Lego Holiday Break Programs for Bored Children

Are you counting the hours until your child returns to school after the holiday break. I have seen a few comments to that from friends on Facebook so I know it's not uncommon. Earlier this week I posted ideas holiday break activities, so consider this idea from Bricks for Kids an extension of that!

If your little guy or gal has a love of all things Legos and is itching for something to do, consider the Mining & Crafting Lego Mini Camp in Chelsea (Thursday-Saturday) or Ninjago & Speedorz Lego Mini Camp in Dexter (Friday).

Your child will have action-packed activities building models, creating mosaic pictures or creating crafts which can be taken home. Opportunities for creative free building, LEGO® based games and challenges are also the main part of the program! The cost is only $35/day so sign up for 1 day or multiple days!

To register visit Bricks for Kids online and click  click "View Classes" or call  (734)-719-0303.


Mining & Crafting Lego Mini Camp
Thursday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
St Mary Catholic Church (14200 Old US Hwy 12 Chelsea)

Ninjago & Speedorz Lego Mini Camp
Friday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
St James Episcopal Church (3279 Broad St, Dexter)

Mid-Winter Break Activities & Events

What do your kids do when they are off school for mid-winter break? For many families this will be a very popular question next week. Schools from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti to Milan are off for some or all of the week. Looking for something to do? The kids can enjoy skating, crafts, free movies and even many educational opportunities throughout the week.

Events and activities will be added as they are discovered, so check back for daily and weekly activities for mid-winter break in Ann Arbor!

There are man free movies for the family to enjoy this week.
Check out what's available that your kids would enjoy!

Free Movies:

There are so many opportunities for the kids to enjoy free movies when out of school. Here is a list of the movies, show times and locations.

2/20 at 1:00 p.m. - Open Season 3 at the Dexter District Library
2/20 at 2:00 p.m. - Coraline at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/20 at 7:00 p.m. - Teen Movie - I Am Number Four at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/21 at 2:00 p.m. - Zookeeper at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/22 at 2:00 p.m. - Rango at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/23 at 2:00 p.m. - Tangled at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/24 at 2:00 p.m. - Despicable Me at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.

Builders of Tomorrow:

If your kids are into Lego’s, and what kid isn’t, then maybe they’d enjoy the Library Lego League: Problem Solving at Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor) on Monday and Tuesday, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Kids will explore the fundamentals of logic, programming and robotics design in this LEGO NXT competition! Kids will get a chance to build and test their robot then compete against other robots being built!

 

Book Groups for Kids:

A few weeks back, I mentioned the many great book groups for kids of all ages. Just because the kids are on break, it shouldn't mean they stop learning entirely. Check out one of the groups, who knows, maybe your son or daughter will get hooked on a new hobby of reading!

For the Skaters in Your Family:

There are many ice rinks in the area for skating, however this week, several have extended hours to allow the kids to enjoy ice skating longer. Buhr Park has added hours from 12:00-2:00 p.m. each day when the kids are off school. For those of you that would like to stay a bit warmer, the Skatin Station II (8611 Rhonda Dr., Canton) also has added extra hours. Kids can skate from 1:00-4:00 p.m. throughout the week and also from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday.


Daily Highlighted Events:

Throughout town there are many great activities for mid-winter break that I wanted to highlight. Below is are some, listed each day, that should not be missed!

Monday, February 20:

9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – KinderConcert by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra at the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti) where tots ages 2-6 can dance and enjoy the music.

10:00 a.m. - Kids can learn a few basic artistic techniques to capture the wonder of nature during Sketchbook Detectives at Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). Admission of $5.00 per child includes activities and materials. Preregister at 734-647-7600.

Tuesday, February 21:
10:00 a.m. – Kids will listen to a folktale and then create their own legend story collage, complete with items found in nature at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). $5.00 per child admission includes activities and materials. Pre-register at 734-647-7600.

2:00 p.m. – Celebrate Mardi Gras with crafts at the  Ann Arbor District Library (3090 E. Eisenhower Pky, Ann Arbor). Make masks, beads and noisemakers to celebrate Mardi Gras 2012!


