Showing posts with label winter activities for kids in york. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter activities for kids in york. Show all posts

Sunday, January 5, 2014

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 snowflakeDecorate 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. 












Monday, December 2, 2013

Story Time with Santa at the York Galleria Mall

 
Image source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=6708


Get your pre-school children in the holiday spirit this year with Story time with Santa.  On Wednesday December 4th and Wednesday December 18th from 9:30-10am, visit the Santa Set at the York Galleria Mall in East York for special holiday stories read to the children by Santa.  Photo hours are immediately after story time, with package prices starting at $21.
The Santa Set is located in the JCPenny court. 


Click here for more Christmas and Winter activities and events in York, including other events at the York Galleria Mall.



Holiday image from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Pictures with Santa at the York Galleria Mall


 Image source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=6708

From now until Christmas Eve, kids can visit with Santa at the York Galleria Mall, in the J.C. Penny court.  Santa's photo hours are Monday-Saturday from 10am-9pm, Sunday from 11am-7pm and Christmas Eve from 10am-6pm.  Photo packages begin at $21.  

Click here for more Christmas events in York, including other events happening at the Galleria Mall.  











Holiday image from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Free December Workshop for Kids: Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Via: http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops

With the colder weather comes a higher demand for indoor activities.  Home Depot has just the cure for cabin fever with their free workshops for kids ages 5-12.  The activity for Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 9:00am-12:00pm is to build a Tic-Tac-Toe board game.  These free workshops teach kids safety, DIY skills and give them confidence.  In addition to keeping their board game, all kids receive a certificate of achievement and a workshop apron.  Spaces are limited in the workshops so register online as soon as possible; kits are available on a first come, first served basis. 

A few requests by the Home Depot:
Do not arrive before 9am.
Children must be present to receive the kit.
 
 
There are 2 Home Depots in York County: 
 1 in York located at 2905 E Market Street
York, PA 17402 (717)757-0440
 
The 2nd is located in New Freedom at 960 Far Hills
New Freedom, PA 17349 (717)227-1040

Friday, February 8, 2013

Valentine's Hershey Kiss Bounce with Atomic Bounce

Atomic Bounce is having a Valentine's Hershey Kiss open bounce at the Red Lion Fire Station on Sunday, February 10, 2013 from 6-7:30pm.  The cost is $5 per child and every kid gets a kiss (a Hershey Kiss!)! 

The Red Lion Fire Station is located at
201 W. Broadway Red Lion, PA 17356

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Sugarbush Story Time at Nixon Park

On Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 10:30-11am and 1:30-2pm families can visit Nixon Park and listen to a story about maple sugaring.  Sugarbush Story Time is free and there is no registration required. 

Nixon Park is located in Springfield Township:


View Larger Map

Friday, January 11, 2013

Kick the Winter Blues in York: Bowling Leagues for Kids

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.   





Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Story Time with Mary Brown at Brown's Orchards

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


Monday, December 24, 2012

The Lego Club at the Dillsburg Area Public Library

The Dillsburg Area Public Library has a Lego club the first Thursday of every month from 6-7pm.  The first club meeting will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2012.  This activity is for elementary school-aged children and Legos will be provided.  Finished projects will be displayed at the library. 
You can find out more information by calling the Dillsburg Area Public Library at
717-432-5613.

Winter Small Wonders Series at Nixon Park

The Winter Small Wonders at Nixon Park is a series for children ages 3-4 and their adult to explore and learn about nature.  Classes will explore outside (probably weather permitting) and include crafts and snack. 

The Winter Small Wonders Series costs $35 per child and their adult and is held every Wednesday in January from 1-2:30pm.  You can register by calling 717-840-7440 or you may download the registration packet from the website at www.yorkcountypa.gov

Friday, November 25, 2011

BOP (Bring on Play) Plaza Palooza Celebrates Animals

BOP (Bring on Play) is bringing the event Plaza Palooza to York City each Sunday until December 11, 2011 from 11am-3pm.  Every Sunday families can visit the Brooks Robinson Plaza at the Sovereign Bank Stadium in Downtown York, PA for affordable fun for the whole family.  Admission is $4 per person and you can save on your entry by bringing in select items (see the website above) or getting family season tickets.  Every week is a new theme.  In addition to theme activities there will be inflatables, music, games, photo booth, crafts, laser tag, ice skating and much more.  The Plaza Palooza events are held rain or shine. 

There are only 3 events left this year- don't miss them! 

The themes and activities for Sunday November 27 from 11am-3pm are
Animals
-Bob the Critter Guy
-Frisbee Dog Show and interaction with dogs
-Adoptions from the SPCA
-from 1-3pm "animal" poses with Lotus Moon Yoga (bring your mat)
-Rodeo Round-up Inflatable
-Birdfeeder, dog/cat toy crafts with York Academy PTO
-Animal games with Devers PTO
-Decorate Boomer's doghouse
-Stauffer's cookie toss game
-Animal themed music

 

The themes and activities for Sunday December 4 from 11am-3pm are:
Truck Touch
-Check out lots of vehicles including an emergency vehicle, fire engine, canteen truck, police cruisers and more.
-from 12-2pm caricature drawings by Mel Conrad
-Fire and police badge crafts


The themes and activities for Sunday December 11 from 11am-3pm are:

Winter Wonderland