Being Savvy: Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers and kids in Albuquerque, NM

Find out more about:

Archives

Science

Five Things to Know About Explora

by Alison

June 09, 2009

Explora is the place for learning fun in Albuquerque. According to the website, it's "part science center, part children’s museum, part free-choice school, part grandma’s attic, part grandpa’s garage, part laboratory, part neighborhood full of interesting people, and part of many people’s lives." There is definitely something for every child (and every adult!) at Explora.

1. The Basics - Explora is open daily (minus a few holidays). It is located near Old Town on Mountain Rd. NW. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children. Children under the age of one are free. Memberships are available which allow you free admission for the duration of your membership.

2. The Exhibits - I've been to Explora several times, but there is still so much I haven't seen! My kids have so much fun in the first few areas, that we never seem to leave them. Some of the fun things to do there include building train tracks, an arts and crafts room, bubbles, music, building a "log" cabin outside, playing with balls and ramps, and exploring air power by building cars and planes and watching them go.

3. The Other Programs - Younger children (ages two through four) can enjoy the Growing a Scientist program (it is offered year-round). These programs will allow you to explore and learn alongside your child. Explora offers a variety of camps for children ages five and older. Register now for summer camps. There are also a few programs that are included in admission. These include Toddler Time (where the museum opens an hour early once a week just for the little ones) and Music Jam (instruments will be available for your child to play). Check the calendar for specific dates and times.

4. Birthday Parties - Have your child's (or your) next birthday party at Explora. There are several themed parties to choose from for ages 2 and up. Themes vary by age level.

5. Adult Night - Do you want to leave the kids at home next time and explore on your own? Explora hosts adult nights every other month where you can do just that.  Read more...

Five Things You'll Want to Know About the Museum of Natural History

by Alison

April 28, 2009

Albuquerque has a wonderful Natural History Museum, and your preschoolers are not too young to enjoy it! Sure, there's dinosaur bones to look at, but here are five other things worth knowing about the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

 Read more...

5 Windy Day Activities

by Alison

March 31, 2009

Personally, I think spring is a bit overrated here in Albuquerque. Don't get me wrong, the weather is beautiful, but the wind - yikes! Too often I use the wind as an excuse to stay inside, but there are some activities that you just can't do any other day! Yesterday I wrote about kites, and here are some other windy weather activities for you to try with your kids:

1. Choose several objects of varying shape and size, such as rocks, paper, leaves, and maybe a small toy.  Take them outside and see if the wind will carry them away, and if so, how far they will go.  Allow your child to make guesses as to which objects will "fly" and how far they will go.

2. Use a pushpin, paper, and a pencil to create a pinwheel . To involve your child a bit more, have him or her decorate the paper before you cut it and attach it to the pencil.  Show your child how he can blow it to make it move, and then take it outside so she can see the wind make it move!

3. Use bubbles to teach your child about wind direction.  Have your child guess which directions the bubbles will go before you blow them.  Show him that regardless of where you stand and what direction you are facing, if the wind is blowing hard enough the bubbles will always go in the same direction.

4. For another lesson in wind direction, make a wind sock together.

5. Show your child that the wind can make music by making a wind chime. This one uses soda cans, silverware, CDs, nails and anything that would make noise when it clangs together.  Let your child choose materials and you could make several to see which one makes the best music or which one has the highest pitch.  Read more...

Gardening Without a Garden

by Alison

March 10, 2009

Spring is just around the corner, which means many people are deciding what to plan in their gardens. From learning how plants grow to learning about life cycles and appreciating nature, gardening offers a multitude of learning opportunities for preschoolers.  Just because you don't have the space for a formal garden doesn't mean your child has to be left out, though.  Here are some ways your family can take advantage of a garden without having a full-fledged garden of your own.

Container Gardening
Do you have a patio or porch?  Then you can have a garden!  Many vegetables can be grown very successfully in small containers.  Let your preschooler have one container of his own to plant and take care of.  Want more information? Try this guide to container gardening or just do a google search for "container gardening"

Community Gardens
Simply put, a community garden is a piece of land gardened by a group of people. Individuals, families, or groups have their own plot in the garden to plant, tend to, and harvest (or donate!). The Rio Grande Community Farm offers a community garden. Call 345-4580 or send an email

Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) allows your family to take advantage of fresh garden produce without any planting or growing!  This is a great way to introduce your children to new vegetables that they may not otherwise be exposed to.  You simply pay for a "share" of a farm and then each week your family can enjoy a box of locally grown fruits and vegetables.  Los Poblanos Organics offers year-round service, while Erda Gardens offers produce from May through October.  Each garden has slightly different policies and procedures, so read carefully to see which one works best for your family. Visit this link for a full list of CSAs around the state.  Read more...

5 Best Ways to Enjoy the Bosque

by Alison

September 16, 2008

The bosque is the beautiful open space surrounding the Rio Grande River. It's home to a variety of trees which create a shady forest habitat for beavers, birds, turtles and snakes. It's one of my four year old's favorite places to go, he loves exploring there. Here are five ways you can enjoy the bosque with your children. Take a walk. The Paseo Del Bosque trail extends for 16 miles from  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in albuquerque

urbanjungle.jpg

Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

doremi.jpg

Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

artisticendeavors.jpg

Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

roomtorun2.jpg

Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

rain.jpg

Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

localhistory2.jpg

A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

naturalhistory2.jpg

Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites

waterparks2.jpg

Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

holdinghands2.jpg

The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

bestofcity2.jpg

The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

The Voice of Being Savvy albuquerque:
Alison

Read more Being Savvy for:

Favorite albuquerque Lists

Review Your Preschool

Join the hundreds of albuquerque parents helping other parents find the right preschool for their child.

Review Your Preschool

View Preschools and Daycare Centers in Other Cities

View preschools in other cities