http://www.mousetraptheater.org/index_files/Page537.htm
This is a fantastic puppet (Marrionette) show. The puppeteer was very enthusiastic about what he was doing and it showed.
This is in Shipshawana so getting there was a little difficult due to traffic (and it wasn't even a holiday weekend) This is in the David Mercantile Building. The elevator is REALLY slow and busy. There are changing stations in all of the woman's bathrooms
I called a few times on the way there to see if they would be starting on time. There was only one other family there and Guy and his wife asked them if they would mind waiting a few minutes more. They said they didn't mind. (Thank you!) We saw the Circus Nation show. Normally, there is another show combined with this one. For this engagement, Guy did a full Circus Nation show only.
My son was restless at first but as the show started rolling, he was mesmerized by the marrionettes. He wasn't even frightened by the clown. My son was pulling himself up on the front of the stage to get a closer look. There are rows of pews but there is a large area in front of the pews where you can sit on the floor with your child. After the show, Guy brought out the marrionettes and we got to see how they work and learn more about them in general. The show runs about 30 minutes. COST: $5.00 per adult, 1 year olds are free.
After the show, we took a ride on the carousel. COST: $1.00 for the both of us.
After the carousel ride, we took a food break. We then took a stroller ride around a few blocks. We came across a horse and buggy ride. I left the stroller behind the counter where I purchased the ticket. My son really enjoyed the ride. I believe it was a 15 minute ride but it was more like 20. COST: $6.00, 1 year olds are free.
We headed home after this and my son seemed to have enjoyed the afternoon in Shipshewana.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Thistleberry Farm - Escape from the Corn
http://www.thistleberryfarm.com/
I believe that this runs through the end of October. There are lots of activities for kids and families at this farm. I took my one year old son here for 1.5 hours and he really enjoyed it.
The restroom is a single portable potty - no changing stations, no handwashing station. There is a handwashing station in the barn containing the petting zoo. I resorted to reclining my Graco stroller seat to change my son's diaper. If you are a single person with a toddler it can prove to be quite difficult as an adult trying to use the restroom. The staff here are very kind and friendly.
We first visited the petting zoo, which is free. We looked at the puppies, chickens, roosters, rabbits, ducks and bunny rabbits. The kittens were too young to see at the time we visited. This is a great place to work on refining animal sounds. We especially enjoyed the roosters. My son now has an excellent handle on the rooster call. It's become his signal that he is awake in the morning (hey, it beats crying!) We petted two friendly horses and a few goats.
We paid $1.00 to ride the pedal carts around the track for two laps. I put my son in his Baby Bjorn carrier (Only to have him securely attached to me and on my lap, otherwise he is too heavy) My son made his motor sounds and giggled as I joined in.
We then paid $1.00 to ride the Cow Train. May I suggest the last two "cows" to ride in as anything closer to the tractor and you might get dusted. This Cow Train was seen at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival Parade in Plymouth. It took first place in the Miscellaneous Motorized Unit division.
There are a few food items available for purchase. nothing toddler appropriate. I brought food for my son and we ate our lunch at one of the picnic tables provided at the end of our day.
I believe that this runs through the end of October. There are lots of activities for kids and families at this farm. I took my one year old son here for 1.5 hours and he really enjoyed it.
The restroom is a single portable potty - no changing stations, no handwashing station. There is a handwashing station in the barn containing the petting zoo. I resorted to reclining my Graco stroller seat to change my son's diaper. If you are a single person with a toddler it can prove to be quite difficult as an adult trying to use the restroom. The staff here are very kind and friendly.
We first visited the petting zoo, which is free. We looked at the puppies, chickens, roosters, rabbits, ducks and bunny rabbits. The kittens were too young to see at the time we visited. This is a great place to work on refining animal sounds. We especially enjoyed the roosters. My son now has an excellent handle on the rooster call. It's become his signal that he is awake in the morning (hey, it beats crying!) We petted two friendly horses and a few goats.
We paid $1.00 to ride the pedal carts around the track for two laps. I put my son in his Baby Bjorn carrier (Only to have him securely attached to me and on my lap, otherwise he is too heavy) My son made his motor sounds and giggled as I joined in.
We then paid $1.00 to ride the Cow Train. May I suggest the last two "cows" to ride in as anything closer to the tractor and you might get dusted. This Cow Train was seen at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival Parade in Plymouth. It took first place in the Miscellaneous Motorized Unit division.
There are a few food items available for purchase. nothing toddler appropriate. I brought food for my son and we ate our lunch at one of the picnic tables provided at the end of our day.
