family fun image: sxc.hu

We as parents and grandparents can do much top open up a non-electronic world to supplement the electronic experiences.

• Science experiments
• Hikes
•  Nature walks nearby
• Arts and crafts
• Acting out books and stories
• Family fun nights
• Family cooking competitions
• Reading aloud
• Storytelling

I think of the pleasures of my childhood and my daughter’s before there were so many electronics.  Recapture this family fun and closeness as we interact together.

What do you and your family do that’s non-electronic?

Post from: Blisstree

Are Our Children Consumed by Electronics?

Simple family pleasures image: sxc.hu

 Are there activities they can do that don’t cost a great deal of money?

My husband and I grew up in homes where struggling and working together on farms was a normal part of our childhood.  However, many happy memories have resulted.

We went through periods of difficulties when our daughter was growing up, but learned to enjoy many simple pleasures with love and laughter.  Now in our multigenerational household, we find solace in working together.

What can families do?

• Pitch in with chores if both mom and dad must work.
• Take hikes and walks together.
• Have family movie nights at home.
• Play board games.
• Put on family skits.
• Invite friends and neighbors for a potluck and board game night.
• Have a storytelling evening.

What do you do for family fun, work and entertainment that pulls you closer together during tough times?

Post from: Blisstree

Do Families Become Closer in Tough Times?

Image:sxc.hu

It’s not too early to start these projects so you’ll have plenty of time and won’t be rushed in December.

When my daughter was small, we were involved in many types of crafts and often made gifts for our holiday giving.  (Grandparents, especially, express appreciation for these items…whether they’re really useful or not!)

What types of items can you and your youngsters create? This all depends on the age of the children.

• Woven and patchwork potholders
• Collages with family events throughout the year
• Shadowboxes containing momentos from trips
• Placemats from autumn leaves, photos, and drawings
• Drawings you mat and frame
• Latch hooked pictures or hangings
• Necklaces and bracelets with beads
• Patchwork placemats
• Pin cushions (I still have one my daughter made me years ago.)

These are just a few of the items you can make with children.

What do you do in your family?

Post from: Blisstree

Making Christmas Gifts with Children

I’m talking jumping rope along with them, playing tag in the park, bonding over a video game. Sometimes we get so wrapped up with our daily chores and workload that we forget to have fun. Moreso, we forget to have fun with the kids.

Image: D Sharon Pruitt

Playtime doesn’t have to be complicated. Playtime is very simple for children. It’s all about good old fun. Grab your bathing suits, turn on the sprinkler and run around. Climb a tree with them and share stories while seated side by side on a sturdy branch. Pick flowers together. Play catch. Jump into a pile of leaves hand in hand. Take turns cracking knock-knock jokes.

During playtime, you’ll both be relaxed that conversations will come more naturally. It’s a great way to build stronger relationships with the kids and have fun at the same time.

Post from: Blisstree

Play With Your Kids

IMG: Sxc.hu

You mean besides haunted houses, trick-or-treating and going on hay rides? Take the family down to do an old fashioned corn maze, these have been known to be a ton of fun and something everyone will probably enjoy. But you may want to make sure the little ones stay with you.

Here’s a few corn mazes you can visit:

Wendel Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch -  This is a huge corn maze, which would guarantee a lot of time to spend with the family. Plus there are crafts, picking out pumpkins and many other fun things to do. 
Saturday 12-10 Sunday 12-6
Weekdays and evenings by appointment.
Free hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick your pumpkin. Petting Farm, Straw Maze, Pony Rides, Crafts and Fall Decorations.
Admission $6.00 adults, $5.00 12 and under, FREE for 2 and under.
8134 N. State Line Road, Brookville, IN 47012 Phone 812-775-9051 www.wendelfarms.com

The Bowman Academy Corn Maze- This sounds like a fun, educational hunt as you stop by stations throughout the maze to learn something and get clues before going to the next spot.
Friday-Sunday for October
Times: 5-10pm Fridays, 4-10pm Saturdays, 2-6pm Sundays
Field trips by appointment only Tues & Thursdays 9am-1pm
Corn maze tickets are $8.00 (children under age 3 get in free)
Hayride tickets are $2 (children under age 3 are free)
pumpkin painting costs $1.50.
1921 Flatwoods Rd, Reevesville, South Carolina
www.donnascornmaze.com Tip: try making it even more fun with the teens by challenging them to see who will make it back first. Teens love a challenge.

