Free Educational Programs for Students Entering Grades 6-8

Summer learning loss is a concern for parents and educators alike but that is where INNO comes in. Would you like the opportunity for your student (entering grades 6-8) to participate in a free summer educational program? Summer courses will be available starting July 2 through Labor Day at the Ann Arbor Downtown District Library on weekends. Classes are one hour in length and focus on language arts and mixed mathematics.

To register for this great opportunity, visit the INNO website.  Courses are taught by qualified high school students who have a passion for Math and English. The students will encourage your child to love learning and develop good study habits, rather than just memorizing facts.

Expel summer learning loss and register for this free program TODAY! For more information, email educationinno@gmail.com.

Free Kids Zumba & Yoga Class Plus Win a $20 Gift Card

Want a chance to win a $20 Gift Card that can be used towards a Kids Zumba and Yoga class? You are in luck. The folks at Peachy Fitness have given me another great give-away opportunity to one Ann Arbor Mom blog fan. All you have to do is to tell me why your kid would love to take a Zumba class! Want a second opportunity to win? Make sure to comment on the Ann Arbor Mom Facebook Post too. The winner will be chosen at random by  all entries received by midnight Thursday, May 23.  The gift card can be used towards the current Peachy Fitness Mother/Daughter special or any of the other packages they offer.

Your child can even try-it-before-you-buy-it with a free kids class this Friday! At 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24 at the Ann Arbor Taekwondo (2739 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor) your child can take a free Zubma & yoga class at the Peachy Fitness Open House. Visitors will even have the chance to win prizes by attending the open house or by watching closely on the Peachy Fitness Facebook Page. As another note, kids classes are for boys and girls - I know my kids are anxious to try things out, are yours?

Mother Daughter Zumba Class Special

Hey Ann Arbor Moms, check out this deal on Zumba classes from Peachy Fitness - This mother/daughter class is a great way to spend quality time together and might make Mom very Happy if she were to receive it as a Mother's Day gift!

The other day on the Ann Arbor Mom Facebook wall I highlighted a new Mother/Daughter class opportunity in Ann Arbor. The special, offered by Peachy Fitness offers ladies only Zumba and Yoga classes in select locations around Ann Arbor.

To celebrate moms everywhere, through May 24, Peachy Fitness is offering a $49 new client special for 8 Mother/Daughter Zumba classes. Additional children (ages 7+) may be added for $5 per child.

Are you curious but want to know more? Peachy Fitness is having an Open House with free kids classes for yoga and Zumba  too. On Saturday, May  24, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Ann Arbor Taekwondo (2739 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor) try a free class and enter to win 8 class package ($69.00 value). Classes are for kids ages 4-12. So be sure to stop in and check things out.

Kids Zumba classes are fun and great exercise.
Classes coming soon at Peachy Fitness.

If you are looking for kids summer activities, starting June 19, Peachy Fitness is offering a summer program of kids classes too! The kids Zumba will provide a great way to exercise while having fun, plus consider that working out helps the kids sleep better!

I hope that you have an opportunity to stop in and check out Peachy Fitness. It sounds like there will be a great program line-up for kids AND moms. For more information on upcoming kids classes or ladies only Zumba and yoga, be sure to visit the Peachy Fitness website or "Like" the Peachy Fitness Facebook Page.





Current Class Locations:

Monday Zumba - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Chapel Hill Clubhouse (3350 Green Rd., Ann Arbor)

Wednesday Zumba - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Gretchen's House Barn (2625 Traver Blvd., Ann Arbor)

Future Classes:

Summer session begins June 19, 2013

Kids Zumba - $69.00 8-classes Wednesday & Fridays: 6:00-7:00 p.m. with a $59 early bird discount valid for4 sign-ups through June 14. Peachy Fitness also has a $10.00 sibling discount.


Evening Yoga Classes

Kids Create a Hurricane Lantern

On Saturday, January 14, kids and teens, ages 7-18, can create their own colorful hurricane lantern at the Ypsilanti District Library (8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti) at 2:00 p.m. Decorate a glass jar with supplies provided by YDL. Create a stylish handle with colored wire and beads. It makes a neat night-light when you put in a no-flame candle which we will provide.

Registration for this free event is required and only available to YDL cardholders. For more information call 482-4110 X1391.

                   

Kids Building Workshops

Being cooped up all winter does not mean the kids can't have fun. I especially like it when they go elsewhere for fun, as it keeps the house MUCH cleaner! For grade school aged kids that like to build there are several upcoming free kids building clinics.

