December 2012 by Minnesota Parent

december 2012

Holiday theater, hold the drama!

TOy TEST 2012

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Relationship karma {page 12}

The best gift cards to give

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Winter fun! holiday events and fun for all {page 26}

December Features

40 toy tEsting 2012

Are the directions confusing? Is it flimsy and overpriced? Or, do we love it a lot? Find out more when the staff of Minnesota Parent take on the toys of 2012. By Kathleen Stoehr

20 hold thE drama!

The holiday season brings plenty of entertainment. Want the best possible outcome when taking your child to the theater? Read on!

PitChing in & hElPing out Charitable giving and volunteerism isn’t just for the month of December anymore.

By Julie Kendrick

By Maura Keller

Are you currently pregnant or had a baby during the previous month and interested in participating in a telephone-based health and wellness program? The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth Supporting organizations that provide all aspects of support, resources, opportunities and outreach programs to children and families.

• Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy) • Program delivered to you via the mail and phone

95% of all proceeds go to charities we support

Go online to donate jimandjudefoundation.com

• Must be 18 years of age or older; must not currently exercise regularly • Must not take antidepressants • Must have a history of depression • You will receive $100 for your time

Join us at our annual events:

Vintage Vegas Casino Night – February Golf Event – August We are proud to support Children’s Cancer Research Fund®

Call 612-625-9753 or email mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study 6 December 2012

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Departments 8 Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note

16 Tween scene Solving problems with science! By Joy Riggs

39 Discs we dig Gifting a game this holiday season? Here are a few to consider. By Jeremy Zoss

The mighty foot By Kathleen Stoehr

50 Real life

Real mom Alicia Overby

Chatter

By Valerie Turgeon

A little bit of news and information for your quiet time reading By Kathleen Stoehr 12 Fight less, love more

18 Hot stuff

Good relationships are built on good karma.

Stocking stuffers for every sock size.

By Laurie Puhn

By Kathleen Stoehr

Grows on trees

Book shelf

Giving gift cards this year? Find out which are the best.

Thumb your nose at the cold and enjoy holiday tales that will warm your heart.

By Kara McGuire

By Kathleen Stoehr

Calendar 26 DECember at a glance 28 Parent picks 29 Out & about

December 2012 7

FROM THE EDITOR

The mighty foot My daughter, Hanna, had just turned four, and her daddy and I took her to The Nutcracker Fantasy, playing at the very fancy Ordway. She was dressed in red velvet with white tights and little black patent Mississippi Market MNP 1212 12.indd 1 11/21/12 4:07 PM leather shoes. Adorable. The theater was over run with families, as it should be at the holiday season. Such excitement from all of the little ones! We found our seats: smack in the middle, with great sightlines of the stage. The lights dimmed, the music began. You know how the overture initiates, I hope. Light, airy, and delicate as a butterfly’s wing. Entranced, Hanna was moved to stand up and twirl, like a clumsy ballerina, her shoes tapping noisily. She was asked to sit down, and she did, only to pop up as the music began to intensify. She was dancing to the music, jumping up and down…and beginning to turn a bit red. Families around us were giving us looks of sympathy, thank goodness. “No worries,” their eyes said, “we have ‘been there’ too.” Then our daughter began to fidget in her chair, wiggling and dare I say it—did I hear an unmistakable sound escape from her lower extremity? Could it be she just—? I shot her father a look as in, “did you hear that? Did she really…?” He looked back helplessly, widening his eyes for emphasis. Yes, his eyes confirmed—she had. I began to giggle; but because laughing out Thurs. DEC. 6 7:00 PM loud would be entirely inappropriate, I began to cry instead. The end of the overture approached. Duh duh duh duh duh! Duhduh! Duh Duhhhhhhhhhhh! (Excludes Front Row and VIP seats. No double And then it was as if the mighty foot from the opening of Monty Discounts. Additional fees may apply.) Python’s Flying Circus was wielded. Hanna yelled into the almost Fri. Sat. Sun. quiet theater, just reverberating from the last notes, “I can’t stop!” DEC. 9 DEC. 7 DEC. 8 1:00 PM 11:00 AM then stood up, and let out the most rip-roaring noise heard in a 5:00 PM 3:00 PM theater, ever. 7:00 PM 7:00 PM I put my hands over my face and sobbed helplessly into my lap as the audience applauded the opening number. Parents around me guffawed and pointed at my child, as she began tugging at my arm, Buy tickets at www.disneyonice.com, telling me she needed the restroom. We beat a hasty exit. Retail Locations, Taking your child to the theater for the first time can be dicey. Xcel Energy Center Box Office A word of advice: sit on the end of a row whenever possible. Want or call 1-800-745-3000 more advice? Turn to page 20. And—happy holidays to all of you from Minnesota Parent.

DEC. 6-9

OPENING NIGHT TICKETS JUST $11!

www.disneyonice.com Kathleen Stoehr Editor

Disney characters and artwork ©Disney, Disney/Pixar characters ©Disney/Pixar.

8 December 2012

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Vol. 27, Issue 12 Co-Publishers Janis Hall jhall@mnpubs.com Terry Gahan tgahan@mnpubs.com General Manager Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 • cdamlo@mnpubs.com Editor Kathleen Stoehr kstoehr@mnpubs.com Contributing Writers/Photographers Maura Keller Julie Kendrick Kara McGuire Laurie Puhn Joy Riggs Valerie Turgeon Jeremy Zoss

Keep your child safe.

More than 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms every year because they got into medicines while their parent or caregiver was not looking. Always put every medicine and vitamin up and away every time you use it. Also, program your poison control center’s number in your phone: 800.222.1222.

To learn more, visit UpandAway.org In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Up and Away MNP 2012 Filler H6.indd 1

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Production Manager Dana Croatt dcroatt@mnpubs.com Senior Graphic Designer Valerie Moe Graphic Designer Amanda Wadeson Sales Manager Melissa Ungerman Levy 612-436-4382 • mungermanlevy@mnpubs.com Sales Administrator Kate Manson 612-436-5085 • kmanson@mnpubs.com Circulation Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 • distribution@mnpubs.com Classified Advertising 612-825-9205 • sales@mnpubs.com Printing Brown Printing

52,500 copies of Minnesota Parent printed monthly, available at news stands statewide. Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12 a year. Call 612-825-9205 for more information. Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications. POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN 55403. Minnesota Parent is copyright 2012 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.

December 2012 9

In brief Want to surprise your budding college student on high school graduation day or the day after they receive their acceptance letter? Go to ftd.com/college and send a bouquet of roses in your child’s new school colors, complete with logo vase. The University of Minnesota roses in gold and maroon arrived in full glory at the offices of Minnesota Parent and lasted for days. We like!; Are you a mom, or a mom-to-be? Check out Text4baby, a free service sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, that sends texts (ad-free!) covering topics such as nutrition, breastfeeding, prenatal care, and more. Sign up by texting “BABY” to 511411. You will have to share your zip code and baby’s due date or date of birth. For more info, go to text4baby. com; Island Fruit Company and The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation introduced their joint program “Fruit Tree 101” at Metropolitan State University/ Inver Hills Community College and Lino Lakes Elementary School, when more than 260 lush fruit trees and shrubs up to seven feet tall were planted the first week of October. During the plantings, an educator engaged students in a curriculum that highlighted environmental concepts such as caring for the environment and healthful eating; The Urgency Room in Eagan is now open. The UR first opened in Woodbury in fall 2010 as one of the region’s first medical facilities of its kind to offer an alternative to a hospital-based ER. To date, the UR in Woodbury has treated patients with everything from broken bones and serious lacerations to blood clots and heart attack symptoms. An LCD in the lobby lists wait times, which are also available via website. Patients can call or text while on their way as well. A third location, slated for Vadnais Heights, is expected to open in spring 2013. Visit urgencyroom.com for more information; Heard of Shoparoo? It’s a free mobile app that turns grocery receipts into

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Minnesota Parent Likes

Stonz Booties For busy parents who are looking for ways to make life easier, the Stonz Booties are a big help in the cool-weather months. They have a fleece-lined inner, coated nylon exterior, and are wind and waterproof—no need to secondguess whether or not your youngsters’ toesies are staying warm. Additionally, they have soft soles for a custom fit and toggles at both the calf and ankle to ensure they stay put—no more kiddos taking their own shoes/socks off at inopportune times. Available locally (Baby Banou, Pacifier, Peapods) or online at stonzwear.com; about $40

school fundraising dollars for the school of the shopper’s choice with “Roo points.” No more magazine drives, cookie or candy sales, or gift wrap purchases. Two schools have signed up: Our Lady of Peace and Minneapolis College Prep. Visit shoparoo.com for more information; Concerned about concussions and return to play time? Now there’s an app for that called Return2Play. Tracking a concussion patient’s activities and symptoms, users enter the date and details of an injury as well as enter activities, symptoms and their severity, and notes along the way. These details can be shared with a physician. Available at the iTunes store for 99¢; Finally, the American Swedish Institute (ASI) will be showcasing special holiday food traditions. Swedes are known for being the biggest candy eaters in the world—apparently eating nearly 38 pounds per person per year. In

fact, there’s a tradition of Saturday candy—lördagsgodis—when kids bring home a special sack of candy to enjoy for the weekend. In honor of this tradition, the ASI Museum Shop will offer 18 varieties of bulk Swedish candies, including chocolate nougats, salty licorice, sour strawberry ribbons, orange slices, Dumle soft toffees, Fazermint mint chocolate creams, red candy Ferrari cars, and caramel caps. They’re great for advent calendar-filling, gingerbread house decorating, stocking stuffers, parties, and, of course, eating. The store will also offer other traditional Scandinavian holiday foods, including pepparkakor (ginger cookies); Swedish crisp bread; Swedish Falk salt; lingonberry, gooseberry, and black currant preserves; Marabou chocolates; rose hip and blueberry soup mixes; and glögg (mulled wine) mix.

