20th Annual Chowderfest :: Saturday, February 3rd

Saratoga’s Annual Chowderfest is one of the area’s most highly anticipated events of the year and it's happening this Saturday! From 11am to 4pm all over downtown Saratoga Springs, this family-friendly, fun and utterly delicious, Chowderfest features more than 80 vendors—including Saratoga County’s best restaurants and caterers—who open their doors to the public and serve hot bowls of chowder to event goers.

Click the button below to see a list of all the vendors and the how-to of Saratoga's Chowderfest:

Silent Wings at the Saratoga Springs Public Library 2/4

Trish Marki of the Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York, brings beautiful birds of prey for you to see up close at the Saratoga Springs Public Library on February 4th from 2-3pm. Learn about these amazing creatures, their behavior and lives. For ages 5 and up.
Register by clicking the button below:

Full Moon Hike at Moreau Lake State Park 1/30

On Tuesday, Jan 30th from 6-9pm the Park Naturalist at Moreau Lake State Park will be leading this month’s Full Moon Hike. While walking around the lake, the Park Naturalist will point out flora and fauna as the sun is setting and the moon is rising. Call for reservations, 518-793-0511.

Oh and ps, this isn't just any full moon, read more about it by clicking the button below:

5th Annual Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest

As part of our monthly First Friday Events, The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association is proud to again present their February family fun event – The 5th Annual Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest!

On Friday, February 2nd from 6 - 9pm, area restaurants, bakeries, and chocolate chefs from across Saratoga County will showcase their talents throughout the downtown Ballston Spa business district. Each chef will prepare small, sample sized, chocolate offerings in up to 3 categories: Dessert (Sweet), Savory, and Chocolate Beverage. These chocolate treats will be judged by a panel of First Friday Fanatics as well as visitors in fan favorite competition.

Visitors can pick up a ballot form at any participating business and head to their favorite "Sweet Spot" shops, restaurants, and chefs to sample a $1 chocolate taste. While savoring these chocolate treats, be sure to enjoy the variety of First Friday activities going throughout the Village, including art gallery openings, live music, artist demonstrations, and special promotions and sales just in time for Valentine's Day. A complete listing of all events can be found at Ballston.org.

Ballot forms can be turned in to any participating business by the end of the evening. Stay tuned during the following week to see if your favorites were winners. Winning chefs will be presented with Trophies to celebrate their chocolate achievements!

Sensory Explorations at We Rock the Spectrum

Bring the kids to the We Rock the Spectrum gym to do some exploration with their senses. Each Monday from 11am to 12pm kids will be creating and/or exploring with their senses. Some examples of what they will be doing....making snow dough, making oobleck, using water beads, exploring sounds, exploring tastes and more! FYI...it may get messy once in a while!

The We Rock the Spectrum gym is the first Sensory gym for all kids! Play on the zipline, trampoline, swings and toys! The gym is located at 1490 Saratoga Rd in Ballston Spa. Click the button below to vist them online for more info:

Kids Challah Bake at Saratoga Chabad

Bring the kiddos to the Kids Challah bake for all ages at Saratoga Chabad (130 Circular St, Saratoga Springs) on Thursday, Jan. 25th from 5 PM - 6:30 PM. Children are invited to come and create their own dough as well as learn the special message about the challah that is used each week on the Shabbat table.

Suggested donation of $5, call them at (518) 526-0773 with any questions.

23rd Annual Frost Faire

Frost Faires were hugely popular in the 1700s—help carry on the tradition at the 22nd annual Frost Faire at Saratoga National Historical Park this Saturday!

On Saturday from 11 AM - 3 PM, bring the family to the Saratoga National Historical Park,
648 Route 32 in Stillwater for the Frost Faire, if there's snow bring your snow tube or plastic sled and enjoy the sledding area behind the visitor center! Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides to Tour Stop 1 and back. Join a noontime nature walk, enjoy a fire and hot cocoa, and partake in a number of indoor activities! Free and open to the public.

January Open Hiking at Little Notch

This Sunday from 10 AM - 4 PM get out into the great outdoors at one of our favorite spots, Camp Little Notch! Why should you bundle up and strap on some snowshoes??

• Because maybe you have never been winter hiking or snowshoeing and want to try it.
• Because maybe you have new snowshoes or cross country skis or new boots.
• Because you can see otter tracks in the fresh snow and see where they play and slide around!
• Because the Mount Hope Iron Furnace looks so amazing in the snow!
• Because Summer will seem so far away that you need to come to camp for a day.
• Because Camp Little Notch is magical in the snow!

There will be a cozy fire and hot beverages and snacks in Brook Haven, and there may be otter, deer, bunny, fox, mouse and chipmunk tracks in the snow. The lake will be frozen over. The waterfalls will be playing little ice songs and will sparkle in the sun.

