Maple Sugaring Weekend at Nixon Park

http://yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation/events/christmas-magic.html

 

 

Maple Sugaring Weekend at Nixon Park is happening Saturday, February 22 from 9:30am-4pm and Sunday, February 23 from 12-4pm.  For $2 per person (free for 5 and under) for both days, your family or group can participate in activities including tours, crafts and more.  Park members are free with their membership card; groups of 10 or more should call 717-428-1961 to pre-register.

The schedule of events includes the following: 

Saturday, February 22-
10am-3pm Tours of the Sugarbush.  Ongoing hourly tours include hands-on demonstrations, pancake eating, a talk by the Hammer Hollow Maplers and a trip to the Red Maple Grove. 

8:30am-dusk Story walk.  Take a short, self-guided tour along a trail through the park to read a story about maple sugaring.  The story is attached to posts throughout the trail. 

10:30am AND 1:30pm Sugarbush Story Time.  Gather in the Nature Center for a maple sugaring story for kids.

Sunday, February 23-
12-3pm Tours of the Sugarbush.  Ongoing hourly tours include hands-on demonstrations, pancake eating, a talk by the Hammer Hollow Maplers and a trip to the Red Maple Grove. 

8:30am-dusk Story walk.  Take a short, self-guided tour along a trail through the park to read a story about maple sugaring.  The story is attached to posts throughout the trail. 

Birthday Parties in York, PA: Visit from Batman

There is no shortage in York in the birthday party department.  From the simple and affordable to the party of the century, there's a party for every prince, princess, superhero or sports star in York.  I'm now writing a series to cover as many birthday party venues that I can find in York County (and worthwhile nearby areas).  I'll include current pricing, location, offerings and any other details I can find.  Each post will be a new party!  I have not personally used the services of most of these companies, so reviews will usually not be included.  If a review is shared or emailed I will consider adding it to the posts for reference.  

Comic Store West offers appearances by Batman and will come to your birthday party*.  For 30 minutes, birthday attendees can get their photo taken with Batman and each child will receive a comic book.  Prices vary.  

Comic Store West is located at  
2111 Industrial Highway
York PA 17402
(717) 845-9198
*Batman will travel up to 30 miles, including locations in York, Gettysburg, Shrewsbury and other nearby locations.  Email csw_batman@comcast.net for a price quote. 

Birthday Parties in York, PA: Bricks 4 Kidz Birthday Parties

There is no shortage in York in the birthday party department.  From the simple and affordable to the party of the century, there's a party for every prince, princess, superhero or sports star in York.  I'm now writing a series to cover as many birthday party venues that I can find in York County (and worthwhile nearby areas).  I'll include current pricing, location, offerings and any other details I can find.  Each post will be a new party!  I have not personally used the services of most of these companies, so reviews will usually not be included.  If a review is shared or emailed I will consider adding it to the posts for reference.  


Birthday Parties in York, Pa starts off with Bricks 4 Kidz Lego parties.  Bricks 4 Kidz offers birthday parties for kids of all ages and are appropriate for boys and girls.  They offer many themes, including current favorites like Minecraft.  In addition to their party packages, Bricks 4 Kidz offers extras and add-on items for their parties, including custom cupcakes, goodie bags and the Race Car Factory.  You choose the location of your party- home, a rented space in a building or another predetermined spot.   

Packages:
  
Deluxe Party Package (up to 10 children) $150.00  

1.  90 minutes of LEGO(R) or DUPLO(R) fun. 
2.  Bricks 4 Kidz invitations & thank-you cards.
3. $8.00 per additional child. 

Premier Party Package (up to 10 children) $200

1. 90 minutes of LEGO(R) or DUPLO(R) fun. 
2. Bricks 4 Kidz invitations & thank-you cards. 
3. T-shirt for the Birthday child. 
4. Cups, cake plates, napkins, forks for each child.C
5. Custom mini-figure for each child (or DUPLO(R) figure for preschool parties). 
6. $12 per additional child.

The Workz (up to 10 children) $250

1. 90 minutes of LEGO(R) or DUPLO(R) fun.
2. Bricks 4 Kidz invitations & thank-you cards.
3. T-shirt for the Birthday child.
4. Cups, cake plates, napkins, forks for each child.
5. Custom mini-figure for each child.
6. Goody bag for each child (includes a model of their choice: helicopter, rocket, dragster, airplane or bag of basic LEGO(R) bricks).
7. Helium balloon for each child.
8. $16 per additional child.

Extras and Add-on Items:

• Goody bags for each child (includes model of choice – helicopter, rocket, dragster, airplane): $6.00 per child.
• Race Car Factory (includes a take-home LEGO(R) race car) : $6.50 per child.
• Extra 1/2 hour of fun: $50.00.
• Pizza: $15.00 for each large one-topping pizza (plates included).
• Drinks: $6.00 for three 2 liter bottles of lemonade or soda.
• Bricks 4 Kidz t-shirt for each child: $8.00.
• Snack & juice box for each child (choice of pretzels, potato chips or Goldfish(R)): $2.00 per child.
• Bricks 4 Kidz also offer several cupcake & food options from Honeycomb Sweets and The Busy Bee.

 Themes

• Minecraft
• Superheroes
• Chima
• Space/Star Wars
• Ninjago
• Sports
• Animals
• Amusement Park
• Remote Control Cars
• Mindstorm Battle Bots ($50 extra/10 kids)
• Girlz  - LEGO necklaces ($3 per necklace), stamping, spin art
• And more…

 

Owl Walk at Nixon Park

Note- this event is appropriate for ages 10 and older.  

