Wonder Studio: Chrysler Museum

You've probably seen this article about the toddler who knocked down the statue in the recreation center. Things like that can make parents shy away from taking their children to museums like the Chrysler, but there is an answer for that. Opening this weekend, Chrysler Museum's new Wonder Studio is an interactive space for families.

The current exhibit's theme is the Human Figure, and they show that in lots of different ways. The first, and most exciting for R, was the Colorscape. Picture a half-pipe with an explosion of color. There are digital projectors and cameras that track each person's movements and turn them into splashes of color. The projector reacts to different types of jumps, twirls, and turns. R was here for an entire 40 minutes, and he would have stayed longer if we didn't bribe him with food.

The second exhibit is the Artquarium. The best thing about this is that the art is in a clear case, so no knocking it over! It's at a toddler's eye level, and they make sure there is no frontal nudity. (This might not seem like a big deal- but for teachers who have brought a pack of fourth graders to this museum, you know where I'm coming from.) There is a large collection of artwork here in different mediums and from different time periods.

The third exhibit is The Studio, which uses touch screens to allow children to create their own piece of art from pieces of other famous artwork. These will randomly pop onto the screen, so children may see their artwork on display.

The Wonder Studio will open tomorrow during the Chrysler's free Family Day. They will hand out tickets for timed slots, but you can order them online or grab them from the welcome desk when you arrive. The Chrysler Museum is always free for the public, and they have a Tickle My Ears program just for toddlers. They also regularly have their family days. We plan to return to the studio when they change the exhibit, which will be semi-regularly.

Kids Bowl Free: Pinboys

Bowling alleys across the country have come together to create the Kids Bowl Free program, which helps provide kids with something safe and free to do over the summer. Each day, every kid ages 2-18 can bowl two free games. The only thing that they have to pay for is the shoe rental. (Honestly, it may be worth buying some if you're going often, but ours were just $4.00 to rent!) If you want to join your kids, I'd recommend buying their family pass for a one time fee of $34.99 If you enter the code july25, you'll get 25% off too.

Kids can use both bumpers and the bowling ramp for no extra charge to help them. Honestly, I should have used the bumpers too. My bowling is not great. At the end, his score was higher than mine! In the Tidewater area, this is offered at Hampton Century Lanes Bowling Center and Pinboy's at Hilltop.

At Pinboys, they have a snack bar that has both breakfast and lunch/dinner options. There are several kids' meal choices on the menu. Be sure to either download their app or check your email before you go because weekly coupons come out too. This week's was $5.00 off of a large pizza. Pretty good. 

R was excited to push the ball, but he was equally excited to watch the ball come out of the return. Lots of shouts of "Yay!" and squeals of joy when he saw it coming. Sometimes the things that excite this kid make me laugh, but at long as he is having fun, I guess that's what matters! 

Be on the lookout for the green pins. If one is the head pin and you get a strike, you'll get a coupon for a free game of bowling. R actually did this, and I was shocked! Also, Pinboys offers lots of birthday party packages, bowling leagues for kids and adults, and themed nights, so check their website for the list of items. We can't wait to return before the summer ends! Maybe I'll actually knock some pins down this time. 

North Suffolk Library

Neil works out in Suffolk, so I knew I wanted to spend a little time there this summer so that we could meet him for lunch. I checked into the North library, which is the closest to where he works and found that they have several classes. All of the classes at the Suffolk libraries are free and open to the public to attend, as listed below. Check out one of their many activities if you're in the area!

• Itsy Bitsy Babies- Tuesdays, 9:30-10:00 
• Toddler Time- Tuesday & Wednesdays, 10:15-10:45 (This is what we went to!)
• Growing Up Kindergarten- Tuesdays 11:00-11:45 (registration required)
• Tiny Tots- Wednesdays 9:30-10:00
• Story Time and Play- Wednesdays, 11:00-11:45

The library itself has a children's section with a train table, checkers, toys, and large connect four games. The class focused on rhymes, numbers, and letter recognition. There was a weekly at home reading strategy for parents, which I love as a teacher. Our favorite part of the class was the very end. The instructor had a bubble machine and the kids had a bubble dance party. R was all about it.

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is an early literacy program where children from birth to kindergarten are challenged to read 1,000 book before starting kindergarten. The goal is to spark a love of reading. Everyone can register at suffolkpubliclibrary.com/1000books. Books are logged and kids earn digital badges. 

Monday Fundays: For 0-5 years old

Storybook Yoga: July 9, North Suffolk Library  Ages 3+

Picture Book Putt Putt: July 16 Morgan Memorial Library,  and 23 North Suffolk Library

Shake Your Sillies Out: July 30, Morgan Memorial Library, Aug 6 North Suffolk Library

The library also has organized Family Fridays to get the whole family outside this summer. Each Friday the library system hosts a free event from 10:00-11:30. 

• July 13th- What's Found Underground: Lake Meade Park, Fairfield foundation with hands on artifacts.
• July 13th- Tornado Bait Band: Bennett's Creek Park- Live music from a local Suffolk band 
• July 20th- Rocket Launch- Lake Meade Park: Blast off with all girls STEM society through building rockets 
• July 20th- Bubble Party: North Suffolk Library
• July 27th-Rocket Launch: North Suffolk Library- Blast off with all girls STEM society through building rockets 
• July 27th: Lake Meade Park- Tornado Bait Band: Live music from a local Suffolk band

Tickle My Ears: Chrysler Museum

Let the WILD RUMPUS BEGIN! Tickle My Ears is a story and art program at the Chrysler Museum of Art in downtown Norfolk. If you've never been to the Chrysler, it is beautiful, and FREE! On the first Thursday of every month the Chrysler holds their Tickle My Ears program. There are two sessions, 10:30 and 11:00, each session lasting 30 minutes.