Ticket Giveaway

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away Minnesota Parent is giving away 20 Family Four Packs for the screening of Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away at Theatres at Mall of America on Saturday, December 15 at 10:00 a.m. In this movie from visionary filmmaker James Cameron, a young couple is separated and must journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other, as audiences experience the immersive 3D technology that will allow them to leap, soar, swim, and dance with the performers. Go to gofobo.com/rsvp and enter code PARENTU0M0 to download four passes, while supplies last. Seating is first come, first served. Ticket does not guarantee you a seatâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the theater is overbooked to ensure capacity.

History Day Hullabaloo Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;need help with your National History Day projects? Experts at Hennepin County Library will offer their assistance at free History Day Hullabaloos over the next three months. There are three scheduled: Saturday, December 1, January 26, and February 16, all from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All three dates are held at HCL-Minneapolis Central. Additionally, the January event will also be held at HCLRidgedale on Tuesday, January 15 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

December 2012 11

Fight Less, Love More Helping Clothe the Twin Cities’ Newborns in Need Collects new and gently used baby clothes for distribution to disadvantaged infants and new moms.

Facebook.com/LovedTwiceTwinCities Call or email Jennifer with questions 952-920-8111 • lovedtwicemn@gmail.com

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The good karma marriage

10/18/11 4:00 PM

W By Laurie Puhn

ould you marry the same person all over again? I hope so. But, if you have to stop to think about your answer to that question, then here are some things you can do today to elicit a more immediate positive response. The first thing to do is to consciously choose the right words and actions to infuse your relationship with mutual respect, appreciation, companionship, and intimacy.

The second action to take—which is often overlooked—is to uphold the “right” state of mind. By doing this, you will build and maintain love in your life because the right state of mind produces the spirit of good karma to nourish your relationship.

My spirit of good karma One night a while ago, I had the opportunity to add good karma to my marriage. My husband was out at fundraiser at a beer garden. I was certain he was enjoying himself. I was at home with our two kids. Our three-year-old son, Blake, had recently developed a rash on his behind, and although it was healing, it was very itchy. Then, Blake scratched it repetitively while in the bathroom by himself. It started bleeding, a lot. He cried for me to come in. At first I tried to figure out if it was internal or external blood. It was external, but even so, Blake

12 December 2012

was in pain and bleeding. I struggled with what to put on the cuts. I tried a bunch of things, all while working to prevent Blake from scratching more. He was crying. I was very upset—but my husband wasn’t, because he was out eating and drinking with the guys, unaware of the turmoil at home. In the midst of this, it was time to put our infant daughter, Emma, to bed. I bathed and fed her, and buckled her into the swing. I returned to Blake, who had settled down and fallen asleep on the couch. The episode was exhausting and stressful for both of us. I finished up Emma’s bedtime and breathed a sigh of relief. What now? Do I call my husband to tell him what happened? Do I ask him to come home now thinking that Blake might wake up crying and in pain? If he doesn’t pick up his cell phone, do I leave a voicemail telling him to call me immediately because it is important? Do I give

how helpful he is at calming things down and caring for our kids. Sometimes, good karma is created when you consciously choose to give your mate a break from the tumult of family life. Other times, you can build up karma simply by the act of looking at the crumbs your mate left on the table and then without yelling about the mess say, “Let me clean that up for you.” A little bit of good karma goes a long way to create a ripple effect that inspires love and kindness in a relationship.

him the news that would instantly turn his night around from good to bad? Do I allow my stress to give me an excuse to yell at him for not being home when I needed him most? What choice did I make? My heart and spirit of good karma took control and told me the right answers to these questions: “Leave him be. Let him enjoy himself. He

is a good father and there is nothing he can do now to improve the situation.” Certainly, I could handle a few more hours until he came home. I chose to view his absence that night as a reminder of his importance to our family and the love and support his presence gives me. So, the next morning I told him what happened and how his absence made me realize

Editor’s note: This is Laurie Puhn’s last column for Minnesota Parent. She has chosen to take her career onto a different path. We wish her well. Laurie Puhn is a lawyer, couples mediator, TV personality on CNN, Fox News and Good Morning America, and author of Fight Less, Love More: 5-Minute Conversations to Change Your Relationship Without Blowing Up or Giving In. Visit lauriepuhn.com.

KIDS PLAY HERE WHEN SCHOOL’S OUT SCHOOL RELEASE DAY PROGRAM GRADES K–6

The YMCA is here to help families juggle daily life and that includes school release days. Bring your kids to the Y for fun filled days packed with exciting activities. Your child will enjoy theme-based small group activities geared toward individual interests and ages.

Winter Break Sample Activities:

. Bowling . Indoor Water Parks . Swimming . Sledding . Museums . Rollerskating . & MORE!

12-SAC06

December 2012 13

Good gift cards

I By Kara McGuire

’ve heard the complaints that gift cards are impersonal, thoughtless presents. But I’m a huge fan of the versatile goodies and I’m far from alone. Gift cards top the wish lists of six in 10 Americans, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual holiday survey. TowerGroup estimates gift card sales will reach $100 billion this year. They’re convenient to purchase and easy to send, even for last minute shoppers. So what’s not to love?

For one thing, fees and expiration dates. But fewer gift cards have either these days, since new regulations have been adopted to protect consumers. Still, it’s important to read the fine print in search of inactivity fees, transaction fees, and other miscellaneous charges that eat away at gift card balances. Know that flexibility comes with a price tag. Widely accepted gift cards with a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express logo tend to have more tricks and traps than so-called “closed loop,” or store gift cards. However, low-cost prepaid cards such as Bluebird, the newly launched Walmart and American Express joint venture, should push these costs even lower. On a tight budget? Be aware that you may have to pay a fee to purchase and ship the cards too, so keep that in mind when deciding the gift card amount. While retailer cards are generally fee-free and expiration dates stretch years into the future (if they have them at all), there is the risk that if a store goes out of

14 December 2012

business, the gift card will be worthless. Just ask the holders of Borders gift cards what happened when the bookstore filed for bankruptcy.

Beyond bells and whistles I remember the wow factor of picking

up a gift card with flashing lights, or one that played Jingle Bells. My sons loved the gift cards that came with a LEGO model of Bullseye, Target’s bull terrier mascot. But now the wow has gone virtual. Gift cards can be sent via email, through texts, and on Facebook. Will recipients miss opening up their plastic gift card package? Maybe, but I’ll take the convenience factor of having my gift cards on my alwayswith-me smartphone any day. Plus it will eliminate the guilt I feel when I chuck a used-up gift card in the trash. Many retailers offer eGift certificates that can be emailed to recipients with a personalized note. But there’s fine print to

be read for these offers as well. For example, Sephora’s eGift Certificate can only be redeemed online. Plenty of start-up companies are experimenting with mobile gift cards. For example, Gyft (gyft.com) is trying to recreate the gift card kiosk on your smartphone. Gyft lets you buy and send gift cards to friends using Facebook, email, or text. The app also allows users to upload physical gift cards to their phone, eliminating the frustration of misplacing plastic cards or forgetting them at home. Gyft works with dozens of popular names such as Amazon.com and Toys R Us. With Giftly (giftly.com), recipients get a choice of three merchants selected by the gift giver. The service requires the recipient to register a credit or debit card and use that card for the purchase. After the purchase, the card is credited the full amount of the giftly bought by the gift giver. Nifty idea, but it’s an extra hoop to jump through. There’s also a small fee at the time the gift giver makes the purchase. Then, of course, there are daily deals such as Groupon and Living Social, which have apps that allow you to send the deals as gifts. Some might think giving a discounted dinner or massage may seem cheap, but after years of stagnating incomes in this slowconomy, I think it makes givers look mindful and resourceful, not stingy or cheap. Finally, some restaurants and retailers will give you a gift card freebie if you spend a certain amount on gift cards during the holidays. Typically, for every $100 spent, a free $10 gift card is issued. This is a great deal, especially if you frequent a merchant regularly. Those small denomination gift cards are also great stocking stuffers or presents for teachers and other professionals on your gift list. But why not treat yourself?

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call 1-877-338-4646

Kara McGuire is a personal finance geek and mother of three. She lives in St. Paul. Send questions or comments to kara@karamcguire.com.

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11/20/12 2012 11:13 AM December 15

Solving problems with science

ome girls go through a horse phase. My daughter, Louisa, went through a volcano phase. She was in elementary school when she discovered that baking soda plus vinegar—plus food coloring, if you’re feeling extra adventurous—equals messy, bubbly fun. She’d conduct these experiments on our front porch, or on our kitchen floor, and the excited look on her face convinced me that if I could bottle that enthusiasm and turn it into energy (talk about a science experiment!), we could heat our house for the winter.

By Joy Riggs

I was reminded of this enthusiasm a few months ago when I attended a SciGirls season-launch party with my technologyadept 12-year-old son, Elias, and his math-loving friend, Ariana. Produced by Twin Cities Public Television, the weekly PBS Kids show aims to spark and strengthen girls’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) before they enter high school. SciGirls won a Daytime Emmy in 2011 for outstanding new approaches in public television, and five of

Resou

rces

SciGirls pbs.org/parents/scigirls Girl Scouts – Generation STEM tinyurl.com/74ueeba

How to make a volcano tinyurl.com/yfr8mzp

16 December 2012

the 10 episodes in season two feature girls and mentors from Minnesota. I confess I wasn’t familiar with the show until I attended the party; I’m no longer a devoted PBS Kids viewer now that Louisa is 16 and my sons are 14 and 12 (although I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Arthur). Minutes into the first episode, though, I became a fan, as I discovered how inspiring it was to watch real girls having fun while solving real-life problems. It also was inspiring to talk to the some of the girls and their parents afterward about how the show has deepened their interest in STEM and in pursuing STEM-related careers. Josie Wulff, a ninth-grader from Brooklyn Park, stars in an episode about multitasking, in which she and two other girls conduct an experiment to see how listening to music affects concentration. Her dad, Joel Wulff, says he’s tried to

foster his kids’ interest in science and technology by involving them in everyday tasks around the house, like fixing the garage door. He and Josie agree that her involvement with SciGirls has boosted her confidence.“You can do anything you set your mind to; you can figure out how to solve a problem,” she says. Lisa Regalla, the show’s manager of science content and outreach, says the middle school years are a time when many girls begin to underestimate their science and math abilities. Parents can support their daughters by affirming that it’s OK to make mistakes—it’s not only expected, it’s encouraged. “As we’ve shown in the episodes, everything doesn’t work all the time,” Regalla says. “Science is a process. You learn through your mistakes, and you move on.”

