My Top 5 Favorite Spots for Kids

At Vista View Park when my K. was a toddler

Maybe it's because I'm in my thirties and I have two little ones, but as of late, I've begun to feel like I'm truly rooted in South Florida. Now, I've lived here for almost 25 years. It was about time, I guess. I was born in Nicaragua and that's where I lived the first decade of my life. That will always be where I'm from. But, like I said, I've realized what a great influence South Florida has had on me. It is such a part of who I am and I'm glad it is.
One of the reasons this place has a permanent spot in my heart is because it has so much to offer. My family and I enjoy visiting different places every weekend. The other day I started an album on Facebook with some of my favorite pictures of my crew and me enjoying the area. One of my friends asked for recommendations of places to visit. This gave me an idea. I decided to post my five all time favorite spots to take the kids. Here it is:

Little Java's Family Fun Center in Weston
Two of best things about this place is how clean it is and how friendly the staff is. Both of my kids could play here for hours. They never want to leave. The management/owners have done a great job lately of providing more activities for the kids who are a little older. They now have a bigger game room, a rock wall, and this week then are installing some kind of high ropes activity. I haven't seen it yet, so I'll have to update you. Or you could go check it out.

Young at Art Children's Museum in Davie
If you have kids, you already know that YAA has reopened in a new and fabulous building. This is like a child's paradise. There is so much to see and do that your kiddos will be thrilled and eventually exhausted from all the fun. Nap time, anyone? :)

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca
My kids love animals and plants. This place is so educational and enjoyable. They have an outdoor walking path and tanks with all sorts of marine creatures. Make sure you go in the gift shop because they have an interesting hands-on display and a short video about sea turtles.

Alvin Sherman Library at Nova in Davie
Many of my friends go for the activities, like story time. The activities are so good and so popular that it gets really packed during those times. We like to go when it's quiet. A. loves the little tables with crayons and papers and K. loves the computer games. My husband checks out CDs for the kids. Their selection is incredible. And my favorite activity is sitting by the big windows in the back in one of those really comfy, huge, floor-chair things watching my kids be calm (most of the time) and happy. (You do pay a small fee for parking.)

Vista View Park in Davie
This park is covered and they have a great selection of play areas for the kids. I love driving up to it and seeing all the colors of the play equipment. It also has a great section for children with special needs. Love that.

One of My Favorite Local Libraries

As a bona fide bibliophile, I can quickly give you the location of the best libraries within a given-mile radius. And if you asked me "What's the best library for kids in Broward County?", I would point you in the direction of the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University. They have some of the best programs for tots and teens including concerts, story hours, writing workshops, socials, art exhibits, movie nights, and puppet shows. One of the best things about this library is that just as many of their programs take place on the weekends or in the evenings, so workings moms and dads don't have to miss out on the fun.

Take a Bite Out of the Library

What: Take a Bite Out of the Library Fall Kickoff Bash
Who: All Ages
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 from 1-3 p.m.
Where: NSU's Alvin Sherman Library
How Much: Free

In celebration of National Library Card Sign-Up Month, NSU's Alvin Sherman Library will host a "Take a Bite Out of the Library" fall kickoff bash.

This FREE fun-filled afternoon will give participants the chance to:
* Meet Elmo and Princess Reads-A-Lot from 1-2 p.m.
* Groove at Mr. Brian and the Boppets' Rock and Roll puppet show at 2 p.m.
* Get help from NSU Cheerleaders and mascot Razor to sign up for library cards from 1-3 p.m.
* Win special prizes such as tickets to the Broward Center for Performing Arts' Family Fun Series and the Sesame Street Live Elmo's Green Thumb show.

While at the bash, don't forget to sign up for Sharkey's Reading Club, which lets participants set reading goals and collect a new prize each month after reaching their target. Any child can join the club with an Alvin Sherman Library card.

As a special treat, those curious about their roots can also visit the Ancestors Roadshow table from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for a free genealogy consultation to learn how to find out about your family's tree.

After the kickoff bash, teens are also invited to the "Get Carded" Back-to-School Dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Show your Alvin Sherman Library card or completed application to get into the party, for a night of dancing to hot DJ mixes and hanging with friends.

Books, a Baseball Hero, and a Piece of the Moon

What: Special Collection Book Fair, Moon Rock Exhibit, and Roberto Clemente Exhibit
Who: All ages
When: The book fair is Aug. 7th and exhibits are ongoing
Where: Main Library, Fort Lauderdale
How Much: Most books are $1 and exhibits are free

Tomorrow, the Fort Lauderdale Friends of the Library are having their monthly First Friday Special Collection Book Fair at the Main Branch. This is when they put out the best donated books. Most books are about $1. I went a couple of days ago (not on a book fair day) and bought myself Under the Tuscan Sun and Wuthering Heights. I spent $1.25. Total. Both copies are in perfect condition. Remember, they also have magazines, DVDs, children's books, etc.
If you visit the Main Branch, please don't forget to stop by the 6th floor. They currently have two great exhibits. The first is a little piece of the actual moon, donated by an astronaut's wife. It's pretty cool to think that you are looking at a particle that was previously floating in space. At the display, they have free materials for the kids to take home, like posters and stickers. The other exhibit is an Smithsonian traveling showcase on the life of Roberto Clemente, my favorite baseball player ever. He was a Puerto Rican humanitarian whose plane disappeared as he was on his way to donate goods to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. His life story is inspirational and, man, a great role model for kids today. Have the little ones go on this great bilingual website, to learn more about on my the coolest, sweetest men to ever play baseball.

Add the Library to your Friends List

What: Book Sales
Who: All Ages
When: Ongoing
Where: Some Broward County Library Branches
How Much: Usually less than $3 per book

We all know you can check out books at the library. Duh… But you may not know about these super cool people called Friends of the Library and all the bargains and resources they have to offer. Friends of the Library is a group of volunteers who sponsor book shops, book fairs, and programs for everyone at many local Broward County libraries. I love them because I can buy donated best-sellers in great condition for like $1 or $2. They also sell CD's, DVD's, audio tapes and magazines. I find incredible books for my sixth-grade classroom library and books for K., my nine-month old, at unbeatable prices. My local Friends of the Library has a little shopping area right by the entrance of the branch. It’s a pleasure browsing through the shelves of almost-new books that are conveniently organized by author’s last name. Just like at the bookstore, but at a fraction of the cost. Now, obviously, they don’t have the selection you will find at Borders. But, you can’t complain when you’re buying great books for a buck. The Friends at Main Library in Fort Lauderdale have something called First Friday Special Collection Fair. The first Friday of every month from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, they put out the best books that have been donated that month and sell them at a discount. They have a great selection of children’s books. Friends of the Library have 32 local chapters. I know you’ll find one close to your house. West Regional, Weston, Coral Springs, Tamarac, and Dania Beach are just some locations. Now you can satisfy your inner bookworm even in an unforgiving economy.

Upcoming Book Fair
Saturday, July 18th, 11 am - 4 pm
Weston Branch sponsored by Weston Friends of the Library

P.S. I'm going to do some research about Miami-Dade County. They must have something like this.