California Kids - October 2015 by Valley Community Newspapers

October 2015

Table of Contents Wordsearch: Pumpkins, Skeletons, Ghosts!........................................page 7 Make it yourself..........................page 8 Who Wrote That? Priscilla Burris by Patricia Newman ..................page 9 The Book Report: Watch Out! - It’s Halloween! by Connie Goldsmith.................page 11 Fun Gift Ideas!..................... page 12-13 Fall Fun Guide......................page 15–16 Calendar of Events...................page 19 Parties! Parties!.................pages 22-23

www.valcomnews.com Publisher: George Macko General Manager: Kathleen Macko Contributing Writers: Connie Goldsmith, Patricia Newman Art Director: John Ochoa Graphic Designer: Annin Greenhalgh Advertising: Steve Crowley 916-429-9901 Cover photo courtesy Kimyetta Barron Photography kimyetta.b@gmail.com 916-947-9315

California Kids! is published monthly and distributed to more than 1,000 locations in the Sacramento Valley, including all of Sacramento County, and portions of Yolo (Davis and Woodland), Placer (Rocklin and Roseville), El Dorado (Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Placerville) counties. Subscriptions are available for $30/year. Mail prepaid check or money order to California Kids!, 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818. Make sure to specify the person and address to which you wish issues to be mailed. Deadlines for advertising and calendar listings are the 25th of the month prior to publication. Calendar listings should be mailed to 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818, faxed to (916) 429-9906, or e-mailed to kathleen@valcomnews.com. Copyright 2015 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc., 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818. Phone: (916) 429-9901. Fax: (916) 429-9906. E-mail:kathleen@valcomnews.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

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Another new book by Connie! “D

ietary Supplements,” by Connie Goldsmith, who writes the Note from the Nurse column for California Kids, has another new book just published by Lerner. Connie, a registered nurse, writes about the wide world of dietary supplements—vitamins and minerals, herbal products, and weight-loss and sports supplements. What do the experts say? In her September 2014 Note From the Nurse column she said that pediatricians do not recommend vitamins for healthy children. Learn more about what can help and what can harm your child. (Her book is available in public and school libraries and through online booksellers). Connie Goldsmith www.conniegoldsmith.com www.bombsoverbikini.com Recent books from Lerner Publishing Group Dietary Supplements: Harmless, Helpful, or Hurtful? Learn what experts say about common supplements Bombs over Bikini: the world’s ﬁrst nuclear disaster Junior Library Guild selection  SCBWI Crystal Kite winner for California/Hawaii  Bank Street College Best Children’s Books  See the trailer at: https://vimeo.com/90992603     Traumatic Brain Injury: from concussion to coma

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

Discovery Museum Science & Space Center Events • October 3 and 4, Saturday and Sunday, Pumpkin Science, 12:30 to 4 p.m. It’s the season for Jack-o-lanterns. Family-friendly pumpkin stations are set up to learn a bit about this squash. Kids 12 and younger craft a paper pumpkin to take home as fall décor. Admission includes these activities, the Space Quest! Exhibit, Nature Discovery Room, and planetarium shows at 1 and 3 p.m. (for ages 4 and older). • October 10 and 11, Saturday and Sunday, Fossil Fun, 12:30 to 4 p.m. The staff is kicking off the celebration for National Fossil Day (officially on October 14) this weekend with fossil fun for the whole family. Visit the classroom for a special fossil display. Kids enjoy a fossil craft to take home as a souvenir. Admission includes these activities, the Space Quest! Exhibit, Nature Discovery Room, and planetarium shows at 1 and 3 p.m. (for ages 4 and older). • October 17 and 18, Saturday and Sunday, National Chemistry Week Celebration!,12:30 to 4 p.m. This year’s theme for National Chemistry Week is “Chemistry Colors Our World,” and the staff will be featuring some colorful activities for your family to enjoy. Kids craft a filter paper butterfly to take home. Learn about some of the science behind colors. Play in our light corner in the Space Quest! exhibit. Admission includes these activities, the Space Quest! Exhibit, Nature Discovery Room, and planetarium shows at 1 and 3 p.m. Ages appropriate for: 4–12 years old

OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

• October 24 and 25, Saturday and Sunday, Moon Cookies, 12:30 to 4 p.m. October is the month when full moon lore and legends abound. Visit the staff for the day to learn about some science behind Earth’s moon and other moons in the solar system during the 1 and 3 p.m. planetarium shows (ages 4 and older only). Focus on moon facts while exploring the moon area of the Space Quest! exhibit. To top off the fun, kids decorate their own full moon cookie to enjoy as a snack. • October 31 and November 1, Saturday and Sunday, Spectacular Spiders!, 12:30 to 4 p.m. This weekend’s activity is paying homage to one of nature’s wonders—the spider. These crawly creatures are on display—a live tarantula in the Nature Discovery Room and fixed specimens to view in the classroom. Children add dazzling décor to a foam spider and create their own species of arachnid. Admission includes these activities, the Space Quest! Exhibit, and planetarium shows at 1 and 3 p.m. (for ages 4 and older). The Discovery Museum Science and Space Center is located at 3615 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento. Admission is: $8 adults (18+), $7 seniors (60+), $7 teens (13-17), $6 children (4-12), $0 children (3 and younger). The exhibits are age appropriate for 4 to 12 years old. For more information, call (916) 808-3942 or visit www. thediscovery.org.

About the Powerhouse Science Center/Discovery Museum Science & Space Center - Established in 1951, the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center is an exceptional science education and recreation resource for students, families, and all members of the greater Sacramento community. In our current location, the Discovery Museum serves more than 80,000 visitors, provides on-site programming to more than 50,000 school children, and delivers more than 300 “Science on Wheels” outreach programs each year. The Discovery Museum will soon significantly expand and transform to become the Powerhouse Science Center. This new campus will be eight times the current center’s size and serve as “a dynamic regional hub that engages and inspires people of all ages to explore the wonders, possibilities, and responsibilities of science.”

Fairytale Town Events October 23, 24, and 25, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 29th Annual Safe & Super Halloween: Pirates, 5 - 9 p.m. Avast ye! Join yer favorite pirates for three nights of trick-or-treating and family fun. Davy Jones, Jack Sparrow and the cursed treasure take center stage. Duels, games, 17 candy stations, hands-on activities, a costume parade and more pirate shenanigans await. Advance tickets are $7-$10 per person. Beginning October 23, tickets are $12 per person. Puppet show tickets are $1 for members and $2 for nonmembers. For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. November 1, Sunday, to Monday, February 29, 2016, Winter Hours Start, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Beginning November 1, Fairytale Town will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the winter season, weather permitting. Weekday admission is $4.50 per person. Weekend and holiday admission is $5.50 per person. Children ages 1 and under are free. For more information, visit fairytaletown. org or call (916) 808-7462.