Making a living STEM education is important for both girls and boys. But SciGirls focuses on girls because it hopes to encourage girls ages eight to 12 to continue taking STEM courses in high school and college, and to consider careers in STEM. Studies have shown that even though girls, on average, take slightly more science and math classes in high school than boys, and young women now obtain half of all undergraduate degrees in math and the majority of degrees in health fields, they are less likely than young men to choose careers in science and engineering. According to a Girl Scout Research Institute study, one barrier in attracting girls to STEM careers is a lack of knowledge about what STEM careers are and what they offer. SciGirls takes this to heart by connecting girls on the show with female mentors who work in STEM fields, and who help the girls design their own inquiry-based investigations—whether it’s designing a bicyclepowered ice cream maker or finding the best way to insulate an ice house. The show also recognizes the important role that parents play in encouraging their

tips For supportinG Girls’ interest in steM Encourage girls’ natural curiosity about the world. Scientists are professional question askers. Let her know that it’s perfectly acceptable to not have all the answers, and encourage her to explore and discover. offer a stEm-friendly home. Gardening, auto mechanics, construction, cooking, and plumbing all use STEM skills. Encourage safe experimentation and discovery in the kitchen and backyard, to practice predicting, measuring, observing, and analyzing. Offer basic supplies, Internet access, a library card, and a space where she can get a little messy.

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Provide school smarts. With the growing importance of science and technological literacy, it is important to strengthen girls’ engagement, interest, and confidence in middle school. Once in high school, girls will make choices that will either open or close doors to continued STEM studies and eventual careers in the field. Help them make educational choices and see the connections between science and math classes and future career options. help girls access opportunities. Great science learning happens outside the classroom as well. Learning opportunities for kids can be found at science museums, zoos, scouting organizations, and STEM clubs during after-school hours, weekends, and summer breaks. These programs often provide girls with introductions to working female mentors, who can help girls navigate the course of becoming a scientist. talk the talk. Talk to girls in your life about math and science. Ask them about what they are learning in school. Encourage them to share their struggles and their successes. —from PBS Kids.org/scigirls

daughters to take STEM classes and consider STEM careers. Even though my daughter has no plans to become a volcanologist, I’m confident that the critical thinking and problemsolving skills she’s developed in her science and math classes—and in those messy kitchen floor experiments—will serve her well in any career she chooses.

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Visit our website for

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7/10/122012 1:48 PM December 17

For big kids

g n i k c sto s r e ﬀ stu

A toothbrush in a stocking? Okay, but this one is very cool. Rockee bobs, weaves, and wobbles on its chubby base, comes in fun colors, and features an extra brush head. Maybe this year, holiday candy won’t yield cavities. violight.com; about $15

Need a little something to tuck into a stocking or gift bag? Here are some ideas. By Kathleen Stoehr

For baby Handmade in the U.S. and with over 40 designs (including gender neutral), these bibs are all oversized to actually cover little ones and their clothing while they eat. hipviolet.com; about $18

For Fido The Orbee-Tuff Snowball is a 2.5-inch winter-white ball that won’t melt like your run-of-the-mill snowball or contain yellow snow. It rates 5 out of 5 chompers on Planet Dog’s Chew-O-Meter scale. And, as the seasons turn, it can be frozen to bring back the true feeling of winter and provide a refreshing summer treat.

For little kids

planetdog.com; about $10

patchproducts.com; about $7

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The Clifford Pair-up Card game is full of matching fun to celebrate Clifford’s 50th birthday (yes, you read that right!). Take turns peeking at the cards to pair up Clifford and his friends. For ages 3 and up.

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For tweens Kids (and adults) will enjoy the Iron Heart puzzle and others, reproductions from the 18th and 19th century, when blacksmiths forged puzzles to entertain folks at the local taverns. Each puzzle is handcrafted from antique designs. For ages 10 and up. tavernpuzzle.com; about $22

For teens Keep grubby hands off iPad screen edges or other tablet devices and attach the Octa whale tail, a high-powered suction device for a reliable and long-lasting connection to a device. Sturdy on almost any surface, the shape of the tail also lends itself to hanging, wrapping, and propping up the device in a variety of configurations: on a knee, a headrest, and an arm chair. octa.com; about $50 Minnetonka Public Schools MNP 1212 H4.indd 1

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20 December 2012

Hold the drama! Theater manners for all ages By Julie Kendrick

Shorewood’s Meg Latsch Jakubik has a vivid memory of her daughters’ first live theater experience. She says, “They were ages three and four at the time, and they just loved everything about the show. They paid attention throughout the performance, and even wiggled in their chairs along with the music.” Then came the curtain call, and that inevitable moment when the applause had died down, the actors had left the stage, and the house lights had gone up. Jakubik recalls, “My girls turned to me and asked, ‘Can we rewind and watch it again?’” That lack of a “rewind” feature is precisely what makes live theater so magical, says Doug Neithercott, local actor and artistic director of Comedy Sportz in Uptown. Neithercott’s most recent role was in the Children’s Theatre Company production of The Cat in the Hat, and he’s currently touring with the production. Even in this highly digital age, he says, there is nothing that can compare to the power of theater.

One-time only “I still remember a production of the Wizard of Oz I saw when I was in grade school,” he recalls. “That feeling of

having the same experience as all those other people, and knowing that it would never happen exactly that way again—it was all I needed to draw me into a life in the theater. I pretty much said ‘Sold!’ right then.” Still, he acknowledges that young audiences might have difficulty, as Jakubik’s children did, understanding that real live people are up on that stage, and that what is unfolding can happen exactly that way only one time. “For most kids, their experience most similar to live theater is going to the movies. In that environment, no one is expected to react or applaud. And you know you can always see it again on DVD.”

Applaud along with Santa “When children go to a live production for the first time, it might be hard for them to understand that you need to savor this unique moment, and thank the cast for their work by applauding,” he says. “As an actor, one of the worst things is to pour your heart out in a great song or dance, and be greeted with silence. It’s such a deflating feeling that you ask yourself, ‘Did we not do this well?’ but usually the reality is that kids

December 2012 21

haven’t learned how to show appreciation in a theater setting.” He remembers last holiday season, when he was playing Santa in Youth Performance Company’s production of A Reindeer Line. “At curtain call, the kids would just sit and look up at us with happy faces, hands in their laps. I would start applauding and pointing to the actors, and they’d begin clapping along with Santa.”

Can they manage at the movies? Neithercott has some good suggestions to ensure that a first theater experience is enjoyable for everyone, including fellow audience members. “One good indicator that kids are ready for live theater is to see how they behave when watching films. If they can’t sit through a video at home without needing to run around, they may not be ready for the movie theater yet. And if you take them to the movies and it’s not a good experience, you may want to wait a while before buying tickets to a [live] theater event,” he says.

Ditch the electronics Parents are key in modeling good theater behavior, so it’s a smart idea to talk to your kids about what’s going to happen, and how they are expected to behave. Remind them to save all their questions for afterward, not during the performance. And, no matter how pressing those work emails or Facebook updates might seem to you, try to refrain from letting electronics interfere with the experience, including during intermission, which is a good time to talk about what you’ve just seen, and anticipate what might happen next. Tammy Burns Woodhouse, mother of two from southwest Minneapolis, has observed first-hand how a reliance on electronics can interfere with everyone’s theater fun. On a recent family outing, she says, “The people in the row ahead of us were playing handheld video games until the usher shut them down. During intermission, we were struck by how many people were clustered around iPads, not talking to one another. To me, that was the perfect moment to interact

22 December 2012

Theater Etiquette tips Youth Performance Company (youthperformanceco.org), now in its 24th season, has developed a Theater Etiquette Tip Sheet for school groups and parents. Especially at this time of year, when many children are experiencing live theater for the first time, it’s a good idea to review these concepts before going to a show. Here are some excerpts: Make noise for the actors Laugh out loud, clap your hands in time to the music, and above all, applaud whenever you enjoy a scene. When actors line up on stage at the end of the show, your applause will tell them that they did a good job, and that makes them very happy. Listen and observe There is much to hear (dialogue, music, sound effects, and voice inflection) and much to see (costumes, props, set design, lighting effects, and architecture of the theater). Be sure to pay attention so that you don’t miss anything. Stay still Refrain from distracting the actors and others. This is a time to keep quiet. If you really need to say something about the show, save your thoughts for after the show and discuss them then. Talk to the actors after the show We have a receiving line after the performance, so you can talk to the actors, ask them questions, and have your picture taken with us. We love to talk with you, so please stop by and say hello!

as a family. The theater experience is often more ‘real’ to youngsters than a movie or television, and the message portrayed by real people seems to take hold and hang on more so than the purely digital experience.” “It’s not an inexpensive proposition to take a family to the theater, so you really need to make sure that everyone is ready for it,” Neithercott adds. “Parents should call the box office and ask about the show, to have as much information as possible and make a smart purchase. Look at a seating chart and make sure you have an aisle seat that will allow you

to leave quickly if necessary. Ask about things that are an issue with your child, such as very loud noises. You don’t want kids to be so scared that they aren’t having a good time.” As with most parenting experiences, the first time at the theater doesn’t always go the way you’ve planned. “You have to roll with the punches. You can do a lot of research, think you are ready, get to your seats, and 15 minutes into the show, everything falls apart for your kid. You have to be willing to let the experience go and not force a child to stay. It’s important to remember that even though this experience is important to your family, there are hundreds of other people who have paid just as much money, trying to enjoy the same performance,” Neithercott says, adding, “Going to the theater with kids is like taking them to Disney World. Parents will push kids to their limit and wonder why they’re crying. The same thing can happen with the new experience and the big crowd that’s part of the theater.” But, he urges, “Don’t be afraid to say, ‘It didn’t work out this time, but we’ll try another show next time.’ Don’t give up. Theater is such an important means of communication and expression — it should never be denied to a child if you can find a way to make it work for them. “I believe that theater can help kids get what they need,” he says. Then, recalling that production of Wizard of Oz he saw as a child, he adds, “That was certainly the case for me.” •

The Children’s Theatre Company is currently showing How the Grinch Stole Christmas, noted as appropriate for all ages.

