Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in cincinnati, OH

A Little April Fools Anyone?

by Amy Mumper

March 31, 2009

As I was contemplating a post dedicated to my Grandma, who's 88th birthday would have been today, I was stumped.  She loved cats.  Tune in later for the "Best Places to Find Cats in Cincy"!  I just couldn't do it yet.

Just in the knick of time, Jenny from Being Savvy Kansas City reminded me that April Fools Day is tomorrow!  So, on a lighter note...  play a joke for me! (Thanks, Jen!)

As a kid, my brother and I played lots of April Fools Day jokes on my mother. We taped the kitchen sink sprayer handle down so it would come on when she turned on the faucet. We left fake plastic cat poop in her vanity chair. We changed the time on her alarm clock.

You can see why she tells me she's glad I have a couple of little monsters of my own to contend with.

But there are certainly fun and silly ways to make April Fools Day a good time with your little ones, all the while reinforcing that this is the silly way, not the right way:

   1. Wear mismatched socks or shoes to school - or shirts or pants on backwards

   2. Do silly hair styles - crazy pigtails for or faux-hawks for boys

   3. Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the milk in their breakfast cereal -blue, red, green!

   4. Have them think of a silly story to tell or write for their teacher at school (an email to the teacher ahead of time is probably a good idea, too)

   5. Serve dinner backwards - dessert first, then the entree (make it a favorite dinner so you'll know they'll eat it even after the promise of dessert is already gone)

Winter Weekend Roundup

by Amy Mumper

February 19, 2009

Allow me to begin by suggesting that I'm pretty sure you know the basics of what's going on this weekend.  If you're a member somewhere, you know what's up with the major venues in town.  I pledge to try my best to scope out lesser-known but just-as-cool events about town and post them here.  PLEASE feel free to comment about any cool stuff you have done, heard of, or plan to do!  I will let you know if I've frequented the events I mention.  I'll also try to scout out some freebies or deals; let's face it - we've got to tighten the reigns, right?  Easier said than done...

I'll try from generic to specific.

Generally speaking, what is there to do this weekend?  Well, with this weather, you may want to get outside!!  It may be a bit muddy, but aren't the kids stir crazy?  Every kid I've seen recently could use a little outside time. 

Take a dive and invite some friends for a playdate.  It's probably the second best thing to getting outdoors.  Bringing a friend over always sparks imagination and play scenarios I never see with my own three kids.  And, usually, they're better behaved around others than when it's just the three of them.  No science there, but hey - it works for me.

Another generic idea for the weekend is to check out local fundraisers.  It seems to me that this time of year is when churches and private citizens try to do some indoor fundraising.  Check into your favorite local charity (my current favorite?  March for Babies) and see if there's a way you can support the organization this weekend.  It doesn't have to mean money, perhaps a simple donation of time would be worth a mint.

Jump around places - there are plenty in town.  They can be pricey but might just be worth it!  Call ahead to see if there is free time; birthday parties may have the place booked.

For this weekend, you absolutely MUST see the Fine Arts Sampler Weekend.  No matter where you live, you can come up with an event near you.  Now, in the past, I've been a little intimidated by how many events there are to choose from.  So intimidated that I didn't try it...  until last year.  A friend encouraged my 6 year old daughter and me to join her DD and she at a particular event near where we live.  Well, it was perfect!  It happened to be at an offbeat gallery in Mt. Adams.  They featured a real live watercolor painter that was actually painting on real canvas when we arrived!  The girls went on to have a chance to do a watercolor self portrait.  It was great.  I didn't have time to do much more that weekend, but that was all it took.  My daughter loved it!  Check out the site - there are events scheduled from Fairfield to Northern Kentucky.  Just pick one near you.  That's my plan.  Enjoy!

Ok, not exactly on the "cheap-deal list", but with High School Musical 2 at the Children's Theater, it could be a family favorite.  Starting this weekend and showing again next weekend, you've still got time for tickets!  I'll be going next weekend with 6, 4 and 3 year olds.  I'll let you know! 

Have you tried the Drake Planetarium in Norwood yet?  The Following the Drinking Gourd program is a great spin off from the book and a super way to celebrate Black History Month.

What's in Your Dress-Up Bin?

by Amy Mumper

October 12, 2008

This is such a great topic and Id love input on what's in everybody's dress-up box! We could find some great ideas, Im sure! If youre like me, you look at that box occasionally and think, Whew! This stuff could really stand to be organized or sorted or displayed somehow! But, it mostly sits there just waiting for imagination to bring it to life. It's really magical how children can use  Read more...

Cincy Princess for a Day

by Amy Mumper

October 08, 2008

Princess for a day, you say? Her Highness will be right at home in Cincy! Like I always say to anyone who will listen no experience is complete without beginning and ending with books. Must be the teacher background Have you met Fancy Nancy ? She might give your little dresser-upper a royal run for her money. Savvy Source can get you started with book reviews. Stock up with  Read more...