I discovered that The Fountains at Roseville have some fun…and FREE ways to entertain your toddlers!  Right in the middle of this beautiful shopping center are a few amenties just for kids.  They can take a train ride, watching the dancing water fountain, get wet in the interactive fountain, and play on the playground.

The Train runs from 11am to 6pm daily, with a break from 2 to 3pm.  Tickets are $2.00 normally but on the last Wednesday of each month, Train Rides are FREE!

Here’s a place that you AND your kids can have fun!

5th Stop - LONE TREE PARK in Rocklin

Our 5th stop on our Sprayground Tour was Lone Tree Park in Rocklin.  This park has a sprayground equipped for all ages to enjoy and a huge playground.  As you can tell from the photos, this is a popular spot to cool off!  From May 15 through October 1, it’s open 10am to 7pm daily.

The sprayground has pony water guns, a fire hydrant fountain, a tall shower, and best of all a horseshoe tunnel that sprays water in all directions.  The kids got drenched and then had fun climbing, sliding, swinging and hanging on the really cool play structure!  This park is right down the street from the Fountains at Roseville so we headed over there for some frozen yogurt to top off the afternoon!

Extras:
Bathrooms
Drinking Fountain
Picnic areas

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.

Lone Tree Park
6101 West Oaks Blvd.
Rocklin, CA

A modern and fresh take on a popular comic opera about sentimental pirates, dewy-eyed daughters, bumbling policemen and often-ridiculous dictates of honor and duty.

I saw Pirates of Penzance when I was seven-years-old and it is what started my love for musical theatre!  Civic Theatre West in Roseville (formerly Magic Circle Theatre) will begin their performances this Friday night.  Maybe your kid will turn into a theatre-lover after this show, too!

When: July 9 - August 7; Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays 2pm
Where: Civic Theatre West, 241 Vernon Street (Roseville Theatre), Roseville
Cost: Adults $25, Students 12 & over $15, Kids 11 & under $12
Info: Call (916) 782-1777 ext 116 or click here

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

(more…)

The Placer County Fair starts tomorrow and they are offering FREE admission to everyone!  From Lawn Mower Races to Hot Rods, this fair sounds like fun with strolling entertainment, community theatre, medieval characters, live music, classic car show, pageants, livestock, an Extreme K-9 competition.  Headliners include hypnotist Susan Rosen, Chicago Tribute Authority, & Sebastian Sidi’s smokiin’ hot rock ‘n roll piano.  Grandstand Shows (need tickets) include Monster Trucks, Hot Rod Truck Pulls, Tuff Truck Racing, Motocross, and Destruction Derby.

Click here for the entertainment schedule.

When: Thursday, June 24th - Sunday, June 27th
Where: 800 All America City Blvd., Roseville, CA
Cost: FREE admission!  Fee for food, rides & some shows.
More info: Call (916) 786-2023 or click here for more info

Now playing at Magic Circle Theatre in Roseville is The Wizard of Oz!  Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy’s imagination. Based on the timeless 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland.

When: February 19, 20, 26, 27; Curtain Time 7:30 PM
Matinees February 20, 21, 27, 28; Curtain Time 2:00 PM

Where: Magic Circle Theatre, 241 Vernon Street, Roseville

Price: Tickets are $13.00 for all ages

More info: Call the theatre box office at (916) 782-1777

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is now playing at  Magic Circle Theatre in Roseville.  Judith Viorst adapted her own award-winning children’s book into a delightful musical.  When I read the following description on the Magic Circle Theatre’s website, I knew we were in for some fun. “To be quite honest, it’s a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. Not only does Alexander wake up with gum in his hair, but his mother forgets to pack him dessert, and his best friend decides he’s not his best friend anymore. And if that’s not bad enough, Alexander’s brothers don’t have any cavities but—he does. And just when it can’t get any worse, there are lima beans for supper and —yuck!—kissing on TV. It is enough to make anyone want to go to Australia.”

Our Experience:

The kids and I went on Saturday to check it out.  We anticipated a fun time but did not know quite what to expect.  There were five actors in the production and a modest use of props.  The idea was clearly to let the singing, dancing and acting carry the show.  Well, they did just that!  They brought the story to life…and boy did they make us laugh!  The young man who plays Alexander was adorable and we loved repeating, “It is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!” along with him.

Expenses:

Tickets for the show are just $8.00 a piece, which is a deal in my book for live theatre.  There are snacks and drinks available at the snack bar during intermission.

Tips:

Kids as young as three will enjoy this show.  The audience was made up of kids from three to about twelve…and all sat still and interested for the entire show.

If you haven’t been to Magic Circle  Theatre, be aware that they actually have two theatres on Vernon Street.  One is the Tower Theatre and one is the Roseville Theatre.  It is a good idea to check which one the production you are seeing is at!  Alexander is playing at the Roseville Theatre and we accidentally went to the Tower Theatre on Saturday afternoon…luckily the right one was within walking distance!  We ran right over and did not miss the show!

You can catch Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at 2:00 on Saturdays until February 13th.

Magic Circle Theatre
241 Vernon Street & 421 Vernon Street
Roseville, CA  95678
(916) 782-1777

Close

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.

Yikes!  Summer is almost over!  In the midst of getting my daughter back to school, I’ve realized that there is little time left to go to some of the fun places we had on our list for the Summer.  So I thought I’d put together a list of Sacramento attractions the kids would love that will be closing very soon.

• Raging Waters - Closes September 20th (Buy a 2010 season pass and get rest of 2009 FREE)
• Sunsplash - Closes September 7th (open weekends only right now)
• Folsom Aquatic Center - Closes September 7th
• Roseville Aquatic Center - Closes September 7th
• Wackford Aquatic Center - Closes September 13th (open weekends only right now)
• Spraygrounds - Water stops spraying at most parks on September 7th or 30th (check with your local Parks Dept.)

Go cool off with your family…and enjoy the end of SUMMER!