Pajama Storytime Tuesdays at the Davis Branch Library P ut on your favorite PJs, grab your slippers and head over to the Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. for Pajama Storytime. Pajama Storytime will be held in the Children’s Activity Room of the library, located at 315 E. 14th Street in Davis, which is accessible for persons with disabilities. This program is free to attend and geared towards children ages 3-5. No reservations are required and all families are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring a pillow and their favorite stuffed animal to

cuddle with as they listen to stories, sing songs and participate in fun activities, including yoga stretches before bedtime. Children can choose a book from the library’s themed display to take home and read before bed. For more information about this program, contact library staff at (530) 757-5593. For more information about the Yolo County Library visit: www.yolocountylibrary.org or connect with the Yolo County Library on Facebook at: www.facebook. com/yolocountylibrary.org.

Call Steve for ad rates

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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

Effie Yeaw Nature Center Special Event October 4, Sunday, Nature Fest 2015, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free parking, $5/person, age 12 and under free. Animal shows, activities, exhibits and demos, birds of prey, guided nature hikes and more. Family-friendly food available or bring a picnic.

Send us your Photos! California Kids! is looking for themed photos to use for our monthly publication. This is your BIG chance to land a cover shot! For more info please contact kathleen@valcomnews.com

Free Weekend Activities

October 3, Saturday, Things That Slither, 10:30 a.m. Some have scaly skin, some have slimy skin, some have legs, and some don’t. Can you guess what they are? Join the staff if you dare to find out. October 10, Saturday, Fall Frolic, 10:30 a.m. What’s new in the Nature Area? Explore how the nature area wild spaces change with the fall season. October 11, Sunday, Fantastic Fur, 1:30 p.m. Long, shaggy, short, or thick. Come feel all sorts of fur and explore how it helps mammals survive. October 17, Saturday, Birding for Families, 10:30 a.m. Bring the family out for a birding and nature walk led by a Naturalist and our special guest guides from the Sacramento Audubon Society. Birdwatchers of all levels welcomed. Make sure to bring your binoculars or borrow a pair from us. October 18, Sunday, Going Batty, 1:30 p.m. Explore the mysteries of bats. Discover why these creatures are so misunderstood. October 24, Saturday, Spooky Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Gear up for Halloween with some spooky stories told by the Sacramento Storytellers Guild. Stories guaranteed not to cause nightmares. October 25, Sunday, Riverside Safari, 1:30 p.m. Join an EYNC Naturalist for an afternoon adventure exploring along the river’s edge. October 31, Saturday, Creatures of the Night, 10:30 p.m. Join us this All Hallows Eve for a program about a bird that has inspired supernatural tales like few others. Although they are not “otherworldly,” the quirky nature of owls are sure to make them the life of the Halloween party.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is located 2850 San Lorenzo Way, at California Avenue and Tarshes Drive, Carmichael. Donations are gratefully accepted. There is a $5 per car entrance fee into Ancil Hoffman County Park (Free to members). For more information, call (916) 489-4918 or visit www.sacnaturecenter.net.

OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Pumpkins, Skeletons, Ghosts!

ey kids! It’s almost that time of year, do you have your costume picked out? Oh boy, almost time to trick or treat! So much fun! Can you find the words related to Halloween? Look carefully, words can appear vertically, horizontally, diagonally, backward and upside-down. Good luck hunting!

S U P E R H E R O E S O M C S G S

T P P S T A C K C A L B P A V W T

O E R E F A A Z R F O O I N S R A

R A D A V H T R A D W D L D P F E

M P U M P K I N S E M N M Y O S R

Bats Black Cats Boo Candy Candy Apples Costumes Darth Vadar Fangs Fun

T I H Y E L G N R D A E R K O E T

R N C R R P A R T I E S N S K S R

O G T S I T A Y T G C A R E Y S O

O V I T A N B A T S N E P I S E K

P R W N G C N O E J M M P B T C C

E S K E L E T O N R L J W M O N I

R M R D F E G H O S T S E O R I R

Ghosts Haunted House Parties Power Rangers Princesses Pumpkins Skeleton Spider webs Spooky stories

S S Y A G H X F C H A L K Z I R T

Z L N T R C S E M U T S O C E P B

E G N C A N D Y A P P L E S S M E

S U S V A M P I R E S B E O O B F

E G Z R E T S B E W R E D I P S U

B Z T H A U N T E D H O U S E R N

Storm Troopers Super Heroes Transformers Trick or treats Vampires Witch Zombies

Make it yourself! Cat Mask Craft I sn’t this cat mask gorgeous? Very straightforward to make, it involves painting, cutting and sticking - so it will keep the kids busy for a while and they will love every minute! Just make sure they don’t put the mask on before it is absolutely dry.

Felt Toy Bat T his felt toy bat might look cute, but he is still a perfect craft for kids to make at Halloween!

You will need:

Black felt, needle and embroidery thread, toy stuffing, fabric glue, wiggle eyes, gems, sequins, scraps of felt, fabric paint, whatever you can find to decorate your bat

Paper plate, black paint, scraps of black, pink and green paper, black wool/ chenille stems, elastic, glue stick

You will need to: Paint the back of the plate black and leave to dry, then carefully cut out two eye holes. Cut 3 short pieces of black wool and glue them to the center of the mask to be whiskers. Use the scraps of paper to make the eyes and nose and two ears. Punch a small hole on either side of the mast and thread through the elastic, tying tightly to each hole.

You will need: Cut two bat shapes from felt. Sew them together around the edge using running stitch. Leave a small gap at the bottom to stuff the toy. When the toy is full, sew up the gap. Glue on buttons and ribbons and anything else you have in your craft box to make eyes and a nose. Highlight the wings with fabric paint.

Paper Cup Bat M ake this cheerful paper cup bat for Halloween or at any time of year.

You will need:

Cupcake Case Jack O’Lanterns

JYou will need:

ust a quick and easy little craft, to make good use of any Halloween cupcake cases you might have lying around!

Paper cup, polystyrene ball, black paint, glue, wiggle eyes, black craft foam white puff paint or fabric paint pen

You will need to:

Halloween cup cake paper liners, black card, glue

You will need to: Flatten the cupcake paper liners, carefully cut out faces, glue the cupcake cases to the black card.

