Family Fun This Weekend

What's going on in Rochester, NY this weekend? Let's start with today: Happy National Opposite Day! Wait, I mean it's not National Opposite Day. So don't not do the opposite of what you were planning to do.

Saturday is Bald Eagle Appreciation Day. Stop by the Seneca Park Zoo and say hello to our feathered friends there (to the left of the playground).

Sunday is National Chocolate Cake Day. Hmmm...you know what to do!

ONGOING


Race: Are We So Different?
Friday, January 25 - Sunday, April 28 during regular museum hours
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
Explore the stories of race from biological, cultural, and historical points of view. This new exhibit features hands-on activities, 3-D animation, and more. Included with regular museum admission.


FRIDAY

Game Night
Friday, January 25 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (repeats on Fridays through June 14, 2013)
ArtsROC, 3462 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY
Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy movies, Wii, Xbox, Minecraft, tons of LEGOs, and a pizza party for $25 at ArtsROC. Call (585) 218-9125 or email info@artsroc.net for more information. Or click here to register.

Free Family Night: Make & Take
Friday, January 25 from 4:30 - 10:00 p.m.
YMCA- Southeast, 111 East Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY
The Adventure Center is open from 4:30-9 p.m. (remember your socks!), enjoy pizza in the Lobby at 5:45 p.m until it runs out ($1/slice) plus ice cream, make a craft, play in the Gym from 6-8 p.m., and swim in the pool from 7-10 p.m. Free and open to the community.

Fun Fridays
Friday, January 25 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

Dog Adoption Days in Greece
Saturday, January 26 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (repeats Saturdays: 2/23, 3/30, 4/27, 5/25/ 6/29)
The Mall at Greece Ridge, 271 Greece Ridge Center Drive, Rochester, NY
Meet some of Lollypop Farm's adoptable dogs, and maybe even find your very own canine companion.

Gates Winter FUN Fest
Saturday, January 26 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Westgate Park, 1489 Howard Road, Rochester, NY
Snowmobile rides provided by the Hilton Sno-Flyers Club, a bonfire, cross-country skiing, children's games (outdoor), and crafts (indoors), plus S'mores and hot chocolate. All games and activities are free; please dress for the weather.

Open Gym & Extreme Sports Practice Night
Saturday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. (repeats Saturdays through May 25)
Sports Academy of Victor, 6385 Route 96, Victor, NY
Have fun with mats, sports equipment, tumble track, foam pit, turf field, batting cages, spring floor, and inflatables. Instructors are available to help. For ages 6 and up; cost is $10.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 

Ski, Snowshoe, or Walk the Village & Nature Center

Saturday, January 26 - Sunday, January 27 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Saturdays & Sundays through Februrary 24, 2013)

Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY

Ski, snowshoe, or hike through the snow-covered village and nature center trails. The Nature Center trails are open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., while the Historic Village trails are open noon - 4 p.m. only. Call (585) 294-8262 to check trail conditions. Free for members, $5.50 for non-members. Ski rental is $10, snowshoe rental is $5; equipment available on first come, first served basis. Equipment rental is available at the Nature Center.

Meet Pat the Bunny

Saturday, January 26 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, January 27 from 1 - 5 p.m.

The Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY

Bring your camera and get ready to meet Pat the Bunny! Included with general admission.

SUNDAY

Family Fun Story Time
Sunday, January 27 from 1:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Rochester Public Library (Central Library), 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY
Families are invited to come to the Children's Center of the Central Library to enjoy family story time for all ages. This program is free, so bring the whole family.


Have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading.

Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 3

If you have read parts 1 and 2 in this road trip series, you have some tips to make your journey more enjoyable for all. Hopefully you've started to put together your own Activity Binder, and you have been anxiously awaiting that final page.

Since my boys love hidden picture puzzles and I Spy books so much, I thought a Hidden Object Bottle might be a fun activity in the car. Before assembling the bottle, I lined up the objects to be hidden and snapped a picture and printed it out as the final page in their binder. This way they can cross out the objects - or place a circle sticker on top - as they find them in the bottle.

To make your own Hidden Object Bottle, you'll need the following:

• one cleaned and dried empty bottle per child (I just used empty soda bottles); plastic is strongly recommended over glass, especially for young children
• rice (uncooked; hopefully that was obvious)
• funnel and scooper/measuring cup
• small objects to hide (I used coins, paper clips, crafting feathers, crafting pom poms, crayons, foam stickers - stick two of the same shapes back to back, and random trinkets from the play room)

Start by dropping one or two objects in, then pour in some rice. Keep alternating a few objects with a layer of rice to cover until all objects are inside. Tap the bottle on a counter to make the rice settle, and add a bit more. I left about an inch of space from the very top. Replace the cap before use.

