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...

Weekend Highlights, 7/31-8/2

July 30, 2009

Oh, August, you're almost here, with you summertime swansong of thunder and crickets.  Forgive my poetic waxing, y'all, but I can't help but get a little sentimental as we creep, with chlorine in our hair and s'mores on our lips, toward the imminent first day of school.  Just a few more weekends, friends, so get out there and have some late bedtime fun. 

Free Pirate Story Time - Ann Street Pier, Fells Point, Baltimore, 410-327-8378
Friday, 10:30-11 a.m.
Start practicing your "arghs" and "blimeys" now, so you'll be ready for this pirate-oriented storytime.  Expect all of the fun of a pirate adventure--including hanging out aboard a pirate ship--without any of that miserable walking of planks.  And, as I mentioned already, it's free! 

In the Good Old Summertime- Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument Street, Baltimore, 410-685-3750, ext. 363
Saturday, 2-4:30 p.m.
Head on back to yesteryear for some Tootsie Rolls, a few classic cartoons and a rousing game of stick ball.  It's summertime, as it was in the 1940s, only with--I'm guessing --more air conditioning. 

WeeBoogie Music and Dance Events- Sylvan Learning Center, 8600 LaSalle Road, Towson, 410-337-2545
Dance, dance, dance the early evening away at this benefit for First Candle (a charity that strives to lower infant mortality rates).  Buy tickets online at WeeBoogie or pick them for a dollar more at the door. 

Painting Inside and Out - The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, 410-547-9000
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Experiment with oils!  Go wacky with watercolors!  And learn a wide variety of painting techniques at this month's drop-in activity at the Walters! 

International Festival- Poly/Western High School, near Falls Road and W. Coldspring Lane, Baltimore, 410-396-3141
Saturday and Sunday, 12-9 p.m.
Celebrate the many cultures that make Baltimore Baltimore at this two day-long festival of music, dancing, food and fun.  Ashford and Simpson are the closers on Saturday, so if you were ever a fan of "Solid Like a Rock," you know where you want to be this weekend (because the thrill, much like this weekend's forecast, is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot).

Birds and Birdfeeders for families - Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center, 320 E. Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore, 410-355-1100
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Images of birds are everywhere, as anyone with a Twitter account can tell you, and there's never been a better time to learn about our trend-setting, feathered friends.  So jump on the birdwagon and hit Masonville Cove this weekend; the neighborhood jays and cardinals and robins will be so glad you did. 

Summer Vacation at the BMA: American Road Trip - Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, 443-573-1700
Sunday, 2-4 p.m.
Road trips are always good for laughs, thrills and memories, and this road trip, which you can take without even leaving town, promises to be no exception.  Unleash your inner artist, American road trip style, and be glad that you don't have to stop every 10 minutes for a bathroom. 

Stay safe, and have a fantastic weekend!   Read more...

Weekend Highlights, 6/26-6/28

June 25, 2009

There's plenty of great stuff to do this weekend, both in- and out-of-doors.  Following are a few of the highlights:

Fourth Friday Family Campfires: The Moon - Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, 700 Otter Point Road, Abingdon, 410-612-1688
Friday, 8-10 p.m.; Reservations required
Anita C. Leight, I'm loving the heck out of you this summer, because you keep on churning out the awesome family fare.  Who doesn't dig a campfire, particularly when S'mores are involved, and particularly when it's a-raging on a pontoon pier.  Anita C. Leight is such a happening place that they'll even supply the marshmallows for your campfire feast.  And there'll be somebody talking about the moon as well, but I'm guessing that your children's only focus will be the sweet, warm, melty marshmallows. 

Carnival Science Day - Maryland Science Center, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, 410-685-5225
Saturday, 12-4 p.m.
Admit it--you've always kind of wanted to be a carnie.  Well, now's your--and your child's--big opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how a carnival works.  Learn the secrets of juggling, stilt-walking and optical illusions, and who knows . . . maybe you'll even get to meet a bearded lady.  Carnival games, such as beanbag-toss and ring-toss, will be on offer, too, and naturally, there will be face-painting.
  