Paint your ball and cup with the black paint and leave them to dry. Glue the ball to the bottom of the cup. Glue the ball to the bottom of the cup. Glue two eyes on to the ball. Cut two ears and a large wing shape from black foam. Glue the ears to the ball and the wings to the back of the cup. To finish draw on a mouth with the fabric paint.

Crafts courtesy of: www.Activity Village.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

Who wrote that? The Creators of Your Child’s Favorite Books With author Priscilla Burris

Priscilla Burris lives life on the look-out for ways to give back to her community and her readers. She recalls two instances where excellent teachers set the bar high as role models. The first was Miss Yoshida, a third grade teacher who, when Burris was hospitalized with double pneumonia, asked the class to write letters. Miss Yoshida bound the messages into a booklet. At the time Burris experienced the pleasure those letters brought her, but looking back she recognizes and appreciates the thoughtfulness of the gesture. Similarly, Burris remembers sometimes struggling to learn at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, portrayed in the 1987 movie Stand and Deliver. “I experienced the high and lows of high school,” Burris says. “I have lots of great memories.” But she also recalls the chaos of particular classes. Fortunately, her “thoughtful and kind-hearted” typing teacher, Mr. Scobie, took Burris and two of her friends under his wing. According to Burris, he took the “time to listen, [to] share his wisdom, and to get us involved [in] areas [where] we could make positive contributions to our school environment…He showed us it was possible to touch our hearts by treating us with respect and giving us hope and encouragement. I will always be so very grateful for Mr. Scobie.” As a young twenty-something, Burris moonlighted during vacations from her job as an office assistant at a brokerage firm to teach preschool where she loved reading and drawing with her students. She simultaneously took classes in early childhood education. One memorable assignment required Burris to write and illustrate a children’s book. “A lightbulb went on,” she says. Drawing had occupied a lot of Burris’ free time—characters with kid-appeal seemed to appear out of nowhere in her sketch pad, as if “they wanted to be there.” In spite of her interest in art, she says, “I didn’t

By Patricia Newman

Priscilla Burris

know being an illustrator for children’ books was even possible!” She embraced her new-found path. An editor who had seen Burris’s business card on the bulletin board at an art supply store called with Burris’s first illustration job. “There was an image [on the card] of a little girl happily drawing,” she says. “The editor connected with that little girl. It reminded her of herself at that age.” A series of educational projects followed before Burris broke into the picture book and illustrated chapter book market. Up to this point in Burris’s career as an artist for children’s books, she has most often illustrated the manuscripts of other authors. But she is poised to release a new book which she both authored and illustrated. Burris strives to keep her drawings loose and unpredictable. She finds that too many revisions sap the energy from a piece. Additionally, as a preschool teacher she witnessed how the “cute” kids receive most of the teacher’s positive attention, so she embraces imperfection: the snaggletoothed, glasses-wearing kid in mismatched socks for example. Burris sees each of her characters as a personality on the page. “All parts of that character—the hair, the clothing, the movements—are there to show off that personality,” she says. When a new character appears in her sketchbook, Burris studies his personality and tries to figure out his back story. Perhaps the character bubbles like a kid she saw on a television commercial, or perhaps the character is quiet and re-

OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

flective like the boy from her elementary school lunchroom who sat at a nearby table with a few sliced chilies—the kind served as a garnish. “That was all he had and that was normal for him,” Burris recalls. “I didn’t know how to process it then. I was left with a deep sense of wanting.” Now, she recognizes the feeling as empathy for the inequality of that boy’s situation and uses her art to help today’s kids build a bridge to understanding. The theme of giving back pervades Burris’s illustrations for kids. “We give back with our books,” she says of herself and her author-illustrator colleagues. “[Creating books] is a universal feeling of giving back to others.” Burris’s theme also extends to fellow illustrators. Since 1998, she has planned high-quality instructional and mentor sessions as the National Illustrator Coordinator & Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (www. scbwi.org). “I care deeply about others and what they have to deal with,” Burris says. “I want to create joy and convey a sense of lightheartedness for my readers. I want them to know that they matter.” Next Month: Christine Taylor-Butler

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRISCILLA BURRIS Visit: http://www/.priscillaburris.com/

SELECTIONS FROM PRISCILLA BURRIS’S LIBRARY ILLUSTRATOR Heidi Heckelbeck Might Be Afraid of the Dark by Wanda Coven, Little Simon, October 2015. Mom School by Rebecca Van Slyke, Doubleday BFYR, 2015. Humphrey’s Tiny Tales Books by Betty G. Birney, Puffin Humphrey’s Creepy-Crawly Camping Adventure, 2015. Humphrey’s Really Wheely Racing Day, 2014. Humphrey’s Playful Puppy Problem, 2014. Edgar’s Second Word by Audrey Vernick, Clarion, 2014, Maggi and Milo by Juli Brenning, Dial, 2014. Isabelle & Isabella’s Little Book of Rules by Isabelle Busath and Isabella Thordsen, Simon Spotlight, 2013. Aloha for Carol Ann by Margo Sorenson, Marimba Books, 2011. The Tale of Jack Frost by Marcia Thornton Jones, Cartwheel Books, 2008.

UPCOMING Humphrey’s School Fair Surprise by Betty G. Birney, January 2016. Dad School by Rebecca Van Slyke, Doubleday BFYR, April 2016. Maggi and Milo Make New Friends by Juli Brenning, Dial, Summer 2016.

Patricia Newman visits schools! Her newest book, Ebola: Fears and Facts, a Junior Library Guild Selection, is now available. Additional books include Plastic, Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch winner of the Green Earth Book Award. Visit her at www.patriciamnewman.com for more information.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

THE BOOK REPORT

Watch out it’s Halloween! By Connie Goldsmith

ids of all ages look forward to Halloween. Maybe they love that feeling of being just a little scared, but still feeling safe. No matter what your family’s Halloween plans, whether it’s a party at home with friends, a school gathering, or a trick-ortreat excursion with a goodie bag the size of Stockton, a new book is always a treat. If older sibs go out on their own, read a story to the little ones left behind so they’ll feel like they’re part of this favorite holiday. “Five Little Monkeys Trick or Treat,” by Eileen Christelow. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). These little monkeys star in several books and somehow, they always get into trouble. This Halloween, the babysitter shows up to take them out trick-or-treating. The five little monkeys dress as a banana, alien, ghost, goblin, and princess. Things start out just fine. But soon the alien-dressed monkey finds a friend whose costume he likes better. Now Leopard is an alien and Monkey is a blue sheep. The new ‘alien monkey’ sets off with the others. But one by one, the monkeys change costumes with friends and follow the babysitter home. But the babysitter and the monkeys’ mother know what’s going on. The inevitable ending is both warm and funny. The kid-friendly digitally rendered colored pen and ink drawings convey a world of facial expressions. And the recipes for Eyeball Cookies and Worm Juice top off a very nice book for young trick-or-treaters. ** Reviewer’s pick of the month** “Scarecrow Magic,” by Ed Masessa, Illustrated by Matt Myers. (Orchard Books). “The man made of straw knows the time is just right. He loosens the ropes that are binding him tight.” The Halloween magic is bringing out the ghoulies and the ghosties, monsters from the dirt and the river, and finally, Scarecrow comes alive! The enchanted beasties play through the magical night under the full moon.

