Family Saturday: What's on TV? at the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery 12/8

After looking at Ed Flood’s plexiglass sculptures in the exhibition 3-D Doings: The Imagist Object in Chicago Art, 1964-1980, kids will create their own TV monitors using sheets of clear acetate, paint pens and paper. What kinds of images would you find on your TV screen?

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. All materials will be provided, and be prepared to get messy and have fun. And dress accordingly! Reservations are required and may be made one week in advance of each program. 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.

Saturday, Dec 8th at 2 PM – 3:30 PM at the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, 815 N Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Brunch with Santa at The Gideon Putnam

Bring the kids for a family brunch tradition at the Gideon Putnam! Enjoy their enhanced Christmas themed brunch and photo with Santa all in one!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 16, 2018 because The Gideon Putnam's fabulous Sunday Brunch will be highlighted with Holiday music and a visit from The Big Guy himself and a gift for every child who visits Santa. Join us for The Gideon Putnam's scrumptious brunch and a fabulous photo op with Santa!

To reserve your table, please call 517-226-4719 or click the button below:

Wreath Giveaway from Goode Farm

Guys, you are gonna love this one. While the aisles of the big box stores are packed with their manufactured decor, today Mini City has some truly special (and LOCAL!) creations to give away to deck your halls with this holiday season from Goode Farm.

Robin Holland is both farmer and florist at Goode Farm in Ballston Spa (read more about Robin and her farm in the June 2018 issue of Mini City below). She's been hanging bundles of amaranth, lavender, and strawflowers all summer long and is now incorporating these preserved, "everlasting" botanicals with cedar and fir in her seasonal wreath collections, available at goodefarm.com . There are two collections: everlasting and evergreen. Evergreen will last the season in a cool spot while the dried flowers in the everlasting will last for a long time before eventually fading. All of the wreaths on the site are for sale but they are going fast!

One winner can choose any wreath they want (as long as it says it is still available on the website here). To enter, follow Goode Farm on instagram here (@goodefarm) and comment ON THIS POST BELOW with the name of the wreath you would like to win!

The winner can pick up their wreath at Goode Farm anytime or they offer free delivery within 12 miles of the farm (which is located at 966 Goode Road in Ballston Spa). So go check out the wreaths now and pick your fave, then comment below and one lucky winner will be chosen Monday, December 10th and notified via email!

Santa on a Firetruck & Children’s Christmas Party 12/8

BHFD COMMUNITY EVENT Saturday, December 8. Watch for Santa cruising the town on the firetruck beginning at 9:30 am. Then join Santa and his Firefighter Elves at the main station for our annual Children’s Christmas Party from 12-2 pm. Enjoy treats, crafts and gifts. (Please bring your own camera for photos with Santa). The Burnt Hills Fire Department is located at 811 Saratoga Rd, Burnt Hills.

click the photo below to see all of the local holiday events

Foal Patrol Kids Open House at The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame 12/28

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will debut Foal Patrol Season 2 online Dec. 28 at www.foalpatrol.com, and celebrate the new season with a family-friendly Foal Patrol Kids! open house at the Museum that day from 10 a.m. to noon. The open house will feature numerous educational initiatives, including the opportunity to meet a mare and foal on the premises, as well as the miniature horse Upset. 

The first season of Foal Patrol, a one-of-a-kind collection of live cameras following the daily activities of in-foal mares, had more than 1.6 million views from December 2017 through September 2018. To date, the Museum has announced the participation of the following mares for Season 2: Viva Sheila (Lady Sheila Stable/Edition Farm), Frivolous (Shawnee Farm), Silver Colors (Gainesway Farm), With Honors (LNJ Foxwoods/Claiborne Farm), Love and Pride (Three Chimneys Farm), and Comme Chez Soi (Old Tavern Farm). More horses will be announced throughout the month.

The Foal Patrol Kids! event will include the launch of the Foal Patrol Education Site, an interactive new component of foalpatrol.com where people can learn about various aspects of thoroughbred breeding and care. There will be snacks, giveaways, and a variety of fun and educational activities featuring the educational concepts of Foal Patrol. 

