Summer Adventure Guide by (cool) progeny

SUMMER

Adventure I N B A LT I M O R E

by the creative team at (cool) progeny

ON THE COVER Toobydoo Dress from Wee Chic Boutique Styling by Heather Walsh Photography by Laura Black

WWW.COOLPROGENY.COM WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM H E AT H E R W A L S H , F O U N D E R & E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F

IN THIS ISSUE... THE SUMMER OF STEM

Summer brain drain is real. So is your child’s fascination with how things work. Here’s how to capitalize on their love of science this summer so they can rock and roll when school starts up in the fall.

5 SUMMER ROAD TRIP ADVENTURES E A SY S U M M E R C R A F T S Baltimore mom Katie Gill-Harvey shares 8 easy crafts your kids will love to make this summer!

H AV E M E M B E R S H I P, W I L L T R AV E L Did you know that your Port Discovery, Maryland Zoo, or Maryland Science Center memberships may be honored at other cultural institutions? Here’s where to take your membership on the road!

C O O L , C A S U A L B A C K YA R D D I N N E R Take the stress out of backyard entertaining with this fun menu + amazing table styling idea! Kid-friendly, adult foodie approved.

FA R M E R ’ S M A R K E T W I T H K I D S Tips for making your next farmer’s market adventure with the kids a fabulous one! Plus a round-up of area markets and when they happen.

C H A R M E D S U N DA E S Three don’t miss sweet treats at The Charmery!

CAMP STYLE: BRAIDS + TEES Spoiler alert: emojis, tie dye, and braids are IN for camp this summer. So are these (cool) braid styles.

Summer road trips that are sure to bring adventure for the whole fam — plus end with some pretty incredible stories.

7 7 T H I N G S TO D O W I T H K I D S T H I S SUMMER The mega list. Our favorite things to do in and around Charm City with the kids this summer!

behind the scenes A glimpse into the making of our summer adventure guide!

MEET US AT THE WATERFRONT

At Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore we are dedicated to creating an active, beautiful, and sustainable future for Baltimore’s world-class Waterfront. We invite you to be our guest explore our parks, stroll along the promenade, dine al fresco at an awardwinning restaurant, shop till you drop, or enjoy a special event. We’re confident you’ll love our Waterfront as much as we do.

Join in the fun - explore our parks and activities! WaterfrontPartnership.org WaterfrontPartnership @WaterfrontPB

STREET PERFORMANCES Daily, April - October

PIERCE’S PARK Open Year-Round

HARBOR MARKET Lunchtime, Fridays April - September

SUMMER SOCIALS May 20, June 17, July 15, & August 19

Photos by Ian Johnston, Ken Stanek, Karl Connolly

WALTER SONDHEIM FOUNTAIN April - October

WATERFRONT WELLNESS April - September Tues., Wed, Sat, & Sun.

B Y K AT I E G I L L- H A R V E Y PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA BLACK

8 EASY SUMMER CRAFTS Baltimore Mom Katie Gill-Harvey has spent most of her adult life MAKING MESSES WITH KIDS in the name of art, both as a teacher and a mom. She is a collector of all kinds of random things that might be useful someday and a lover of adventuring around Charm City with her three kids. Katie also runs A CHILDHOOD STORE, an online shop featuring her handmade soy and beeswax crayons. Katie shared eight easy crafts for entertaining the kiddos all summer long! (She shared some cute Instagram photos with us, too! Love them!)

LADYBUG ROCKS

My kids are big rock collectors, coming home all the time with pockets filled with their finds. So I am always on the lookout for something fun to do with our ever growing rock collection. These cute ladybugs are the perfect addition to our garden and so fun to make! If ladybugs are not their thing, kids can design their own rock bugs! Have them paint a bunch of rock bugs and use them to play an outdoor game of tic-tac-toe! Or they can tell someone they love them by painting (and gifting!) a love bug rock. M AT E R I A L S large rocks, paint pens or acrylic paint, Modge Podge, google eyes (optional) DIRECTIONS Have kids paint 3/4 of the rock red (or whatever color they would like the ladybug to be). You might need to give the rock more then one coat depending on your paint. Paint the remaining 1/4 of the rock black. After colored paint has dried, paint a black line down the middle of the colored portion and add black dots to either side. Allow rock to dry completely. Then give the entire rock two coats of Modge Podge. This clear coat will help to protect the painting if the rock is outside. When the Modge Podge is totally dry, glue two google eyes to complete your bug.

SUN PRINTS

Sun Prints are one of my favorite summer projects to do with kids. They are super easy to do and make great use of all the random items kids have a habit of collecting! I also love the way they look when they are all finished. They make great art to display in your home! You can make beautiful nature prints by collecting leaves and flowers with interesting shapes. The finished prints look beautiful framed and hung or even make wonderful cards. M AT E R I A L S sunprint paper (you can get this in most craft stores or online), plastic tub or container, water, household objects, toys or leaves and flowers with cool shapes DIRECTIONS Purchase sun print paper. You can often find this in the kids craft sections of craft or art supply store and you can always find it online. Collect items from your house or yard. Think about the outline or shape since that is what will show up in the print. Fill a container, slightly larger then your sun print paper, with water. Carefully remove the sun print paper from the packaging one sheet at a time. The paper is light sensitive, so as soon as you take it out of the packaging you want to set it down and arrange your items on the paper. After arranging your items on the paper, let them sit for 3-5 minutes or until the paper turns white. Then take the items off the paper and place the paper into the water to stop the process. Remove the paper from the water and let dry.

S P O N G E B O AT S My kids love any excuse to play in water, and these sponge boats kept them happily playing for a long time. They had races, played around with floating characters, and worked tirelessly at trying to get the boats to sink. These are fun for outdoor water play on a hot day or even for the bathtub! M AT E R I A L S kitchen sponges, scissors, wooden skewer, duct tape or paper DIRECTIONS Cut the top two corners off a rectangular kitchen sponge to create the base shape of the boat. Carefully push the pointy side of the skewer up through the middle of the sponge to create the mast for the sail. Depending on how long your skewer is you may need to cute off some of the extra length. You can then create the sail using paper or duck tape, I found duck tape holds up best in the water.

BIRD BINOCULARS

Summer means spending as much time as possible outside and one of our favorite outdoor summer activities is going for a walk in the woods. These easy to make binoculars are the perfect addition to a hike, making kids feel like official members of the Audubon Society. Have kids bring a small notebook and pencil on your hike to draw or write about the birds you see! M AT E R I A L S two cardboard paper rolls, yarn or string, glue, paint, stickers or markers for decoration DIRECTIONS Use two cardboard tubes that are the same size, toilet paper rolls work the best. Have children decorate they two tubes anyway they’d like with paint, markers, stickers, etc. Glue the two rolls together to create either side of the binoculars. Punch holes in the end of each tube. Cut an arm’s length of yarn or string and tie one end through each of the holes to create a loop to hold the binoculars around your child’s neck.

S I D E W A L K PA I N T Take the masterpiece (and the mess) outside with DIY sidewalk chalk paint. Another project I love because kids of all ages can paint. My kids loved painting on the sidewalk. The best part? After one rain they got to start again with a fresh canvas. Like regular sidewalk chalk, sidewalk paint washes away with water. You can double or even triple the recipe to make larger amounts for parties or even just to keep on hand. M AT E R I A L S cornstarch, water, food coloring, small containers, paint brushes DIRECTIONS Pour 1/4 corn starch into a small container. Slowly start adding up to 1/4 cup of water, stirring constantly until the mix is the the consistency of paint. The cornstarch is weirdly hard at first but as you slowly add water and stir the consistency will soften up. Once the water and corn starch are fully mixed, add 5-10 drops of food coloring until desired color and stir to blend fully. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each of the colors you want to make. Head outdoors and paint anywhere you would use sidewalk chalk!