To play, kids tilt, turn, and shake the bottle to try and uncover all of the hidden objects. Remind the kids NOT to open the bottles. Each time they spot an object, they cross it off (or place a circle sticker over it) on the page in their Activity Binder.

How fun is that?!

I hope these past three posts have been helpful in preparing for any road trips you plan to take with your kids. You could also use the Activity Binder and Hidden Objects Bottle for waiting rooms, short car rides, or just plain old boredom-busters at home.

What keeps your kids busy during long car rides? Post a Comment and let us know.

Happy travels, and as always, thanks for reading.



Link to: Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 1
Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 2

Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 2

The first post in this series provided an overview of the top ten things to bring or do to help ensure your kids are occupied and don't even think the words, "Are we there yet?" during your next road trip.

Number ten in that list is an Activity Binder for each child. I came across this idea on Pinterest, and love the one that Gluesticks created. This is a wonderful source of entertainment for kids around ages 2 1/2 and up. You can tailor the activities in each binder according to their age and interests.

First, you'll need a binder, folder, or clipboard. I picked up a couple of one-inch binders to get started. In the front pocket are colorful circle stickers from the office supply aisle as well as a dry erase markers. For older kids, you might want a few more colors for the markers. All of the activities are in sheet protectors so that they can be reused. The kids can use the dry erase markers to write directly on the sheet protectors, and then erase and write or draw again. The dollar bins at Target had a two-pack of mini, magnetic erasers for dry erase boards. Score! It sticks right to the inner spine of the binder.

Next, I used Google Maps to map out our route. When we hit our 100 mile marks, the kids will get a "reward" and I will help them put a sticker on the map to show how far we have traveled.

For some crazy fun, I printed out some pictures of the family members so they can make silly faces. I went into our photo library on the computer, cropped some pictures to get just the faces, and printed 8x10 copies on regular paper. Slide them into page protectors, and doodle away.

My boys love hidden picture books. So I found a few hidden picture pages on Spoonful.com: here are  pirate treasure and hidden airplane pages. They can use the dry erase markers to circle the objects, or we can slide the pages out for them to color.

Many of the games below came from Prepared Not Scared! Here are links to Slug Bug and Street Sign Tic Tac Toe. We'll probably just look for any cars in the colors on Slug Bug, rather than solely VW Beetles. We will use the circle stickers from the front pockets of their binders to mark off the items they find.

Here is a link for free printable Road Trip Bingo cards. I printed each one at 140% to fill the page (you may have to play with this on your computer). There are six variations for multiple players. You could print them on card stock for durability, or use a page protector and dry-erase markers for longevity of the game. The Alphabet Search was created by Prepared Not Scared!

 "I Spy" can be played as Bingo, or just as a checklist of items to find. Again, we'll use the circle stickers as markers. The connect-the-dots picture can be completed on the sheet protector with the dry erase marker, or we can slide them out to be colored with crayons.

Who doesn't like "Find the Difference" puzzles? I included one from Spoonful, plus a page from their On-the-Go Activity Pack. It is another free printable, and is geared toward children a bit older than mine (preferably those who can read). However, page 3 features Spot-A-Sign and Maze Craze. My young'uns will enjoy those.

Here are a few more hidden picture puzzles: a witch, and St. Patrick's Day Mickey Mouse.

In the back pocket of the binder, I've included a dry erase board. Once again, Target Dollar Spot to the rescue. One side of the board is ruled, the other is blank. Perfect for doodling, writing, tic tac toe, hangman, and more.

There is one final page in the Activity Binder, but you'll have to wait until the next post to check it out.


I hope you enjoy making an Activity Binder before your next road trip with the kids. What else do you plan to add to your binder? Be sure to Post a Comment and let us know. As always, thanks for reading.



Link to: Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 1
Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 3

Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 1

Going away with the kids? We know how even a short car ride can elevate the blood pressure and make you want to banish the word "Mom," so what could a five hour car ride do to your physical and mental well being? Never fear! After five years of traveling five hours or more with the kids, this ROCmomma has learned a thing. Or maybe even two.

When the boys were younger, we were able to feed them an early dinner, get them into pajamas and head out around 5:00 equipped with snacks, the DVD player and some movies, and a few toys. They would eat a snack, watch a movie, play with a couple of cars, and be asleep within two hours.

