Sidewalk Chalk Activities to Keep the Kiddos Busy

Summer vacation is almost here. If you're home with the kiddos, you might be anxiously pinning ideas on Pinterest or frantically scheduling play dates to keep the kids busy. Or you might be in denial. That's okay - ROCmomma to the rescue!

Last summer, we posted a summer's worth of DIY Backyard Summer Camp themes and activities. This summer, we're making the most of things you have around the house (or things you should have around the house if you want to keep the kids occupied).

One thing you need in your summer arsenal? Sidewalk chalk. Oh, the things you can do with sidewalk chalk! Of course there's hop scotch, four square, and drawing pretty pictures…but don't stop there.

Tic Tac Toe - Draw a Tic Tac Toe grid with chalk and ask one kid to collect rocks while the other collects sticks. Take turns tossing rocks and sticks onto the Tic Tac Toe squares; three rocks or three sticks in a row wins.

Corn Hole (Bean Bag Toss) - Draw two sets of targets with chalk; draw different sizes and assign different point values. Grab bean bags or rocks and take turns tossing to hit the targets. Use chalk to keep a tally of points.

Corn Hole/Bean Bag Toss targets

"I got this, Mommy."

Shape Soccer - Draw a goal (large rectangle) with chalk, then draw different shapes that are large enough to stand on. Each shape should be a few feet from the goal, in somewhat of a semi-circle around the goal. Grab a ball and take turns standing on a shape and kicking the ball. If the ball passes through the goal, that player gets one point. Do this at each shape, and use chalk to keep a tally of points. Variations: Swap the soccer ball for hockey sticks and a small ball, or try bouncing a basketball onto the goal.

Here is the Shape Hockey variation.

Obstacle Course - Use chalk to draw spots for kids to hop, run, jump, turn around, zig zag, you name it! Once the novelty wears off, time them. Challenge them to beat their best time. Then have them try to go through backwards. Then while holding hands. Then while singing a song the whole time. The fun never ends!

START! 3 Hops (right foot)

3 Hops (left foot), then Turn Around

Jump Over, Jump Over, then Zig Zag

Turn Around then Run to the Shapes

Hop from Shape to Shape (follow the arrows)

Victory Dance! You made it!

Chalk City - Use chalk to draw streets, stop signs, buildings, a park, your house, etc. Kids can ride bicycles or tricycles through your city.

Of course we had to have Target
in our Chalk City. (and I can't
believe I didn't take more pictures!)

I hope you enjoy these games, and have fun coming up with your own.

How do you play with sidewalk chalk? Post a Comment and let us know. As always, thanks for reading.

Who Likes to Dig for Fossils?

At one of my son's soccer games, I was talking with a fellow ROCmomma about how our kids love dinosaurs. She asked if I had ever taken them to Penn Dixie Dig Site because you can take home the fossils you find.

We HAD TO go. What are you doing next weekend? Because you HAVE TO GO, too.

There are no dinosaur fossils at the Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center, but you will find tons of marine fossils from 380 million years ago. That's older than any dinosaur!

  

During the one-hour ride to Penn Dixie, I was a little nervous that the boys might not find any fossils. I was worried that they might be disappointed, especially since I had hyped it up so much and we were driving so far. Rest assured, you can't help but find fossils there.

We found our first one within the first thirty seconds at the dig site:

Coral from the Devonian Era
(380 million years old)

And we filled our buckets in no time!

When you arrive at Penn Dixie, the parking is free and there are some port-a-potties - including a handicap accessible one - in the parking lot. Unfortunately, there are no diaper-changing facilities available.

There is a park-shelter-type entryway where staff are available to accept your admission fee and help you get started. You will receive a fossil identification card to help you figure out what types of fossils you've found. One of the guides even walked out to the dig area with us and showed us what we would be looking for at the site. She was extremely patient and answered all of my boys' questions in a way they could understand. (I learned a lot, too!)

We brought our own buckets and some small gardening shovels, but we actually didn't need to dig at all. It's just a matter of turning over the rocks to look for cone-shaped coral, black flecks of trilobites, the swirl of a gastropod (snail), ridges of a crinoid (sea lily), or the shell-shapes of pelecypods (clams) or brachiopods (lamp shells). Most of the shale is so soft, you can even break some of the rocks with your fingers to remove the fossils.

