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.

Labor Day Family Splash and Craft Show

What: Labor Day Family Splash and Craft Show
Who: All Ages

Where: Pine Island Park Aquatic Center (3800 S.W. 92 Avenue), Davie

When: Monday, September 7, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Pool Splash! Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult

Arts & Crafts Fair (front lawn)

Noon

Petting Farm

Free Climbing Wall

Free Bounce Houses and Slide

DJ Music by the pool (to 4:30pm)

12:30 p.m.

Jimmy Jam Cloggers

2:00 p.m.

Billie Joe Bob Youth Show

2:30 p.m.

Puppet Show

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Pool Party Spash Continues (weather permitting)

Free Movies (in building)

Get on Board with Ms. Peanut Butter at Learning Express

What: Ms. Peanut Butter and Elmo and Dora
When: Thursday, Aug. 13th 11 am and Sunday, Aug. 16th 11 am
Where: Learning Express Toys of Sunrise
How Much: Free

Learning Express Toys of Sunrise is a treasure box of family-friendly fun. The owners of this place have the right idea. This toy store has great activities on an almost-weekly basis. For example, this Thursday, Ms. Peanut Butter will be there at 11 am. Ms. Peanut Butter is an engaging and energetic children's entertainer who puts on a charming little show with her buddy Jelly, the Monkey, where kids play, dance, listen, and enjoy some bubbles. I participated in her free, weekly Mommy and Me class at Baby Love in Tamarac, and I image she does something similar at Learning Express. K warmed up to Ms. Peanut Butter very quickly. She was delighted during the performance.
Remember, Ms. Julie will be there on Saturday at 11 am. And on Sunday at 11 am, Elmo and Dora will be coming by. There is no doubt in my mind that they are a big hit with the kids.
The toy store offers a great selection for all ages. My husband and I like to take K on lazy, Sunday afternoons when there isn't much to do and just walk around and explore the aisles of books, favors, little cars, dolls, knickknacks, games, etc. The other day I saw the Twilight Turtle Constellation Nightlight and I think I'm going to buy it for K. The staff at the store is always welcoming and friendly.
Part of the charm of every toy store is the nostalgia it conjures of our own childhood. They are innocent, playful places. The little girl in me is drawn to oodles of toys and games. And the mom in me gladdens at the sight of K's smiling baby face as she participates in the activities they offer.
BTW, there are Learning Express Toys all over the place. Some other locations are Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and Boca.

Mr. Blue's Water Safety Puppet Show

What: Puppet Show
Who: 1 to 7 year-olds (my opinion)
When: Saturday, Aug. 15th, 11 am (for additional dates see below)
Where: Learning Express Toys of Sunrise (for additional locations see below)
How Much: Free

My good friend and I took our fidgety 10 month-olds to a puppet show this weekend at the Learning Express Toys of Coral Springs. The store itself is worth checking out. The staff is so friendly and the store has an incredible selection of toys for all ages. The show was all about Mr. Blue, a fish who forgets how to swim. His friends teach him water safety lessons as they get him back in the water. K watched was enthralled from beginning to end. She did not move. The puppets were a hit with the audience. The audience members varied in age from baby to about 6 or 7 year-olds. The creator is Julie, a private swimming instructor who will have your little one swimming in less than a week. She travels all over Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Julie is likable, honest, and passionate about water safety, swimming, and kids. My friend and I purchased the story book about about Mr. Blue, which also comes with a DVD. A meaningful moment for me was when (after the show) a father told a personal story of how he had put swimming lessons on the back burner and later got a phone call about his daughter being in the hospital after an incident when she almost drowned. His daughter is now happily swimming after lessons with Miss Julie. When you live on a peninsula, swimming lessons aren't just fun, they can be a real life saver. Here are some other upcoming shows:

August 10th at 3pm
Boynton Beach Library
208 South Seacrest Blvd.
Boynton Bch Blvd, 33435
561-742-6883
Contact Person: Ms. Cheryl Fishman
www.boyntonlibrary.org

August 29th at 11am
Learning Express Toy Store
4425 Lyons Road
Coconut Creek, 33073
954-773-8509
www.coconutcreek.learningexpress-toys.com