Study the dark, atmospheric illustrations for wild and weird details drawn from unusual perspectives. This unusual book is definitely a little bit scary, making it a good Halloween story perhaps best reserved for slightly older children. “Ghost in the House,” by AmmiJoan Paquette, illustrated by Adam Record. (Candlewick). This lift-the-flap book starts with a little ghost all alone in a dark, creepy haunted house. He hears a groan and . . . lift the flap to see a tall skinny mummy. Two of them prowl until they hear a growl and . . . lift the flap to find a monster. The three keep wandering the house and pick up a skeleton and a witch hidden under their own flaps. Prepare to be surprised as you ever so cautiously pull down the last flap to discover lurking under it . . . the scariest creature of all! Told in a lively rhyme and illustrated with marvelous fullspread digital artwork, the story holds just the right amount of scariness for young listeners. “My First Halloween,” by Tomie dePaola. (Grosset & Dunlap). Award-winner Tomie dePaola both writes and illustrates this board book meant for the very youngest. Board books are bright, colorful, and durable to ensure they stand up to the rough handling (and perhaps chewing) of tiny toddlers. Hold your little one in your lap and tell her about Halloween for the very first time. The friendlylooking family first makes jacko’-lanterns from pumpkins. They next make cutouts of black cats, ghosts, bats, owls, and witches. They decorate the house for a Halloween party in black and orange. They don their quirky costumes and go trick-or-treating. Then it’s back home for a party with friends. What more could anyone want for a perfect Halloween? Maybe think about tucking this darling little book into the Halloween treat bag of a very special little goblin. “Seven Orange Pumpkins,” Stephen Savage. (Dial). We begin

OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

with seven orange pumpkins against a sunset silhouette of a black cat on a fence and laundry hanging on a clothesline. “Seven orange pumpkins, ripe for treats and tricks. Tonight will be a spooky night.” [page turn] “Yikes! There are six.” Each page turns reveals another ‘stolen’ pumpkin. You and your little mystery-solver can figure out where each missing pumpkin disappears to in this count-down book. One clue? Watch the black cat. She’s got it all figured out. The scarecrow, mummy, pirate, witch, and spider each have their own idea about how to best use a little orange pumpkin on Halloween! The catchy rhymes are fun to read aloud, and the bold and bright art is a pleasure to behold. Connie Goldsmith (www.conniegoldsmith.com) lives in Carmichael, CA where she writes for adults and older children. Her newest nonfiction juvenile book, Dietary Supplements: Harmless, Helpful, or Hurtful? is now available. Other recent books include: Bombs over Bikini; Traumatic Brain Injury: From Concussion to Coma; Battling Malaria: on the Front Lines Against a Global Killer,” and many others. Her books can be found in school and public libraries, and at online booksellers.

Fun Gift Ideas! Transformers Rescue Bots: Dinobots!

Animal Planet Click and See Projector

im the lights and project fun animal images on the wall or ceiling. Torch style projector allows 3’ images to be projected on any surface or ceiling. Three slides contain 24 images. Just click the lever to instantly change the image. Includes ring to keep the slides together for storage. To purchase, visit Amazon, Walmart.com or Target.com.

ore fun with everyone’s favorite Dinobots! Chase, Heatwave, Blades and Boulder are back for more rescuing adventures in Griffin Rock! This time, their adventures are going to be huge — and prehistoric! The Dinobots are back and they’re bringing big fun back to Griffin Rock! This heroic collection of Transformers: Rescue Bots has been released on DVD from Shout! Factory Kids, in conjunction with Hasbro Studios. Featuring five exciting episodes that the whole family can enjoy, this DVD is priced to own with a suggested retail price of $14.93. For more information visit: https://www.shoutfactory.com/kids/kids-animation/transformers-rescue-bots-dinobots The set is also available for pre-order on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rescue-Bots-LeVarBurton/dp/B00X99RNOU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=143 8727884&sr=8-2&keywords=dinobots+dvd Hasbro Studios is the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS). For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

John Deere Pick’n Pop Combine

he Pick N Pop Combine by John Deere has a kid-powered sit ‘n’ scoot design that picks up balls and pops ‘em out. Plays two musical tunes! Price: $59.99. The John Deere Pick ‘n Pop Combine provides your toddler a little in-the-field John Deere adventure. Features Kid-powered scooting motion and two musical tunes. Run over balls to pick them up and they’ll drop out of the back. For more information, log on to Amazon.com.

Safety Begins at Home For your

FREE

Child Safety Kit

Discovery Kids Adventure Play Tent

Play All Day Elmo

by Discovery Kids

• Complete 2-piece tent and tube combo for hours of play, pieces can be used together or separately • Ideal for home, backyard, parks, children’s parties and other events • Lightweight tent can be taken anywhere (indoors or outdoors); Fast and easy set-up with no tools required • Dome dimensions: 48-Inch x 48-Inch x 37-Inch; Tunnel dimensions: 189-Inch width x 728-Inch long Durable, washable nylon construction

Contact James Jensen

Recommended for ages 4 and up and available on Amazon.

jjensen@adt.com

Sonic Boom Tails’ Plane

(916) 870-3309 From infant to age 14

H LIC# 108321

ang tight Sonic, it’s Tails to the rescue! Tails’ signature plane features a triggeractivated propeller, flashing headlights, dual projectile launchers, pitch-changing engine sounds and an ejector seat (in case Tails needs to bail!) Price: $29.99. Suggested Ages: 4 years+ Sonic Boom Tails’ Plane by TOMY can be purchased at Toys R Us and Amazon.com.

ids will be wowed by the most exciting and playful Elmo to date, the PLAY ALL DAY ELMO toy. This favorite pal features 150+ responses and eight games and activities that will keep little ones laughing. From “Pat-acake” and “Freeze Dance,” to “Red Light, Green Light” and more, every move kids make is a new chance for fun. Little ones can also tickle Elmo’s belly, hold his hand, give him a kiss, or clap his hands to play games together and hear more fun responses. Requires AA batteries, demo batteries included. For Ages 18 months – 4 years. Approx. Retail Price: $59.99 Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

Fun Gift Ideas!