Kart Racing
http://www.mrpmotorsport.com/michianaracewaypark-schedule.htm
I took my one year old son to watch a few races last weekend. He has a great interest in the sound of motors so I thought I might take him and see how he would like it.
We arrived towards the end of the scheduled races. There was alot of noise and excitement. At first I think my son may have been slightly frightened by the noise but after a few rounds, he was intently watching the cars zoom by. He kept looking at me with a big smile on his face each time the cars passed by the area of the track we were watching from.
I did not check out the restrooms to see if they were toddler friendly. I do know that it was not a Port a Potty situation.
On the way home and throughout the rest of the evening, my son was making race car noises while playing with his toy trucks and cars.
This is a free activity but only a few races left in the season. Please click on link above to view the schedule.
I took my one year old son to watch a few races last weekend. He has a great interest in the sound of motors so I thought I might take him and see how he would like it.
We arrived towards the end of the scheduled races. There was alot of noise and excitement. At first I think my son may have been slightly frightened by the noise but after a few rounds, he was intently watching the cars zoom by. He kept looking at me with a big smile on his face each time the cars passed by the area of the track we were watching from.
I did not check out the restrooms to see if they were toddler friendly. I do know that it was not a Port a Potty situation.
On the way home and throughout the rest of the evening, my son was making race car noises while playing with his toy trucks and cars.
This is a free activity but only a few races left in the season. Please click on link above to view the schedule.
Butterfly House at Silver Beach
I took my one year old son to the Butterfly House at Silver Beach in St Joseph, Michigan. Unfortunately, this was the closing weekend (September 30th)
Next year when the exhibit comes through again, I will repost this suggestion.
The Butterfly House was on the grounds of the Silver Beach Carousal Museum. They have some of the original pieces from the carousel on display. We enjoyed looking in the fun house mirrors. I'm not sure exactly what was so entertaining to my son but he was laughing alot.
There is not a baby changing station in the restroom but there is a large handicap restroom that can fit a stroller. There is also a long counter. In these situations, I recline the seat of my Graco stroller and use that as a changing surface.
After an al fresco diaper change we dined at the picnic tables. We then went into the Butterfly Exhibit. Because my son is very interested in birds and likes to point, I pointed out the flying butterflies and continued pointing to them as they flew around. He practiced his pointing and laughed alot. Many of the buttlerflies came close to us. This kept my son's interest for almost 30 minutes. There were also other young children visiting the exhibit which kept his attention.
After the butterflies, we took a walk around the corner to Silver Beach. We watched the motor and sail boats come in and out of the harbor. Some cruisers had their dogs on their boats. My son was having a good time mimicing the sound of the motors as the boats went by. There were a few children on the sail boats and many people waving to us as we waved.
From there we had a snack and watched the children on the beach. There are several gyms in the sand and there were lots of children out that day. There were also alot of people out walking there dogs.
This was a very enjoyable trip for my son. He slept well on the way home and slept really well that night after all the fresh air and sunshine.
There is a Children's Museum in the area but we did not check it out.
Next year when the exhibit comes through again, I will repost this suggestion.
The Butterfly House was on the grounds of the Silver Beach Carousal Museum. They have some of the original pieces from the carousel on display. We enjoyed looking in the fun house mirrors. I'm not sure exactly what was so entertaining to my son but he was laughing alot.
There is not a baby changing station in the restroom but there is a large handicap restroom that can fit a stroller. There is also a long counter. In these situations, I recline the seat of my Graco stroller and use that as a changing surface.
After an al fresco diaper change we dined at the picnic tables. We then went into the Butterfly Exhibit. Because my son is very interested in birds and likes to point, I pointed out the flying butterflies and continued pointing to them as they flew around. He practiced his pointing and laughed alot. Many of the buttlerflies came close to us. This kept my son's interest for almost 30 minutes. There were also other young children visiting the exhibit which kept his attention.
After the butterflies, we took a walk around the corner to Silver Beach. We watched the motor and sail boats come in and out of the harbor. Some cruisers had their dogs on their boats. My son was having a good time mimicing the sound of the motors as the boats went by. There were a few children on the sail boats and many people waving to us as we waved.
From there we had a snack and watched the children on the beach. There are several gyms in the sand and there were lots of children out that day. There were also alot of people out walking there dogs.
This was a very enjoyable trip for my son. He slept well on the way home and slept really well that night after all the fresh air and sunshine.
There is a Children's Museum in the area but we did not check it out.
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