4th Stop - MORSE PARK in Elk Grove

Our 4th stop on our Sprayground Tour was Morse Park in Elk Grove.  We have been to this park many times since it opened and continue to love it!  Besides the sprayground, there is a large playground for big kids, a smaller playground for the little ones, and a fitness area (that counts as a third playground according to my kids).  To top it off, the playgrounds are shaded.  You can really spend hours in this park!

This sprayground has water features for kids of all ages, from toddlers to 12-year-olds.  There is a palm tree that dumps water from its coconuts, fish water guns, and lots of less-intimidating fountains that are great for toddlers.  It is open 7 days a week, from 10am to sunset.  You cannot go wrong with this Elk Grove favorite!

Extras:
Bathrooms
Shaded benches
Skateboarding park
Dog Park

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.

Morse Park
5540 Bellaterra Drive
Elk Grove,CA

*Click on the location for directions

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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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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.

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.

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.

Today at the Valley Hi-North Laguna Library there is an incredible program put on by the Crocker Art Museum!  I just adore the Crocker Art Museum and so I am thrilled that there is a FREE program we can attend that is most likely of the highest quality.  This will be the perfect after school activity so I am planning to take my kids today to check it out.  I will post our experience soon!

Art Safari

Spark your imagination with a journey through art and books!  Enjoy listening to storytime and creating art in this lively program for elementary-age children.  All safari participants will receive a family admission pass to the Crocker Art Museum! (How cool is that?!)

When: Tuesdays; 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Where: Valley Hi-North Laguna Library, 7400 Imagination Parkway, Sacramento (across from Cosumnes River College’s Bruceville Road entrance)
Cost: FREE
Info: Call 808-7000; www.saclibrary.org or www.crockerartmuseum.org

Click here for a map on the library’s website.  Mapquest and Google Maps do not have directions yet as it is a new branch.

Here’s a fun way to unwind after a long week and bond with a special girl in your life!  The Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) and Kaiser Permanente invite girls ages 6 to 106 to Elk Grove’s annual event, Girls Night Out.  Bring your gal pals, daughters, mother, grandmother…even your mother-in-law, for a night of decadent girlish delights featuring a chocolate fountain, pampering stations, shopping, and fashion shows.  More than forty local businesses representing health and wellness, beauty, gifts and décor, food, and fashion will be on site offering activities, products, pampering, and giveaways.   A Dressbarn fashion show will spotlight the hottest fashions.  Raffle drawings will be held throughout the evening for great prize packages.

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit Supporting Works for Women and Chicks in Crisis, Inc., local non-profit groups assisting women and children.  Donate baby hygiene items at the event and receive an extra raffle ticket.

When: Friday, March 19 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Where: Wackford Community Complex in Elk Grove; 9014 Bruceville Rd.

Cost: $10.00 per person in advance or $12.00 at the door.  Registration is available online at www.yourcsd.com or by phone at (916) 405-5600.

Info: Click here for an online flyer.

Whether your child is a toddler or school-age, they probably love storytime just like mine do!  Not only is it a fun outing, but it plays an important role in introducing kids to the magic of books.   Another plus is that storytimes are FREE!  We are lucky in Sacramento to have so many storytimes offered all week, every week!  Here’s a quick roundup of storytimes in the area you may want to check out.  Be sure to verify before you go as times may change.  Enjoy!

Barnes & Noble Storytime

Arden Faire
Tuesday 11:00 am, Saturdays 2:00 pm
Citrus Heights
Tuesdays 10:30 am
Natomas
Tuesdays11:00 am, Saturdays, 11:00am
Roseville
Wednesdays 11:00 am, Saturdays 11:00 am

Big Spoon Yogurt Storytime

Elk Grove, Rocklin, Land Park, Natomas, Fair Oaks, Jackson, Dixon, Folsom, East Sac
Every 3rd Thursday 1 - 2:00 pm
Kids 6 and under receive a free yogurt!

