Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Longmont Ice Rink Opens 12/22 at 10 am!

On Saturday, December 22nd Santa will parachute into Roosevelt Park and hand out candy canes to kids to kick off the Ice Rink opening. You can call the ice rink at 303-774-4777 to confirm if Santa's still jumping if the weather is bad.

You can visit http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/rec/icerink/ to view the admission prices as well as info on birthday parties, ice hockey and skating lessons! What fun!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Crafts at Michaels

Looks like there are some fun events coming up for kids at Michaels (in the Harvest Junction shopping center, 502 Ken Pratt Blvd, 720-494-2673)! I got these off their website so if you're interested please call to be sure the classes are still happening and not full!

Kids Club: Tree Ornament
December 15, 2007, 10:00am - Noon
Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join 30-minute sessions at 10am, 10:30am, 11am and 11:30am. All supplies are included. Sponsored by Xyron.
$2 per child- includes supplies

Kids Club: Paper Bag Puppet
December 22, 2007, 10:00am - Noon
Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join 30-minute sessions at 10am, 10:30am, 11am and 11:30am. All supplies are included. Sponsored by FibreCraft.
$2 per child- includes supplies

Kids Club: Chenille Stem Bird
December 29, 2007, 10:00am - Noon
Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join 30-minute sessions at 10am, 10:30am, 11am and 11:30am. All supplies are included. Sponsored by FibreCraft.
$2 per child- includes supplies

Kids Club: Clothespin Calendar
January 5, 2008, 10:00am - Noon
Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join 30-minute sessions at 10am, 10:30am, 11am and 11:30am. All supplies are included. Sponsored by Crayola.
$2 per child- includes supplies

Kids Club: Coin Bank Jar
January 12, 2008, 10:00am - Noon
Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join 30-minute sessions at 10am, 10:30am, 11am and 11:30am. All supplies are included. Sponsored by Michaels.
$2 per child- includes supplies

Kids Club: Snowscape Magnet
January 19, 2008, 10:00am - Noon
Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join 30-minute sessions at 10am, 10:30am, 11am and 11:30am. All supplies are included. Sponsored by Xyron.
$2 per child- includes supplies

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

More winter break activities

I forgot to post that there was a great article in the Times Call on Sunday with lots of Winter Break activity ideas. Here it is!


Don't bore 'em on the break
Fun things to do with your kids during their holiday vacation

Compiled by Susan Glairon
Longmont Times-Call

Fun and Free

Longmont Library, 409 Fourth Ave.

Hilarious Holiday Fun — Storyteller Bett Kopit shares stories and songs of the holidays. For all ages. Saturday, Dec. 22, 1-1:45 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 3, 10:15-10:45 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m. Performing Palz — trained dogs put on a show for all ages.

Both library programs are free; 125 tickets available for each show, first come, first served.

The library will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Info: 303-651-8470


Discovery Days Big Kids Day — Christmas Workshop. Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, 400 Quail Road. Dec. 21, 9-11:30 a.m. Drop-in holiday arts and crafts workshop geared toward elementary school children. Older and younger siblings welcome. Suggested donation $1 per child. Museum visits are free. The museum is closed Mondays and holidays. Open Tuesday-Saturdays 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Wednesdays 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sundays 1-5 p.m. Info: 303-651-8374.


More stuff to do

B&C Bounce Town, 1821 Lefthand Circle, Unit C. Interactive inflatable bouncers, obstacle courses, slides and traditional bouncers in a 5,000-square-foot building. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Dec. 24 — Jan. 4 extended open bounce hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. $8 per child ages 2 and older for unlimited bouncing during bounce times. Parents free. Info: 303-774-9550.


Itty Bitty City. St. Vrain Memorial Gym, 700 Longs Peak Ave. For kids 5 and younger. Play Zone including roller skates, parachutes, basketball bean toss, waffle cones and more. Dec. 28 and Jan. 4 from 9-11 a.m. $2 drop-in. Info: 303-651-8404.


