The United Way's Focus on Our Future program presents Love 2 Learn at the West Manchester Mall on Saturday February 9, 2013 from 10am-1pm.
Love 2 Learn is geared toward families with children ages 7 and younger and emphasis is put on literacy, math, science, art, music and dramatic play. Activities include face-painting, educational games, child IDs, reading time, musical instrument demo, crafts and more. Additionally there will be a goodie bag for the first 200 kids and a wishing well with donations going toward teacher scholarships.
For more information please contact
Sara Bradley, Focus On Our Future Director at 717-771-3808 or email at
bradleys@unitedway-york.org
Discover the Dinosaurs is coming to the York Expo Center (AKA, The York Fairgrounds. The link to Discover the Dinosaurs on the York Expo website is incorrect due to a spelling error.) in February. From Friday February 1, 2013- Sunday February 3, 2013 families with dinosaur fans can learn all about the prehistoric creatures, from realistic scenes to a dino dig to dinosaur-themed inflatables, dino theater and much more. Some attractions at the event are not included in the ticket price. This event is on the pricy side, but hardcore dinosaur fans will have a lot to experience!
Tickets for this event can be purchased at the door. Ticket prices are:
$16 for 12 years and older
$11 for kids ages 2-11
$11 for seniors ages 65+
Discount tickets for Friday, February 1 can be purchased online.
The hours for Discover the Dinosaurs:
Friday, 2/1 from 12-9pm
Saturday 2/2 from 10am-8pm
Sunday 2/3 from 10am-7pm
An Update:
I've started hearing some complaints about Discover the Dinosaurs at the Expo center. I noticed on the website that they stated that some of the activities are not included in the admission price but what I'm hearing is that nothing is included in the admission price except for the exhibit (which is reportedly about a 5 minute walk-though) and that everything else requires tickets. The tickets are $2 each or 12 for $20 and each activity "costs" about 3 tickets. You can also get a wristband for $20 that would include all of the activities except mining for gems. If you've visited let us know your experience please!! Also, you can join in on the conversation about Discover the Dinosaurs going on on the York, Pa Families Facebook page.
York, PA is the factory tour capital of the world. Carrying that title means there are no shortages to tours in York. Many of these tours are family-friendly, free and fun and those are the ones you will find here! In addition to being family-friendly, these tours would work well for home schooling groups, scout troops and other groups.
Today we will be looking at Wolfgang Candy Company, located at 50 East 4th Avenue
York, PA 17404.
Wolfgang requires reservations for all tours, and you can register here. The Wolfgang Chocolate Tour includes a visit to the museum where you can see the history of chocolate-making, antiques, a video of the Wolfgang candy-making process and a visit to Das Sweeten Haus- the candy store.
Some important details about the tour:
-No cameras.
-The tour includes 1/4 mile of walking, 2 flights of stairs.
-No jewelry (with a few exceptions), tank-tops or sleeveless tops, food, gum, candy.
-There are nut products in the factory.
-Wear clean clothing.
Other important information:
-Anyone wearing nail polish or fake nails must wear gloves.
-Close-toed shoes are recommended. Anyone wearing open-toed shoes will be provided with shoe covers.
-Hair nets and beard nets must be worn and will be provided.
-Nothing may be carried above the waist, including purses.
-There are some handicapped and stroller restrictions; the museum and Das Sweeten Haus are accessible to everyone.
Most of these rules are in place to protect the candy. No one wants to find an earring or piece of hair in their chocolate!!
Tour times from Labor Day-May 31 are started on the hour and are as follows (reservations are required):
Monday-Thursday
10am
2pm
Tour times from June 1- Labor Day are also started on the hour and are as follows (reservations required):
Monday-Thursday
9am
10am
11am
1pm
2pm
If you are interested in just visiting the store, Wolfgang Das Sweeten Haus Store Hours are:
Monday-Friday from 8am-6pm
Saturday from 9am-3pm
Before your visit you can take a virtual tour of the Wolfgang Factory!
Next in our Kick the Winter Blues in York series is Bowling Leagues for Kids in York, PA. There is a decent selection of bowling alleys in York when you want to have an afternoon family bowling session, a fun evening out of the house or are looking for the right, affordable sport for your child. Today's focus is on youth leagues.