Donna Corn Maze- This corn maze is 10 acres, so the kids will definitely be all tuckered out by the time they get to their beds that night. There are also things like a moon jump, hay jump, a big slide, racing plastic ducks, haunted house, play area with ropes, climbing wall, etc. 
Hours: Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 1pm-9pm
Price: All this for $10 per person, toddlers (if they can’t yet walk) and below are FREE
Located off Expressway 83 in Donna, TX 
Questions? Call John Billman 956-239-4504

Bob’s Corn:  Lets you pick a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, weekend hay rides, there’s a cow train and Space Needle-themed 10-acre corn maze. Doesn’t this sound like fun?
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.
Daytime $7 ages 13 and older, $6 ages 5 to 12, $30 for a family
After dark $10, $9, $40. U-pick pumpkin patch has 34 varieties
Call 360 668 2506 for questions or reservations
10917 Elliott Road, Snohomish, WA  
www.bobscorn.net

Liberty Corn Maze- This is known as one of Missouri’s largest corn mazes in the state and there is nothing going to run out and scare little ones. This year the logo is “Kansas City Power & Light District” which is on 25 acres. There’s even a 350 feet bridges that allow you to view the logo from above, plus 5 different mazes.
Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday 10 am-10pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
$9 Adults, $7 for ages 13-5, 4 & under are FREE
17607 NE 52nd St, Liberty, Mo. 64068
www.libertycornmaze.com

These are just a few corn mazes that I discovered, if you know of any in your area please post a comment so others know.  For those planning on trying out a corn field remember to wear comfortable shose, bring bug spray and possible even sunscreen just in case. Some believe bringing a cell phone is beneficial in case someone does get seperated from the group.

Post from: Blisstree

Corn Mazes Bring Family Fun

Image credit: stock.xchng

1. Play video games together. Is it Mommy and Daddy versus the kids, or do kids pair up with a parent each? Whether they’re arcade games or role-playing games, there’s always a way to enjoy virtual fun together.
2. Watch old family videos. Dig up those videos from eons past. Maybe this is a good time for your kids to see what Uncle Mo really looked like ten years ago, and maybe they will believe that Daddy did have hair.
3. Have a cook-off. Make meals more fun as you divide into teams and prepare one dish each. Have one parent supervise each team. You not only encourage kids to learn how to cook, you all enjoy a sumptuous meal together.
4. Read aloud together. Take turns reading excerpts from your favorite books. Or assign one reader for the night and listen to him read a book out loud. Take turns each night. The reader gets to decide what book to read!
5. Go nature-watching in your backyard. Set out a blanket during the evening and teach your kids about constellations. Or during the day, lie back and go cloud-watching with your children. Was that cloud shaped like an elephant or a car? It helps get them in touch with nature and encourages exercising their imagination.

Entertainment at home can be just as fun as entertainment outside. All it takes is a bit of imagination and most importantly, getting the whole family’s support in making the activity as enjoyable as it can be.

Post from: Blisstree

Economical Entertainment

So what is there to do in this second largest city in California?

Balboa Park Botanical Building in San Diego

Here are some ideas, in no particular order:

1. San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park – Animal lovers will love both of these locations.  The zoo is in Balboa Park and the animal park is a short drive away in Escondido.
2. Balboa Park – Not just the zoo, but also full of theater and performing venues, the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and several other museums, IMAX Theater, gardens galore, the Botanical Building, and so much more that the list would be endless.  You can spend several days in the park and still not see everything.
3. Cabrillo National Monument – At the tip of Point Loma, this is where the first European set foot on the west coast.
4. Fish Tacos – Nothing says San Diego like a fish taco, long since achieving cult status as “the” San Diego dish.
5. Ocean Front Walk – San Diego’s version of Venice Beach, this boardwalk along the ocean is full of walkers, bikers, skateboarders, bikini-clad babes, and lots of quirky characters.
6. Whaley House – Located in Old Town, this 19th century home is now a museum, and is said to be haunted.
7. Surfing – Find a piece of beach, or a school to learn how.
8. Gaslamp Quarter – Walk this once questionable neighborhood, and check out the great restaurants, bars, and galleries.  It’s not seedy any longer.
9. Mission San Diego de Alcala – Built back in the mid 1700’s, this was one of the earlier missions built along the west coast.  Although not its original structure, it does depict what mission life must have been like.
10. Local Brews – San Diego claims to be the birthplace of IPA (India Pale Ale), so try a few and decide for yourself.
11. Horton Plaza – A 5-level shopping mall in the heart of downtown.  If you’ve forgotten something, you’ll find it here.
12. Old Town State Historic Park – 6 blocks of pedestrian only park that is home to some of the earliest buildings in San Diego, including a general store, the first office of the San Diego Union newspaper, and Wells Fargo Bank.
13. Torrey Pines State Reserve – A beautiful parked named for a gnarled pine tree that only grows here and on an island off the coast.
14. SeaWorld – Shamu and the rest of the gang will welcome you.
15. Del Mar Racetrack – Bet on a winner or watch for the star, either way it’s seriously good fun.
16. Take to the air – Try hang gliding, a helicopter tour, a bi-plane ride, or have lunch and watch the planes take off from the airport.
17. Take to the water – Swimming, surfing, kayaking, sailing, parasailing, or just splashing in the surf.  San Diego has weather that’s great for year round water sports.
18. Professional sports – The Padres (NL) of Major League Baseball and the Chargers of the NFL both have loyal fans and attract quite the following.
19. Watch a sunset at the beach – A great way to end the day.
20. Check into a Museum – The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the New Children’s Museum, San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, Maritime Museum, or the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum are all great picks.
21. Visit Little Italy – It may be small, but the community is still vibrant and fun.
22. Walk around Seaport Village – Sure, the tourist go there, but so do the locals.  Take time to walk around the 14-acre outdoor plaza, full of shops, galleries, and plenty of places to eat.  Be sure to ride the carousel.
23. Eat Mexican food in Old Town – Look for a place that makes their own tortillas – by hand.
24. Go back to school at University of California, San Diego – This beautiful campus has a great theater (La Jolla Playhouse), so you may want to catch a performance.  Or wander the Stuart Collection, a group of outdoor sculptures.  Other nearby campuses in the area include the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
25. Take the ferry to Coronado – OK, drive if you must, but the ferry ride is much more relaxing, and prettier, too.  Stop off at the Hotel del Coronado for a step back in time.

