Indianapolis Children's Museum - Free Nights & Summer Coupon

Well today is my son's last day of kindergarten, so summer has officially begun!  I have a long list of things I've been promising my kiddos for months - things we haven't had time to do during the school year - and I'm excited to start plugging away at fun activities.  One we're going to start with is the Children's Museum in Indianapolis. 

This Thursday, June 6th, is the first Thurs of the month, and is a FREE night at the Children's Museum (4-8pm).  We're going to take advantage of the FREE rate, as the cost is usually pretty prohibitive!  If you can't make it on of of their free nights but want to go, check out their website for a summer coupon they're offering for $6 off adult admission or $25 off a membership (see below). 

Target Free Family Nights

Open free for families 4 p.m.–8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note: Due to the Fourth of July holiday, July's Target Free Family Night will be July 11, 2013, the second Thursday of the month.

Summer Discount aLERT!

$6 off An Adult Admission per a Paid Youth Admission (2 per household). Good through June 21, 2013.

GET THE COUPON

 

DIG Into Reading: Summer Reading Program at the Library

The summer reading program at the Marion Public Library starts this week: Monday, June 3 - Saturday, July 27.  The program is for preschoolers through 8th graders, and is a great activity for kiddos.  In addition to reading incentives (little gifts like Frosty's from Wendy's, stickers, Culver's cones, etc.) built into each week of the summer, each month there are activities/programs at the library, from Musicians to Magicians to Recycling classes to a Scientist and even a Civic Theatre musical (Oliver).  At the end of the summer they have a completion party and even give away a couple of bikes. 

To sign up for the summer reading program and to get all the info, stop by the library this week!  In addition to a kids program, they also have a reading program for TEENS and ADULTS.  I can never say it enough - Marion is SO fortunate to have such a great library - if you haven't been taking advantage of it, you SHOULD! 
 

For more info, see below or CLICK HERE.  

Dig Into Reading

Monday June 3 through Saturday, July 27 2012

Preschool through Eighth Grade

 How the Program Works

• You'll receive a summer reading sheet to record the minutes you read this summer.
• We'll be offering a variety of programs, give-aways, and contests all summer, so pick up a list of events and drop in as often as possible.
• Everyone who completes the program will be invited to a final party with certificates and rewards.
• The library welcomes children of all abilities.

Programs

Weekly:

• Lunch on the Lawn: Every Tuesday at noon, starting June 4th through July 23th. Bring your lunch to our courtyard and enjoy stories read by local dignitaries.
• Dig Into Summer Fun!: Every Tuesday at 1pm, starting June 4th through July 23th. Dig into summer fun with various activities offered each Tuesday.
• Crafts with Mrs. Clare: Every Wednesday at 2pm, starting June 5th through July 24th for children in 1st through 6th grades (sign up required).

June:

• Musician - Tom Sieling: "Howl at the Moon with a Ground-Dweller Tune: Wednesday June 5th at 2pm. Tom Sieling is a singer and guitarist/banjoist. Fun, humorous, VERY participatory (sometimes even a bit athletic!) songs for kids that engage the whole family.
• Dig into Recycling: Wednesday June 12th @ 2pm. Susan Eichhorn from East Central Indiana Solid Waste District will demonstrate why and how to compost for your summer garden.
• Kids Sign Language Class: Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21 from 10am-11am. Linda Taylor from Services for the Visually and Hearing Impaired will present these classes.
• The Tortoise, the Hare, and Other Aesop's Fables: Tuesday, June 18 at 2pm. Minnetrista Theatre brings five of Aesop's most treasured stories to life with bright costumes, quirky characters, singing and dancing! This will enchant children and adults alike with live puppetry theatre.
• Stevens Puppets presents Rumpelstiltskin!: Thursday, June 27 at 2pm. Celebrating their 80th year of producing unforgettable and one-of-a-kind marionette productions for children of all ages. These puppets are truly a national treasure!

July:

• Silly Safaris - Coyote Chris: Wednesday, July 10 at 2pm. Come and see animals that live underground.
• Marion Civic Theatre - Oliver: Wednesday, July 25th at 6pm. Meet in the connector and walk over to the Marion Civic Theatre for a tour and a sneak preview of Oliver, their summer musical.
• Magician CR Ryan: Wednesday, July 24th at 2pm. A father-son duo will perform a 45-minute stage show, "Dig Into MAGIC!"

August:

• Xtreme Science Magic: Saturday, August 10th at 2pm. Don O'Brien and his son Shane will present their science magic that will impress and inspire you.
• Completion Party: Saturday, August 10th at 3pm. Those who completed the requirements of the Summer Reading Club will enjoy refreshments, learn the winners of the boy's and girl's bicycles, and other surprises.