"I found one!"

"Look at this one!"

More fossils, more fossils,
and more fossils.

There are paved trails around the Penn Dixie site, so it is stroller-friendly as well as wagon-friendly. You'll find plenty of fossils on either side of the paved trails. If you're not tethered by a stroller, little explorers will have a great time wandering off the trails and into the great big piles of rocks at the dig site.

Future paleontologists will be fine with a bucket and gardening shovel. However, there were some serious fossil-lovers there with goggles, mallets, and chisels getting into some of the bigger shale pieces.

Covered picnic tables are available, if you bring lunch or a snack. While there are no vending options available on site, you'll find plenty of restaurants in the area after you leave Penn Dixie.

The best part of it all? You get to bring home all of the fossils you can carry!

When we got home, my six-year-old insisted he had to start working on the rocks. We set up a sturdy table in our sunroom, and he found his goggles and wooden hammer from his tool set.

Future paleontologist at work.

He has been having fun breaking the fossils out of the rocks. Then they go into a bucket of water to be washed with an old toothbrush. Once the fossils dry, we paint them with a solution of half Elmer's glue and half water to preserve them. We have been busy trying to pick out the best fossils to mount on the identification card in time for show and tell at school. He is really excited about that.

Penn Dixie is open during weekends May through October, and seven days a week during mid-June through Labor Day. They also host many special events throughout the year; check out their web site for upcoming events. Driving directions may be found on their web site; if using a GPS device, the address is 4050 North Street, Blasdell, NY 14219.

Please Post a Comment below and let us know about your fossil findings! As always, thanks for reading.

Backyard Summer Camp: Under the Sea Week

If your kids aren't old enough to occupy themselves this summer, these Backyard Summer Camp theme weeks are your solution to battle boredom and ward off whining. Be sure to check out the previous post on Wacky Sports week, too.

Under the Sea

Active Play

• ·      Sprinklers
• ·      Water table
• ·      Fill kiddie pool or large bin with water and sea creature toys
• ·      Squirt guns

·

Quiet Play

• ·      Jellyfishhanging craft (paper bowls turned upside down, paint, googly eyes, glue, ribbon for tentacles & to hang it)
• ·      Make a handprint crab (red paint, paper, glue, sand)
• ·      Fishsun-catchers (old CDs, paper, string, etc.) 
•     Float A Fish (Fish bowl craft) 
•     Whale craft (flower pots or plastic cups, foam sheets, paint, etc.)
• ·      Make LEGO sea creatures
• ·      Read stories about sea creatures
• ·      Write a story together about living under the sea. Let kids illustrate.

·       

Field Trips

• ·      Go to a sprayground (in the Rochester, NY area: Camp Arrowhead – weekdays after 4:15 p.m. for YMCA members; Camp Eastman near Ontario Beach Park; Pineway Ponds Park in Ogden, NY; Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva, NY) 
•     Feed the fish at a hatchery (Rochester area: try Powder Mills Park, Pittsford, NY)
• ·      Swim indoors at the Y (Rochester area: the Eastside YMCA in Penfield, NY has a great family pool 

•     Head to the beach to collect seashells
• ·      Visit the fish at a pet store
• ·      Go to the library for books about the sea

Have fun with these Under the Sea activities, and be sure to Post a Comment and let us know how you enjoyed this theme week! As always, thanks for reading.

Family Fun This Weekend

Looks like Saturday is our sunny day this weekend...unfortunately Sunday is supposed to be warm (71!) but with thunderstorms. Be sure to take advantage of tomorrow's sunshine, then stay in to make apple pie or pumpkin cookies on Sunday.


ONGOING

Mary Poppins
Friday, October 12 at 8 p.m., Sat. Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun. Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Auditorium Theatre, 885 East Main Street, Rochester, NY
This stage musical features the story and songs from the Disney film, plus new dance numbers .  Best for ages 6+ due to length: 160 minutes. Tickets may be purchased online.


