The first Saratoga 150 Signature Event, Family Night At The Spa, will be held on May 24 and will feature all sorts of family entertainment!

From the event web site:

“Admission Details:  Admission to Family Night at the Spa, will be free for an adult and one child, with a Saratoga 150 medallion. Regular admission is $10 for an adult with one child. Additional children’s tickets are $5.  Children’s tickets are for ages four through 12. Three and under, are admitted free. Saratoga 150 medallions are available at www.saratoga150.com, at Adirondack Trust Company bank offices; at Impressions of Saratoga and Fox Jewelers; and at the National Museum of Racing.”

Details:

There will be multiple ethnic bands, and children’s performing groups (including Irish Step Dancing and Ballet!).  Also, expect to find a juggler, storytellers, a bounce house, and other activities especially for the kids!  There will be a fireworks display ay 9:15pm, too.  So much fun!

Event Date:  Friday, May 24

Time: Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Location:  Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs

Parking:  Ample parking is available at the Route 50 entrance. The Hall of Springs entrance offers drop-off access. No alcoholic beverages or pets will be allowed on the SPAC grounds. Coolers will be checked to safeguard the no-alcohol rule.

Food:  The resident concessionaire Aramark will offer a limited snack-food menu.

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This Saturday, May 18th is Family Fun Day ay the New York State Museum in Albany.  This month’s theme is Native People.  There will be lots to learn, games, and make-and-take crafts.  Or attend Furry Tales and Touchables May18th from 11-11:30am in Bird Hall where kids can touch real animal skins, bones and more while hearing a story (Recommended for 4-6 year olds- Meet at Discovery Place). And of course, there’s always the carousel!

The New York State Museum

Hours- Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission- Free

Location- 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12230

The Children’s Museum at Saratoga offers Story Art on Saturday mornings at 10:30am.  Hear a story then create a craft based on what you heard.

Winter Hours (Labor Day through June): Tuesday through Saturday 9:30a.m. – 4:30p.m.;  Sunday 12 noon – 4:30p.m

Admission: $6 per person, children under 1 are free.

Location- 69 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NT

Please note: They are unable to accommodate strollers on the museum exhibit floors.

MiSci (The Museum of Innovation and Science) in Schenectady has a wonderful planetarium with a Young Audience show at 1pm, and a Curious George program running from11am-12pm this Saturday 5/18 Pre-registration is required! ( And it’s early to start talking about it but Animatronic Dinosaurs will be there later this summer!  We will keep you posted!)

Hours: Thursday & Friday, 12 – 5PM;  Saturday, 11AM – 5PM;  Sunday, 12 – 5PM

Location: 15 Nott Terrace Hts, Schenectady, NY 12308

And of course, CMOST, The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology in Troy, which we’ve mentioned here before.  On Sunday, there will be a program on local birds for ages 5+ (pre-registration required).  The regular exhibits include the Operation W.I.L.D. animals section, the Junior Discovery Room, the planetarium and more.

Hours: Thursday – Sunday  10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission: $5.00 per person for ages two and up

Planetarium Shows: $1.00 per person for each show.

Location: 250 Jordan Road (in Rensselaer Technology Park) Troy, New York 12180

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There will be music, games, presentations, crafts, face painting, guided hikes, food vendors and more, including a demonstration on “The Ancient Sport of Falconry” by Beth Bidwell from Wild Things Environmental Education featuring live birds of prey.

Lupine Fest

When?

Saturday, May 18 from 10am-4pm

Where?

Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
195 New Karner Road
Albany NY, 12205

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There are great brunch options such as Marche in Albany,  Tavolo at Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia, or the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga.  Make reservations!  Brunch is a popular activity, and space may be limited.  Too late to make a reservation?  Make brunch for mom at home, or have a leisurely cook out in the back yard.  Remember: it doesn’t count if the mess is left behind for mom to clean up afterwards.

You already know about the Tulip Festival in Albany, and Baby Animal Days at Indian Ladder Farms, but did you know about Waterford Riverspark Canal Fest 2013?

Waterford Riverspark Canal Fest is a celebration of the annual opening of the Canal System.   There will be live performances, kid’s activities, crafters/vendors and more.

Admission is free.

Where is it?

