Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Pressed Leaves with Wax Paper

I was counting on having a bad day today. It was going to start with a trip to the doctor's office for the twins' four year checkups and that meant shots. Four shots times two.  Eight shots altogether. Eight fully justified reasons to scream bloody murder. But for some reason, my bad day didn't materialize. The shots were greeted with little whimpers, but no tears, and the kids ran off to get their stickers and lollipops as rewards.

So anyway, I planned a quiet day today to give us time to nurse our wounds. No day trips, just a stay-at-home-project day. We started with a leaf hunt around the yard, which turned out to be a good excuse to run around outside. After we picked out our favorite leaves, we sandwiched them in wax paper (waxy sides together), placed a cloth on top and I ironed them flat. I knew irons must be good for something.

They look rather nice taped to the windows and maybe, just maybe, they will remind me that we really did have Fall this year. Fall always seems to creep away while I am not paying attention.

ZooBOOO!

The Maryland Zoo is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of ZooBOOO this weekend with Halloween trick-or-treating, live animals, pumpkin painting and so much more. All proceeds support the Zoo's conservation efforts and operational funding.

I don't know about yours, but my kids are always looking for one more excuse to wear those great costumes.

October 24-26, 2008
10 am- 4 pm

Welcoming Fall at North Run Farm

A trip to the pumpkin patch is one of those required Fall rituals when you have kids, and I, for one, wouldn't miss it. Never mind that half the time we leave cold, muddy and sometimes crying. Or that I will be the one to lug all the pumpkins back to the car. There is something about a trip to the farm that makes Fall official.

Our trip to North Run Farm was organized by our preschool, so it was nice to just tag along and not have to be in charge. North Run has a small zoo of farm animals to meet, hay bale mazes in two different sizes so that even the youngest ones get a turn, a giant corn teepee, and hay rides out to the pumpkin patch. But their corn maze is their pièce de résistance. This year it is a double maze, skillfully carved into a donkey and elephant. Past mazes, from a giant crab to The Wizard of Oz 's Scarecrow, are pictured here.

For now, the corn maze is a little too challenging for our group and we just take a mini-tour of it. For older kids, it's a must.

410-241-3392

North Run Farm
1703 Greenspring Valley Road
Stevenson, MD 21153

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The Conservatory and Botanic Gardens at Druid Hill

The Conservatory at Druid Hill Park is one of those buildings I've passed by so many times, and I've always wanted to peek inside because it has that whole mysterious Victorian thing going on. I guess I just wasn't sure if we were allowed. It turns out that not only are we allowed, but we are also encouraged to wander through the gardens and enjoy the space. As a gardener we passed pointed out, "that's what it's here for." And, it's free (a $2 donation is encouraged).

It was designed by architect George Frederick, and built for the city of Baltimore in 1888.  Now the main structure, the beautiful Palm House is, "one of the few remaining Victorian conservatories left in the world."

We entered the North Pavilion and made our way through amazing greenhouses. The Mediterranean House and the Tropical house are lush and wonderful, but it was the Desert House that my kids enjoyed the most. A room full of cacti might seem a bit challenging with preschoolers but I was hoping that with all of their new-found maturity, my 4-year-olds could leave here puncture wound free, and surprise, surprise, they did!

I'm keeping this place in mind to visit again in the winter when I need a mini-tropical infusion. Events coming up here include:

The Chrysanthemum Display: November 8 - November 30 ,2008

The Holiday Display: December 13, 2008 - January 4, 2008

410-396-0180

Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens
3100 Swan Drive in Druid Hill Park
Baltimore, MD 21217

[Directions from their website]

Oregon Ridge - Honey Harvest Festival

Check out the Honey Harvest Festival this weekend. There will be everything from hive demonstrations to candle dipping to mead making; plus plenty of non-bee activities like a petting zoo and face painting. It's also a great place to make some new feathered friends.

October 4 and 5, 2008
Hours 11am-4pm

410-887-1815

Oregon Ridge Park
13555 Beaver Dam Rd
Cockeysville, MD 21030

MapQuest Directions

Sculpture Garden at Green Spring Station

Sometimes we just find a happy spot to spend a few moments and it makes my day. The small sculpture garden tucked around the side of Green Spring Station is one of those spots. I can't quite figure out the story behind why it's here. There's obviously no financial gain to be had by the owners of the shopping mall. That leaves just one explanation. Love. And you gotta love that.

Personally, I think the bull (top) is fantastic and if anyone knows the artist, please, please, tell me.

Green Spring Station
10751 Falls Road
Lutherville, MD 21093

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