STICKER SUNDAE

We seem to always have a giant collection of stickers that my kids refuse to get rid of — but that we actually never really seem to have anything to do with. This project was a perfect excuse to use up some of our stickers and celebrate everyone’s favorite summer time treat: ice cream! Don’t like ice cream? Your kiddo could also make some super cute popsicles! M AT E R I A L S construction paper, scissors, stickers, glue stick DIRECTIONS Trace a bowl onto colorful sheets of construction paper and cut out to create the circles for the ice cream. Cut triangles out of brown construction paper to form the cones Glue the cones and ice cream down to another sheet of paper. Let kids add stickers, glue, tape and any other decorations to their ice cream.

PA P E R B E A D S

Making bead necklaces has long been a favorite activity of my kids. Threading beads on to string is a great practice for fine motor and hand eye coordination! To take the kid-made beaded necklace up a notch, we made our beads from beautiful printed paper straws. A mix of colors and patterns makes the necklace even more fun! You can seal the beads with a coat of Modge Podge. M AT E R I A L S paper straws, scissors, yarn or string, small piece of pipe cleaner for stringing needle DIRECTIONS Use a selection of fun, colorful paper straws and cut the straws into small, bead-sized segments. Cut an armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s length of yarn or string and a small, needle sized length of pipe cleaner. Tie one end of the string to the small piece of pipe cleaner and tie a large knot onto the other end of the yarn. Let kids use the pipe cleaner to string the paper straws onto the string to create a necklace.

STENCIL TEE

A few summers ago we tried making our own tie-dyed tshirts, while they were fun to make they were also a pretty big mess! Since then my daughters have been wanting to make shirts again so I came up with this equally fun but a little less messy alternative. Use foam letters to write names or sayings on a shirt! M AT E R I A L S t-shirt, foam stickers, fabric spray paint, cardboard or newspaper DIRECTIONS Choose a t-shirt that you want to paint (this is a great use for shirts that have a small stain). Use sticky-backed foam shapes in any shape you want. Let kids place the stickers wherever they would like on the shirts. Place a piece of newspaper or cardboard inside the shirt to prevent the paint from bleeding through. Take the shirt outside or in a well-ventilated space and let the children spray the fabric paint over the shirt. Let the paint dry (it dries very quickly!). Then let the kids peel their stickers off to reveal the pattern on their shirt!

H A V E M E M B E R S H I P, WILL TRAVEL. BY JEN AUVILL

Baltimore has its share of fantastic museums and zoos, with the Maryland Science Center, National Aquarium, and Port Discovery circling the Inner Harbor and the Maryland Zoo just a short drive from downtown. Lots of local families take advantage of membership programs at these great institutions, enjoying perks like free admission and special events. But one perk is sometimes overlooked—reciprocal member discounts which allow you to visit other museums, zoos, or aquariums around the country for free or a reduced admission price. When you’re packing your bag, don’t forget your membership card and ID with proof of address. They may look up your membership when you visit your home museum, but this isn’t an option when you’re on the road, and you can only take advantage of these benefits with your card in hand. Before the lazy days of summer are a thing of a past, plan a road trip to one of these (kind of) nearby zoos and museums. And bring along your membership card for free or discounted admission.

DELAWARE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

IF YOU BELONG TO PORT DISCOVERY, CHECK OUT THE DELAWARE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Part of the ACM (Association of Children’s Museums), Port Discovery members can enjoy 50% off admission to children’s museums around the country for up to 6 people per visit. The closest spot to take advantage of this deal is the Delaware Children’s Museum, just about an hour from downtown Baltimore in Wilmington, Delaware. With your Port Discovery membership card, admission comes down to $6 a person. After entering the lobby, you’re greeted by the towering Stratosphere, a 30-foot tall circular climbing structure that invites kids to shimmy and twist their way through the sculpture. Next, kids can climb a rock wall or rock out at their own personal dance party while learning how the human body works in the Power of Me exhibit or take out some cash from Studio D. There mini artists can get creative with STEAM activities like creating square bubbles or old-school art projects like creating sculptures from found objects and getting messy with paints at the easels, all depending on the daily schedule. When everyone is all played out, grab a bite at the Iron Hill Brewery just across the parking lot. There’s an impressive kids’ menu with lots of options beyond the chicken finger and great sides (including a scoop of ice cream of fro yo). A L S O N E A R B Y : The Chesapeake Children’s Museum in Annapolis, the Hands-on- House Children’s Museum of Lancaster, and Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia are all part of the ACM and within reasonable driving distance of Baltimore!

IF YOU BELONG TO THE MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER, CHECK OUT THE LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER. Bear with us on this one. It’s definitely stretching out of the day-trip range and the “you are crazy if you think I want to spend that much time in the car with my kids” range. However, the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey is the closest large science center that is part of The Maryland Science Center’s ASTC Passport Program offering free admission to science centers around the country. The only catch with the ASTC Passport program is that your destination museum must be at least 90 miles from your home museum, ruling out some spots that are a little closer like the Franklin Institute. But if you’re up for the adventure, the Liberty Science Center is one of the coolest—and most interactive—Science Centers on the East Coast with 4 floors and 12 galleries packed with scientific fun. Forge your own path through the steps and slides suspended in mid-air above the galleries in the modern Infinity Climber, learn about architecture and Walk the Steel in Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact, and, if you can work up the nerve, explore how we rely on touch to see while crawling through a pitch-black 80-foot long Touch Tunnel. During summer months (starting June 13 through September 7) you can channel your inner animal and brush up on your survival skills in the outdoor obstacle course at Wildlife Challenge. Need some downtime? Pay some extra to enjoy an IMAX film or just step outside onto one of the balconies for some fresh air and even views of Lady Liberty herself standing in New York Harbor. A L S O N E A R B Y : The Lancaster Science Factory is within 90 miles from the Maryland Science Center, but honors the ASTC passport program. If you’re heading to the New York area, bring along your card for admission to the Museum of Mathematics or the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum Complex.

I N F I N I T Y C L I M B E R AT L I B E R T Y S C I E N C E C E N T E R

IF YOU BELONG TO THE MARYLAND ZOO, CHECK OUT ZOO AMERICA Members of the Maryland Zoo can enjoy half-price tickets at nearly 150 zoos that are part of the AZA Network (The Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Hop on 83 North and just keep driving (well, at least for 90 minutes) for half-price admission to Zoo America (which comes to $5.75 for adults and $4.75 for kids between 3-8). The zoo is manageable (word is that you can walk the entire grounds in an hour, though I dare you to try if you’re traveling with a toddler or curious preschooler). Don’t expect to see elephants, giraffes, camels, or monkeys at this unique wildlife habitat that focuses only on those animals that hail from North America. More than 200 animals, including black bears, gray wolves, alligators, and bald eagles feel right at home in exhibits celebrating the Southern Swamps, Big Sky Country, the Great Southwest, and more. Finally, the zoo is actually attached to Hershey Park (but you do not get admission to the amusement park with your zoo ticket). However, a half-day spent in the zoo should leave you plenty of time to enjoy the free activities at Hershey’s Chocolate World, including the Great American Chocolate Tour. The free sample will likely leave you wanting more chocolate. So, you can use all of that money you saved on zoo admission to pick up some chocolate-covered popcorn, Hershey’s frozen hot cocoa, hot fudge sundaes, or chocolate-dipped strawberries at the Hershey-themed food court. A L S O N E A R B Y : Another reasonable day trip from Baltimore is The Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, Delaware, where you can check out the new multi-story Eagle Ridge exhibit and also visit with Red Pandas, Golden Lion Tamarins, and Two Toed Sloths. A bit further is the Philadelphia Zoo (, a larger destination which houses many endangered species and a wide range of birds, mammals, and reptiles big and small (how cute is that giant elephant shrew?). And keep on eye on the Maryland Zoo’s website for limited-time special deals to museums and other spots around town!

