I thought this might be of interest to families on a budget but wanting to "get out". This weekend, March 5 - 7, Ikea (41640 Ford Road, Canton) is offering $1 Swedish Meatball Plates. These plates are normally $4.29 and include 10 meatballs, mashed potatoes and cream sauce. It is also good to remember parents, that Ikea also has a FREE supervised play area for the children while parents are in the store - Kids can be dropped for 1 hour at a time!
So I say take the fam for a quick bite, then take the kids downstairs to play while you wander Ikea or just grab 60-minutes of peace for yourself!
News and information to busy Ann Arbor area families | Find free activities for toddlers, pre-school aged children, kids, and teens - Things-to-do, local discounts and Ann Arbor events. Parenting encounters, life lessons and reader "thoughts" or advice may also appear from time to time... What's there to do in Ann Arbor with kids? The Ann Arbor Mom can help you to figure that out!
March 1, 2010
February 26, 2010
Weekend Event: University of Michigan Museum of Art Scavenger Hunt
This weekend is supposed to be a blustery snowy mess around Ann Arbor, I personally have a ton to accomplish with two birthday parties, another party my son is attending, and Disney on Ice - However if you have the opportunity, consider a Family Scavenger Hunt!
I used to, and STILL, enjoy scavenger hunts, they are a great way to entertain even the smallest family member and often involve occupying the attention span for lengthy periods of time. This weekend at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (525 S. State Street, Ann Arbor) the Ann Arbor Art Center is sponsoring a fun family workshop and scavenger hunt that involves scouring the museum. Talk about a GREAT educational opportunity!
With a list of clues in hand, families can unearth the amazing animals and mythical creatures lurking in paintings and sculptures throughout the museum's collections. All attendees will then finish off the scavenger hunt by creating an animal mask or clay creature inspired by a favorite beast while sharing everyone’s exciting discoveries. All materials for the event are included - Fee for parent and child: $15 members and UM Students/$18 non-members. Make sure to visit the University of Michigan Museum of Art's website to register; The scavenger hunt is presented by the Ann Arbor Art Center.
If you can't attend the savager hunt, consider creating one of your own - Just think of the peace and quiet you'll enjoy with preoccupied children. At the very least they'll be out of your hair for a little while. Kids are often naturally curious and active, so take advantage of that by getting them a checklist to send them on their merry ways. Here are some great ideas for easy-to-create scavenger hunts that I found on ehow.com:
HIKING:
Even though it is snowy, Ann Arbor is the perfect place to get outside and take a hiking scavenger hunt. Have the kids search for animal tracks in the snow (mud or dirt), pine needles or pine cones, assorted winter berries or fallen trees. Make sure to closely supervise the children and set boundaries to make sure they don't destroy nature or get lost - You can double the hunt as a trash pickup day! I would think that the trails at Matthai Botanical Gardens, Gallup Park or even the ones at Parker Mill would provide some fun winter entertainment!
INDOORS at THE MALL:
Briarwood Mall might be a perfect spot for an indoor scavenger hunt - Pick items like a napkin from Auntie Anne's Pretzels, a movie ticket stub from the dollar theatre, a piece of cash register tape from Gymboree. Again make sure the kids are supervised so that they do not make too much trouble, instruct them to ask permission before taking something, and possibly notify any associated stores of the impending activity!
A VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT at AnnArbor.com:
The kids don't have to travel far for a scavenger hunt, instead pass out local newspapers and have a newspaper scavenger hunt! Make a list of items for kids to find in the paper to cut out. Example items to include are a picture with a swimming pool, a picture of an athlete and an ad for a church fundraiser. Be sure to tailor the items to the appropriate age level, older kids can find more advanced things like a spelling error or typo in a story, or specific words while younger children might be more limited to photos.
I used to, and STILL, enjoy scavenger hunts, they are a great way to entertain even the smallest family member and often involve occupying the attention span for lengthy periods of time. This weekend at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (525 S. State Street, Ann Arbor) the Ann Arbor Art Center is sponsoring a fun family workshop and scavenger hunt that involves scouring the museum. Talk about a GREAT educational opportunity!
