I recently asked grkids.com friends to tell me where they like to sled and what ages the hills are suited for...here's what I've found so far: (and please tell us where YOU like to sled in the comments!)

Lisa told us that Cascade Park and Ada Vista Elementary School are both good for older kids(middle school, high school) and younger kids(elementary.)

Lori says there is a huge hill at Manhattan Park in EGR for older kids (You have to walk through the woods from the parking lot off Manhattan) but there is a smaller hill for the little kids facing Cascade Road. It's just north of the woods by the soccer fields.

According to Melinda and Terra, in Byron Center the kids (all ages) usually go up to Byron Center Christian School (middle school) off Byron Center Rd, as well as Zion Christian School (corner of Byron Center/76th Street).

Marita has a wealth of sledding information: "Growing up, my family did a lot of sledding at Belknap Hill (Mary Waters Park) on the corner of Lafayette and Leonard at the Elementary School at that corner (A great hill for kids of all ages). We also went to the hills at Manhatten Park off of Cascade just west of the E. Beltline, and Provin Trails just west of Robinette's on 3 Mile off the E. Beltline. At Provin Trails, you have to walk down the trail just a bit to get to some good hills -- but I would recommend this place for older kids who can control their sleds a little better because there are trees to dodge at the end. It's a beautiful place though! We also went to Johnson Park -- it's a good hill for little kids to have riding buddies because it's a pretty good size hill. We'd meet our older cousins when we'd sled there so everyone would have a sled partner. It was a riot!"

If you don't mind driving to your sledding hill, then you might want to follow Soraida's lead.  Here's what she has to say, "We really like Pando, it's out in Rockford. It's a bit pricey but the entertainment book has a coupon for buy one get one. The hills are really steep, the boys had a blast going down over and over again. The other thing we liked about it is that you didn't have to walk up the hill to sled, you are pulled up on your tubes."

If you like adventure then Kristie's recommendation may suit you, "Belknap Lookout has an amazing hill, some parts the neighborhood kids have built ramps too! (we saw a group of 6 fly on an air mattress 10 feet in the air and about 4 feet high, 15 feet after landing 4 kiddos fell off, the teenagers stayed on it. We all had a good laugh.)"

Melissa says that "We take our kids to the Hudsonville water tower.  Our kids are 2,5 & 7 and it's not too big for them or too small."

Also mentioned for sledding is Mulick Park for all ages and Richmond Park for older kids.  Pine Ridge Elementary is another neighborhood spot mentioned as well.

Please share your favorite sledding spot in the comments...we'd love to check it out!

It is a rare child that does NOT enjoy music.  Most are wired to move and groove to all types of tunes.  You've probably also heard that music is a great educational tool for kids as well, but did you know that music is learned in the same way language is learned?

Music Moves is a place that will educate your whole child using developmentally appropriate, musically engaging and purposeful activities.  Instruction is carefully crafted based on research and internationally recognized programs.  Additionally, instructors are experienced, have college music education degrees and lead classes with energy and professionalism.

I am pleased to offer grkids.com users the amazing chance to win (1) FREE Music Together class (birth - age 5 with an adult).  This 9-week winter semester for mixed ages class meets weekly for 45-minutes and is worth $165!

This is the essential Music Together class, one that a child can attend from birth through kindergarten—and through all nine song collections. This basic class follows the recommendations of child development researchers—grouping children of a variety of ages in one class. This approach fosters natural, family-style learning where younger children enjoy watching and imitating older ones; older children learn by leading younger ones; and adults are happy because the children in the family can go to class together. Each child participates at his or her own developmental level in singing, moving, chanting, listening, observing, or exploring musical instruments.

To enter this contest, please leave a comment answering the following: Why would you like to take this class with your child(ren)?

Here's the link for the Music Moves Website to find out schedule options and more about the program.  Click here to view a video about the Music Moves program.A winner will be selected on January 11.  Classes start the week of January 18.  Please only enter the contest if you can commit to attending a Music Moves class with your child.