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upCoMinG KiD-FrienDly tHeater eVents For more info on these shows, visit our Out & About section, beginning on page 28. a Christmas Carol Mr. Scrooge is all “bah humbug” about Christmas until he is visited by ghosts. Guthrie Theater, Thru 12/29 the Best Christmas Pageant Ever Revel in yuletide chaos! Steppingstone Theatre, Thru 12/23

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how the grinch stole Christmas Mr. Grinch wrecks havoc on Whoville. Children’s Theatre, Thru 12/30 la natividad Indoor/outdoor bilingual retelling of the Nativity using life-sized puppets. In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, 12/13–16; 12/20–22 little red riding hood An enchanting and funny retelling of the classic tale. Old Log Theater, Thru 12/31 madeline’s Christmas 12 girls celebrate the holiday in Paris. Stages Theatre Company, Thru 12/27 narnia Four children wander from an old wardrobe into the world of Narnia. Youth Performance Co., Thru 12/18

December 2012 23

pitching in & helping out

Teen volunteers are making a diﬀerence By Maura Keller

Most of us are no strangers to the world of philanthropy and volunteerism. We’ve been asked to lend our time and financial support to various charitable causes, from animal rights, to poverty, disease, and food. Do you remember, however, being required to volunteer when you were in middle school? Not likely. But today, more and more schools are creating required and non-required volunteer opportunities for students. The benefits are tremendous, for both child and cause.

Sharing their talents From Apple Valley to Golden Valley, from Edina to Eden Prairie, students throughout Twin Cities’ schools are learning the true meaning of volunteering. Schools are instituting community service requirements as part of the curriculum of particular classes and even as a requirement for graduation. Community learning, as it’s called in many schools, is simply a buzzword

24 December 2012

for getting kids to pitch in and help out. Take Orono Middle School (OMS), for example. Orono has a required community service project in its sixth grade social studies class. As Mike Bast, a sixth grade social studies teacher at OMS explains, students arrange and organize their own projects to address needs or issues they are concerned or passionate about. “Some students design and participate in daily, weekly, or [in] some projects that last the entire school year,” Bast says. “Some students complete one project, while others take part in many different opportunities.” He says young people are usually very willing to give of their time when invited, encouraged, and provided with opportunities and support from adults. Projects may include collecting food during Halloween trick-or-treating; coordinating community book drives; gathering basic need items for children in Africa; collecting Christmas gifts for children/families in need; and planning and implementing activities that relate to respect and inclusiveness.

While the project started at OMS over a decade ago in select classes, for the past six years all sixth graders have participated in individualized community service. Recently, whole school service learning experiences have also occurred, including 363 (sandwich making for homeless), Kids against Hunger (food packing for impoverished nations), and H2O for Life, which involved purchasing water wells in Nicaragua. “Students benefit from this project in many ways,” says Melissa Benjamin, OMS sixth grade social studies teacher. “For instance, they learn how to research ways to become involved in their communities, develop communication skills to interact with project supervisors [adults in the community], to be accountable and to see the project through, and some causes create an opportunity for students to share their special talents with others.” And how do students react? “By far, students and parents have been very supportive of OMS’ sixth grade community service projects,” Benjamin says. “Students are surprised to discover how much they can impact a cause or members of their community. Often they are apprehensive of the project at first, but quickly take pride and ownership once they get started.” Parents also report being impressed with the amount of dedication and involvement their children take in projects. “Many seem thankful for the experience and many students, and families, continue the projects beyond sixth grade,” Bast says. “Many supervisors and community partners share their gratitude for the efforts of the students and are impressed with the work ethic of young people they work with.”

Big benefits Mary Ambre, a parent of current and former students at Benilde-St. Margaret in St. Louis Park, believes required and non-required volunteerism on the part of schools benefits the students greatly. “They learn that there are many people, both local and abroad, who need help,” Ambre says. “I think it opens our children’s eyes to realize just how fortunate they are.” At Benilde-St. Margaret (BSM), volunteering is a big part of the curric-

ulum. “It is not mandatory, but a very high percentage of the students volunteer in one way or another,” Ambre says. “Many students’ goal is to reach a minimum of 100 volunteer hours in one calendar year. All students are highly encouraged to volunteer as much as their schedule allows.” Called the Red Knight Volunteer Corps, BSM’s program centers on student volunteers working in the community in order to give them the opportunity to stretch their knowledge of the world, meet new people, and put their faith into action. “Our children have done everything from working in a mission in Guatemala to tutoring students to volunteering their time at a local food shelf and literacy organization,” Ambre says. BSM and Orono are two examples of dozens of schools throughout the Twin Cities trying to inspire kids to make their mark on the world. Dave DeLuca, head of campaigns for DoSomething.org, the largest organization for teens and social change in the U.S., says that teens in this generation are more likely to volunteer and do community service than any generation before. “Part of the reason for that is the increased pressure of community service in college applications,” DeLuca says. “Our own research has shown that college administrators prefer students to have community service experience. But this fact tends to get over-emphasized. On a daily basis we see thousands of teens take action simply because they care and want to make things better.” DeLuca stresses that doing good turns people good. “Students who volunteer regularly get better grades, are more likely to get into college, and generally have better social skills,” DeLuca says. “This is the biggest generation of teen doers and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Currently, DoSomething.org has over 900,000 members and we’re growing at an amazing rate. Teens are making clubs, taking action together, and figuring out how they can do more,” DeLuca says. “We don’t think this is a trend—doing good for teens today is a way of life, one that just keeps getting bigger.”

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Family day at the mia

Cat in the Hat closes at Children’s theatre

nutcracker!

national Cookie Day

10 11 ———————— ———————— toddler ———————— tuesdays @ ———————— Moa = the ———————— Wonder pets save the ————————

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Pet Photo Night @ Maplewood Mall

Elf opens at the ordway

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Disney on ice opens at Xcel energy Center

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fri

FrEE 1st saturday @ walker art Center

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see the okee dokee Brothers @ Cedar

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HaPPY HolIdaYs to all from mInnesota Parent!

sun mon tues Wed thurs

ou’v use y ething a c e B d som Aunt to fin while n. to do in tow ’s a n Ed

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26 ———————— kwanzaa begins ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

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25 ———————— Christmas ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— 30 31 ———————— ———————— ———————— new year’s Eve ———————— ———————— ———————— ————————

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Free 3rd sunday at Mn Children’s Museum

ludwig von Beethoven’s birthday, born in 1770

11/13/12 2:04 PM

Flicks @ Moa = the polar express

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28 29 ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— ———————— Free Family

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Cultural Center

Out About

Then Now Wow ÎÎDedicated entirely to Minnesota history, Then Now Wow is the largest exhibit ever created by the Minnesota History Center. Designed primarily for children, visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring Minnesota’s distinctive places from the prairies and forests to the cities, along the way they’ll meet the people who have made their homes here. Step inside a prairie sod house; board a Twin Cities streetcar; don a headlamp to venture underground in an Iron Range mine; hitch a ride on a boxcar; sit in a modern tipi; and encounter artifacts and images unique to Minnesota’s diverse people and historic events. When: Ongoing Where: Minnesota History Center Cost: $6–$11; FREE ages five and under

Info: mnhs.org or 651-259-3000

La Natividad ÎÎInitially conceived to bring all residents of southwest Minneapolis area together, the performance is bilingual (in Spanish and English) and incorporates the Mexican holiday tradition of Las Posadas.Throughout the dazzling performance, the audience moves from place to place and becomes part of the story. Beginning at Heart of the Beast’s Theater and Mercado Central, the audience accompanies Maria and José through the streets as they look for refuge. The procession ends with a magical, life-sized puppet-filled Nativity, plus a fiesta—complete with music and food. When: 13th through the 22nd Where: In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $16 to $20 Info: hobt.org or 612-721-2535

28 December 2012

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Ongoing Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat ÎÎFrom the moment his tall, red-andwhite-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat in the Hat is the most mischievous cat they have ever met. Originally produced at the National Theatre of Great Britain, CTC presents the American premiere of this stylish production. All of your favorite moments from the classic book by Dr. Seuss come to life on stage. When: Through the 2nd Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: Depends on performance and seat selected Info: childrenstheater.org or 612-874-0400

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 ÎÎA Twin Cities’ holiday classic now in its fifth year, All is Calm will return for six performances of a remarkable and spontaneous World War I truce between allied and German forces in No Man’s Land over Christmas 1914. Featuring the vocal ensemble, Cantus. When: 19th through the 22nd Where: Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $28 to $35.50 Info: hennepintheatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

Narnia ÎÎBased on C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, follow the heroic adventures of four children who wander from an old wardrobe into the enchanting world of Narnia. Join them as they meet unforgettable characters who will teach them about faith, courage, love, and giving. When: Through the 18th Where: Youth Performance Company, Minneapolis Cost: $10 child/seniors; $12 adults Info: youthperformanceco.org or 612-623-9080

Complimentary Consultations RBD Saving Packages Available Most Insurance Accepted

Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy ÎÎAfter 40 years and 1.2 million audience members, Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy continues to enchant audiences of all ages. Loyce’s beautifully crafted choreography, danced to the brilliant music of Tchaikovsky, remains one of Minnesota’s most treasured holiday traditions. When: 14th through the 24th Where: The Cowles Center, Minneapolis Cost: $48 to $55 + handling fee Info: thecowlescenter.org or 612-206-3600

Holidazzle Parade ÎÎStorybook characters come to life on the Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, from 4th to 12th streets, in a dazzling

December 2012 29

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Out About Elf: The Musical

parade of lights and merriment. When: 6:30 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday until the 23rd Where: Downtown Minneapolis on the Nicollet Mall Cost: FREE Info: holidazzle.com

