainment to keep them actively engaged and learning while having fun!
Kids in grades PreK-5 can look forward to science experiments and demos, art-making, picture books, ideas for outdoor play, and other fun surprises! Our detailed instructions and complete kit will make it easy to have fun and keep learning all summer long.
Additional materials for more than one child available and include additional sets of the consumable supplies in each kit for $10 per child. (Photo above shows one full kit plus one additional consumable set). You can order for your entire family or even your daycare or camp setting.
Of course, Faith's favorite activity was the magnetic slime:
And mine was the teeny, tiny zine we created about the life of Supreme Court Justice Sona Sotomayor:
You can purchase a Hooray for Heroes Activity Kit for your own little superhero here. Not only is it a great selection of uplugged, sneaky learning activities, it helps benefit one of our most beloved local institutions.
The kit coincides nicely with this Saturday's Virtual Family Fun Day (August 15, 2020) highlighting their new Hall of Heroes exhibit. The Virtual Day's activities include:
Follow along with all the fun at SpringfieldMuseums.org.
#AtTheMuseums #HoorayforHeroes #SpringfieldMuseums #ChildhoodUnplugged
What comes to mind when you think of the UMASS Fine Arts Center in Amherst? Do you think of dinosaur light puppets? Peter Pan? Or a lovable wombat? Well, you should.
Because all of that and more will be part of their upcoming season of Family shows which run this October - April. I realize that, traditionally, we don't think of taking our kiddos to performances on a college campus. I mean, maybe we've attended a raucous program at the Mullins Center. But 'certainly not at the Fine Arts Center,' you're thinking. That's reserved for cultured folks who don't carry juice boxes in their purses. My kids don't belong at anything with the name "Fine Arts" in the title. But really, they do. And, you do. And you won't want to miss this.
We'd all like to expose our kids to more of the arts but there are sooo many reasons why we think it's just too difficult. Or expensive. Or inconvenient.
I know you're already thinking of all the "BUTS...":
'But...my little one might get fussy.'
These are family shows. Fussiness is expected. However, if you feel that your little one is getting too disruptive, there are large screens in the side lobby of the concert hall with a live feed of the performance so you can take your littles outside of the theater and still see the show. Strollers will fit here. There's also space here for antsy ones to run around and let off some steam. Nobody is going to mind.
'But...I have to feed them.'
Light concessions will be available in the lobby during all family show programs. If you're thinking of lunch or dinner or something more substantial than puffs for mom and dad to eat, rest assured that babyBERK (the UMASS food truck) will be on site for some performances. (Anyone who's ever enjoyed their quesadillas will agree this alone makes a visit to campus worth the drive.) There are also other dining options on campus if you'd like to arrive early and mosey around. All of the campus dining halls are open to the public.
'But...sippy cups. And bottles. We have to bring them in to the show.'
Again -- family show. It's OK to bring beverages into the theater (just no food, please). Also, there is a new refillable water bottle station in the concert hall's lobby. Everyone can stay hydrated throughout the performance!
'But...parking.'
There is plenty of FREE parking available on site for all shows. Check out the link for details.
'But...what are we going to do while we wait for the show to start? My kids will melt down.'
As part of the family performance series there will be hands-on activities in the lobby before showtime. You'll even get to add in a little sneaky learning along with a cultural performance. Win-win!
'But...diapers. I'm going to be on a college campus and I'm not running out to the car to change a stinker!'
That's right, you're not. Because there are changing stations in all bathrooms at the concert hall.
'But....I'm on a budget."
Tickets to the family shows start at only $15 depending on the performance and some youth tickets are available for only $10/child so prices are definitely family friendly.
So, there. You're fresh out of excuses! All you have to do is decide which shows are right for your fam.
The Family Series includes:
LIGHTWIRE THEATER: DINO-LIGHT
Sunday, October 20, 2 p.m.
A famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love.
NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY PRESENT: A CELTIC FAMILY CHRISTMAS
Wednesday, December 4, 7 p.m.
Award-winning fiddle virtuosos Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy present an intimate and unique Christmas concert. A Celtic Family Christmas welcomes the audience into the wonderful world of their family's Christmas celebration.
WE SHALL OVERCOME: A CELEBRATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Tuesday, January 28, 7:30 p.m.
From Nina Simone to The Wiz, Stevie Wonder to traditional spirituals, it will be an evening of music that shows the lineage of Civil Rights visionaries is still with us today.
GUGU DRUM GROUP
Tuesday, February 11, 7:30 p.m.
GuGu Drum Group from Shanghai incorporates traditional Chinese drumming techniques and movement with a contemporary twist. Their performance will include a series of "vignettes" accompanied by projections based on Chinese proverbs, fables, and fairy tales.
FINDING NEVERLAND
Tuesday, February 25, 7 p.m.
The winner of Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, Finding Neverland follows the relationship between playwright J.M. Barrie and the family that inspired Peter Pan.
CIRQUE FLIP FABRIQUE: BLIZZARD
Wednesday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.
With some of the most exciting circus performers on the circuit today, FLIP Fabrique invites audiences to get lost in a moment of winter wonder.
DIARY OF A WOMBAT
Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m.,
In Diary of a Wombat, you'll meet Mothball - the naughtiest wombat in Australia. Watch as the multi award-winning picture book by Australian Children's Laureate Jackie French and Bruce Whatley is brought to live through the magic of puppetry and live music.
Tickets are on sale now for all performances. Some shows are eligible for the Family Value Pack purchase -- two adult and two child tickets for only $75.