There is a mile long hike/snowshoe in after parking at the Sly Pond Rd trailhead clearing, so this might not be okay for younger children. Dogs are welcome! Bring water and a lunch.

Meet at the Stewarts parking lot (address 977 State Route 149).

You will need to sign a waiver, and provide proof of rabies vaccination for your dog. $5 donation is recommended but not required.

Please RSVP by emailing Tess@FriendsofCLN.org.

This event is weather dependent.

To find out more about Camp Little Notch and check out their summer camp registration info, click the button below:

Puppet Workshop at The World Awareness Children's Museum

Check out this fun Puppet Workshop at The World Awareness Children's Museum on Saturday, January 27 at 11 AM - 1 PM. Workshops are $3 plus admission. Admission is free for Passport Holders and $5 for non-Passport Holders.

The mission of the World Awareness Children's Museum is to bring our diverse world to children. Their interactive playspace, go! is best suited for children ages 4-12.

Call (518) 793-2773 for more information or to register. The World Awareness Children's Museum is located at 89 Warren Street, Glens Falls.

Harry Potter Book Night at Northshire Bookstore :: Feb 4 ::

Mark your calendars for An All-Ages Harry Potter Party at Northshire Bookstore! On Sunday, February 4th from 3-6pm Wizards and muggles alike are invited to join in Northshire's fourth annual celebration of Harry Potter Book Night.

Join in for (mostly spoiler-free) activities inspired by the fourth book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

• Participate in tryouts for the Bulgarian Quidditch World Cup Team
• Compete for great prizes in our costume contest
• Try your hand at Harry Potter trivia for more prizes
• Join S.P.E.W. (the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare). Donations of warm socks, in men's & women's sizes are welcomed. All socks not used to free house elves will be donated to Saratoga's Code Blue Emergency Shelter and to the Franklin Community Center.
• Complete the golden egg scavenger hunt
• And more!

The January Issue is here!

Do It Herself at Home Depot

Make the most of your space with a clever storage solution. In this Home Depot workshop on Thursday, January 18th from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM, Store Associates will show you how to measure, cut, stain and assemble a stacking tote tower to quickly access your stowed away items with ease.

In addition, the Home Depot Store Associate will demonstrate safe practices in using common project power tools and can help you shop for everything you need to create your own project at home. The Home Depot Workshops are designed to provide a mix of associate-led instruction, demonstration, and some hands-on learning. Materials can be purchased to make your own project. For more information, contact your local Home Depot store and to register click the button below!

preschool testimonials :: mini moms ::

Stuff to Do :: This Week

What's happening this week around town? Click the button below for the Stuff to Do info!

Block Calendar Workshop at Home Depot 1/6

Get organized for 2018 in this hands-on Workshop for kids at Home Depot in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, Jan 6th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM where you and your child can assemble a wooden block calendar to kick off the new year. Useful year-round, the block calendar is perfect for a tabletop display. Once the calendar construction is complete, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. The Home Depot is located at 3043 Route 50 in Saratoga Springs.

All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron, and pin.

Click below to register:

The Little Gym of Saratoga OPEN HOUSE Sun Jan 7th

The brand new Little Gym of Saratoga is celebrating their grand opening with an open house, Sunday January 7th from 1-4pm. Stop by and check out this beautiful, new facility before they open for classes on Monday January 8th!

About The Little Gym:

The Little Gym of Saratoga provides gymnastic and physical activity classes for kids 10 mos-12 yrs of age. They offer a fun environment, conducive to preparing kids for life's adventures in a family-friendly environment you are sure to enjoy.

The Little Gym of Saratoga is located at 2110 Ellsworth Blvd in Malta, click the button below for more info and to regsiter for classes now:

Art Crawl at The Hyde Collection

What's Art Crawl?

On the first Friday of every month, babies and their caregivers are invited to play and learn at The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street in Glens Falls. Each program includes an activity designed especially for little ones with an art materials, exploration, and play. From 10:30 – 11 am. Click the button below to learn more:

The Children's Museum at Saratoga :: January Highlights

Got some post-holidays cabin fever? Head to The Children's Museum at Saratoga for some of these great January programs!

Special Workshops & Programs:

• Saturday, January 6th 9:30 -11:30 am - Young Essential Oils Workshop. Come and meet Devin White and Erin Joseph for a special essential oil infused jewelry / necklace activity at the museum. Join us as we create a necklace or bracelet with wooden beads and a leather tassel that will work as your own personal little diffuser for essential oils. Put a drop or two of your favor-ite oil on it and you are ready to go. Parents and kids of all ages are welcome! Free with museum admission. This workshop is open to families with children of all ages.

