Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Sowebo Arts Festival

 
photo courtesy of Sowebo

WHEN: Sunday, May 24, 2009
WHERE: In the Bullseye of Sowebo, Surrounding Hollins Market [Map it]

Every Memorial Day weekend, artists take to the street and musicians play for the crowd, Bohemian style. Things you might want to explore with your kids (or without) include watching a performance by Black Cherry Theater's puppeteers or joining "a communal painting tsunami" to create some street art. As always, there will be open art galleries to explore and music to hear, just watch out for the Conga line...

CALS Miniature Train Rides

I'm pretty sure the guys over at Leakin Park that run the miniature trains are just over-sized kids that never quite grew up, but they sure look like they are having fun. CALS (Chesapeake and Allegheny Live Steam) is a group of train buffs that builds, maintains, and operates mostly coal burning live steam locomotives. Obsessive, yes, but in a really good way, and they offer free train rides on the second Sunday of each month from April to November. 

We picked a beautiful day to ride, so the line was long, but manageable. Twenty minutes later, we were seated on our train and headed down the track at 6 miles per hour. Everything is "to scale" so in real size, we were zooming along at 48 miles per hour. See how easily I'm fooled. We glided along the track and circled the park. The tracksite covers an impressive 10+ acres and has over 3-miles of track, all of which has been built by members and financed without city, state or federal money. Donations are welcomed.

[Thanks, Tim and Brian!]

410-448-0730

CALS Live Steam Preservation Society at Leakin Park
4921 Windsor Mill Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21207

[Map it]

Elmo is from Baltimore?

WHAT: ChildFest 2009
WHERE: Reservoir High School, Fulton, MD
WHEN:  Saturday, May 9, 2009 10am-4 pm
TICKETS: FREE
INFO: Child Cancer Foundation Website

I had no idea that Sesame Street's Elmo (or his voice anyway) is from Baltimore, and he's coming to the area along with Rosita for a worthy cause – ChildFest 2009. Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo and Carmen Osbahr, the voice of Rosita, will appear on stage during this event and it's all to raise money for The Children's Cancer Foundation. You can even have your picture taken by a professional photographer (no personal cameras allowed).

[Thanks, Maly!]

Thomas Dixon Aircraft Observation Area

One of the things I love about having this blog is the readers' suggestions I get. Recently, a couple of people have emailed me about the Thomas Dixon Aircraft Observation Area. I never would have found out about this place, so thanks Shaina and Mary!

Planes, planes and more planes zooming over our heads. Now maybe I wouldn't be so thrilled if my house were located directly under the flight path, but wow is it fun to watch those airplanes come in for landing. I never realized how close together the landings are. Maybe because on the rare occasion we travel by air, there is always more waiting than flying.

After watching the planes for a while we wandered over to the tot lot for a little climbing and general silliness. There is also a 12.5 mile trail that circles the airport.

Thomas Dixon Aircraft Observation Area
MD-176 & Jeffery Ave (closest intersection)
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

[Map it]

BWI - Observation Gallery

Next we headed over to BWI to check out the Observation Gallery. I like this trip because, hey, it's free (except for parking). But also because the most normal places in the world are fun to visit when you are not on a schedule. The Observation Gallery is located between Concourses B and C, but when you are not trying to catch a plane, even the trip from the parking garage to the main building is fun. Moving sidewalks? They are practically like an amusement park ride to my kids and I'm not ashamed to admit that we took a few extra rides, just because...

Once you get to the Observation Gallery, there are exhibits to look at, with real airplane parts, and some things for kids to climb on (an airplane, a train, and a luggage cart). Of course, you could just sit back and watch the great view.

410-859-7111

Baltimore-Washington International Airport
Baltimore, MD 21240

[Map it]

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]

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

[Map it]

Irvine Nature Center

The Irvine Nature Center recently moved, after 33 years, to a new, amazing, green facility in Owings Mills, MD. We stopped by to visit during their Grand Opening and let me just cut to the chase and say that I am completely and entirely in love with this place. There are already paths through the woods where you can take a nice walk, and nature exhibits and nooks to read a book in the main building. The Calendar of Events looks like there will be plenty to do with little ones, from pre-schoolers on up.

While we were there, our kids explored the exhibits, and then we took a stroll through the woods, passing some caged owls and hawks along the way, to meet in the gazebo and listen to a talk about pollinators. A bit farther along the path we had a peek at the newly established beehive. I have to say, the speaker, Rick, was so knowledgeable and entertaining, that we left trying to figure out where the best spot would be for our very own beehive. So maybe I've gotten a little carried away, but you get the idea.

410-484-2413

Irvine Nature Center
11201 Garrison Forest Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117

MapQuest Directions