Edwin the Duck: Home Designer Building Set He’s No Ordinary Duck!

dwin the Duck is an upgrade to your typical rubber duck. Edwin is an interactive and educational smart rubber duck. This new two-way interactive, app-enhanced smart toy works with the Edwin iOS and Android app to immerse kids in a world of animated stories, songs, and games designed to teach and entertain. His built-in accelerometer allows for motion-based play, allowing your child to utilize Rubber Duck Edwin in animated, interactive activities. Edwin is adorable, fun, and most importantly; educational.

uild your dream house from the ground up with Brianna and Sophia in the Home Designer™ Building Set. Sophia loves building, while Brianna helps with the finishing touches of the interior. These best friends are a dynamic duo when it comes to building and decorating houses. Help them build different styles of houses - a colonial, a brownstone, and a ranch. Decorate the houses using the included accessories and make their home, your home with the Home Designer™ Building Set from Mighty Makers™. Most models can be built one at a time. Includes 433 K’NEX parts and pieces, accessories include flowers and flower pots, chairs, tables, lamps, blue prints, graphic panels and more, includes instructions for three different architecture themed builds, Mighty Makers™

Card challenges builder to explore additional architecture concepts. Fun for ages 7+, look for this fun set at Toys R Us.

150 Piece Essentials Value Set from K’Nex

• Bath – Waterproof, Edwin doubles as a wireless speaker and floats. He also has an onboard thermometer to take water temp, and will turn red if too hot. • Story – Bring reading to life with two way interactivity. Tap, shake and move Edwin to connect to the animated story with lights, music and sound. • Play/Learn – Along with the basics of numbers, letters, shapes, and colors, Edwin can play Hide and Seek among other popular games. • Song – Stream music from his speaker or enjoy original songs designed to enhance daily activities like brushing teeth and getting ready for school. • Bed – Sit him in his rechargeable nest, illuminate his nightlight or have him sing custom lullabies or white noise sounds for restful sleep.

uild a whole bunch with your favorite TINKERTOY parts! The TINKERTOY 150 Piece Essentials Value Set includes made-in-the-USA spools, rods, flags, washers, end caps, and more! Building ideas included for all skill levels. Your child can add these parts to another TINKERTOY building set (sold separately) to build anything they imagine! Age appropriate for 3 and over.

Edwin is for newborns up to age 9, and retails for $99.99 at major electronics stores and at EdwinTheDuck.com

MSRP: $44.99 Available at knex.com and at retailers nationwide.

Natural Twig Colored Pencil Set

ew eco-friendly stocking stuffer enhances little¹s ones creativity without the mess from Education Outdoors Inc. Many little ones spend countless hours coloring, drawing and creating. It may seem that they have every art supply known to children. However with many art supplies brings many messes, from markers left without the cap on in the car to melted crayons stuck in between the car seat art on the go can become a big no no. Education Outdoors has the solution to the art work

mess, the Natural Twig Colored Pencil Set is a great addition to your little artist’s designs. The pencils make coloring fun and are a rustic, eco-friendly set of natural twig colored pencils. The pencils are handcrafted out of real recycled wood that makes each pencil unique as they vary by nature. Not only will your little ones have a new mess-less addition to their collection but they will also have a unique and earth friendly tool. For ages 3 and over. Includes: Set of Eight Assorted Pencil

OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Colors: Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Brown & Black bound w/ twine. for more information visit http://www.educationoutdoors.net/natural-twigcolored-pencil-set/ They can be purchased at http://www.educationoutdoors.net

Fall Fun Guide

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

Fall Fun Guide

Ritz Cracker

www.eyesonthesource

You will need:

Break a pretzel stick in half to make each pair of legs. Then place the

other cracker on top like a sandwich. Use the white frosting to glue the raisins on for eyes and paint the pretzel legs with the black frosting. And enjoy!

Ritz crackers (or other circle crackers), stick pretzels, raisins, peanut butter, white and black frosting

You will need to:

Place two circle crackers per spider on a plate. Cover one with peanut butter to glue the pretzels (spider legs) in place.

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Fall Fun Guide! Butano State Park

1500 Cloverdale Road, Pescadero (650) 879-2040

October 4, Sunday, WildďŹ&#x201A;ower Walk, 11 a.m. Walk along the trails of Butano State Park with Volunteer Naturalist Scott Peden. This is a slow paced, 3 hour walk with time to discover and identify plants, flowers and animals in the park, and allow for photography if you choose. Bring water, lunch or snacks, and plenty of questions. Meet Scott at the parks Visitor Center near the entrance station.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 2015

Book Warehouse Sale

HoW ManY gHoSTS?

ore than 100,000 “gently used” books, videos, and audio books will be offered for prices from fifty cents to $2 at the Saturday, October 3, sale at the warehouse of the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library. The warehouse is at the rear of the Friends’ “Book Den” store at Suite E, 8250 Belvedere Avenue, just south of 14th Avenue, between Power Inn Road and FlorinPerkins Road. Plenty of parking is available, but visitors should be careful not to park between the “No Parking” signs on the south side of Belvedere. Sale hours Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a preview on Friday, October 2, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Friends members only (You can join at the door for $15). The book store will also be open during the sale as well as weekly on Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items there are priced from $1 up. Art technique and graphic arts books will be special sale items in the book store at 30% off (40% to members) all month. For more information, call (916) 731-8493 or go to bookden@saclibfriends.org.

Maidu Museum and Historic Site Events • New Exhibit: “Coyote III”, through November 14 In partnership with the Ridley Gallery at Sierra College, the Maidu Museum & Historic Site presents “Coyote III,” an annual coyote themed art exhibit. Participating artists include: Tiffany Adams, Ben Aleck, Jack Alvarez, Phil Buckheart, Janice Gould, Karma Henry, Topaz Jones, Jack Malotte, L. Frank Manriquez, Melissa Melero, Al Striplen, Stan Padilla, Kanyon Sayers-Rood, Alicia Siu, and Alan Wallace.