But sometimes you need to head out in the morning. So, with three-day weekends and winter break coming soon, how can you make the trip more bearable for the kids and the grown-ups? I'm so glad you asked.

1. Emergency Kit
Act like a Girl Scout or Boy Scout and be prepared. You just never know what will happen. There was one trip where we were in stand-still traffic on the thruway when my then-four-year-old vomited all over himself and his car seat. It has not happened since, but we are still prepared.

In addition to a small first aid kit (Band Aids, antiseptic wipes, and first aid cream), we also carry a roll of paper towels, a package of wet wipes, and some empty plastic bags in the trunk. Depending on the weather and the age of your children, you may also wish to create a more well-equipped car kit.

2. Treats
Pack snacks in individual containers. You do not want to deal with opening packages or pouring goldfish crackers in the car. That is just a mess waiting to happen. We have a snack bag (a great repurposing for a used gift bag!) that gets filled with granola bars, fruit leather, boxes of raisins, and assorted other favorites portioned out into 8 ounce plastic containers (such as Ziploc). Don't forget to pack some snacks for the driver and navigator as well.

Staying hydrated is also important while traveling. We fill up the kids' sippy cups and our reusable water bottles, plus we fill one or two extra reusable water bottles to refill the kids' cups.

3. Good Music for the Whole Family
Set the mood with some fun, upbeat tunes. Of course you want your kids to be entertained during the road trip, but it doesn't have to be at your expense. If some of their music really grates on your nerves, you may want to "forget" those CDs at home, or temporarily delete them from your MP3 player.

Some of our top picks in kids' music: Welcome to Ralph's World by Ralph Covert, Juice Box Heroes by Imagination Movers, Snack Time by Barenaked Ladies, and No! by They Might Be Giants. Laurie Berkner and Dan Zanes also make adult-friendly music for kids.

4. Toys
Obviously, the items you pack will depend on the ages and interests of the children. We opt for things that do not have too many parts and do not require help from mom or dad. Right now the boys - ages 3 and 5 - enjoy playing with Matchbox pop-up adventure play sets in the car. We have the Mickey Mouse, Sponge Bob, and Diego sets (all were gifts for our boys).

We also usually grab some cars, dinosaurs, and other random fun toys; in this case, a slinky and Rubik's cube-type toy. I am a big fan of the dollar bins at Target, Michael's, and A.C. Moore. Also The Christmas Tree Shops and Dollar Tree usually have some fun options. You can pack things up in a tote bag, used gift bag, plastic zip-top bag, or even repurpose a used diaper-wipes container (below). One container per kid, and when they get bored they can switch.

5. Coloring Books, Crayons, and Stickers
Along with toys, we like to pack things for the kids to do. Crayons often get lost in the car, but we have found that stickers keep them occupied. TIP: I like to remove the background from sticker sheets ahead of time so it is easier for the kids to peel off the stickers by themselves.

When you visit the dollar bins at the stores mentioned above, keep an eye out for Play Packs (mini coloring book, stickers, and four crayons...all for $1), invisible ink pads, etc. These are great options for the car. Crayola Color Wonder markers and paper are also convenient for the car.

You can also put together a binder full of activities for older kids (ages 2 1/2 +)...which will be featured in Part 2.

6. Mile-Marker Rewards
If you don't want to offer the kids all options at once, consider wrapping up the toys and trinkets and  reward the kids every 100 miles for their good behavior. Start the trip with one reward and explain that if they are on their best behavior, they will get another reward when the car reaches 100 miles. Map the trip ahead of time and plan accordingly so you don't run out early.


7. Electronics
I loathe the fact that we allow our kids to veg out in the car and watch an endless loop of Scooby Doo. However, sometimes it's a necessary evil. It passes the time, and pacifies the kids so you can have a bit of peace during the trip. Of course, the usual suspects are a portable DVD player and DVDs and hand-held games. Santa Claus brought a LeapPad for the boys to share, so that is a new favorite in the car. We have to keep an eye on the clock so that both boys get equal time to play.


8. Sing Some Songs
Yes, it's reminiscent of the Griswalds, but your kids will have fun. Bust out the classics like Old McDonald, BINGO, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Row Row Row Your Boat, and anything else you - or your kids - care to belt out. Laughter is guaranteed.

9. Play Classic Car Games

• I'm Going On a Picnic - One person starts with, "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing apples." The next person says, "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing apples and bananas." The next person says, "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing apples, bananas, and chocolate." And so on. For older kids, try to go in alphabetical order with the picnic items.
• Color Safari - Look out your windows and search for all the colors of the rainbow. The first person calls out a color. The person to find something of that color first gets to call out the next color. 
• Letter Hunt (Shape Hunt for younger kids) - Find each of the letters of the alphabet on signs, license plates, etc. 
• Simon Says - "Simon Says touch your nose," and any other motion that can be done sitting down.

10. Activity Binder
Check out the next post in our Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids series to learn how to make your own!


I hope these ideas help put your mind at ease and make you better prepared for your next road trip with the kids. Be sure to check out the next post for the final page of the Activity Binder, and one super-fun activity.

Do you have more words of wisdom to share about road trips with the kids? Be sure to Post a Comment and let us know. Thanks! As always, thank you for reading.



Link to:
Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 2
Tips and Activities for a Road Trip with Kids - Part 3

Family Fun This Weekend

The days are starting to get longer (yay!), but it's still pretty sloshy outside (boo!). The happenings this weekend are few and far between, but they sound like fun. At least we always have Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester Museum & Science Center, and the Seneca Park Zoo to keep us busy. Check out the other events going on...

FRIDAY

Game Night
Friday, January 11 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (repeats on Fridays through June 14, 2013)
ArtsROC, 3462 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY
Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy movies, Wii, Xbox, Minecraft, tons of LEGOs, and a pizza party for $25 at ArtsROC. Call (585) 218-9125 or email info@artsroc.net for more information. Or click here to register.

Family Fun Night to Benefit West Webster Fire Department
Friday, January 11 from 6 - 8:30 p.m.
YMCA - Bay View, 1209 Bay Road, Webster, NY
Enjoy swimming, inflatables, crafts, snacks, games, and more. Cost is $20 per family.

Family Night: Ice Cream Social
Friday, January 11 from 4:30 - 10:00 p.m.
YMCA- Southeast, 111 East Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY
The Adventure Center is open from 4:30-9 p.m. (remember your socks!), enjoy pizza in the Lobby at 5:45 p.m until it runs out ($1/slice) plus ice cream, make a craft, play in the Gym from 6-8 p.m., and swim in the pool from 7-10 p.m. Free and open to the community.

Fun Fridays
Friday, January 11 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

Toddler Dance Party
Saturday, January 12 from 10:30 - 11 a.m.
Henrietta Public Library, 455 Calkins Road, Rochester, NY
Dance your sillies out! Kids ages 18 months - 4 years old can have a blast dancing with their caregivers. No registration required.

Open Gym & Extreme Sports Practice Night
Saturday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. (repeats Saturdays through May 25)
Sports Academy of Victor, 6385 Route 96, Victor, NY
Have fun with mats, sports equipment, tumble track, foam pit, turf field, batting cages, spring floor, and inflatables. Instructors are available to help. For ages 6 and up; cost is $10.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 

Ski, Snowshoe, or Walk the Village & Nature Center

Saturday, January 12 - Sunday, January 13 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Saturdays & Sundays through Februrary 24, 2013)

Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY

Ski, snowshoe, or hike through the snow-covered village and nature center trails. The Nature Center trails are open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., while the Historic Village trails are open noon - 4 p.m. only. Call (585) 294-8262 to check trail conditions. Free for members, $5.50 for non-members. Ski rental is $10, snowshoe rental is $5; equipment available on first come, first served basis. Equipment rental is available at the Nature Center.

SUNDAY

Family Fun Game Day
Sunday, January 13 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Rochester Public Library (Central Library), 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY
Families are invited to come to the Children's Center of the Central Library to enjoy a variety of games for ages 3-11. This program is free, so bring the whole family.


Have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading.

Winter Crafts for Kids

Craft Time! There are still a few inches of slush outside, and I don't feel like taking the boys out to play in muddy snow. So, originally I had set out to make snowflake crafts with my boys today. They went in a different direction, but that's okay.

I covered the table with an old plastic tablecloth, and then set up three stations: Snow Painting, Watercolor Snowflakes, and Popsicle Snowflakes.

SNOW PAINTING
Materials needed:

• dark construction paper
• used packing peanuts
• a small bowl or tub from the recycling bin, cleaned and dried (margarine tubs work well)
• shaving cream (not gel)
• white craft glue
• plastic spoon
• paint brush or foam brush

Directions:
Be sure your work space is covered.

First have your kids mix shaving cream with glue - about half and half - in the empty tub. Stir with the spoon until it's combined, and then paint away. The paint stays puffy when it's dry!

We added packing peanuts to our Snow Paintings to add more texture and dimension.

