Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Milwaukee, WI

Family Friday Fun May 29, 2009

by Amy Jo Jones

May 29, 2009

Woot! Friday already? Boy, these short weeks fly by don't they? It seems like the weekend was just finished and now it's time to start planning another one. Looking for some options? Read on! 

OUTDOOR MARKET

The Milwaukee Public Market goes outdoors starting this Saturday! The Outdoor Urban Market kicks off the summer with vendors showcasing some of the best arts, foods and crafts in Milwaukee. This weekly event takes place along St. Paul Avenue just outside the Market.

www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org/

BAY VIEW PLANT SALE
The Bay View Plant Sale hosts a variety of local and commercial plant vendors at the Bay View Garden and Yard Society Annual Plant Sale. Shoppers will be able to purchase their choice of hundreds of plants and knowledgeable gardening club members will also be on hand to answer questions about gardening.
http://calendar.gardenweb.com/display/200905300900027354.html

FIRST CHURCH FEST OF THE YEAR
The season of church festivals starts with an all weekend event at St. Aloysius featuring fish fries, food, music and polkas! Be there at noon on Sunday for a chicken dinner. Children's activities and entertainment will be ongoing, including a clown performance.
www.staloysius.4lpi.com

Library Time

by Amy Jo Jones

May 28, 2009

Is your evening book reading repetoire getting a little worn? Time to visit the library!

The New Berlin Library is offering an opportunity for parents of preschoolers and toddlers to meet in the Youth Program room to play ad socialize. Advance registration is not necessary and it's free.

The program is ongoing every Friday, but check with them for possible exceptions.

http://www.newberlin.lib.wi.us

Ages: 2-5
Time: 9:30am-10:30am
Cost: Free

Springtime at the Zoo

by Amy Jo Jones

May 26, 2009

As if the penquins, petting zoo, tigers, lizards and monkeys weren't enough. The zoo has some new creatures to see and touch starting this weekend. 

Wings From Down Under, a special exhibit featuring 1,000 birds commonly found in the wilds of Australia, opens this weekend. The three featured species include cockatiels, Eastern rosellas and grass parakeets split into two exhibit spaces holding 500 birds each. Be ready to mingle. Each visitor gets one seed stick, a Popsicle stick with millet clustered on the end for the birds to eat. This exhibit is designed to be very family-friendly. Here'a tip: Because kids like to wiggle, it's best for a child is completely still and hold out a food stick if they want a bird to land on them.Wings From Down Under runs through Sept. 7 at the Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Building.

A what cat? The zoo has four new male meerkats, members of the mongoose family from South Africa. The meerkats are on permanent exhibit in the Small Mammal Building.

For more information on Wings From Down Under or the new meerkats, visit the Milwaukee County Zoo's web site.

Time to go to Work

by Amy Jo Jones

May 26, 2009

Workshopping, that is.

There are lots of opportunites in Milwaukee to get hands on and participate in constructive play. Here are a few things your pre-schooler can do to get down and dirty making music or masterpieces:

Pre-School Pop-In
Preschoolers can participate in music, movement, and visual art activities that encourage early reading and introduce beginning math concepts.
414.291.0888
http://www.bbcmkids.org
Ongoing Each Wed, Fri 1/1/07 - 12/31/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 3-5
Time: 10:30am
Cost: Free with paid admission

Art Smart!
Children can learn about art and artists by experimenting with various art media, concepts, and techniques as they engage in the process of creating art.
414.291.0888
http://www.bbcmkids.org
Ongoing Each Fri 1/1/07 - 12/31/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 3 and up
Time: 11:30am
Cost: Free with paid admission; $2 materials fee

Monkeying Around
Children can plan, build, and construct their own curious creations. (Keep an eye out for Curious George - he'll be swinging by to inspect structures!)
http://www.bbcmkids.org
Ongoing Each Fri 1/1/07 - 12/31/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 3 and up
Time: 2pm
Cost: Free with paid admission

The ARTery
The ARTery offers children and adults opportunities to engage in hands-on activities together that are not only fun-filled but also provide delightful occasions to explore and understand the exhibitions in many ways. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult.
http://www.jmkac.org
Ongoing Daily except Mon, Tue 1/1/07 - 12/31/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: All Ages
Time: Wed-Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 10am-4pm
Cost: Free with paid admission

Family Friday Fun May 22, 2009

by Amy Jo Jones

May 21, 2009

Memorial Day weekend is upon us! If you are not headed out of town, up north or to an already planned barbeque, here are some ideas for ways to enjoy your (hopefully) long weekend:

ALL THE WORLD'S A CIRCUS 
The Shrine Circus comes to town this weekend with two shows Friday night. Be amazed as the Waukesha County Expo Center transforms into a big top. Shows at 4:30 and 7 p.m.
http://www.onmilwaukee.com/sports/business/waukeshacountyexpo.html

LIFE'S A THE BEACH 
Not a minute too soon- Bradford Beach is officialy open. Click here to find out about free entertainment options for kids of all ages. 

http://www.bradfordbeachjam.com/

LETS GO FLY A KITE
The Family Kite Festival takes place this weekend at Veterans Park. Perfect for fans of aviation and flying gifts, videos, kites, and garden spinners.

http://www.giftofwings.com