This special “Second Saturdays are Free for Families” event, held each spring, fills the  Miami-Dade Cultural Plaza with a variety of games, entertainment and art activities. Children and their families are invited to spend the afternoon and take part in a number of engaging experiences, including exhibition tours.

FREE MAM Family Festival
Saturday, March 9,  1-4pm; Tours at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30pm
Enjoy multiple art activities on the Cultural Plaza: Collage with guest artist Moira Holohan / Inclusive drawing, printing and painting with “Zot Artz” / Music, museum tours and more! Free and open to the public.

http://miamiartmuseum.org

Bookmark It

• October 6: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• October 7: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Discover the newest American Girl store, coming soon to The Falls! You and your girl are invited to join in the fun during our grand-opening weekend, featuring crafts, doll drawings, and so much more.

For more information please visit the American Girl website.

Bookmark It

 Find out what day your child is starting school and mark those 30 days prior to the first day of school on your calendar. Now you can start brainstorming on what you think your little one would want to do on their special days. If you are going to photo document 30 Days to Kinder, then you should also start to gather fun clothing and props which you will be using. Below are some ideas and you can also visit Kelly Anderson’s blog post – 30 Days to kinder.

• Day 1: Ice cream/Frozen Yogurt date (and make lists together for what we wanted to do in the 30 days)
• Day 2: Shaving cream art
• Day 3 : Books & Books book store
• Day 4 : Side walk chalk fun
• Day 5 : BINGO! ( Customize to your child’s favorite character, animal or you can try Mexican bingo ( La Loteria)
• Day 6 : Practice to write new & fun words. A fun way to encourage learning is to write the names of all of the items in your home on sticky notes and post them throughout the entire house.
• Day 7 : Go to Cool-De-Sac
• Day 8 : Swimming and experimenting with an underwater camera
• Day 9 : Bake cupcakes
• Day 10 : Fort Building
• Day 11 : Movie night (Make a nest on the floor with blankets and pillows, eat popcorn + sweets, and watch your favorite movie)
• Day 12 : School supply shopping
• Day 13 : Night swimming & BBQ
• Day 14 : Foam party
• Day 15 : School clothes shopping
• Day 16: Cereal art/necklaces
• Day 17 : Go to your child’s favorite park
• Day 18 : Bake cookies
• Day 19 : Visit the library ( preferably a library with a great  kids section)
• Day 20 : Movie theater night
• Day 21 : Beach day
• Day 22 : Cardboard creations
• Day 23 : Pizza night
• Day 24 : Color and make crayons
• Day 25 : Alphabet art
• Day 26 & 27 : Interview your child ( see below)
• Day 28: School lunch planning ( fun & creative recipes)
• Day 29 : Play pretend school with stuffed animals
• Day 30: Put all pictures and interview in a special scrapbook
• School Starts!

Here are some great kid friendly restaurants to visit during 30 Days to Kinder:

Ice Cream

Sloan’s Ice Cream

The Frieze Ice Cream Factory

Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor

Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream & Treatery

Breakfast

Deli Lane

11th Street Diner

Big Pink

Cracker Barrel

Lunch

Shake Shack

Le Tub

Harvest Moon

Liberty Caffe

Dinner

Samurai

Mai Kai

Barton G

Interview Questions

Favorite color:

Favorite foods:

Favorite drink:

Favorite person:

Favorite thing to do:

Favorite person to spend time with:

Favorite Friend:

Favorite thing to wear:

Favorite Toy:

Favorite thing about preschool:

Favorite thing to do with Mommy:

Favorite thing to do with Daddy:

Favorite movie:

Favorite place to visit:

Favorite Day of summer:

Favorite book:

Favorite trip:

Favorite day ever:

Worst day ever:

Something funny that happened to you:

Something sad:

Something happy:

What I’m most thankful for:

Bookmark It

Where: Miami, FL; BankUnited Center : 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146
When: Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 17, 2012
www.bankunitedcenter.com

Calling all super heroes!  Super Grover has lost his super-ness!  Never fear, the fabulous five Super Heroes are here — featuring Elmo as Captain Fuzzy!  Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe and all their furry friends are on a quest to put the “super” back in Super Grover.  Singing and dancing their way through fun lessons on healthy habits, they discover how exercise, rest, nutritious food and good hygiene can save Super Grover — and turn your children into Super Heroes, too!  You’ll be feeling good when Elmo’s Super Heroes! comes to town!

Sesame Street Live is a larger-than-life, musical touring stage production featuring Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie…and more.  Each performance is 90 minutes of singing, dancing and audience participation, including a 15-minute intermission.  The perfect length for very young children!