A Christmas Carol ÎÎNow in its 38th year, a new adaptation of this holiday favorite will entertain your family with Scrooge’s story of redemption. Visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, Scrooge is shown his life through the eyes of others. When: Through the 29th Where: Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Cost: $41 to $85, depending upon seat with some discounts for children and seniors Info: guthrietheater.org or 612-377-2224

How the Grinch Stole Christmas ÎÎThe mischievous and grumpy Grinch hates Christmas so much that he decides to

30 December 2012

steal it from his neighbors, the Christmasloving Whos down in Whoville. With the help of his faithful dog Max and a reality check from the tiny Cindy-Lou Who, the Grinch comes to realize that you can’t steal Christmas because it doesn’t come from the store, “maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more.” When: Through the 30th Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: $10 and up Info: childrenstheatre.org or 612-874-0400

Elf: The Musical ÎÎThis is the tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware he is actually human Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy making skills cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy leaves the home he has always known for the big city of New York. When: 5th through the 30th Where: The Ordway, St. Paul Cost: $35 and up Info: ordway.org or 651-224-4222

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ÎÎ“Shazaaaam!” When the Angel of the Lord speaks, people listen, especially when that angel is Gladys Herdman, the youngest, meanest, and bitey-est of the whole Herdman crew. Revel in the yuletide chaos as baby angels, church ladies, firefighters, the Bradleys, and even the Herdmans discover the true meaning of Christmas. When: Through the 23rd Where: Steppingstone Theatre, St. Paul Cost: $12 child/senior; $15 adults Info: steppingstonetheatre.org or 651-225-9265

Madeline’s Christmas ÎÎCelebrate Christmas in Paris with 12 little girls in two straight lines this holiday season. Disaster strikes when everyone except Madeline gets the flu. Find out why Christmas is the time for magic carpet rides and miracles in this popular musical production for all ages. When: Through the 27th Where: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins

Out About Cost: $12 and up Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111

Little Red Riding Hood ÎÎThis funny and enchanting re-telling of Charles Perrault’s classic fairy tale is a great way to introduce youngsters to the magic and fun of live theater.

Bye Bye Birdie photo by rick spaulding

When: Through the 31st Where: Old Log Theater, Greenwood Cost: $16; less for groups of 10 or more Info: oldlog.com or 952-474-5951

Bye Bye Birdie ÎÎPublicity agent and songwriter Albert Peterson is in a pickle when his client, Elvis-like rock & roll star Conrad Birdie, is drafted into the Army. Albert’s sweetheart Rosie Alvarez comes up with a last-ditch national publicity scheme to save Albert and persuade him to give up the music business: Birdie will sing Albert’s new song live on The Ed Sullivan Show, where the heartthrob will also grant one last kiss to a teenage fan before going overseas. When: Through March 30, 2013 Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Chanhassen Cost: $46 to $81, student discounts offered Info: chanhassentheatres.com or 952-934-1525

About the Calendar Minnesota Parent welcomes information about events for families throughout the state of Minnesota. Calendar listings are FREE and can be submitted online at mnpubs.com; click on Events > Submit an event. You can submit a listing at any time, but the deadline for possible inclusion in the print publication is six weeks prior to the month of publication. (For example, June 15 for the August issue.) All events are subject to change. Be certain to check with the event sponsor either by visiting the website or calling, to ensure the featured event is still viable. Events taking place for more than one weekend in length will be listed in our “Ongoing” area, space permitting.

Holiday Lights in the Park

Beauty, Heart and Spirit

ÎÎBeginning with a flip of the switch on November 20 and continuing through the end of the year, the annual IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park exhibit will thrill with 50 larger than life holiday light sculptures and animated displays, all from the comfort of your vehicle. Drive through the park during the evening hours.

ÎÎBeauty, Heart and Spirit, The Sacred Legacy of Edward Curtis and the North American Indian is a 50 print exhibit of Curtis’ timeless and iconic images.

When: Through January 1, 2013 Where: Phalen Park, St. Paul Cost: $8.00 per car Sunday through Thursday; $10 per car Friday, Saturday, and holidays Info: lightsinthepark.org or 952-393-2082

When: Through January 6, 2013 during regular library hours Where: Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis Central Cost: FREE Info: hclib.org/pub/info/libraries/ cargillhall.cfm

December 2012 31

Out About Monster Jam

Ball-o-Rama ÎÎGolf balls have never had so much fun! Explore velocity, gravity, friction and more by sending balls on a looping, rolling, race to the finish. Discover why people don’t fall out of a rollercoaster when riding upside down. Ball-o-rama’s interactive components are modeled after centuries-old experiments created by Newton and Galileo. A special “Tot Spot” area lets the Museum’s smallest visitors explore objects in motion at their own pace. When: Through January 6, 2013 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: $9.50 ages 1 to 101 Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

Christmas on the Ranch ÎÎThis country western musical set in 1959 is a celebration of a time in history when we idealized the American cowboy and the Wild West. The setting is a bunkhouse and barn at the Lazy Melody Ranch, home of Miss Monica, somewhere in the North Dakota Badlands. The chores are done, it’s Christmas Eve and it’s about to snow. Mayor Cody and Miss Monica’s “Bunkhouse Boys” want to surprise her with a Christmas party.

32 December 2012

Sheriff Andy tunes up his big bass, Cowboy Travis dusts off the old guitar, and Long Tall Joey restrings his mandolin. Rediscover the meaning of love and romance, and delight in the wit and wisdom of the colorful characters. They will share their favorite cowboy jokes and stories, and sing you favorite western Christmas classics. When: Through January 13, 2013 Where: Plymouth Playhouse Cost: $26 to $38 Info: plymouthplayhouse.com or 763-553-1600 x 1

The Amazing Castle ÎÎTransport to a magical place and time— inside a castle’s stone walls is a peaceful, happy community where every citizen has a job to do. Don costumes and engage in role-play; try royal workshops; wake up a sleeping dragon. When: Through January 27, 2013 Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul Cost: $9.50 ages 1 to 101 Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

Preschool Playdate ÎÎEach Tuesday, the Science Museum offers preschool appropriate activities that will keep little hands busy and little minds buzzing. A Preschool Playdates ticket includes admission to the exhibit galleries, take-home science experiment, preschool perfect Science Live performances and science demonstrations, and various discounts. When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cost: Under five, FREE; $13 for adults Info: smm.org/playdates or 651-221-9444

F m re

Door Prizes • GooDie BaGs

Wee Wednesdays

7th AnnuAl

Î Wee Wednesdays have plenty to see and do for toddlers and their families. Free, educational programming geared toward children five and under; also features hands-on activities and more. when: Every Wednesday beginning at 10:30 a.m. where: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis Cost: FREE info: midtownglobalmarket.org or 612-872-4041

Family night at the Global Market Î Free live music, a children’s play area, and free balloons for the first 50 children. Businesses will validate your parking (for up to three hours) with purchase if you park in the 10th Avenue parking ramp.

Como’s

At Como PArk Zoo & ConservAtory

sPeAk FACe to FACe with doZens oF CAmP instruCtors

Î Every Saturday, different artists perform engaging puppet shows—a great alternative to television! Families can also attend handson Make-n-Take puppet workshops based on that day’s puppet theme.

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when: Shows at 10:00 a.m. and noon; Make-n-take at 11:00 a.m. where: Heart of the Beast theatre, Minneapolis Cost: Suggested donation for show between $2 and $4; Make-n-take admission $5/child, $3 adult info: hobt.org or 612-721-2535

For more information call minnesota Parent at 612-825-9205 2013 CAmP FAir is sPonsored By:

Î A freestyle and racing competition among custom-designed machines that average 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide, sitting atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Monster

10am-2pm

HOBT Puppet Show

Monster Jam

unleashe

Saturday, February 23, 2013

when: Every Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. where: Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis Cost: FREE info: midtownglobalmarket.org or 612-872-4041

1 SATuRDAy

animals

Camp Fair 2013 MNP 1212 2-3page.indd 1

face pa inting

by Simp ly

Jane!

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Out About trucks can fly up to 130 feet and 35 feet in the air. When: 7:00 p.m.; there’s also a “Party in the Pits” from 2:00 to 5:00 prior to the show; passes available for FREE at Subway Where: Metrodome, Minneapolis Cost: $10 age 12 and under; $15 adults Info: monsterjam.com

Free 1st Saturdays at the Walker Art Center: Wall-to-Wall Walker ÎÎAn open house extravaganza! Fun family activities throughout the building will get the entire family making, moving, and more. When: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (family activities until 3:00) Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

Free Family Flicks: The Adventures of TinTin ÎÎEnjoy a free movie. First-come, firstserved to theater capacity. When: 10:00 a.m. Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

Grand Meander ÎÎA favorite holiday tradition continues on 30 blocks of Grand Avenue. Have breakfast with Santa, see reindeer, enjoy trolley rides, carolers and a tree lighting ceremony. When: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Where: Grand Avenue, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: grandave.com

Saturday Live! Aesop’s Fables ÎÎWatch the Loki Puppet Players as the tortoise and the hare race to see who is the fastest and as the sun and wind compete to see who is the strongest.

