Adventures of Action and Wonder: April 2014

Here is a list that I have compiled of affordable things to do with your pre-schoolers. My youngest is done with pre K on May 16th, my oldest doesn't finish 1st grade until June 18th. That is alot of time on my hands to fill with my 5 year old. I don't have a schedule of what I want to do when, but this is the list that I will be using when I think 'What are we going to do today?' I will break the list down by days first since certain things only happen on certain days. At the end, I will list other stuff that there is to do outside of that. This could be useful for the entire summer.

To start off this is a blog that I go to find new and fun places to visit: family fun in maryland and beyond

Monday:
Skate Zone in Crofton, Tot Rock & Roll (rent skates or bring your own ride on), 10-2, $4/child (will probably only run through Memorial day.
http://www.sk8zone.com/

Fairlands Gymnastics-- This is a gymnastics arena in Burtonsville, Md. They open up their arena for ages walking-6 years. 1 hour for open gym time. There is a nice boundless playground with a large sand box there as well great to have a picnic afterwards. Mon/Wed 10:30 - 11:30 $5/child
open gym at fairlands gymnastics

Tuesday:
Fairlands open gym: 11:30 - 12:30 (see Monday for description)

Regal Cinema Summer Movie Express: Movies at Regal Cinema, Waugh Chapel, $1 movies on tues/wed over the summer beginning June 24.

Wednesday:
Robinson Nature Center: A new nature center in Columbia. There are alot of interactive displays, a play room and a walk through nature that makes you feel the size of a field mouse. Closed Mon and Tue. Free on Wednesday.
Robinson Nature Center

Fairlands Gymnastics: 10:30 - 11:30

Regal Cinema Summer Movie Express (see link below)

Thursday:
Fairlands Gymnastics: 11:30 - 12:30

Friday: Working on finding things that have deals on Friday's.

Other useful links:
Kids skate free: free coupons to use at local skating rinks: kids skate free
Kids bowl free: free tickets to use at some of the local bowling alleys: kids bowl free
Regal Summer Movie Express: Regal Cinema Summer Movie Express
Cinemark Summer Movie Club house: $1 movies at the Arundle Mills Movie theatre, the list hasn't been posted yet.
North Arundel Aquatic Center: North Arundel Aquatic Center
Pump it up: Pump It Up Calendar
NASA Goddard Visitor Center: Small visitor center that you can visit for free. NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Patuxent Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: patuxent wild life refuge
Rollie Pollies in Crofton: Check open gym times: rollie pollie schedule
Eco-Adventures: A new location in Millersville that you can interact with animals. eco adventures drop in time
Currently an amazon local deal for EcoAdventures: amazon local deal (may be expired)
Play n' Learn Playground Super store: This is a playground store that has made an arena of their sales area with at least 6 playground models, 3 trampolines and a small basketball area. $6 for 2 hours. Play n' Learn superstore
Rainbow Systems Playground super store: They to have opened up their show room for open play. There are more structures, no trampolines and basketball. Yes, it is located about 2 blocks from play n learn. I have been there one time, and that is it, my kids like the trampolines. I believe it is $6/2 hours, it is not advertised as well, so I would advise calling before you go. Rainbow systems super store
Bass Pro Shop offers an informational and crafty kind of summer program. We have done it in conjunction with the movies offered at Cinemark. The info isn't up yet, but here is the link--hopefully it will work when the information becomes available: bass pro shops summer camp

Playgrounds that I like and why:
High Ridge Park: no swings, secluded, rubber ground (no mulch), short paved walking trail, close public restroom, picnic tables, open field for sports/kite flying high ridge park
North Laurel Community Center Park: mostly fenced in, no mulch, has some different structures. north laurel community center park
Hilton Area Tire Park at Patapsco State Park: Playground using recycled tires, large, different kinds of structures, small nature center (if open), short nature hikes, onsite public restrooms. hilton area tire park

Here are links to some great playgrounds that are more then a 20 minute drive:
Clemyjontri Park
Wheaton Regional Park
South Germantown Adventure Playground
Cabin John Regional Park

I regularly scan certifkid.com, groupon, living social and amazon local for deals and discounts on local attractions.

Fort Meade offers has some great playgrounds at Burba Lake Park, and have $1 bowling days on Thursdays.

While alot of people in my family are sports fans, and I have played sports all my life, me and my husband are not really sports fans. But since my kids have been born and raised in Maryland they have been drilled with the Orioles and Ravens from day one. Not that they watch the games, but they are excited to hear about them, or drive into the city and see the stadiums. We had planned to go to some games in the future, but ended up going a bit sooner then we thought. The Orioles decided (or whoever the powers that be) that the first game would be dedicated to the members of the military. They asked Fort Meade to rally some kids to help with the opening ceremonies at the game. We were lucky enough to be one of those families. We really had no idea what was going to be happening until it happened. And what happened was just magical for the kids! All the kids, about 80 of them, lined an orange carpet coming from center field. Each child held a flag and waved it as the players ran down the carpet. They even got to meet and hang out with the Oriole mascot. It was a beautiful day for baseball that day and great day for the kids to enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity!