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

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...

5 Ways to Celebrate Spring in Albuquerque

by Alison

March 24, 2009

The temperatures are higher, the trees are blooming, and the wind is blowing - it must be Springtime in Albuquerque!  Celebrate the arrival of a new season with some of these activities.

1. Head to a good tree observing spot (your local park should do, or maybe even your front yard), gather some art supplies, and draw pictures of the beautiful blooms.  Talk about how the blooms one the different trees are the same or different.  Some trees may be done blooming, while some are just barely opening.

2. Visit the new animal babies at the Rio Grande Zoo.   There's a baby howler monkey,  a new kangaroo, a baby orangutan, a baby Bactrian camel, and more. Signs will point you to the new additions and in the meantime, check out some photos of the new arrivals.

3. Stop by your local home improvement store or nursery and pick up some flowers to plant.  You can plant them in your yard, a small planter, or even in a paper cup in your kitchen!

4. Enjoy a baseball game.  The UNM Lobos are in full swing.  Adult tickets are $5 and children's tickets are just $3, so it's an affordable family activity.  The April 17th game is 'Pack the Park' night and all tickets are just $2.  Softball tickets are just as inexpensive, and this weekend is 'Pack the Park' weekend and tickets are only a dollar.  The Isotopes kick off their season on April 9.  You can also try and catch a little league game.  Many of the local leagues have websites with schedules.  Do an internet search for "albuquerque little league".

5. Visit your local library and pick up some books all about Spring.  Better yet, look through this list, reserve a few and have them ready for you when you arrive! 
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