34 December 2012

Disney on Ice

When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org/grade-school/visit/ saturday-live or 651-266-7034

Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show ÎÎMore than 170 exhibits featuring products, services, and all new merchandise for the die-hard ice fishing and winter sports enthusiast. When: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Where: St. Paul RiverCentre Cost: five and under: FREE; 6 to 12: $4; Adults $9 Info: stpaulicefishingshow.com

2 Sunday Pet Photo Night ÎÎBring your pet to Maplewood mall for a photo with Santa. Enter through the southeast entrance between JCPenney and Sears. When: 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Where: Maplewood Mall Cost: Most popular package is $24.99 Info: facebook.com/MaplewoodMall

Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show ÎÎSee description, Saturday, December 1 When: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Out About 4 Tuesday Toddler Tuesdays: Tinsel Town ÎÎJoin Santa’s helpers for frosty games and activities and receive an exclusive Toddler Tuesdays price at Photos with Santa. When: 10:00 a.m. to noon Where: Mall of America, The Patio Cost: FREE Info: mallofamerica.com/events/ view/313

6 Thursday Disney on Ice ÎÎMickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends from Disney’s Mulan, The Lion King, and Pinocchio, and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story take to the ice. When: 7:00 p.m. Where: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul Cost: $18 to $69 Info: disneyonice.com or xcelenergycenter.com

7 Friday Lorie Line: Immanuel ÎÎFeaturing glorious Christmas music all centered around her concert grand piano, Lorie Line will also be bringing her Fab Five, featuring new “stars” on stage. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: State Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $49 Info: hennepinthreatretrust.org or 800-982-2787

Disney on Ice ÎÎSee description, Thursday, December 6 When: 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

The Nutcracker ÎÎTwin Cities Ballet celebrates its 10th annual full-length production with over 120 local and national professional dancers, metro area ballet students from at least eight

La Natividad

dance schools, and community members. When: 7:00 p.m. Where: Burnsville Performing Arts Center Cost: $12 to $26 Info: burnsvillepac.com

8 Saturday VocalEssence Star of Wonder ÎÎCome listen, clap, and even sing at Star of Wonder, the VocalEssence onehour family Christmas concert. Your kid are invited to sit up close as members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers perform familiar holiday music, including a rousing (if a little goofy) “Twelve Days of Christmas” holiday sing-a-long. Bring the whole family. Baby bottles and teddy bears welcome! When: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Where: Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Cost: $8 student, $12 adult; FREE age 3 and under Info: vocalessence.org/star2012 or 612-371-5642

Saturday Live! Star Michaelina Magician ÎÎThis comedy magic is interactive, high energy and visual. Using books as the inspiration for her tricks, Star combines education with entertainment in this fun program. When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org/grade-school/visit/ saturday-live or 651-266-7034

Disney on Ice ÎÎSee description, Thursday, December 6 When: 11:00 a.m., 3:00, and 7:00 p.m.

The Nutcracker ÎÎSee description, Friday, December 7 When: 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Free Family Flicks: The Lorax ÎÎEnjoy a free movie. First-come,

December 2012 35

Out About

Okee Dokee Brothers

first-served to theater capacity. When: 10:00 a.m. Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

Lorie Line: Immanuel

ÎÎSee description, Friday, December 7

When: 7:30 p.m.

9 Sunday

La Natividad @ the Basilica

Family Day at the MIA: Silver and Gold

ÎÎIn a holiday collaboration with the Basilica of St. Mary, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre will perform a special rendition of the Nativity story, using life-sized puppets. This production is more than a straightforward reenactment of the Christmas story; it is a celebration that unites the Christian community through expressive theatre to represent the joyousness of Christ’s birth. This is a progressive piece that moves through different locations within the property.

ÎÎGet your glitz on at Target Family Day. Create a stellar sculpture inspired by Ancient Egypt. Discover the delicate art of gold leaf in an artist demo. And be dazzled by superb silver and gold works in the galleries.

When: 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Where: Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis Cost: $20 children; $40 adults Info: mary.org or 612-317-3428

When: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts Cost: FREE Info: artsmia.org or 612-870-3000

Disney on Ice ÎÎSee description, Thursday, December 6 When: 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.

When: 3:00 p.m.

The Nutcracker ÎÎSee description, Friday, December 7 When: 1:00 and 4:30 p.m.

Pet Photo Night ÎÎBring your pet to Maplewood mall for a photo with Santa. Enter through the southeast entrance between JCPenney and Sears. When: 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Where: Maplewood Mall Cost: Most popular package is $24.99 Info: facebook.com/MaplewoodMall

11 Tuesday Toddler Tuesdays: The Wonder Pets Save the Nutcracker ÎÎWatch the Wonder Pets’ Save the

36 December 2012

Out About Nutcracker special; then make a special holiday craft. When: Meet Wonder Pets from 10:00 to 10:30 and 11:00 to 11:30 Where: Mall of America, The Patio Cost: FREE Info: mallofamerica.com/events/ view/313

Arty Pants ÎÎArty Pants: Your Tuesday Playdate, features activities for adults and youngsters ages three to five. Art projects, films, gallery activities, and story time. When: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE with gallery admission; Walker members and kids ages 12 and under are always free. Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600

15 Saturday Okee Dokee Brothers ÎÎThe Okee Dokees will be performing a family concert with full bluegrass band at the Cedar Cultural Center. This is a seated show but has space for kids to dance. A holiday jamboree! When: 11:00 a.m. (doors at 10:30) Where: Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis Cost: $8 children 2–12; $10 12 and up Info: thecedar.org/events/2012-12 or 612-338-2674

Free Family Flicks: Elf ÎÎEnjoy a free movie. First-come, firstserved to theater capacity. When: 10:00 a.m. Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

Childish Films @ the Library ÎÎA free series of children’s cinema and arts. This month: Classic Pooh When: 10:30 a.m.

Where: Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis Central Cost: FREE Info: supporthclib.org or 612-543-8107

Saturday Live! The Bazillions! ÎÎDance and sing along with music from local band, The Bazillions. Their kid friendly rock-n-roll show includes animated videos to entertain the entire family. When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org/grade-school/visit/ saturday-live or 651-266-7034

16 Sunday Free 3rd Sundays at the Minnesota Children’s Museum ÎÎThanks to the generosity of Target Corporation, visitors can roam the Museum free of charge every third Sunday of each month. When: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Where: Minnesota Children’s Museum Cost: FREE Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000

18 Tuesday Toddler Tuesdays: Rock Around the Christmas Tree with Dora ÎÎCelebrate the holiday season with Dora the explorer! Join her for a Christmas sing and dance-a-long, a game of “Santa Says” and a viewing of Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure. When: Meet Dora from 10:00 to 10:30 and 11:00 to 11:30 Where: Mall of America, The Patio Cost: FREE Info: mallofamerica.com/events/ view/313

22 Saturday Free Family Flicks: How the Grinch Stole Christmas ÎÎEnjoy a free movie. First-come, firstserved to theater capacity. When: 10:00 a.m. Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

Saturday Live! Safari Greg ÎÎGreg plays acoustic guitar in his children’s show filled with action songs, jokes and a story told by the fun-loving puppet “Eddie the Monkey.” When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org/grade-school/visit/ saturday-live or 651-266-7034

29 Saturday Saturday Live! Mad Science ÎÎExperience the “Mystery of Chemistry” in this science demonstration program. See a series of experiments that change, smoke, and spurt! Best for children age five and up. When: 11:15 a.m. to noon Where: St. Paul Public Library, Central Library Cost: FREE Info: sppl.org/grade-school/visit/ saturday-live or 651-266-7034

Free Family Flicks: The Polar Express ÎÎEnjoy a free movie. First-come, first-served to theater capacity. When: 10:00 a.m. Where: Theatres at Mall of America, Bloomington Cost: FREE Info: theatresmoa.com

•

December 2012 37

Winter fun Thumb your nose at the cold and enjoy holiday tales that will warm your heart By Kathleen Stoehr

A Flower in the Snow By Tracey Corderoy and Sophie Allsopp Sourcebooks; $16.99

— During the twilight days of December comes a beautiful winter tale that celebrates the joys of friendship. Luna and her polar bear friend (Bear) find a beautiful flower growing in the snow. When the flower fades, Bear goes on a search around the world for another “sunshine flower.”

One Frozen Lake Minnesota Historical Society Press; $16.95 By Deborah Jo Larson

— Grandpa introduces his grandchild to the art of ice fishing—sharing a cozy ice shack, sorting colorful tackle, and finding ways to pass the time. But…where are the fish!? Beautiful and colorful paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher enhance the story.

A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus By Susie Schick-Pierce, Jeannie SchickJacobwitz and Muﬃn Drake-Policastro Sourcebooks; $15.99

— Santa has the flu, so it’s up to Mrs. Claus to save Christmas! No prob—Mrs. Claus is a multitasker.

38 December 2012

Where’s Waldo? Deluxe Anniversary Edition By Martin Handford Candlewick Press, $16.99

— Well, we may be stuck indoors, but Waldo isn’t! He’s celebrating his 25th anniversary by going on a worldwide hike: to the beach, the slopes, the airport, the train station, and more. For children that love search/find puzzles, this is one of the best. Remove the dust jacket and turn it over, too—there’s a poster for the wall on the other side!

Children of the northlights By Ingri & Edgar Parin D’Aulaire University of Minnesota Press; $16.95

— Long out of print, Children of the Northlights introduces readers young and old to siblings Lise and Lasse and to the unique Sami people and culture of northern Scandinavia. At times mischevious and at other times quite courageous, these two characters, living at the very top of Norway, are brought to life brilliantly. Bundled up against the polar winter in their coats of fur and furry shoes, they look like two little bears rolling in the snow!

Video game roundup

We specialize in painless deliveries.

Gifting a game this holiday season? Here are a few to consider By Jeremy Zoss

Moshi Monsters: Moshlings Theme Park Nintendo DS/Nintendo 3DS Ages: 6 to 12

— The Moshi Monsters franchise began as an online world of adoptable pet monsters, not unlike the popular Pokemon franchise. The franchise has expanded into toys, books, cards, and even video games. Moshi Monsters: Moshlings Theme Park is the second game in the series and is available for Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS. Aimed squarely at younger players, Moshlings Theme Park challenges kids to rebuild a theme park while collecting new Moshi Monsters. The various games are all extremely simple, such as a skill crane, air hockey, and leading lost monsters from point A to point B. New games unlock slowly, so Moshlings Theme Park may lose the attention of older children. However, young players will enjoy the simple gameplay, colorful atmosphere, and of course, the cute little creatures.

Shop online 24/7 (after 2 a.m. feeding, if you feel like it) and we’ll deliver your groceries the next day. No heavy bags or car seats to carry. No meltdowns in the checkout lane.

