Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in albuquerque, NM

5 Things To Know About the Bonanic Garden

by Alison

August 11, 2009

A huge garden may not seem like most fun outing for you and your preschooler, but Albuquerque's Rio Grande Botanic Garden is more than just your ordinary garden and so much fun too! Here are five things to know about this local gem.

1. Admission included with Aquarium. That means one price gets you access to both places (they share a common parking lot and entrance patio). For a few dollars more you can visit the zoo as well (a train will take you between venues).

2. The Children's Fantasy Garden is very much designed with children in mind. There are mazes to explore, large ants to climb on, a pumpkin to walk in, and a tree to slide through.

3. The Heritage Farm is a recreation of a 1930's era Rio Grande Farm. Your child is sure to love the cows, pigs, horses and goats that call it home. During the summer months, horse-drawn wagon rides are often offered.

4. The Butterfly Pavillion is a seasonal exhibit home to several hundred butterflies that fly all around you. It is open from late May through Labor Day. It's a no-touch exhibit (in that you should not touch the butterflies) so be sure to prep your child for that.

5. The Botanic Garden is the perfect picnic spot. There's a large grassy (and shaded!) area near the entrance. Lots of room for you little ones to run around while you enjoy the beautiful scenery.  Read more...

5 Things To Do Before Summer is Over

by Alison

August 04, 2009

Summer is wrapping up, soon it will be back to the routine that is the school year which will soon be followed by the hectic holiday season. Here are five things I'd like to do before summer is over.

1. Visit I Scream Ice Cream - I've mentioned this fun and quirky ice cream spot (located at Carlisle and Indian School NE) many times on this blog, but can you believe I've never actually been there? Summertime is perfect for ice cream, so I hope to be able to take the kids there sometime soon.

2. Go to Storytime - It's been so long since my boys have been to storytime. My oldest will be starting kindergarten in a few weeks and I'd love for him to have another opportunity to go before it becomes an activity I do with the younger kids while he's at school. Many of the libraries take a storytime hiatus over the summer, so I'm thinking we may hit oneat Barnes and Noble

3. Go to a Farmer's Market - I love the sights and smells that are only found at a farmer's market. We're trying to work through our own garden's produce so we haven't had much of a need to visit a farmer's market, but I'm thinking a visit is in order very soon. I've heard great things about the Downtown Growers Market (check out that vendor's list - so much more than just fresh produce!).

4. Go to the Zoo - We've spent a lot of time at the Aquarium and Botanic Gardens this summer and the zoo has taken a backseat. Time to visit before school starts up and we don't have as much free time on our hands.

5. Plant more flowers - Two months ago, my kids helped me plant some marigolds. They are doing great and I want to add something else to the flower bed.

What's on your list?  Read more...

Five Places to Get Wet

by Alison

July 21, 2009

Here are five places where you can get wet and cool off on a hot summer day

1. The West Mesa Pool has an indoor recreation pool with a zero-slope entry, fun sprinklers and a waterslide. You'll also find a similar pool outside. Since it's an indoor pool, it's open year round (at least the indoor portion is). Admission is 50 cents for kids five and under and  $3.00 for adults. On Sundays, children are free and on Friday nights everyone is 50 cents.

2. Eisenhower Pool is an outdoor pool with two small slides plus the wading pool. Admission is 25 cents for kids five and under and $2.25 for adults. On Sundays, children are free and on Friday nights everyone is 25 cents.

3. Las Padillas Pool has a waterslide and some fun sprinklers to aid in your cooling off.

4. The Manzano Mesa Sprayground isn't a pool, but rather lots of fun sprinklers and other wet ways to cool off.

5. Your own backyard is always an option. The kids can run around in the sprinklers, splash in a blow up pool, slide down a slip 'n' slide or experience the joy of water balloons. Right now is a great time to pick up summer toys because they are starting to go on clearance to clear the way for school supplies.

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5 Places for Train Lovers

by Alison

June 23, 2009

All aboard! Do you have a young train lover on your hands? Here are a few activities that your young engineer is bound to love.

Santa Fe Southern Railway: This railroad will take you through the high desert country between Santa Fe and Lamy (located 18 miles southest of Santa Fe). The Santa Fe Southern Railway offers many special event train rides, including several Christmas themed ones which include stories, singing, treats, and sometimes Santa Claus.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad: This train will take you through the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. What's cool about this train? Fun events like the Great Pumpkin Patch Express, Day out with Thomas the Tank Engine, the Polar Express, and the Easter Beagle Express.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: The Cumbres & Toltec takes rides through the scenic back country of the Colorado New Mexico border. The nearest station would be in Chama, NM. This railway offers kid friendly rides that feature Cinder Bear. There is one each week during the summer and a holiday one as well. The rides include stories, games, songs, and lunch.