This is a new opportunity for parents and kids ages 1-5 years old that lets you and your child use the kid friendly equipment and wide open space of our Community Center Gym to be active, play, and explore together.

While we were there, we played with balls, hula hoops, a giant parachute, and rolled on the tumbling mat.  Not to mention the first 10 minutes that were spent running full speed ahead.

We followed our play with a special trip to McDonald's (on 84th St), which made for a fun morning outing and we were ready for naps right after that!

Pay as you come.  This is a recurring event on Wednesday mornings and runs into March.  Find exact dates on the grkids.com event calendar under the title "Toddler Open Rec.".

$1 Resident, $2 nonresident

Parents must supervise children at all times.


Byron Township Community Center
2120 76th St
Byron Center MI 49315 US


Phone: 616-878-1998 or find out more here.

This neat website has you enter information about your child, like hair color and zip code so Santa can send your child a personalized video.  You even get to pick something that he/she has been working on this year so Santa can compliment your child on a job well done.  The video will be created almost instantaneously and best of all, it's free!

Pass this on, and tell people you found it first on grkids.com!

We ended our adventure with a few rides on the merry-go-round. The kids loved it and the hubs and I enjoyed feeling and acting like kids again as we “raced” our kids’  horses to see whose was in the highest position when the ride ended and the music stopped. We flashed our museum ticket to the parking garage on our way out and got ½ off our parking rate—what a deal!

There was more to do than we had time to do at the museum, so a return trip is a must for us. The next time we hope to grab the “I Spy” cards available as we follow the alphabet through all the exhibits and attempt to spy all the images on the cards. We also heard a lot of buzz about the “Elf hunt”. We’ll have to tackle that task next time…

According to the Bright Beginnings website,

The Bright Beginnings program includes the following services;
(To learn more about these services, click on the links below.)  

• Personal Home Visits
• Playgroups/Parent Meetings
• Developmental Screening
• Resource Network
• Nutrition Information Resources

Bright Beginnings is available to ALL families in Kent County with children birth to Kindergarten entry.

When we went to Bright Beginnings, the theme was Gingerbread and Gumdrops.  There were felt gingerbread men to play with, homemade white "snow" playdough that smelled like almonds and had glitter sparkles inside, kids rubbed cinnamon sticks on sandpaper gingerbread men, and dug for treasure in dry mashed potato mix.  We also had time in the all-purpose room where kids could run and kick balls, ride small toys, etc.

The session wrapped up when Kathy, our parent educator, read a few stories and shared a snack with the kids.

So how does this work?

Bright Beginnings needs you to sign up to be part of their program even though it is a free service.  This is because they are funded through grants... head count matters to their sponsors.  There are a few different ways that you can sign up for the program.  You can call the Bright Beginnings Program at 616-365-2277 or visit their website.  You may also sign up by dropping in at one of the playgroups on the calendar, although advance other methods of registration are appreciated.

You will find a calendar of playgroups on their website.  Bright Beginnings playgroups are also listed on the grkids.com event calendar.

Kids – want to tell a “whopper” of a story? Write a story about an ordinary event in your life, or a fictional event, and then stretch that story into a “whopper” of a tall tale. Three winners will receive a $10 gift card to Pooh’s Corner Bookstore and will be featured on our website. To enter, submit your original story at www.grpl.org/kids. Limited to kids ages 5-12. Limit one story per author. Entries should be no longer than 500 words. 
 

Now that the turkey has settled, we can properly start to address our Christmas to-do list.  And if you have young children, a visit to Santa is probably tops on that list!

So in the Greater Grand Rapids area, where is that jolly old man going to turn up?

Here are a few places that I've unearthed, but you may have some others to add to the mix.  Please leave comments to help all of us find St. Nick this holiday season.

Breton Village Mall:  You are allowed to take your own photos of Santa, free!  His schedule varies, so check their website before heading out.

Meijer Gardens: Tuesday evenings.  Check their website for additional festive activities.
Woodland Mall
Rivertown Mall
W.G. Grinders on December 12th: Santa will eat lunch with your family and give a toy that you bring, wrapped.  Very cool!