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

Stargazing With Your Preschooler

by Alison

July 20, 2009

Ask your child to look up and tell you what he sees. Chances are he'll say he sees the sky, but what can he see in the sky and what are some ways to teach him about the sun, moon, and stars?

If you are looking for an opportunity to let your child see the stars, but aren't too keen on keeping him up past bedtime, then what about a visit to the planetarium? The planetarium at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History has three shows to choose from. There's a show about dinosaurs, one primarily about the moon and earth and what makes our earth unique, and another one that will teach her all about constellations. Admission to the show is $4 for children 3-12 and $7 for adults.

If you'd rather stay home, create your own planetarium by following the directions on this website. You could create any star design you want, but why not take this chance to introduce your child to a familiar constellation such as the big dipper? Need a constellation refresher? Check out the interactive night sky map at astroviewer.com

If you are up for a late night, be sure to choose a clear one (you don't want the clouds to block your view!) and print out a map that will give you an idea of where to look and what to look for.

If you're in a crafty mood, use toothpicks and marshmallows to create some constellations. This website describes how to create greenhouse gas models using such materials, you can use the same idea to create your constellations.  Read more...

5 Options for (Cheap!) Summer movies in Albuquerque

by Alison

May 26, 2009

A visit to the movie theater can be quite a treat. A big screen, a bag of popcorn or another treat, and a fun show to watch. This summer, Albuquerque has plenty of opportunities for you to share the moviegoing experience with your kids - and at a price you can't beat! It's the perfect first movie experience for your kids since you aren't out too much money if you have to leave early.

1. Cinemark Movies 8

2. Cinemark Movies West 

Both of these theaters offer the Summer Movie Clubhouse. Each week one kid-friendly film such as Kung Fu Panda or Horton Hears a Who is shown (you have two days each week to choose from). Admission is just $1 or 50 cents if you pre-purchase a punch card. Shows start at 9:30 am. Movies West does not have their schedule up yet, but I have been assured that they are participating and was told that their schedule may be the same as Movies 8.

3. UA Four Hills

4. UA Cottonwood Stadium  

Both of these theaters have a free family film festival that begins the first week of June and runs through the end of July. Here you can choose between movies such as Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie or Curious George and the movies are absolutely free!  Each week there are two different movies to choose from.

5. City of Albuquerque's Civic Cinema Series

This one's for mom and dad. Throughout the summer, free movies will be shown on the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza. Enjoy movies such as Grease and War of the Worlds. The movies start late (9:00pm), but if you think your little ones are up for it, ET: The Extra-Terrestrial will be shown on July 24. You are welcome to bring your own food. Seating and tables will be provided, but you may want to bring your own.

 
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Family Movie Night

by Alison

May 25, 2009

Looking for a fun way to spend a Friday evening with your family? Why not have a family movie night. It can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be and if your kids enjoy snuggling around the TV with you, it'll be something they are sure to enjoy! Here are some ideas for making it unforgettable for your little ones.

• If you have more than one child, keep the arguments to a minimum and have mom or dad choose the movie.  Or, if you plan on this becoming a weekly tradition, have the kids alternate who gets to pick. 
• Make Tickets (or have your kids make them). They don't need to be elaborate, but If your kids can read be sure to have the movie name and time on it, that will make it all the more real for them. Distribute the tickets beforehand and make sure someone is on hand to collect them at showtime and perhaps even usher the moviegoers to their seats.
• Turn the kitchen into a concession stand, give everyone their own snack bag and let each family member decide what to fill his or her bag with. If you want to throw a money and math lesson in, price the different "concessions" and give everyone some coins or play money to make their purchases with.
• Don't forget to turn off the lights and close the blinds so the atmosphere will be just right.
• If you have access to a projector, take the movie night outside. Throw up a white sheet on a wall and project the movie onto the sheet.
• Turn it into a dinner show and eat dinner while you watch the movie (this is probably only a good idea if you can see your TV from an eating area).
• Keep the movie night really inexpensive by borrowing some DVDs from the library. Check the backs beforehand to make sure they aren't too scratched up - the last thing you want is your movie night ruined by a movie that is constantly skipping!

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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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Weekly Round-up: The New (To Us) Park Edition

by Alison

March 12, 2009

I recently updated the post, 99 Things to Do in Albuquerque Before Your Child Grows Up , to actually include 99 things! I received a lot of help and ideas from others and while compiling them all, I got so excited to actually do some of them! It's my hope that at least twice a month, I'll venture out with the kids and cross off one of the things on the list. This week, we explored a new playground (#43). We went to Columbus Park , which is located near Griegos and 12th St. The boys both had a great time. It's a large park with lots of grass, tennis courts, covered picnic tables, basketball courts, and of course play equipment! It was perfect for the preschool crowd and grade schoolers would enjoy it too. My 20-month-old had fun running around on all the ramps and there weren't too many places where I was afraid he might try and jump off!

