Mini City is heading to PRESCHOOL with the January Issue! Find out all about our local preschool options (and we have a lot of great ones here) and more in this next issue! Want to be part of it? Space is limited, click the button below for all the info!
Dinosaur Day at the Saratoga Springs Public Library 1/6
with Saratoga Reads!
Drop in and help assemble large dinosaur puzzles at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, which will be on display in the library during this year’s SaratogaREADS! season on Saturday, January 6th.
Remember those really awesome and cool wooden dinosaur skeleton 3D puzzles you used to put together as a child (or younger self)? There will be some giant ones to put together and Saratoga Reads could use some help! A great family and community bonding time, and with such fun projects! The activity starts at 10AM.
For more info on Saratoga Reads and to see their 2018 selections, click the button below:
New Parent Meet Ups at Northshire Bookstore
From January through March, Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs is pleased to offer a weekly new parent meetup on Wednesday mornings at 10:30. Parents & babies from birth to one year are invited to stop by for conversation & to spend time with other new parents. The conversation will be facilitated by Rebecca Rovner, birth & postpartum doula. Click the button below for more info! Northshire Bookstore is located at 424 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
Family Saturday at the Tang: A Special Family Concert with Decoda 12/16
Decoda at the Tang Teaching Museum
The final Family Saturday of 2017 features a special concert performance by the chamber ensemble Decoda at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College. The free family-friendly concert begins at 2pm Saturday, December 16, and comes after Decoda's week-long songwriting workshop with students from Saratoga Independent School.
Decoda is a fan favorite of music lovers who come to the Tang and Skidmore. The ensemble regularly performs at the museum as part of the Upbeat on the Roof concert series during its summer program.
The concert is free and open to the public, though reservations are recommended by calling the Tang’s Visitor Service Desk at 518-580-8080.
About the Tang Teaching Museum
The Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College is a pioneer of interdisciplinary exploration and learning. A cultural anchor of New York's Capital Region, the institution's approach has become a model for university art museums across the country—with exhibition programs and series that bring together the visual and performing arts with fields of study as disparate as history, astronomy, and physics. The Tang has one of the most rigorous faculty-engagement initiatives in the nation, the Mellon Seminar, and robust publication and touring exhibition initiatives that extend the institution's reach far beyond its walls. The Tang Teaching Museum's building, designed by architect Antoine Predock, serves as a visual metaphor for the convergence of ideas and exchange the institution catalyzes.
The Tang is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Thursdays. The Tang is closed on Mondays and holidays, including Dec. 24, 25, and 31, 2017, and Jan. 1, 2018. More information at http://tang.skidmore.edu.
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Workshop Sat. Dec. 9th
Join The Children's Museum at Saratoga along with Sue Dubois from Garden Goddess for their Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Workshop! Participants in this program will have the opportunity to listen to 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' music, color Charlie Brown coloring sheets, and hear a special reading of the book 'A Charlie Brown Christmas.' Kids will all then select their own 3 inch trees, make an ornament and wrap their tree like Linus to take home! Join in for this fun caregiver and child workshop. Children must be at least 3 years-old to participate.
$30 for Museum Members and child duo, and $40 for Non Member and child duo.
Pre-registration is required. Please call the museum at 518-584-5540 if you would like to register you and your child for the workshop.
Wilton Fire Department Breakfast with Santa
Santa's Cottage 2017
Santa's Cottage is officially opening for the 2017 Holiday Season THIS Thursday during the Victorian Streetwalk! Here is a little FAQ about Santa's Cottage so you can be prepared!
Where is Santa's Cottage located?
Santa's Cottage is right on Broadway in Downtown Saratoga Springs. It's located in front of Putnam Market (431 Broadway, across from Caroline Street).
Is visiting Santa's Cottage free?
Yes! It is completely free! Bring your camera (or your phone) to snap your own pictures of the visit.
Is there a long line?
It depends. Santa really takes his time with the children chatting with them, so there can be a slight wait depending on the day (weekends of course are usually longer) but if you get there early it really isn't usually an issue.
Can my child bring a letter to Santa?
Absolutely!
Will Santa be there during the Victorian Streetwalk?
This is when Santa arrives! On November 30th at 6pm, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by horse drawn carriage to visit with the children and light the tree with free hot chocolate and cookies with music by Star 101.3 radio.
Weekend Events :: Saratoga
Click the pictures below to get more info on what's happening this weekend!
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Gingerbread House Workshop Registration
Registration for Gingerbread House Workshops Grades K-6 starts THIS Saturday at 9am at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Sessions are Saturday, December 2 & 9 at 9, 10:30 and Noon as well as Tuesday & Thursday, December 5 and 7 at 4:30 and 6:30 PM. These workshops are open ONLY to Saratoga Springs City School District residents. Registration may only be done in-person in the Children's Room. Please register for ONE session only. These sessions fill up FAST so get there early!
Click the button below for more info:
Family Saturday: Fish Sculptures at the Tang Teaching Museum
Family Saturday: Fish Sculptures is at the at the Tang Teaching Museumon Saturday, November 4. After looking at Tim Hawkinson’s sculpture The Fin Within in Other Side: Art, Object, Self, we will make fish sculptures out of recyclable plastic bottles as well as a variety of other materials.
Family Saturdays foster multigenerational creative cooperation through looking at artwork, discussing it, and engaging in a hands-on art activity. Most programs run from 2:00 – 3:30 pm and include a tour of a specific exhibition.
All programs are free and open to the public, and suitable for children ages 5 and older, accompanied by their adult companions. Materials are provided. Reservations are required—for additional information and reservations, call the Tang’s Visitor Service Desk at 518-580-8080.
