California Kids - April 2016 by Valley Community Newspapers

April 2016

Table of Contents

Look After The Earth!

Make it yourself..........................page 5 Travel: Outdoor-Loving Families by Carmel L. Mooney..................page 6 The Book Report: History Comes Alive! by Susan L. Roberts....................page 8 Who Wrote That? Picture Book Potpourri by Patricia Newman ................page 11 Calendar of Events...................page 12 Parties! Parties!.................. page 14-15

www.valcomnews.com Publisher: David Herburger Contributing Writers: Connie Goldsmith, Carmel L. MooneyPatricia Newman Art Director: John Ochoa Graphic Designer: Annin Greenhalgh Advertising: Steve Crowley 916-429-9901 Cover photo courtesy Phillipe Put www.ineedair.org • http://filckr.com/photos/34547181@N00/with/17199516121 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 2016 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc. 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818. Phone: (916) 429-9901. Fax: (916) 429-9906. E-mail:calkidsmag@gmail.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • April 2016

ADMISSION

$5 FOR ALL AGES

CASH OR CHECKS ONLY AT THE DOOR (CHILDREN TWO YEARS OLD AND UNDER ARE FREE)

April 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Eﬃe Yeaw Nature Center Events SPECIAL EVENTS nature of things Seminar and Field Study Series: Save the Frogs with Michael Starkey- Lecture the evening of 4/7, Field Study the morning of 4/9. Beginning Birding; Spring edition with Rich Howard: Lecture 3/ 21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11 and Field Study on 4/2, 4/16 Both of these classes are for adults and require pre-registration at www.sacnaturecenter.net or 916-489-4918.

FREE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

Donations gratefully accepted. There is a $5 per car entrance fee into Ancil Hoffman County Park (Free to members) Saturday the 2nd at 10:30 aM – Wonderful Watershed: Come explore the American River into which many of our local creeks flow. Take a hike to the river and learn all about its journey, see what kinds of animals are living in and along its edge, and find out how you can keep our local waterways healthy and clean. All ages welcomed. Sunday the 3rd at 1:30 PM – Living in Water: Discover the hidden world of water insects and polliwogs! Using catch and release activities get a close-up look at amazing little animals that live in our

pond and can be found in our local waterways. All ages welcomed. Saturday the 9th at 10:30 AM – Wildﬂower Walk: Poppies, lupine, and grass pinks! Come explore the Nature Area in search of what’s in bloom. Sunday the 10th at 1:30 PM – Powerful Pollinators: Who’s responsible for most of the delicious fruits and vegetables we eat? Pollinators! Learn all about the different creature forms pollinators come in, explore some the Nature Center’s incredible insect collection, and take a hike to see if you can catch these busy critters in action. Saturday the 16th at 10:30 PM – Birding for Families: 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 we can loan you a pair. Sunday the 17th at 1:30 PM – Ssssnnnakes: The weather is warm and so are the reptiles! Slither on in to learn all about these ectotherms (and what that word means!), what kind you may find in our area, and meet a resident reptile up close! Saturday the 23rd at 10:30 aM – earth Day Walk: Take time to appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature this Earth Day with a hike. Join a Naturalist as we explore the variety of local wildlife

and plants that call this oak woodland home. Sunday the 24th at 1:30 PM – under the oaks: Our mighty oak trees provide food and shelter for many animals and insects. Learn the how to identify different varieties of oak trees in the Nature Preserve and who might be living in them. Saturday the 30th at 10:30 PM – Save the Frogs Day! Come celebrate Mother Earth by learning all about some of her most precious creatures… FROGS! Come see our resident amphibians up close, learn how important they are in the web of life, and how they let us know about the health of our local waterways. Make beautiful art celebrating your favorites!

Common Core Problems? We've Got Answers!

Call now for a FREE consultation

(916) 714-2770

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • April 2016

Make it yourself! Button Recycled Milk Carton Planter Pot

H You will need:

ere is a simple way to reuse milk cartons. Younger children will need the preparation work done for them

Milk Carton or Large Juice Box Carton, Scissors, White paint, Felt tip pens, Acrylic varnish (optional)

You will need to: Make a hole in one of the two big sides of the carton and cut away the side. Make a few holes in the remaining big side. These will form drainage holes in the base of your pot. Paint the pot with white paint and leave to dry. Decorate with felt pens. We drew on stars and moons but you could draw flowers or anything else you fancy. An optional coat of varnish will make the pot more hardwearing, particularly if you plan to use it outdoors.