Winter Break Gym Blast Dec. 27 (St. Vrain Memorial Building, 700 Longs Peak Ave.) and Jan. 3 (Longmont Recreation Center, 310 Quail Road). Gym activities for kids ages 6 to 8. $15 each day, 21/2 hours. Info:303-651-8404.


See a Christmas show

Jesters School for the Performing Arts, 224 Main St.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” 3 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 29, $5 admission;

“Tiny Tim’s Christmas,” $10 includes appetizers and desserts, Sundays 5:30 p.m. through Dec. 30.

“Scrooge” Every evening through Dec. 30, except matinees on Dec. 23, 24 and 30, $29.95 dinner and show for adults, $27.95 students and seniors, $20.95 kids 12 and younger. Show-only tickets also available. Info: 303-682-9980 or visit jesterstheatre.com.


“A Child’s Christmas in Wales” University Theatre Main Stage, University of Colorado at Boulder campus. Evening and matinee performances through Dec. 24. Original adaptation of a short story by Dylan Thomas presented by the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Tickets $10-$54. Info: 303-492-0554 or visit coloradoshakes.org.


Need to work or shop?
Kids can do these things alone:


Basketball Handling Camp Longmont Recreation Center, 310 Quail Road. Dec. 27, 8 a.m. to noon; $85 residents, $106.25 non-residents. This camp specifically teaches ball-handling fundamentals and increases self-esteem. Price includes a basketball and awards. Info: 303-774-4800.


The Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA, 950 Lashley St. has several dropoff programs during the winter break: Winter Vacation Camp Dec. 21, 26-28 and Jan. 2-4 anytime between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., kindergarten-sixth grade. $30/day.

Winter Vacation Specialty Camps including drum camp, Dec. 21, 26 and 27; dance camp Jan. 2, 3, 4; art camp Jan. 2, 3, 4, $60 for three days of camp. Financial assistance available. Info: 303-776-0370 or www.longmontymca.org.


Longmont Recreation Services, St. Vrain Memorial Building, 700 Longs Peak Aves, is offering a variety of winter break camps for ages preschool to middle school including mad science, jump roping, preschool playhouse and others.Fees vary by class. Info: 303-651-8404


Winter Break Extravaganza sponsored by Longmont Recreation Services. Snow tubing and ice skating trip for 11-15-year-olds, Jan. 4, all day. Meet at the St. Vrain Memorial Building, 700 Longs Peak Ave., 9 a.m. $60. Reservations: Info: 303-651-8404.


DROP ’N’ SHOP event: B&C Bounce Town, 1821 Lefthand Circle, Unit C. Four hours of bouncing, arts and crafts, pizza, snacks, juice and a movie. Dec. 21, 4:30-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 22, 4-8 p.m.; Dec. 23, noon-4 p.m. Children 3 and older (must be potty trained). $25 per child per day (ask about sibling discounts when making reservations). Info: 303-774-9550.


Half-Day Combo Camps Airborne Gymnastics, 1816 Boston Ave. Gymnastics, dance, rock climbing, crafts, fitness-related activities, games and creative movement. Dec. 21, 27 and 28, and Jan. 2, 3 and 4, 9 a.m.-noon. $33 members/$40 non-members. Quantity discounts available for members. Info: 303-651-1456.


Don’t just take the kids

Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver. Titanic Exhibit showing through Jan. 6. See an IMAX movie showing the inside of the sunken Titanic, then view relics recovered from the ship up close in the museum. $6-$25. Info/ reservations: 303-322-7009 or www.dmns.org/main/en.


Celestial Seasonings, 4600 Sleepytime Drive, Boulder. See how herbal tea bags are filled and packaged, take a whiff in the famous peppermint room and enjoy free samples of tea. Free tours every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day. Drop in or call for reservations for groups of 10 or more. Info: 303-581-1202.