DOWNTOWN

BALTIMORE

FOOd, FITNess & FuN Where can you play in a concrete jungle? Everywhere.

art of being a good neighbor is taking care of our yard. We do more than that though, we manage public spaces and host year-round events to make living, working, and hanging out in downtown more green. The Charles Center neighborhood is home to Center Plaza, where we host Pints in the Park happy hours, Pics in the Park: free summer outdoor movies, and free yoga classes. The Pratt steet Market takes place Thursdays, May –October and has over 25 vendors selling veggies, baked goods, local wine, lunch options and more. It’s enough to make you want to go outside, isn’t it?

GoDowntownBaltimore.com t @DTBaltEvents

Save the Dates! Pratt Street Market Thursdays, 11am–2pm PintS in the Park Second Fridays, May - Oct., 5–8pm June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9 Free YoGa Thursdays (May–Oct. ), 12noon Saturdays (May–Oct. ), 10am PicS in the Park Saturdays at sundown May 28—Inside Out June 25—Creed July 30—Caddy Shack Aug. 27—Avengers: Age of Ultron Sept. 14—Star Wars: Episode VII —The Force Awakens

/DowntownBaltimore

@ downtownbaltimore

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A PARTNERSHIP WITH EDDIE‘S OF ROLAND PARK

COOL, CASUAL B AC K YA R D DINNER

B Y H E AT H E R W A L S H STYLED BY KOHLI FLICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA BLACK

Summer in the backyard. Bubbles (adult variety in the glass, kid variety with wands). Sidewalk chalk. Ice cream grins. Entertaining in the summer is the best, right? Except when you’re running around and can’t enjoy it. Here’s how to pull of the shindig of the season without breaking a sweat. FORGET COOKING When the temperatures heat up, the last thing you want to do is cook. So don’t. And give the grill a night off, too. Instead, check out Eddie’s of Roland Park’s catering menu online (Yes! They do small gatherings!), pick out a selection of cold entrees, and place your order. Yummy crab balls and gazpacho shooters add decadence without the hassle. Caprese salad is a fan favorite for all ages — toddlers included. Dessert is a simple and refreshing fruit tart. No baking required. Just be sure to place your order at least 48 hours in advance.

BEVVIES MADE EASY Is there a more perfect summer drink than a margarita? Didn’t think so. Add a little spice to your standard ‘rita with an organic ginger variety (recipe on page 27). Perfect compliment to zesty guac. Don’t forget the salt! A little strawberry lemonade for the kids and a pitcher of iced tea. Summer perfection. M I X PA P E R A N D P R I N T S White dishes are fun and practical, but sometimes you want to give your table a pop of color. Kohli Flick from Becket Hitch styled this table for us — mixing and matching striped paper plates and napkins with bold solid-color ramekins, serving dishes, and a fun striped paper runner. “Don’t be afraid of mixing patterns as long as the color palette is the same!” advises Kohli. (We’re guessing you saw the patriotic theme here? Classic summer). Simple flowers in plastic vases and battery-powered lamps add the perfect decorative touches — while being 100% kid-safe!

C A S U A L + C O O L B AC K YA R D D I N N E R M E N U S TA R T E R S   Start with Eddie’s Crab Balls and Gazpacho Shooters made with freshly prepared gazpacho from their kitchen, served in chilled shot glasses and topped with a dollop of guacamole SELECTION OF SALADS  From Eddie’s Kitchen Caprese Salad with fresh sliced mozzarella, Mediterranean Artichoke Salad, and Shrimp Caesar Salad Serve with crusty LaBrea Rosemary Olive Oil Round SWEET SUMMER ENDING A gorgeous fruit tart

Want to make your next get together a breeze? Enlist the help of Eddie’s of Roland Park! Call them at (410) 323-3656 or check them out online or on Facebook.

COCKTAIL TIMEOUT

ORGANIC GINGER M A R G A R I TA

½ oz Fruitlab Organic Ginger Liqueur 1 ½ oz 123 Organic Reposado Tequila (No. 2) Ice Salt Blend ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake to blend. Serve straight up or over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Courtesy of Eddie’s of Roland Park.

KOHLI FLICK BECKET HITCH

FA R M E R ’ S MARKET WITH KIDS BY ANGELA MIRRA P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y H E AT H E R W A L S H

The Farmer’s Market season is upon us, and carving out that extra time on a weekend morning with your kids can seem a bit daunting. There are the other tempting Saturday or Sunday morning rituals – – like coffee in bed and cartoons on the tele – – but believe me you’ll have more fun at the market together. We always feel better after a morning edventure to the market. There is something about that moment when you get your hot coffee, your kids are still rubbing their sleepy eyes and there’s energy in the air of people coming together. The farmer’s market is so much more enjoyable than a trip to the grocery store for almost any adult — and especially a kid. It’s a true feast for the senses! There’s usually music, free samples, great people watching, delicious freshly baked goods, and flowers bursting into bloom. It’s an eruption of seasonal abundance and an enriching community experience.

8 STEPS TO A FUN FA R M E R ’ S M A R K E T W I T H K I D S Go early: You’ll get your hands on the best produce and the most popular doughnut before they sell out. You’ll also beat the crowd and most likely join the other families sneaking in a trip before it get’s too busy or too hot BYO bags and give your kiddo a basket: Don’t be that dude with all the plastic! If you have a basket for your kids to carry, that’s a great way to get them involved in the process. {double (cool) points: have your kids make their own bag!} Bring cash and small bills: Depending on your child’s age you can divvy up some bills for them to spend and make their own purchases at the market. Talk about this ahead of time and give them an ingredient to look for. Make a scavenger hunt out of it! Know what’s in season: Share that knowledge with your family. You can loosely plan a menu for the week around vegetables you know may be in season. Be open to change if a certain ingredient isn’t available! For example: veggie lasagna and a green salad, seasonal (asparagus? mushrooms? spring onion?) risotto or noodle bowl, or roasted vegetables for a side dish with a roast chicken. Make time for a snack: Find a place to picnic and bring a blanket to enjoy your muffins, egg sandwiches, or fresh strawberries. Give someone a job: If you have a child that’s old enough, you can put them in charge of choosing the root vegetables or finding the best tomatoes and blueberries. Make a game out of it and acknowledge them for their expert sleuthing skills. Take a lesson home: How do you know when a peach is ripe? What does a turnip actually look like? What’s in season? Talk to a farmer: Share with your little ones that you are talking to the people who actually grew the food you will be taking home with you! Ask good questions about the location of their farm. Offer to help out! Sometimes they need someone to unload the next crate of broccoli and chances are they might let your kid help out. True story.

B A LT I M O R E A R E A F A R M E R ’ S M A R K E T S B A LT I M O R E A R E A F A R M E R ’ S M A R K E T S

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

32nd Street Farmers’ Market  Waverly, East 32nd & Barclay Streets

Saturday

Sunday

7 AM 12 PM

Baltimore County Farmer’s Market  Timonium, Maryland State Fairgrounds

10 AM 1 PM

Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar Under the JFX, Holliday & Saratoga Streets

7 AM 12 PM

Baltimore Museum of Industry Farmers’ Market Locust Point, Baltimore Museum of Industry

9 AM 1 PM

Boordy Vineyard’s Good Life Farmers’ Market Hydes, Boordy Vineyard

3 PM 7 PM

Catonsville Farmers’ Market Catonsville, 5820 Edmonson Avenue

10 AM 1 PM

Catonsville Sunday Farmer’s Market Catonsville, 730 Frederick Road

10 AM 1:30 PM

Druid Hill Farmers’ Market Near Rawlings Conservatory

3:30 PM 7:30 PM

Govanstown Farmers’ Market Loyola University, 5104 York Road

3:00 PM 7:00 PM

Fell’s Point Farmers’ Market Fells Point, Broadway & Thames Streets

7:30 AM 12:30 PM

Hampden Farmers’ Market Hampden, The Avenue & Elm Streets

9 AM 1 PM

Hereford Farm Market Hereford, York & Mt. Carmel Roads

9 AM 12 PM

Johns Hopkins Hospital Farmers’ Market Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1650 Orleans Street

10 AM 2 PM

Kenilworth Farmers’ Market Towson, The Shops at Kenilworth

3:30 PM 6:30 PM

Lauraville Farmers’ Market 4500 Harford Road

4 PM 8 PM

Pratt Street Farmer’s Market Downtown, Corner of Pratt & Light Street

11 AM 2 PM

Towson Farmer’s Market Downtown Towson, Allegheny Avenue

10:45 AM 3 PM

University Farmers’ Market University of Maryland Medical Center, University Plaza

10 AM 2 PM

Village of Cross Keys Farmer’s Market Roland Park, Village of Cross Keys

10 AM 2 PM

THE THEATRICAL EVENT OF THE SUMMER

The Baltimore Premiere

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JUNE 18 – JULY 17 11 PERFORMANCES

Special Summer Weekday Matinee Wednesday July 6 at 11 AM

ALL SEATS ONLY $15

“Baltimore’s Best Theatre Value” Free Face Painting & Pre-Show Activities Free Parking Live Orchestra Broadway-Style Show Meet the Cast

NOW BOOKING: A Very Special Pre-Show Celebration!