October Events • October 16, Friday, Campﬁre, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sit under the stars at the outdoor amphitheater to enjoy native stories around the campfire. The staff will provide roasting sticks and marshmallows for a sweet program’s end. This is the last campfire event of the season. Museum doors open at 7 p.m. Program starts at 7:30 p.m. $5 per person, $16 family of four, under 2 are FREE. • October 17, Saturday, Night Out at the Museum, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join the staff for a Night Out at the Museum. Cultural presentation starts at 7 p.m. Museum doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be available. FREE event. The Maidu Museum is open: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3rd Saturdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Guided tours Saturdays at 10 a.m. Self-guided tours on

OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Harvest Fun in October I n addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long. Many of the 30 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are offering fun Halloween and harvest-related events and activities sure to get guests in a festive spirit, including: • “Pumpkin Science” at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, October 3 & 4 Visit the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center to enjoy family-friendly pumpkin stations to learn a bit about this squash. Plus, kids 12 and younger craft a paper pumpkin to take home as fall décor. For more, visit www.thediscovery.org • “Souls of the City” Events & Activities Presented by the Sacramento History Museum, October 3 thru November 1 In honor of “Day of the Dead” activities celebrated each year in Mexico and in major cities around the world, Sol Collective and the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation have teamed up to present a series of community workshops and special activities that showcase the traditions and/or demonstrate how to create some of the special items used in “Day of the Dead” celebrations. The effort culminates with a Dia De Los Muertos celebration on November 1. For more, visit www.sachistorymuseum.org • Ghost Tours at the Sacramento History Museum, October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 Visitors to Old Sacramento can journey back in time to hear ghostly tales and spooky stories as they walk through the history-rich streets and re-live 19th century lore. Entertaining yet knowledgeable tour guides will take daring and inquisitive guests through Old Sacramento’s infamous locales to experience a bit of the dark side of California’s history. For more, visit www.sachistorymuseum.org • Lantern Tours at the Sacramento City Cemetery, October 16, 17, 23 & 24 Embark on a lantern led walking tour through Sacramento’s past at the Sacramento City Cemetery. Guests experience stories of murder, death by spirits, death by duel or morphine, and even men impersonating women -- all this while encounter-

Fairytale Town. Photo Courtesy

ing other unexpected visitors from beyond. Stories will be told by our eternal residents. Hurry, tickets sell out fast…for more, visit www.oldcitycemetery.com • “Spookomotive” Train Rides at the Railroad Museum, October 17, 18, 24, 25 & 31 California State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum are proud to offer diesel-powered “Spookomotive” train rides aboard a whimsically decorated train crawling with spiders, cobwebs and cornstalks while staffed with an entertaining “skeleton crew.” Also, discounted “combo” Halloweenthemed train rides and river cruises are offered twice per day. For more, visit www.csrmf.org • 4th Annual Monster Bash at the Sacramento Children’s Museum, October 17 Visit the Sacramento Children’s Museum for a night of ghoulish fun at the 4th Annual Monster B a s h . G e a r u p f o r H a l l o w e e n by wearing your best costume and come play the night away at the Museum. They’ll have a DJ, dancing, refreshments, photo opportunities, a “haunted hallway,” and Museum play. For more, visit www.sackids.org • 29th Annual Safe & Super Halloween: Pirates, October 23, 24 and 25 Join yer favorite pirates for three nights of trick-or-treating and family fun at Fairytale Town! Davy Jones, Jack Sparrow and the cursed treasure take center stage. Duels, games, 17 candy stations, hands-on activities, a costume parade and more pirate shenanigans await. For more, visit www.fairytaletown.org • The Haunted Fort at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, October 23 and 24 For those interested in a ghoulishly unique experience, check out

Boo at the Zoo. Photo Courtesy

the sixth annual “The Haunted Fort” at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP). Once again, the historic site will offer a special Halloween program based in fact but with a decidedly creepy twist. Daring visitors will go on guided lantern-lit tours through the darkened rooms and hear unusual and intriguing tales of how some of California’s early pioneers perished throughout history. For more, visit www.suttersfort.org • Count Watts’ SPOOKtacular at the Roseville Utility Exploration Center, October 24 Visitors to the Roseville Utility Exploration Center can meet Count Watts and discover ways to save energy. Guests can take a thrilling walk through the Phantom House, carve a pumpkin then round out the day with crafts, face painting and prizes. For more, visit http://www.roseville.ca.us/ explore/workshops_and_events/ exploration_events.asp • “Boo-seum” at the California Automobile Museum, October 25 Bring your best dressed ghosts and ghouls to the California Automobile Museum for a special Halloween Haunted House and Trunk or Treat activities. Each paying adult may bring two children decked out in their best costumes at no charge to experience one of the best haunted houses around and get their fill of candy from museum volunteers who will also be in their finest Halloween outfits camped out at different cars throughout the Museum. For more, visit www. calautomuseum.org • Wee Halloween at the Crocker Art Museum, October 28 Families with children ages 5 and under can decorate treat bags before being guided in small groups through the galleries. Along the way, they will encounter gentle surprises in the form

of music, poetry, and dance, and receive a non-candy treat at the end of each performance. The Halloween stroll will end with a delicious celebration. Space is limited and advance registration is required. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.crockerartmuseum.org • Trick-or-Treating in Old Sacramento, October 31 Trick-or-treating will be held through the streets of Old Sacramento once again this season from noon to 4 p.m. Each year nearly 50 Old Sacramento merchants and museums participate in the fun. The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum is a great place to start as maps and bags are available for interested participants. For more, visit www. scoe.net/oldsacschoolhouse • Boo at the Zoo at the Sacramento Zoo, October 30 and 31 Two nights of ghoulish family fun, rain or shine. Kids can safely trick-or-treat around the lake at 25 different candy stations. Other activities include magic shows, costume dance party, ghoulish games, and lots of family fun. Guests can also ride the Spooky Train or Creepy Carousel for an additional fee. Please note: Only the front half of the Zoo will be open during this event. The spookiness is appropriate for children under 10 years of age. For more, visit www.saczoo.org • “Spectacular Spiders” at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, October 31 and November 1 Pay homage to one of nature’s wonders, the spider. Lots of crawly creatures will be on display; a live tarantula in the Nature Discovery Room and fixed specimens to view in the classroom. Plus, children can add dazzling décor to a foam spider and create their own species of arachnid to take home. For more, visit www.thediscovery.org CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

Calendar of Events Critter Events October 3, Things that Slither, 10:30 a.m,. 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Some have scaly skin, some have slimy skin, some have legs, and some don’t. Come to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and guess what they are. For more information, call (916) 489-4918. October 11, Fantastic Fur, 1:30 p.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Come to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center to learn about long, shaggy, short, or thick furs. Come feel all sorts of fur and explore how it helps mammals survive. For more information, call (916) 489-4918. October 17, Birding for Families, 10:30 a.m., 2850 San Lorenzo, Way, Car-

michael. Bring the family to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center for a birding and nature walk led by a naturalist and guides from the Sacramento Audubon Society. Birdwatchers of all levels welcomed. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from the staff. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

the quirky nature of owls are sure to make them the life of the Halloween party. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