Pottery Barn Kids Storytime

Roseville Galleria Mall & Arden Fair Mall
Tuesdays 11 - 11:30 am

Learning Express Storytime

Roseville Galleria Mall (next to Nordstroms)
Wednesdays & Fridays 11:00 am

Sacramento Public Library

Preschool Storytime (3-5 years old):
Arcade Library
Thursdays 10:00 am

Arden-Dimick Library
Thursdays 10:00 am

Belle Cooledge Library
Tuesdays 4:30 pm
(Sing along for 3-7 years old)

Colonial Heights Library
Thursdays 4:30 pm

Courtland Library
Wednesdays 11:00 am

E.K. McClatchy Library
Tuesdays 10:30 am

Elk Grove Library
Thursdays 11:00 am

Franklin Community Library
Thursdays 11:00 am

Galt-Marian O. Lawrence Library
Thursdays 11:00 am

McKinley Library
Wednesdays 11:00 am

Rio Linda Library
Tuesdays 6:30 pm

Southgate Community Library
Wednesdays 11:00  am

South Natomas Library
Thursdays 11:00 am

Sylvan Oaks Library
Thursdays 11:00 am

Toddler Storytime (1.5-3 years old):

Central Library
Thursdays 10:05 am

Elk Grove Library
Wednesdays 10:00 am

McKinley Library
Tuesdays 11:15am

North Sacramento-Hagginwood Library
Tuesdays 11:15am

South Natomas Library
Thursdays 10:00am

Sylvan oaks Library
Wednesdays 11:00 am

Baby Storytime (6-18mos old):

Belle Cooledge Library
Thursdays 9:30 am

Elk Grove Library
Tuesdays 11:30 am

Galt-Marian O. Lawrence Library
Saturdays 10:00 am
(Baby/Toddler - birth to 2 1/2 years old)

Folsom Public Library

Toddler & Preschool Storytime (2-6 years old):

Georgia Murray Building
Tuesdays 10:00 am & 11:00 am, Fridays 10:30am, Saturdays 10:30am
Norman R. Siefkin Library
Wednesdays 9:30 am

Baby Storytime (birth - 18 mos):

Norman R. Siefkin Library
Wednesdays at 9:30 am

Family Time (2 year olds and up):

Norman R. Siefkin Library
Thursdays 6:30 pm

Kids Birthday Parties are such a fun and important part of childhood but they are a lot of work!  After my daughter’s last birthday party at home I added up the cost and work involved and figured next year we should take the party on the road and find a great place to host it.  They can set up and clean up…and for almost the same cost we’ll have an exciting time!

So I’ve just created a new page filled with ideas for fun places to have your child’s birthday party in the Sacramento area!  You may be surprised by some of the places that hold birthday parties.  Some unique ideas are an Art party at Art Beast Studio, a Science party at Discovery Science Museum, a Safari party at the Sacramento Zoo, or an IMAX Movie party!

You can either go to the tab up above that says “Birthdays” or click here to go directly there.

Have fun planning some amazing parties your kids will never forget!

One of the most fun and memorable things to do with kids in October is to go to a Pumpkin Patch!  Whether you simply want to pick out that perfect pumpkin to carve or make a day of it by enjoying the other attractions, there are many wonderful patches in the Sacramento area.  We’ve enjoyed Dave’s Pumpkin Patch and the Silverbend Pumpkin Patch with our kids in past years.  This year we are excited to try out The Pumpkin Farm, Dave’s Pumpkin Patch or Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm.  They have great pictures on their websites, lots of attractions and look  like a ton of fun!  We will also try to get to Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm.  It looks like it could be the best value around.

Remember to bring something to hold your pumpkin/s in, small bills for admission, attractions and snacks.  Leave your flip-flops and sandals at home and be prepared to walk in dirt.  Don’t forget your camera…there are great photo opportunities at pumpkin patches!