“Royal Tea Party with Ariel & Friends”

$30 for Pre-Show Party AND Premium Show Seating Light Fare Food & Drinks Face Painting and Activities Take Pictures and Get Autographs Limited Tea Party Seating Available Advanced Reservations Required

Theatre-In-Residence at Mercy High School 1300 E. Northern Parkway Awarded BEST For more information visit FAMILY THEATRE www.CharmCityPlayers.com

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CHARMED SUNDAES PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA BLACK

Nothing says summer like ice cream. And no one does ice cream better in Baltimore than THE CHARMERY. Founded by Baltimore parents David and Laura Alima, The Charmery has become a Hampden staple. Supporting local farmers and producers whenever possible, you’ll find an ever changing sundae menu, seasonal ice cream flavors, and floats with root beer straight from the tap. If you have a child with allergies, they can always scoop straight from the back (just ask!) and they offer toasted coconut vegan ice cream year round. It’s not really summer until you’ve visited them on The Avenue. Here are three sweet treats to definitely try!

THE CLASSIC SUNDAE, Y O U R W AY. PICK YOUR ICE CREAM ( B L U E B E R R Y, A N Y O N E ? ) . T O P W I T H A L I T T L E C H O C O L AT E SY R U P . WHIPPED CREAM, CHERRY AND LOTS OF SPRINKLES.

THE SHAKE. BETTER WITH SPRINKLES. HAND-SPUN MILKSHAKE IN ANY FLAVOR, MADE WITH TRICKLING SPRINGS MILK OR COCONUT MILK.

TRIPLE SCOOP IN A WAFFLE CONE. O U R FAVO R I T E I C E C R E A M F L AVO R P I C K ? L E M O N ST I C K . TA S T E J U ST L I K E W H AT YO U ’ D P I C K U P AT T H E F L O W E R M A R K E T. T R U E B A LT I M O R E F L A V O R , H O N .

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SUMMER CAMP STYLE COOL BRAIDS + TEES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARRIE DALHOFF HAIR BY JESSICA MOOG TEES FROM WEE CHIC BOUTIQUE

Spoiler alert: emojis, tie dye, and rainbow are (cool) for camp this year. Along with smelly markers, sparkles, and sprinkles. Oh, wait. If you have a tween you probably knew that. One of our favorite hair designers, Jessica Moog from LA CLINICA SALON AND DAY SPA, created four vibrant braid styles to compliment our favorite tees from WEE CHIC â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a tres (cool) way to beat the heat!

SIDE BRAID WITH A WAVE. H AV E A K I D W H O H AT E S P U T T I N G H E R H A I R I N A P O N Y TA I L ? T R Y A S I D E B R A I D. PA I R W I T H H A N D T I E DY E D TA N K B Y L E M O N .

S H O RT I E B R A I D. JUST BECAUSE YOUR GIRL GOT A FA B S H O RT C U T F O R S U M M E R DOESN’T MEAN SHE CAN’T GET IN ON THE BRAID ACTION!

GIRL POWER PLAITS GIRL POWER ALL THE W AY W I T H T H E S E P I GTA I L P L A I T S ! TA N K + G R A P H I C S W E AT S H I R T PA I R I N G I S P E R F E C T F O R E A R LY ( A N D S O M E T I M E S C H I L LY ) CAMP MORNINGS.

CLASSIC W AT E R FA L L B R A I D S O P H I S T I C AT E D A N D P L AY F U L . J U S T L I K E T H E TIE-DYED TEE WITH JEWELED RAINBOW EMOJI.

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A PARTNERSHIP WITH S YLVAN LEARNING

THE SUMMER OF

STEM In order to be competitive in tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work force, our kids are going to need to be fluent in something that quite frankly may scare some of us who majored in English: STEM. In fact, by 2020 there will be 1 million more computer science jobs than students who can enter the labor force as skilled workers.

Take advantage of their fascination with taking things apart and how things work.

Why does this matter if you have a sixyear-old? Stay with us. We’re not suggesting that you put her on a rigid career path destined for computer programming. We ARE suggesting that you take advantage of her fascination with taking things apart and seeing how things work. Elementary and middle school are the perfect times to foster science, technology, education, and math skills. And summer is an ideal time to support your child’s exploration without the rigors of a school schedule. Besides, summer brain drain is real, friends. Skills and knowledge gained throughout the school year fade during the summer months. According to Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, loss of

content retention begins within 24 to 48 hours of learning unless the new information is reinforced or applied immediately. After a month without reinforcement, approximately 80 percent of what a student has recently learned can be lost. That’s why Sylvan created (cool) STEM summer classes and camps, an amazing way to keep your kids’ academic skills fresh while they’re re-charging their school batteries. Focused on four key areas, your child can explore robotics, math concepts, coding, and engineering. Programs are designed for children in grades 1-8. The core of each program? Enthusiasm and hands-on discovery. Sylvan’s programs strive to build excitement about STEM (which, let’s be honest, some of us have trouble mustering when the annual Science Fair project instructions come home). Kids in the Robotics Camps will build, program and

animate a variety of robots using LEGO® bricks and award-winning software. Have a gamer on your hands? Kids in the coding camps use the coolest technology to design and create video games or animations, learning hot skills like coding and physics. Future engineers will love building moving machines out of LEGO® bricks or amazing structures out of K’NEX — learning concepts and problem solving skills fit for a real engineer— during engineering camp!

T I P S : S T E M AT H O M E Can’t fit STEM camp or classes on your summer agenda? There are things you can do at home to give your kids a STEM boost, too. Play Games: Many family games and puzzles are not only fun, but help children to develop and reinforce skills. A simple card game can involve mathematics, analysis and logical thinking. Be sure to select games appropriate for your child's age level. Help in the Kitchen: Helping mom or dad with grocery shopping develops opportunities to use math skills, such as making change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc. Providing assistance with cooking can also familiarize children with weights and measures, organization and planning and following a recipe. Perhaps you and your children could make a special dessert for the whole family. Help children pick a recipe, create an ingredients list and go shopping together. Get Building: Doesn’t matter if it’s with candy, K’nex, Legos®, marshmallows, cardboard, or sand at the beach. Have your kids construct something! For older children, challenge them to build it so that is can hold something with weight on the top, for example a golf ball or a tennis ball. Put it through a wind test. Possibilities are endless!

With more than 35 years of experience and more than 750 locations throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan’s proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE—STEM and accelerated courses and Sylvan Prep —college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey. For more information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com or SylvanLearning.com/blog.

5 SUMMER ROAD TRIP ADVENTURES B Y L A R A D I PAO L A

A good adventure should always end with a story worth telling. Summer’s arrival is something I get positively giddy about. It may be that I look forward to it even more than my kids do. (I know, what?!) Summer means freedom. We’re free of the carpool lane at school. Free to eat watermelon on a stick, walk through the grass barefooted, sleep past six in the morning, and wear pajamas until noon. Plus, we’re free to explore. Near. Far. Just get in the car.

