Save the Date
Sat, Oct 13: Monster Mash and Dash at Heritage Park - Kaysville
Sat, Oct 13: Air and Space Series: Weather in Air & Space at Hill Aerospace Museum
Sat, Oct 27: Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival at Frontier Homestead State Park
Sat, Nov 3: Harlem Globetrotters at Vivint Smart Home Arena
Fri, Nov 9: Illuminate - Utah's Light Art and Tech Fest 2018 at THE GATEWAY - (N Rio Grande St) Salt Lake City
Fri, Nov 23: Minecraft Create Black Friday Blitz at Code Ninjas Sandy
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Six years ago, I used one of my weekly columns to talk about art, and how to get kids interested in it starting from an early age. The tips in it were well received, and so I augmented them into a longer article with lots more strategies, called Getting Kids Excited About Visiting an Art Museum. That article has received tens of thousands of reads over the years from all over the world.
I was feeling pretty good about our success with this, back then. But one day, Madison pulled me aside. "Mom, I don't know how to break this to you," she said. "But Ella and I don't actually like being dragged to museums. It's just... boring." As you can imagine, I was pretty bummed to hear this, but it triggered some new ideas (and new columns, of course) about being true to one's interests, and how a parent's joys aren't necessarily a child's joys.
This past weekend, Ella and I took a trip to New York City, where we made ample use of Smithsonian Museum Day's free tickets. Ella is taking an Art History class, and just finished up a unit on the Renaissance. So I thought that the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine would be great for Saturday morning; in the afternoon, we'd head down to the Intrepid's Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex, before taking in a show. But lingering in the back of my head, as it has for all of these years since Madison confided in me, was the doubt about whether this was actually a good idea, whether my kid was yet again just being a good sport during a weekend that was supposed to be about her.
I scheduled us on what the Cathedral calls its Vertical Tour, in which you climb around inside the stone walls of the cathedral, all the way up to the top, where you can see the stained glass up close. They even take you above the interior vaulted ceilings under the roof. We had an amazing guide, who was full of wonderful information without being the least bit pompous. And Ella, who has recently been learning about groin vaults and the difference between Romanesque and Gothic architecture, fed me some delightful extra tidbits. I watched how absorbed she was, and it suddenly occurred to me: Hey, wait, she actually DOES like this stuff. At one point, she caught me beaming at her. She leaned in and said in my ear, "Oh, stop looking so smug."
Keep the faith, people. They grow.
—Debra Ross, Publisher, EntertainmentCalendar.com
Master Guide to Fall Fun
Farm fun, fall festivals, pumpkins, Halloween, and so much more! Fall is jam-packed with family fun, and you can find all our essential fun-for-fall lists together in KidsOutAndAbout's Master Guide to Fall Fun!
Click here, then get out there!
Should you make your own costumes this Halloween?
Halloween is only weeks away, and that means it's time to start thinking about Halloween costumes! Now, we know that making your own costume is not for every kid (or every parent!). If speed and convenience are your top priorities, by all means, pick something up at your local store. But putting together your own costumes offers the opportunity for plenty of creativity and perhaps a little family bonding time.
Our Hudson Valley editor Anne Siller explains more in her piece, "Why would anyone MAKE their child's Halloween costume?"
Need a little inspiration? We've gathered up some make-your-own ideas from readers and staff, and you can find them here.
Utah Children’s Theatre Season Tickets now on sale!
Utah Children’s Theatre Season Tickets now on sale! See 5 shows starting at only $50. (That’s $10 per ticket, and a savings of $30 off the single ticket price!) Our season of classic literature includes The Secret Garden, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Charlotte’s Web, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and James and the Giant Peach the Musical. Make memories at UCT and enjoy 5 planned family activities throughout the year. Season ticket holder benefits include 10% off theatre school classes, free ticket exchanges, and discounts on additional tickets! Go to https://uctheatre.org or call 801-532-6000 for more information.
Click On Learning: A Wellness Approach to Learning Disabilities
There are many successful people who have overcome challenges related to learning. How did they do it? We have a pretty good idea. Of one thing we can be certain, they overcame some of their social ANXIETY and began experiencing friendships that endured the test of time. At Click on Learning, we’ve helped thousands of people find success. Visit our website to sign-up for our LD friendly email series called “21-tips to Improve Learning.” Or, call to discuss your needs 801-477-6933. ---Ed Therapy assessments 30% off during September and October---
Utah Kids Club Ultimate Halloween Package: Save $10 with coupon code kidsoutandabout!
Get FREE Halloween Tickets and Major Discounts to ALL the Halloween Fun! The Witches Have Brewed Up a Spoooooktacular Ultimate Halloween Package! But they only have 2000 packages, so don't miss out! You will get a Utah Kids Club Membership, good til end of Halloween!
You'll get free tickets and discounts at venues like The is the Place, Cross E Ranch, Tracy Aviary, Clas Ropes Halloween River Cruise, Bricks & Minifigs Trick-0-Treat Derby, Obstacle Warrior Kids, Dartside, Pumpkin Nights, Haunted Train Shoppe, Lagoon, Cornbellys, Provo Corn Maze, Gibson Green Acres, Cross E Ranch Fall Festival,
Creatures of the Night, Hee Haw Farms and Sleepy Hollow. Plus date night extras for parents! Over $200 in Halloween fun for $34.99. This package has sold out 3 years in a row, so get yours now! *Save 10.00 with coupon code "kidsoutandabout"!
Click here for more information.
DOG DAYS IN THE GARDENS - Thanksgiving Point
You and your pooch are invited to celebrate National Dog Week with us at the Ashton Gardens. For one week only come out and enjoy the gorgeously crisp, autumn weather with your family and friends--both two-legged and four—while you take a stroll through 55 acres of stunning fall foliage. An off-leash area will be provided for those furry fellows that just need to run free.
Click here for more information.
Lantern Fest-Salt Lake City
At The Lantern Fest, thousands of revelers join together armed with lanterns for one unforgettable spectacle. Before sundown friends and families can enjoy food, live music, a stage show, familiar princesses, face painters, s'mores, balloon artists and more. Then, when the time is just right, we will light the sky with our highest hopes and fondest dreams.
Click here for more information.
Family & Friends Fitness Night
Bring the family or your 3 best friends and come have some fun in an exciting and healthy way! Get a full hour of park admission for any group from 4-6 people on Mondays for just $35.00 (Does not include grip socks). If you have a little one under the age of 2, they can now play for free in the Kids Airena with any of your paid admissions!
Click here for more information.
It's time to choose enrichment classes and programs for the 2018-2019 school year!
There are so many opportunities for extracurricular programs in all kinds of subjects in our area! Kids can choose from academic enrichment and tutoring, to technology, sports, exercise, dance, music, performing arts, and fine arts. There are classes for preschoolers, elementary age, 'tweens, and teens.
Check out the options on KidsOutAndAbout's master list of after-school and Saturday classes.
Visit a Corn Maze!
Where can you combine the great outdoors, exercise, problem-solving skills, and family bonding? Why at a corn maze, of course! Autumn means corn maze season: get out there and get lost!
Re-visit an old Favorite or Check Out a New Place with Our List of Local Corn Mazes.
Looking for some Corn Maze Tips? We've got them for you