Ticket prices: $12, $20, $28, $38 (Gold Circle) & $68 (Sunny Seats).

• Opening Night (Friday, June 15, 7 PM)—All seats $12 (excluding Gold Circle and Sunny Seats).
• Group savings available.  Groups 10+ call 305-284-8165.
• Get the ultimate fan experience with Sunny Seats!
  The Sunny Seats Package includes a VIP Seat and a pre-show Meet & Greet photo opportunity with two Sesame Street Live friends.
• Additional fees/surcharges may apply.
• To charge by phone, call 800-745-3000.

Performance Schedule

Friday, June 15: 7 PM
Saturday, June 16: 10:30 AM, 2 PM & 5:30 PM
Sunday, June 17: 1 PM & 4:30 PM

Save $3 per ticket!
Use the code ERNIE online at ticketmaster.com to receive the special offer.
(Excludes Gold Circle & Sunny Seats. Not valid on Opening Night or previously purchased tickets. Cannot be combined with any other offer.)

Bookmark It

Reservations required; online at Tour The Kampong
or call (305) 442-7169 M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sushi & Stroll
Where: Morikami Japanese Gardens
When: Friday, June 8th @ 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Summer nights in South Florida are something special, especially when they are augmented with taiko drums and a cultural backdrop that can’t be beat! Add a cold drink, a breathtaking sunset and a walking path through a tranquil garden, and you’ve got Sushi & Stroll Summer Walks!
Stroll the gardens at your own pace and take advantage of our self-guided audio tour. Excite your palate with something delicious from our own Cornell Café, indulge in some shopping at the Museum Store or tantalize your senses with a drumming performance by Fushu Daiko.

• Seating for taiko performances is limited, tickets sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:30pm.
• Taiko drumming performance tickets cost an additional $2 per person.
• Cafe items are not included in the admission price.
• Please note that the museum galleries will be closed.

Admission:
$7 for adults (ages 18+)
$5 for kids (ages 4-17)
FREE for members & kids 3 & under

MiChiMu’s Summer Opening Games
Where: Miami Children’s Museum
When: Saturday, June 9th 2012 @ 10am – 5pm
We will be kicking off our newest traveling exhibit, MiChiMu’s Summer Games with a bang. Join us for a day of relay races, obstacle courses, a medal ceremony and more.

Family Summer Kick-Off
Where: Fair & Expo Center : 10901 SW 24 ST, Miami
When :Saturday, June 9th @ 9am – 3pm
Join the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe and the Healthy Start Coalition for a day of family fun. There will be activities for children of all ages and classes/sessions for the parents.
For more information and/or to pre-register, call Miami-Dade AHEC at 305-597-3666 or visit www.hscmd.org.

Father’s Day Fest
Where: Miami Children’s Museum
When: Saturday, June 16th 2012 @ 12 pm to 3 pm
Join us for a special Father’s Day treat. We are going to be doing different activities dads and kids can do together. So whatever your interest, we may have something for you.

Design A Tie For Father’s Day
Where: USA & Art Gallery : 6822 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33155
When: Saturday, June 16 @ 10:00am – 2:00pm
We would like to invite you to our 1st “Design A Tie” for Father’s Day. This free art event will take place on Saturday June 16, 2012 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. This art event is FREE! This art event is open to all children of any age! This art event will make lots of smiles. All children who design a tie, will also get a goodie bag filled with prizes and treats. Our goal is to get 300 children making 300 fathers and or grandfathers super happy. RSVP to
cattheframer@gmail.com but walk ins are welcomed as well.

Big Truck Days
Where: Miami Science Museum: 3280 South Miami Avenue  Miami, FL
When : Saturday, June 16th & Sunday, June 17th from 12pm – 5pm
This Father’s Day weekend, dads will be our guests at the Miami Science Museum during Big Truck Days, presented by Ryder. Kids can climb on big trucks and check out cool vehicles. Experience Ryder’s Moving Things Exhibit, tour the cosmos with stellar planetarium shows, take a dive in our Sea Lab and enjoy interactive activities for the entire family.

Activities include:
Mousetrap Car Workshop: Learn how to build a ‘Mousetrap Car’. Families can build their own and then race them.
Speedway (Early Childhood Learning): Use building blocks to create ramps of different sizes to test how fast and how far your toy car can roll.
Lego Car Prototyping space: Use Legos to build and test your own solar powered or air powered car, take a picture of your creation and post it to our gallery screens to make it part of the exhibit.