WILD PONIES A S S AT E A G U E I S L A N D S TAT E PA R K BERLIN, MD Want to see your kids’ faces light up? This is the place to be. Few things elicit more excited gasps from the kiddos than spotting a wild pony chillin’ out by (or in) the road. Add to that waves worthy of busting out the boogie board and a busy-boardwalk-free beach and you’ve found your adventure. I’d classify Assateague Island as a bit of a hidden gem. Because this is a State Park, there aren’t hotels, stores or huge houses taking up the best spots on the shore. Likely due to the lack of “other” things to do, the crowds here are much smaller, too. Those things combined with a drive that comes in at under three hours make Assateague a great road trip adventure. Start your adventure off with a stop at the Assateague Island National Seashore visitor’s center. Here you’ll find lots of hands-on fun to reward kids after that drive. They’ve got fun and informative exhibits on the history and natural features of the island that even the grownups will enjoy. Buy your parking ticket here to save on the wait at the kiosk on the other side of the bridge. In the summer months the Visitor’s Center offers some fun activities for kids. Check their schedule online before you go or give them a call. Of note, as (cool) as they are the ponies are, 100% hands-off. There is a hefty fine for feeding or touching them. Plus, they’ve been know to bite and that’s a story you don’t want to be able to tell. A L S O N E A R B Y : The trade-off for the gorgeous beach and pony sightings is that there isn’t much of anything in the way of “extras” to do here. Bring along your rolling cooler packed with sips and snacks, your favorite sandcastle building gear, a shade umbrella and you won’t need much else. Save maybe a kite?

HUNTING FOSSILS AND SHARK’S TEETH RUDDY DUCK ADVENTURES SOLOMONS, MD Play archaeologist for the day with a guided hunt for fossils and shark’s teeth along the shores of Calvert County. Ruddy Duck Adventures offers up a unique outing that littles love. Okay, grownups dig it, too. Literally. Because we all know after the first ten minutes you’ll be doing most of the digging. Having a guide helps ensure that you find the sweetest spots for turning up treasures. Plus they’re gems themselves, sparkling with tons of (cool) information on the area and insight into why this area is ripe for fossil hunting. Find something interesting? Take it over to the Calvert Marine Museum for some expert appraisal. All activities and food are included with a Ruddy Duck Adventure. Go for the brewery option and enjoy a locally crafted brew. You’ve earned the calories. A L S O N E A R B Y : There are lots of things to do in Solomons if you’d like to stay the weekend! Check out our 48 Hour Edventure.

A LIGHTHOUSE + A SUNKEN SUBMARINE PINEY POINT LIGHTHOUSE M U S E U M & H I STO R I C PA R K P I N E Y P O I N T, M D Raise your hand if you knew there was a sunken WWII German U Boat off the coast of Maryland. Yeah, I had no clue either. Finding out how it got there is just one part of a worthwhile adventure to be had out at Piney Point. Torpedo testing, osprey nesting and lady Lighthouse Keepers add to the edventure. The lighthouse itself is small (only thirty-three feet tall), but it’s the perfect size for the littles to look up at in awe. It sits next to the Keeper’s House (naturally) which is sometimes opened for tours and events — but even when closed makes for great photo ops. The museum is tiny, too, but has some fun activities for the kids. Do you know how many lighthouses there are in Maryland? Google that before you go. Impress the kids when you match all of them to their homes on the interactive map. Head out to the marine building and hop aboard a historic Skipjack. You won’t be able to see the submarine (it rests at the floor of the Potomac under ninety-one feet of water), but you can learn all about how it came to be there and what made it the first “Stealth” submarine from the friendly staff that personally walk you around on a tour.

A L S O N E A R B Y : Historic Leonardtown is a short twentyminute or so drive from the lighthouse. Round out your historical adventure with a stop at the Tudor House and Old Jail. Explore the dusty nooks and crannies of Fenwick Street Used Books & Music (it’s a bit Flourish and Blotts). Stop in at Big Larry’s Comic Book Cafe for some nostalgia and nibbles. Part comic book store, part old school soda fountain this places serves up what owner Big Larry has affectionately deemed, “Gamer Grub.” Mainly sandwiches, burgers, and frozen treats. He does make a mean cheesesteak though. Fuel up for the drive home by picking up some hand-crafted sweets at Heritage Chocolates. The kids will love watching the staff whip confections I-Love-Lucy-style through the viewing window. Take along an extra grownup to do kid duty if you happen to be here in the evening. There is a real speakeasy in Leonardtown. It’s hidden behind an unassuming bookshelf in a quaint little coffee shop. You’ll need to know the password to get access but it will be worth it. They make a mean Basil French 75 at BTB Coffee Bar (and speakeasy… shh.)

SCURVY KNAVES AND RISING GIANTS U R B A N P I R AT E S N E W A D V E N T U R E N AT I O N A L H A R B O R So what if a sail to Tortuga is out of the question? Does that mean you can’t stomp around with an eyepatch spouting off in piratical jargon? Arrrgh-course it doesn’t! Baltimore’s famed crew of swashbuckling adventurers have dropped anchor at National Harbor where you can set off on a new Urban Pirate adventure. Shanghai your crew for a day on the decks. Will they be brave enough to scale the giant that sits buried in nearby shore (so mom can Instagram the heck out of that)? I’ve always thought Awakening looked a bit like a pirate. It used to be that renting paddle boats was about the only summer attraction for families at National Harbor. Boy have they upped their family-fun game! Now you can take a spin on the Capital Wheel (America’s version of the London Eye), whirl around on the carousel, take in an outdoor movie, concert or even a laser light show. All while still sporting your pirate style, of course. Go early and nosh at Capt’n Bones Buccaneer Breakfast at Gaylord National Resort for the full swashbuckling experience. Be sure to check out the free treasure (scavenger) hunt you can do around the resort grounds A L S O N E A R B Y : Along with the uptick in family fun, National Harbor has added shopping and dining options families as well. The Peeps Store is sah-weet and who doesn’t love a stop at Ben & Jerry’s?.

SPYING FOR THE PRESIDENT G E O R G E WA S H I N GTO N ' S MOUNT VERNON M T. V E R N O N , V I R G I N I A Confession time: I’m a little obsessed with the show TURN: Washington’s Spies on AMC. Oh, please say Anna isn’t really going to marry Major Hewlett! Last summer I got to let my alter ego - The Colonial Spy- roam the halls of General Washington's own mansion at Mount Vernon. What a blast! Even for the non-history nerd. George Washington’s Mount Vernon is one-part immersion experience (gosh, I love people who don’t break period character) and one-part on-going archaeological dig. We’ve been several times and there was always something new to learn. They do a great job with kids programs for all ages. Want to take Fido along for some fun this summer? This is the place. They’ve designed a special tour that highlights all the president’s dogs, and dogs are welcome. Download their app before you go. It’s packed with useful stuff like maps, but the truly (cool) thing is the challenges built into the app. Makes you feel like a real colonial spy. A L S O N E A R B Y : There is so much to do on the grounds there really isn’t a need to go anywhere else. Plan to eat at either the food court or - if you want something a little more fancy - the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.

77 THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS THIS SUMMER T H E M E G A L I S T. O U R FA V O R I T E T H I N G S T O D O I N A N D A R O U N D CHARM CITY WITH THE KIDS THIS SUMMER!