Lego Club at the Marion Public Library

Several months ago a generous donor gave thousands of dollars of LEGO kits to the Marion Public Library (MPL).  The creative library gals have been planning what they can do with the donation, and the first ever LEGO CLUB (Kindergarten - 6th Graders) has sprung out of the donation!

One day each month this summer (either a Monday or a Saturday), the MPL is hosting a LEGO club.  Among other things, kids will:
-build their own LEGO creation
 -have their picture taken with their LEGO creation
-have their creation displayed at the library
-sign-up to receive LEGO club magazine

-build a new creation each month
-have the chance to win a LEGO kit each month

You must SIGN-UP ahead of time to reserve your spot for this fun summer activity.

Head to the Marion Public Library and sign up for one day each month.

June - Mon, June 3 from 3-4pm OR Sat, June 8 from 11-12pm
July - Mon, July 8 from3-4pm OR Sat, July 6 from 11-12pm
August - Sat, Aug 3rd from 11-12pm OR Mon, Aug 5 from 3-4pm

For more info, call the MPL (600 S Washington St  Marion, IN 46953)

(765) 668-2900.

http://www.marion.lib.in.us/

Marion Open Air Market

 Below from and email feed from showmegrantcounty.com  - if you haven't signed up already, this is a great tool to keep you updated with happenings in GC, especially in the summer!

Visit Marion, Indiana's Open Air Market Every Saturday

Have you checked out Marion, Indiana's Open Air Market? Visit the market each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. beside Marion's Mississinewa River Walk entrance at the corner of 1st and Adams Street, to peruse and purchase locally made and grown items. The market is producer only, meaning only local artisans are on hand to sell their homemade wares. Vendors include Creator's Glory Herbs, Donut Divas, Mama Pearson's Soaporium, and many, many more. Live music is available most Saturdays.

So come on down and find some Real Deals on Real Local products. 

First Fridays Begin Friday, May 3, 2013 (Main Street Marion)

Sorry for my hiatus from postings... life has been a wee crazy - looking forward to the summer and ready to shift gears a bit!  A great way to start of the summer is Main Street Marion's FIRST FRIDAY!  These events are the first Friday of every month, starting this week (Friday, May 3) through September. 

If you haven't been to these, they're essentially downtown carnivals/festivals.  Usually rides, street vendors, local organizations.  Take some cash, as there is a charge for food & rides, and a stroller/some good walking shoes.  There is usually some kind of free entertainment that is a lot of fun! 

Main Street Marion’s First Friday

Hosted by Main Street Marion, featuring live entertainment, artisans, crafts and children’s activities.  Join the fun at the Riverfront District.  Contact Main Street Marion for additional information at 765-662-1192 or visit Main Street Marion’s website.

Event Date(s)

05/03/2013 5:00 pm - 05/03/2013 9:00 pm
Save this Event to your iCal Calendar

Location

Downtown Riverfront - Marion

1st Street & Adams Street

Marion, IN 46952
Get Directions

Free Educational Apps from Kindergarten.com in April

 My husband and I were just talking about educational apps for my 5 year old last night... he loves the iPad and iPhone, but there is only so much Sonic we want him playing.  The iPhone is a huge lifesaver when I'm at an appointment and he's waiting for me, or after school when he has to come back to work with me for an hour + each day, but we need something better.... ENTER Kindergarten.com's free education apps!  Check out their website for complete list and take advantage of these NOW! 

  

Kindergarten.com....  Learning Through Play

While lessons from books are great, children learn through play far better than they do in many other forms. There are several reasons for this. When learning is viewed as fun, children are much more willing to participate. They want to jump in and have a good time. As a parent, the more that you can teach through play, the more your child will retain.

At Kindergarten.com our mission is to produce education apps that emphasize the pure enjoyment of learning for your child.
To download our ABA apps please click here >

Cheap Eggs for Easter & Milk - Aldi's!

Well, you can tell it has been a busy time of year when my last post was March 7th!  I'm on spring break with my boys now, and enjoying some down time! We're having people over for Easter, so I'm hoping we can spend some time cleaning & getting ready this week for Easter, as well as dying some eggs!

This week, through Saturday, March 30th, Aldi's has their Grade A Large dozen eggs on sale for $.49!  Their HORMONE FREE milk is also on sale for $1.79... what a deal! 

Remember, if you're a Walmart shopper, Walmart will MATCH the Aldi's price if you tell them at the register.

Happy Spring Break/Easter!