Make your own castle pencil holder!

his easy castle craft is not only fun to do, but it provides a fantastic place to store your pens and pencils and helps you to keep your desk tidy!

You will need: 4 cardboard tubes Small box Grey paint Black pen Glue

You will need to: Cut any flaps off the box. Cut the tubes to size so that they are a couple of inches taller than the box. Glue one tube into each corner and leave to dry. Paint the castle with the grey paint, then leave to dry. With the black pen draw turrets around the top of the castle. Older children may prefer to cut the turrets out. Draw on windows, doors and stone work. Now you can store your pens and pencils in the towers and your pencil sharpeners and erasers (rubbers) in the base of the castle. April 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

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Travel:

Paradise for OutdoorLoving Families Broken Bow Lake, Beaver’s Bend State Park, and Hochatown State Park

n Southeastern Oklahoma just a couple of hours from Dallas, Texas, or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, just off of US 259 and US 259A, lies a hidden gem for outdoor-loving families. This little getaway has in recent years began booming as a premier, cutting edge vacation destination and travel savvy families are coming from all parts of the country to see what the stir is all about. In fact, this beautiful, nationally acclaimed vacation mecca even draws families from around the world and for all four seasons. Many families book cabins up to a year in advance to celebrate the holidays at such a special place. Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fly-fishing, lake fishing, paddle boats, speed boats, water skiing, miniature golf, river floats, train rides, hay rides, horseback riding, golf, scuba diving, hunting, fourwheeling, archery, mountain biking, jet skiing, wine tast-

ing, camping, cabins, resorts, museums, festivals, breweries, National Forests, wilderness, nature centers, birding, tennis, swimming, tubing, sailing, the recreational possibilities are absolutely endless and as long as your clan enjoys the great outdoors, it’s certain that every member will find plenty to do. The only pre-requisite is a thirst for adventure in nature and the great outdoors. With so much to offer, don’t forget to schedule a little time to bask in doing nothing as the views and tranquility are astounding. In autumn the leaves are ablaze with breathtaking color that draws visitors from all states, springtime brings wildflowers, swift trout streams, and rivers burgeoning with wildlife. Summer days beckon to visitors who delight in Broken Bow Lake and Beaver’s Bend State Park for all water related activities, sports, and pastimes. Winter is such a popular time that

the cabins in Hochatown, and the lodging in the entire area are often at full capacity and reserved months in advance as the picturesque area provides the perfect back drop to create magical holiday memories. Once you arrive, you will want to orient yourselves by stopping in any of the visitor centers for some maps and information. There are some excellent maps that will guide you throughout the area and help you to plan hikes and excursions accordingly. Some of the hikes are strenuous so ask for assistance in planning and be certain to wear proper footwear, bring water, snacks, and sunscreen or hat. There are some steep elevation changes, throughout the area, but the vistas are absolutely awe-inspiring as you traverse rugged cliffs and gorges above rushing streams and rivers and through forests and meadows. Lodging is reasonably priced compared to many

JOIN A BAND THIS SUMMER!

Stairway to Stardom 2016

Stairway to Stardom is an 8 week summer music program for young musicians. Want to learn more? Mark your calendar to join us on Saturday, May 21st for the 2016 Season introduction meeting. 12:00 Noon - Skip's Music Sacramento - 2740 Auburn Blvd. 2:00 PM - Skip's Music Elk Grove - 9660 Elk Grove Florin Rd. Email stairway@skipsmusic.com or call 916-484-7575 for details.

other comparable destinations, and there are many various lodging options from resort lodges to private cabins, bed and breakfasts, tepees, and camp sites both primitive and with all the amenities and hook-ups. But do plan ahead as this destination is growing by leaps and bounds and as the secret gets out it is becoming more and more important to plan ahead even during what would seem to be the off-season at most locales. The Beaver’s Bend Marina on Broken Bow Lake, is your one-stop shop for all boating and water sport related fun. The warm and friendly staff there will gladly assist you in rentals, information, and everything needed to enjoy Broken Bow Lake to its fullest. This lake boasts some of the purest water of any lake in the nation with visibility of over six feet in depth. You may want to rent a houseboat and explore hidden coves, or create your own private party atop a rented pontoon boat. You might choose to rent Jet skis and dump some adrenaline. And if your family likes fishing then this is the place for you. Bass, walleye, crappie, and trout are plentiful. The Marina even offers a dockside store with tackle, bait, lures, and everything you could possibly need to make your lake adventure complete. Girls Gone Wine is a must stop, unique adventure with a boutique, winery, gift shop, and more. You’ll want to take a peek and learn a little about how it was founded by some local moms and what they do to support their community. There are several familyfriendly dining options but one favorite is Grateful Head Pizza in Hochatown serving

delicious homemade pizza and providing the perfect family-friendly ambiance to sit out on the deck after a long day on the water, to refuel and recharge. They often have live music to add to the fun. Museums are big at Broken Bow with three to choose from and they offer a fun way to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the region. Native American and Pioneer artifacts, wildlife and environmental education, along with logging heritage and history, are just some of the things that will captivate the visitor of any age or generation. You may want to plan your trip around one of the many events, festivals, or tournaments that only add to the annual fun of the area. There are fishing tournaments, art shows, rodeos, golf tournaments, gem and mineral shows, folk festivals, craft fairs, parades, and holiday festivities peppered throughout the year, only adding to the already endless reasons to plan a visit any time of year. You may hear a lot about Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake, Big Bear Lake, Lake Placid, Lake Havasu, Coeur d’Alene, or Lake of the Ozarks, but you will be hearing a lot more about Broken Bow as this best kept secret spreads. Right now you can blaze your own family trail, and create some lasting memories at Broken Bow where travel legacies are just beginning and you can lead the way in up and coming outdoor family travel at its very best. www.brokenbowchamber.com www.beaversbendmarina.com. You can order free brochures at: www.travelOK.co

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • April 2016

Have fun coloring!

April 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

THE BOOK REPORT

History Comes Alive! By Susan L. Roberts

s your child is figuring out how things came to be, spark a love of history in their hearts and share with him or her a book featuring great people or moments in history whose stories are still with us today. This collection includes one book written by a local, Sacramento-area author. The Inventor’s Secret, What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford, by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Charlesbridge; Ages 6-10) This delightful story starts when Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were curious boys who spent most of their time running experiments—and getting into trouble! Thomas made explosions with chemistry experiments and, among other inventions, Henry built a dam and waterwheel and flooded a neighbor’s field. Readers learn how Thomas and Henry came to meet as well as Thomas’ secret. This book is filled with and snippets of information on several inventions. A great introduction to two twentieth century men who changed the world. Action-filled illustrations in watercolor, ink, and pencil will fascinate curious minds. The Inventor’s Secret was awarded the NSTA 2016 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12. Winnie, The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-thePooh by Sally M. Walker, illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss (Henry Holt and Company, Ages 4-8) A must-read book for Winnie-the-Pooh lovers! This book tells of how Winniethe-Pooh came to be! In the early 1900’s, a service veterinarian (for horses), discovered a small bear cub at a train station. He named it Winnipeg. When the vet was transferred to the front lines in World War I, Winnie moved to the London Zoo.

One day a special boy visited him—Christopher Robin! It was his father, A.A. Milne, who wrote the Winnie-thePooh stories. The art and the story are beautiful. The book includes old photos of the real Winnie, Christopher Robin and author A.A. Milne. To Dare Mighty Things, The Life of Theodore Roosevelt, by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by C.F. Payne (Disney*Hyperion Books, Ages 4-8) Doreen Rappaport writes an inspiring story of Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, our 26th president. The biography focuses on the personal side of Roosevelt, how he chose to deal with being sickly and getting himself stronger, how he prepared himself for college and how he chose to approach his life with a thirst for a challenge. Roosevelt entered politics to “help the people” and frequently went against the establishment to make things right. C.F. Payne completes the story with stunning illustrations. The illustrations alone invite you to open the book— so much so the title of the book is not even shown on the front cover, just an engaging illustration of Roosevelt! The Peace Tree from Hiroshima, The Little Bonsai with a Big Story, by Sandra Moore, illustrated by Kazumi Wilds (Tuttle Publishing; Ages 4-10) Told from the point of view of the bonsai tree, we follow the three-hundred-year history of a small pine that is selected by a man and passed down from father to son. At first the tree misses the gentle rain and monkeys squawking, but he soon grows to like his new home where he is watered and pruned and shaped into a bonsai tree. The tree tells of the terrible thing that happened in 1945 when an atomic bomb exploded two miles from his house and how he felt like bowing, as his friend Masaru (his current caretaker) was un-

harmed. In 1976, the tree is selected as a “Peace Tree” and becomes a gift to the United States for its 200th birthday. An endearing story that beautifully introduces the history of the relationship between Japan and the United States. Reviewer’s pick of the month Noah Webster and His Words, by Jeri Chase Ferris, illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; Ages 6-10) In the mid-1700’s Noah Webster was raised to be a farmer, but his mind took him different places—he loved words. He became a scholar and studied words. As a teacher, Noah wrote American’s first spelling book, the Blue-backed Speller. Noah dreamed of creating America’s first dictionary and for twenty years read every book in libraries, including many in England and France, to discover and define every known word. In 1828, No-

ah’s dream came true when the American Dictionary of the English Language was published. A small bit of history written in a compelling story. The ink, graphite and watercolor illustrations wrap the story in the 1700 and 1800’s, bringing it an authenticity and inviting readers into the story. Jeri Chase Ferris is a Sacramento-area author.

Susan L. Roberts (www. Books4theCuriousChild.com) lives in Sacramento, CA where she reads dozens of picture books each month and reviews the best to help parents and teachers find books that will inspire and develop a child’s curiosity and love of life. An aspiring picture book author, she hopes to be published soon.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • April 2016

C o n n e c t t h e D ot s a n d H av e f u n colo r i n g !

April 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Sleep is important to children for many reasons, from restoring energy to building brain connections — not to mention giving Mom and Dad a break. A message brought to you by First 5 Sacramento

oung children need a lot of sleep. In fact, they’ll spend 40 percent of their childhood sleeping. And the earlier you start helping kids establish good sleeping habits, the sooner the whole family will get some rest. Give Brains a Rest Not only is sleep necessary for a child’s body, i t ’ s i m por t ant f or t h ei r brains too. In fact, sleep is the brain’s primary activity during early development. It’s during sleep that the brain sorts through and stores information, replaces chemicals, and solves problems Studies show just one hour less of sleep a night during early childhood has longlasting effects on proper language and cognitive development. Lack of sleep can also lead to behavioral problems, like hyperactivity, trouble managing emotions and poor concentration skills.

Know Sleep Guidelines Every child is different, but there are basic guidelines as to how much sleep kids need. According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborns sleep up to 20 hours a day. By six months of age, babies will sleep up to 16 hours a day and may sleep through the night. Sleeping “through the night” may only be a stretch of five to six hours in a row. Toddlers need 12 to 14 hours of sleep a day between nighttime sleep and naps. Preschoolers need nearly as much, about 10 to 13 hours a day. Kids ages 5 and up still need about 10 hours a day. You may notice that your child has difficulty sleeping when reaching major development milestones such as walking or talking; when they’re teething; when they’re sick; or when they’re experiencing separation anxiety. This is normal and will eventually pass. Establish Bedtime Routine The most important tip for developing good sleeping

habits is to establish a nightly routine. Young children thrive on consistency, so routines make it easier for them to relax and fall asleep. • Routines will differ based on what your child likes, but could include taking a bath, reading a story, singing a lullaby, breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and giving a goodnight kiss. Don’t let your child go to sleep with a TV on. A child’s room should be quiet and dark. Once you’ve established a routine that is enjoyable for both of you, stick to it closely. As soon as you spot signs of sleepiness, try placing your child down to sleep. Look for signs such as sucking their thumb, rubbing their eyes, pulling their ears or even dark circles under their eyes. Sleep Safely Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for infants under 1.

Nobody knows exactly what causes SIDS, but there are steps parents and caregivers can take to reduce risks—the ABCs of Safe Sleeping. ALONE: Don’t place pillows, blankets or stuffed animals in the crib. There should only be a fitted sheet. BACK: Place babies on their back – not on their tummies – when putting them down to sleep. CRIB: Place baby only in a crib. Need parenting advice? Call the 24 hour confidential Parent Support Line at 1-888-281-3000. These trained specialists can talk you through your parenting questions from picky eaters, tantrums, to de-stress tips. Looking for parent/community resources in Sacramento County? Call 2-1-1. With more than 3,000 referral resources, the 2-1-1 specialists can help you locate the services you need for your family. Get fun ideas on the First 5 Sacramento Pinterest site with over 27 boards of parenting tips—www.pinterest.com and search First 5 Sacramento.

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, a tobacco tax, to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0-5. 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 in Sacramento County. All 58 counties have a First 5 Children and Families Commission providing unique local services for that county. More information available at www. first5sacramento.net, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • April 2016

Who wrote that? The Creators of Your Child’s Favorite Books Featuring Linda Boyden

By Patricia Newman

inda Boyden describes herself as the girl in a brother sandwich. During her childhood, she was often left out of her brothers’ rowdier activities, but her grandparents always made time for her. Boyden credits her grandmother with helping her become an artist because of all the time they spent coloring together, and her grandfather with the idea for her first published book. Patricia: Describe a childhood memory that sticks out in your mind. Linda: No one in my family read. There were no books at my childhood home until I became a teenager and I bought my own. From fourth grade on I would go to the library after school. I think I read every fairy tale book ever—the whole section. And I could check them out and bring them home. P: How are your hopes and dreams from childhood intertwined with your stories for children? L: I believed in fairy tales completely, totally. I lived in a fantasy world as a child. I was alone a lot. In the neighborhood, there were tons of kids but they were mostly boys, and the girls were too young. I had no best friend for many years. P: Were these childhood experiences the inspiration for Rosalie in the Blue Roses? L: Yes. Rosalie is an only child and she bonds with her grandfather very much like I did. That whole book came about because my grandpa died when I was pregnant with my last child. I was too pregnant to travel 3,000 miles for his funeral. So I grieved and grieved and grieved. He came to me in a dream—more like a vision. It was so real I can still feel it. He’s standing in his garden behind a

Linda Boyden

white picket fence which he never had, and his face was smooth and glowing. He had no wrinkles. He said, “Leave me alone. I’m happy. Stop crying.” I wanted to go into the garden because behind him his flowers were the most beautiful colors I’ve ever seen. I rattled the gate. “Linda,” he said. “It’s not your time.” And then I woke up. That dream is in the middle of The Blue Roses. The best writing is the writing that comes from the heart. It’s the writing you can’t ignore. P: When did you realize you wanted to write for children? L: At four years old, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. At first I started teaching my dolls. I tried to play school with my brothers. They were not teachable. During the almost thirty years that I taught, I must have read five gazillion picture books. I said, “I know I can do this.” But the problem was I used every bit of my creativity in my classroom. And I was a mother of a boat-load of kids. I had my three and then we took in people. There was nothing left. I was drained. But when we moved to Hawaii and the kids were all adults and I didn’t have to work anymore I said I was going to be a writer. I’d had it on the back burner for way too long. P: you’ve written a number of Cherokee-themed books. are you native american? L: My Dad was Cherokee and Irish. During the time he grew up there were signs

April 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

that said, “No n…… No dogs. No Indians.” He grew up in a really harsh time, so we are not enrolled in the Cherokee Nation. P: Can you enroll now? L: I don’t have the proper proof. My great-grandmother was full-blood, and I have a picture of her but we don’t have the birth record. If you survived the Trail of Tears (to my understanding some Cherokee came back), you kept low, you didn’t talk about it, you kept it hidden. P: What was your ﬁrst big break? L: As an author, I won the first New Voices Award from Lee and Low Books, and that changed everything. It was stunning to have my first published book win an award like that. As an illustrator, I found out that the University of New Mexico Press was seeking children’s books. I called them and told the editor about my picture book called Powwow’s Coming. The editor said, “Send it to me,” so I did. Because I am a tiny bit OCD I had a very clear vision for this book—it had to be simple shapes and Native American colors so I made up a couple of [cut paper collage] art samples to show a [potential] illustrator my vision. The editor offered me a contract on the condition that I did the illustrations. I said, “What? I’ve never been to art school.” So that’s how I became an illustrator.

P: How have ideas led to books? L: I wrote Giveaways: An ABC of Loanwords from the Americas to celebrate the contribution that Native American languages of North, South and Central America have made to English. Did you know that skunk is a native word? I began working on Twitch [a new young adult novel] in 2003. It started out for middle-grade readers, but it just didn’t fly. Thousands of rejections later I figured out that I had to find his age. I tried ten, twelve, and sixteen. Now he’s fourteen to keep his innocence, but also to become a man. In 2015 I finally signed a contract.

There’s a lesson there: never give up! P: Is there one thing you’d like readers to know about you? L: When somebody says I can’t do something I feel I must try to prove them wrong. Patricia Newman visits schools! Her newest book, Ebola: Fears and Facts, is on Booklist’s Editors’ Choice List and is a California Reading Association Eureka! Silver Honor book for excellence in nonfiction. Additional books include Plastic, Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch winner of the Green Earth Book Award. Visit her at patriciamnewman. com for more information.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LINDA BOYDEN Visit: http://www.lindaboyden.com/

LINDA BOYDEN’S LIBRARY Author/Illustrator Roxy Reindeer. Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, 2015. Boy and Poi Poi Puppy: A Tale of Puppy Love. Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, 2013. Giveaways: An ABC Book of Loanwords from the Americas. University of New Mexico Press, 2010. Powwow’s Coming. University of New Mexico Press, 00 .

Author The Blue Roses. Lee and Low, 00 .

Upcoming Twitch. Native Realities Press, fall 2016. Boy and Poi Poi Puppy in Doggone! Progressive Rising Phoenix, spring 2016.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • April 2016

Let your kids have fun with their grandparents during “Grand Camp!”

RESERVE YOUR SPACE

Grandparents and grandchildren can enjoy the beauty of the majestic Sierras at Grand Camp in Camp Sacramento, August 15 – 19 CALL STEVE, AT (916) 429-9901 TODAY!

lear blue skies, a gentle breeze, and fun and laughter. Let your kids and their grandparents spend five enjoyable, memory-making days in the majestic Sierras during Camp Sacramento’s “Grand Camp” from August 15 -19. Grandparents can experience the wonder of nature alongside their grandkids and leave the meals, lodging and activities to us! Each day will include joint activities for grandparents and their grandkids, as well as structured kid-only activities led by camp staff. There will also be plenty of opportunities for grandparents to relax on their own or join in special programs designed specifically for our adult campers. They may even want to head out with the kids for a day of adventure in the sierras (paddle boating on Lake Tahoe, perhaps?); we’ll pack a lunch for them to take along! How can you go wrong with sun, fun, fresh air and quality time making memories to last a lifetime? Pack up the grandkids for a memorable experience with

their grandparents at “Grand Camp.” For rates and more information, please contact (916) 808-1593 or at fiftypluswellness@ cityofsacramento.org. Information is also available in the 50+ Wellness section of the City of Sacramento’s Older Adult Services page: www.cityofsacramento. org/seniorsummercamp . about the City of Sacramento’s older adult Services Older Adult Services enhances the lives of Sacramento’s adults age 50 and above by offering enrichment classes, fitness activities and services and opportunities to socialize and optimize the experience of aging. Other programs offered by Older Adult Services include the Caring Neighborhoods program, Triple-R Adult Day Program, 50+Wellness Program and other special events and activities offered at the Ethel MacLeod Hart Senior Center. For more information about Older Adult Services, visit: www.cityofsacramento.org/olderadults

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April 2016 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Parties!

Minecraft Birthday Party Ideas Minecraft Party ideas!

un ideas for a Minecraft party including ideas for Minecraft themed party games, activities, party food, favors, decorations and invitations. There is also a FREE Minecraft themed Scavenger Hunt list to print out with lots of fun Minecraft themed items to find!

Minecraft Party Games Minecraft Mining Relay This is a fun relay style race that kids of all ages enjoy! Divide guests into two (or more) teams. The goal is for each team to fill up their bucket full of sand first. Give each team a bucket (or plastic gallon milk container) and a large spoon. Place the buckets on a small stool or box at least 30 feet from the starting point. At the starting point set up a large plastic container or small plastic swimming pool with sand or dirt. Have the teams line up one after the other. One at a time one person from each team takes the spoon, fills it with sand / dirt and then runs to the other end of the playing field and puts the dirt into their bucket, then runs back and hands the spoon off to the next player in line. Continue until one team has filled their bucket. Have a judge standing by the buckets to determine which team wins. Minecraft Leaky Cup Relay Game This is a fun relay and great to play when it’s hot outside! It is played almost exactly like the Minecraft Mining Relay (above), however instead of using sand / dirt the

players use water. and instead of using a spoon to transport the water to the bucket they use a plastic solo cup. The fun part is that before the game a few holes are punched in the bottom of the cups so that they leak water as the players are trying to fill up their buckets! (To be fair make sure that the cups are leaking at the same rate. Or trade off cups every 5 minutes). Variation: This relay can also be played by replacing the leaky cups with large sponges.

Minecraft Icebreaker Game Before the party purchase Minecraft themed stickers so each guest has a sheet with 8 to 12 stickers. When the kids arrive for the birthday party give each one a sheet of the Mine craft stickers. The game object is to be the first one to get rid of all their stickers by placing them on other party guests - without the guest knowing or getting caught. If caught placing a sticker on another guest they must take all the stickers off the party guest who caught them and try and place them on other kids. Only one sticker at a time. The first child who gets rid of all their stickers wins! Minecraft treasure Hunt Before the party hide diamond shapes (cut from poster board about 2” x 2”) around the party area. Write a number on the back of each diamond that will correspond with See Minecraft, page 15

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • April 2016

Parties!

Minecraft: Continued from page 14 a prize number. Let the party guests search for the diamonds. When all the diamonds have been collected let them turn in their diamonds for small prizes or candy that match the number on the back of their diamonds. You could also use plastic eggs for this game and fill them with candy or prize numbers. Minecraft Candy / Prize Ball Before the party create a candy prize ball. You will need lots of Saran Wrap and candies / small toys. Start by wrapping a small ball with Saran Wrap a few times - you want the Plastic wrap to be in one long piece so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cut it. Keep wrapping around and around with the plastic wrap and every so often put in a piece of candy or a small toy and then wrap over it. The bigger the ball the more turns each child will get during the party. To Play: Guests sit in a circle and one child is given the candy ball and the child next to them is given a pair of dice. On â&#x20AC;&#x153;goâ&#x20AC;? the first guests tries to unwrap the prize ball and collect some candy. At the same time the guest with the dice is rolling the dice continually trying to get doubles. When they get doubles then the prize ball is moved to them and they hand the dice to the person next to them. Game play continues until all the candy / prizes have been collected. Tip: For older children you can use duct tape instead of plastic wrap to make this more challenging! Minecraft Scavenger Hunt List Scavenger Hunts are a great game for birthday parties! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve included a free Minecraft themed scavenger hunt list with lots of items to find. Use one list for both teams or give teams different items to find. How to play: Divide party guests into two teams. One team will take the even numbered houses and the

Parties!

other team can only go to odd numbered houses. Teams go door to door asking for the items on their list. They can only collect one item from each house. (Make sure you send adults out with each team.) Once the items are collected the first team back to the house within a certain time limit (1 hour) wins. Those who get back late are given a penalty - 1 point / item for every 5 minutes they are late. Give each team a green bucket to hold their items. The items can be the actual item, for example a watermelon ... or it can be a picture, sticker, etc. of a watermelon Minecraft Scavenger Hunt List 1. Watermelon 2. Green ball 3. Creeper

Parties!

4. Green box 5. Pig 6. Chicken 7. Cow 8. Bread 9. Yellow apple 10. Cookie 11. Sugar 12. Fish 13. Diamond 14. Charcoal 15. Apple 16. Milk Carton 17. Sheep 18. String (web) 19. Seeds 20. Carrot 21. Compass 22. Clock 23. Egg 24. Boat 25. Book 26. Feather 27. Sponge 28. Purple block 29. Flower pot 30. Potato

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April 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

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