C L AY F O R YO U A N D M E Did you know Baltimore Clayworks offers classes for kids of all ages? There are even Parent-and-Me classes for elementary school aged kids and preschoolers! MORE

KIDS BOWL FREE,STONELEIGH LANES All summer long, your kiddo can bowl for 30 minutes FREE at Stoneleigh Lanes Mondays thru Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 AM to 4 PM (must have bowling shoes or rent them). MORE

C R E AT I V E F U N AT T H E W A LT E R S With a host of kid-friendly activities, The Walters Art Museum is definitely NOT a look-but-don’t-touch space! We love their kid-friendly play/art space and their family programming is outstanding (everything from their art carts, to preschool art classes, to drop-in weekend art projects). Best part? The Walters is 100% free and open Wednesday thru Sunday. MORE

R A C E M ATC H B OX C A R S AT P L AY C A F E Head to Play Cafe for snacks (they have a TV tray option for kids where they can fill each spot with kidfriendly foods!), a fabulous latte, and play in their super fun play space. Don’t miss Monday morning story/art time with Danny Joe and Friday family dinner and movie nights. New this summer: SNOWBALLS! MORE

B E C O M E A J U N I O R R A N G E R AT F T. M C H E N R Y Head to Ft. McHenry and request an activity booklet for your child to complete to become a junior ranger! Comes with a pretty (cool) badge! Just turn your packet in at the Visitor’s Center for badge. MORE

W AT E R B A L L E T + S C I E N C E Fluid Movement presents their 15th annual water synchronized swimming event this summer: SCIENCE FAIR. Catch the action at Druid Hill Park Pool on July 30th/31st, or at Patterson Park Pool August 5-7th. $5 show special for the July 5th performance! MORE

P L AY DAT E TO G E T H E R W I T H J V C Looking for a fun and gratifying family activity? Want to make a difference in the life of a senior? Geared towards families with young children (3 months – preschool), Playdate Together is a multi-generational interactive program that includes sing-alongs, books, and more at a senior facility. Playdate Together brightens the senior residents day. MORE

FA M I LY F U N D AY S AT P O W E R P L A N T Fam-friendly country hoedown, ice cream & 80s party, and a Caribbean beach party are all headed to Power Plant LIVE! on Sunday afternoons this summer! Enjoy games, activities, food, and more. All events are FREE to attend and you can purchase a kid lunch + activity pack for just $12. Use code COOLPROGENY for $2 off the package! MORE

E N O C H P R AT T S U M M E R R E A D I N G The Enoch Pratt Summer Reading program kicks off on June 15th! Register at any library and read all summer long for fun prizes. Don’t miss their preschool story times — great way to beat the heat with littles! Check your branch for times. MORE S P L A S H I N T H E S O N D H E I M F O U N TA I N Located in West Shore Park (near the Maryland Science Center), the Walter Sondheim Foundation incorporates water jets shooting up from the ground, timed. LOTS of fun. And free. Just bring an extra pair of clothes and shoes! MORE

PHOTO BY KAKKI MORRISON

RIDE A STREET CAR Open Saturdays and Sundays in the summer, the Baltimore Streetcar Museum offers unlimited rides on their classic street cars with paid admission. Have little littles? Kids under 4 are FREE. MORE

GET A LITTLE ZEN Summer is a perfect time for your minis to get a little zen. Check out our list of kids yoga classes and sign up to try one! Some are mom + me — who will have the better form? MORE

SEE HARRY POTTER WITH THE BSO Potter Fanatics: this is a don’t-miss! Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film in high-definition on a giant screen while hearing the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra perform John Williams’ unforgettable score. August 4-6th. MORE

ROCKIN’ JUMP Towson’s newest trampoline park has something for the whole family. Toddler programs (Rockin Tots — just $10 per child/parent duo), fitness classes, a rock wall, slam dunk zone, dodge ball — it’s all there. Plus massage chairs (just saying). MORE

D I Y P L AYG R O U N D TO U R Make it the summer of play! Check out our list of funfabulous playgrounds and start plotting your next play adventure. Don’t miss Our Playground at Stadium Place, the scrap tire playground at Patapsco, or Annie’s Playground. All worth the drives! MORE

MARYLAND ICE CREAM TOUR Maryland has nine dairy farms that offer fresh, delicious on-farm ice cream. Together, they make up the Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail. Visit each creamery and get your trail passport stamped before September 23rd. MORE

C ATC H A N O U T D O O R M O V I E Baltimore has it’s share of cinematic fun every summer —- especially for the kid crowds! AVAM offers Flicks on the Hill on Thursdays in July and August. (Travel + Leisure called it one of the world’s BEST Free things to do!). They’re showing a variety of films, including Karate Kid and Star Wars: Episode VII. The Shops at Kenilworth launches their Summer Moonlight Movie Series on June 10th. Don’t miss Minions and Zootopia! Downtown Partnership of Baltimore kicks off Pics in the Park with a showing of Inside Out on May 28th. Bel Air Downtown Alliance shows family flicks in Shamrock Park all summer long. Pan and The Good Dinosaur will be shown, among others. All outdoor movies listed are FREE.

JUNIOR ORIOLES DUGOUT CLUB For just $25, the Junior O’s Dugout Club offers 2 separate 6-game packages with discounted tickets for specific games and lots of O’s swag (sunglasses, hat, magazine subscription, and more) tucked in an Oriole’s messenger bag. Game day perks include discounted food, bounce houses, face painting, and more. An added benefit of the Dugout Club is that you can purchase tickets for other family members or friends to join for as little as $6 a ticket. MORE C I R C U L ATO R A D V E N T U R E For whatever reason, kids love riding the bus. Go on a free Charm City Circulator adventure and explore the city! MORE

SUMMER SOCIALS Summer Socials at West Shore Park are hands down the best way to kick off a summer weekend in the city! Family-friendly music (not kid music, but you won’t have to worry about anything NSFP — not safe for preschool). Great food. Kid fun. Amazing views at West Shore Park. Libations from Dooby’s. Super casual and laid back. After all, it’s summer, hon. Offered select Fridays. MORE

E X P LO R E B U T T E R F L I E S AT L A D E W With programs for big kids, littles, and families, Ladew Topiary Gardens is a perfect summer destination! Make sure to register for story time in advance (they fill up quickly!), or just drop by to wander through the 15 thematic ‘garden rooms.’ Our favorite spot? The Butterfly Garden! A quaint on-site cafe operates 7 days a well from 11 AM - 3 PM in the former stables. MORE

PICK YOUR OWN ADVENTURE Spring has been a little wet so berry season might not have it’s usual splendor; that means it’s even more important to get out and support our local farms! Take the kids to Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm or Larriland Farm for strawberry picking. We’ve got a round-up of area pick-your-own farms. Check it out, grab a basket, and go for a farm adventure! MORE

H U L A H O O P AT T H E M A R K E T You’ll find Baltimore Hoop Love at the Baltimore Farmer’s Market and Bazaar on Sunday mornings under the JFX, or at the Hamilton/Lauraville market on Tuesday evenings. Hoop along with them and burn a few calories before you dive into that freshfrom-the-fryer donut. (C’mon. We know they are a staple on your market run!) MORE

TA L E S & TA I L S AT I R V I N E Named Maryland’s Best Story Time, Tales and Tails at Irvine Nature Center is fun for everyone! Join them Friday mornings for a few animal stories followed by an animal meet and greet! Get an up-close and hands-on experience with Irvine’s animals. All ages. No need to register–just show up! Get there early to get the best seats, since this program often has quite a crowd. MORE

CHECK OUT THE LAB All summer long, The Lab at aMuse Toys offers fun for kids of all ages! Join them for open play, STEM opportunities, Spanish classes, story times, and minicamps. They even offer classes for adults. Because class is way more fun in a toy store (right?!?). Just be sure the kids bring their allowance to pick up a little something. You won’t get in and out of the store without it. MORE

EXPLORE AVAM’S GARDENS The American Visionary Art Museum is a fantastical place to visit, but the kids aren’t always in the mood to cooperate with a ‘hands in your pocket’ museum day (most of the exhibits at AVAM are look-but-don’ttouch). So the outdoor (FREE) sculpture plaza and wildflower garden is a perfect solution! The giant whirligig is a sure pleaser. MORE