Share your Family Saturday photos on social media by including #tangfamsat.
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Bend & Stretch Yoga Sprouts at The Children's Museum at Saratoga
On Wednesday Nov. 8th from 9:30-10:30am check out the new parent and me yoga class for little ones ages 18 months and up at The Children's Museum at Saratoga. This program will introduce children to yoga through guided movement, games and music. Benefits of yoga to young children can include: bringing awareness to their breath, strengthening their mind/body connection, as well as improving concentration and balance. A Yoga Alliance certified 200 HR Yoga Teacher and Meditation Facilitator, Megan Brenenstuhl has been practicing yoga since 2003 and enjoys working with all ages. Per class fee of $12 for CMAS members child/caregiver duos and $16 for non-members duos! Call them at (518) 584-5540 to register and for more info.
Thanksgiving Nature Craft at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park
Check out the Thanksgiving Nature Craft at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park this Saturday, Nov 4th from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Kids can join in for a short walk to collect things from nature to make a fun Thanksgiving-themed craft. There is an Autumn Discovery Walk at 1:00 so you can do either or both events! This program is appropriate for children of all ages. Preregistration is required. Call them at Call (518) 450-0321 to register today.
DON'T MISS: Story Time with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra
A special Story Time with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra is on Friday, November 3rd at 10:30am at Northshire Bookstore on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. This special story time with guest stars from the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra will include concertmaster Michael Emery. Emery will play a few short pieces on his violin, and he and the Symphony's Diane Swanson will share a few of their favorite classical music-inspired picture books.
This will be a great introduction for the very young to the world of classical music.
The Orchestra's next concert will feature 17-year old virtuoso pianist Andrew Li, and will take place at Maple Avenue Middle School on November 5. Click here to learn more.
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Try Hockey For FREE This Saturday
Saratoga Youth Hockey is holding a Try Hockey FREE Day on Saturday, November 4th from 1:25-2:30 at the Weibel Ice Rink in Saratoga Springs. This event is designed to provide kids between the ages of 4 to 9 a completely free experience to try youth hockey. A limited amount of equipment is available to borrow. Top coaches will be on the ice to assist your child in learning the basics. Your son or daughter does not need any previous skating or hockey experience. Start time is 1:25 PM. Registration required, call 518-879-9815 to register today.
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Art show to benefit Camp Little Notch at Spring Street Gallery
Check out this Opening Reception for a special art show to benefit Camp Little Notch on Saturday, October 28 from 2-5pm. Friends of Camp Little Notch is proud to announce an art show to benefit Camp Little Notch, I know a Place...the Magic of Little Notch. They will have work from nine featured artists on display at the Spring Street Gallery.
Weekend Events :: Saratoga
Holy moly there are a LOT of events this weekend! Click the pictures below for more info on all of these family and kid friendly events + activities!
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A Children's Narrated Concert at Caffe Lena Sat. Oct. 28th FREE
Saratoga Chamber Players Presents: Ferdinand The Bull & Other Tales, A Children’s Narrated Concert on Saturday, October 28th at Caffe Lena. Doors at 2 PM, Concert at 3 PM, this event is FREE. Bring your young music lover to a performance of stoies and classical music featuring Ferdinand The Bull, Mirette on the High Wire, and Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, interspersed with duets by Gliere for violin and cello. Musicians are violinist Jill Levy, cellist Eliot Bailen, and flutist Susan Rotholz.
Click the button below for more info:
Stories Under the Big Top with the Maple Avenue Middle School Drama Club
Students in the Maple Avenue Middle School Drama Club will present their fall play "Stories Under the Big Top" by Lorraine Thompson on Saturday, October 28th at 10:30am at Northshire Bookstore (424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs).
Come one! Come all! Step right up! Watch the greatest stories on Earth come alive under the big top! It’s a circus full of laughter and lively storytelling as the ringmaster and players perform a variety of well-known tales such as “The Bremen Town Musicians,” “The Billy Goats Gruff,” “The Lion and the Mouse,” “Monkey See, Monkey Do” and “The Magic Fish.”
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The 17th Annual Saratoga Springs DBA Fall Festival Sat. Oct. 28th
The 17th Annual Saratoga Springs DBA Fall Festival is happening on October 28th from 11am-4pm in Downtown Saratoga Springs! This fun-filled FREE family day all over Downtown Saratoga Springs is always a community favorite with great activities like pony rides, a rock climbing wall, petting zoo, arts and crafts, circus acts, balloon animals, trick or treating, and the famous Pumpkin Roll! This is an event you do not want to miss! Bring a big bag to collect all of your treats and prizes and be ready for fun. Costumes are encouraged! Most of these events focus on kids under 12.
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Family Saturday: Spiders and Spider Webs at the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery
On Saturday, October 28th from 2 - 3:30 PM head to the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery for their Family Saturday program: Spiders and Spider Webs. Kids will take a ride to the second floor in the Tang's elevator with Tony Oursler’s spooky Elevator Music 34: Talking Light, then look at Dean Snyder’s shiny metal spider web in in the Staff Only part of the museum! Afterwards, kids will make colorful spiders and spider webs out of pipe-cleaners, beads, and colored wire, just in time to decorate for Halloween or just for fun!
Family Saturdays foster multigenerational creative cooperation through looking at artwork, discussing it, and engaging in a hands-on art activity. Most programs run from 2:00 – 3:30 pm and include a tour of a specific exhibition.
All programs are free and open to the public, and suitable for children ages 5 and older, accompanied by their adult companions. Materials are provided. Reservations are required—for additional information and reservations, call the Tang’s Visitor Service Desk at 518-580-8080.
Share your Family Saturday photos on social media by including #tangfamsat.
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