1. Laugh at a new twist of the THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG at the 24th Street Theatre. Sat
2. See the Swan Brothers Circus at the SPRING FAMILY CARNIVAL. Sat Free
3. Be impressed by dances from around the world at iFEST. Sat Free
4. Climb into and explore giant aircrafts at the Aerospace Museum’s ARMED FORCES DAY. Sat
5. Meet a fireman and take a tour at a FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSE. Sat Free
6. Learn how sheep are sheared at Fairytale Town’s FARMS, FRIENDS, AND FAIRYTALES. Sat-Sun
7. Enjoy music and dance at AUBURN ARTS IN THE PARK. Sat Free
8. Find out if Count Chimp can get away with his plot in THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER. Sat
9. Listen to the Symphony Orchestra perform Peter and the Wolf at the UC Davis FAMILY CONCERT. Sun Free
10. Be entertained and play at the NorCal KIDS FEST for preschoolers. Sun Free

I was SO excited when Sacramento Sidetracks facebook friend, Lacey, wrote in to share this information about Fires Station Open Houses in our area! This is what she had to say…

Sacramento area Firestations host a free open house each Saturday starting now through October. My son is a firetruck lover so we took him to a few of these last year and they were a big hit! Sparky the firedog is there to greet all the kids and the firefighters are very hands on. They also provide snacks and beverages along with firebadge stickers, hats and coloring books for the kids. There are also several stations this year doing presentations.

The next Fire Station Open House is this Saturday, May 12, 2012. You can bring your family, meet the firefighters, get a tour of the station, and more! Click HERE FOR THE ENTIRE OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE.

Thank you, Lacey!

The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is trying out a new program and it sounds super fun!

Tuesdays, mid-May to mid-June, from 10:30 - 11:00am will be a FREE Toddler Time for kids ages 1 to 4 years old. You can catch the very first one tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15th!

Bring your “small fry” out for an exciting morning at the Hatchery! Each day we’ll learn about nature through stories, play, and–of course–feeding the fish!

Meet up with friends at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center.

Here are the cute themes for Toddler Time:

May 15 - What’s a Fish?

May 22 - Our Feathered Friends

May 29 - Nature is Yucky!

June 5 - I Love Bugs!

June 12 - Water, Water, Everywhere (Rivers)

After Toddler Time, feel free to explore the Visitor Center’s hand-on activities and take a nature walk along the river!

For more information, call (916) 358-2884.

Click here to Like the Nimbus Fish Hatchery on facebook.

Nimbus Fish Hatchery
1701 Nimbus Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

1. Celebrate Mother’s Day with all things strawberry at BERRY FEST. Sat-Sun
2. See a magician and create a Mother’s Day card at Arden Fair’s KIDS CLUB. Sat Free
3. Build a PICTURE FRAME PLANTER at Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic. Sat Free
4. Dance and create at the WHOLE EARTH FESTIVAL’s Kids Space. Fri-Sun Free
5. Celebrate Hawaiian culture with the OHANA DANCE GROUP at the Arcade Library. Sat Free
6. Giggle at Fairytale Town’s LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD puppet show. Sat-Sun
7. Take a guided MOTHER NATURE STROLL through the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve. Sun Free
8. See Count Chimp and Mouse-Breath in THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER at the Chautauqua Playhouse. Sat
9. Check out a special MICROSCOPE LAB visiting the Discovery Museum. Sat-Sun
10. Go on carnival rides at the ROCKLIN COMMUNITY FESTIVAL. Fri-Sun

This morning on Fox40, we are live at ArtBeast Studio highlighting great places in the area to take children with special needs! You can catch us at 8:40 and 9:25 if you want to tune in.

Guest Blogger and Sacramento Sidetracks team member, Jennifer Bell, has a child with special needs and not only came up with the idea for the segment, but also put together this awesome list for us of great places to go!

Not every outing is ideal for children with sensory processing disorders, motor skill deficiencies, Autism, and other challenges. If you have a friend or relative with children with similar challenges, this would be a GREAT opportunity to introduce them to our site!

1. Art Beast
When: Open daily from 9am-6pm
Where: 2226 K Street, Sacramento
What: Art Beast is a wonderland for kids with special needs!  On the first floor, those who find imaginative play challenging have the opportunity to use puppets and costumes to work on their “pretend” skills!  The second floor of Art Beast contains a never ending supply of mediums to introduce children with sensoring processing disorders to a variety of stimulus.  Those needing help with fine motors skills can also benefit from the use of clay, sand, glue, and small objects used to create works of art!  Art Beast is often recommended by local occupational therapists as a unique place to enhance your child’s skills, as well as for parents and caregivers to be inspired with activities they can do at home!
Cost: $8.00 per person; Children under 1 and one extra adult in family are free
Info: Click here

2. Read to Dogs
When: Weekly and monthly activity
Where: Maidu Library – Roseville, Carmichael Library, Belle Cooledge Library, Elk Grove Library, Galt Library
What: Children who respond to animal therapy will love the Read to a Dog program through the Sacramento Public library.  Docile dogs are available in a quiet environment for children to meet and sit with for story time.
Cost: Free
Info: Click here

3. Hagan Park Petting Barn
When: Saturdays and Sundays; Memorial Day through Labor Day; 12pm-4pm
Where: Hagan Community Park, 2197 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova
What: Cute red barn run by the Rancho Cordova Girl Scouts.  They usually have a donkey, goat, rabbit, lamb, and chickens. Kids can pet the animals and sometimes even feed them.
Cost: Free
Info: Click here or call (916) 362-1841

4. Meetup Group - Placerville Autism Support and Playgroup
When: Currently have 5 meetups scheduled May - July
Where: Greater Sacramento area
What: “A community of family members and friends dedicated to dealing with Autism and other developmental disabilities, together.  Our goal for the group is to have fun, stress free activities for our children, and have parent activities as well where we can get to know one another and learn new things about treatments, strategies or just everyday practical advice. Our goal is to provide a comfortable environment where you and the children you care for can form lifelong friendships and network in a safe, welcoming, family atmosphere.”
Cost: Free to join group
Info: Click here

We did not have time in the news segment to include all of our favorite places, so here are a couple more ideas for fun experiences with your special needs child…

Family Nights for Children with Special Needs

BounceU in Roseville holds a Family Night for children with special needs! This event is offered on first Tuesday of every month for children with special needs and their families.
Click here for more info.

Bouncetown has an Autism Family Bounce Night the first Monday of every month.
Click here for more info.

Sky High holds Special Days 4 Special Needs the first Tuesday of every month. Sky High Sports is open to the public during these hours, but music will be turned off for the comfort of the special guests.
Click here for more info.

Kloss Park in Elk Grove

This park is built with a variety of challenges in mind.  Wide ramps on the playground keep children from feeling too claustrophobic, many play objects are at wheel chair level (including sand pits!), and there are plenty of sensory experiences to touch, swing, and spin on!  The fire station next to the park is also a hit with the kids!
Click here for more info.

~Thank you, Jennifer Bell, for your fantastic insight and ideas!

$5.00 WRISTBANDS and carnival games at Funderland during the Hope for Hank Funder-raiser this Friday evening from 5-8pm!

Helping Hands for Hank is an organization to offer financial aid and support to 10 year old Hank Gibbs as he fights Parry Romberg Syndrome. Parry Romberg Syndrome is an extremely rare, progressive auto-immune disease that causes neurological problems and “hemi-facial” atrophy meaning it “wastes” half the face away. Only about one in 6 million worldwide have this disease!

They have found a specialist in NYC who has had success halting the progression. Hank had his first major surgery in July 2009 and the revision surgery on Dec. 2, 2009. Both surgeries were performed in NYC. Now they wait to see how he does and if the surgeries were successful. A follow-up appointment and surgery will occur this summer, again in NYC. Fundraiser’s are being held for medical bills, travel costs and Hank’s care.

Have fun and support a great cause!

1. See dancing, hit a pinata and ride a pony at Old Town Auburn’s CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION. Sat Free
2. Sing along, hear stories, and play in the park at the DIA FAMILY CELEBRATION. Sat Free
3. Build a Planter Box at Home Depot’s KIDS WORKSHOP. Sat Free
4. Swing at a pinata, eat treats, and get a new book at South Natomas’ DIA!. Sat Free
5. Craft and hear stories at El Dorado Library’s LET’S READ TOGETHER STORYTIME. Sat Free
6. Giggle at the hilarious version of Little Red Riding Hood at Fairytale Town’s PUPPET FESTIVAL. Sat-Sun
7. Enjoy music and dance at the Sacramento MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL in Land Park. Sat-Sun Free
8. Be entertained by dancers and get your face painted at WHERE THE WILD KIDS ARE in the Sacramento Zoo. Sat
9. Talk to a robot and learn about space travel at Discovery Museum’s SPACE DAYS. Sat-Sun
10. Watch a parade, craft, and play carnival games at Fair Oaks FIESTA DAYS. Sat-Sun

Eight weeks of hilarious shows Thursdays - Sundays

It’s here! The annual Puppet Festival is something that we look forward to every year! If you have not been…let me tell you…these cute shows GUARANTEE GIGGLES!!!

Fairytale Town’s popular annual Puppet Festival kicked off its 16th season yesterday, May 3. During the eight-week series, four hilarious adaptations of classic fairytales will be presented by the award-winning Puppet Art Theater Company.

Performances are offered Thursdays through Sundays. Weekday show times are: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Weekend show times are: 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. All performances take place in the indoor Children’s Theater at Fairytale Town.

Tickets are $2.00 for nonmembers in addition to park admission, and $1.00 for members. Tickets can be purchased at the Fairytale Town box office or at the entrance to the Children’s Theater 15 minutes prior to show time.