Fourth Anniversary Celebration - Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, 443-263-1875
Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
There'll be music, dance and lots of family fun at this celebration of the museum's fourth anniversary.  Enjoy specially-priced admission and art activities, in addition to, on Saturday, free cake! 

LatinoFest- Patterson Park at Linwood and Eastern Avenues, 410-563-3160
Saturday and Sunday, 12-9 p.m.
Summer is here, and Baltimore's ethnic festivals are in full swing.  Celebrate the richness (and deliciousness) of Latin culture, complete with salsa, empanadas and sun. 
 
Celebrate Your Style Family Fun Day - Powerplant Live, 34 Market Place, Baltimore,
Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
If celebrating your style includes face-painting, balloon bounces and and an appearance from ABC-2 meteorologist Justin Berk, then you're in luck this weekend.  Port Discovery, The Walters and the Baltimore Museum of Industry, among others, will all be sponsoring family-friendly activities; there will also be live music, grub and oodles of fun.

Have a fantastic weekend, Baltimore!  







 Read more...

Weekend Highlights: 5/22-5/24

May 21, 2009

Guess what?  It's almost weekend time again.  And this weekend is not just any weekend, for it's the unofficial start of the summer season.  So bust out the sunscreen, shimmy into your swimsuit and fire up the barbeque grill.  It's time to get this three-day party started! 

Weekend Highlights, 5/15 - 5/17

May 14, 2009

Another great springtime weekend is headed our way.  Get out there and enjoy all of the fun--and pollen--that the next few days have to offer.  Here, for your perusal, are a few weekend highlights:

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:

Having a Dream

by Laura Stallard Petza

January 15, 2009

Though Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday is not observed nationally until next Monday, his actual birthday is today, the 15th, and there are many activities taking place this weekend that celebrate the life of Dr. King. In this era of great promise, when almost anything seems possible, it may be hard for our children to appreciate the magnitude of Dr. King's contributions. And  Read more...

New Year's with Your Newbies

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 29, 2008

Every year, I consider keeping the kids up until midnight for New Year's, and every year, I end up chickening out, afraid of how dearly I'll pay for days after the holiday. Maybe, if you're braver than I am, you'll let your children stay up for the fireworks at the Harbor on Wednesday, and if you do, let me know how it goes, because perhaps next year I'll be convinced that all of the crowded  Read more...

T'is the Season to Do Fun Stuff with Your Family

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 09, 2008

With so many holiday events to choose from this season, it can be tough, can't it, to pick just a few. And yet, given the demands on our time and our money, we simply cannot do them all, no matter how much fun they all promise to be. But with the holidays quickly, quickly approaching, it will be boring, old January before you know it, and all of the holiday magic will be gone. So why not,  Read more...

Weekend Highlights: 12/4-12/7

by Laura Stallard Petza

December 04, 2008

Everybody's looking for ways to save a little money, especially in the midst of these dicey economic times, and especially in the midst of the holiday season. So what could be more welcome than Downtown Dollar or Less Days, a program sponsored by participating attractions this weekend and designed to get you--guess where?--downtown. Visit such popular, family-friendly destinations as The  Read more...

Santa? Seriously?

by Laura Stallard Petza

November 20, 2008

So the other night, as the family and I were driving to the least festive of places--the computer supply store--we spotted Christmas lights dangling from the eaves of someone's home. And my daughter, who rarely hesitates to tell it like it is, shouted, rightfully, "Christmas lights? What? But it's not even Thanksgiving!" before settling into her booster seat in quiet disgust. And just as I was  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...

Get Your Weekend Groove On

by Laura Stallard Petza

November 06, 2008

Looking for some musical fun this weekend? Following are five programs sure to get you and the kids moving, grooving, rocking and rolling. Friday, November 7 Lively Arts for Little Ones!: Rocknoceros Three fathers, all musically inclined, set out to teach your youngsters about dental hygiene, the 50 states and more. I'm so charmed by the name Rocknoceros that I think I may be  Read more...