SKEE BALL AND PIZZA Delicious pizza plus skee ball. SCORE! Johnny Rad’s has a a pizza to please everyone. From the naked (just cheese) to the Caprese (finished with a balsamic reduction) to the Vegan Templeton (no cheese at all!), your whole family will be splendidly satiated. Have a Skee Ball tournament while you wait for the pie — dramatically decreases your tantrum odds. MORE

“ C A M P ” AT T H E ZO O A trip to the Maryland Zoo should already be on your summer bucket list, but if you have older kiddos consider signing up for an overnight adventure! After all, the zoo is where the wild things snore, right? Overnight adventures are for families with children aged 6 and up. Fair warning: it’s BYOT (bring your own tent). Not ready for an overnight at the zoo? Check out their After Hours dates and times when ticket prices drop to $10/pp and you can hobnob with giraffes and elephants during the (cool)er evening hours! MORE

THE LITTLE MERMAID Take your Disney-loving princess (or prince!) to see Charm City Player’s Baltimore debut of The Little Mermaid! 11 kid-friendly performances are offered from June 18th - July 17th. Be sure to take advantage of their pre-show royal tea party where you can take pictures with the cast and get autographs. Special price includes reservations at one of Ariel's Royal Tables, light fare food and drinks PLUS premium seating for the show. Advanced registration required for tea; Show tickets are just $15 and include free face painting! Be sure to get to the show early. MORE

C H U G G I N GTO N AT T H E B & O Don’t miss Chuggington: A Traintastic Adventure returning this summer to the B&O Railroad Museum for a fun filled day of train rides, challenges, family fun and activities this July! Young Trainees have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, complete several challenges, and earn rewards for their participation. MORE

G LO B A L B U B B L E PA R A D E Grab your bubble wand, wear your most colorful sparkly outfit, and head to Hampden on June 5th for the Global Bubble Parade! The event is organized by 100happydays foundation. We hear there will be mobile refilling stations. Definitely necessary for walking with bubbles! Pace will be kid-friendly and leashed dogs are welcome. MORE

SCIENCE + MAIN + MORE Take a walk down Main Street and discover how science interacts with your everyday life at the Maryland Science Center in their new Science and Main exhibit! Use a catapult to have a food fight, see your voice, make a paper airplane and more! Patio Parties, Bubble Days, Mess Fest, and the Science Center’s 40th Birthday Bash are just a few more of the fun things happening at MDSCI this summer. MORE

KIDSCAPE Kidscape, the children’s world of Artscape, invites school-age children to “explore what’s out there” by participating in crafts, demonstrations and activities that are out of this world! Festival-goers are encouraged to shoot for the stars while learning about space and making memories with their family and friends. Artscape takes place July 15th - 17th. Be sure to download their app before you go! MORE

P I C N I C , S W I M , A N D K AYA K As Gunpowder’s featured day-use park, Hammerman features a swimming beach, food concessions, four picnic pavilions, picnicking, playgrounds, canoe/ kayak and sailboat rentals, fishing, short hiking trails and two short water trails. $3/person, $5/person on the weekends. Rent a kayak with Ultimate Watersports — for an hour or the day! MORE

PA D D L E T H E I N N E R H A R B O R Scotland may have it's 'Nessie' but only at the Inner Harbor will you spot a Chesapeake Bay 'Chessie' Monster. So often we forget to play tourist in our own city! Head to the Inner Harbor and rent a Chessie paddle boat for half an hour. Each boat holds four and a half hour rental costs $20. Proceeds benefit Living Classrooms (just an added bonus!). MORE

FREE YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES BmoreKids Sports offers FREE co-ed football, grass volleyball, and soccer leagues all summer long at Herring Run Park, Patterson Park, and South Baltimore Little League Fields. Leagues are not super competitive but are instead for kids of all abilities who want to have fun! Kids can join as a team (get your family friends together!) or as ‘free agents’ and will be assigned a team. MORE

G LO W G A AT T H E C R E AT I V E C O W Worth the trip to Harford County! The Creative Cow is a fun interactive arts studio that offers splatter painting, imagination playground blocks, art projects and more. They’re teaming up with Mama-Bear Yoga for a Glowga party on June 23rd! Kids ages 7-11 will do yoga under black lights followed by creativity and fun in the splatter zone with neon paints. Glow sticks and neon face paints will also be provided! MORE

BIKE THE NCR TRAIL | TUBING The Torrey C. Brown Trail, formerly known as the Northern Central Railroad Trail (NCRT) extends 20 miles, stretching from Ashland Road in the Hunt Valley area to the state line. The trail is 10 feet wide with a stone dust surface — perfect for strollers and bikes! Note: Children under 16 are required to wear a helmet when riding a bike. Be sure to stop for ice cream at Monkton Station! Older kids will love a biking/tubing adventure. Monkton Bike can give your bike a tune-up if needed, too. MORE

PA I N T TO G E T H E R Sure, you know Painted Palette offers sip + paint classes for adults, but you should also know about their (cool) workshops for families! Offered once per month times throughout the month, these classes are designed for kids and feature kid-friendly canvases. Stay and paint with them (or just watch!) or drop and pick them up after class. Stay tuned for details about (cool) progeny's NEW series with Painted Palette. We're painting animals and nature at some super fun places around the city! MORE

M I N I S C O O P S AT T H E C H A R M E R Y Any day you get to swing by for a scoop at The Charmery is a good day. But a free scoop? That’s an AMAZING day! The Charmery celebrates it’s birthday this July with fun and FREE MINI SCOOPS (with purchase of a regular scoop). Be sure to stay tuned to their website for details and the exact celebration day! MORE

HAVE A JUST FOR FUN PHOTOSHOOT Did you know that Laura Black Photography now offers a photography studio at Wee Chic in Green Spring Station? A professional, art photographer available at your convenience to capture just for fun pics! Studio Sessions are $40 and last 40 minutes — and your fee goes toward image purchases! Grab your kiddo’s favorite threads and schedule! MORE

MAKE A COMIC BOOK Head to Yankee Doodle Art Studio in Hunt Valley to make your own comic book! They have all the materials and can bind your book on site. Not into book making? They have lots of other arts and crafts options to keep little fingers busy! (You can even pick up a book to go package, make the book at home, and return for binding!) MORE

TRY THE HIGH ROPES COURSE Designed for ages 5-9, the tree-level ropes course at Terrapin Aventures has 22 different fun elements that kids can walk, balance, swing, zip, and crawl through. The explorer’s rope course is right next to the Terrapin Towers, so the big kids (aka parents) can ‘play’ and always be in sight of their little ones. High flying fun! MORE

TINKERGARTEN Tinkergarten is coming to Baltimore this summer! Head to Oregon Ridge Park or Meadowood for fun nature-inspired classes! whole new series of activities that allow kids to deepen their learning while they simply have fun outside! Check out their website for free trial class offers. MORE

E X P LO R E K I LG O R E FA L L S Get an up-close look at the waterfall made famous in the Disney movie "Tuck Everlasting" at Kilgore Falls in Rocks State Park. MORE

FA M I LY S U N D AY S AT T H E B M A Join the Baltimore Museum of Art every Sunday for activities the entire family can enjoy. Explore your creative side with active hands-on art-making workshops in response to works on view. Take extra time for a stroll in the sculpture garden and a stop for brunch at Gertrude’s. MORE

PLACES TO HIKE WITH KIDS

A N I G H T AT T H E D R I V E - I N Bengies Drive-In Theatre features the BIGGEST movie theatre screen in the USA. They feature current triple features on almost every Friday and Saturday night, classic cartoons, vintage trailers and intermissions clips, in-car heaters and Dusk till Dawn shows! Please note that a radio is required to listen to the movies. Put the kiddos in their pjs and go! You may not bring outside food and beverages unless you purchase an outside food and beverage permit for $10. Children under four watch for free! MORE

GW Y N N S FA L L S T R A I L

G E T M U D DY AT O R E G O N R I D G E Mud Days return to Oregon Ridge Park on June 25th and 26th. Make mud pies, mud sculptures, mud paintings, and more! MORE

