Westfield Family Fun Days

My friend Heliana is one of those moms who always knows all the good activities for the kids. She told me about Westfield Broward Mall Family Fun Days.
I am so glad we decided to go. The theme of the event was Paris. As soon as we got there, K. sat down and started working on her beret. I love when she works on arts and crafts outside of my house. She gets to practice her fine motor skills and develop her imagination, but I don't have to clean it up. Then she got her face painted for the first time. This in itself was an event. She wore that purple butterfly with beaming pride all day because it was imperative that her daddy got to see it when he got home from work. By 6 pm it was looking more like abstract art, but she didn't care.
At the Family Fun Day, they also had book readings, dancing, and snacks. My one year old's favorite part was snacking on pretzels, pop corn, and ice cream. He has very little interest in anything other than eating, running, throwing, and unrolling toilet paper when I'm not looking. 
The event was well-organized and it was relatively educational, if the kids payed attention to the books. Most of them didn't. There was a lot going on. It was definitely age appropriate and the entertainer was sweet and attentive with the kids.
The only downside to the whole thing was that it was crowded. I imagine once the kids go back to school it will thin out. I won't be enjoying it because I'll be hanging out with some inquisitive middle schoolers by then.
Oh! another great thing is that they separate the big kids from the little kids by holding different fundays at different times. Very clever. And it's all free! The next one is Wednesday, July 25 from 11:00 am to 1:00pm at the JCPenney Court.

Also, at the event, they gave me a savings card that got me 15% off The Children's Place. You also get other offers and discounts with the card. I wasn't supposed to spend any money, but I couldn't help myself. I mean the little pink shorts were right there.

This is from their website:
WFamily Days (2-5 yrs)
Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday
We ́ll travel to distant lands this month as we continue our theme of “Let ́s See the World!” Two books will take us around the globe as we explore many wonders far and wide. We ́ll also enjoy a healthy snack.

WFamily Days (6-12 yrs)
Every 3rd Tuesday
The fun continues for big kids! This month, they can let their imaginations go as they build their very own unique dream house out of graham crackers and then decorate it any way they want!

Family Fun Days at History Miami

Join History Miami the second Saturday of each month from 12 to 5 p.m. for FREE things to do, learn and experience with the whole family!
Spend the afternoon exploring the history and culture of our vibrant metropolitan city.

Family Fun Day Schedule

Passion for Fashion

July 14, 2012
Strike a pose in celebration of our new exhibition The Guayabera: A Shirt’s Story. Learn how clothing can tell stories about the past and present on our “Time Travel through Textiles” tour of the galleries, and enjoy a guayabera-inspired craft activity.

Summer Games

August 11, 2012
Come play with us! Celebrate the closing of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London with a full day of games and sports. Visit a variety of game stations throughout the galleries, learn about local athletics and create your own Olympic gold medal.
Family Fun Days are presented with the support of Miami-Dade County, The Michael and Diane Rosenberg Foundation, The Bachelor Foundation and The Carnival Foundation. 

Contact the museum if you have any questions:

Education Center
HistoryMiami
101 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130
305-375-1629
tmartin@historymiami.org

Family Fest at the Adrienne Arsht Center

Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts at the Adrienne Arsht Center
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM (FREE!)



Upcoming Schedule:
* January 9 - Cinderella Ballet
* March 6 - Step Afrika!
* May 8 - Rock Odyssey
See! Touch! Learn! Discover! The Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza becomes Miami’s most exciting interactive arts playground! Hands-on, free, fun learning activities for children include crafts, face-painting, storytelling, movement and theater classes, as well as outdoor performances. Make a puppet, learn a song, or try out a few new dance moves, it’s the best way to spend the day! Food and Drinks available for purchase. For more information, call the box office at 305.949.6722. Free Parking until 12:00 Noon in Lot C — across from the Center.

Puppets, Art, and Sensory Fun at Cafe Bambini

What: Puppet Show by Sarah & Friends
Who: 1 - 6 years old (my opinion)
When: Monday, Sept. 7th
Where: Cafe Bambini, Aventura
How Much: $10, includes unlimited open play after the show (open play is usually $5 on regular days, i.e. non-puppet show days)

I believe that Cafe Bambini is one of the cleanest indoor playgrounds in South Florida. While it's not a large play space, it has another huge perk - great food and gelato for everyone. Besides having periodic puppet shows, they now also offer these fun events:

Parents and their babies (birth to 13 months) can now enjoy award winning Baby Sensory classes at with Miss Carolina 10am Thursday mornings, first class FREE trial!

“Artistic Thursdays”, 4pm at hosted by Creative Minds. $5 one piece of plaster $8 for two pieces.

Get Creative at Cafe Bambini

What: Artistic Fun Day
When: Thursday, August 27 at 4:00 pm
Where: Cafe Bambini in Aventura
How much: Free for first ten children, $8 everyone else

Café Bambini & Creative Minds have joined together to bring the community an fun artistic day. This Thursday, August 27 at 4:00 pm children will have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their creative, artistic talents.

In addition, as an inauguration incentive, Creative Minds will donate the first ten plaster pieces to the first ten children to show up to the event. Soon after, Creative Minds will offer two plaster pieces for an incredible discount price of $8.00.

If you have never been to Cafe Bambini, you need to go. It's a modern indoor playground in Aventura. It's small, but they have great toys for the kids and the food is delicious.

Tillie's Masterpieces

What: Family Day (Theme -"Be Like Tillie")
When: Sunday, Aug. 16th, gallery open 12-4 pm, arts and crafts 1-3pm
Where: The Art Center of Hollywood
How Much: Free

Tillamook (Tillie) Cheddar is a world-class artist who has had 19 solo exhibitions in the United States and Europe. She uses a dynamic color transfer technique to create her work. She is described as "A Masterpiece of conceptualism" and has been featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and Fox News Live, to name a few. Currently, you can relish in her work at The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. BTW, in case you didn't know, Tillie is a 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier. That's right, a dog. So it's art the kids are sure to dig. I mean, a doggy did it, how cute is that? This Sunday, you can check out her art for free during a Family Day at the art center. (Prices are usually $7 for adults, $4 for students, seniors and children ages 4-13, and free to children under 4 when accompanied by an adult.) On Sunday, the gallery will be open free of charge from 12-4 pm. From 1-3 pm, the kids can also participate in a free hands-on art activity titled "Be Like Tillie", where they can emulate Tillie's innovative technique and create their own masterpiece to take home. After all, if a dog can do it...

The Knack of Creativity

What: Arts and Crafts Workshops and Fun Website
Who: Ages 5 – 12 (Workshops) and All Ages (Website)
When: Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm (Workshops)
Where: Your local Michael’s store
How Much: Free

Do you remember coloring books? Why don’t we color any more as we get older? Oh, I remember. We have to clean, work, pay bills, cook, go grocery shopping, do the laundry. Sigh.... We have kids now. The Knack, a website dedicated to child creativity and imagination, has printable coloring pages and project ideas for those hot, humid, rainy, South Florida days. Budding artists can also join an online club for free and receive special offers, birthday greetings, and exclusive web features. At the bottom of the page, you enter your zip code and find the next artistic activity going on at your local Michael’s. This Saturday, July 11th from 10 am to 1 pm, you can make your own personalized summer fun tote bag using a variety of paints and stencils. I have not been to one of these yet, but I called the Plantation store and they told me that all supplies are included and it's completely free. The friendly sales clerk said it takes the kids about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the project. That sounds just as good as coloring to me.