Did I miss your favorite San Diego spot?  Take me to task in the comments!

Photo credit: wikimedia

Post from: Blisstree

25 Things to Do & See in San Diego

Walt Disney World fireworks show

The Holiday Inn Main Gate is located 3 miles from the main entrance to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks.  With it’s kids play FREE, stay FREE, and eat FREE, it’s a budget friendly family option in a frequently expensive vacation destination.  The hotel has newly renovated rooms that include kids suites featuring a bunk bed, activity table and chairs, and a separate adult’s room.  Some of the other family friendly amenities include a pool, kid’s theater that shows cartoons, kid’s playground, and a family electronic game room.  Dining choices include restaurants and a food court, both offering family friendly food choices and prices.

To get the special buy one night, get one night FREE offer, you’ll need to follow the hotel on Twitter or become a hotel Facebook Fan.  Sounds like a pretty easy way to adds FREE nights to your stay!

The social media special is valid for travel through December 23rd, 2009.  I checked a few random dates between now and the end of the year, and it looks like there’s still good availability.  With the social media special, a kid’s suite factors out to about $45/night, and that’s a GREAT deal!

Photo credit: kyku @flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Buy 1, Get 1 FREE Disney Social Media Special

*Millersport Sweet Corn Festival

Where: Millersport, Ohio

When: September 2-5, 2009

Activities: Corn Eating contests, Tractor Pulls, dancing, and performances by acts including John Conlee and Tracy Lawerence

For more information, vist the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival website.

*Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off

Where: Sparks, Nevada

When: September 2-7, 2009

Activities: Rib Cook-off, Rib Eating Championship, Arts & Crafts Fair, and Carnival

For more information, visit the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off website.

*Pinehurst’s 2009 Food and Wine Festival

Where: Pinehurst Resort, Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina

When: September 3-7, 2009

Activities: Wine competitions, wine seminars, culinary and cooking demonstrations, and gala events each evening

For more information, visit the Pinehurst Wine Festival website.

*45th Annual McGregor Wild Rice Days

Where: McGregor, Minnesota

When: September 4-5, 2009

Activities: Art & Craft fair, Pancake Breakfast, Family Fun Walk, Wild Rice Education Tent, Parade, and live entertainment.

For more information, visit the McGregor Wild Rice Days website.

Image credit: Sxc.hu

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Fall Food Festivals

The story of Disney will evolve from the drawings of his youth, to the founding of his first company (Laugh-

Walt Disney Stamp from 1968

O-GramFilms), to the birth of Mickey Mouse, to the opening of Disneyland.  Along the way, you’ll discover just how creative and technically innovative Disney was, and learn how about some of the revolutionary techniques and concepts that became commonplace.  This guy was a creative genius!

The exhibits will be full of film clips, art, scripts, photographs, personal correspondence, home movies, and other artifacts that give us a glimpse into the man and his creative processes.  And, as you would expect, there will be lots of video monitors throughout the museum, along with lots of interactive displays.  The museum also has a movie theater, learning center, cafe, and gift shop.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is located at 104 Montgomery Street in San Francisco, and will be open Wednesday – Monday, 10 am – 6 pm.  It will be closed on Tuesdays.

Admission is by timed-entry tickets, available for purchase online up to 60 days in advance.  Tickets may not be available at the door, based on online sales, so plan to buy online and guarantee yourself admission.  Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+) and students, $12.50 for children ages 6-17, and children under age 6 are admitted FREE with an adult admission.  Tickets are already on sale.

Strollers are not permitted in the galleries, and there is only limited stroller parking available.  If you’re traveling with little ones, take this into consideration.  Strollers are best left behind, and you’ll be prepared to carry your little one when tired.

Traffic and parking in the Presidio is often difficult, so consider public transportation.  Get specific transportation and parking information from The Presidio’s website.

It sounds like there’s one MORE reason to visit San Francisco!

Photo source: wikimedia

Post from: Blisstree

Walt Disney Family Museum to Open October 1st