For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Here’s the lineup for this year:

“Little Red Riding Hood”

May 3 - 13

Little Red and her dog Fifi are taking pepperoni pizza to Grandma’s when they run into the wolf. Wolf loves pizza and plots to get Red’s. Join Red, Fifi and Grandma as they try to keep the wolf from eating them and their pepperoni pizza.

“The Three Billy Goats Gruff”

May 17 - 27

This production starts with the classic race of “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The conclusion of the race takes place on the Troll Bridge, waking up the Grumpy Old Troll. Three Billy Goats must find a way to outwit the Troll and get across the bridge so they can enjoy the field of green grass. Little Billy, his older sister Brittany, and their father Bruno all try to trip-trap their way across the bridge. Will they make it?

“Hansel & Gretel”

May 31 - June 10

Gretel overhears her stepmother convince her father to lead she and her brother into the forest and leave them there for good. Hansel’s plan to leave a trail of bread crumbs to find their way home fails miserably, and he and Gretel are left in the forest to fend for themselves. It is there that they discover a house made of Gingerbread. Little did they know the house belongs to a Wicked Old Witch. Will Hansel and Gretel escape the Witch and find their way home?

“Cinderella”

June 14 - 30

The classic “Cinderella” story is retold in an artful and hilarious manner in this new production premiering at the Puppet Festival. Cinderella has always wanted to go dancing at a fancy Ball. Despite the best efforts of two horrible step sisters, a wacky Fairy Godmother helps Cinderella get to the ball where she meets a wonderful prince.

[Giveaway now closed.  Congratulations, Lisa A.!]

WIN a Family 4-Pack

Fairytale Town has generously offered admission to Fairytale Town for four as well as tickets for a puppet show to a Sacramento Sidetracks reader! The winner will be able to choose which day they would like to attend Fairytale Town and which show time they prefer.

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

1. Click here and Subscribe to Sacramento Sidetracks’ weekly newsletter.
2. Click here and “Like” Fairytale Town on Facebook.
3. Leave a Comment on this post letting me know that you did both and why you’d like to take your family.

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

You have until Monday, May 7th, at midnight to enter. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be announced on Tuesday morning. Good luck!

Join an energetic celebration of kids and culture at Where the Wild Kids Are this Saturday!  Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day with dancers, singers and storytellers. Guests can also enjoy Zoo hands-on artifacts in the Discovery Room, crafts, face painting and interactive Education Stations.

Live entertainment will showcase a variety of energetic groups including Irish American Ceili dancers, Balliamo! Italian cultural dancers, Folklorico Aztlan de Sacramento and Kaulumele Polynesian dancers.  Other participants and exhibitors include K12, Spanglish Arte, Stretch-n-grow and the Zoo’s mascot, Gus the Green Tree Frog.

Live Entertainment - on the Reptile House Lawn Stage

12:00 pm - Irish American Ceili Dancers
1:00 pm - Balliamo! Italian Cultural Dancers
2:00 pm - Folklorico Aztlan de Sacramento
2:30 pm - Kaulumele Polynesian Dancers

All Day Activities

Interactive Wildlife Wagons
Hands-on artifacts in the Discovery Room
Face painting
Zoo crafts

Timed Activities

Zoo P.I.’s Critter Caper
11:00 am on the amphitheater stage
Wildlife Stage Show
1:30 pm on the amphitheater stage
Keeper Chats — all talks at the exhibit
10:00 am Reptile House
10:30 am Pelican feeding at the lake
2:15 pm Chimpanzee
2:30 pm River Otter
2:45 pm Red River Hog and/or Bongo
Storytime on the Sensory Garden Lawn
10: 00 am
11:00 am
2:00 pm
3:00 pm

When: Saturday, May 5th; 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Sacramento Zoo, near the corner of Land Park Drive and Sutterville Road in William Land Park
Cost: General admission Adults $12.00, Kids (Age 2-7) $7.00, Kids (Age 0-1) Free
Info: Click here or call (916) 808-5888

Sat, April 28st - Sun, April 29th

1. Swim, jump, and pet barn animals at KIDS DAY IN THE PARK in Rancho Cordova. Sat Free
2. Learn to garden as a family at Placer Nature Center’s SPRINGING SPROUTS. Sat Free
3. Build a terrarium at Lowe’s BUILD AND GROW Clinic. Sat Free
4. Celebrate Arbor Day at the Discovery Science Museum’s LOADS OF LEAVES. Sat-Sun
5. Rock climb, jump, and craft at the YMCA’s HEALTHY KIDS DAY. Sat Free
6. Take an Excursion TRAIN RIDE along the river. Sat-Sun
7. Play carnival games and listen to music at an evening FAMILY FUN FEST in Fairytale Town. Sat
8. Learn how the Maidu Indians lived at Effie Yeaw’ BOUNTIFUL HARVEST. Sun Free
9. Tour the 500 foot GOLDEN BEAR training ship at the Port of West Sac. Sun Free
10. Learn a dance, craft, and eat great food at FESTIVAL DE LA FAMILIA. Sun