The BioPark: Watch the G-Scale (Garden Scale) train at the Aquarium or take a ride on the Rio Line, which runs between the Zoo, Tingley Beach, and the Aquarium. If you're visiting just the zoo, you might want to check out the animals via the Thunderbird Express which loops around the Zoo.

Barnes and Noble Bookstores: Visit the children's area and find a fun train table featuring Thomas the Tank Engine! The perfect quick trip when you want to do something quiet and indoors. Both stores (one is at Coronado Mall and the other is on the west side near Cottonwood Mall) have train tables.

And a bonus:
Don't forget the Rail Runner! Since it pretty much runs north in the mornings and south in the evenings, it isn't totally ideal for a round trip. You could take it up to Santa Fe in the morning, spend the day, and ride home in the evening. You could arrange to have someone pick you up at your destination.  Read more...

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...

Splash and Play at the Manzano Mesa Sprayground

by Alison

June 01, 2009

Looking for a fun (and wet) alternative to a traditional swimming pool? The Water Sprayground at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center is open for the season (and will be open through August 14). The Sprayground has lots of fun sprinklers that will get your kids wet and cooled off. It's perfect if you have kids of varying ages, the older ones can explore on their own (it's a small area) and the little ones can sit and splash without you worrying about them going under. *

The Sprayground is located at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center (between Eubank and Juan Tabo just south of I-40). It is open on weekdays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. You must have a membership to the center, which costs $13, and a 50 cent donation is requested each visit for children aged 3 and older.

Looking for a unique birthday party spot? The Sprayground is available for rentals. It accomodates up to 75 people and can be rented weekday evenings or Saturday afternoons. The cost is $100 for two hours. Contact the center for more information, contact information is available onthe website.

*There are no official lifeguard on duty, though staff does supervise the area. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult. Though there is very little standing water at the Sprayground, remember that a child can drown in even the smallest amount of water. In other words, keep a close eye on your children!
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5 Things to Know About the Albuquerque BioPark

by Alison

May 12, 2009

Spring has sprung, and that means that the BioPark is the place to be. The Albuquerque BioPark consists of four attractions - the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens, Tingley Beach and the Rio Grande Zoo. Here are five things worth knowing about the BioPark.

1. Tingley Beach is a series of fishing ponds (including a children's fishing area and a pond used exclusively for radio-controlled boats). They offer various fishing clinics and free fishing days throughout the year. Here you'll also find the Tingley Beach Train Station where you can catch a ride on the Rio Line. The train will take you along the bosque to the aquarium and then down to the zoo and finally back to Tingley Beach. You cannot get off at the zoo or aquarium. Train schedules vary depending on the season.

2. A membership to the BioPark will get you free admission to the zoo, aquarium, and botanic gardens for one year. The aquarium and botanic gardens are located right next to each other (they share a common entry area and parking lot) and, if you do not have a membership, one admission fee will get you into the Aquarium and Botanic Gardens. You can also purchase a day pass that is good for all three attractions and ride the train to get between the zoo and the aquarium/gardens.

3. The sharks are fed and the tanks are cleaned daily at the aquarium. This means you can watch aquarium staff dive into the tanks! If you visit between the hours 0f 10:00am and 2:00pm, you might be lucky enough to catch a tidepool hands-on exhibit where aquarium volunteers let you get up close to various tide pool critters.

4. The Albuquerque BioPark encourages birthday celebrations. If you provide the food, there's no need for any sort of reservation, and your group is welcome to use any area that is open for public picnicking. Each person must pay an admission fee, and there are no group discounts. If you go with their catering company, there are three options to choose from.

5. The Butterfly Pavilion at the botanic gardens opens for the season on May 22. Here you'll be able to see several hundreds of butterflies flying all around you in an enclosed exhibit area.

Enjoy your visit!    

 Read more...

Guest Post: The Importance of Musical Exploration

by Alison

April 27, 2009

The following is a guest post by Emily, who teaches music and movement classes to young children. See the bottom of her article for more information about her classes.

Children are born musical. There is no better time to experiment with music than the baby and preschool years. Brain research continues to prove that active musical experiences create new pathways between the cells in the brains of young children. This doesn't mean you need to have your 6 month old taking structured piano lessons. In fact, just the opposite is true. Creative play is such an important part of developing a child's love of music.  