Wednesday, February 22:

10:00 a.m. - Enjoy a breath of fresh air and a trek outdoors searching for signs of animals in winter at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). This is a free event.

4:00 p.m. – Tweens and teens in grades 5-8 will have fun experimenting with cool science during the Mythbusters program at the Ypsilanti District (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti). Snacks will be served during this free program.

7:00 p.m. – Teens in grades 6 and up can meet animals from The Creature Conservancy at Ann Arbor District Library, (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor). Here's your chance to see and learn about some truly unique creatures and get your questions answered.

Thursday, February 23:

10:00 a.m. - Kids and their parents will enjoy learning about papermaking and nature journals at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). $5.00 per child admission includes activities and materials. Pre-register at 734-647-7600.

1:00 and 4:00 p.m. – Take your little princess to enjoy Tea with the Fairies at Crazy Wisdom Tea Room (114 S. Main St., Ann Arbor). Tickets are $11 and include tea and petit fours served by real fairies! There will also be story time with books available from Crazy Wisdom Bookstore.

2:00 p.m. - Celebrate Black History Month with a concert from the Gratitude Steel Band at the Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor). The audience will enjoy different musical adventures with fun, action, and audience participation! This event is perfect to children in elementary school.

4:00 p.m. – Come to the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti) for an open studio craft session with the FLY Children’s Art Center.

During mid-winter break, have tea with a fairy or find out
about the many faries at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens!

Friday, February 24:

10:00 a.m. - Kids and their parents invited to welcome fairies and trolls by helping construct fairie dwellings for the Conservatory and the Gaffield Children's Garden at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). The $5.00 admission includes activities and allws children to build their own fairie gardens or troll houses to take home. Pre-register at 734-647-7600.

2:00 p.m. – Teens can learn beginning Chinese writings, sample food, hear about Chinese culture, and learn a few basic phrases during the free event at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti).

Activities for Kids, Teens and Families to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Find many family activities in Ann Arbor
in celebration of MLK Day!

With most of the area schools closed Monday in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it leaves a parent with thoughts on what to plan for the kids. Thankfully, there is a lot going on that are both educational and fun. Check out some of these great activities for kids to do on Monday, I've included local free activities, low-cost events and some interesting featured programs.
All of the area libraries are including some wonderful programming available throughout the day. Start your celebration with a free movie and craft project at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Watch ‘Ruby Bridges’ followed by TAG members reading excerpts from MLK’s I Have a Dream speech. Then you’ll do some craft activities.  For more information on this drop-in program visit your local YDL branch or call 482-4110 ext. 1390.

The Ann Arbor District Library is also providing a wonderful program with local author Paula Young Shelton. From 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Downtown Library, Shelton will be discussing her book "Child Of The Civil Rights Movement", which brings a child's unique perspective to an inspirational chapter in America's history. This event includes a book signing where books will be for sale.

If an afternoon full of activities is what your teen is looking for, consider taking them to the Drop-In Wii Sports and Crafts for Kids and Teens at the Dexter District Library (3255 Alpine St., Dexter MI) from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
 
The meeting room will be divided in half and on one side for the kids to play Wii Sports (Bowling, Tennis and Baseball) and enjoy some snacks with a craft available on the other side of the room. For more information, call 734-426-4477. This program is geared for kids and teens ages 8 and up.

Music is a wonderful way to fill the day and celebrate a man with a dream. At 2:00 p.m. at the University of Michigan Power Center (121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor), the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance is hosting a free musical celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. For more information call 734-763-3333 or check out the calendar of all MLK events at the University of Michigan offered that day.

For families who can not participate in a daytime celebration, consider taking your family to a free Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti) at 5:30-8:30 p.m. hear patriotic and freedom songs, watch a documentary and celebrate MLK Day during this free event for the whole family.

In the evening, Trinity Episcopal Church (11575 Belleville Rd., Belleville) is hosting a dramatic Dramatic performance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches at 7:00 p.m. The event "The dream Lives On" is a joyful celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and contains exercerpts from his well known speaches as well as powerful music and audience participation.