CITRUS HEIGHTS

The Pumpkin Farm
7736 Old Auburn Road, Citrus Heights, CA
(916) 726-1137
Open Daily, 9am to 6pm
Hayrides, pony rides, haunted barn, petting zoo, jumping castle, tower slides, go-kart train rides, scarecrows, and giant pumpkins.

CLARKSBURG

Silver Bend Pumpkin Patch
34600 South River RD, Clarksburg
916-744-1409
Open Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday - Sunday 10am-6pm, closed Tuesday.
Train rides, hay maze,hay rides, indian village.

DAVIS

Impossible Acres
26565 Road 97D, Davis, CA
530-750-0451
Call for hours
Pick-your-own produce: boysenberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, apples, pumpkins, corn, gourds. Goats, ponies, chickens, hayrides, mazes, scarecrows.

ELK GROVE

Keema Family Pumpkin Patch
6532 Point Pleasant Road, Elk Grove, CA, 95757
(916) 684-2334
Open Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - sunset
Farm Animals, Hay Pyramid, Pumpkins from $1 and up.

FAIR OAKS

Pumpkin Hill
5415 Kenneth Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA 95826
(916) 966-4111
Open Monday - Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday - Sunday 8am - 7pm
Pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, child-sized haybale maze, wagon rides, whaunted trail, snacks and refreshment stand, petting zoo, farm animals.

LODI

Phillips Farms / Michael David Vineyards
4580 West Highway 12, Lodi, CA
(209) 368-7384 or (209) 368-5801
Open Monday - Friday 12pm-5pm; Saturday - Sunday 9am-5pm
Monday - Thursday FREE admission - pumpkin picking only.
Friday - Sunday admission for Adults $6.00, Kids $3.00
Pumpkin patch-already gathered from the field.   Weekends - games, tunnels, bounce house, food, farm animals.

Natomas

Pumpkin Acres
3101 El Centro Road, South Natomas, CA
(916) 929-7546
Open daily  9am to 6pm

Goblin Gardens Pumpkin Patch
3845 El Centro Road, Sacramento, CA
(916) 416-1133
Open Daily, 10am - 7pm or dusk
Hay pyramid, largest corn maze in Sacramento County, hay maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, antique tractors, slide, blow-up inflatables, produce and kiddie cars.

ROSEVILLE

Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Patch
210 S. Harding Blvd., Roseville
(916) 786-7979
Monday - Thursday, 3pm to 9pm and Saturday - Sunday, 10am to 9pm
FREE admission
Train ride through the haunted mine shaft, corn maze, petting zoo, ferris wheel, carousel, food.

SACRAMENTO

Roemer Pumpkin Patch
6851 Hedge Road, Sacramento
(916)381-4331
Tuesday - Friday 2pm-5pm; Saturday - Sunday 9am - 5pm
Free parking, free admission, free hayrides (wkds only), free hay pyramid, and a free hay maze, free wagons to pull pumpkins in.  5 acre corn maze (wkds only) - $2.50 admission fee

WEST SACRAMENTO

Dave’s Pumpkin Patch
3010 Burrows Ave
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 849-9450
Open daily 10am to Dusk, Fri & Sat till 9pm.
Hay rides, pony rides, bbq, free wagons to haul your pumpkin in from the field.

WHEATLAND

Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland, CA
(530) 633-2568
Open Sunday -Thursday 9am to 6pm and Friday- Saturday 9am to 7pm
Admission is free. Parking is free on weekdays and $10 on weekends. Corn maze and Coyote Mountain admission is
$3.50 each. BPF Railroad tickets is $2.50. Coupons are available online.
Petting Zoo, Train, Hayride, Play areas - slides, swings, tree house; Shops, Bake Shop, Apple Cider machine, Corn Maze, Coyote Mountain - special slides & pan for gold.

WILTON

Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm
11011 Cecatra Drive, Wilton, CA
(916) 687-4547
Open daily, 9:30am to 6pm
$3 per person, FREE for kids 3 and under
Barrel train, hay rides, petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, haystack and barbecue during the weekends.