Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

For the Birds...

 

Thanks to the mountain of snow that fell on us this weekend, we were pretty much stuck at home today. In between playing outside and mopping up puddles of water that were tracked throughout the house, we decided to sneak in a messy project, for the birds...

I've been watching them flutter up to our windows. They seem intent on coming inside, and I don't blame them. I was out of birdseed, so we improvised. We smeared bagels with peanut butter, and then sprinkled them with treats: Cheerios, flax seed, and oatmeal. The list of bird friendly ingredients you can use is pretty long. Here are some suggestions, but raisins, nuts and grains all work.

 

We hung them from the trellis near our deck, so we can spy on any feathered dinner guests. Enjoy the snow everyone!

Alice in Wonderland at Theatre Project

WHEN: Dec. 18 at Noon; Dec. 19, & 20 at 3pm; Dec. 18, 19 at 7pm  

COST: Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and artists and $10 for students.

WHERE: Theatre Project, 45 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 (tel 410-752-8558)

Holiday Family Fun offer: For adults who bring a child, your ticket is $15. Groups Discounts available. Home schoolers or schools groups can get $5 tickets for the Friday, Dec. 18th show at Noon.

I love Alice in Wonderland, more for its pure quirkiness than its story. There are so many great characters along the way: the Caterpillar, the Mock Turtle, The Cheshire Cat, and the deck of cards who repaint the Queen's rosebushes. Pure madness. Although any story that ends as a dream loses me, I still love the journey of Alice.

For my younger kids, we constantly read Robert Sabuda's pop-up version. For older kids, who can read the whole text, I recommend any edition with illustrations by John Tenniel. John Tenniel was the original illustrator, and although many other illustrators have done a great job, I can't help but think that the original paring of illustrator and author is worth some study.

I also love Theatre Project. Dave has been designing their posters for years, but on top of that, the productions we have seen there are always top notch.

So of course we wouldn't dream of missing Theatre Project's production of Alice in Wonderland, choreographed and directed by Scott Rink, and performed by danceRink. It is adapted from a vintage 1950 radio-play starring Dinah Shore as the voice of Alice and with additional music by the composer Raymond Scott. Hope to see you there!

Make your own Sock Monkey at AVAM

WHERE: AVAM, Jim Rouse Visionary Center

WHEN: Saturday, December 12, 2009

COST: Free! But bring 2 pairs of socks.

This weekend (after you've stopped by the BINGE event) why not check out Sock Monkey Saturday at The American Visionary Art Museum. All you need to make your own sock monkey, is two pairs of clean colorful socks. Instructions, stuffing, sewing needles, thread, visionary baubles, and camaraderie will be provided!

410-244-1900

American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230

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Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

We stopped by the Meyerhoff recently to try out one of the BSO's many kid-friendly programs. I was a little surprised to see a real live penguin hanging out in the lobby of the Meyerhoff, but hey, he was dressed nicely for the occasion, so why not. Actually, he was part of the pre-show festivities, and along with a 20 lb. bunny, was representing the Maryland Zoo.

 

We moved on to the face-painting line. I gotta say, this woman raised face-painting to an art. She turned my little one into an incredibly happy butterfly.

My butterfly enjoys lunch after the show.

We found our seats, way high up, but center, and still with a good view. The show was The Polar Express, based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, and it featured Mei-Ann Chen as conductor, Andre McRae as baritone, the Peabody Children's Chorus, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra — quite an impressive line-up for a kids' concert. Upcoming kids' shows are listed here. Tickets are prices reasonably for these events ($12-20) and the performances tend to be short. That's good news for me, because some of us are just too wiggly to make it past the one hour mark. As the show began, our kids slowly nestled into their seats, and for almost a whole hour all were calm...

 

I like to think that somehow this great experience will be permanently seared into their brains and classical music will forever be a part of their lives, growing those little neuron paths with every passing moment.

Maybe it worked. My budding violinist certainly enjoyed the show, my very busy son listened intently as soon as the story started, and Little Miss Butterfly does keep asking if we can go back...for another round of face painting.

410-783-8000

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Joseph Myerhoff Symphony Hall
1212 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

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BINGE Holiday Open Studio at Spur Design

WHEN: 12.12.2009 | Noon til Eight

WHERE: 3504-06 Ash Street (in Hampden) Baltimore, MD 21211

And you're invited! We are throwing open our doors, along with the folks at Gilah Press, to welcome everyone to our studio for the 2nd annual BINGE Open Studios and Holiday Sale. Join us, along with other local artists, to do some leisurely holiday shopping, or just say hello and enjoy the holiday cheer. Then mosey next door to see more artists, and watch a live letterpress demonstration.

Our line of modern art prints for kids, PrestoBingo, will be on display, and for the first time ever, we are offering a 10% off coupon to Kid Baltimore readers. See details below!

 

Here is a sneak peak at some of our newest PrestoBingo animal prints.

And some of our retro robots...

 
Hope to see you there!