15th Annual Apple Tasting Tour
Daily through Wednesday, October 31
Various Locations in Wayne County, NY
Visit fourteen markets to taste the different varieties of apples and collect stamps at each market you visit. Take the Apple Taste Test, enjoy other food samples, enter door prize drawings, and more.



Exhibit Opening: A T. Rex Named Sue
Daily through January 6, 2013; Mon-Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
See the largest, most complete, and best-preserved T. Rex! Touch casts of Sue's bones, complete a 3-D puzzle with bones, move models of Sue's jaws, and more. Included with general admission.


FRIDAY

Story Time & More

Friday, October 12, 2012

1. Lift Bridge Book Shop, 45 Main Street, Brockport, NY - story time at 10:30 a.m. for toddlers ages 1-4, with songs and games
2. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the story at 11 a.m., stay for the farm animal fun!

Free Family Night
Friday, October 12, 2012 from 5:30 - 9 p.m.
YMCA-Southeast, 111 East Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY
Enjoy swimming, crafts, the Adventure Center, pizza ($1/slice), and roller skating ($4/person) for a fun family night. Bring socks for the Adventure Center, plus your swim suit and towel for the pool.

Fun Fridays
Friday, October 12, 2012 from 6 - 8 p.m.
YMCA-Westside, 920 Elmgrove Road, Rochester, NY
Family gym games, inflatables, obstacle course, crafts, and family swimming. There is no fee for members; $10 per family for the community.

SATURDAY

Scarecrow Festival 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 11 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Kennelley Park Gazebo, North Main Street, and the Box Factory Parking Lot, Fairport, NY
Live music, kid's crafts, food vendors, face painting, kids activity tent, guess-the-pumpkin's-weight contest, pony rides, bounce house, flea market, farmers market, side walk sale, Fairport tours, and a scarecrow contest.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 

ZooBoo
Saturday, October 13 - Sunday, October 14 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (weekends through October 28)
Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY
Enjoy 15 trick-or-treat stations with a mixture of candy, healthy snacks, and trinkets. Every participating child receives a gift and take-home craft as they exit. There will be live performers and costumed characters, plus the zoo animals will be enjoying their own treats. General admission applies (zoo members enter for free); additional $7 per trick-or-treater.

Corn Maze & Fall Festival
Saturday, October 13 - Sunday, October 14 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (weekends throughout October)
Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY
Check out the awesome corn maze, plus enjoy a barrel race, bean bag tic-tac-toe, horseshoes, and hay bale maze ($7/person for maze and activities). There is an additional fee for the bounce house/slide ($1), wagon rides ($4), plus food and beverages. Please see web site for additional information.

Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Fest
Saturday, October 13 - Sunday, October 14 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (weekends through October 28)
Stokoe Farms, 656 South Road, Scottsville, NY
Pick your own pumpkins and enjoy over 30 fun activities, including animal attractions. General admission is $9.

Holiday Hollow Halloween & Pirate Festival
Saturday, October 13 - Monday, October 14 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (continues Saturdays and Sundays through October 28)
Holiday Hollow, 1410 Main Road, Corfu, NY
Happy, family-friendly Renaissance Fair-like entertainment including 8 live stage shows, a Haunted Parlor, Hook's Hideout Maze, teacup search, caricature artist, face painting, games, and food. In case of inclement weather, shows move indoors. Admission is $11 for ages 11 and up; $10 for ages 3-10; ages 2 and under are free. Discount coupon available on web site.

Pumpkin Hollow
Saturday, October 13 - Sunday, October 14; Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m./Sat-Sun: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Gro-Moore Farms, 2811 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY
A wide variety of games, crafts and other activities. Daily activities for up-to-3rd-graders are free; some weekend activities have an extra fee (pay for individual activities or pay One Price Ticket for $10 per person). Mazes, slides, haunted house, fun house, pumpkins, apples, homemade candy and caramel apples, pies, fry cakes, cider, apples, and more await!

Fall Harvest Celebration
Saturday, October 13 - Sunday, October 14 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (weekends through October 28)
Brown's Berry Patch, 14264 Roosevelt Highway, Waterport, NY
Pick your own apples, pumpkins, and raspberries. Face painting, pony rides, hayrides, dinosaur corn maze, lots of pumpkin and apple treats made at Brown's, Barnyard Adventure, Barnyard Express, pedal cars, rope maze, giant slide, playground, and more. Fees apply for activities; please check web site for details.