Hammond’s Candies Factory tours, 5735 N. Washington St., Denver. Watch how candy canes, caramels and other candies are made. Free tours offered every 30 minutes. Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Jan. 2; New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve factory closes at noon. No reservation needed for groups of less than 10. Info: 303-333-5588. www.hammondscandies.com


Susan Glairon can be reached at 303-684-5224 or sglairon@times-call.com.

Another winter break activity

From the Rec Center's website:

New Class at Longmont Recreation Center
310 Quail Road -
Call 303-774-4800
Build your own graham cracker house!
For ages 6 and up
Only $5.00. Please pre-register, space is limited.
December 21 12:30-2:30 or
December 23 12:30-2:30pm

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

YMCA Shop Til You Drop

From the YMCA website:

"Shop Til You Drop"
Saturday, Dec. 15 from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
*It’s Christmas time and you need an afternoon to finish your shopping? Drop off the children at the YMCA and take advantage of the last minute rush. The program is filled with activities for all ages of children which include games, crafts, playtime, a “G” movie at the end of the day and plenty of opportunities to make friends. We will also serve pizza, juice and other healthy snacks. The Child Watch will be open for small children. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $15/per child
Member Fee: $10/per child

As of today there is still space available so call them at 303-776-0370!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Twin Peaks Mall Santa and Train

Ok, ok, I take back my comment about the Twin Peaks Mall Santa. We went last week and he did have a real beard and was very nice! Maybe we just got a substitute a couple years ago? We were there to ride the train so we just talked to Santa and didn't take any pictures or even look at the picture prices. Anyone want to comment on how expensive they are?

Anyway, they also have a fun train for kids (and adults) to ride on. You buy tickets at the Santa counter ($1 for kids, free adult with a paying child) and the ride is well worth it. It takes you around the main areas of the mall and lasts for a good amount of time (5 or 10 minutes?). The train is there from 12 to 7 pm until December 31st. I think the ending time varies slightly on the weekends but I'll update this post if I remember to look at the sign again! Anyway, for those of you who went to Longmont Lights this past weekend, it's the same train that was giving rides around Roosevelt Park (that's the way I got out of standing in that long line in the cold - promises of riding it in the mall this week!). :)

YMCA Winter Break Activities

The YMCA is offering full day activities on December 21st, 26th through 28th and January 2nd through 4th for kids in kindergarten to 5th grade. The cost is $30 per day per child and the kids can be there any time between 7 am and 6 pm. See this page for more information and the registration form: http://www.longmontymca.org/Downloads/Out_of_School_Days.pdf.

Drop 'n Shop at Bouncetown

From the Bouncetown website:

"To celebrate this holiday season, B&C Bounce Town is offering Parents a Special "DROP 'N' SHOP" Event! We are offering three opportunities to Drop your kids off at B&C Bounce Town for some fun while you enjoy some shopping time alone! On Friday, December 21st from 4:30pm- 8:30pm, Saturday, December 22nd from 4:00pm-8:00pm, and Sunday, December 23rd from 12:00pm-4:00pm your kids will enjoy 4 hours of bouncing, arts and crafts, pizza and juice, and a movie. Kids 3 and up only (must be potty trained)! We appreciate your business, and hope you will take us up on one or all "DROP 'N' SHOP" days!

Cost is $25 per child per day (sibling discounts will apply, please ask when you make your reservation).

Space is limited so please sign up at the Front Desk soon! Advanced payment is the only way to secure your reservation.

We must have 10 kids signed up prior December 20th for each session to be held... so tell your friends!"

You can call them at 303-774-9550! As of this morning they still have many spaces open on all three days!

Saturday, December 8, 2007

The parade tonight

Did you go? At nearly the last minute we changed our minds and went. It was spectacular! In the words of someone we passed at Roosevelt Park, "Longmont ROCKS!" Yes, it does. Fireworks in the snow, free cookies and hot chocolate, dedicated parade participants shouting "Merry Christmas!" and singing Christmas carols. It doesn't get much better than that! Longmont is a fantastic place to live :)

The parade is on!