You can start at home by putting on different styles of music and dancing to the beat with your child. Try using big and small motions, moving fast and slow, and high and low. Just have fun with it! Your child will be much more willing to experiment with his own body if he sees you movin' and groovin'!  Try making up songs as you give a bath, brush teeth, and pick up toys. Or perhaps tap out rhythms with a wooden spoon and pot. Enrolling your baby or preschooler in a music and movement class is another great step in supporting his natural musical abilities.  

Music classes geared toward young children provide an opportunity to play simple instruments and explore creative movements with their bodies. Exciting props such as scarves, bean bags, ribbons, balls, parachutes, and bubbles are an added benefit. Plus, it's a great way to get some ideas to use at home and also meet some new parents and playmates!  

Bounce n' Boogie is an exciting and affordable option for musical activity classes. Classes are developmentally appropriate for 0-4 year olds and are only $28/four week session (additional siblings are half price!). There are no contracts or start up costs. Classes are flexible, parent interactive, sibling friendly, and non-competitive. Check it out at www.bouncenboogie.com and sign up for a free trial class!!!!

 Read more...

It's Not a Stick, It's A...

by Alison

April 13, 2009

Kids love to create, and their definition of artwork can be quite different from ours.  This means that chances are your child would be excited about an art project regardless of the materials used.  So, why not take advantage of that and scout out your home or your backyard for some craft supplies that would otherwise go unnoticed or just end up in the trash?

Flowers, grass, and leaves make some great collage materials.  I like to use clear contact paper to eliminate the need for glue (which is especially good for the littlest ones).  Then I also will cover the creation with contact paper as well.  Instead of just using  these materials for a collage, use them to spell your child's name - flowers are great for dotting 'i's! 

 

 

Head inside and you'll find even more great craft supplies. Cut pictures from old magazines. Look for specific colors, shapes, or letters and help your child create his own color, shape, or alphabet book. Popsicle sticks are lots of fun, too. Glue on some yarn for hair, draw on eyes (or use google eyes) and clothes to make people.  Glue four together to create a square-shaped picture frame. Challenge your child to make other shapes. Decorate old food containers (such as cool whip tubs or juice concentrate cans) and turn them into keepsake containers, pencil jars, or banks. Leftover bits of yarn, fabric, ribbon, or wrapping paper make great collage materials.

Create a stationary set for your child using the envelopes that come with junk mail (or your bills, if you pay them online and don't use them), paper that's been printed on one side already (cut them into fun shapes to make them seem interesting), and some return address labels. Use an old shoebox to make a mailbox.

Think outside of the box and you're sure to find lots of art materials around the house.  Before you throw it out, stop and think, what could my child create with this?

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Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Watching Airplanes in Albuquerque

by Alison

April 06, 2009

Recently, I had the "opportunity" to drive around the Albuquerque Sunport waiting for my husband.  In order to kill some time, my kids and I visited the two aircraft viewing spots that the airport has to offer. 
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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...

Let's Go Fly a Kite

by Alison

March 30, 2009

What better activity for a windy day than kite flying?  Simple kites are relatively inexpensive (buy several though, because they seem to break easily) or you can make your own using supplies you have around the house. These won't fly as high or as far, but I imagine your child will still love his kite that he made all by himself!  The simplest of all requires just paper, string and some crepe paper or ribbon.  Just cut the paper in a diamond shape to look like a kite (don't forget to cut some "sticks" out of the paper too to glue on one side) attach some string to the middle and the crepe paper to the bottom corner.  It will "fly" if your child runs around while holding on to the string. My son has made kites like this at preschool and he has a lot of fun with them.  The internet is full of directions for making your own simple kites. Some more involved than others.  Here are a few that I found:

• This bumble bee kite is made using just string and paper.
• Here's a paper kite that calls for a dowel or other piece of wood, so it's going to be a bit more sturdy than the others.
• A plastic grocery bag or garbage bag can be used to make a kite also.  Here's some directions that include a video as well.  I've never tried it, but I've seen grocery bags flying high in the air on windy days, so I imagine you could also just tie a piece of string to each bag handle and then join them together and perhaps make a pretty efficient kite.

The next time the wind is howling, no need to stay inside.  Just find an empty field (though your backyard will work well for these smaller ones) and fly a kite!  Come back tomorrow for more windy weather activities.  Read more...

UNM Duck Pond

by Alison

March 23, 2009

We crossed another thing off of our list! Last week, our family took a trip to the Duck Pond on the University of New Mexico campus to feed the ducks (#36 on the 99 things to do in Albuquerque before your kids grow up list). It was a beautiful spot, and fairly secluded considering it's located on the campus of a major university!  We visited during UNM's spring break, so there weren't many students around and, in fact, there were actually quite a few families and kids. 

