Thanks to the wonderful folks over at Virginia.org for putting together this fabulous list of family-friendly events for New Year’s Eve in Virginia!
First Nights and New Year’s Eve – Virginia Is For Lovers
Posted using ShareThis
December 20, 2009
New Year’s Eve is for Kids!
December 18, 2009
Why Parents Need a Kindle
First, let me start by saying I do not make any money off the sale of Kindles. I am writing this post because I truly believe that this is a great tool for all parents.
I originally wanted a Kindle for purely selfish reasons. I had visions of myself curling up on the couch and ordering a great book and reading it instantly. But, things changed when I pulled the Kindle out in a restaurant while waiting to have dinner with my family.
My son had gotten bored waiting and like most children, was starting to get antsy. Just to entertain him, I pulled out the Kindle and we started searching the store for children’s books. He picked out a book from the Junie B. 1st Grader series and well, the rest is history. In the morning, he brings me the Kindle when he wakes up and asks me to read to him. I keep it in my purse all the time now and whenever we are waiting or have the time, we pull out the Kindle and can just pick up where we left off. Best of all, when we finish one book, it takes (literally) 30 seconds to get another loaded onto the Kindle. He actually has stopped bringing his DS and/or portable DVD player when we travel since we have the Kindle.
The Kindle is very thin and lightweight. It features Whispernet to connect directly to the Amazon store and does not have a monthly fee. The children’s books are about $2-$4 each and do not expire once you load them. My son is easily able to follow along as I read to him and he loves pushing the “next page” button. The children’s books we have loaded have a few illustrations as well which are very clear on the device.
Something I thought was all about me has turned into a great bonding experience for parent and child.
more about “Why Mom’s Need a Kindle“, posted with vodpod
November 10, 2009
Free Planetarium Shows!
The Radford University Planetarium offers FREE shows to the general public on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:30pm and on Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The shows vary by the season, time etc. so be sure to check their website for the shows currently running. The Saturday morning shows are usually specifically for children.
Current shows include:
- The newly-acquired show “The Planets” which takes audiences on a tour of our solar system, explaining how our solar system and its planets formed, why things rotate around the sun in the ways they do, and eventually looks at the planets that have been discovered around other stars. This show was produced by the Southeastern Planetarium Association and is narrated by Kate Mulgrew (aka Captain Katherine Janeway of “Star Trek: Voyager”) .
- The three shows in the “Explorers” series. These were produced by the Bishop Museum Planetarium in Hawaii and address many of the national and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) for K-12 students.
- The children’s show “In My Backyard”, produced by the Calgary Science Center. This show takes younger audiences (from 3 years old to second graders) on a tour of many of the objects that can be seen in the night sky without a telescope.
- “Dinosaur Prophecy”: The audience joins paleontologists at the scene of the crime, excavating bones and wondering what killed the mighty dinosaurs. Be amazed as your favorite giants come to life, roam across the dome, and meet their catastrophic deaths. Find out how NASA scientists monitor the Earth and solar system for potential disasters!
- And the always-popular Christmas show ” ‘Tis the Season” chronicles many of the legends and traditions of the Christmas holiday season, including the story of a certain star.
Tina’s take: I brought my son and a couple of his friends here for an evening show. They loved it and can’t wait to go back! Curie Hall, where the Planetarium is located on the Radford campus, is easy to find and free parking is available right behind the building. The young lady leading the show we attended seemed to be very passionate about her work and took extra time to answer all the kid’s questions. Shows last anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes.
November 1, 2009
What to do with all that Halloween Candy???
I’m not sure about you, but at our house, we have Halloween candy overload. Between the left over candy we had for trick or treaters and the candy acquired through the various events we attended, we are a dentist’s worst nightmare waiting to happen.
Even though there is zero nutrient value to most of this stuff, it does seem kind of wasteful to just toss it. I decided to search for a few ideas of what to do with your leftover take….
1. Save some colorful candy for decorating a holiday gingerbread house
2. Have your child leave 1/2 of their candy for the “Candy Fairy” who will come at night to take the extra candy and deliver to children who couldn’t go trick or treating. Consider leaving $1 under the pillow for this effort.
3. Donate to the local fire department, police department or library.
4. Donate to the local YMCA or Boys/Girls Club
5. Save some for an advent calendar
6. Send it overseas for the troops. Once place is the Army Medical Center in Germany (thanks Aunt Nancy USA!):
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
ATTN: MCEUL-CH/Chaplains Office
CMR 402
APO AE 09180
7. Donate to a local food bank or homeless shelter (they do appreciate being able to offer treats)
8. Save and freeze the chocolate for baking and cooking add ins (such as cookies and ice cream mix ins)
9. Take it to work and give it to the receptionist to keep the office candy jar filled
10. Wrap some up in green/red cellophane or bags and save for Christmas treats
October 14, 2009
Share Your Virginia Memory!
For a limited time, the Virginia tourism website is offering to mail your “Virginia Memory” postcard for FREE! All you have to do is visit the website: MyVirginiaMemory, upload the photo of your “memory” (or choose one of their stock vintage postcards). After choosing your image, customize your card by choosing a border and handwriting style. Then, just type a message to the recipient, add their address information and send. You can choose to send by email or by post mail…both are free. What a great activity to do with the kids and send some happiness to the grandparents!
October 9, 2009
Halloween Craft Events at Michael’s
This came across my email today and looked like an inexpensive (or FREE) activity for the kids! These events will all be held and sponsored by your local Michael’s Arts and Crafts store. For a list of stores near your area, please click here.
The Knack Great Pumpkin Event
Saturday, October 10
10am–1pm
Bring the whole family to Michaels and create your own craft pumpkin. $5 per pumpkin ($7 Canada), includes supplies. While supplies last.
The Knack FREE Family
Halloween T-Shirt Event*
Sunday, October 25
1pm–3pm
Use your hand to make a special Halloween t-shirt that is sure to spook. Just purchase the t-shirt of your choice at Michaels and decorate it for FREE using our paint supplies! While supplies last.
*Parents, we also have an Adult Mask-Making Demo going on at the same time. Learn how to turn an ordinary mask into an extraordinary costume accessory!
The Knack FREE Family
Halloween Event
Saturday, October 31
10am–12pm
Bring the kids in to kick off Halloween! Come and get a FREE trick-or-treat pail! Plus, enjoy a free coloring activity, FREE Crayola® pencil topper demo using Crayola® Model Magic® FusionTM and a Make-It Take-It Halloween frame. Children will also receive a FREE balloon and candy. While supplies last. Ages 5–12 welcome.
October 9, 2009
Children’s Rain Garden at the Virginia Zoo
more about “Children’s Rain Garden at the Virgini…“, posted with vodpod
The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk recently dedicated a new childrens rain garden as one of its newest attractions. Besides being a beautiful addition to the zoo, the garden will function as an outdoor classroom too.
October 6, 2009
Virginia Children’s Festival in Norfolk
AT&T is sponsoring the 21st Annual Children’s Festival in Norfolk on October 10, 2009 at Town Point Park.
The Children’s Festival now in its 21st year is filled with more than 100 creative and interactive activities, storytelling, hands‐on workshops and educational displays, cultural experiences, arts and crafts, stage shows and costumed characters. This event is designed with children 10 and younger in mind (from the list of activities provided, I would make that 8 and younger).
There is a $3 admission with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To purchase tickets click here. AT&T wireless phone customers will receive 1 free admission with each AT&T wireless phone. Tickets must be purchased at the gate and phone must be presented to qualify for this special offer.
October 1, 2009
Cornmazes and Pumpkins – It’s Fall in Virginia!
What child doesn’t love romping through pumpkin patches that seem to go on forever? Holding a parent’s hand as they weave their way though a corn maze made of corn stalks that seem as tall as Jack’s Beanstalk? Virginia is filled with places to enjoy the fruits of fall and Virginia.org has put them all in a easy-to-navigate online directory for us! So, pack up the kids and take a day trip this weekend to enjoy the crisp fall air and quality family time!
October 1, 2009
14 Places Kids Eat Free – Grandparents.com
This just in from Grandparents.com:
Restaurants throughout the country are feeling the sting of the slow economy, just like you. In order to improve their bottom line and get families to eat out more often, many have initiated programs where kids eat free with the purchase of adult entrees. National chains, such as Bennigan’s, TGI Friday’s, and IHOP are promoting these deals, and local mom-and-pop restaurants are starting to do the same.
The specific times and dates vary from restaurant to restaurant, including those of the big chains so call your local favorites directly and find out if they have any kids-eat-free specials. Usually, these deals take place on off-peak days, like Tuesdays and Wednesdays; if you can find a deal, it’s a good excuse to spend time with the grandkids. Treat them to a special dinner, give their parents some downtime, and save money at the same time.
Here is a short list of national chains that have kids-eat-free deals at some locations*:
*Note: These specials vary from restaurant to restaurant and are subject to change at any time. The sample deals are real listings, but may not apply to the specific restaurants in your area. Sometimes, the deal in your area might even be better.
Applebee’s
Sample deal: Get one kid’s meal free when you buy one adult meal. Additional kids eat for $1 each.
Bennigan’s
Sample deal: Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée, on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Captain D’s
Sample deal: Thursdays, kids eat free. Get two free kids’ meals with any adult entree purchased at regular price, dine-in only.
Chevys Fresh Mex
Sample deal: All day Tuesday, get one free kid’s meal with one adult entrée, dine-in only.
Chic-fil-A
Sample deal: Get a free kid’s meal with purchase of a combo deal, Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Denny’s
Sample deal: Tuesdays from 4pm to 10pm, up to two kids’ entrees are free with the purchase of one adult entrée.
Firehouse Subs
Sample deal: Kids enjoy a free meal from the kids’ menu with the purchase of a combo meal.
IHOP
Sample deal: From 4pm to 8pm every day, kids get one free kids’-menu item with the purchase of an adult entree.
Jason’s Deli
Sample deal: All day Sunday, kids eat free from the kids’ menu.
Marie Callender’s
Sample deal: All day, Tuesday and Saturday, receive one free kid’s meal with the purchase of one adult entrée.
O’Charley’s
Sample deal: Kids, 12 years old and younger, eat free every night of the week (up to two per paying adult).
Red Robin
Sample deal: Tuesday nights, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.
T.G.I. Friday’s
Sample deal: Mondays and Tuesdays, kids younger than 3 years old eat free.
Tony Roma’s
Sample deal: Tuesdays, kids 12 and younger eat free.