With a list of clues in hand, families can unearth the amazing animals and mythical creatures lurking in paintings and sculptures throughout the museum's collections. All attendees will then finish off the scavenger hunt by creating an animal mask or clay creature inspired by a favorite beast while sharing everyone’s exciting discoveries. All materials for the event are included - Fee for parent and child: $15 members and UM Students/$18 non-members. Make sure to visit the University of Michigan Museum of Art's website to register; The scavenger hunt is presented by the Ann Arbor Art Center.
If you can't attend the savager hunt, consider creating one of your own - Just think of the peace and quiet you'll enjoy with preoccupied children. At the very least they'll be out of your hair for a little while. Kids are often naturally curious and active, so take advantage of that by getting them a checklist to send them on their merry ways. Here are some great ideas for easy-to-create scavenger hunts that I found on ehow.com:
HIKING:
Even though it is snowy, Ann Arbor is the perfect place to get outside and take a hiking scavenger hunt. Have the kids search for animal tracks in the snow (mud or dirt), pine needles or pine cones, assorted winter berries or fallen trees. Make sure to closely supervise the children and set boundaries to make sure they don't destroy nature or get lost - You can double the hunt as a trash pickup day! I would think that the trails at Matthai Botanical Gardens, Gallup Park or even the ones at Parker Mill would provide some fun winter entertainment!
INDOORS at THE MALL:
Briarwood Mall might be a perfect spot for an indoor scavenger hunt - Pick items like a napkin from Auntie Anne's Pretzels, a movie ticket stub from the dollar theatre, a piece of cash register tape from Gymboree. Again make sure the kids are supervised so that they do not make too much trouble, instruct them to ask permission before taking something, and possibly notify any associated stores of the impending activity!
A VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT at AnnArbor.com:
The kids don't have to travel far for a scavenger hunt, instead pass out local newspapers and have a newspaper scavenger hunt! Make a list of items for kids to find in the paper to cut out. Example items to include are a picture with a swimming pool, a picture of an athlete and an ad for a church fundraiser. Be sure to tailor the items to the appropriate age level, older kids can find more advanced things like a spelling error or typo in a story, or specific words while younger children might be more limited to photos.
February 23, 2010
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.
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.
February 21, 2010
Free Alert: Science Fair Make-It Take-It
When I was a kid I LOVED participating at any event when I would get a ribbon - The art fair, the science fair, you name it. I suppose I am the classic over-achiever in many ways. That still did not diminish my love of participating! In many ways I am passing these ideals onto my children too. I was actually disappointed to find out that my son's school doesn't really include the Kindergarten students in their science fair. I had visions of helping him create a simplified volcano (like the one created by Peter on the Brady Bunch) or prehistoric diorama - Something age appropriate and fun for him! But alas, he'll have to wait a few more years.
His not being able to participate in the science fair this year won't stop me from introducing him to fun projects, cool science experiments and the beauty of the natural phenomenons around us though. I suppose that's why we'll likely be at the local Michaels next Saturday.
On Saturday, February 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. families can stop into the FREE family event at Michaels, the "Science Fair Make-It Take-it" where kids will use the periodic table to create 3D molecule models using Crayola Model Magic. How cool is that!? be sure to come early however, since the event will go on only as long as supplies last!
His not being able to participate in the science fair this year won't stop me from introducing him to fun projects, cool science experiments and the beauty of the natural phenomenons around us though. I suppose that's why we'll likely be at the local Michaels next Saturday.
On Saturday, February 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. families can stop into the FREE family event at Michaels, the "Science Fair Make-It Take-it" where kids will use the periodic table to create 3D molecule models using Crayola Model Magic. How cool is that!? be sure to come early however, since the event will go on only as long as supplies last!
February 16, 2010
Free Alert: Pretzels This Saturday
Stop by the Auntie Anne's at Briarwood mall this Saturday for a FREE freshly baked hand-rolled soft pretzel - Original or Cinnamon Sugar pretzel flavor!!! Anyone can experience the one complimentary free pretzel between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. - Bring the kids, bring the spouse, bring yourself... There's nothing better than a warm chewey salty (or sweet) treat for the family!
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