Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Graduation

I've always thought preschool graduations were a bit silly. It's preschool. Not exactly the end-goal I had in mind for my kids. More like a teeny tiny step toward the incredibly long path that will make up their education. So why on earth do we need the big production?

Yet there we sat, waiting for our graduates to enter the hall, and I realized it's not silly at all. It's such a big milestone, they (and we) deserve a little pat on the back, or maybe even a walk across the stage, cheered on by the crowd as they get their diplomas. Looking back to their first day of school, I realize they've done so much growing and they are actual real live people now with real live goals and real live opinions (oh, so many opinions). The idea of them going off to elementary school next year isn't quite so daunting. I'm sure they can handle it, but I reserve the right to change my mind on the first day, when I see them climb on that big bus.

Drat, there seems to be something stuck in my eye. No, I'm not getting emotional. Yes, there is definitely something stuck in my eye. Or maybe it's allergies. Yes, allergies...

D.I.Y. Kids at aMuse Toys

WHAT: Book signing and hands-on crafting event

WHEN: Sunday, May 16th, 2010, 1-3 PM

WHERE: aMuse Toys - Quarry Lake Location

COST: Free (please rsvp@amusetoys.com with number of children and adults)

Join Ellen Lupton, co-author of D.I.Y. Kids, for a book signing and hands-on crafting event at aMuse Toys. Ellen's contributions to the design community are many: curator of contemporary design at the Cooper-Hewitt, director the the Graphic Design MFA program at MICA, author and frequent lecturer. But in this book, co-authored with her twin sister Julia Lupton, design-world and mom-world collide.

Published by Princeton Architectural Press, D.I.Y. Kids features real artwork, by real children and "aims to trigger imaginative play, without requiring fees, teams, or a minivan."

Tooth Fairy Day at the National Museum of Dentistry

WHAT: Tooth Fairy Day

WHEN: Sunday, May 16, from 1-4 p.m.

WHERE: National Museum of Dentistry

COST: Free with regular museum admission ($7 for adults, $5 for seniors, & $3 for children, or $1 for kids in fairy costumes)

Apparently, the tooth fairy is fickle. It turns out, she doesn't show up everywhere. In Mexico, according to Beth Cooper, Director of Education at the National Museum of Dentisty, "a mouse takes your tooth away in the middle of the night." Creepy. But I like it. Here are the details:

Meet the Tooth Fairy, learn how to take care of your teeth, and make toothy creations to take home based on traditions from around the world. Call 410-706-0600 or visit www.smile-experience.org for more information.
 
The Tooth Fairy herself will make a special appearance during Tooth Fairy Day, then kids can make their own magic wands and wings, and find out how the tooth fairy is different in other countries. Learn how to take care of your smile and make a toothy souvenir based on traditions from around the world.

Sculpture Exhibition at Evergreen

 

We were feeling rather genteel, as we strolled along the grounds of Evergreen, a Gilded Age mansion on Charles Street. And hey, that's quite an accomplishment with our entourage of kids in tow. The Evergreen's new exhibit Simultaneous Presence explores the work of 10 sculptors. Each was asked to explore the "simultaneous presence of past and present." It's a theme that works very well here. The Evergreen mansion is quite an impressive backdrop, and you can't ignore the mix of past and present here, so why not embrace it.

Throughout the Italian style gardens are plenty of ivy covered walls, water fountains, and open spaces to explore. The exhibit is free, and on view throughout the museum grounds. It runs through September 26, 2010, Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm. Admission to the museum is additional.

410-516-0341

Evergreen
4545 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21210

[Map It]