Phone Contact: Box Office 305.646.4200
Email Contact: boxoffice@miamisci.org

Father’s Day BBQ
Where: Fairchild Gardens
When: Sunday, June 17, 2012 from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Looking for something to do with dad on Father’s Day? Treat him to a Texas inspired Barbeque Brunch from the award wining caterers, Creative Tastes.
Smoked bacon and sausage, pecan sticky buns, slow cooked beef brisket, “Cowboy” chicken wings, catfish, pork ribs and loads of Texas style fixin’s are all on the menu at this tasty event.
Price: $38 for adults, Children 5-12 are half-price and under 5 are free.
18% service charge and 7% Florida sales tax additional.

Call 305.256.8399for reservations and more information.

Redland Summer Festival
Where: Fruit & Spice Park : 24801 S.W. 187th Avenue
When:  Jun 16th & 17th 2012, 10 am – 5pm
Admission $8: (Children 11 & under are FREE) This annual 2 day event on Saturday, June 16 & Sunday, June 17  showcases local agriculture, and tropical fruits. Vendor booths featuring local wines, yummy foods, and rare fruit samplings will be available. Sponsored by the Fruit and Spice Park.

Bookmark It

1. Build a fort

2. Movie night at home

3. Bake something

4. Build a car or house out of a box

5. Indoor scavenger hunt

Check out all of the Rainy Day Activities I’ve pinned on Pinterest!

Bookmark It

Eco Explorers at Bill Sadowski Park & Nature Center (Ages 6-8)
Meets at the Nature Center, 17555 SW 79 Ave., Palmetto Bay. The cost is $110/week, plus a one-time annual registration fee of $12. For more information, call the Deering Estate at Cutler, 305-235-1668, ext. 233.

Camp on the Sea at Matheson Hammock Park (Ages 12-17)
Marine science, South Florida ecology, and aquatic adventures are the focus of this unique camp based at Matheson Hammock Park (located on Biscayne Bay), 9610 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables, from June 11-20. Campers will explore the coastal waters and off-shore coral reefs through snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding activities. Participants must be able to pass a mandatory swim test; June 11-July 20, 2012. The cost is $175/week, plus a one-time annual registration fee of $12. For more information, call 305-255-4767.

Fishing Camp (Freshwater) at Tropical Park – New! (Ages 9-15)
Developed in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, this camp is designed for kids who love fresh water fishing and want to improve their fishing skills. They’ll learn about fish biology and get fishing tips and instruction in safe boating skills. There’s a ‘Fish Fry-Day Party’ on the last day of camp. July 23-August 17, 2012. Meet at the Lake-side Pavilion in Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40 St. (Bird Road). The cost is $100/week, plus a one-time annual registration fee of $12. For more information, call 305-255-4767.

Camp Redlands at Castellow Hammock Park – New! (Ages 6-12)
Children will explore nature’s wonders through fun games, hands-on projects, nature hikes, and field trips such as Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. Camp meets at the Castellow Hammock Park Nature Center, 22301 SW 162 Ave. The cost is $125/week, plus a one-time annual registration fee of $12. For more information, call 305-255-4767.

Camp at the Deering Estate at Cutler – June 11-August 17 (Ages 6-15)
Camp hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost: $188 per five-day session. Please note there is a one-time $12 annual camp registration fee. Early drop-off and late-pick up are available for an additional fee of $10.00 per day for any combination of early drop-off and late pick-up. Early drop off is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and late pick up is from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668 ext. 233.

Miami Children’s Theater Camps

Sing, dance, act. That’s what we do at Miami Childrens Theater. Now in its sixteenth year, Creative Camps and Broadway Bound offer award-winning summer camps that will make your child feel like a star.  We have three great locations: Kendall, Coral Gables and our new home on Miami Beach. Campers work four weeks towards a common goal – putting up a fully realized main stage production. Sets. Lights. Costumes. Makeup. The real deal. Our camps are outrageously fun and thoroughly rewarding!

www.miamichildrenstheater.com

2012 Dates for Creative Camps and Broadway Bound
Session One:
June 11 – July 6
Session Two:
July 9 – August 3
Creative Camp hours are 9 am to 4 pm weekdays
Broadway Bound hours are from 9am to 5 pm weekdays.
MCT has free early morning drop off at 8 am and after care till 6 pm.
No camp on July 4th.

2012 Dates for My Little Star
Session One
June 18 – June 29
Session Two
July 2 – 13 (no class July 4)
Session Three
July 16-27
Session Four
July 30 – August 10
My Little Star Hours 10 am to 3 pm daily with early drop off at 9 and late pickup at 4.

Broadway Bound and Creative Camps Kendall:
11155 SW 112th Avenue
Miami, FL 33176

Coral Gables Creative Camp:
Coral Gables Youth Center
405 University Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33134

Creative Camps Miami Beach:
Byron-Carlyle Theater
500 71st Street
Miami, Beach, FL 33141

My Little Star Camp at Pinecrest Gardens:
11000 Red Road
Pinecrest, Florida 33156

Belen Wolverine Summer Camp 2012

The school is currently closed for Spring Break until Monday, April 16, 2012. The summer camp office will be open on April 10, 11, 12 and 13 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, April 16, 2012.
The Belen Wolverine Summer Camp is now accepting registration for camper’s ages 4- 14 and will run from June 18- August 3, 2012.

www.belenjesuit.org

Camp K Pals @ Christ Fellowship Palmetto Bay

www.cfacademy.org

June 11 – August 3, 2012
Camp Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Before/After Camp Care:
7-8 a.m. & 3-6 p.m.

Camp includes daily Bible time, arts & crafts, science activities, gardening, cooking class, puppet show, face painting, computer lab for K4-K5, outdoor play, water days,
bounce house, and special themed activities! Weekly in-house field trips by:

Animal Edventures, Miami Children’s Museum, Wacky Wild Science, and more!

The Children’s Trust Summer Camp List

The listings in this section are meant to give parents a brief idea of the uniqueness of these Trust-funded programs and where they are located. Also included is contact information should they have other detailed questions. Activities and fees vary by program and location. Parents should contact each program of interest directly for details.

www.thechildrenstrust.org

Bookmark It

2403 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 107, Miami, FL 33137

www.planetkidsplayground.com

The indoor playground features:

• Active Play
• Playground with 3 levels, slide, pool ball, obstacles, toddler area and much more
• Creative, manipulative play
• Arts & craft, imagination whiteboard
• Pretend Play: Dress up – Beauty salon
• Miami Midtown Area
• FREE COVERED PARKING

Open: Monday to Sunday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Open Play: $10  and $7  Siblings ( 6 months to 8 years old )

Planet Kids Indoor Playground & Cafe is a family owned business established in 2011 by Amanda Cavinati Lopez.  As a mother of a 2 year old daughter, Amanda struggled to find a quality indoor playground for her daughter close to the Miami Beach/Downtown area.  To solve the problem she decided to open her own facility in the heart of Miami’s Biscayne Boulevard corridor, easily accessible to all of central Miami – Miami Beach, Miami Shores, Downtown, Midtown and Brickell.

Planet Kids is a safe, entertaining playground area with open plays, classes, birthday parties and a comfortable cafe area that parents and kids can enjoy together.  Come play with us. We are open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00pm.

Bookmark It

Egg-Stravaganza
Where: JC Bermudez Park 3000 NW 87th Ave, Doral FL 33172
When: Saturday, March 31, 2012 @ 11:00am – 2:00pm
Easter Egg Hunt ages 2 -10, more than 25,000 eggs! Free admission and parking. Rides, games, food , entertainment & photos with the Doral bunny. Unlimited carnival rides for $3. For more information call Doral Parks & Recreation Dept. @ 305-593-6600.

Eggstravaganza
Where: Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest, Florida 33156
When:March 31, 2012, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Celebrate springtime, celebrate children and celebrate the joy of Easter at Pinecrest Gardens’ signature event, Eggstravaganza.  Stroll through our magnificent winding paths with our very own Spring Bunny and enjoy a cast of cute and cuddly characters to entertain you along the way. The day will be filled with “eggciting” activities for the entire family including egg hunts, face painting, balloon art, interactive games, music, arts and crafts, our petting zoo, and so much more. This is the event that every child will want to attend.  Mark your calendar today!
$5 per person general admission

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Where: Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail , Miami FL 33132
When: Friday – Sunday, April 6-8, 2012 @ 10:00am – 6:00pm
South Florida’s longest-running Easter celebration returns to Jungle Island. Our annual Easter Eggstravangaza is an egg-citing 3-day event benefitting Children First at UM Pediatrics. The event will feature Easter Egg Hunts with over 50,000 eggs, stuffed with more than 800 pounds of candy, toys and prizes! Plus, experience our famous pie-eating contests, arts and crafts stations, animal encounters and bounce houses that will fulfill every child’s delights. Don’t forget to be on the look-out for the Easter Bunny so you can pose for your very own photo! 1 entry into the Easter Egg Hunt is included with a child admission or is a $2 donation to the Children First Society for UM Pediatrics.