I just called Recreation Services and the Longmont Holiday Parade, Longmont Lights at Roosevelt Park and the accompanying fireworks are still on for tonight! I'm not sure if we'll brave the roads, snow and cold to be there but if you make it have a jolly good time! Wave to Santa for us!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Kid-Friendly events for New Year's

New Year's is pretty much an adult holiday, so finding kid friendly events is difficult! Here's what I know so far:

The WOW Museum in Lafayette is hosting "New Year's at Noon" on Monday December 31st from 11 am to 12:30 pm. There will be a musical performance by Eric West at 11:15 am followed by a countdown to noon. Refreshments at noon. Crafts while supplies last. Thanks to Wild Oats for donating snacks for this event!

Bouncetown isn't doing anything particularly special to celebrate the New Year, but they'll have their regular open bounce time on Monday (New Year's Eve) from 10 to 2 for $5 per child! They'll also be open Tuesday (New Year's Day) from 10 am to 7 pm.

Do you know of other child friendly events to celebrate the New Year? Music with Madelyn used to host this great sock hop in Boulder with a countdown at 8 pm (complete with balloon drop and apple juice toasts) but sadly she didn't do it last year and it looks like it's not happening this year either! :( Leave a comment or send me an email if you know of something fun to do!

Longmont Lights

My family and I went to the Longmont Lights and Santa's workshop tonight and had so much fun! Yes, it was cold, but it was so worth it! Santa's workshop was crazy busy but we had a great time making candy cane ornaments, coloring, and taking lots of pictures! The lights weren't as exciting as the Creek Walk of years past, in my opinion, but it was still fun to have the fires, hot cocoa and carolers around the path. The train from Twin Peaks Mall was there and the line of people waiting for it was a mile long! Luckily we rode it in the mall earlier this week and promised to go back again next week as our way of getting out of waiting in the cold :) It looks like they're working hard on the ice rink - can't wait to take the family ice skating later this month!

Don't miss out on the parade tomorrow at 5 pm, the second night of Longmont Lights at Roosevelt Park and the fireworks from the park at 6:30!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Holiday recycling

Ever wondered which of your holiday items can be recycled in Boulder County - from wrapping paper to christmas light strings to trees?

There's lots of info on the Eco-Cycle website - http://www.ecocycle.org/seasonal/winter/.

The City of Longmont will also allow Christmas tree dropoff from December 26th through January 4th at these locations:

- Eco-Cycle at 140 Martin Street
- Roosevelt Park Parking lot south of 8th Ave.
- Garden Acres Baseball Park West side of parking lot of 18th Ave.
- Kanemoto Park Parking lot south of Pratt Parkway
- Centennial Park East parking lot off of Alpine Street

For more info, see this site: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/solidwaste/events/christmastree.htm.

Merry Christmas!

Sunflower Farms after school programs

Sunflower Farms After School Programs

When: 4 consecutive Thursdays: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Where: Sunflower Farm

January session: 10, 17, 24, 31
February session: 7, 14, 21, 28
March session: 6, 13, 20, 27
April session: 3, 10, 17, 24
May session: 8, 15, 22, 29

Ages: 6 - 9 yrs
Cost: $98
Gift certificates available!

Join this small group of kids (ages 6 to 9) for a hands-on animal class at Sunflower Farm. We will care for our various animal friends: rabbits, sheep, goats, cows, ducks and chickens; however, the main focus will be on horses and ponies. Children will learn safe handling, grooming, care, feeding as well as how to manage a horse. Every week will include work with horses and one other animal. Heated woodshed to provide comfort for inclement weather. Limited enrollment.

http://www.sunflowerfarminfo.com
Bren: 303-661-0954