Sat, Jan 28th - Sun, Jan 29th

1. Laugh with your family at Runaway Stage Production’s A DRAGON’S TALE. Sat
2. Build a DINOSAUR at Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic. Sat Free
3. Visit the animals at the FOLSOM ZOO and take a ride on a MINIATURE TRAIN. Sat-Sun
4. Explore the Sacramento Children’s Museum’s new Gear Up and Solar Car Racers EXHIBITS. Sat-Sun
5. Take a guided WINTER BIRD WALK at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Sat Free
6. Roll around to Disney Music during a TINY TOTS SKATE SESSION at King’s Skate Country. Sat-Sun
7. Find out if Gilda Goose can hang onto the golden egg in THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG. Sat
8. Enjoy a FAMILY MAGIC SHOW at A Magical Place in Galt. Sat
9. Build with LEGOS and enjoy DADDY & ME STORYTIME at the Franklin Library. Sat Free
10. Climb and slide during OPEN PLAY at Funtastic Playcenter in Elk Grove. Sun

This post is sponsored by:

Affordable movers in Sacramento, CA

Win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets!

HAVE YOU HEARD THE BUZZ?????

The toys are back in town!!!  Disney On Ice presents Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3!  The Academy Award-winning blockbuster, Toy Story 3, and memorable moments from Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are hitting the ice in this sensational live production coming to the Sacramento’s Power Balance Pavilion from Wednesday, February 15 – Monday, February 20, 2012.

Catch all the heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home, in their most daring adventure ever!

A few new faces join the fun, including Barbie’s groovy bachelor Ken and Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. It’s the biggest Toy Story experience on ice, jam-packed with fast-paced adventure such as Buzz’s galactic battle with Emperor Zurg and a hoe-down at Woody’s Roundup. Rediscover the humor, friendship and charm of Toy Story when Disney On Ice presents Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 takes family fun to infinity and beyond!

WHEN: February 15 – 20, 2012
Wednesday, February 15 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 16 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 17 – 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 18 – 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 19 – 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Monday, February 20 – 12:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Power Balance Pavilion – One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95834

PRICES: Ticket are $14, $17, $23, $40 (VIP) and $65 (Front Row).  Opening Night tickets available for only $10 each (not valid on premium seating).

TO ORDER TICKETS:
Tickets available online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-300 or by visiting the
venue box office; all seats are reserved and may be subject to additional venue fees and handling charges.

FOR MORE INFO: www.DisneyOnIce.com

ENTER TO WIN!

I am VERY excited to have a 4-PACK OF TICKETS for opening night (Wednesday, February 15th at 7:00pm) to give away to one lucky Sacramento Sidetracks friend!

To enter to WIN, all you need to do is the following 3 simple things:

1. Click here and “Like” Sacramento Sidetracks on Facebook.
2. Click here and Subscribe to my free Sacramento Sidetracks weekly e-newsletter.
3. Leave a Comment on this post letting me know that you “Like”d and Subscribed.

*Doing these 3 things counts as one entry.  One Entry per person.

You have until Tuesday, January 31st at midnight to enter.  The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be announced on Wednesday morning.  Good luck!

Whether you have little ones with cabin fever or your older kids need to get out after school, finding places to go on a rainy day can sometimes be tricky.  Here are my kids’ favorite things to do when I tell them we are done jumping in the puddles!

1.  Storytimes

2.  Library Events

3.  Indoor Playgrounds, Trampolines, and Bounce Houses

4.  Roller Skating Rinks

5.  Arts, Crafts and Building

For more THINGS TO DO ON A RAINY DAY, click here for the rainy day archives!

Remember to “Like” my Facebook page to keep up to date on all the fun local happenings.

Fri, Jan 20th - Mon, Jan 22nd

1. Bounce and slide together at The Bounce Spot’s FAMILY NIGHT. Fri.
2. Learn from DinoMan and take a wildlife tour at STAR Eco Station’s DINOFAIRE. Sat-Sun
3. Learn all about the Gold Rush at GOLD DISCOVERY DAY in Coloma. Sat
4. Laugh with your family at Runaway Stage Production’s A DRAGON’S TALE. Sat
5. Craft a FLOATING BOAT at Lakeshore Learning. Sat Free
6. Roll around to Disney Music during a TINY TOTS SKATE SESSION at King’s Skate Country. Sat-Sun
7. Find out if Gilda Goose can hang onto the golden egg in THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG. Sat
8. Become a nature detective at Effie Yeaw’s ANIMAL TRACKS AND SIGNS. Sat Free
9. Sing and play at Central Library’s BABY LAPSIT STORYTIME. Sun Free
10. Make a rock pet and see the new BLAST FROM THE PAST exhibit at the Discovery Museum. Sat-Sun

We have been fortunate to have some beautiful weather lately but the rain is approaching for a nice long visit.  We will all be looking for ways to help our kids burn their energy while staying dry!

On my bi-weekly Fox40 segment this morning, I’ll be recommending the Top Indoor Playgrounds to let your kids romp around and let loose!

1.  The Bounce Spot

2939 Promenade St., West Sacramento
(916) 371-2386
Hours: Weekdays T-F 9am-11am; Weekends - occasionally open - check website or call for hours
Ages: All ages
Price: Weekday $5.00/ per child - all ages, including crawlers; Weekends $7.00/ per child
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: Toddler play area; Friday Family Fun Night, 6-9pm, $7.00 per person including parents

2.  Wacky Tacky

7351 Galilee Rd., #160, Roseville
(916) 783-3355
Hours: Weekdays M-F 9am-8pm - they may have private parties booked during these hours as well as weekends so check online calendar for current ‘open play hours’; Weekends - occasionally open if not reserved for parties
Ages: 2 - 18
Price: $7.00/per child, Under 2 Free with paid sibling; Coupon on website
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: This is a huge indoor playground that even older kids can play on; Arcade games

2.  Funtastic Play Center
Elk Grove Location
9882 Waterman Road, Elk Grove
(916) 685-4335
Hours: Weekdays M-Th 10am-5pm, F 10am-8pm
Ages: Crawlers - age 8
Price: $8.00/per child of any age
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: Cafe seating for parents; Friday Family Fun Nights; Parent Night Outs

Natomas Location
4421 Gateway Park Blvd. #130, Sacramento
(916) 263-9900
Hours: Weekdays M-Th 10am-5pm, F 10am-8pm; Weekends Sun 12am-4pm
Ages: Crawlers - age 8
Price: $8.00/per child of any age
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: Cafe seating for parents; Baby play area; Tuesday & Thursday Toddler Time from 10-11:30am (pre-walkers-4yrs.old only)

4.  Sky High Sports

11327 Folsom Blvd. #160, Rancho Cordova
(916) 853-5867
Hours: Weekdays M 11am-10pm, T/W/Th 2-10pm, Fri 11am-midnight; Weekends Sat 11am-midnight, Sun 11am-10pm
Ages: All ages
Price: $9.00/per person 1st hour, $6.00/per person 2nd hour, Age 2 and under Free with paid jumping adult
Play time: 1 hour
Extras: Special Court for Little Jumpers (age 8 and under) daily; A great place for older kids; Munchkin Mondays from 11am-1pm, ages 6 and under, $5.00/per child

5.  BounceU

Roseville location
7611 Galilee Road, Roseville
(800) 640-1385
Hours: Weekdays Age 7 & under…W 9:30-11am, Th 9:30-11am, F 12:30-2pm; All ages…M 2:30-4pm Th 3:30-5pm; Weekends - occasionally open - call
Ages: All ages
Price: $7.00/per child, Under age 2 Free if accompanied by paying child
Play time: 1 1/2 hour session
Extras: Family Bounce Night Wednesdays 6:10-8pm $8.95/per child, $7.95/per sibling, 2 and under Free

Rancho Cordova location
11280 Sanders Drive, Unit A, Rancho Cordova
(916) 859-0559
Hours: Weekdays Age 7 & under…T 10-11:30am, W 10-11:30am, F 10-11:30pm; All ages…Th 3:30-5pm; Weekends - occasionally open - call
Ages: All ages
Price: $7.00/per child, Under age 2 Free if accompanied by paying child
Play time: 1 1/2 hour session
Extras: Family Bounce Night Tuesdays 6:10-8pm, $8.95/per child, $7.95/per sibling, 2 and under Free

The hours shown below are for “Public Open Play” times.  Some of the venues have varied hours on weekends due to holding birthday parties but check out their website or call them because they do like to open to the public when they don’t have any scheduled.  You can click on the name of each business to link directly to their website.

* DON’T FORGET TO BRING SOCKS!  Your kids will not be able to play without them.