The UNM Duck pond is a great place for preschoolers. For the active child, there's rocks to climb, grass to run on, steps to climb, and a bridge to cross.  For the observant or artistic child, there is plenty of opportunities for animal watching (lots of turtles) and nature sketching.  And you can't forget about feeding the ducks!  Though the ducks seem to be pretty well fed, as they weren't too crazy about the bread we had to offer.  Also, there are plenty of trees, so the area is shady and perfect for a picnic and there's also a nice clock tower, so it's a good place to teach your kids about telling time.

There is parking very close to the duck pond. From University, turn east on Las Lomas, turn south on Yale and follow it around the corner to Roma. You'll find several spaces with parking meters. These spots are free on the weekends, and $1.75/hour during the week. The pond will be directly south of you. If you visit on the weekend, many of the reserved lots are free and do not require special parking passes. You can view a campus map here
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Kids Will Eat (or At Least Try) What They Grow

by Alison

March 16, 2009

My four year old loves eggplant.  Yeah, you read that right.  And I don't have to hide it between layers of sauce and cheese in eggplant parmesan.  He eats it just lightly breaded and baked in the oven.

This love came about last summer when we planted some eggplant in our garden.  For some reason he took a liking to this plant in particular, especially once the purple fruit was visible.  So, needless to say, he was excited to try the eggplant after we harvested it. He's the same way with the peas in our garden, those are easy for him to pick and he likes to just eat some right away as a snack. We aren't always this lucky when it comes to him eating the produce from our garden, though if he's taken some responsibility when it comes to planting and watering, we don't usually have a problem getting him to at least try it. 

If you don't have any room for a garden, that doesn't mean you can't grow some food of your own.  Many vegetables can be grown in small containers that you can place on your front or back porch.  We've had success growing tomatoes in containers and currently we're trying lettuce and spinach (because they don't grow well in our backyard!).  For more on container gardening, check out this link.

Watching a vegetable go from seed (or small plant) to your dinner table is a fascinating process, especially for a preschooler. To fully involve your child in your gardening experience, let her choose a vegetable to grow.  Be sure to do your research first and make sure it will grow well where you are.  The Albuquerque Master Gardeners website is a good resource, as is your local nursery.  Now, let your child get messy and plant the seeds.  Put him on water duty and maybe even purchase a small watering can that would be easy for him to carry. Take pictures every now and then, so when it does grow into a mature plant, you can look back on all the stages it has gone through. And don't forget to get your child excited about eating what she's growing!
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President's Day Fun For Your Little One

by Alison

February 16, 2009

Preschoolers aren't too young to learn about the great men who have led our country, and President's Day provides a great opportunity!  Here are some age-appropriate activities that will help you celebrate the holiday.

Crafts:

• Use three strips of paper and a stapler to create a three-cornered hat like those worn in George Washington's Day.
• Pull out some coins and create rubbings by putting the coins underneath a piece of paper and using the side of an unwrapped to color over the coins. For an extra educational boost, have your child sort the coins beforehand.
• Create a "log cabin" by drawing a house on a piece of paper and decorating it with pretzel sticks or twigs from outside.  If you have a small milk carton or box around, you could create one like this one.
• There are plenty of coloring pages to be found online.  Preschool Coloring Book has a few Washington and Lincoln coloring sheets.  The US Mint has a kids' page with coloring sheets for each coin and more (there is also an online coloring game ).

Other Activities:

• Watch Monday's episode of Arthur where Muffy runs for class president.  Arthur can be seen on PBS at 4:30 pm.
• As you drive around town, point out any streets that share names with past presidents.  Also, many local schools are named for past presidents, be sure to point those out as well!
• Watch this clip from the 1990's show Animaniacs.  It's a great way to show your child just how many presidents this country has had!  You'll probably want to preview it beforehand, it's geared toward older children and you may find some parts are not appropriate for your child.
• For the perfect end to your President's Day festivities, dine at El Pinto , a favorite of former President George W. Bush.  They have even catered Cinco de Mayo Festivities at the White House!

 Read more...

Five Places to Practice Math (and Make it Fun)

by Alison

February 11, 2009

When you spend time with a preschooler, every experience is a learning opportunity.  Here are five of our favorite places to go and some math activities to go along with each one.

The Bosque: Choose your favorite access point and count away.  Count birds, bugs, picnic tables, or trees.  Head down the bike path and count how many people you see or how many bikes ride past you.

The Library: More thought of as a place to practice early reading skills as opposed to math, but there are plenty of math opportunities here.  Tell your child how many books he can choose and help him count to the appropriate number.  Look up a non-fiction book and have your child help you find it on the shelf, let her help you figure out if you are in the right section or need to higher numbers or lower numbers.  Try some basic measuring skills and figure out how many books tall the shelf is.  Pull out a few books and have your child tell you which one is the shortest and which is the tallest.
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5 Ideas for Indoor Play on This Mid-Winter Day

by Alison

January 20, 2009

Don't let the great weather fool you, the calendar still says it's winter! Which means one of these days an indoor activity might be just what you are looking for. Here are five ideas to get you thinking about all the great indoor things Albuquerque has to offer: Art day at the Museum: Each Saturday at 1:00, the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History offers family art workshops. The  Read more...

Looking in the Mirror: 5 Places to Find Your Reflection

by Alison

January 13, 2009

Since I started gathering ideas for this week's list, I realized just how much children really like looking at their reflection, and I learned that if you're really observant, you can find it nearly everywhere and sometimes in the most unlikely places! A Pool: The city has many pools for you to choose from, but this time of year, you're probably only interested in the indoor ones! I  Read more...

Light Up Your Holiday: Local Albuquerque Light Displays

by Alison

December 23, 2008

If your family is like mine, you still have young children and you're still trying "figure out" what sorts of holiday traditions will belong to your family. Why not start up a tradition that involves visiting local light displays? Minus the cost of gas, it's a free activity that your little light admirers would love. If this will be a new tradition for your family, or even if it's been done  Read more...

Albuquerque Holiday Traditions

by Alison

December 02, 2008

Regardless of what celebrations your family observes this time of year, it is definitely a season full of traditions and rituals . Traditions give us all something fun to look forward to year after year. Here are some wonderful Albuquerque traditions that you can share with your family. Tamales For many New Mexicans, Christmas just isn't Christmas without some freshly made tamales!  Read more...

Thanksgiving Weekend Fun

by Alison

November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you were able to enjoy a special day with your loved ones. It's been looking an awful lot like Christmas everywhere you go and soon Thanksgiving 2008 will just be a memory. Kick off the Christmas season with these fun Thanksgiving weekend activities. Albuquerque Twinkle Light Parade This annual favorite will be held on Saturday, November 29th. The  Read more...

5 Halloween Activities - Trick-or-Treating and More

by Alison

October 28, 2008

Looking for a fun Halloween activity for Friday night? Maybe you aren't too thrilled about taking your kids trick-or-treating around your neighborhood? Here's some activities that may interest you, and will still ensure your kids get plenty of treats! 1. Old Town . Enjoy trick-or-treating at Old Town shops, a pet parade, a costume contest, and a pumpkin carving contest. The fun kicks off  Read more...

Halloween Happenings - Parties and Events in Albuquerque

by Alison

October 21, 2008

You finally found the perfect costume and now you want your child to have plenty of opportunities to show it off, right? Here are some fun events going on around town that you might want to check out. This Friday night (the 24th), there's a Halloween Carnival for all ages at Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center from 6-9 pm. For more information, visit Bernalillo County's website .  Read more...

Room to Run

by Alison

October 13, 2008

We all have days where, try as you might, you can't keep the kids at home because they want to run! And what about those days when you want to tire your child out in hopes that they'll take a fabulous nap? Where should you go? Here are some places to take your kids when you want to run them ragged. With 11 acres, Roosevelt Park (located at Coal and Spruce SW) is a great place to let your  Read more...

Day Trippin': Hiking with Your Preschooler

by Alison

October 06, 2008

When I lived on the East coast, it seemed we could choose a direction, drive for an hour, and be in a whole new place to explore. Albuquerque doesn't quite have that luxury. Here, you drive for an hour and you end up in the middle of nowhere. But Albuquerque has mountains, and a visit to the mountains will definitely give you the feeling that you are far, far away from the hustle and bustle  Read more...

Book Nooks for Tots: Storytime in Albuquerque

by Alison

September 29, 2008

Here's a few places in Albuquerque when you can enjoy stories and more with your preschooler. Preschool Pals Storytime at Juan Tabo Library : This storytime is geared towards 3-5 year olds and includes songs, instruments and a craft. Juan Tabo Library is located near Juan Tabo and Comanche and this storytime is held on Fridays at 10:30. Storytime at Alamosa Library : There's  Read more...

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Trains at the BioPark

by Alison

September 22, 2008

The Albuquerque BioPark is home to three trains. A model train that runs through the Botanic Gardens (if your child is a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine, he'll notice some familiar faces), The Thunderbird Express for Zoo visitors that runs a continuous loop through the zoo, and the Rio Line (Tingley Beach Train) that runs between the Zoo and the Botanic Gardens/Aquarium. Riding the Tingley  Read more...