Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in baltimore, MD

Weekend Highlights, 7/17-7/19

July 16, 2009

Another weekend is upon us, folks, and the theme emerging from these highlights, it seems, is creativity.  Feel like tapping your feet to some amazing live music?  Yearning to throw yourself headlong (though not literally) into art?  Then this weekend--positivelybustin' with arts and culture--is most definitely the weekend for you.

The Magical Music of Disney - Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, 410-783-8000
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy music from a variety of Disney classics, as performed by the BSO.  A perfect first symphony experience for the littlest listeners, this concert will feature, in addition to the wonderful music, images from some all-time favorite Disney films. 

Artscape - Mount Royal Avenue & Cathedral Street / Charles Street / Bolton Hill / Station North Arts & Entertainment District, Baltimore
Friday: 12-10 p.m.; Saturday: 12-10 p.m.; Sunday: 12-8 p.m.
The largest free arts festival in the country, Artscape, now in its 28th year, is a colorful celebration of human creativity.  Artscape offers a little something for everyone, including visual art exhibits, live music, dance performances, children's entertainment and delicious international food.  Come on down to Artscape, hon, and see what makes Baltimore one of the most cultured cities in America.  And a piece of advice:  Take mass transit, as the parking situation is likely to be horrific. 

Bubble Days at the Maryland Science Center - The Maryland Science Center, 601 Light Street, Baltimore, 410-685-5225
Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m.
Look at bubbles in a bubb-illion new ways at this amazing showcase of all things bubble.  Join Casey Carle, world bubble champion (Aren't you dying to know how he earned that title?), for his soapy, spectacular "Bubblemania"; shows will begin at 2:00 and 4:00 both days.  And as if Bubblemania weren't enough, there will also be bubble workshops, a bubble factory, and--for those of you who are really brave--a bubble gum blowing contest.

Silly Summer Saturdays:  Tortoise and Hare Day - 35 Market Place, Baltimore, 410-727-8120
Visit some live animals, make your own tortoise shell or bunny ears, and see if you can affect the outcome of this age-old race between animal nemeses.  And if you've got a stuffed tortoise or bunny, bring it.  Because the race is ON. 

Have a fantastic weekend! 


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Weekend Highlights, 7/3-7/5

July 02, 2009

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the red, white and blue right about now, what with all of the fun July 4 activities coming up this weekend.  Following are some of my Independence Day weekend favorites.  And if you're interested in more fireworks listings (and heck, who isn't?), please have a visit over here.  Enjoy! 

Star-Spangled Spectacular - Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville
Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.
When I was a kid, this was my family's Fourth of July event, made irresistible by a picnic basket full of my mother's fried chicken and potato salad.  "Stars and Stripes Forever," as performed by the BSO, always put me in the patriotic spirit, and the fireworks, which were synchronized to the music, never failed to knock my Minnetonkas right off.  Fortunately, all these years later, nothing much about this event has changed; if you're looking for a fun and musical (though not cheap) way to spend your Independence Day, this might be your ticket.

African American Heritage Festival - Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-235-2227, ext. 211
Friday, 5- 10 p.m.; Saturday, 12-10 p.m.; Sunday, 12-8 p.m.
Drawing about half a million visitors each year, the African American Heritage Festival features fun for every member of the family.  Stop by the Children's Corner for activities and entertainment, and don't miss En Vogue, Teena Marie and Anita Baker, all of whom are headlining the event.  Oh, and did I mention the carnival rides?  Or the mouthwateringly delicious food? 

Towson Fourth of July Parade - Starting at Burke and Bosley Avenues, Towson, 410-832-2190
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
The parade gets rolling with a Blue Angels fly-over, followed just after by a procession of lots of people on bicycles.  Expect fire trucks, floats and numerous politicians, many of whom--let's be honest here--will be of little or no (let's just say no) interest to your preschooler.  The firefighters, police officers and occasional storms of free candy, however, should keep your little one entertained. 

USS Constellation Museum's 9th Annual Independence Day Deck Party - USS Constellation, Pier 301, Pratt Street, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, 410-539-1797
Saturday, 7-10 p.m.
Live music, barbecue grub, canon firings and fireworks.  And when I say fireworks, I don't mean just any fireworks--we're talking the big Inner Harbor fireworks extravaganza, people!  And all of this, need I remind you, will be served up on a boat!  An old, historic boat, mind you!  Can you envision a much better Independence Day celebration? 