I can't think of a better holiday gift suggestion (hint, hint). We all have enough stuff. Think experiences, instead of toys. Subscription packages are available -- purchase tickets to three or more shows and save 15%. Share this post with all the grandparents who are already asking what you want for the holidays. We'll see you at the show!
Please note: Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.
Who has a Hamilton-obsessed adolescent in their home? (Does anyone NOT have a Hamilton-obsessed adolescent in their home?!)
For those of us Hamiltrash who just can't get enough of our Revolutionary War history (strike while the iron is hot here, people), it's very easy to take a quick road trip down the Mass Pike to visit the Schuyler Mansion in Albany, NY.
You know, the Schuylers? As in, the Schuyler sisters. As in, "Work work, Angelica...work, work...Eliza....and PEGGY!" As in, Eliza married Alexander Hamilton. Now, you get it. This historic site was the home of the sisters' parents, Philip and Catherine Schuyler. Philip Schuyler himself was a renowned Revolutionary War general and US Senator; however, all your kids are going to care about is that "[t]he wedding of daughter Elizabeth Schuyler to Alexander Hamilton took place in the house in 1780." (NY State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation).
Admission to the mansion is only $5 for ages 13 and up, everyone 12 or younger is admitted FREE. Admission to the Visitor's Center is FREE. Ticket purchase buys you a guided one hour tour through the home. There is no self-guided tour available, only the scheduled group tour that takes place hourly.
Even if an hour tour is not on your agenda, the Visitor's Center itself is impressive. There's a great collection of hands-on exhibits to explore.
I sat out the house tour out, so I can't tell you what it details. However, this post written by Kevin Philbin for the Journal of the American Revolution, "Visiting Philip Schuyler's House of Dreams" can tell you what to expect (scroll down to the second half of the article for the mansion tour).
Although the Schuyler Mansion is located in a tight neighborhood in the city, parking should not be a problem as there is a dedicated lot just for the site's visitors. Parking is FREE. Set your GPS for 32 Catherine Street, Albany, NY. It's just over an hour's drive from Springfield.
There is a small garden in the backyard of the home where you could enjoy a picnic or let family members who might not be interested in house tour wait out your time in the mansion.
The site is open as follows: May 15 - Oct 31, Wednesday - Sunday
May & June: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
July & August: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
September & October: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
I wouldn't say the drive to Albany is worth just this quick trip house tour. However, you could pair the visit with another attraction in the area or make it a rest stop on the way to the Adirondacks. I hope your Hamilton obsessed family enjoys it as much as we did! For $5 you really can't beat the sneaky learning. Or indulging your kid's obsession.
Summer reading -- Moms love it, lots of kids hate it. It's a great way to battle summer brain drain. It's also a great way to pick a fight with your kids. Fortunately, there are many good and FREE summer reading programs that offer incentives to kids for reading during the non-school months.
One of the absolute best places to encourage summer reading is your local library. I feel so fortunate to live in a a state where libraries are so well funded and the summer reading programs in the 413 are no exception. This year's program is titled "A Universe of Stories" and is geared toward kids in grades kindergarten through 12th grade; however, preschoolers and even babies are welcome to participate. Many libraries even have adult summer reading programs so we can get in on the fun.
Registered children receive a reading log where parents sign off confirming that the child has read a certain number of minutes per day. (Reading to your child also counts). Then the kids are eligible for certificates, small rewards, and prizes throughout the summer. The libraries also offer many enriching activities throughout the summer including animal visits, performances, crafts, scavenger hunts, game nights, story times, and more.
Good Luck with encouraging the summer reading. We'll see you at the library!
*Photograph by Live, Laugh, Photograph Studios (Chicopee, MA)
We had the science fair at school tonight! I love the science fair and I love working with the girls on their projects. I appreciate the fact that the science fair at our school is voluntary and that the rules are liberal -- kids are simply encouraged to research a topic or scientist of interest to them. Faith chose owls -- pretty much her spirit animal from birth. She knows so much about these creatures that this project was more about practicing her best handwriting (something she struggles with) and creating a neat posterboard. We had a lot of fun choosing and printing pictures. She adored the sparkly stickers she picked out for the border (this kid sparkles everywhere she goes). She thrived in talking with all of the folks who stopped by to ask about her display. All-in-all participating in the fair was a joy for us.
However, I noticed an all-time low participation at tonight's fair. Which left me wondering -- is the science fair a thing of the past? Where are all of our little scientists? I'm a weird, old-fashioned traditionalist. I get that my enthusiasm on a lot of topics is not trendy. And that's OK. But tonight did leave me wondering how other folks view the science fair.
So, drop me a comment below and let me know. Are your kiddos a fan of the science fair? Do they hate it? Does it cause too much stress? Or do they enjoy digging into a topic and sharing their knowledge with the school community?
Pool noodles provide some of the best creative play for kids for only a $1 investment. I shared some of my favorite ideas on the Better Western Mass show today for having fun with pool noodles -- outside of the pool. Check out the link for some inspiration and to make sure you don't have to hear "I'm bored!" tomorrow!
Do you insist on summer enrichment? When Eden was younger, we'd always do a workbook over the summer to help avoid the summer slide. But now that she's headed into junior high I let her choose what she wanted to do. Loving these journals from Jess Volinski (known for the Notebook Doodles brand -- you'll recognize her work. Her illustrations can be found just about anywhere). She created the writing prompts and illustrations inside to help girls develop their self confidence through building their inner voice. I'm partial to the "Always be Yourself" journal as I tell her this mantra daily. What are your kiddos working on this summer?
P.S. Set a tent up in the yard to encourage some reflective time. It's like magic.
Valerie Smart is a wife and mom living in Western Massachusetts. She is loving this blog life.
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