Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Patapsco State Park

We want Spring. We want it now. So today we headed out to Patapsco State Park on a mission. We wanted to find a place to go camping later in the season (they have tent sites and cabins), but more importantly, we wanted Spring. Admittedly, we are pushing things a bit. There is barely any green to be found. But still, it's in the air. 

As we started to explore the trails, we discovered some amazingly steep hills. This trip is not for the stroller set, but my kids are officially big kids now. The twins (age 8 now) are totally up for the challenge. We slowly edged down to the river.

Brilliant move, if I do say so myself. We stopped on the way there for some fried chicken and corn on the cob. 

When did she get so tall?

After much playing, and exploring the railroad tracks, and maybe a little more playing it was back up again. 

 Of course we had to vere off the trail a bit to see a tiny waterfall.

And one more shot, just to prove I was there too. Me and my gorgeous kids.

Patapsco Valley State Park
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City MD 21043

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Main Office: 410-461-5005
Reservations: 1-888-432-2267

Free Family Art Drop-in at Creative Alliance

WHAT: Family Art Drop-in

WHERE: 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD 21224

WHEN: Saturdays, Jan 19-Mar 23, 12-3pm

COST: FREE

Cabin fever anyone? About this time of year I think we all need to find excuses to unburrow from our hiding places and go play. Creative Alliance is hosting a free family drop-in art class, Kerplunk! It begins this weekend and continues every Saturday through March 23. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is needed. All materials are provided so stop by and create your masterpiece!

Here are some of the upcoming activities:

1/19   Story Boxes- Transform a box into a story about you!        

1/26   Old CDs make shining jewelry. Bling Bling!

2/2     Paintings by Tom Horjus  inspire a cityscape out of straws

2/9     Build a tiny triangular tower from toothpicks and straws

2/16  Design a glowing  poster from fluorescent paper

 

 

Cylburn Arboretum

207 acres, right in the middle of Baltimore, and I missed it all this time. Cylburn Arboretum was originally the private estate of Jesse Tyson, president of Baltimore Chrome Works. 

The mansion, designed by George Aloysius Frederick, was completed in 1888 and is open to the public. It is surrounded by gardens and trails that are all maintained by a dedicated staff of volunteers.

If you arrive after 10:00 a.m., stop by the shiny, new visitor center and pick up a map. We were on the early side, so we wandered through the gardens, not really knowing where we were going, but happy anyway.

We took a trail through the woods, past lots of lovely ferns.

Since I wasn't sure where we were going, I was rather happy to find this sign. Circle trail. In my head, that means there is virtually no chance of getting lost. I have faith in the circle trail.

We found a few trees with names from long ago carved in them. I'm hoping they haven't damaged the trees too much.

The circle path sent us back to where we started (hurrah for the circle path!) and we walked through the formal gardens.

Some renovations are going on at the mansion, but it is an impressive home. We spent some time inside reading about the history, and most importantly, cooling off.

While the gardens are worth a visit just on their own, I think the real benefit of visiting Cylburn may be all of the events they have here — yoga in the formal garden, concerts, summer camps. Many events are free, although donations and volunteers are welcome. With all of the activities, we will have plenty of excuses to come back here in the future.

Cylburn Arboretum
4915 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21209 

(410) 367-2217

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Harpers Ferry, WV

Our side trip while camping this year was to Harpers Ferry, a historic town in West Virginia that sits where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet. It's about an hour and a half from Baltimore, so manageable in a day if you aren't up for the overnight. Most of Harpers Ferry is either national parkland, or historic district. The Appalachian Trail also crosses through. So beyond the amazing views, you will find lots of hiking, tubing, and history here.

Parking is a challenge, unless you arrive early, but a shuttle runs every 12 minutes from the Harpers Ferry National Park to the historic district.

There are museums and shops along the way.

Be sure to climb up to visit St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. The church is beautiful and open to the public. And the view from way up there is not to be missed.

There are a shocking number of icecream shops around. Really, Harpers Ferry? I think you may have over-saturated yourself with icecream shops. We eventually gave in.

A nice walk along and over (and in) the river ended our day. Maybe next time we will bring along bathing suits, Eh, kids?

Free Comic Book Day!

WHAT: A free comic giveaway

WHERE: Many comic book stores, nationwide

WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2012 

It's almost a tradition around here — Free Comic Book Day! This is a nationwide event where participating comic book shops give away free comic books to anyone who comes into the store. A broad selection is available for all age groups but there are plenty of choices for the younger set. Last year our crew selected comics that included a fantastically designed Nancy comic and a thick digest with the early adventures of Spider-Man!

A few favorite places you might check out (recommended by my favorite comic guru):

Alternate Worlds

The Amazing Spiral

Atomic Books

Cards Comics & Collectibles

 

 

 

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

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