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

Five Things To Know About the Balloon Museum

by Alison

August 18, 2009

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is dedicated the history, science, art, and sport of hot-air ballooning. There isn't a whole lot there for young kids, but since admission is so inexpensive, it's definitely worth a trip. It's also the perfect place to take visitors. Here are five things to know about this local museum

1. Admission is free on the first Friday of the month and each Sunday from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. All other times, adults pay $4 (NM residents get a $1 discount) and kids four and older are just $1 (kids three and under are free).

2. Visit the Museum on Wednesday mornings for "Stories in the Sky", a storytelling program for kids ages 6 months to 6 years. Enjoy stories, songs, games, and crafts with your child.

3. Step into a gondola and pilot a balloon in a virtual reality ride through New Mexico.

4. The Balloon Museum Shoppe (located inside) has a variety of balloon gifts and merchandise - you can even shop online.

5. During Balloon Fiesta, enjoy extended hours, hands-on activities for children, crafts, and more. There are also many other special events that take place throughout the year.  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...

The New Mexico History Museum

by Alison

May 18, 2009

This weekend, the New Mexico History Museum opens up in Santa Fe. The museum will serve as an anchor of a campus dedicated to the history of our state. The campus will also include the Palace of the Governors, The Frey Angelico Chavez History Library, and The Photo Archives. The History Museum will include many permanent and temporary exhibits that tell about all aspects of New Mexico's rich history. The Museum will include discovery drawers with touchable things for the kids.

The Museum officially opens on Sunday, May 24th, but If you want to check out the museum with your family, then Monday, May 25th is the day to do it. Monday is Family Day, so you'll find lots of great events and admission to the museum will be free. There will be dancers representing various periods and cultures of New Mexico.  The Santa Fe Vintage Car Club will be on hand to show off the old vehicles that once carried people across New Mexico. There will also be an ice cream social. For more information, see the Grand Opening Schedule.

The Museum is located on the Plaza in Santa Fe and while you could most certainly make the short drive up there from Albuquerque, why not consider taking the Rail Runner ? It will run on that Sunday (it normally doesn't run on Sundays) and you can ride it on Memorial Day as well. Take the train to the Santa Fe Depot (it will cost you $6 round trip) and then catch a free shuttle to the Plaza. See the Rail Runner's webpage for departure times.    

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.

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...

Things to Do This Week (and Next Week, and the Next Week...): Ongoing Events

by Alison

January 19, 2009

Happy Winter! Though with the beautiful weather we've been having lately, it hardly like the middle of January! But the weather can change in an instant, so we can't say that winter is behind us. I've got a few posts planned for this week that will help you enjoy the cold (but pleasantly cold - we all know it could be worse!) days of winter with your preschoolers. Today, I'm listing up some  Read more...

Explore a New Culture and a Giveaway!

by Alison

January 01, 2009

The giveaway is at the bottom of this post, but I'd love it if you'd read the whole post! Perhaps 2009 is the year that you'd like to introduce (or re-introduce) other cultures to your preschooler. Albuquerque has a few local places that you visit that will help you do just that. 2009 is the year is the year of the ox, and you can help usher it in at the Chinese Cultural Center on  Read more...

5 "No Storage Necessary" Gifts

by Alison

December 16, 2008

One of the downsides to new gifts at Christmas time is that those new treasures take up space, and perhaps it's space that you really don't have! If this is a concern of yours this year, you may consider a gift that's a bit more "consumable" and doesn't require much, if any, storage space. If the grandparents are asking for gift ideas, these are some great options, no shipping costs and most  Read more...

Best Places to Take Out-of-Town Visitors

by Alison

December 01, 2008

With Christmas coming soon, chances are you might be hosting out-of-town friends and family. Let your preschoolers play tour guide and choose some of their favorite local places. If you'll have children visiting, they would especially enjoy a tour of Albuquerque - preschooler style! It also gives your children a chance to learn a little more about their surroundings. If you need some  Read more...

99 Things To Do In Albuquerque Before Your Child Grows Up

by Alison

October 14, 2008

Whether you plan to live in Albuquerque forever or for a month, here is a list of can't miss activities for you and your family to enjoy.  Many of these activities are free or just require a small parking fee.  Some will require a day trip, or even a weekend getaway.  Don't let your child grow up without experiencing as many as you can!

1. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  Clearly an obvious one because it's such a unique experience.  Go early in the morning and walk around balloons as they prepare to fly the skies. Chances are, it's a experience your child will never have again.

2. See the sharks at the Aquarium.

3. Expore the ancient houses at Bandelier National Monument.   No, it's not in Albuquerque, but a two hour drive away. Your preschooler will love this because she can climb inside many of them and imagine what it might have been like to live in such a structure.

4. Get apples from Dixon Apple Orchard

5. Watch UNM battle it out on the gridiron, or any other sport you desire! 

6. See some neat looking rock formations at Tent Rocks National Monument.

7. Go to the Zoo. 

8. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway.  It's the world's longest aerial tramway and it's in your backyard! 

9. Visit the Rio Grande Nature Center .  A perfect way to introduce your children to the river and the nature surrounding it.  You're sure to see a variety of wildlife and there's plenty of room for the kids to run crazy.

10. Go Fishing at Tingley Beach. There's a special pond just for kids
 Read more...

5 Things To Do on a Rainy Day

by Alison

October 09, 2008

When the weather doesn't cooperate, what's a mom to do? Here are five places you can go on a rainy day that your preschooler is sure to love! Head to the Library . With sixteen branches, there's sure to be one (or more) near you. Each library offers a storytime for preschoolers. Many storytimes are more than just stories and include fingerplays, songs, musical instruments and sometimes  Read more...