You Pick Apples, Raspberries, and More
Saturday, October 13 - Sunday, October 14 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
G and S Orchards, 825 Atlantic Avenue (Route 286), Walworth, NY
From now through the end of October, enjoy an afternoon of family fun while picking apples, berries, pumpkins, and more.

Pumpkin Harvest Festival Weekends
Saturday, October 13 - Sunday, October 14 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (weekends thru October 31)
Long Acre Farms, 1342 Eddy Road, Macedon, NY
Celebrate autumn with the Maize Maze, Back 40, hayrides, and cow train rides. Check out nursery rhymes made entirely of pumpkins and gourds, fun picture cut-outs, and a funny graveyard. Admission is $10.50/ages 5+ and $6.50/ ages 2-4.

"Pumpkintown" & Pick-Your-Own Apples
Saturday, October 13 - Sunday, October 14 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (weekends thru October 28)
Lagoner Farms, 6985 Lake Avenue, Williamson, NY
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, enjoy wagon rides, ride the Cider Barrel Express, explore the Mini Maze, Ring the Corn Cob, Knock the Apple Off the Tree, Bowl Over the Cider Jugs, play Farmer's Fastball, and more. Activities are 1-2 tickets each (tickets are $1 each) or pay one price: $10 each or $35 for a family of 4. Lunch menu is available.

SUNDAY

Trolley Rides

Sunday, October 14 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East River Road, West Henrietta, NY

Purchase your tickets, then explore the train cars, antique cars, fire truck, and the model trains in the museum. At your departure time, board the trolley and enjoy the 1-mile ride to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Explore the second museum before boarding for a ride back to the Museum of Transportation.

Stay warm, stay dry, and have fun this weekend! As always, thanks for reading.

Time for a Scavenger Hunt

There are days when I feel like the worst mom in the world (or perhaps just the laziest), and then there are days when I feel like a Mom Genius. This was one of the genius days. It's getting toward the end of summer, and most of my good ideas had already been used up, until I started thinking about birthday parties. One of the things my kids love to do at parties is have a scavenger hunt.

Step One
I grabbed two brown paper bags and decorated them with some stickers, and each of my boys' names. This took about 45 seconds. If you don't have brown paper bags, you could use:

• pails from the sandbox
• used gift bags
• plastic grocery bags
• shoeboxes
• trick-or-treat buckets
• plastic food storage container
• anything!

If you want to prolong the time this activity takes, give the kids the bags/boxes/containers and some sheets of stickers and have them do the decorating.

Step Two
Make a list for the scavenger hunt. Will your hunt be indoors or out? This will help shape your list. Indoor items could include:

• Something you use to eat your food
• A shoe
• A toy block
• A piece of paper
• A magnet
• Something hard
• Something soft
• Something with wheels
• Something round
• 2 things that are red
• Something that moves
• Something you like

Outdoor items could include:

• Something fuzzy
• A seed or nut
• Something straight
• Something round
• Something smooth
• Something rough
• 2 types of leaves
• Something that makes noise
• A rock
• A pinecone
• Something green
• Something that you like

Step Three
Explain that we are going on a scavenger hunt to find the items on our list. When we find something that is on the list, we will put it inside our bag/box/container. Then we will keep going until we have everything on our list.

We used an outdoor list, so we headed to a playground. My older son rode his bike while my younger son got a ride in his covered wagon. We brought the list and our bags, and we got down to business as soon as we reached the playground.

Something rough: wood chips!

Something round: the bicycle wheel! (not quite something that would fit in the bag, but they were so excited, I didn't want to ruin their fun)

They had a great time finding everything on their list, and then we played at the playground for a while. Once all the objects are found, there are a endless possibilities for the activities the kids could do with them.

One option is to do a rubbing of the objects, if possible. To do this, place the object under a piece of light-colored paper. Next, remove the wrapper from a dark crayon - dark blue, purple, black, or brown work best - and use the long side to rub the paper (where the object is underneath). The texture of the object will be transferred to the paper. This works best with relatively flat objects, such as leaves, coins, hair combs, or small toy figures. Use different areas of the paper for each object until you have a collage of scavenger hunt items.