Brave: The Video Game Nintendo Wii/Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 Ages: 6 and up

— There are far more bad video games based on children’s movies than good ones, but those based on Pixar films are generally a safe bet. Brave: The Video Game should please most fans of the movie, as it is a very solid action game with puzzle elements that stand on their own. Players control young princess Merida as she journeys to undo an evil witch’s spell, and a second player can join in cooperatively as well. The gameplay wisely scales to the player’s skill with multiple difficulty settings that range from a cakewalk for younger players to legitimately challenging for older players. While the game can be played with just a standard controller, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version also feature optional motion controls for the archery portions.

Good selection of infant & baby needs Money-saving store brands and weekly specials Turn a 2-hour shopping trip into a 20-minute at home task We save and compile your shopping lists Ready-made and ready-to-cook meals Only $5 delivery fee and no need to be home for delivery

www.CobornsDelivers.com

Zuma’s Revenge Nintendo DS • Ages: 8 and up

— Kids, be warned—you might find your parents hogging your copy of Zuma’s Revenge. The latest entry in the hit Zuma series is built around a simple core idea that’s easy to learn and hard to put down. Shoot colored balls from a launcher at an ever-growing chain of other balls. Match three or more of the same color and that chunk disappears. Setting up combos, collecting power-ups, and battling through trickier and trickier stages make it more complex and addictive than it sounds. Featuring several different modes, including multiplayer, challenges and a daily puzzle mode, Zuma’s Revenge can keep players occupied for hours. It can be a little tough in later stages, so younger players might get frustrated. Radio Disney MNP 0112 V6.indd 1

December 2012 39

12/12/11 11:13 AM

TOY TEST 2012 Parents weigh in on the best toys for this giving season

By Kathleen Stoehr

Two-year-old Aiden, son of David and Jenny Branstad of Brooklyn Park, loved the Meowsic.

photo by dana croatt

40 December 2012

“K

athleen, I think you are singlehandedly keeping UPS and FedEx in business,” Joe our receptionist and all around indispensible guy said, as he delivered yet another box into my office in the early part of fall. Toward the first week of October, I thought that perhaps this would be a story akin to the Cask of Amontillado, the Poe classic in which the subject is buried alive by immurement. In my case, I’d be soon barricaded inside my office, with boxes of toys barring my exit. Thankfully, I was more fortunate than Poe’s Fortunato and toy-testing day arrived before I could be entombed. I suppose I should also mention that someone sent me a box of candy (sustenance!) and also one of the toys to be tested was a nifty tool box with hammer and the like, so I no doubt would have been able to make it out. In any case, the day arrived with great fanfare, reporters and sales people rubbing their hands together at the thought of an afternoon playing with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was fairly stoked about the Cinderella Pumpkin Coach; others eyed the Star Wars LEGOs…and then the mad testing grab was on. As we all sat around the conference room, opening toys, calling for scissors and Phillips screwdrivers, batteries and X-acto blades, it seemed to me to be the largest gathering of late night toy prep I’d ever seen and one that my husband and I had enacted many times over many years. It was a sea of packaging material, to be sure. I flashed back to that 11:00 p.m., bleary-eyed me, glass of wine on the floor while I sat cross-legged putting together some-plastic-something-oranother that would go under the tree with a tag…from Santa…and gave all of my co-workers a smile. Ah, toys.

Playskool Rocktivity Sit to Stand Music Stool Ages 6 months and up hasbrotoyshop.com • $45 over 50 musical activities, including digitally recreated songs such as ABC, 123. Helps teach little ones simple concepts through music including classic shapes, colors, numbers, letters and opposites. Table legs detach for sitting play. Mother-of-three Melissa hands-down loved this item.

testinG Criteria

Meowsic Keyboard Ages 2 and up target.com • $27 this mini-piano features a microphone and recording option for making music. In addition to piano sounds, this piece features silly meow, bells, banjo, and organ sounds for hours of entertainment. Amanda says, “Comes with batteries and good sound, phat beats.” Dana concurred with, “Another great toy from a great company. Lots of fun.” And Dylan weighed in with, “OK basic keyboard. Built-in mic is a nice touch. ‘Meow’ sound effect is cute.”

While we know the most important thing is the child’s enjoyment of the toy, I thought it would make sense from a practical standpoint that adults also have the opportunity to weigh in. Because let’s face it, if it’s going to fall apart five minutes after opening and we’ve spent $40 on it— that’s a bad buy. We decided to rate each toy on the following one to five scale with one being “not at all” and five being “like, totally.” • How easy is the set up? (Packaging, batteries required, assembly, etc.) • Is it appropriate for the recommended age? • Is it fun for you? (Because after all, parents should be able to have fun, too, right?) • Do you think kids will like it? • Would you buy it for your child? (Overall impression)

*all prices approximate

December 2012 41

Toy test 2012

Dr. Mommy doll Ages 2 and up mattel.com • $50 Featuring light and sensor innovation for unique responsive play, the doll interacts with a child when “checking on” this toddler with the included medical instruments. Baby doll responds, “Ahhhh!” to the tongue depressor and giggles when the reflex hammer makes her knee pop up, and more. Chris N. said, “Very good to let children know they can become doctors and be parents! Head lights up when stethoscope goes to head; appropriate tools, very good.” Melissa was concerned, however, that the doll might teach kids to “give or take medicine on their own.”

Clifford two-sided floor puzzle Ages 3 and up patchproducts.com • $12 This Clifford “Sneaky” Puzzle is full of great surprises: Put together a big Clifford puzzle on one side; a Birdwell Island puzzle on the other. All the letters of the alphabet and numbers 0–9 are hidden in the picture. Amanda liked that the puzzle and its pieces was big. “Two puzzles in one is cool, plus the letters of the alphabet are hidden in the picture.”

42 December 2012

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures & TMNT Shellraiser Vehicle Ages 4 and up • amazon.com Action figures: $8 each • Vehicle: $30 Each Ninja Turtle action figure is individually sculpted true to size and includes their signature colored bandana and core Ninja weapons. Dana: “Even better than the ones I had. And those were awesome.” Dylan: “Way cooler than the original Ninja Turtles!” Re: Shellraiser vehicle, Jeremy says, “ I feel like it should be for kids 8 and up, not 4 and up. Assembly is a little tough and there are too many stickers.”

Cinderella Pumpkin Coach; Cinderella doll with swirling lights Ages 3 and up • mattel.com Coach: $55; doll: $33 Change the pumpkin into the carriage in three easy steps. To return the magical transport to a plain pumpkin, simply re-cover the carriage and turn down the wheels to reveal pumpkin vines. Kathleen tested this one and has to admit she didn’t follow the directions, but it was fairly easy to figure out how to turn it into a pumpkin. Kristen brought it home for her three-year-old to test afterward and it was determined to be a hit. The Cinderella doll, on the other hand, wasn’t as highly rated. Karen said, “Can’t get Cinderella doll to stand up. Small shoes hard to get on her feet. Too much stuff under her dress.”

Toy test 2012 Master Kitz Ages 5 and up kidzaw.com • $30 Expose your child to master painters and art history at a young age. There are six Master Kitz available featuring van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, and Hokusai. Each comes with a booklet about the artist and style. It also has everything needed to create “Great Wave,” “Starry Night” or “Water Lilies.” When your kids are done they will have a new appreciation for art and a masterpiece of their own!

007 Secret Agent Aston Martin DB5 Ages 6 and up toystate.com • $25 the 007 secret agent Aston Martin DB5 is a replica of the car driven by none other than Agent 007, James Bond. This toy is being launched to coincide with the premiere of the latest James Bond film, Skyfall, and the 50th birthday of the Bond franchise. Says Chris, “Very cool! Lights, music, motorized. No remote but it’s so fun and easy. I would buy this.”

Pop-Arty B. Jeweled Ages 4 and up target.com • $18 Five hundred pieces of snap-together fun plus a booklet filled with jewelry ideas will keep your kid occupied for hours, making all sorts of wearable designs. The container is big and seems very durable, says Valerie, and has a handle on the top for ease in carrying. But, “I foresee that they will end up all over your home and on the floor if you don’t supervise,” she added. Be forewarned; then B. Arty!

Sonny the Seal game Ages 4 and up amazon.com • $25 our new mascot, Sonny received high marks for his eager bobbing head and happy ork. “I’m not sure why I think it’s so funny that the seal ‘orks’ and claps his flippers every time a ring successfully goes around his neck, but it pleases me,” Kathleen reported.

Monkeez Ages 5 and up • monkeezandfriends.com $17 and up, depending upon size selected Follow instructions on the tag and visit the website; enter the code and watch videos about three charities (Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse, Best Friends Animal Society), choose a charity and then unlock the door to an interactive and educational online world. We love that it’s charitybased, and of course, the stuffed animals are adorable!

December 2012 43

Toy test 2012 Star Wars LEGO set Ages 8 and up • lego.com • $60 lego star wars X-wing starﬁghter features wings that fold into attack mode, proton torpedos, retractable landing gear, and opening cockpit. Includes four mini-figures. Due to the length of time we anticipated this toy would take to set up, Chris brought it home the week before to see how his Star Wars-crazy five-year-old would fare. “A complex set up,” Chris says. It took his five-year-old eight hours to build it. So despite that they toy is recommended for an older audience, younger kids with extreme motivation can accomplish it as well.

Artifact Puzzles Ages 7 and up artifactpuzzles.com $18 and up artifact Puzzles use clever designs and vibrant artwork to craft laser-cut wooden jigsaw puzzles that will be treasured for generations. Made of environmentallyfriendly plywood and archival soy-based inks, the puzzles have a variety of images, especially beautiful are the artist reproductions. Kathleen put together a Klimt puzzle over a weekend afternoon and loved the sturdy wood pieces and clever piece shapes. “The puzzle is so beautiful, I definitely want to order a larger one,” she said.

44 December 2012

Fretlight Guitar Ages 10 and up fretlight.com • $400 at around $400, this guitar will run you about the same as the standard starter guitar, but with one huge difference—Fretlight guitars actually teach your kid how to play without an instructor. Chords, scales, songs, and riffs light up on the neck of the guitar, guiding your child’s fingers to where they need to be, just as a music teacher might. Fretlight comes with free software which interfaces directly with the guitar (guitar cord plugs into the computer) and offers additional software and lessons on its website. “It’s a bit diﬃcult to see the lights, depending upon how you hold the guitar,” says Kathleen. “But the software and instructions are very easy to follow. I like how you can ‘slow’ the song’s tempo, too, when in learning mode and then bring it up to speed as the song becomes more comfortable to play.”

aGes & staGes: saFe anD Fun play For 2012 Need further ideas on what to buy for your favorite kid? Here are some guidelines, based on age from the Toy Industry Association’s Fun Play Safe Play brochure.

Birth to six months In their first six months, babies can’t grasp objects, so they tend to use their ears and eyes to experience play. Toys that make noise or feature high-contrast, blackand-white or brightly colored images will definitely keep them entertained.

Six months to 1 year When babies can sit up, they enjoy toys they can bang, drop, stack, put in and take out, and open and shut. And once they start moving—whether crawling, “cruising,” or walking—they enjoy things that move along with them. Toys that show cause and effect are also thrilling at this age.

One to two years A busy toddler needs toys for physical play—walking, climbing, pushing, and riding—and ones that encourage experimentation and manipulation. At this age, children imitate adults and enjoy props that help them master life skills.

Two to three years Older toddlers love testing their physical skills—jumping, climbing, and throwing— and enjoy toys for active play. This age group also possesses good hand and finger coordination and enjoys putting these skills to work with basic arts and crafts, puppets, blocks, and simple puzzles.

Three to six years Preschoolers and kindergartners are masters of make-believe. It is quite common for children this age to develop strong attachments to favorite toys, expressing feelings to a special doll or teddy bear. Materials for arts and crafts are also popular with this age group.

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Six to nine years Board games, tabletop sports, and classic toys are favorites. Grade-schoolers also enjoy exploring grown-up worlds and like fashion and career dolls and action figures. Children this age seek out new information and experiences through play and enjoy science, craft, and magic kits.

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nine to 12 years Preteens begin to develop hobbies and life-long interests and enjoy crafts, model kits, magic kits, construction sets, science kits, and sophisticated jigsaw puzzles. Painting, sculpting, ceramics, and other art projects continue to be of interest.

11/20/12 11:56 AM

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11/15/12 1:54 PM December 2012 45

Toy test 2012

local retailers weigh in We asked some of the local retailers in the area to ﬁll us in on what they believe will be top selling toys this holiday season. Here’s a look: kiddywampus

Creative Kidstuff

Stocked full of developmental and educational toys that are creative, innovative, and imaginative, Creative Kidstuff has been wowing families since 1982 with its unique selection. Part of this is due to its “Kids Council”—an event they hold each fall to have the kids themselves assess which toys are the best of the season. The toys kids valued most highly were Pickets Pieces Building Set ($19.99), a barrel of open-ended play potential for ages three and up; Cupcake Race, a game we played here in the oﬃce and also rated very highly ($20, ages 4 and up); and Magic Moves Electronic Wand ($19.99), “a fun way to get youngsters moving and grooving with 90 ‘get-your-move-on’ commands for physical activity.” Stomp like a dinosaur, soar like an owl…sway, creep, leap and more for ages three and up. Seven stores throughout the Twin Cities, see website for locations creativekidstuff.com 952-926-4512 (Galleria Edina); 763-424-2576 (Maple Grove); and 651-222-2472 (St. Paul) among others

46 December 2012

Kiddywampus is a modern toy store, featuring art classes, birthday parties, drop in play, and drop in art. It offers modern, creative toys and classes for urban, hip kids. Amy Saldanha of kiddywampus was more than happy to tell us about Sweets Kendama, “a new local toy that is awesome and taking the Twin Cities by storm!” The Kendama was first on the Minnesota Parent radar in mid-summer 2011 when we saw it at the International Juggling Association’s annual convention in Rochester, MN. Jugglers young and old were snapping up this simple ball and cup toy. Says Saldanha, “This is a trend that is just beginning in the Twin Cities and will be absolutely huge by the holidays.” All wood, hand-painted, and great for handeye coordination, it’s just $22.95. She also mentioned a toy we touted in Minnesota Parent about a year ago, Beezer Playhouses. Says Saldanha, “I’ve never seen a portable playhouse like this before—it is really durable, easy to put together, reversible, and comes with functioning doors and windows. We have one at kiddywampus in our kiddy playroom and the kids adore it (especially the windows and little mail slot)!” Best, Beezer Playhouses contributes $5 from every playhouse sale to playhouse donations to children’s hospitals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Playhouses retail between about $135 and $190. 4400 Excelsior Boulevard St. Louis Park kiddywampus.com 952-926-7871

Lakeshore Learning

Pioneers in education for 58 years, Lakeshore’s story is proof that big things often have small beginnings. This southern California success story has two locations in Minnesota offering innovative educational toys for infants up to sixth grade. Victoria Montoya sent over a bunch of toys for testing in our oﬃces. We especially loved the 3D Magnet Builders—a cinch to connect together to make all sorts of fun shapes ($39.99); Dress Up Masks ($29.95) a box full of fun, plush, and fully washable animal masks that encourage imaginative play; and the Alphabet Machine ($19.95), in which tots match letters to a picture with the push of a button. The best part of all the Lakeshore Toys we tested: no bells, no buzzers, no blinking lights or mechanical music. Just a toy, plain and simple. We like. 1721 Beam Avenue, Suite A, Maplewood 5699 West 16th Street, St. Louis Park lakeshorelearning.com 651-777-0650 (Maplewood) 952-541-0915 (SLP)

Toy test 2012 Marbles: The Brain Store

Peapods

The brain is as unique as it is complex— that’s what Marbles keeps in mind when selecting the products it offers. Not just for kids, the store offers products for all ages that encompass critical thinking, memory, coordination, visual perception, and word skills. Marbles representative Norma Rosenfeld brought to our attention “a terrific new music CD” called Brain Beats ($13.99), which “uses mnemonics to teach, much like Schoolhouse Rock did in the 1970s, but in a fresh, modern way.” With 12 catchy songs such as Every State has a Nickname and Amp Up My Preamble, you’ll be belting out everything from the first 84 digits of Pi to how to say hello, goodbye, and thank you in multiple languages. Three Locations (Mall of America, Eden Prairie Center, Rosedale Mall) marblesthebrainstore.com 952-854-5804 (MOA); 952-943-0779 (EP); 651-633-9887 (Rosedale)

childcare/education 47-48 party pages 49 • retail 49

Peapods is a mother-owned family store offering wood toys, baby slings, cloth diapers, music, and books. Their products are made of natural materials like cotton, wool, silk, and wood, or environmentallyfriendly alternatives like natural rubber or recycled plastics. Dan Marshall at Peapods says, “We have several new items we are excited about!” They include the Bathtub Ball natural rubber bath toy by BeginAgain ($21.99); the Djeco Pop and Play Sets ($19.99), “three dimensional toys that are fun to make and fun to play with.” Says Marshall, “We have a whole bunch of cool new toys from Janod, a French company, and the new Doodletown Train ($13.99) has been a strong favorite this year. Plus, it’s made in Minnesota!” Marshall also listed the Rolling Rainbow wooden toy from Smart Gear ($39.99). 2290 Como Avenue, St. Paul peapods.com 651-695-5559

Polarn O. Pyret USA

While this company is predominantly in the kids clothing biz, there are two toys that seem to fly (or should we say, hop) out of the store: Striped Bunny ($22.95) and Terry Hare ($20.50). Says Linda Kerr, social media marketing and public relations expert for the company, “All facial features are stitched, no parts to detach, 100 percent cotton, it’s a vibrant cuddly bunny certain to become a beloved member of the family.” 3330 Galleria, Edina polarnopyretusa.com 952-225-3154

• home 48 • miscellaneous 48-49 • new & expecting moms 49

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“Having had four babies, being a mom is a major part of who I am but I also felt like there’s more to me than just being a mom.”

though it’s completely natural, their bodies go through a lot and can experience neck strains in the process. To help treat Finn, the chiropractor said to support his head and neck muscles by using a supportive headrest with padding on the sides. The chiropractor didn’t have anything I could use or buy so I tried to find something at the store, but I couldn’t find anything that would do what he described. I took matters into my own hands. I wanted something that looked cute, and wanted to make sure I had something that actually would help Finn, so I made my own. how do Baby Elephant Ears work?

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Alicia Overby alicia overby of Cambridge, Minn. has a product that is sold to over 300 retailers in the U.S., and to people in 13 countries. Last year, sales hit $1.6 million. This kind of success wasn’t something Alicia was expecting when she created her infant headrest, Baby Elephant Ears— she just wanted to make something to help her colicky newborn son, Finn. The headrest worked, and Q&a became a hit after she brought it what was the impetus for launching Baby Elephant Ears? to a national trade show in 2009. After my son Finn was born he wasn’t a Alicia now works as a “momvery happy boy. He cried a lot and there was nothing I could do to console him. preneur” in a 150-year-old barn that she renovated into office space The doctor wanted to prescribe medication for colic. I didn’t feel comfortable where she continues to work on with that, so I brought Finn to the chiropractor. He was optimistic about expanding her business. —Valerie Turgeon

50 December 2012

being able to help. Because birth is a traumatic experience for babies even

Baby Elephant Ears help aid a baby’s spinal and neck alignment and is especially useful when a baby is in something like a bouncy chair, swing, stroller, or car seat. But it should not be used in a crib. Elephant Ears will keep the baby’s head from moving side to side so their spines will not be thrown out of alignment. It can be used for all babies, but especially newborns and premature babies. why did you decide to expand it into a business?

I kept being asked, “Where did you get that? Can you make me one?” I thought if my friends and family liked them so much, so would other people. Also, having had four babies, being a mom is a major part of who I am but I also felt like there’s more to me than just being a mom. By turning this into a business, I can still be a mom and at the same time sell a product that will help others like it helped me. The beauty of also being a mom-preneur is that you can work on your own terms. Doing this allows me to spend time with my family and I can make my own work hours. [The business] has become a lot bigger than I expected, but it’s a positive surprise. I was not expecting this kind of success to happen so quickly. Visit babyelephantears.com for more information.

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