The Lowe's Build and Grow clinics being offered this month allow the kids to build their own castle (January 14) or a dinosaur creature called a build-a-saurus (January 28). Just be sure to register early as the clinics often fill up quickly!

Home Depot also offers kids building workshops with the next being on February 4 when your child can build a cute kepsake box. You do not need to register, but be sure to attend the workshop early or the materials will be gone! Home Depot kids clinics are offered the first Saturday of each month 9:00 a.m. - noon.

826Michigan Ann Arbor Tutoring & Writing Center

You wouldn't know it by walking by the sign on the door, but tucked inside Ann Arbor's Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair (115 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor) is 826Michigan, a tutoring facility that helps students with their creative writing skills. Being a mom with a student that is struggling to read and write, the thing that grabbed my attention (aside from the fun products they sent to my home) was that Monday through Thursday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. students age 6-18 can drop in for free homework assistance! That's right FREE tutoring for children.

The programs that 826michigan offer one-on-one student attention that challenges and inspires each child so that the foundation for success can be established and built upon. However none of this would be possible without funding, so all of the sales proceeds from the front of the business, the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair go directly toward supporting 826michigan programs.

So the next time you are looking for that unique gift or just hoping to shop local in Ann Arbor, be sure to stop by the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair. You'll support a greater cause while shopping locally. Not in Ann Arbor, don't worry, you can also buy gifts and supplies from the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair online store!

Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair

115 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor

M-F 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. & Sat. 12:00-8:00 p.m.

For adults that have writing aspirations, another way that 826michigan receives funding is from nighttime and weekend writing workshops and seminars for adults.

Weekend Activities August 5-7

It's time for the weekend event round up of Ann Arbor activities for families. I hope that you find something to do, we'll be at the Family Campout at Rolling Hills among other things!

 

Friday, August 5:

• Tree Town Toys (2611 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor) has two free music classes - Find one for 3-5 year olds at 10:30 a.m. and one for 6-8 year olds at 1:00 p.m.
• Kids ages 9+ can also create a house out of recycled cardboard at tree Town Toys for $2.00.
• The Dexter District Library is bringing their Summer Reading Program Grand to a Finale with Bev Meyer "The Music Lady" at 11:00 a.m. followed by refreshments and balloon animals.
• The Saline Summerfest begins on Friday and runs through Saturday.

Saturday, August 6:

• Find lots to do at the Saline Summerfest!
• Jo-Ann Fabric stores has two free Make-It, Take-It demonstrations. At 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. create a Cricut machine bookmark, or from 3:00-5:00 p.m. kids and teens ages 12+ can get creative with a Tulip Body Art Face & Body Paint Make It-Take It event!
• In the area of Tree Town Toys? Stop in to get your child their very own free color-in tattoo anytime throughout the day.
• 
  From 2:00-4:00 p.m. Ann Arbor families can Celebrate National Clown Week with an afternoon of informal face painting and balloon sculpture, followed by a high-energy gardening variety show presented by Clowns Around Redford at the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti)
• Learn about the Korean martial art Tae Kwon Do, with a free demonstration and discussion at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 West Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 7:

• Kids ages 4+ can decorate a wooden birdhouse for only $4 at Tree Town Toys. All paint and embellishments are included, which will save your house the mess!

Weekend: Free Events in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Chelsea for the Whole Family

You know that the seasons are changing when there are so many great family events in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and surrounding areas, that creating a list of events creates a book!

What kid wouldn't enjoy spending a day viewing butterflies at the
Butterfly Festival at University of Michigan
Exhibit Museum of Natural History? 

So get out and enjoy the many great free events happening this weekend:

Friday, May 20:

Start your weekend off right by exercising your lungs. Do you like to sing? What about singing doo-wop? In honor of Michigan week, families can perform Motown karaoke music with your singing buddies at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) 3:00-5:30 p.m. Two mikes will be available so everyone can participate; parents can sing with their kids, teens can sing with their friends, bring your best doo-wop buddy and we’ll entertain each other.

Saturday, May 21:

Learning to fly is in the air as families join in on International Learn-to-Fly Day at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (801 Airport Dr., Ann Arbor) 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Find free open house events that include toys on hand for kids, planes on display, and a lunchtime cookout - with the best burgers on the field. Elsewhere at the airport will be an ice cream truck, and presentations on the history of aviation.