Fourth of July Family Jump - Pump It Up, 11515 Cronridge Drive #J-K, Owings Mills, 410-356-9050
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Celebrate your independence by working up a sweat in an inflatable moon bounce.  People of all ages (and yes, that includes you) are encouraged to jump together, and as an added incentive, Pump It Up is going to let the grown-ups play for free.  This event is first come, first served, limited to 50 children, and contingent on your showing up with socks.  Don't be late!

Drop-In Art Activities: Stars of Japan - The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, 410-547-9000
Saturdays (though not open on July 4) and Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Another month means another new drop-in art activity at the Walters.  This month's focus is Tanabata, which, I just learned from Google, is a Japanese star festival. 

Spaces and Places: Art under Foot: Ancient Mosaics - Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, 2- 4 p.m., 443-573-1700
Sunday, 2-4 p.m
A new month means a new art activity at the BMA, too, and July's theme is mosaics. 

Science Alive for Kids!- Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center, 1000 Frankfurst Avenue, Baltimore, 410-355-1100
Sunday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Live animals, stories, puppets and crafts will bring science--as the name of the program suggests--to life for your little ones.  Intended mostly for preschoolers, this event, which is one in a series, is designed to get young children thinking about and playing with science. 

Excited as I am about the holiday weekend?  I hope so!  Now get out there and have some fun!   Read more...

Weekend Highlights, 5/1 - 5/3

April 30, 2009

So it's May--arguably my most favorite month of the year--and there's so much to do around town this weekend that my head is going all washing machine-like.  Have a look:

Weekend Highlights, 4/24 - 4/26

April 23, 2009

Spring is HERE, baby, and the weather this weekend promises to be beautiful.  Get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and take advantage of some of these exciting activities.

Weekend Highlights: 2/27-3/1

February 26, 2009

As February melts (fingers crossed) into March, there is plenty to do around Baltimore.  Following are some of this weekend’s highlights:

African American Family Festival – The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street, 410-547-9000

Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Celebrate art of the past, present and future with a wide variety of performances and family-oriented activities.  Revisit the Harlem Renaissance, enjoy traditional dance and music, and build a brownstone!

Karma Dogs – BCPL Rosedale, 6105 Kenwood Avenue, Rosedale, 410-887-0512

Saturday, 11 a.m. (Reservations required)

This program has run for the last few weeks, and I must apologize for only covering it now.  Anyway, Karma Dogs is intended for shy, reluctant readers who may feel too self-conscious to read aloud.  Register your child for this unique program and she’ll be paired with a dog—a real, honest-to-goodness dog—who will sit and listen and pant while she reads. 

Drum-Making Workshop and Drum Circle – Chesapeake Children’s Museum, 25 Silopanna Road, Annapolis, 410-990-1993

Saturday, 1-3 p.m.

Use ordinary, household materials (provided) to create a drum or other rhythm instrument.  Then, once your instrument is made, beat your heart out in the drum circle. 

Make It Take It :  Gourd Windchime Workshop – Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Road, Pylesville, 410-836-3050

Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

March winds are just around the corner, so why not craft a great-sounding windchime out of a bottle gourd, some beads and a little bamboo?

Musical Mystery Tour:  Community Concerts – Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, 410-759-3309

Sunday, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Follow “Melody,” the musical protagonist, as she develops harmony, rhythm and counterpoint on her way to becoming a full-grown composition.  Performed by musicians from the BSO, and intended for children ages 4-12. 

Have a great weekend! 

Weekend Highlights, 2/20-2/22

February 19, 2009

Well, another weekend is nearly here to divert us, and it’s time again for me to provide you with some entertainment suggestions.  Here are five widely varied activities to keep you and the kids amused all weekend long.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats – Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

If you’ve never seen a Chinese acrobatic show, you should definitely take advantage of this opportunity.  Count on amazing feats of strength and grace, as well, most likely, as improbably high stacks of spinning plates. 

Performing Arts Celebration of Black History Month – Pascal Center for Performing Arts, Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Pkwy

Friday, 8-9:30 p.m.

While perhaps a little late for the littlest of little ones, this extravaganza of dance, music and theatre should prove engaging for children who can stay up past 9:30.

Rumplestiltskin – Pumpkin Theatre, St. Timothy’s School for Girls, 8400 Greenspring Ave., Stevenson

Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

It’s hard not to love the story of Rumplestiltskin, what with the crafty dwarf and the peculiar name and the trickery all around.  Enjoy this musical rendition of the classic comeuppance tale. 

