Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

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

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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

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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]

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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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

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Ukazoo - Story Hour

Are we a bit overdressed today for story hour at Ukazoo? Maybe, but pink taffeta goes with everything, I assure you. Ukazoo, a new and used bookstore in Towson, has story hours on Wednesdays. Miss Andrea opened with a song and managed to get all those little bodies to hold still for quite a few books.

The stories and songs were followed by a craft activity. The theme today was "back to school" and in keeping with that, the kids were handed bright yellow paper school buses. The staff brought out huge bowls of foam letters so everyone could spell their names. Okay, maybe with a few extra letters, but close enough. After a small snack of animal crackers, we headed back to the children's section to browse.

Many of the kids' books here are priced at $2.98 or less. I found a hardback picture book of Lewis Carroll poetry that I know my budding author will love. She'll love it even more because it's recycled! And yes, if your bookshelves get too full, you can sell books to the store as well. 

410-832-2665

Ukazoo
730 Dulaney Valley Road
Towson, MD 21204

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Welcome BMA!

I'd like to welcome our new sponsor, the Baltimore Museum of Art! The BMA has a lot to offer families, and looking over their upcoming events I am so excited. My daughter has spent the last few days quilting with my mom, so we may just have to check out the quilting workshop next weekend. Upcoming events also include a kaleidoscope workshop, sketching in the garden and more!

Meadowood Regional Park

Meadowood Regional Park is my new pick for best place to learn to ride a bike. My kids are bicycle deprived. We don't have a good place to ride, so it was a challenge getting my daughter to give up those training wheels. Now I know better. Meadowood has a easy bike loop that circles the park -- the perfect place to kiss those training wheels goodbye. To top it off, they have a nice playground, covered picnic area, 7 sports fields and (my favorite part) Deep Run Stream.

410-887-6747

Meadowood Regional Park
10650 Falls Road
Lutherville, MD 21093

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Oregon Ridge - Music in the Woods

The trails at Oregon Ridge, which were too challenging at age 3 seem just perfect at age 3 1/2. What a difference a few months makes. We headed up a great big hill and I watched their little legs run farther and farther away. Fortunately, for now, I can still keep up. We met a nice box turtle along the way. We named him, what else, Mr. Turtle. As we said our goodbyes to Mr. Turtle, my daughter stood firm. "No. I want to stay here and be a turtle. I want you to buy me a shell at the store." How can I argue with logic like that? Personally, I think she made a few good points. It was a lovely spot and a lovely turtle.

This weekend come to Oregon Ridge for  Music in the Woods. Bluegrass, Irish and folk musicians are playing, and there will be plenty of activities to keep those little toes tapping.

410-887-1815

Oregon Ridge Park
13555 Beaver Dam Rd
Cockeysville, MD 21030

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Sherwood Gardens

Spring has sprung and now is a great time to visit Sherwood Gardens in Guilford. The story of how Sherwood Gardens came to be says that John W. Sherwood was a "serious hobbyist gardener". No, no, no. Obsessed is more like it. Wonderfully, positively, undeniably obsessed and we all are better off because of it. He started with beautiful plantings around his home, but then expanded his plantings into Stratford Green, the park next door, to fill some bare spots. Fill some bare spots? Okay, fine. By 1937, there were 42,000 tulips, 5,000 azaleas and 10,000 Swiss pansies. I'm guessing we got those bare spots pretty well covered.

The gardens are now maintained by the Guilford Association, and they plant 80,000 bulbs a year. There is no admission and the public is welcome to stroll the grounds.

Sherwood Gardens
Stratford and Greenway
Baltimore, MD

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IKEA with Smaland

Despite the fact that all of my children are practically perfect, people aren't exactly lining up to watch them for me while I gallivant around town on shopping expeditions. Of course, if you are a close friend or trustworthy relative who would like to volunteer, please sign up here.

I thought not.

IKEA gets it right in so many ways and here again, I love them. Smaland, located right at the entrance, is a supervised play area where you can drop your kids off for up to 1 1/2 hours (the schedule changes depending on day and time of year) and go shop. Quietly.

There are a couple of rules to follow. Kids must be 37"-54" tall without shoes. Yes, they check. And they must be fully potty-trained. For the first time ever this is a question I can answer somewhat confidently, or at least without visibly flinching. There are places to climb, pictures to color and a ball pit. Ahhh... the ball pit. My kids didn't even look back at me as they headed in. The best part is, it's completely free, at least not counting all the stuff you buy, now that you have a moment to think clearly. Come to think of it, this might be the most expensive free thing you can do with your kids.

410-931-5400

IKEA Baltimore
8352 Honeygo Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21236

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Towson Town Center - Family Fun Day

Grab a carpet remnant and get comfortable. On Fridays, there is no easier toddler entertainment than a trip to Towson Town Center for Family Fun Day. It's free, it's short, and did I mention it's free? Miss Julie, the host of the show, opened with songs and announcements. Miss Julie is a local legend in the preschool world. She leads story times and sing-a-longs at a number of area malls. Kidsinger Jim was the star of the show today. He got the crowd jumping right away. There is something about a group (or is it a gaggle?) of toddlers dancing that always makes me laugh. Kidsinger Jim sang "Zoo in My Room", "Stickers", and a bunch of other songs as he mingled with the crowd. The performance schedule changes weekly and is posted on the Towson Town Center website here. Upcoming performances include Mayhem's Magical Circus and Gigglesmith Puppet Productions.

410-494-8800

Towson Town Center
825 Dulaney Valley Road
Towson, MD 21204

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