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

Fun at the Maryland State Fair

August 24, 2009

Boy howdy, do I love a fair.  And the Maryland State Fair, with its vast array of animals, rides, treats and carnival games, is an especially good one, replete with everything sweet and noisy that makes a fair a fair.  The only downside?  Its arrival, for me, at least, is always bittersweet, for I know as soon as that giant Ferris wheel goes up inTimonium that the start of school is just around the corner. And with the start of school comes fall, and then winter, and then, in a heartbeat, my children are in college. 

Anyway, as I was saying before I started weeping all over my keyboard, the Maryland State Fair is coming to town. Catch it before your children abandon you, etc. 

And now, because I know you're growing impatient with my sentimentalism, here's a run-down of some of the good stuff:

Ridemania - Thursday, August 27, from 5 p.m.-close. 
Ride all the rides you want for the low, low price of $15 a person.  None of the buildings will be open, so you won't be able to see any of the animals, but this is a (relatively) inexpensive option for the ride lovers in the family.

Wristbands - Available Friday, August 28 and Monday, August 31-Thursday, September 3, from 12-6 p.m.
Beat the crowds and ride all the rides you can handle for 20 bucks a head.  And for added savings, hit your local Food Lion store for a five-dollar-off-wristbands coupon.

Labor Day Ride Special - Monday, September 7, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Another chance to grab a 20-dollar wristband.  No Food Lion coupons will be honored on Labor Day, but 20 bucks is pretty cheap, especially for a holiday. 

Swifty Swine Racing/Swifty the Swimming Pig - Friday, August 28-Monday, September 7, at 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:00 p.m.
The animal rights activist in me is squirming a little on this one, but I must confess to being kind of intrigued.  It's the swimming pig, mainly, that's pigged (I mean, piqued) my curiosity.

Boyz II Men - Friday, August 28, 7:30 p.m.
Straight from the adult-contemporary station to the racetrack infield.  Bring, if you feel like carrying them, your blankets and chairs. 

Masters of the Chainsaw - Friday, August 28-Monday, September 7; Monday-Friday, 1:30, 3:30 and 7:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Chainsaws do more than just trim limbs and massacre; they also can be used to create great works of art.  Watch as some of the nation's most expert chainsawers transform ordinary logs into awe-inspiring sculptures. 

Animal Birthing Center - Daily, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
One of my favorite spots at the fair.  Witness the miracle of birth, as enacted by cows, pigs and chickens, and marvel at the smallness--the itty-bitty smallness--of farm creatures in their earliest hours. 

Meet you at the midway! 

The Maryland State Fair
Timonium Fairgrounds
Timonium, MD
410-252-0200  Read more...

Fun at the Howard County Fair

August 10, 2009

Good news, fair-loving friends!  One of my favorite annual summertime events, the Howard County Fair, is running now through next weekend.  Expect animals, rides and plenty of delicious (and greasy) cuisine at this celebration of all things agricultural.  Admission, by fair standards, is cheap -- $5 for people ages 10-61; $2 for seniors 62 and over; and FREE for children 10 and under -- and parking, which is available on-site, is free.  Whatever you do, don't forget the stroller, as you'll be doing a lot of walking.  Lots and lots and lots of walking.  And though the kids might not mind the walking at first, particularly when they get a glimpse of the glimmering midway, they might change their tunes once they're full of cotton candy and exhausted to their wee, little cores.  Another thing you should definitely remember, if you're planning on visiting the midway at mid-day:  sunscreen.  With not a speck of shade in sight, that midway, at about noontime, is scorching.  Plan accordingly.

With so much fun stuff to do at the fair, you may, especially if you're attending with very young children, be forced to skip over something.  What you absolutely don't want to skip over, however, is the aptly named "Kids and Critters" barn.  In this barn, you'll find a wide variety of animals, many of which are babies, and all of which are adorable.  You'll also find a corn pit, a straw jump and a face painting station, not to mention a table where your kids can make some farm-themed crafts.  Still craving some more animal fun?  Try a pig race or a pony ride.

And if you're looking for something a little different, why not check out this year's Iron Chef Cook-off, sponsored by the Farm-City Celebration Committee.  It'll be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, right in front of the 4-H Building.  This year's contestants, representing four Howard County high schools, will craft their masterpieces from fresh, locally grown produce provided byHammondale and Tranquility farms.  The competition should prove quite titillating, though admittedly maybe not for your preschooler.  May the best chef win!

Savor some of what our local farmers have to offer this season.  Head on down the the Howard County Fair! 

The Howard County Fair
2210 Fairground Road
West Friendship, MD 
410-442-1022  Read more...

Take Me for a Ride: Tilt-a-Whirls, Bumper Cars and Other Fun Attractions

July 28, 2009

There was a time, long before I birthed babies, when I used to enjoy the carnival rides.  I liked the Round-Up, the Yo-Yo, the Matterhorn and the Lariat; I liked the fast, the loud, the bright and the spinning.  Oh, how I loved those rides that got me spinning!  But now just the sight of spinning rides makes me queasy, and when my children ask me to get on the Mad Teacups with them, I sort of-even before I do it-feel as if I'm going to die.  But enough about me and my adult aversions; if you're looking for rides for your adventure-seeking, not-yet-motion-sick children, here are five places where you can find ‘em.  Here's hoping, if you're anything like I am, that your kids are big enough to ride the rides without you.  And if they're not, consider-even if it means paying for an extra admission-taking along a ride buddy who's bigger and braver than you are.  Anyway, have fun!

Maryland Fire Carnivals

Quaint and community-oriented, Maryland's fire carnivals are summertime institutions, all of which benefit fire companies throughout the state.  One of our favorites is the Mt. Airy Carnival, which is held the last weekend in July.  There, you'll find rides, carnie food, live music and fun for every member of the family.

