Fri, August 6th - Sun, August 8th

1. Watch FLICKA 2 under the stars at Gibson Ranch.
2. Take a GUIDED NATURE WALK at the gorgeous Cosumnes River Preserve.
3. Make a SCHOOL BUS PENCIL ORGANIZER at the Home Depot Kid’s Workshop.
4. Learn about the sun with fun activities at Discovery Museum’s SUN AND FUN.
5. Make PEAR ICECREAM at the Courtland Library.
6. Play games and earn prizes at Arden Mall’s ROCKIN’ WALK WITH RADIO DISNEY.
7. Learn how to make beautiful ORIGAMI crafts at the Franklin Library.
8. Check out the inside of cool planes at the Aerospace Museum’s OPEN COCKPITS.
9. Enjoy historical STREET THEATRE in Old Sacramento.
10. Pet the cute BARN ANIMALS and ride the STEAM TRAIN at Hagan Park.

*Please note that details about each event are available on the ‘Upcoming Events’ calendar.

Happy Friday!

Ready to have a blast with the family on INDEPENDENCE DAY?  Looking for a Parade, a Picnic, Fireworks?  Here’s a list of celebrations happening all over Sacramento.  With all of these choices, it just might be hard to decide!   Happy 4th of July!

Sacramento Independence Day Celebration

Before the fireworks, the celebration begins with Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers performing at 6:30 p.m.  Poppy, the State Fair Mascot, will also be on hand to entertain and delight both young and old. The elaborate Sacramento Independence Day Celebration will include musical entertainment and fireworks.
When: Sunday, July 4, 2010; Starts at 6:30 p.m.; Fireworks 9:30 p.m.
Where: Cal Expo; guests should use the East Gate, located at the intersection of Exposition Blvd. and Challenge Way, as the main entrance to the event. Enter through the D Lot parking area.
Cost: General admission to the July 4th celebration is free, but parking is $10 per vehicle.
What to know: Arrive early and bring lawn chairs and blankets.   Fireworks, cans, glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Bags and ice chests will be searched at the gate. The grass infield will be open on the north side with a section for persons with disabilities set up on the apron by the Winner’s Circle.
More info: Click here or call (916) 263-3000

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If you are looking for a new and interesting ways to keep your kids busy during the summer, The California Museum’s state symbols program is a rewarding experience. Every Wednesday, a different state symbol is featured through craft projects and complemented with a scavenger hunt through the Museum that kids of all ages can enjoy.

6/30 - Pan for gold
7/7 - Create a dragon
7/14 - Find fossils
7/21 - Design a state seal
7/28 - Quail cuties!
8/4 - Create a bear flag
8/11 - Build a log cabin
8/18 - Plant a redwood

When: Wednesdays, June 30th through August 18th; 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: The California Museum, 1020 O Street, Sacramento, CA
Cost: Program FREE with admission (Adults $8.50, Kids 6-13 $6.00, Kids 5 and under FREE)
More info: Call (916) 653-7524 or click here

If you haven’t been there yet, here are some of our photos from a couple different visits to the museum.  My kids and their friends have found the exhibits very interesting and had a great time!

Fri, June 25th - Sun, June 27th

1. Watch CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS under the stars at Laguna Community Park.
2. Laugh with a singing and juggling VENTROLOQUIST at the Courtland Library.
3. Learn all about bats at the TrailMix.net Store’s GOING BATTY!
4. Build a MONSTER TRUCK at Lowe’s Grow and Build Clinic.
5. Get ready for the 4th and create a STAR SPANGLED WAVER at the Discovery Museum.
6. Last chance to see RILEY THE WILEY RABBIT puppet show in Fairytale Town.
7. Picnic at the POPS IN THE PARK concert in McKinley Park.
8. Enjoy TOY STORY 3 in 3-D at the IMAX Theatre.
9. Splash and play at one of the AQUATIC CENTERS’ pool playgrounds.
10.Eat, ride and be entertained at the PLACER COUNTY FAIR.

2nd Stop - MUIR PARK in Downtown Sacramento

Our 2nd stop on our Summer Sprayground tour was Muir Park in Downtown Sacramento.  The water features at this park are those yellow poles you see in the photos.  They are misters and they turn on when you push a button.  The kids loved that they could operate them all by themselves.  They would run from one to the next and try to keep them all going.  You do not necessarily need bathing suits for this park.  It was fun with them on but the kids did not get drenched.

The playground at this park has been updated and it has an ocean them.  So cute!  The big hit was the huge net climber with a trampoline in the middle.  I’ve never seen anything like it!  We were there early on a cloudy  morning and had the park to ourselves, so I am not sure how crowded it usually is.  A while back a reader emailed me and told me about this park.  I am so glad that she did because it is sort of hidden back on C and 16th.  I think that a great outing would be going to to the Central Library and then head over to Muir Park to play!