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• Monday, January 15th 9:30 am – 10:15 am Bend & Stretch Yoga Sprouts – (Ages 1-2) and Monday, January 15th 10:30 am – 11:15 am Bend & Stretch Yoga Sprouts – (Ages 3-5) Children and their caregivers are invited to join us for this special parent and me yoga class! We will introduce children to yoga through guided movement, games and music. We are looking forward to working with Megan Brenenstuhl! 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!

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• Friday, January 19th: 6pm-9pm Kids Night Out: Winter Wonder—, pre-registration required. Drop the kids off at The Children’s Mu-seum for a fun-filled evening so you can go on a date-night, go see a movie or just relax! Your children will get to play in our hands-on exhibits, enjoy a pizza dinner, socialize, and party! Our community room will be transformed and filled with fun Winter themed activities and crafts. Children must be potty trained. This program is for children ages 4 & up. $20 per child ($15 for each additional child).

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• Saturday, January 27th, 10am & 2pm - S.T.E.M. Club: Mystery Box Challenge—The Mystery Box Challenge presents kids and their parents with an age appropriate prompt inviting invention. Just one catch: you can only use materials inside the box provided. You are challenged to think in design terms. What does this invention need to do? How can I build it so it does that AND stays together? Throughout the process kids and their parents tap into their critical thinking skills! Drop-in, families with children ages 4 and up. Free with museum admission.

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• Sunday, January 28th: 10am till noon - Making Connections Autism Program –FREE for children on the autism spectrum and their families. This once a month program is offered by the Museum as an early intervention program for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Join us for a FREE morning of fun and play at the Museum, siblings welcome! Meet other families in the area, and meet specialists from AIM Services.

Ongoing programs at The Children's Museum at Saratoga...

Busy Bees: This open playgroup time is designed for our youngest visitors and their caregivers. We provide the space and activities that help to create an environment that fosters early childhood development skills in a social setting. Participating in programs like these increase children’s social and emotional development, their speech and language skills and their motor skills all while having fun and playing. Fridays: 10:00am-11:00am, drop-in, birth-24 months.

Crazy Crafters: Join us for a fun craft activity every Thursday beginning at 10am. Each week during the month of January will high-light a different exciting winter craft. Thursday, 10-11:30am: drop-in, ages 3 and up. January’s Crafts: Snowmen (Jan. 4th), Snowflakes (Jan. 11th), Create a Penguin (Jan. 18th), Winter Craft (Jan. 24th)

Tuesdays for Tots: This is a special time for our visitors to gain preschool and kindergarten readiness skills in a fun and social envi-ronment. Drop in between 10:00 and noon for a changing variety of hands-on art and skill building activities with friends. Tuesdays: 10:00am-Noon, drop-in, ages 2-5. January’s Themes are: Snowmen (Jan. 2nd), Winter Wonderland (Jan. 9th), Polar bears and Pen-guins (Jan. 16th), The Snowy Day (Jan. 23rd), Ice is Nice (Jan. 30th)

Science Explorers: Join us for our popular science investigation program. We will work together to investigate the world of science that is ALL around us! Thursdays: 10:30am drop-in, ages 3 and up. January’s themes are: Fishing for Ice (Jan. 4th), Fake Snow (Jan. 11th), Melting Snowmen (Jan. 18th), Pinecone Science (Jan. 24th)

Wiggles & Giggles: This is a play based program where young children can explore the world around them through guided free play. Together caretakers & the Museum foster the physical development of children in a social & creative environment. This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and get some time to wiggle and giggle through play. Participating in programs like these increase children’s social and emotional development, their speech and language skills and their motor skills all while having fun and playing. Fridays: 11:00am-12:00pm, drop-in, ages 2-5.

S.T.E.M. Club: Saturdays beginning January 13th @ 10am and 2pm. Join Erica every Saturday for an exploration of Science, technol-ogy, engineering and math. Beginning January 13th you will explore Creature Creations in which you will create your own creatures that can live in our area; Then come back on January 20th to explore Constellations and the night sky, and then design and name your own constellation. This program is designed for families with children aged 3 and up. This is a drop-in, Free museum program with admission.

The Children's Museum at Saratoga is located at 69 Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs. Click the button below to visit them online for more info:

Horse Explorers at The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is offering a children’s educational program series called “Horse Explorers.” 

Recommended for ages 3-6, “Horse Explorers” is a hands-on series intended to creatively educate children about horses by developing age-appropriate skills in disciplines including art, literacy, science, and math. The program will be staffed by the Museum’s professional educators.

“Horse Explorers” will take place each Thursday morning from 10:30am to 11:15am in the Museum’s Horseplay Gallery.

Children are free to attend with a paid accompanying adult. For more info click the button below: