Soap Making for Kids

Having trouble at bathtime? It would be so much fun though to bathe with soap your kids actually made though! On Saturday, March 19 at the Ypsilanti District Library (Superior) from 2:00-3:00 p.m., kids ages 6-18 will learn the basics of soap making. This free event is fun, easy, and environmentally friendly using a melt-and-pour method. Kids will make washing lots of fun by adding small toys, colors, fragrances, oats, or fine glitter to their soap.

Registration is not required for the event.

Ann Arbor Hands On Museum Visit

This last week I was given the opportunity to re-visit the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum. I had the week off and was looking for fun activities to do with the kids and even got to connect with an out of town friend. The museum was busy but it was a ton of fun in one of the special exhibits and exploring the many hands on displays throughout the museum.

As a parent of two very active kids, I especially appreciate the how the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum encourages kids to interact, climb-on, run through and otherwise EXPLORE the many displays. Of course they ARE a "hands on" museum so one would expect this, however that's not always the case. The museum would be the perfect escape from this week's frigid weather!

For those of you who already know about the museum, you know it's a great place to visit. Perhaps you took your preschool aged child to explore. But there is so much more for older kids too. On the day we visited my kids created bookmarks using shaving cream and paint, created film canister rockets, made ice candles and even made some goop! I of course had to confiscate their goop so it did not end up in a mess somewhere at home. It's now at my desk at work - I mean who does not like to play with goop?!?

We had to drag the kids away from this exhibit, the way
that the magnets reacted in the fluid was just fascinating!

Learning at the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum though becomes an adventure for older kids too. I was excited to see that my kids took more time to read the displays, and spent more time exploring many of the exhibits. When they were younger it was all about the preschool displays and simply running a-muck! The additional time this trip made for a nice get-away.

Favorites on this trip included playing with the giant water table in the H2Oh! exhibit where they explored complex concepts about fluid motion. Of course they got wet, however we love that there are handy wall dryers so that kids can get warm and dry after their water fun.

Another big hit was in the DTE Energy Foundation Light and Optics area, where the kids enjoyed the stringless Laser Harp, the many great experiments and especially dancing around like crazy people to see how the shapes changed on the projected image. We seriously spent 45 minutes in that room. Oddly enough the other parents must not have gone that deep into the museum, however my friend and I got to dance with the kids then sit on the bench in the room and just chat! Our kids had a blast. They also spent much time using the green screen in the MediaWorks area. I think my daughter would make an excellent weather girl, don't you? My son preferred to play in traffic or interact with the giant spiders.

She made it. The giant bubble did not pop
until it was over her head!

My kids and their friends also spent a significant amount of time in the World Around You exhibit. Any time you can play with and make giant bubbles kids of all ages get tuned in. They also enjoyed making various sounds, climbing on the climbing wall and generally exploring the area. For some reason there was a tuning fork that got there attention this time too!

Of course at this point, my friend and I were exhausted. We had gone up and down the stairs to the museum several times and wandered all over. I think our best idea came when we sat down together in the Concourse. The kids spent at least an hour building "forts" with the huge foam blocks. There may have been a war after that, but so long as they were aware of the "littles" in the area, we let them play! 

For those of you with toddlers and pre-school aged children, know that there is much to do for your kids too. There is an entire area dedicated to that age and there are many story-time programs available too. A big hit for that audience seems to be the All About You are where kids can was riding in the ambulance and even climb a fire pole. My kids LOVED the fire pole!

My son sending a secret message that was received
by his other friend.

I appreciate too that the museum keeps things fresh with new exhibits, a pop-up maker space, little scientist club and so much more. Before you go, be sure to check the calendar of events. Know though, that no matter what age of child you have, you and your kids will enjoy a visit to the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum. There is always something to do! Bring out-of-town guests, relax inside with your parent and simply stop in to get away from the weather - Booking a trip to the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum is the perfect stay-cation this January!








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The Call of The Wild: Big Read for Big Fun at The Henry Ford

On Saturday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m., The Henry Ford will host The Big Read in the museum’s Prechter Promenade and Anderson Theater. During this free event, visitors will get a free copy of the Jack London classic The Call of the Wild plus enjoy a make and take activity for the kids!

