I love packages, presents, and all that!  So when I went to the mailbox and found a package inside, I was delighted.  Really, this package was for my daughter, but I think I got just as much enjoyment out of it as she did.

We oohed and ahhed over the contents...a pink hat with ladybug bow and (2) darling sets of clippies from Paisleys and Ladybugs.  (FYI...Paisleys and Ladybugs is a local company run by mom Kristen out of Ada.)
Needless to say, we didn't waste anytime!  We started with the hat and took a trip to Meijer Gardens, where it was complimented right and left.  And my daughter kept it on the whole time...a testament to it's soft, comfortable feel.

We experimented with the clippies next.  I liked the fact that the clips were covered with ribbon and that they stayed in hair so easily.  They are not the kind that you have to re-position every few minutes...these have holding power!  Really, cute + practical = something a real-life kid can wear. (Norah even wore the clippies through a gymnastics class...)
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There is a great selection of girls accessories at Paisleys and Ladybugs.  You can catch them on Facebook at their website, or in a few local shops. 
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You can find more information about all of these events on the grkids.com event calendar or just follow the link! Happy Spring Break!

  • Easter Egg Hunts on April 2 & 3… I count 15 of them!
  • Open Gyms and Special Gym Days at area Gymnastics Companies
    • GR Gymnastics “School’s Out, We’re In” April 1&2
    • Gymco Sports “GymTime” April 5-9
  • Cultural Experiences:
    • John Ball’s Zoobilee, April 5-9, reduced admission
    • Frederik Meijer Garden’s Butterflies are Blooming, daily
    • Spend Spring Break with the BUGS! At the GR Public Museum, April 5-9
    • Friendship and Community in Art at the GR Art Museum, April 5-9…it really is Family Friendly!
    • Every Princess Ballerina needs a Superhero Dancer by the GR Ballet, April 5-9
  • Freebies and Bargains:
    • Sandy’s Spot on grkids.com…bargain crafts and local deals
    • Ada/Lowell 5 Free Weekend Morning Matinees: Playing 4/3-4: Where the Wild things Are and 4/10-11:Paul Blart: Mall Cop
    • Flick’s Film Festival Free Kids Movies.  Playing Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel: April 2-April 8
    • Free Entrance to Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum in honor of Mrs. Ford’s 92nd birthday on April 8.  Cake for the first 750 visitors.
    • Captain Underpants events at local libraries
 
 
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Spring Break Zoobilee at John Ball Zoo! April 5-9: Burn off some of that out-of-school energy at the Zoo. They’ll have
plenty for the kids to do, and of course, the animals will be there too!!! You never know what you are going to find at ZOOBILEE.

They’ll be offering impromptu tours, impromptu peeks behind the scenes, kids activities, scavenger hunts and prizes!

Admission is on $3.50 for adults and $3.00 for kids (13 -3). Kids 2 and under are free!
 
 
Why not try a new sport, or lots of new sports, this spring break at sports camp! With a different sport each day you’ll get the chance to work on skills and learn the basics. Basketball, soccer, volleyball, and much more…stay active and have fun with spring break sports camp!

Day: Monday - Friday
Date: April 5 - 9
Duration: 1 week

Sections:
10:00am-11:00am:    1st and 2nd Grade: Activity # 1051 SP10
11:00am-12:00pm:     3rd and 4th Grade: Activity #1052 SP10
12:00 - 1:00pm:          5th and 6th Grade: Activity # 1053 SP10

Cost: $25 Resident/ $35 NR
Location: Community Center, 2120 76th Street, Byron Center
Minimum: 10
Maximum: 20
Registration Deadline: March 26

Program is through Byron Township Parks and Rec Department.
Call 878-1998
 
 

Bye Bye, Old Logo!

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So, what is wrong with the old grkids.com logo, you might be wondering?  Well, after a year of using it, I've discovered (2) things:
  1. People think I'm in the birthday party business and
  2. It's too hard to put on T-shirts, etc, when I need something simpler.

 
 
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DIAPER DRIVE

HONOR A MOTHER BY HELPING ANOTHER

Donate a minimum of $10 in the name of a mother and we will send her a Mother’s Day Card for you.

You can now donate to the Diaper Drive through PayPal using the link on their website:




The Facts
  • · 1 out of every 5 babies born in Kent County is born into poverty. A family must be 44% below the poverty line in MI to receive any cash assistance.
  • · Safety net programs, such as W.I.C. and food stamps, do NOT cover the costs of diapers.
  • · Most childcare centers do not accept cloth diapers, and parents must supply a steady stream of disposable diapers. Furthermore, many families have limited access to laundry facilities and many coin-op laundry facilities cannot allow cloth diapers for health reasons.
  • · An adequate supply of disposable diapers can cost up to $75 per month.
The Impacts
  • · Many babies are often forced to spend the entire day or longer in a single diaper, because the family cannot afford to buy an adequate supply.
  • · Inadequate diaper changing increases the risk of numerous health problems.
  • · Studies show a baby crying from being in a soiled diaper for a prolonged period of time is at a greater risk of physical abuse by the caregiver.
Want to make a difference for a family living in crisis?  Do it with Diapers!
 
 
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Those not heading for warmer climates this Spring Break, can get a fanciful preview of the warmer months ahead in the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s spring exhibit – Big, BIG BUGS!  Spring Break with the Bugs offers bug-themed programming from Noon-3 pm daily April 5-10 and extended evening hours during Big Bug Nights April 1-3 and 5-9.   