The program begins with a story in front of a piece of connected artwork. Afterwards there is a craft. For this session we read the famous "Where The Wild Things Are" in front of art with their own wild things. The reader did a good job of asking questions and keeping the kids engaged.

Then we went into the arts and crafts room and made our own crowns in honor of Max from the story. There were stickers and crayons for the kids to use. Then we tied them closed with ribbon.

Outside of the arts and crafts room is a little toddler area with books, bean bag chairs, and an interactive magnetic wall. R loves the magnets on our fridge and dishwasher, and I think if I had let him he would have played a lot longer.

Also, shout out to the city of Norfolk for always having construction vehicles nearby.

I can see us returning to this once summer is here. I'd like to spend a little more time exploring the museum with R once he is a little older too. If you've never been, check out their glass exhibit. It's beautiful!

(Yes, I know this is like, the same pic from above. but in this one I'm actually looking!) 

Busch Gardens with a Two Year Old

I love amusement parks. I love roller coasters, the shows, the music, and the carnival type food. I spent many, many days at Busch Gardens in middle school, when all of my friends had passes and we would beg parents to drop us off and pick us up. The summer before R was born, I spent 5 weeks living and working up at William and Mary, six minutes from the park. We spent many warm summer nights at the park. When someone suggested that I take big R though, I was afraid he would be too young.

We arrived right at 10:00 when they opened because we wanted to spend as much time as possible in the park before nap time. (You can leave and reenter, but it was too far of a drive for us.) We headed to the Sesame Street Forest of Fun to ride the rides (but not the splash park! Kids see that and start right away, leaving the rides open!) R can be a little bit timid, and he wasn't ready to try the bigger rides, but he loved Oscar's Yucky Forest and didn't want to get out of Bert and Ernie's Loch Adventure. We skipped the meet and greets because R hates mascots, but don't skip it if your kid loves them!

We left the Forest of Fun and looped around to all of the countries. Don't skip out on these because they are not labeled for kids. Each country has something for kids. For those who don't like the rides, there is face painting, Henna tattoos, hair wraps, and paint your own pottery all throughout the park.

Germany/Oktoberfest: Der Autobahn Jr., Der Roto Baron, Wirbelwindchen, Kinder Karussel (the whole family can ride!)
Italy: The Little Balloons, The Little Gliders (parents can ride too!), parents can accompany their child on the Battering Ram, the Elephant Run, and Turkish-Delight
 Ram and The Flying Machine (these aren't kid's rides, but they can ride with a parent)
Scottland: Li'l Clydes
New France: Parents can accompany their kids on Le Catapult and Le Scoot

Also, while not marked as a kid ride, kids can ride the train, the Rhine River Cruise, and the Sky Ride. We ran out of time to catch these, but we really wanted to. That's okay, we have things to look forward to next time!

We then headed over to the Land of the Dragons where R loved the playground and rode several of the rides. Eggery Deggery and Flutter Sputter are both rides that adults can accompany their children. R also rode the Bug-A-Dug (which I think was a little fast for his liking), and Chug-A-Tug, which he loved.

We looped back around to Elmo's Castle to see the Sesame Street show and splash in the fountains. Be aware, the water goes off when the show starts, so if your little one is going to go nuts if they turn off, plan to head there in between shows. This was R's favorite part of the day, and he could have stayed longer if it wasn't for nap time having been long past.

I wish that we had more time to see more of the shows because most of them are air conditioned and usually pretty good for kids. The park has six shows, but my top picks for young ones are the Sunny Day Celebration, Mix It Up, Oktoberzest, and More...Pet Shenanigans. We did take advantage of the fact that the Food and Wine festival is going on, meaning that there are booths representing different countries scattered throughout the park with small plates for sale. We sampled the Mediterranean and Indian, but I had my eye on several more options. All of this is a sign to me- we've gotta get a pass. Children ages 2 and under are free. Once they are three, they can get a free preschool pass until they are five. If you're looking for the preschool pass, be sure to look online early to get it. Also, passes get you a discount on items that you buy. We like to snack all day, but there are buy ahead meal deal options also.

Some tips:
01. Get measured in England right when you walk in. This will get you a wristband and a list of rides that your little one can ride.
02. Bring in water bottles and individual sized snacks.
03. Use the family dryer outside of Escape from Pompi to dry off after the splash pads.
04. Buying the refillable drinks gets you free refills of ice water. Ours is ten years old, and we still take it for free refills. The popcorn bucket is also refillable and a good deal.
05. The park has staggered opening times. Sesame Street Forest of Fun is one of the first to open.
06. There are nursing rooms throughout the park. There is one in the Festhaus, the Land of the Dragons, New France, Marco Polo's Marketplace, and in the Forest of Fun.
07. When using the tram, don't worry about folding your stroller up. The staff will help you get it, just grab your kid!
08. Look for stroller parking all around the park.
09. The KIDsiderate games in Oktoberfest will always have a prize.
10. Use the Child Swap for parents who want to ride the bigger rides. One parent waits in line, the other waits with your child, once you ride, you switch.