International Learn-To-Fly Day promises to be great
fun for the entire family, not just those
interested in aviation!

The weather is going to be perfect for butterfly viewing at the Butterfly Festival at University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor) from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This free event lets the family explore the beautiful and fascinating world of butterflies in the butterfly sanctuary enjoying their full life cycles! The kids can even use microscopes to see what butterfly and moth wings are really made of! Then head over to Tree Town Toys (2611 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor) to create a customized Winged Wonders from 1:00-3:00 p.m. all you need to do is fold a bit here, twist a bit there, and voilá, you have a gorgeous butterfly to hang around the house or in your child’s room! This free craft is best for the budding butterfly enthusiasts ages 4 and up.
Maybe you just want to cool down before the day even begins? Then I suggest you take the kidd-o’s to the Kids Jazz Jam at Chelsea District Library (221 S. Main St., Chelsea) at 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. to enjoy a jazz story, songs and improvisation in this lively workshop with Chelsea Center for the Arts’ music instructor Tara Vesprini. This is a free event however there is a limit of 20 children (ages 3-6)per session, so please pre-register online through the Chelsea District Library website.

Everyone wants a healthier lifestyle for the family, so bring them to the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day at Ypsilanti High School (2095 Packard Rd., Ypsilanti) from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The free event encourages kids and their parents to get active with activities such as a fun run, Zumba for kids, sports games, healthy snacks, family yoga and a soccer clinic with the University of Michigan’s Women’s Soccer Team at 11:00 a.m.

Stop by the Touch-A-Truck event at the Briarwood Mall
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - noon

Do you have a budding chef in your midst? Then by all means let them participate in the Cook Michigan Cooking Contest at Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti). Your child or teen age 6 and older can drop off their drop off their dish (Made with Michigan grown or Made in Michigan ingredients) at any YDL location by 1:00 p.m. to be entered into the contest. For information and a full list of the rules, visit the Ypsilanti District Library website.

Sunday, May 22:

This free event is really for mom and dad, however they can create a fun end-of-the-school-year memory for a child at the “Make-It Take-It” event at Michael’s Crafts (3655 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor). Have a blast making a 3D customized keepsake while taking a short break from the kids 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Kids Art Projects Tomorrow



Kids create art at YDL Sunday with the
FLY Children's Art Center in Ypsilanti.

 Tomorrow there are several art classes available for kids that I thought to highlight. One is a free class and the other is a low-cost class. Whichever you choose, they promise to be fun and keep the kids warm!

From 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Art Center (117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor), kids of all ages can celebrate Honest Abe's birthday and paint their own piggy bank! Children 13 and under need to bring their parent though...  The cost of the event is $10 per piggy bank or $3 for cake only - Tickets can be purchased at the Ann Arbor Art Center's website or by calling 734.994.8004 x 101.

Later that day, from 2:00-3:30 p.m., stop on by the Ypsilanti District Library Whittaker Branch (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti) for a free drop-in art class sponsored by FLY Children's Art Center. The open studio session is for all kids and promises to be fun for everyone. For more information call 734-482-4110.

Cute Heart Shelf Kid's Can Build

Home Depot's Kid's Building Workshops are a great way to spend cold, blustery winter Saturday mornings. The sessions are helpful and often help your child a cute and usable project. On Saturday, February 5, your child can build his or her own heart shelf 9:00 a.m. - noon at many local Home Depot locations. In addition to creating the shelf, each child receives a certificate of completion, a kid sized Home Depot apron and a pin to attach to the apron for the completed project.

Make sure to arrive early if you want this project, otherwise your child may end up with kit's from a previous project!

Tree Town Toys Provides Free and Low-Cost Craft Classes

If you decide to wander out and about this week, there are a couple of fun kids activities happening at Tree Town Toys tomorrow. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., kids ages 2 and over can create their own butterfly ring for only $1. After school, from 4:00-5:00 p.m., the older kid's can get into the act for a free class to create their own Australian aboriginal "Dot Paintings."

Origami FUN-damentals at the Ypsilanti District Library

On Saturday, January 15 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. kids and teens ages 10 and up can learn to create flowers, birds, dinosaurs, boxes out of single sheets of paper! This free event hosted by the Ypsilanti District Library - Whittaker Branch (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti) features origami expert Dave Strenski to teach the kids the basic paper folding skills of origami.

