Monday, July 31, 2006

Combine Errands & Kids' Breakfast

Looking to combine fun with your kids and running errands? I've got a solution.

Ikea makes it easy to do both. Get your morning off to a great start by heading to Ikea on I-10. Each day between 9-11 am, you can get a healthy breakfast for only $0.99 per person. That's right. You'll get scrambled eggs, 2 bacon strips and breakfast potatoes for under $1. Then, pick up those organizational needs before the kids head back to school or check out the desks that Ikea sells. The 2007 catalog will give you a great sneak peak. For more details, check out this link:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=12&langId=-1&catalogId=10103&StoreName=houston

Until the next nap time...

Friday, July 28, 2006

Guidebook Still Great Resource for Houston Families

As July comes to a close, families are beginning to think about the new school year. As exciting as it is for kids, don't forget to spend time together as a family before school resumes. Then, this fall dedicate time to your family by turning off the TV and doing a fun activity around Houston.

This fall, there are so many festivals that are great for families. Pick your own pumpkin at a nearby farm. Contribute to the community by participating in a kid-friendly fundraiser. Head to the best Halloween events for young and old kids. Where can you find all this information & more? 100+ Activities for Houston Kids is a great resource for spending quality time with your family this summer and fall. Pick up your copy at a local Barnes & Noble store or Borders stores. Our family went to each and every one of the activities in this guidebook so we offer insider tips to tackling them with kids. For just under $20, you'll be able to identify the best activities for your kids in a matter of minutes. This is also a wonderful gift for local parents and grandparents.

As Cathy Stucker said: "Megan is a Houston Mom who makes real-world recommendations for activities families can enjoy together. The next time you are looking for ideas for a fun outing, pick up your copy of "100+ Activities for Houston Kids" and choose one of the educational, adventurous or just plain fun things to do you will find there".

Until the next nap time...

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Summer Weekends in Houston

Disney's THE LION KING is recommended for a general audience. As an advisory to adults who might bring young people, Disney recommends this show for ages 6 and up. All persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a ticket. (Yes, that means a lap child needs a ticket, but you can buy the least expensive ticket for $30 for him/her and hold your child in your lap wherever your seat is.) The show runs approx. 2 hours and 45 min, including intermission. For tickets, visit www.thehobbycenter.org. The show runs through August 13 in downtown Houston.

And don't forget about Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus, which is in Houston through Sunday, July 23. Arrive an hour before the show to see an elephant paint, try on a circus costume, meet the clowns, shake paws with a performing pound puppy and more. It’s FREE with a paid ticket to the show. After all, it’s the greatest show on earth.
Recommended age: 3+ years
Admission: $12/person and up
Physical location: Reliant Stadium, 8334 Fannin
www.ringling.com/schedule/schedule.aspx?id=94370 832-667-1000

Until the next nap time...

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Tips for Seeing Lion King Musical in Houston

Thanks to my friend Whitney, who provided the following tips for taking kids to see the musical "Lion King" at the Hobby Center.

Every person needs a ticket... even babies! You can buy the cheapest seats ($30) for the lap kids, even if you have more expensive tickets for the rest of the group. This is just something to consider when purchasing those tickets.

"The boys loved it- we went with a few other people, including two 5-year-old girls and another 3 yr-old boy. All of the kids were so into it, they didn’t wiggle or talk at all the whole time! It was a great introduction to Going to the Theater for them- we discussed the differences between plays and movies, the proper behavior for the theater, no popcorn, etc. The story line follows the Lion King movie almost exactly, so it helped that they all were familiar with the story. Like the movie, some of the parts w/ Scar and the hyenas were spooky, but the fight scenes were more stylized and less scary than the movie in my opinion! The kids (and adults too) really got a kick out of having the characters in the aisles at the beginning- it was nice that they could get a better look at the people in the costumes. I think it was worth getting the Orchestra tickets for that reason as well- they felt more connected to the action than the kids in the balcony."

Until the next nap time...

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Summer Fun for Houston Families

On the third Saturday of each month, March through November, the members of Houston Area Live Steamers offer FREE train rides to the public. They have two club diesel engines that normally run the passenger trains but many times you will find a steam engine also running. They also have specially designed cars for the young and the young at heart, who enjoy hearing the clickety-clack of the rails.
Recommended age: All
Admission: FREE
Time: 10 am-4 pm
Physical location: 17802 Roberts Rd. in Hockley (Take 290 north to Roberts Rd. from central Houston.)
www.hals.org/index.html nfo206@hals.org

7/14-7/23/2006 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus visits Houston. This is true entertainment for all with morning, afternoon & evening shows. Arrive an hour before the show to see an elephant paint, try on a circus costume, meet the clowns, shake paws with a performing pound puppy and more. It’s FREE with a paid ticket to the show. After all, it’s the greatest show on earth.

Recommended age: 3+ years
Admission: $12/person and up
Physical location: Reliant Stadium, 8334 Fannin
www.ringling.com/schedule/schedule.aspx?id=94370 832-667-1000

Houston Show Dates & Show Times
Fri, July 14: 7:30 PM
Sat, July 15: 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Sun, July 16: 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM (Bilingual Spanish/English)
Tue, July 18: 7:30 PM
Wed, July 19: 7:30 PM
Thu, July 20: 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM
Fri, July 21: 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM
Sat, July 22: 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Sun, July 23: 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Kids Cool Off with Noah in Houston

Noah’s Ark Pool is really a creative way to swim. My daughter loved the water slides that are decorated with rainbows, animals and an ark, tying into the Biblical story. There are also several fountains that squirt water so the kids can dance in the water. There's also a larger pool for regular swimming. Lifeguards are provided throughout the pools. As a parent, I like this pool park because it's small enough to be manageable with a young child, but still offers plenty to do. Gates open at 10 am. Tip: arrive early to avoid summer camps that visit starting around 1 pm.

Recommended age: 1+ years
Admission: The daily admission rate to the pool is $5 per person. Kids under age 2 are FREE. The admission for QMC members is $3 per person.

Time: Weekdays are usually 10 a.m.–4 p.m. May 15- September 4. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sundays are for private parties only.
Physical location: 10570 Westpark, Houston, TX 77042
www.fmhouston.com/quillian/quillian.aspx 832-668-1800

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Take Nature Indoors

Here's a great way to enjoy nature without getting wet in all this rain.

· Hana & Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center is an amazing way to explore nature and its critters. The second floor of a house has been dedicated as the Discovery Room, featuring lots of hands-on learning experiences for children. One room has a wonderful life-size exhibit of a campground and the animals that you’d find in that setting, including two owl puppets that hide in an artificial tree. In another room, you’ll find a few aquariums with animals native to the Houston area such as snakes (yikes!), turtles and fish. Explore at the table of rubber bugs. Check out the child-friendly microscope to examine the smallest creatures. The butterfly exhibit shows visitors the evolution from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly by illustrating the butterflies you’ll see in our backyard. While my daughter is really still a bit young for this, she didn’t miss a beat with the puppet stage. If only she’d kept the rubber bugs alone! There’s also an outdoor sanctuary with a quail, bunnies and more.

Recommended age: 3+ years to foster an understanding of nature
Admission: Free
Time: Tues-Sun Noon-5:30 pm; Closed Monday
Physical location: 7112 Newcastle between Bellaire & Beechnut
www.NatureDiscoveryCenter.org 713-667-6550