* P.S. A majority of these places offer discounted prices when you pay for several play sessions in advance and several of them have coupons available in the Entertainment Book.

For more INDOOR PLAY ideas, click here.

This post is sponsored by:

I don’t know about you, but any event that has anything to do with DINOSAURS instantly gets my kids’ attention!

DinoFaire at the STAR Eco Station is a fun and exciting event for kids of all ages!  DinoMan starts each 2- hour time slot with an interactive and visual presentation featuring his giant blow-up dinosaurs!  Each ticket also includes time to tour the STAR Eco Station and meet the exotic, rescued wildlife. There will also be a DinoDig, games and crafts!

STAR Eco Station is an environmental science museum and exotic wildlife rescue center.  To see our family’s fun experience taking their wildlife tour, click here.

STAR Eco Station
4465 Granite Drive, Suite 700
Rocklin, CA  95677
(916) 632-8347

Remember to “Like” my Facebook page to keep up to date on all the fun local happenings.

Fri, Jan 13th - Mon, Jan 16th

1. Eat pizza and get your wiggles at Funtastic’s FANTASTIC FRIDAY. Fri
2. Check out Discovery Museum’s new BLAST FROM THE PAST exhibit for some dinosaur fun. Sat-Mon
3. Learn about Indians on the MAIDU MUSEUM tour. Sat
4. Play with trains and see more than you can imagine at THE GREAT TRAIN EXPO. Sat-Sun
5. Make a HAND IN HAND FLOWER CRAFT for MLK Day at Lakeshore Learning. Sat Free
6. Build a castle at LOWE’S BUILD AND GROW CLINIC. Sat Free
7. Be inspired at Crocker Art Museum’s DROP, YAK, SPLAT for families. Sat
8. Learn about COLD-BLOODED CRITTERS at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Sat Free
9. Sing and play at Central Library’s BABY LAPSIT STORYTIME. Sun Free
10.Celebrate MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY at the Crocker  Art Museum’s Free Family Festival. Mon Free

In the spirit of the historic anthem Lift Every Voice and Sing, the Crocker Art Museum is presenting a FREE music-infused celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Enjoy performances by regional choirs and a screening of the PBS documentary  Not in Our Town; Light in the Darkness, which has sparked a national movement to stop hate.

The Museum will be open from 10am until 5pm on Monday, January 16th and the event will begin at 10:30am.

Schedule of Events

10:30 AM - Opening Remarks - Friedman Court

10:45 AM - Music: Theresa Keene and Leslie Sanderford

11–3 PM - Hands-on Art Workshop: Community Art Project

11 AM, 12:30 & 2:30 PM - Museum Tour: Artists Having Their Say

12 PM - Music: Faith Fellowship Community Church Choir - Friedman Court

1 PM - Music: Genesis Church Choir - Friedman Court

2 PM - Music: Spiritual Life Center Choir - Friedman Court

3 PM - Not in Our Town Film screening - Auditorium

4 PM - Panel Discussion/Q & A

Crocker Art Museum
216 O Street
Sacramento, CA

The weather is great right now…so before it gets cloudy and rainy, take advantage and play outside!

One of our favorite parks in Sacramento is Southside Park.  So if you are looking for a new playground that will excite your kids, try out this SPACE-THEMED ONE!  We love taking a picnic, feeding  the ducks, and meeting up with friends there!  Check out the map below for directions.

The scoop:

Great for ALL ages
Tons of playground equipment
Gated play area
Woodchips
Bathrooms
Duck pond
Picnic Areas
Great photo opps

Reader’s Suggestion:

“On Sundays, the Farmer’s Market is a block away under the freeway.  Grab a pastry, cup of coffee, and some fruit for the kids.”  Thanks, Kristi Morioka!

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Are you ready for some prehistoric fun?

The Discovery Museum’s Blast from the Past! exhibit is the place to be.  The exhibit’s grand opening is this weekend and it is full of hands-on dinosaur fun.  Visit the all new Dinosaur Train creative play area, view dinosaur bone replicas, and enjoy a photo opportunity for little ones sitting in a “dino nest”. Remember the experience by crafting a take-home dinosaur diorama: they provide the materials - including a mini toy dinosaur, you provide the creativity!

When: Saturday, January 14th - Monday, January 16th; 10am-4:30pm
Where: Discovery Science & Space Center, 3615 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento
Cost: $6.00 Adults, $4.00 Kids, 3 and under FREE
Info: Click here