I R V I N E N AT U R E C E N T E R   Owings Mills, MD

G U N P O W D E R FA L L S STAT E PA R K M i d d l e R i v e r, M D

Baltimore, MD

LAKE ROLAND Baltimore, MD

PATA P S C O S TAT E PA R K   Ellicott City, MD

O R E G O N R I D G E PA R K Cockeysville, MD

R AC H E L C A R S O N PA R K Brookeville, MD

S N O W B A L L S AT S U M M E R S H AC K It’s not a sno-cone, it’s a snowball! Stop by Summer Shack Snowballs in Lutherville for your favorite flavor (with marshmallow if you’re a true-blue Baltimorean!). The (cool)est thing about Summer Shack? It’s entirely run by kids. Draw on the fence, blow bubbles, and jump rope while you wait! MORE

S TO R I E S AT E V E R Y M A N T H E AT R E Kids can flow into stories at Everyman Theatre as part of their Yoga Storytelling program in June. Younger kids will love joining mom for Mommy + Me Storybook Drama. Join for one class or all four! Advanced registration is strongly encouraged as these popular classes fill quickly! MORE

C H I L L O U T AT T H E I C E A R E N A Nothing beats a little time on the ice when the day is really hot! Head to the Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena for their public skate sessions Mondays - Thursdays from 12 PM - 2 PM. Admission to public skating sessions is $4.00 and skate rental costs $2.00. MORE

TA K E A S W I N G AT G O L F Pine Ridge Golf Course offers $10 Saturday clinics for kids ages 7-11 — intended for those new to the game! Weekly clinics are limited to the first twenty students who sign up for that time period. They’ll even provide clubs! MORE

STORYVILLE A true gem! Storyville (located at the Baltimore County Public Library Rosedale and Woodlawn branches) is a child-sized village that includes developmentally appropriate books and activities. It gets busy on weekday mornings so go early or plan to go after lunch. MORE

PA R T Y W I T H T H E J C C Rock the Block at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC for a fun family weekend activity at the Community Block Party! The ball fields will be transformed into a bustling street fair as the Jewish Community Center launches its third annual Community Block Party. June 5th from 10 AM - 3 PM. FREE! MORE

DA N C E PA R T Y AT P O R T D I S C O V E R Y Put on your favorite beach attire and enjoy a special evening of dancing, playing, exploring, and making great memories with your family at Port Discovery’s Family Beach Dance Party on June 25th! Make your own fab crab, hula hoop station, dance tunes with DJ Holly, pizza, and more. A fun way to explore the museum! MORE

P I N T- S I Z E D N I N J A T R A I N I N G Take your mini to Urban Evolution for tiny ninja training! Preschoolers can get a feel for Parkour in a play- and story-based environment. Older kids (you know, those who are using your living room as their personal obstacle course) will love nano parkour. Serious ninjas? Well, they have a training program for them, too. MORE

G E T I C K Y AT T H E A Q U A R I U M The National Aquarium’s most unique residents take center stage in this brand new tour! With the help of an Aquarium expert, you’ll get a close look at the weird world of some of our creepiest, crawliest, most strange and often misunderstood animals.Explore behind-the-scenes areas to learn how the Aquarium care for these fascinating creatures, and hear incredible stories that may just change your perception about these misfits of the animal kingdom. For ages 8+. Have littles? They’ll love touching moon jellies in the hands-on Living Seashore exhibit. MORE

FISHING DERBY Learn basic skills like how to identify a fish, try to catch a fish, and more at Lake Roland on June 11th! Other activities will include games, crafts, and making your very own fishing pole! Participants age 16 and over must have a DNR fishing license. A fun way to explore Lake Roland and hone your skills without leaving the city limits! MORE

STORY TIME TEAS Join (cool) progeny and The Corner Pantry for our new Mommy + Me Story Time Teas! Full tea service, craft, story time and surprises! MORE

C I R Q U E D U S O L E I L’ S T O R U K TORUK - The First Flight is a show inspired by James Cameron's AVATAR, and takes the audience to the world of Pandora thousands of years before that seen in the film AVATAR. It is the first Cirque show narrated by an English speaking Storyteller, and incorporates amazing puppetry, illuminations and kites. It flies into Royal Farms Arena from June 9th 12th. MORE

AT T E N D A C U LT U R A L F E S T I V A L Baltimore has some of the best (BEST) cultural festivals during the summer. Some of our favorites? The Feast of St. Anthony Italian Festival, St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival, 35th Annual Latino Fest, Federal Hill Jazz & Blues Festival, African American Festival, and Polish Festival. MORE

E X P LO R E R A W L I N G S C O N S E R VATO R Y The Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens in Druid Hill Park has distinct environments that allow the display of plants from all over the world. Visit them on Sundays from 1:30-3:30pm for Plants and People Sundays or late afternoons on Wednesdays during the Druid Hill Farmers Market! MORE

RIDE A FIRE ENGINE The Discovery Room at the Fire Museum of Maryland is a place where children of all ages are encouraged to be hands-on! A 1938 Mack fire engine is available to be explored, while child-size turnout gear is provided as well, including coats, helmets, and boots. You’ll find fire related books, toys, and videos, too. Open Wednesday - Saturday during the summer months. MORE

SEE AN OUTDOOR CONCERT It’s Summer Concert season! Grab your favorite picnic blanket, fill the wagon with kids, and make an evening or afternoon of it! Some of our favorite places for free family-friendly music events are Patterson Park, Belvedere Square, Ladew Topiary Gardens, and Hunt Valley Towne Center. Many will have food and other activities on site so be sure to check before you go!

STEP INTO HISTORY The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House allows you to step into living history and immerse yourself in one of the most riveting stories in our nation’s history – the creation of the American flag. Featured exhibits located in the museum building include a discovery gallery for children, where kids can design a flag and fly it on the gallery’s flagpole, cook at a replica of the Flag House kitchen and more. Open Tues-Saturday. Children under 6 are FREE. MORE

LEARN WICKED HISTORY Join Baltimore Wicked History Tours to plumb the depths of Baltimore’s underbelly. Crawl through the streets in town and hear about times past when some struggled to survive and others thumbed their noses at authority. From speakeasies to underhanded villains to celebrated personalities who passed through Baltimore’s streets. This is a Baltimore history tour like no other. Some might call it wicked. For older kids (as you might expect!) MORE

TA K E A D I P No pool membership? No worries! Baltimore City operates six large Park pools, 12 neighborhood pools, three indoor pools (limited Summer availability), and two splash pads. Admission is just $2 for Park pools and $1 at walk-to pools per twohour session (you can get a summer pass for $30). Roosevelt Park, Patterson Park and Riverside Park pools all have wading pools, too! If you’re up for a bit of a drive, head to Chesapeake Beach Water Park (it’s about an hour). MORE

K E R P L U N K ! FA M I LY D R O P - I N A R T Families and kids of all ages are invited to tour Creative Alliance’s galleries and design unique art projects linked to the exhibitions Saturdays from 12 PM - 3 PM all summer long. Participants stop in for a quick visit or stay for the entire afternoon exploring art materials. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required! FREE! MORE

R I D E M I N I T R A I N S AT L E A K I N PA R K The Chesapeake and Allegheny Steam Preservation Society has operated working model miniature trains in Leakin Park since 1983. The organization offers free rides for children and adults from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m on the second Sunday of the months from April through November (weather permitting). Parking is available near the Eagle Drive entrance to the park, off of Windsor Mill Road. MORE

TRAVEL WITH ROMEO & JULIET Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s signature theater experience! You’ve never seen Romeo and Juliet like this… The audience will travel with the actors and the action as the story unfolds outdoors on multiple sets in the ruins at the picturesque Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park. Perfect for older tweens + teens — be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Have younger thespians? Take them to see The Three Musketeers! Thanks to generous underwriters and media partners, children’s tickets are FREE for The Three Musketeers. MORE

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