Register Now for Upcoming Kids Build-it Clinics

I'm back - After a great family vacation I thought I'd better get back to work providing Ann Arbor families some great free and low cost ideas! Since these building clinics often require advance registration, I thought to pass them along:

• Doesn't matter which football team your kids support, at Home Depot they can build their own football stand on Saturday September 4 from 9:00 a.m. - noon. (I'm thinking too that it might be possible to flip this over for a small football shaped shelf/stool too!). This hands-on free workshop is designed for children ages 5-12 and is available at participating Home Depot locations.
• On Saturday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m. your children can build the family pooch a cute leash hanger for free at Lowe's! This dog-friendly kid's building clinic requires advanced registration though at the Lowe's Build and Grow website!
• Teach your kids about fire safety and have some fun doing it while building an awesome Fire Truck on Saturday, September 25 at 10:00 a.m.  This Lowe's Build and Grow project kit even includes a working siren and stickers. Make sure to register early though so that the classes are not filled up!

Free Art Class for Preschoolers and Parents

This friday morning is your last chance to check out a fun and free preschool art class at the Allen Creek Preschool (3027 Miller Ave., Ann Arbor 48103) from 10:00-11:00 a.m. The event is a great chance for parents and children to work together, explore art and build a lifetime of memories! Children and their caregivers can choose from projects offered in different classrooms under the guidance of the highly regarded early education teachers at Allen Creek Preschool.

For more information call Allen Creek Preschool at 734-994-3382.

Free Lecture: Create a Healthy Family Life

I received notice of an upcoming lecture and seminar April 23-24, 2010 located at the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor. The first annual "The Years of Wonder” conference is open to parents, educators, homeschoolers and those individuals interested in creating an environment where young children can acquire skills, capacities and knowledge needed to live well in the world.

The overall conference will focus on enriching parenting skills, practices to foster vigorous brain development and creating a healthy, nurturing home environment!  There is also a FREE Friday night lecture “Love’s Other Name-Discipline”  and focuses on creating a healthy family life that supports intuitive discipline. Parents will take home skills to support their children’s well-balanced, broad-based learning, and thereby give these children treasures to last a lifetime.

Upcoming Kids Building Clinics at Home Depot and Lowes - Free Kids Projects!

A couple of really great kids building clinics are coming up that I thought to highlight -And they're FREE! Whether you're feeling cooped up and need to get the kids out of the house, the weather doesn't cooperate or simply you want to complete a fun kids project, stop by and check these out:

On March 27, 2010 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. build your own classic Kaleidoscope toy at the Lowes Build And Grow clinic. Give your child the opportunity to say, "I built it!", and help promote childhood confidence! Each participant ring will build a FREE wooden project while also receiving a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Be sure to sign up for Lowes Build And Grow clinics in advance though!

If you are planning on participating in any Ann Arbor area Easter Egg Hunts on Saturday April 3, 2010, then plan on dropping by your local Ann Arbor Home depot location to build a beautiful butterfly house. Children ages 5-12 are encouraged to join in the building fun the first Saturday or every month from 9:00 a.m until noon for these free monthly kids projects!

Celebrate an annual rite of spring with the soon-to-arrive "Detroit Tiger's Opening Day" by building your own tabletop mini baseball game at Lowes!  This fun tabletop game will be enjoyed by the entire family after your children build it on April 10, 2010 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Earth Day is right around the corner, enjoy a little bit of spring indoors and an early celebration of Earth Day with your own "See It Grow Planter".  Children will create their own mini planter from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Saturday April 17, 2010 - Make sure to add this to your calendar, as sign-up for it should be available on the Lowe's Build and grow website very soon.  Sign up early too since space is limited!

Build your own back-yard birdfeeder on Saturday April 24, 2010 at a local Ann Arbor Lowes - I was lucky to glance an advanced notice of this project, and like with the See It Grow Planter, you'll soon be able to register for the free kids clinic, so keep your peepers peeled!

And finally on build mom her own cute Picket fence Planter on May 1, 2010 at a local Home Depot then add a tiny pot of miniature roses or cute sunny pansies - It'll be a gift she'll surely treasure!!!  Be sure to stop by early, this is sure to be a popular evet.  Children can build their project from 9:00 a.m. until noon!

Upcoming Kids Building Projects

Here are several fun FREE upcoming kids building projects at the local Ann Arbor Lowes and Home Depot stores:

February 27

It’s a car, it’s a robot -It’s both! Bring your child to Lowe’s in Ann Arbor (3900 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti 48197) where they can build their own "Lowebot" - Just remember to sign up for the Lowe's Build and Grow Clinics online first!