Great Egg Safari
Where: Metro Zoo, 12400 SW 152nd St Miami, FL 33177
When: Saturday & Sunday, April 7 & 8, 2012 @ 11:00am – 4:00pm

Join us at our annual Egg Safari on Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  It’s a magical weekend at Zoo Miami with continuous egg safaris, fun activities, the Easter Bunny and more for kids 12 and under.  Our animals will also be receiving special holiday treats.

South Florida’s Favorite Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami FL 33149
When: Friday – Sunday, April 6-8, 2012 @ 10:00am – 4:00pm
Hop on over to Miami Seaquarium, for the annual Egg Hunt Celebration on Easter weekend. The park opens daily at 9:30 a.m. and activities will take place continuously throughout the day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In addition to the park’s regular scheduled shows and exhibits, check out ‘Bunny-palo za’ with 5 acres of rides, slides, music, bounce houses, the South Florida Parenting Kids’ Pavilions and other fun activities. Egg hunts will run continuously throughout the celebration.

Eggstreme Egg Hunt & Carnival
Where: Coral Gables Parks
When: Saturday, April 7, 2012 @ 10:00am – 12:00pm
EggStreme Egg Hunt Information
Join Coral Gables Parks & Recreation as we celebrate Spring with EGG HUNTS, a CONCERT and CARNIVAL!
EGG HUNTS: 10 a.m. at 5 participating parks. Find a GOLDEN, SILVER or BRONZE EGG and win fabulous prizes. Additional egg hunts will follow at the Youth Center field. FREE

Immediately after the egg hunts…
CONCERT: at Youth Center field. The University of Miami’s Frost School of Music will present the Windsor Folk Family group of musicians, who will perform traditional American folk songs through classic music instruments and beautifully harmonized vocals. FREE
CARNIVAL: Enjoy rides and games at the Youth Center field for the entire family. FREE
Participating Parks:

• Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive
• Jaycee Park, 1230 Hardee Road
• Phillips Park, 90 Menores Avenue
• Salvadore Park, 1120 Andalusia Avenue
• Sunrise Harbor Park, 25 Sunrise Avenue

The Little Farm Easter Egg Hunt
Where: The Little Farm
When: Saturday, April 7, 2012 @ 9am, 11:30am, 2pm, 4:30pm
Reservations Required!Petting Farm, Pony Rides, Tour, Egg Hunt
2 HOURS OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDE :
PETTING FARM, PONY RIDES, TOUR, EGG HUNT

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED 305-258-3186
CALL OR BUY SOON SPACE IS LIMITED

$15 PER CHILD, ADULTS $6 EACH, cash only at the door please
WE WILL HAVE: HOT DOGS, CHIPS, SODA, AND
SOFT DRINKS, AT AN ADDITIONAL COST cash only
OR BRING YOUR OWN SNACK (No coolers/ large meals or alcohol permitted)

DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA AND
A CONTAINER TO COLLECT EGGS IN (Please leave your pets at home.)

Prepaid admissions are non-refundable, this includes acts of nature.

We will give a coupon for free admission on another date and a bag with some eggs and a prize per child,
if the event is canceled due to rain

Bookmark It

http://web.miamibeachfl.gov

The park features:

• Located in the heart of South Beach
• Playground
• Open grass area
• Access to beach
• Restrooms
• Water play area
• Concession stand
• Scenic observation deck
• Meter parking and lot parking available for a fee

Bookmark It

Looking for ideas on how to decorate the kids table this Thanksgiving? I’ve come across some great printables that I think you all will love! My search began when I was looking for a set of children’s plates for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, the only set I found was from Pottery Barn Kids. So I began to search for more printable decorations which I could use because the variety of kids Thanksgiving decorations was very limited. Although I love the set from Pottery Barn Kids, I just don’t think it is necessary to spend over $100 on just cups and plates alone! There are many great ideas out there on the internet which are fun and inexpensive. We would love to see your Thanksgiving children’s table on our Facebook page.

Thanksgiving Printables:

www.paperglitter.blogspot.com
www.etsy.com/shop/stockberrystudio
www.familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving
www.amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com
www.frogprincepaperie.com

Thanksgiving Activities:

Tree of Thanks – Children  can write what they are thankful for on paper cut out leaves and hang them on a paper craft tree or real tree branches. This also makes for the perfect centerpiece. Remember to use craft paper in Fall colors.

Thanksgiving Bingo – Create a Thanksgiving Bingo card and use uncooked beans as the chips.

Thankgiving Movies & Books:

Bookmark It