Get a free copy of The Call of the Wild,
enjoy kids activities and more
during the Big Read at The Henry Ford.

Some highlights for this year's event include a dramatic reading from the book by the Players Guild of Dearborn, a screening of The Gold Rush with Charlie Chaplin, a winter camping display by the Boy Scouts, and a photo opportunity with a real dog sled and prospector’s gear.

The Big Read is a 10 week literary adventure that provides children, teens and adults to discover Jack London’s The Call of the Wild. The Big Read is a grant program from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. 

The Call of the Wild program runs March 8-17. Families will have opportunities to discover the themes of The Call of the Wild through movies, book discussions, art activities, lectures, a photo contest and more. We love the visiting The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village - This sounds like a perfect reason to go and visit again!

Valentine's Day events and craft projects for kids and teens

From AnnArbor.com:

When I think of Valentine's Day, I am reminded of a Valentine's Day school party in 5th Grade. I passed out the typical handcrafted Valentine's Day cards to classmates and even got crafty with salt-dough, shaping it into a Valentine heart that I gave to Hank, my 5th grade crush. Unfortunately for me, even though I didn't label who the heart was from he knew, and proceeded to tell the entire class I didn't know how to cook. Explaining that it wasn't a cookie was a fruitless effort and quite embarrassing!

Creating Valentine's Day gifts though became a tradition of sorts, and one that I have passed to my children - everyone loves a good treat, be it baked or crafted, and this week throughout Ann Arbor, there are many opportunities for your children and teens to craft their hearts out!

Michaels Crafts (3655 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor) is always a good location for free or low-cost "Make-it Take-it" craft projects and this week they are not failing to deliver. On Wednesday, February 10 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., older teens and their parents should consider heading over to make their own decorated Valentine votive candle holder (with purchase of votive holder). Then over the weekend, families with younger children can celebrate Valentine's Day in the store with hand-decorated frames (with the purchase of a wooden frame) and watch a heart shaped pom pom demo on Saturday 10:00 a.m. - noon, or create their own free Valentine cards from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Both events are while supplies last and appropriate for families with children ages 3 and up.

Tree Town Toys (2611 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor) is another local retailer who often provides low-cost events for kids. This week to celebrate Valentine's Day kids can create heart flowers on Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. for only $1! Kids will glue hearts in the shape of a flower and attach it to a decorative stem. All materials including lots of "bling" will be provided. This is appropriate for children over 2. Kids can also create flowers in the store on Valentine's Day 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Ypsilanti Library has several events for children and teens to create sometime sweet for their sweethearts. On Saturday, February 12 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Michigan branch (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) older kids can create their very own chocolate assortment to enjoy or give to someone special. The library will have the molds and materials to decorate your packaged sweets! Register online or call 734-482-4110, x1390. The Whittaker branch (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti) will also have a crafty treat for kids and teens from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, with decorated cupcakes - It’s fun, it’s sweet, and what remains is good to eat. Most of these events however require pre-registration, so please log into your Ypsilanti Library account to register!

Children’s Orchard (Colonnade Center at 887 W. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor) is having a Valentine’s party on Saturday, February 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. that will include free kids crafts, coloring pages and sweet treat goodie bags. As an added bonus, Dora the Explorer will also be making an appearance!

For teens who decide Valentine's Day is too much, the Dexter Library (3255 Alpine St., Dexter) has an Anti-Valentine’s Day party for teens in Grades 6-12 starting at 3:00 p.m. on February 14. The free event promises lots of unusual fun, music and food!

If you have heard of other Valentine's Day creative or craft events in the area, please let me know or add it into the comments below!

Kids Can Create a Free Memory Box for Mementos

Children tend to collect many "treasures" along the way. From small stones, pennies to stickers and silly bandz. To contain all these mementos and trinkets, a memory box may be just what the doctor ordered!

Next Thursday, at 6:00 p.m., kids ages 6-12 can create their very own memory boxes at the Ypsilanti District Library - Whittaker branch. Registration for this free event YDL cardholders can be done online, or call 734-482-4110.