1 Tugboat Alley, Waterford, NY 12188

9:30am-6pm on Saturday, May 11

Whatever activity you choose this Mother’s Day weekend, take time to remember all of the moms in your life and thank them for all that they do.  You don’t have to scream, a whisper will do, as long as it’s from the heart.

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The Albany Children’s Book Festival was wonderful.  If you didn’t get there, pencil it in for next year.  The authors and illustrators were so friendly, and the selection of books was amazing.  When my kids tired of the books, they discovered Grama Tippy-Toes, for singalong fun.  We had a great time!

But that was so last weekend.

What to do this weekend?  Well, what does spring mean besides sunshine and flowers? Baby animals!

Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont is having their annual Baby Animal Days from May 4th- 19th.

Visit the Baby Animal Barn and meet chicks, ducklings, piglets, bunnies, lambs, calves, and baby goats and turkeys!  You can also visit the Farm Animal Learning Center to learn about animal care.

Face painting is available in the weekends, too.

May 4th – 19th (9:00 -5:00)

Admission $5 per child (adults free when accompanying a child)

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Super WHY Live: You’ve Got the Power! is coming to The Palace Theater on Friday, May 10th  @ 6:00 pm

Details:

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When you’re done at the Albany Children’s Book Festival, Saturday, April 27th, or maybe the Cherry Blossom Festival in Niskayuna on Sunday, April 28th, find a sunny spot in your backyard or a local park to read, run, and have loads of fun!

If the recent chilly temps have dampened your spirit, here are some ideas to help you and your family get outside for some of that spring-time fresh-air!

• Sidewalk Chalk: I know. It is old school but little ones love to draw, and hopscotch is just as fun now as it was when you were a kid.
• Yard clean up… Better yet, park clean up: We are coming off of Earth day, people. Get your exercise and community service all at once. That neglected park in your neighborhood? Yes, that one. Start litter busting, and clearing debris. (Parks and Trails NY’s I Love My Park Day is May 4th, if volunteering at a state park is more your style.) If the parks in your area are already pristine, think about elderly neighbors or other folks that could use a hand freshening up their yard.
• Get your garden growing: You’ve been telling the kids that you would do it, so get out there. It doesn’t have to be big or ambitious. If you don’t have space, try a container or window garden. It’s science and good for the Earth. This site has some fun ideas.
• Nature Scavenger Hunt: Hunt items will depend on your location and the age of the kid(s) involved. (general: feather, leaf, rock, versus more specific: oak leaf, maple leaf, etc)
• Get ready for The Lost Ladybug Project: Speaking of scavenger hunts, New York’s native 2 spot and 9 spot Lady Bugs are becoming very rare, and Cornell is trying to track them…. YOU CAN HELP! And it’s FUN! Follow the link above for more information and a field guide to help you identify lady bug species.
•  Cloud Watching: This is timeless, relaxing and a great opportunity to chat with your kids. (No fair cheating! Put down your smart phone.) That’s where I hope to be in the late afternoon as the day winds down.

Did we leave something out?  Like us on Facebook and tell us about it.

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Using musical games, structured traditional rhythms, and improvisation, participants from all ages from all musical ability can play in a comfortable and welcoming setting.

Jonathan Duda
Phone: 518.364.4308

www.letsdrumprogram.com
info@letsdrumprogram.com

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The details:

Got Kids? Sale
Frear Park Ice Rink, Frear Park Rd. Troy, NY 12180
May 2nd: 10:00am – 7:00pm
May 3rd: 10:30am – 6:30pm
May 4th: 9:00am – 1:00pm  1/2 price sale on marked items
http://www.gotkidssale.com/index.htm

Encore Kids Consignment Sale
Halfmoon Sportsplex, 6 Corporate Drive, Halfmoon, NY
May 4th: 9:00am – 6:00pm
May 5th: 9:00am – Noon  Half-price sale (most items)
http://www.encorekidssale.com/index.shtml

Kids’ Exchange Spring  Consignment Sale
Adirondack Sports Complex, 326 Sherman Ave. Queensbury, NY, 12804
May 4th: 9am – 1pm
1:00-1:30pm Sale Closed
1:30pm – 3pm  half price sale
www.exchange-foundation.org.

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