Motion Mania Dance Company – Port Discovery Children’s Museum

Saturday, 1 & 2 p.m.

Enjoy a special performance by this excellent troupe of dancers.

Baltimore Chamber Orchestra with the Peabody Children’s Chorus – Goucher College, Kraushaar Auditorium

Sunday, 3 p.m.

This concert, which features pieces by Mozart and Villa-Lobos, among others, is not, per se, a children’s concert.  But watching real kids perform such beautiful music might inspire your child to indulge his musical side. 

And enjoy art activities this weekend at The Walters, The Creative Alliance at the Patterson and Lakeshore Learning Store. 

Whatever you do, have fun! 

Weekend Highlights, 2/13-2/15

February 13, 2009

First, I'll give you the bad news:  You know that nice weather we've been enjoying all week?  That absence of ice and snow and chill that's permitted us to return, with glee, to backyards and playgrounds and walking trails?  Yeah, well, it isn't April just yet, my friend, so you'd better get accustomed to the idea of another blast of winter.  But with the bad news, luckily, comes this good news:  It's the start of the weekend-and it's a holiday weekend-and there's lots of fun stuff happening all over town.  So bundle up, warm up the car, and make the most of what this weekend in Baltimore has to offer.

Weekend Highlights, 2/6-2/8

by Laura Stallard Petza

February 06, 2009

It's Friday, you're sick and tired of winter, and you're probably looking for fun stuff to do . Right? Well, the weather's supposed to be pretty decent this weekend, which means, unless you enjoy Seasonal Affect Disorder, lethargy and isolation, that you should make an effort to get outside with the kids. Most of the hiking trails, thanks to ice, snow and mud, are a little on the messy side  Read more...

Your Baltimore Reflection

by Laura Stallard Petza

January 13, 2009

We've been talking a lot about self-reflection at Being Savvy these past few weeks, what with it being the new year and all, and the flavor of the month, it seems, is introspection.  And as much as I appreciate the importance of looking inward, I also dig the value of looking outward , sometimes literally.  For this new year--this time of change and resolution and electricity--is as much an  Read more...

Ten Favorite Posts from Being Savvy Baltimore, 2008

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 30, 2008

Ever had to compile a "best of" list? It's hard, especially when the best-of's you're compiling are pieces of your own writing. Talk about daunting. Anyway, my fellow Savvy Sourcers and I are all mining our archives for ten of our favorite posts from 2008, and here, without further adieu, are mine: 1. Wrap up a Bit of Baltimore 2. Ha-Ha-Ha: Five Books to Make You Laugh 3.  Read more...

Five Classic Toys to Share with Your Preschooler

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 02, 2008

Last week, as you may remember, I waxed enthusiastic about some of my and my children's favorite classic books. This week, I'm focusing on five classic toys--toys that, with the exception of one, helped to shape my childhood; toys that, thanks to their infinite playability, are helping to define my kids' childhoods, too. No surprises here; just five of the classics. Candy Land A  Read more...

Weekend Guide: 11/14-11/16

by Laura Stallard Petza

November 13, 2008

Well, another weekend is nearly upon us, and chances are good that you're looking for more fun and educational stuff to do with the kids. Right? So here, without further delay, are some excellent ways to get your weekend happening. Friday, November 14 Rainbow Theatre Presents Goldilocks and 3 Bears and Nursery Rhyme and Rhythm Every little kid loves nursery rhymes,  Read more...

Your Fledgling Artist: Five Places Where She Can Hone Her Craft

by Laura Stallard Petza

October 21, 2008

If your kids are anything like my kids, chances are good that they love to draw, paint, cut and glue just about anything that crosses their paths. If there's paper in the room, my children will draw on it, even if the paper is, say, a letter from my grandmother or the water bill. And as much as I love to encourage their around-the-house projects, there are times when a little out-of-the-house  Read more...

Budding Art Critic: How to Make the BMA a Place Your Child Loves

by Laura Stallard Petza

October 16, 2008

Now that the BMA is free, there's never been a better time to culture-up those youngin's. And with all of the fun stuff to do at the museum, they won't even know that they're gettin' a culturin'; they'll just be having a really good time. Following are some great ways to get your kids excited about the BMA. Get them a BMA Fun Pack Available Thursdays through Saturdays from  Read more...