Another option is to take a digital photo of each object, print the photos, and help your child make a simple photo book or scrapbook with them. This would be great for an alphabet scavenger hunt (finding something that starts with each letter), a numbers scavenger hunt (find one leaf, two rocks, three sticks, etc.), or a colors scavenger hunt (find one thing that is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, and white). Then the photo book becomes your child's own learning tool.

You could also have your child pose for a photo with all of the found objects. Have them decorate a paper plate, then attach the photo to the center and hang it up as a "trophy" from the scavenger hunt.

I hope these ideas inspire you to have a scavenger hunt with your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or the kids you babysit. They'll have a blast, and you won't hear "I'm bored." At least for ten minutes out of the day.

Be sure to Post A Comment and tell us about your scavenger hunt. As always, thanks for reading.

Powder Mills Park Fish Hatchery

The first time we drove past Powder Mills Park, I was more interested in the "mushroom house" next to it. I took my son there specifically so I could get a better view of a home that looks like something straight out of the Ewok Village - Bright Tree Village on the Forest Moon of Endor, to be exact, for all you fanboys and fangirls out there. I love driving by and imagining what it would be like to actually live there.

Turns out the park is fun, too.

There are six pools holding tons and tons of trout at different ages. They are certainly not the prettiest fish, but they are still fun to watch. Bring quarters and a plastic cup or bag so you can buy fish food pellets from the dispensers at the park. When your kids throw the food into the water, the trout make a mad dash to get some. Caution: they splash, especially the big ones.

After we feed the fish, we usually stop by the two ponds. The first is next to the fish pools; there are usually some more trout in there as well as ducks and geese. (beware of goose feces as you walk around)

The second pond is across the park road. There are benches in the shade to enjoy the pond view, as well as a little dock for fishing or checking out the pond. My boys love to scare me by hanging over the railing on the dock. I hate being "that mom," you know, overly cautious. But at the same time, I do not want to have to jump into that pond. Ever. Gross.

Powder Mills Park Fish Hatchery is located at 115 Park Road in Pittsford, NY. There is a gazebo with picnic tables by the fish pools, so you can bring lunch or snacks. However, I have yet to find a restroom there. Thanks to my fellow ROCmomma Kim for providing the following information about the restrooms: They are located in the park office building adjacent to the six fish pools. Hours are limited to when the office is open.

Parking is free, and the park is stroller-friendly. If you have older children, there are some trails through the woods that can be fun. We started out on them once, but I quickly decided that we needed one adult per child at this stage, with a 2 1/2 and a 5 year old. When you walk back toward the parking lot, before crossing the bridge over the creek, follow the creek to the right into the woods and you'll see the worn trails. That part is definitely not stroller-friendly.

If you are looking for a low-key place to take the kids and get some fresh air, Powder Mills Park is a great place. If everyone still has energy to burn after visiting the Fish Hatchery, there are some other areas to stop along Park Road and visit more of Powder Mills Park.

Enjoy, and as always, thanks for reading.

Cool Down at the Pineway Ponds Splash Pad

It's hot. It's humid. The kids are bored. You're out of "Camp Momma" or "Camp Poppa" ideas. Well, it's a good thing you've got ROCmomma on your side. How about a trip to the splash pad at Pineway Ponds Park in Ogden, NY?

Put the kids in their swim suits and water shoes or sandals, and pack your lunch, some snacks, and some drinks. Grab your beach/pool bag and load up the towels, sunblock, swim diapers, changes of clothes, and a big blanket. You're ready to go!

The splash pad is open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The parking lot is free and it is right next to the splash pad, so you won't be walking very far. There are picnic tables, or grab some dry land and spread out your blanket. The restrooms are in a small building to the left of the splash pad - but note that there is no diaper changing table, and there are no changing rooms - only bathroom stalls.