Extras:
Sand play area
Entire park is gated
Shaded areas
Picnic benches

Stay tuned for several more stops on our Sprayground Tour!

Click here for a current list of Sacramento Spraygrounds which we are continuing to update.

Muir Park
1515 C Street
Sacramento, CA

*Click on the location for directions

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It’s time to kick off the summer and spend some quality time with the family.  If you find yourself searching for things to do in between the BBQ’s, there are plenty of things going on in Sacramento!  Due to the variety of weather it looks like we’ll be having, I’ve included both indoor and outdoor activities.  Most of these ideas are FREE or very affordable.

1.  See animals, shows and eat treats at the SACRAMENTO COUNTY FAIR.
2.  Dance to the music and get your face painted at the SACRAMENTO JAZZ FESTIVAL .
3.  While in Old Sac for the Jazz Festival, create an art project at the TRAILMIX.NET STORE.
4.  Splash and play in the water while picnicing at a SPRAYGROUND.
5.  Learn about agriculture in a fun way at the FARMS, FRIENDS, AND FAIRYTALES event at Fairytale Town.
6.  Laugh it up at SHREK FOREVER AFTER IN 3D at the IMAX.
7.  Hike at the COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE or the EFFIE YEAW NATURE CENTER.
8.  Create a T-rex craft and learn about them at the DISCOVERY MUSEUM.
9.  Visit the animals and be entertained at FOLSOM ZOO’S FREE FAMILY DAY.
10. Enjoy creative performances from different cultures at the INTERNATIONAL KID’S FESTIVAL in William Land Park.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Sat, May 22nd & Sun, May 23rd

1. BOUNCE together at Bounce Spot’s Family Night tonight.
2. Create a DINO DIORAMA at the Discovery Museum.
3. Enjoy STORYTIME at Barnes & Noble book store.
4. Attend the theatre for Runaway Stage Production’s KING ARTHUR.
5. Spend a DAY ON THE FARM at the American River Ranch.
6. See THE PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER at the Chautaqua Playhouse.
7. Giggle at THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF Puppet Show at Fairytale Town.
8. Ride a pony at Elk Grove’s SPRING FESTIVAL and Chili Cook-off.
9. Meet ANIMALS from 5 continents at the Rancho Cordova Library.
10.Celebrate the Asian Pacific Island culture with food and entertainment at the PACIFIC RIM STREET FESTIVAL.

Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park is offering a special demonstration day event called Spring has Sprung! It’s Time for Fun: Frontier Games and Contests.  If you have not been to Sutter’s Fort with the kids yet, this is the time to check it out!  Visiting Sutter’s Fort is a great way for kids to learn about their ancestors as well as some Sacramento history.

This exciting interactive event will give you an opportunity to step back in time by experiencing the fun of historic games and toys!  When the sun came out, the pioneers welcomed spring with games, contests, and dancing.  If rain lingered, gambling and parlor games still entertained one and all.  Graces, classic jacks, marbles were children’s favorites and are taught to visitors to the Fort on this special demonstration day.

Where: Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, 2701 L Street, Sacramento
When: May 15, 2010; 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: Adults $6.00, Kids $4.00, 5 and under FREE (Bring quarters for the parking meter)
Info: Call 916-445-4422 or click here

If you are looking for something fun and FREE to with kids of any age, then check out the Capitol Aquarium downtown.   They are a family-owned and operated business that has been around for over 40 years.  Even though it is a retail store, families are welcome to wander through any time.  They have over 500 aquariums with a wide variety of fresh and saltwater fish.

You can see every size, shape and color fish.  There are even frogs, turtles and best of all an electric eel!  Our favorite part of a visit there is feeding the Koi carp in the small pond by the entrance.  Bring quarters for the fish food vending machine and have a ball!  Click here to take a virtual tour.

Capitol Aquarium
1920 29th Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 452-5556
www.capitolaquarium.net

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Saturday, May 1st & Sunday, May 2nd

1. See crazy experiments by the SCIENCE WIZARD at Arden Fair Mall’s Kids Club.
2. Make CARDS & CRAFTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY at the Central Library.
3. FEED THE DUCKS AND PLAY at McKinley Park.
4. Build a PICKET FENCE PLANTER at the Home Depot Kids Workshop.
5. Enjoy JAZZ IN THE PARK and children’s activities in Cabrillo Park.
6. Watch the HANSEL AND GRETEL PUPPET SHOW at Fairytale Town.
7. Build and LAUNCH YOUR OWN ROCKET at the Discovery Museum.
8. Have some zany fun at Civic Theatre West’s FAIRYTALE SURVIVOR.
9. Delight in a whole day of activities, music and dance at The Sacramento Zoo’s CALIFORNIA CELEBRATION.
10. Experience BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the B Street Theatre.