WATERCOLOR SNOWFLAKES
Materials needed:

• heavy-weight paper 
• watercolor paints
• paintbrush
• small cup of water
• masking tape or painter's tape

Directions:
First, cover your work space. Next adhere masking tape to your paper in any design. I was thinking we would do snowflake designs, but one wanted his name and the other wanted a crayon shape.

Let your kids go crazy covering the whole paper with watercolors.

After the painting is completely dry, help your kids carefully remove the tape. The tape "resists" the paint so any shape created by the tape is now white, contrasting with the colorful background.

POPSICLE SNOWFLAKES
Materials needed:

• 4 wooden craft sticks (popsicle sticks) per snowflake
• glue dots
• assorted glitter paints, regular paints, sequins, etc.
• ribbon for hanging

Directions:

First, be sure the work space is covered.

Next, use glue dots to adhere popsicle sticks together. First create a "+" shape with two sticks (glue dot in the center, where they cross), then add the other two one at a time to create diagonal lines through the cross. Voila! Snowflake. NOTE: You may have to help young kids with this part, or just complete it for them.

Now for the fun part. Let your kids go crazy with glitter paint pens, regular paint, and anything else you have on hand. Sequins, craft feathers, small pom poms, buttons, and pipe cleaners are all fair game.

Once the snowflakes are dry, secure a ribbon loop to the back using another glue dot. Hang the snowflakes and enjoy your winter wonderland.

I hope you and your kids enjoy making these winter crafts. Post a Comment and share your winter craft ideas, too! As always, thanks for reading.  

Tex Mex Pasta

What's for dinner tonight? Ugh. The dreaded question. Here is one recipe that used to be a regular go-to  in our house. My ROCpoppa brought it up last week and mentioned that we had not eaten it in a while.

It is a vegetarian recipe because, well, we are vegetarians. However, you could use ground beef or ground turkey if you are so inclined. If you are a cheese fan, go ahead and add some cheddar or pepper jack. Either would be delicious.

Do you have kids (or other picky eaters) who don't like to mix foods together? No problem there, either. You could have a scoop of pasta, a pile of black beans, a cairn of corn kernels, and maybe some mild salsa or cherry tomatoes on the side. Easy peasy. If the picky eaters prefer a different type of pasta, that works too. Wagon wheel shapes are equally appropriate for a Tex Mex Pasta, in my opinion.

Tex Mex Pasta is a yummy chili-like sauce smothering some curly rotini noodles. You could top it with cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime, sour cream, diced avocado, shredded cheese, or any combination of these. It is also equally delicious all by itself.

This is a good recipe to use up leftover veggies in the crisper; you could use a red pepper, green pepper, or half of each. While sautéing the peppers, feel free to add sliced mushrooms, diced carrots or celery, chopped onion, diced potatoes or sweet potatoes, or anything else you have on hand. In all honesty, I have even resorted to frozen pepper-and-onion stir fry mix, or frozen potatoes O'Brien (with the diced onions and peppers mixed in). We do what it takes, right?

As far as the beans are concerned, I prefer black beans in this recipe, but last night I ended up throwing in half a can of chick peas that was leftover from another recipe. Pinto beans, kidney beans, or cannellini would all be outstanding substitutions, too.

Tex Mex Pasta

Serves 4-6 (depending on how hungry you are)

1 box whole grain rotini
1 bell pepper, diced
4 oz. diced green chilies (or 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, diced, veins and seeds removed)
2 c. meatless crumbles (such as Lightlife Smart Ground or Morningstar Farms Grillers Recipe Crumbles)
16 oz. black beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. fresh or frozen corn kernels
2 -16 oz. jars of your favorite salsa
fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
lime wedges for serving (optional)

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. Cook according to package directions, and drain.

2. Meanwhile, in a second large pot spritzed with olive oil or cooking spray, saute diced bell peppers over medium heat about 5 minutes. Add diced green chilies and meatless crumbles; stir to combine and heat through, about 3 minutes.

3. Add black beans, corn, and salsa. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Lower heat and let simmer about 5 minutes.
TIP: If young chefs want to help in the kitchen, they can combine the beans, corn, and salsa in a bowl and stir them together for you. It's not really necessary, but sometimes you just have to find something they can do to help.

4. Combine drained pasta with the sauce. Toss well and serve with fresh cilantro and lime wedges for squeezing, if desired.


If you have a lot leftover, Tex Mex Pasta is wonderful reheated for lunch or "Leftover Night." It also freezes well; just scoop into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags and slide them right into the freezer. Enjoy! And as always, thanks for reading.