Howard County Fair

Held each year in early to mid-August, the Howard County Fair has become one of our favorite celebrations of summer.  Rides, yes, as well as farm animals and parades and everything you'd expect from a county fair.  And cheap, at least by fair standards.  Look out for ride and admission specials, which occur several times throughout the run of the fair.  There aren't a lot of kiddie rides, but you'll find enough-plus tons of older kid rides-to keep your little one amused.

Ocean City Boardwalk

There's something about the Ocean City boardwalk that both delights and terrifies me.  Because while it's overstimulating to the millionth degree (hence the terror), it's also, perhaps due to its associations with my childhood, oddly comforting and relaxing.  In any case, expect no shortage of rides, kiddie or otherwise, at this noisy, indulgent summertime resort.  The youngest riders will find glee at Trimper's indoor amusement house, a veritable paradise of junior-sized jeeps, bumper cars and Ferris wheels, while the older ones will be drawn to the wilder, crazier outdoor attractions.  Skee-ball, of course, will be a hit with everyone.

Dutch Wonderland

What separates Dutch Wonderland from many other theme parks, including the famous one in nearby Hershey, is its devotion to more innocent, less commercial themes.  At Dutch Wonderland, you'll find rides for kids of all ages, though the younger set is likely to be most happy here.  Lot of rides, lots of food, and lots of entertainment.  Your kids will have a blast here.

Maryland State Fair

If your kids like rides, they'll want to be here at the end of the summer, as rides and all kinds of other fair fare will be on offer for ten or so days in Timonium.  More expensive, yes, than the county fairs, but also more expansive . . . here, you'll find kiddie attractions aplenty, in addition to carnival food (like crabcakes!) that far surpasses what you usually find at these kinds of events.

Whether you love or despise the rides, get out there and take advantage of the summertime fun! 

Of Fauna and Fairytales: A Visit to Clark's Elioak Farm

July 20, 2009

If you're as old as I am (or--gasp--even older), and if you've been around these parts since, say, the dawn of time, you may remember The Enchanted Forest, the fairytale-themed amusement park that used to draw the kiddies to Ellicott City.  As far as I know I only visited once, and all I can remember is a dizzy ride on the Mad Teacups, but I know lots and lots of Baltimoreans who have wonderful memories of that place.  Anyway, The Enchanted Forest is long gone, but many of the park's relics, including one of my barely-remembered teacups, have been hauled on over to Clark's Elioak Farm, the petting zoo/playland/produce stand that stands, just behind the castle gate, on Clarksville Pike in Ellicott City.  If you've never been to Clark's Elioak, of if you haven't been since they've added a number of new Enchanted Forest attractions, you really must visit, posthaste.  Snow White, The Three Little Pigs and The Dish and The Spoon are all waiting, and they're wondering, frankly, what's been taking you so long. 

We stopped by on a warm summer's day, a day just perfect for picnicking with the Gingerbread Man and for popping in on The Little Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe.  The kids, from the moment we strolled through the castle gate, were, indeed, enchanted . . . so enchanted that it was nearly impossible to get them to eat the picnic lunch that I'd packed.  They especially grooved on the mouse and cheese slide (these mice, apparently, were the ones that took Cinderella home from the ball), as well as on The Rainbow Bridge, where they were able to look down on real, live frogs.  Every attraction was a hit, though, as they made their way through some of their favorite stories, including "There Was a Crooked Man" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."  Then, once they'd pretty thoroughly explored the Enchanted Forest stuff, we moved on to the petting zoo, which was also quite entertaining.  You won't find anything out-of the-ordinary at Clark's Elioak's petting zoo--no camels or buffalo or anything exotic--but the goats and pigs and donkeys will keep the kids happy, even if--and this happened to my daughter--the donkey gets a little bitey.  Pony rides, which are satisfying but none-too-lengthy, are available for two bucks a pop, and hay rides, too, can be had for two dollars.  There's also a pine tree maze, a summer vegetable stand and a gift/snack shop, should you require a cold drink or a little souvenir.  

So what are you waiting for?  Head on down to Clark's Elioak this weekend, and give your kids a taste of the classics! 

 Clark's Elioak Farm - 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD, 410-730-4049

Garden Adventures at Surreybrooke

June 22, 2009

What separates Surreybrooke from other garden centers, and what makes it totally worth the drive up to Frederick County, is its abundance of family-friendly amenities.  Check out the adorable children's garden, complete with animal benches, an evergreen maze and an impossible-to-resist wooden look-out tower; visit any of the three ponds, one of which is home to the most massive frogs I've ever seen; say "awwww" to the precious miniature ponies; picnic at a table or out on the grass, in full view of the nearby mountains; pretend to be a troll or a bear or a princess in a quaint, imagination-inspiring cottage.  Plus, pick up some beautiful, healthy plants for your garden, typically for less than you'd pay at one of those big-box hardware store/garden centers.  And you know what else is awesome aboutSurreybrooke?  Once you're finished with all of your plant-shopping and exploring, you can head on over to neighboring Gambrill State Park, where you'll find rocks for climbing, trails for hiking, and plenty of gorgeous mountain scenery.  Just be sure, if you decide to visit on a baking summer's day, to protect your delicate plant purchases from the heat (or maybe consider hitting Gambrill prior to Surreybrooke).

Surreybrooke - 8537 Hollow Road, Middletown, MD, 301-371-7466  Read more...

Weekend Highlights, 4/17 - 4/19

April 16, 2009

It's weekend time again; following are some of the many fun things to do around town these next few days.