March 6:

It's getting closer and closer to spring - Enjoy searching for spring seeds while your child builds the perfect rain gauge for your family garden. Kids ages 5-12 can join in the fun at Home Depot (3300 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti 48197) from 9:00 a.m. till noon.

March 13:

It’s March madness in and out of your home, so why not celebrate tournament time with a kids building clinic at Lowes? Bring your child into the store where they can create their very own Tabletop Basketball game.

Free program: Martin Luther King Jr. symposium, a day of creativity, dialogue and entertainment

Many local schools will be closed on Monday January 18 in celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, so what's a parent to do? Luckily for children in K-12 grades there is a wonderful all-day program being offered at the University of Michigan.

On Monday January 18th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the University of Michigan will be hosting it's 24th Annual MLK Symposium. Parents can drop off kids ages 5-18 for a day of age-appropriate stories, games, musical performances, and activities to commemorate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and its significance today. Kids age 4 and under may also attend, however they must be accompanied by an adult. A free lunch is provided to all participants.

The program takes place on the 1st and 2nd floors of Modern Languages Building (812 E. Washington, Ann Arbor). Pre-registration is strongly encouraged and can be done by visiting the program website. For more information call 734-764-0567.

The 24th Annual MLK Symposium is sponsored by the School of Education, School of Social Work & Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives.

As a child dad often gave my brother and I scraps of wood and refurbished nails for us to build some type of fun project - We especially liked using sawdust and wood glue in making a woodworking creation too. He didn't give us "toy" tools or nails either, he gave us the real thing! I suppose it's much less PC now to do so, however I very much enjoy watching my children learn some of the same skills I did as a child and have begun teaching them how to properly use tools for general household chores. Sometimes though, it is better to learn the basics from someone else, there is just something about "better listening skills" when a teacher is speaking vs. ones parent. So I thought to bring to your attention upcoming kids building clinics at Lowes and Home Depot.

Lowes Build and Grow Clinics

Saturday, November 14 - Nascar #48 Garage 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 21 - Snowman 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

To sign up for these and any other upcoming Build and Grow clinics, visit the Lowes website, new projects are released monthly, scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

Home Depot Free Kids Building Workshops

Saturday, December 5 - Wooden wagon 9:00 a.m. - noon

Home Depot also offers many ready-to-assemble "kits" the entire family can enjoy building. You can enjoy the workshops or purchase the kits at any local Home Depot stores.

Why Didn't I Think of That?

As the cool Michigan Fall is beginning to settle in with the crisp cool breezes and leaves that crinkle beneath your feet, parent’s begin to think about indoor weekend activities for their kids - Well maybe not every family does this, but Michael and I do. Summer is simply too busy to plan much and besides, who wants to do anything indoors when it’s so beautiful outside.

Here are a couple of ongoing free indoor activities that I always forget about. They are a great way to spend a rainy lazy weekend day.

Free fall matinees at the Quality 16 Theatres

We are lucky to have two Quality Theatres conveniently located, one on the West Side of Ann Arbor (3686 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor 48103/Info: 734 623-7469) and a second located in Canton (43555 Ford Road, Canton 48187/Info:734 844-3456). This fall they are offering some great movies too – Family friendly, fun and free! Each of the matinees does have a 15-minute intermission, so parents be prepared with a few dollars for snacks. Those parents with younger toddlers, this is the time when you will likely loose the attention span of your youngest too!

The movies are every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 & 11:00 AM.

September 26-27: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
October 3-4: Aliens in the Attic
October 10-11: Monsters vs. Aliens
October 17-18: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
October 24-25: Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
October 31-November 1: Coraline
November 7-8: The Tale of Despereaux

Build and Grow Kids Clinics

For families with more active children, Lowes offers some wonderful free Saturday buiding workshops. The projects are fun and easy to create, but not so simple as to loose your child’s attention. The clinics are geared for children in elementary school, however many times I have seen projects offered that I’d like to build!

There are two projects currently listed on the Build and Grow registration website a cool fire truck and a ball toss game. The Build and Grow Clinics run for 1 hour and are free.

Fire Truck Saturday September 26, 2009 10:00-11:00 AM
Ball Toss Saturday October 10, 2009 10:00-11:00 AM

To register for the clinics be sure to visit your local Lowes store or register at the Build and Grow website.