Affordable bowling leagues for kids in York:
Suburban Bowlerama's 8 for 8 Kids Club is a youth league for kids ages 5-14 and includes all experience levels. The cost for the 8 for 8 Kids Club is $8/week and it runs for 8 weeks, beginning January 19, 2013 and ending March 9, 2013. When your child joins this league they will receive a FREE bowling ball, a basic youth membership with USBC including a membership card, USBC recognized average, eligibility for tourments and league award emblems. Sign up for the 8 for 8 Kids Club.
Colony Park North's Toys R Us League begins January 19, 2013 at 12:30pm for ages 3-15. The cost for this league is $8.75/week and includes shoe rental. At the end of the season, all bowlers get a $25 Toys R Us gift card! Contact Russ or Jennifer at Colony Park North for more information about this league at 717-848-6262 or via the contact form.
Keep an eye out for other bowling activities in York on the blog soon. There are many so they will be split into categories including family bowling, glow bowling and more.
Join Martin Library on Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 1:30-3:30pm for their Play Space Kick-Off, where they will have toys available to play with for the first time, information for adult visitors from local agencies, entertainment and stories. This event will be held in the Children's Library at Martin Library.
Contact Laura O'Grady at 717-849-6946 for more information about this event.
Ski Roundtop has a cardboard derby coming up on January 27, 2013 at 4pm at the Mountain View Lodge. Two divisions- over 18 and under 18 allow any age group to participate. All teams of up to 5 participants must create a cardboard derby construction that includes cardboard, tape, string, glue and paper. Items not permitted: wood, metal, fiberglass, hard plastic. All members of the team must be able to ride in the construction. There will be prizes awarded to 1st-3rd place in both divisions and also judged categories including orginality, team spirit and construction.
The entry fee is $30 per team but if your form is received in the Ski Roundtop office by January 19, 2013 the fee is only $20 per team. All participants from the Barnyard Bonanza Cardboard Derby will receive a one day Ski Roundtop Snow Tubing ticket to be used at a later date!
Other requirements/information:Helmets are required, the race is on the snow, dress for the weather, teams must remove their craft from the property after the event, the craft must have handles so it may be carried 100 yards, photos from the event may be used for promotions, every participant (or their guardian) must sign a release form. Check in time is 3pm and the race and judging begins at 4pm.
To register for this event, fill out the form found on the Ski Roundtop Cardboard Derby page and return it by January 22, 2013.
Teens in York can kick their winter blues by joining the Winter Beach Party at Martin Library on Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 1-3pm. They are celebrating summer in winter with activities and snacks and all teenagers are invited! The Winter Beach Party will be held in the Family Place at Martin Library.
You can contact Grace Thackston at 717-846-5300 x233 for more information about this event.
Did you know that you can still go roller-skating in York? Roll 'R' Way is still still alive and doing very well- they are (or have just completed) refinishing their floors, so they are new and improved! Roll 'R' Way is located at Roll 'R' Way Family Skating Center, 940 Ave. York, PA 17403. Phone: 843-7500. The admission prices I've listed do not include skate rentals but you are allowed to bring your own if you have them:
Tuesday- 10am-12pm ($3.50/person)
Thursday- 6:30-8:30pm ($3.50/person)
Friday- 7-10pm ($5/person)
Saturday- 1-5pm ($5/person)
3-5pm ($3.50/person)
8-11pm ($5/person)
Sunday- 1-5pm ($5/person or $10 family skate- max. 6 family members)
7-9:30pm Hip Hop Urban Night/ Dollar Admission Night ($1/person)
Sunday is the best if you're looking for a value. They also have special event skates, including Scout Night where boy and girl scouts can get in free (with their troop or by themselves) if they bring ID or wear their uniform, Skate the Date night and more. You can even have your next birthday or other party there, and the prices are reasonable.
Mary Brown will be telling stories at Brown's Orchards every Thursday in January at 9:30am. Story time is free and is located in the cafe.
The story time schedule at Brown's is as follows:
1/3/13
1/10/13
1/17/13
1/24/13
1/31/13
Brown's Orchards and Farm Market is located at:
8892 Susquehanna Trail South, Loganville, PA 17342
Phone: (717) 428-2036