There are lots of structures that spray, pour, and trickle water at the splash pad. Kids can climb on a dolphin or sea lion, slide down a whale, run through a rainbow, or get doused by toppling buckets. The best part is that there is zero depth, so even tiny tots can have a great time. No life jackets required. There are benches along the perimeter, but don't just sit on the sidelines; ROCmommas and ROCpoppas can play too! My fellow ROCmomma, Kim, and I decided to be bold and wear our swim suits too. Thankfully, we were not alone and we all had a great time.

When kids need a break from the water, there is a dry playground right next to the splash pad, with lots of things to climb up or slide down. Plus there are tons of low rock walls to climb.

Pineway Ponds Park is located a quarter-mile north of the Village of Spencerport on Route 259 (Union Street). If you are mapping a route, enter N Union St & Park Rd, Spencerport, NY as your destination. It's free. It's fun. It's something new. Give it a try!

As always, thanks for reading. If you head out to Pineway Ponds Park, please Post a Comment and tell us about your experience. Enjoy!

Family Fun This Weekend

This weekend is a bit light on scheduled events, but there is still plenty to do with your family to have a great time.

Story Time & Animal Friends

Friday, July 20 at 11 a.m.

1. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the story, stay for the farm animal fun!

2. Wickham Farms, 1821 Fairport Nine Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY - story time, sandbox, farm animals, and playground are free; jumping pillow, batting cages, and mini golf fees apply.

Family Rhythm & Play

Friday, July 20 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Rhythm Connect, 84 High Street, Fairport, NY

Register ahead (200-2542) for this free, fun family event. In the Percussion Paradise room, each participant will choose an instrument to play, and have a chance to explore interactive zones. This event repeats on August 7 and August 21.

Trolleys at Twilight

Saturday, July 21 from 4 - 10 p.m.

New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East River Road, West Henrietta, NY

Take a ride on a trolley, check out some train cars in the museum, and be sure to see the model train village.

Hunter Resch Foundation Carnival

Saturday, July 21 from 12 - 6 p.m.

Barnard Exempts, 360 Maiden Lane, Greece, NY

Carnival games for kid, dunk tank, bounce houses, emergency vehicles on display, food, and more. All proceeds benefit the Hunter Resch Foundation, an organization formed to ease the burden of families with children in domestic abuse situations.

More outdoor ideas:

• Fly a kite at Veterans Memorial Park 
• Get splashed at the Camp Eastman spray ground (Irondequoit, NY) or Pineway Ponds Park Splash Pad (Ogden, NY)
• Check out Wild Wings at Mendon Ponds Park
• Walk along the Erie Canal at Perinton Park
• Feed the trout at Powder Mills Park Fish Hatchery
• Walk a trail at Tinker Nature Park
• Play mini golf and drive go karts at The Clubhouse

More indoor ideas:

• Ride the train at Strong National Museum of Play
• Build with Keva Planks at Rochester Museum & Science Center
• Check out some books at your local Library
• If you belong to the YMCA, check out the Adventure Center at the Southeast Family Branch (Pittsford) or go swimming at the Eastside Family Branch (Penfield) 
• Go bowling
• Head to Kango, Bounce It Out, or Jump Club to jump away the sillies

Whatever your weekend has in store, I hope you have a great time! As always, thanks for reading.

Road Trip Tomorrow: Go to the Geneseo Air Show

My husband joked that I'm going to lose street cred because yesterday's Family Fun This Weekend post  did not include the Geneseo Airshow. I'm making up for it now. And fear not! If you missed it today, you can still go tomorrow.

The airshow begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 15, with performances every 10 to 20 minutes, and the final performance at 4:30 p.m. The performances were pretty amazing, and the pilots were clearly talented. I had my doubts before we got there, but happily I was wrong.

If the kids get tired of watching the airplanes, take a walk around to see tons of planes on the ground. Our favorite was the shark plane, below.

 There's even a huge plane that you can walk inside! (my boys & I are on the steps, below)

The kids loved it! But we wish we had been a little better prepared for the event. So, I urge you to take your kids tomorrow, but there are some helpful things to know before you go.

