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

Day Trip - Hiking at Sandia Crest

by Alison

July 13, 2009

Remember my list of 99 Things to Do in Albuquerque? The list is full of great family activities, many that I have not yet done. I'm happy to report that I can cross one more thing off that list - drive to the top of Sandia Crest and enjoy the view.

I call it a day trip, but really it doesn't have to be more than a half day trip. The drive from our home on the west side to the parking lot at the top took just one hour. You'll exit I-40 at the Tijeras exit and head north until you get to Sandia Crest Rd. (highway 536) where you'll turn left. Follow this road (and any signs) to the top of the mountain.

At the top, you'll find a nice viewing area, a visitor's center and a hiking trail (it starts at the far end of the lower parking lot). The hiking trail is a short one - just a quarter mile -  and covers mainly flat terrain, so it's easy for the little ones. The hiking trail connects to other trails if you're looking to do a bit more hiking.

If you go, remember that it's a lot higher than we are down in Albuquerque, so even in the summertime you may need a light jacket. Also, pay attention to the weather forecast, you don't want to get stuck up there during a thunderstorm!

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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 New Mexico National Parks

by Alison

June 16, 2009

Looking for a quick getaway this summer? Look no further than one of New Mexico's National Parks. Here are five that you and your kids are sure to love.

• Bandelier National Monument: Bandelier is located about two hours northwest of Albuquerque, near Los Alamos. Here you'll find ancient dwellings that are thousands of years old. You can explore many of them and there's also opportunities for your little monkey to do some climbing (on ladders). If you'd like to make an overnight trip, there are campgrounds  available. Bandelier also offers a junior ranger program.

• If your little explorer can't get enough of ancient rock dwellings, head south to the Gila Cliff Dwellings where you'll find the seven hundred year old dwellings of the Mogollon people that you can walk around in. The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Park is located about five hours southwest of Albuquerque, near Silver City. Because of the long drive to get there, you'll probably want to combine this with a camping trip and there are plenty of opportunities in the surrounding forest. There is also a junior ranger program.

• White Sands National Monument: No here's something you don't see everyday, 275 square miles of nothing but white sand! Your preschooler will enjoy playing in the sand and even sledding down the hills! White Sands is located about four hours south of Albuquerque, near Alamogordo. If you visit be sure to bring a change of clothing for the drive home (you'll be sandy!) and some sunglasses because the sun reflects quite a bit off of the sand. White Sands offers a junior ranger program 

• If you have a spelunker on your hands, head to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, home of 113 caves and lots of bats! If you visit anytime between now and Mid-October, you can watch nearly 400,000 bats exit the caverns at sunset. Anyone can go on the self-guided tour, but there are age restrictions for the guided tours. Carlsbad Caverns is located about six hours southeast of Albuquerque. There is a junior ranger program as well as a special kids visitors center.

• Petroglyph National Monument:  If you want to stay close to home, then this is the monument for you! Located on the west of town. Enjoy an short hike and check out some of the 20,000 carved images that give this monument its name. There is a junior ranger program, but it is geared toward older kids. Petroglyph offers many events  throughout the year.

Don't forget about the three fee-free weekends coming up this summer! It's a great opportunity to take advantage of the parks that require entrance fees.      Read more...

Explore a National Park this Summer

by Alison

June 15, 2009

Planning your summer vacation? Explore history, nature, and more this summer by visiting one of our country's National Parks. The National Parks system consists of more than 400 cultural, recreational, and historical sites, including the Grand Canyon, The Statue of Liberty, and the Boston Harbor Islands - that's quite a variety! More than a dozen are located in New Mexico and Albuquerque's Petroglyph Monument is on the list, so you really don't have to go far.

A trip to one of the National Parks can consist of just a couple hours or a full weekend (many of them offer camping and other lodging). Check out the list of parks to see if there is one near your vacation destination, or consider one of the parks as vacation destination this summer.

What do the parks have to offer your preschoolers? Aside from the chance to enjoy the great outdoors or perhaps see how people lived long ago, many of the parks offer junior ranger programs. This program works well for families with kids of different ages because there are often different activity books for kids of varying ages and abilities. If you visit White Sands this summer, your preschooler can pick up an activity book with coloring pages, puzzles, and a scavenger hunt all designed just for four and five year olds. If your child completes all of the activities, s/he can earn a junior ranger patch! There is also the web ranger site with plenty of games that are easy enough for your little one. This site would be a great way to prepare for your National Park visit or just a fun way to use up computer time!

This summer, the National Parks Service has announced three fee-free weekends. If you're planning a trip to one of the parks that requires an entry fee (including many in New Mexico), consider planning your trip for one of these weekends (the first is this weekend).

Check back tomorrow, it's list day and I'll have a list of five New Mexico National Parks you don't want to miss.
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5 Places to Practice Counting

by Alison

February 03, 2009

This month the national Being Savvy blog is focusing on pre-math skills. Counting, of course, falls into that category. So here are five places that you'll find some unique counting opportunities. Dion's Pizza: Dion's Restaurants are equipped with a pizza viewing stations that let your child easily view the pizza making action. Count the pizzas you see, how many pizza ovens there are  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
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History Lesson: Petroglyph National Monument

by Alison

October 07, 2008

It's estimated that Petroglyph National Monument may be home to over 25,000 petroglyph images. These old rock drawings are sure to be of interest to your preschooler. Start your day of exploration at the Riconada Canyon Trailhead (it's off of St. Joseph Ave.). The trail is a two and a half mile loop, but since you'll start to see some petroglyphs about 100 yards in, there's no need to do  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...