 

 

If you're looking for an activity for this weekend, check the list, otherwise here are some events that might interest you:

This Weekend:

Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival at Expo New Mexico - Children can create their own works of art the Creation Station and watch a magic show. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (March 13, 14, 15) from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm each day.

Horno Oven Bread Baking Demonstration at Petroglyph National Monument Visitor's Center - Watch how traditional Indian Bread is made. Saturday, March 14 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Free Fishing Derby at Tingley Beach - Catch a golden trout and win a prize! The lake will be stocked with 5000 rainbow trout just for this event. Saturday, March 14 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Start! Heart Walk at the Bosque School - A great way to exercise as a family and help out a good cause. Radio Disney will be there beginning at 9:00 am, the race begins at 10:00 am. Saturday, March 14 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

St. Patrick's Day Balloon Rallye in Los Lunas -  Enjoy arts and crafts, music, food, and of course balloons!  Saturday and Sunday (March 14, 15) 7:00 am both days.

Book Signing at Borders (Westside Location) - Kersten Hamilton will be signing copies of the children's book Red Truck. Sunday, March 15 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Camp BioPark Registration Begins - Sign your child up for a fun summer camp at the BioPark. Monday, March 16

Coming Soon:

Dinosaur Crafts at Lomas Tramway Library - Children ages 2 and up can choose from two crafts to make and take home. Friday, March 20 3:00 - 5:00 pm (drop in at your convenience)

"Dinosaurs and Other Monsters of New Mexico" at Lomas Tramway Library - Touch real dinosaur fossils. Saturday, March 21 2:00 pm

Book Signing at Borders (Westside Location) - Jill Lane will be signing copies of her activity book New Mexico A-Z and Kathy Barco will be signing copies of her book, READiscover New Mexico. Saturday, March 21 1:00 pm -3:00 pm

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Special Storytime at Borders - Celebrate the anniversary of this book by Eric Carle. Saturday, March 21 2:00 pm

Every Child Ready to Read Workshop for Parents at Erna Fergusson Library - Learn how to prepare your child for reading. Call 768-5103 to register. Monday, March 23 10:30 am - 11:30 am.

Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club's 40th Annual Show at Expo New Mexico - If your child is into rocks, he or she is sure to enjoy browsing the collection at this show. There will also be visits from a wolf and grab bags for the kids. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (March 20, 21, 22) 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday.

Healthy Family Day at Expo New Mexico - There will be health screenings, demonstrations, music, dancing, and games. Saturday, March 28 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Horno Oven Bread Baking Demonstration at Petroglyph National Monument Visitor's Center - Watch how traditional Indian Bread is made. Saturday, March 28 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

 Read more...

Five Free Albuquerque Activities

by Alison

March 03, 2009

Some days you feel like you must get out of the house, but it would get expensive if each outing meant spending a lot of money!  Here are five free (or nearly free) activities for days like that.

Visit the Kidgets play area at Cottonwood mall.  Meet up with a friend and the kids can play and run around while you get in some adult time. Obviously this one's only free if you limit your shopping to the window variety!

Take advantage of a museum's free day. Several local museums have free admission days during any given month. This posts lists some and I've heard rumors that the Natural History museum is free everyday after 4:00 pm. They also have a handful of free days each year. Don't forget about the new storytime at the balloon museum, museum admission is free to those attending the storytime.

Explore at the Nature Center. Let your kids run around and explore nature. This even works if the day is a bit cold or gray because there's lots of fun stuff in the visitor's center also. If you park on-site, you'll pay a small fee, otherwise, it's a freebie.

Learn a new sport. Head over to a local tennis court and see how good your child is at hitting the balls, if nothing else, he'd probably enjoy chasing down the ones you hit!  Or you could try some frisbee golf, there's a course at Roosevelt park , or you could visit any park with a large open space and create your own.

Play with trains at Barnes and Noble. Each Barnes and Noble has a train table in their children's areas.  This is another one of those nearly free ones because it might be hard to escape with out a new book!  Just be sure and keep Barnes and Noble in mind when you are in the market for some new books.  Read more...

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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Do You Need Something To Do This Weekend?

by Alison

February 06, 2009

There are so many great things for kids in Albuquerque this month. Check out this wonderful list and, as always, if you know of something else, please leave a comment! This Weekend: Valentine's Day Craft at Learning is Fun - Make a Valentine to take home. Daily from 10:00a - 6:00p through February 12th Found Art Workshop at Los Griegos Library - Bring  Read more...

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...

Camps and Classes in Albuquerque

by Alison

January 29, 2009

Enrolling your preschooler in a class can help them explore new things and socialize with kids their own age. It's also a great opportunity for them to learn in a structured (but not too structured) environment and take instruction from others - perfect prep for kindergarten! Are you wondering what Albuquerque has to offer your preschooler in the way of classes and camps? Look no further  Read more...

99 Things to do Before Kindergarten

by Alison

January 27, 2009

Come August, I'll have a kindergartener on my hands. While life as I know it won't cease to exist (or maybe it will?), our schedule will become much different and there will be a lot less time for some of the activities we currently enjoy. Here's the start of a list of things to do before kindergarten: Go to Explora right after lunch. I hear that early afternoon is the least  Read more...