THE BASICS:

• Sunday, July 15 from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Located on a ginormous field on Big Tree Lane in Geneseo, NY (there are signs when you get close; you can't miss it)
• Admission is $20 per adult; kids under 12 are free
• Parking is free; there is a shuttle from the parking lot to the viewing area, but it may not be necessary for everyone (the walk isn't that far)
• Admission is cash only; all on-site vendors are cash-only; there are no ATMs on site
• On-site food options include: pizza, hot dogs, burgers, veggie burgers, gourmet grilled cheese & soups, ice cream, frozen drinks, fresh lemonade, and even frozen cheesecake on a stick!
• There are lots of port-potties, however there is no diaper changing area

WHAT TO BRING:

• Folding chairs and/or blanket
• Umbrellas or beach umbrella for shade (we had the kids sit in their canopied red wagon & they were fine)
• A cooler with lots of water
• You may bring your own food
• Sunblock; be sure to reapply every 1-2 hours
• Hats, sunglasses

I hope you enjoy the planes as much as we did! Be sure to Post A Comment if you go and let us know about your experience at the airshow. As always, thanks for reading.

5 Reasons to Love Perinton Park

Perinton Park is my favorite park in the ROC area and it was introduced to me by my fellow ROCmomma Corie. It is located at 99 O'Connor Road, Fairport, NY (at Fairport Road & O'Connor Road). There are so many reasons why it's my favorite, where do I begin?

First, it is one of the few playgrounds in the shade. Huge trees surround the play structures so they don't get scorching hot, and we stay cooler as well. We've been to plenty of playgrounds where the equipment was so hot, we couldn't even stay to play.

Second, below the play equipment is sand, rather than wood chips or gravel. My kids love to dig so we usually bring a few pails, shovels, and plastic trucks. I've learned to bring extras, because other kids always want to join us. One tip: label your sand toys with your last name using permanent marker. Sometimes a borrowed toy will inadvertently end up in another part of the playground, and this makes it easy to claim it back.

Third, there are three different sections to the playground structures. There is a larger, higher section for bigger kids, a medium section...

...and even a lower, smaller section for little ones. There is a yellow slide behind my son in the picture below that has such a low incline, even a tiny tot can slide down.

There are also rocking toys (pictured below) and swings - baby swings, regular swings, and one swing for children with special needs.

The fourth reason why Perinton Park is my favorite is the Erie Canal. We usually bring our big red wagon (we used to bring the stroller; the park is definitely stroller friendly) and once the kids are tired of the playground, we walk past the basketball courts and up to the Erie Canal path. Your kids will have fun counting the ducks, boats, and kayaks. Plus it's a really pretty walk.

Another thing we love about Perinton Park is the train tracks. When you get up to the Erie Canal path, if you walk to the left, you just might see a train. There are a couple of spots where the tracks are visible right from the path. Or, when you're ready to leave, you can turn right out of the parking lot and follow O'Connor Road around the bend, and there are two railroad crossings. On the left by each crossing, there are businesses with large parking lots. We usually trespass for about 15-20 minutes in one of those lots to eat a snack in the car and wait to see a train pass by.

Added bonus: on the other side of Fairport Road, before turning on to O'Connor Road, there is a gas station with a Dunkin Donuts drive-through window. Such easy access if ROCmomma or ROCpoppa needs a tasty beverage before or after the park!

To be fair, I have a few complaints as well. First, there are only about five picnic tables by the playground and people often "claim" them for their entire visit. I have watched families finish their lunch, then leave all their sippy cups and water bottles on the table while they play. They return to the table only when they're ready to pack up and leave, and meanwhile the table has been unused and unusable (is that a word?) for an hour or so. It would be so much nicer if groups could use the table to eat lunch, then pack up and leave their belongings off to the side so that another group might eat their lunch at the table afterward. It just seems like the courteous thing to do, but, ah well.

My other complaint is that there is a bit of a walk to the restroom from the playground. As much as we encourage, "Don't wait til it's too late," we usually end up with wet pants if the restroom is more than a few feet away. If your child waits until they're hopping on one foot before telling you they need the potty, I recommend bringing a couple changes of clothes just in case.

As always, thanks for reading. Be sure to Post a Comment the next time you go to Perinton Park and tell us about your experience.