October 18, Bat Program, 1:30 p.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Camichael. Come to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and explore the mysteries of bats. Discover why these creatures are so misunderstood. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

October 10, Fall Frolic, 10:30 a.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. What’s new in the Effie Yeaw Nature Area? Explore how the nature area wild spaces change with the Fall season. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

October 31, Creatures of the Night, 10:30 a.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Join the staff at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center for All Hallows Eve, a program about a bird that has inspired supernatural tales like few others. Although they are not “otherworldly,”

October 25, Riverside Hike, 1:30 p.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Join an Effie Yeaw Nature Center naturalist for an afternoon adventure exploring along the river’s edge. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

Nature Events

Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center Located 17 miles north of Santa Cruz, at 3600 Highway One, Davenport, CA 95017 Open Weekends Noon to 4 pm. Call (831) 427-2288.

• October 10, Saturday, Wildflower and Nature Hike of Waddell Valley, 10 a.m. Join docent Scott Peden and learn to identify many of Waddell Valleys plants within Rancho del Oso’s seven diverse habitats. Observe the monthly change of the ecosystems. Each walk is unique as blooming flowers and pollinators are constantly in flux. This walk is a leisurely 4 hour amble that is great for learning the native habitat we are experiencing. Bring lunch, questions and spirited fervor. Meet at the Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center located 17 miles north of Santa Cruz at 3600 Hwy 1 in Davenport. • October 10, Saturday, Snake Park Saturday, 2 p.m. Why are snakes important to us? How do they see, smell, taste, hear? What and how do they eat? What does a snake feel like? Come to the Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center to meet Docent Diane SEPTEMBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Shaw and learn about the fascinating world of snakes. Diane will give a talk about snakes and Naturalist Jeremy Lin will lead a short informative hike to find snakes and other reptiles. • October 11, Sunday, Nature Wander, 1 p.m. Find out what is growing and blooming right now in the Waddell Valley on this approximately 1 mile, 1.5 hour guided walk with docent naturalist Ann Garside. She will share information about the plants of Rancho del Oso as the group walks from coastal scrub through one of the last native stands of Monterey Pine left in the world. Hike starts at the Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center. • October 17, Saturday, Family Days, 2 p.m. Children of all ages welcome. Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling, creative crafts and an adventurous nature hike. A docent will engage all ages with an entertaining story about the natural world. Stay for hands on craft projects and enjoy an educational jaunt in the forest to observe and learn about local plants and animals. This event will meet at the Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center.

Special Events Mondays, Free Dessert, 2760 Sutterville Road, Sacramento A new offering at the Casa Garden Restaurant. Starting every Monday until Thanksgiving, patrons will receive a free dessert with the purchase of an entree and beverage, all for $12.50. The Casa Garden is known for its homemade desserts, so now is the time to take advantage of this special offer. Get a few friends together and make your reservation at (916) 452-2809. Casa Garden operates solely to benefit the Sacramento Children’s Home. October 4, Nature Fest, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Join the fun at Effie Yeaw Nature Center’s Nature Fest. Free parking, $5 per person, age 12 and under free. Animal shows, activities, exhibits and demos, birds of prey, guided nature hikes and more. Familyfriendly food available or bring a picnic. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

Storytime & Puppet Events October 24, Spooky Story Time, 10:30 a.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Gear up for Halloween with some spooky stories told by the Sacramento Storytellers Guild at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Stories guaranteed not to cause nightmares. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

Ano Nuevo State Park Located off Highway 1 between Pescadero and Santa Cruz, CA (650) 879-2025

• October 3, Saturday Geology Rocks! at Año Nuevo State Park, 1 p.m. The sands and cliffs of Año Nuevo State Parks Cove Beach tell a tale of an ever changing planet. Earthquakes and erosion, landslides and littoral drift all constantly carve up the California coast, producing the dramatic vistas and iconic features we know and love, while they last. Join docent Robert Irons for this 0.6 mile, 1 hour exploration of the parks coastal geology. Meet at the Marine Education Center. Rain cancels. • October 17, Saturday, A Year in the Life of the Quiroste, 1 p.m. For thousands of years before European explorers came to California, the Quiroste people lived a lifestyle rooted in the abundant resources around present day Año Nuevo State Park. Join docent Connie Gaddy for this 1 mile, 75 minute walk into centuries past, when the sea and shore provided sustenance and shelter for a thriving society. Meet in the main parking lot. Rain cancels.

Parenting Topic:

Bring Books To Life With Interactive Reading A Message from First 5 Sacramento

hen children are actively part of the storytelling experience, it helps their brains to develop and prepares them to read independently later. And they like it better! So when you read with your children, try asking them questions that will help them to think about the story and relate the stories to their life experiences. The best questions don’t have one right answer. Ask questions that prompt your child to think about the story and express an opinion. Doing this helps children to practice language, develop bigger vocabularies, and develop a love of books and reading aloud together.

Try these interactive reading tips and watch stories come to life for your child: 1. Before you read the book, look at some of the pictures and ask, “What do you think the story will be about?” 2. While you read the book, stop occasionally and look at the pictures. For example, if you were reading “The Three Little Pigs,” you might stop and ask “Look at this picture! How do you know that the wolf is having a hard time blowing down the house?” (e.g., the wolf’s face, the brick house is standing, the pigs are laughing...) or you might ask “Can you remember a time when you tried to blow something?” (e.g., bubbles, birthday candles).

3. When you finish reading the book, you might ask, “What would you use to build your house?” Then take it a step further, “Tell me more about why you chose to build your house out of that.” Spend quality time together while encouraging the magic of reading at the Library. There are 28 libraries in Sacramento County. See locations at www.saclibrary.org. About First 5 Sacramento - Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on tobacco products

to support programs for expectant parents and children ages zero to five. In the last year, First 5 Sacramento distributed approximately $13 million a year in Prop 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs. Each county has a First 5 Children and Families Commission providing unique local services for that county.

Have fun coloring!

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Parties!

Cowgirl Birthday Party Cowgirl Party Invitations • Print out party information on large address l a b e l s . T h e n s t i c k o n t o pretty pink bandanas and send them out to your party guests. In the invitation ask them to wear

the bandana in a creative way to the party.The most creative use of the bandana wins a prize. • Embellish plain note cards with stickers of horses or cowgirls items such as bandanas, hats and boots.