The exhibit, which runs through May 31, features giant moving insects and sets the stage for a humorous role reversal meant to provide visitors with a “bug’s eye view” of life.  Guests can dig deeper into bug life and lore in regularly scheduled sessions in the Bug Lab, exploring such subjects as bug life cycles, anatomy & adaptations, and bug “jobs.”  They can climb the spider web, test their bug trivia skills and examine how bugs and humans interact in the Bugs “n” Us area.  The all-ages-appropriate Crickets & Constellations will play in the planetarium several times daily.  

 

            Visitors can engage their imaginations outside of the exhibit as well, in kid-friendly activities and craft stations throughout the Museum from Noon to 3 pm April 5-10, free with general admission:

  • Bug-O-Lympics including Dung Ball Races, the Bug Flight Field, Bug Toss and Bug Bowling
  • Balloon artist Tim Thurmond will create balloon bugs for kids Saturdays, April 3 and 10.
  • Story Time with the Mighty Wurlitzer presents Jazz Fly Monday, April 5, at 10:30 am, 11:15 am and Noon in the 2nd floor Meijer Theater.  In this beloved program story books are brought to life through the dramatic accompaniment of our Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ. 
  • On April 5, 7 and 9 at 11 am, Noon and 1 pm guests can learn about the "Magic of Wireless" from Amway eCoupled scientists in the Museum's 2nd floor Science/Demo Lab, followed by a tour of the eCoupled area in the Amway exhibit.
 

            Guests can also enjoy special evening hours during Spring Break.  Normally closed at 5 pm, the Museum will extend its hours for Big BUG Nights April 1-3 and 5-9.  A special evening ticket package, available from 5-9 pm, includes Museum admission, BUGS! admission, a planetarium show, unlimited carousel rides and a kid-friendly meal for just $10 per person.  Members pay just $5.  For more information call 616.456.3977 or visit grmuseum.org.   The Museum will be closed Easter Sunday.   
 
 
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Hey grkids.com friends!  Did you know that Disney on Ice's Finding Nemo is coming to the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids? 

March 18-21, the Arena will be transformed into a dream-come-true for Nemo fans of all ages!

Follow the link to find tickets (opening night has discount tickets available!)

You can also win tickets to Finding Nemo by leaving a comment (and your full name & email) on the blog telling me which Disney Movie is your family's Favorite and why. 

We are givingContest winners will be picked on March 15, so enter today!

 
 
I was skeptical when I first heard that Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) was offering familiy-friendly art Saturdays.  For me, a former chemistry teacher, art museums conjure images of guards, large, quiet rooms, and walls upon walls of pictures that are hard to understand.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum has invested countless hours of thought and preparation to demolish that stodgy reputation.  In the last few months, GRAM staff have outfitted the lower level of the Art Museum with kid-friendly workstations.  Lest you think this is a glorified craft area, all family art activities offered by the GRAM are related to something on exhibit.  The idea is that you will start by spending some time in the gallery with your family experiencing art and then wind your way to the lower level where you and your family can create based on what you have seen and learned.  There is even a low table for those youngsters that do better creating without a chair!

Each month there is a new theme and the stations families participate in change to accommodate the theme.  This month, the activities focus on the work of Alexander Calder to go along with the display of his works that patrons enjoy.  This is a great way to help bring art to life and get kids (and their parents!) involved with art.

Here are some helpful hints to make the most of your visit:
  • Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for ask for help.  People here are kind and are ready to enhance your experience.
  • Pre-print an activity guide or pick one up from the staff to help guide your trip.
  • Plan on spending about a half hour looking at art on exhibit.  Pick (5) pieces that will engage your kids and focus on those.
  • Plan on spending about an hour in the lower level interacting with the art . 
  • Save money by parking in the Monroe Center Parking Ramp (entrance on Ionia Ave.). One hour of free parking is available daily before 6:00 pm.
  • Children 5 and under receive free admission; youth admission for visitors ages 6 - 17 is only $5!  Adults are $8.
  • As a family friendly facility, children of all ages are welcome! Elevators and ramps are easy for families with strollers and baby changing stations are available in many restrooms. 
  • There is a cafe with a kids menu, as well as child-friendly seating options.
You may also be interested to learn that the GRAM offers Summer Art Camp.

Up for Grabs in our Great GiveAway is Family Admission for One Saturday All Day with the Arts at the GRAM.  You choose the Saturday that you attend!

To enter, please leave a comment in the blog (along with your email address, please) telling us how you bring art to life in your family.  Thanks for entering.  A winning family will be picked on March 22.  Good luck!
 
 
Gymboree Play and Music has been in the Grand Rapids Area for years, but now it has a new, more centralized home.  Located near Celebration Cinema North & Knapp Meijer, it allows parents to combine errands and fun into one trip.

Here is their new address and contact info:
1971 East Beltline Ave.
Grand Rapids,Michigan 49525
(616) 365-0015
grapidsmi@gymboreeclasses.com

We went to Gymboree Play and Music during their Grand Re-Opening Week and found a bright, clean space with enthusiastic staff ready to greet the many visiting children and adults.

Kids ages 0-5 were climbing all over the play equipment and having a blast.  Lots of padding and low structure heights ensure that kids are safe (parental supervision is required, too!)

The music room doubles as an art room to accommodate the many different types of classes they offer here. 

They also offer open play gym where the general public can come in a play for a fee.  This happens weekly on Mondays from11:15am-1pm, Wednesday 6:45pm-7:30pm, and Thursday 4:15pm - 5:15pm.  Call ahead for details and more information.

If you are interested in signing up for a class or program, be sure to use the coupon on grkids.com!