Owl Walk at Nixon Park

On Friday, January 17th from 7-9:30 pm at Nixon Park, a wildlife rehabilitator will join staff to give visitors an up-close look at some local species and take you on an outdoor hike to search and call for owls.  

No flashlights, with the exception of deep red-tinted lights, are permitted.  Dress appropriately for the outdoor hike.  While this is a free event, donations to support local wildlife rehabilitation will be accepted.  




























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Stay Home, Stay Warm. 5 Activities to Beat the Winter Blues

Brrrr!

If case you didn't know, it's freezing outside!  The roads are slippery and there are warnings from all the local news stations telling you to stay inside unless you have to be out in this weather.  What is there to do when the weather outside is frightful?  Plenty!  Here are some ideas to get the wheels in your home turning so that these cold winter days aren't full of electronic-playing, bored children.  

1. Make Oobleck.  This is a super fun science activity that just requires water and corn starch and will have you and your kids asking, "is it a liquid or is it a solid?".  
What you'll need: 1 c water, 1.5-2c corn starch.  Optional: food coloring
Directions: start with 1 cup of water and 1.5 cups of corn starch and mix in a bowl.  Add food coloring if you wish.  Submerge a finger (or utensil if you would prefer to stay clean) and if it hardens where you touch it, it's ready.  If it reacts like a solid then add more corn starch.  When it's ready, keep it in the bowl or pour it into a few if you have more than one child.  You could also pour it into a cookie sheet that has sides or a pan.  Anything will do, as long as it can't spill over, because it will!  

Our Oobleck

Play!  You can pour it, roll it into a ball (as long as you use forceful pressure), "walk" across it with your fingers to see if they sink, lay your hand flat across it and watch it sink.  Try to squish a bunch in your hands then stop and watch it liquify.  I've even seen videos where they make a huge amount and have their kids run across it!  It is potentially very messy, but it is really easy to clean up with a damp wash cloth. 

2. Make Snow Ice Cream.  There's snow everywhere, so take advantage!  
What you'll need: 8 cups of snow, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Help your kids gather the snow (or let them do it if you trust their snow instincts) and place in a large bowl.  Add the condensed milk and extract.  Mix well and serve immediately.  Makes 8-10 servings. 

3. Make Corn Starch Clay for Ornaments or Play.  This looks much nicer than the popular salt dough and is just as fun to play with.  In case you only have the ingredients for salt dough, or you want to compare for yourself the link provides a nice comparison with photos and I'll include directions for the salt dough.  Get started on Christmas 2014 or just make it for fun. 
-What you'll need: (Corn Starch Clay) 1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups baking soda, 1 1/4 cups water.  Optional: food coloring.  Combine in a pan on the stove set on low heat.  Add food coloring if you wish.  Stir until thick (5-10 minutes).  Let it cool then then knead it until smooth.  Make your ornaments or play.  Use Play Doh tools if you have any. Bonus: warming your kitchen!
-What you'll need: (Salt Dough) 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, 2 cups flour.  Blend well and knead until smooth.  No heating necessary.  Play or make your ornaments. 

4. Break out the cardboard.  12 toys/activities from cardboard.  These ideas cover many age groups and hobbies.  
What you'll need: cardboard, imagination and each activity has items including yard or ribbon, markers, scissors, fabric, etc.  This activity allows for so much creativity.  If you make the cars you can have your very own drive-in movie in your living room.  No admittance without an awesome car and license!!  

5. Make a coffee filter snowflake.  Decorate the house or keep the kids busy, either way these easy snowflakes will look fabulous.  You can make these with regular paper (scrap paper works too!) as well.  
What you'll need: coffee filters or paper, scissors.  

Bonus activity: 45 chores for ages 18 months-7 years and beyond.  Get your house clean and make it a family affair.  Blast some fun music to make it feel less like work. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope this year brings you everything you hope for!  It's time to talk resolutions.  Some are dreadful or downright impossible but if you can't think of any resolutions I'm here to help.  Here are a few suggestions for your whole family:

-Visit Central Market weekly to support local business.  Try a new food or a new recipe from many of the Market's vendors.  Take a walk around the neighborhood to find many amazing shops.
-Visit a new park in York every month, like Springettsbury Park, Rocky Ridge, Sam Lewis or Pinchot.  Play on the playgrounds, take a hike, rent a boat or do it all!
-Take a local factory tour.  Sample local products and learn how things are made now and how they were made 100 years ago.
-Attend a local theater production.  There are many family-friendly shows and if you go to Dream Wrights or York Little Theatre they are very affordable. 
-Sign up for a family run or triathalon in York.  There are a few events throughout the year.
-Join a family gym.  Thunderfitness and the York JCC are two options.
-Buy local once per month.  Memberships to local museums as a gift for a family that has run out of room, a stylish new outfit for mom that lets her stand out and show her individuality, a unique gift for a friend at one of York's specialty shops are a few ideas.
-Spend less, but do more family activities.  You can find a few low-cost or completely free activities here on the blog and you never have to drive far to find family fun.  As a family of 6 on a tight budget, we can't go to amusement parks or spend hundreds for an overnight stay at a hotel so we hunt for local activities that are fun but won't put a dent in our budget and love sharing these finds with readers. 

Does anyone have any resolutions for this year?