Family Fun June 29 - July 6, 2012

Your kids won't even have time for the thought, "We're bored!," with something fun to do every day. Better yet, most of it is free of charge (or under $10 per person).

Red, White, and Kangaroo
Friday, June 29, 2012 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Kango Play Center, 1565 Jefferson Road, Rochester, NY
Adults are free & kids are just $4 each to enjoy admission and party fun including a Kango frisbee, patriotic arts & crafts projects, roller skating, bounce house, climbing structure, and more.

Story Time & Animal Friends
Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11 a.m.
1. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the story, stay for the farm animal fun!
2. Wickham Farms, 1821 Fairport Nine Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY - story time, sandbox, farm animals, and playground are free; jumping pillow, batting cages, and mini golf fees apply.

Model Train Open House
Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Edgerton Community Center, 41 Backus Street, Rochester, NY
Free tours of the Edgerton Model Train Room feature four views of Rochester's history, each set in a different season.

School's Out Blast at the Rochester Rhinos
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 7:05 p.m.
Sahlen's Stadium, 460 Oak Street, Rochester, NY
Watch the game and enjoy free kids activities, including rock wall, bounce houses, live music, human foosball, and more. $5 general admission or $10 premium seating. Click here to purchase tickets.

Literature Live: Cat in the Hat
Saturday, June 30 (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.) - Sunday, July 1, 2012 (noon - 5 p.m.)
Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
Bring your camera and meet Dr. Seuss's famous cat! Included with general admission.

Trolley Rides

Sunday, June 30 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East Henrietta Road, West Henrietta, NY

Purchase your tickets, then explore the train cars, antique cars, fire truck, and the model trains in the museum. At your departure time, board the trolley and enjoy the 1-mile ride to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Explore the second museum before boarding for a ride back to the Museum of Transportation. 

Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Bowling
Every Day (May 1 - August 31, 2012), open until 9 p.m.
Bowl-A-Roll Lanes, 1560 Jefferson Road, Rochester, NY
Kids in grades K-12 can enjoy one FREE game of bowling (including shoe rental) every day this summer!

TWOs-Day at Wickham Farms
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. (repeats every Tuesday!)
Wickham Farms, 1821 Fairport Nine Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY
Mini golf is just $2 per round, and earn double punches on your ice cream punch cards. Sandbox, farm animals, and playground are free; regular jumping pillow and batting cages fees apply.

LEGO Block Party
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, Pittsford, NY
They supply the Lego and Duplo blocks, you supply the imagination. Open to all ages. Free; no registration required.

The Zoo is Open Late!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 until 8 p.m. (every Tuesday in July and August)
Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY
Gates remain open until 7 p.m. and the zoo grounds are open until 8 p.m. Included with regular admission. Arrive earlier and check out the programming every day. My boys love the enrichment programs (most days at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. - check the schedule). Last year we enjoyed watching the polar bears swim to catch frozen watermelons, and the cougar hunting around the trees for hidden treats.

Independence Day Celebrations
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

• Music (7:30 p.m.) and fireworks (10 p.m.) in Downtown Rochester
• Pony Rides, Kids' Music, Inflatables, "Magic Guy" magic shows, and more (4 p.m.) and Fireworks (9:40 p.m.) at Henrietta Veterans Memorial Park 
• Check out this list of Independence Day Festivities in Brighton, Brockport, Canandaigua, Chili, Fairport, Genessee Country Village, and Waterport/Albion

Free Skating
Thursday, July 5, 2012 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (see coupon for additional dates and times)
Horizon Fun FX, 675 Ling Road, Rochester, NY
Print the coupon and up to 10 people can roller skate for free (includes skate rental)!

Where's Waldo? Family Scavenger Hunt
Friday, July 6, 2012 during participating stores' business hours (through July 31st)
Lift Bridge Book Shop, 45 Main Street, Brockport, NY
Visit Lift Bridge Book Shop for a list of participating stores, then stop by each store to see the display in their front window. Solve the puzzle and receive a card from the business. Collect all 20 cards and answer two bonus questions to be entered into the grand prize drawing. Participation is free.

Enjoy your Independence Day and the first week of July! As always, thanks for reading. If you check out any of these fun events, Post a Comment and let us know about your experience.