Pretend it's Summer, When Clearly it's Not!

by Alison

January 22, 2009

Each time my four year old sees our little plastic pool outside, he begs me to fill it up and let him swim. It might be warm outside right now, but it's not that warm! Here are a few less cold ideas for pretending it's the middle of summer, and not the middle of winter! Drive through Sonic for some ice cream. Since the cool thing about Sonic is that the carhops bring the order to your  Read more...

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...

Coming Soon...

by Alison

January 15, 2009

Here's the low-down on some local events. One of them just might make the perfect outing for your family! Junior Jumps Open Play Time - Play and explore with your preschoolers and toddlers. Instruments, mats, and other manipulatives will be available. Friday, January 16 10-11:30 am. Cost is $5/child. The class is at Selah Studios which is located near Wyoming and Harper NE.  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...

Make Recycling Fun plus Giveaway Winner

by Alison

January 12, 2009

Last week my son and I watched an episode of Word World where Pig taught Duck all about recycling. Since all the objects in Word World are made from words, recycling there is fun and easy. They just add some new letters to the old word and suddenly a can turns into candy or a candle (which came in handy, since they were making a birthday cake for Frog). Ta-da! Something new from something  Read more...

One Thing That Really Matters to Preschoolers and Five Ways to Achieve It

by Alison

January 06, 2009

All parents know the one thing that really matters to preschoolers. They want the love and attention of their parents. Spending quality time with your kids can sometimes be difficult because kid fun doesn't always equal parent fun. Here are five ideas for some parent/kid fun time: Plan a "Date": You probably spend lots of time together as a family, but how often do you get one-on-one  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...

Fa La La La La. La. La. La. La.

by Alison

December 18, 2008

Introduce your children to a new aspect of the holiday season - the wonderful music! Celebrate the music of the season at these local events, you may start a new, fun family tradition and you may just be inspiring a future musician! Ballet Repertory Theater's production of the Nutcracker runs through Christmas Eve at Kimo Theater. There aren't many tickets left, so act quickly if you  Read more...

Luminarias: How to Make Them and Where to See Them

by Alison

December 11, 2008

Luminarias are a traditional New Mexico Christmas decoration. They are also easy to make, relatively inexpensive and a fun activity to involve your preschooler in (just be sure to have an adult do the actual lighting and keep a close eye on the little ones once they are lit). To make a luminaria, you'll need paper lunch bags, sand, votive candles, and a lighter. Fold down the edges of the  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...

Local Books for Little Ones: Roadrunner's Dance

by Alison

November 17, 2008

To tie into the national Being Savvy blog's monthly theme of books and reading , I'm highlighting some children's books that are written by New Mexicans and/or take place in New Mexico. Today's book is Roadrunner's Dance by Rudolfo Anaya. Mr. Anaya is is probably best known for writing Bless Me, Ultima, but he has also written several books for children. He is a New Mexico  Read more...

What To Do This Weekend

by Alison

November 06, 2008

Here are a few ideas for you if you're wanting a fun family weekend activity The library is hosting a Patron Appreciation Weekend. The theme is "It's Getting Wild at the Library" and events include: Storytelling Book Sale Interactive Science Exhibits from Explora Performances by Recycle-Man, a musician who uses junk and found objects to create his instruments Make and Take Craft  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...

Celebrate Fall

by Alison

October 27, 2008

The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting cooler, and some terrific holidays are just around the corner. That's right, it's Fall! I grew up in Arizona and only thought I knew what seasons were until I spent a few years living on the east coast. Albuquerque may not "do" fall quite like the east, but compared to central Arizona, it's wonderful! Here are some fun ways to celebrate  Read more...

Dia De Los Muertos

by Alison

October 23, 2008

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a popular Mexican festival during which families celebrate their ancestors and loved ones that have died. There are many events throughout Albuquerque that can help you and your preschooler learn more about this celebration The National Hispanic Cultural Center is hosting a Dia de los Muertos Family Day on Saturday the 25th at noon. Learn about  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...

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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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...

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...

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...

5 Things to Do Outside When the Weather is Perfect

by Alison

September 30, 2008

I can't even believe how close to ideal the weather is here in Albuquerque! I could definitely do without the windy Spring days, however. So when the weather is just so beautiful that you feel it's a crime to stay inside here's some fun outdoor ideas for you. Feed the Ducks. You can usually find some hungry ducks at Tingley Beach Park. The Duck Pond at UNM is a good bet also. Another  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...

Exploring the Urban Jungle at the Rio Grande Nature Center

by Alison

September 25, 2008

Is your child way into nature and all things outdoors? Then you'd best head over to the Rio Grande Nature Center (located on Candelaria right by the river). The Rio Grande Nature Center is the perfect place to observe wildlife and enjoy a beautiful Albuquerque day. There are some walking walking trails including a one mile loop that goes through the bosque and near the river. Some of  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...