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• Make cow spotted cards by drawing black spots on plain white note cards. Cowgirl Party Decorations • Decorate the cowgirl party with hay bales and scatter hay outside around the door to the birthday party. • Buy cow balloons or make your own by drawing black spots on white helium balloons. Tie them onto the mailbox and/or in the front entry to the birthday party. • Tie pink bandanas from tree branches outside. Pink bandanas can also be tied around the backs of chairs at the party table and also used as placemats. • A blue, white or pink checkered table cloth is a nice backdrop for bandana printed plates, napkins and cups. • Fill cowboy boots, metal buckets or tall glass vases with pretty sunflowers and tie with a bandana for a pretty centerpiece. • Fill silver metal pails with snacks and use them to hold the flatware and napkins. Fun Ideas Teach the guests how to square dance or Country line dance during the party. YouTube has videos that you can play to teach everyone or learn before the party and teach the dances yourself. Cowgirl Party Games • Cowgirl Roundup - Teach your party guests how to lasso a horse or a cow. You will need a long rope lasso plus something to rope such as a

plastic kids horse or hay bale. Take turns trying to lasso the horses’ head. • Rattlesnake Tag -Party guests line up holding hands ... tell the kids that they must keep holding hands throughout the game. The line of kids makes up the rattlesnake. The child on one end of the line is the rattlesnakes head and the person at the opposite end of the line is the rattlesnakes tail. The head tries to tag the rattlesnake tail by weaving around it’s “body” while the tail is trying to hide behind the body to keep from being tagged. When the tail has been tagged then the tail goes to the position of the head and then they try and tag the new tail. Keep playing until all the children have had an opportunity to be the rattlesnake head and the tail. •Water the Cows -There are different ways the kids can transfer water in this game. Use small Dixie cups, bandanas soaked in water that they have to wring out into their team bucket, large spoons or your favorite red solo cups - punch holes in the bottom so the water slowly leaks out. To play, cowgirls will need 2 large containers filled up with water. Set them at one end and set up two jugs (like milk cartons) opposite them. Teams transfer water back and forth from the

big water tub to the jugs. First team to fill their container up wins the relay. Teams dip their cups into the large tub, run to their jugs and empty the collected water into it and then race to their team to hand off the cup to the player in line that is next. Cowgirl Party Food: Pink lemonade, apple pie, cut out slices of fruit with star shaped cookie cutters or place fruit squares on skewers. Hamburgers - cut out the hamburger patties with star or boot shaped cookie cutters. Fried chicken, wagon wheel macaroni and cheese, mix green food coloring and 7UP together to make “cactus juice,” if possible have a campfire and make Smores or roast hot dogs. Cowgirl Party Favors: Bandana printed hair ribbons, pretty stick on star earrings or necklaces with horses or stars, Twizzlers candy for cowgirls rope, bandana, plastic horses or cows, stuffed horse, horse on a stick Cowgirl Goody Bags: Party favors can be wrapped in a pink bandana and tied with raffia or ribbon. Draw black spots on white party bags for a cute cow goodie bag. Place party favors in a pretty cowgirl hat.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • OCTOBER 2015

Parties!

Neon Party A

Neon theme is a great idea for a birthday party. It is versatile and great for kids, tweens and teens of all ages. Neon party supplies and decorations are easy to find, too. Neon Party Decorations • Use a black plastic tablecloth as a background with neon colored streamers in front of it for a fun backdrop for the food table or a photo booth area. You can also use a black plastic tablecloth on the table and splatter paint neon colors on top of it. • Buy the wooden letters of your child’s name and spray paint them with a neon spray paint. Hang around the party as a fun decoration. • Cut 3 inch circles out of neon paper. Sew the circles onto thick string to make neon garland to hang up around the party. • Add glow sticks to balloons before you blow them up for fun glow in the dark decor.

let go. Teams then try and get the hula hoop from one end of the line to the other and then back again without letting go of their hands. • Neon Balloon Not DropUse Neon colored balloons with small glowsticks inside of them. The object is for the players to keep their balloon in the air as long as possible. If it touches the floor they are out. To make this more challenging, yell out commands that each child must follow such as - Hop on one foot!, Use only your head!, Crawl on the ground! • Neon Party Icebreaker Game - Give each guest glowstick necklaces and bracelets whenever they arrive at the party.

Neon Party Invitations • Cut out big rectangles from a thick pieces of black paper. Cut slightly smaller rectangles from neon colors of paper to attach on top of the black (so that the black shows on the edges). Write all of the party information on the neon colored paper. Have your child splatter paint the back of the invitation

Parties!

Neon Party Activities • If your birthday kiddo is older, ask all guests to come in white shirts. Get a blacklight or a strobe light (or both!) and have a dance party! You can also supply highlighters and neon markers for everyone to for decorating their shirts. • Make a ring toss game by taking three cans (Pringles cans work well) and filling them with beans/rice so that they will stay standing. Cover the cans in paper or paint. Make rings out of glow sticks and have each child try to throw the rings onto the cans. • Supply each child with a white t-shirt or pillowcase for them to decorate. Use highlighters, neon markers, or glow in the dark paint. This doubles as a party favor. • Supply neon nail polish for guests to paint their fingers and toes. • Set up an art station with neon paints and paper for guests to paint.

Parties!

• Make sugar cookies, but dye the batter neon colors to make neon cookies. • Make long skinny cones by rolling up white paper and securing with tape. Place a glow stick inside of the cone and put cotton candy on top for a fun and visually cool treat! • Dip pretzels/ Rice Krispies/ graham crackers in white frosting and drizzle neon frosting on top.

Parties!

Neon Party Favors- Party favors for a neon party could include glow sticks, candy dots, neon colored silly string, pop rocks, glow in the dark stars, and twisted plastic straws in neon colors. Neon Goody Bags- Take black gift bags and splatter paint them with neon paints for a unique goody bag. Fun Ideas- Ask guests to wear neon clothing.

Neon Party Food • Use neon cupcake wrappers and dye white icing with neon food dye. • Splatter the cupcakes or cake with neon icing.

Rodina Elite Gymnastics Academy Everyone is Welcome! See you in the Gym!

Neon Party Games • Make your own neon twister game out of a white sheet and neon paints. • Neon Hula Hoopla Game -To play you will need 2 neon or glow in the dark hula hoops. After splitting into two teams have children line up in two lines. Have each member of a team hold hands and tell them not to OCTOBER 2015 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide