Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Apple Picking at Baugher's

 

When we pulled into the drive at Baugher's to pick apples, I was honestly shocked. Never underestimate the power of the apple. Cars were lined up all the way back to the road, and scouts were directing traffic. All this for apples? I mean, I love a good apple, but really?

Then I realized, it's not just about apples. It's apples, pumpkins, hayrides, apple butter, kettle corn and even a petting zoo, all wrapped up in one. Well, maybe for the rest of the crowd, but for me, it's about the apples, so outta my way.

We headed to stand in the tractor line for a ride to the apple orchard. It was a short wait, and we were quickly on our way. My gripe with apple picking is always the same. It just doesn't take long enough. But with little kids, that is not entirely a bad thing. We filled up 2 half bushel boxes in a short amount of time and caught a tractor ride back.

Of course, with apples in hand, there was no way we were leaving without checking out the other stuff. By the time we left, the kids had petted (or tried to pet) every animal around. The trunk was loaded with a big fat pumpkin, a bushel of apples, some tomatoes to can, and of course a huge bag of kettle corn.

Okay, I'm lying. The kettle corn rode up front with me.

Just one note: always call first to check availability.

410-876-5642

Baugher's
1236 Baugher Road
Westminster, MD 21158

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Leonardo Da Vinci — The Genius

I stopped by the Maryland Science Center for a sneak peek at their new show Da Vinci — The Genius, which opens Saturday October 3, 2009 and runs through January 31, 2010. While this is a very grown-up show, they also have kid-friendly activities. My favorite parts are the working models that are marked with a "please touch gently" symbol. The intricately built models show Leonardo's sketches for mechanical studies in real life, with cranks that turn and pulleys that lift. There is even an example of one of his military inventions, an emergency bridge, where kids will be able to experiment with building their own small scale version with wooden logs.

I love the replicas of his journals, all written backwards to reduce smearing (he was left handed). Me? I just put up with the smearing. Leonardo? Writes backwards. Genius.

His paintings are also explored; from the Mona Lisa, to the Last Supper, to a new work just discovered in 2008. All replicas, of course, since the originals are fragile and priceless, but seeing his artwork side by side with his other work really gives you a sense of the broad scope of Leonardo's accomplishments: artist, city planner, inventor, military strategist, scientist.

Now about the title, Da Vinci — The Genius. I have no doubt that he was a genius. But the da Vinci part? Even though I nodded off more than a few times in my art history class, I still retained enough to know that his name was not da Vinci anymore than my name is da Baltimore. His name was Leonardo, and he was from the town of Vinci. I asked the reason for the name. "That's what most people would recognize." But I think we deserve a little more credit than that, even if we are not geniuses.

That said, this is the most comprehensive exhibit ever produced of possibly the most brilliant person that ever lived. And you've gotta love that.

410-685-5225

The Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230

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

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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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Baugher's

We pulled up to Baugher's and I knew I was sunk. A tractor pulled up, towing a trailer with rows of school bus seats. People carrying little tiny baskets of apples were climbing out. My daughter screamed, "I wanna go on that!" I didn't know where it was going, but I knew we would be on it. So I talked to the driver/farmer and found out he would take us to pick apples and/or peaches. How could I possibly say no? Mind you, I didn't come here to pick fruit. I came here to buy tomatoes, and maybe pet some animals, but really, the baskets are T-I-N-Y. What can go wrong? Off we go and I have to say that the tractor ride itself is worth the trip. The kids were loving it and I was happy and chatting with a fellow MOT (mother of twins) on the way. Farmer guy drops us off near some peach trees, and takes some time to move an old bus so that we can grab some baskets. Ahh... here's the problem. It turns out that in addition to those tiny baskets, there are also 1/2 bushel boxes, and they seem so much more reasonable in size. So maybe I can make some cobbler, or fruit leather, or well, I don't know.

We take a 1/2 bushel box and start picking. The trees are loaded with peaches. It doesn't take long before our box is full, full, full and we wait a bit for farmer guy to come back, but he magically reappears just when certain people are getting fidgety. Okay, so now what do I do with all these peaches?

1-410-848-5541

Baugher's
1236 Baugher Road
Westminster, MD 21158

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