Special activities include:

• Guided exploration of the Foal Patrol website on iPads to learn all about the new Foal Patrol educational site, including content from our partner, Godolphin Kids

• Meet a real mare and foal in the Museum parking lot (weather permitting) 

• Coloring and craft project in the Sculpture Gallery 

• Explore interactive stations on horse care, foal naming, and more!

• Meet the real miniature horse, Upset, and attend a book reading 

• Locate and learn about the farms that will be participating in Foal Patrol Season 2 at the geography and map station

• View a loop of videos on the career paths of horses from our partner, Godolphin, in the Hall of Fame Gallery 

• HorsePlay! Gallery: Groom a life-sized horse, explore the many different shoes a thoroughbred may wear, dress in jockey attire, and investigate objects related to the many careers associated with horse racing

• Learn about the parts of a horse next to our real thoroughbred skeleton in the Anatomy Gallery

• Enjoy healthy snacks fit for a horse

For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, please call (518) 584-0400 or visit our website at www.racingmuseum.org. 

Adirondack Christkindlmarkt 12/7-12/9

The Adirondack Christkindlmarkt will be a family-focused, European-style Christmas festival, with a uniquely Adirondack flair and style. It will include music, entertainment, food, drink, shopping and children's activities for all to enjoy taking place from December 7-9th at Lake George Festival Commons, click the button below for more info.

Tooth Fairy Extravaganza at the Saratoga Springs Public Library 12/21

Children, preschool - grade 3 are invited to meet the Tooth Fairy from Dr. Nicole Byrne's Pediatric Dentistry at the Saratoga Springs Public Library for their Tooth Fairy Extravaganza on Friday, December 21st at 10 AM – 12 PM. Children will construct a family tooth box, listen to stories and enjoy some healthy snacks! Participants must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. There are a selection of boxes to choose from, with early birds getting first pick. Feel free to bring your own embellishments. No registration required.

Holiday Market and the Saratoga Farmers Market 12/9, 12/15 and 12/22

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will be hosting their annual Holiday Markets featuring several local artisans and specialty food makers. The Holiday Market will be open Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm through December 29. Find a selection of locally made chocolate, jewelry, spices and marinades, clothing, and more. The Holiday Market can be found on the 2nd floor of the Lincoln Baths in the Saratoga Spa State Park, 65 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Also featuring live music, activities for children, and community guests.

Saratoga Farmers’ Market Holiday Market Dates:

Dec 8th 9am to 1pm

Dec 15th 9am to 1pm

Dec 22th 9am to 1pm

Northshire Bookstore Story Time with Katrina Trask Nursery School 12/7

Northshire Bookstore have partnered with Katrina Trask Nursery School for a special story time once a month, this month taking place on Friday, December 7th at 10:30 a.m. One of the teachers will read a story than make a simple craft with the children. The next Story Time & Craft will be on Friday, January 11th. Free and open to the public. Northshire Bookstore is located at 424 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

Kids Holiday Party at the Saratoga Regional YMCA

Join the Saratoga Regional YMCA at their Saratoga Springs Branch for a Kids Holiday Party on Saturday, December 8th.

Do you have some holiday shopping to cross off of your list? Drop you child off at the Holiday Party where kids will be watching a holiday movie, making a craft, and listening to festive music with pizza, snacks and juice. Join us for a Kids Holiday Party! Open to kids ages 1-10.

$18 per child, please register at the front desk, in Kidzcare or click the button below:

Hometown Holidays: The Polar Express at the Charles Wood Theater 11/30

Join the Charles Wood Theater during Hometown Holidays for a FREE screening of The Polar Express, sponsored by the Glens Falls Collaborative! After you enjoy all the fun Hometown Holidays has to offer, come in and warm up while you watch this holiday classic on the big screen! 

You don't need tickets, and admission to this event is FREE! 
The film will begin at 7PM. The Charles Wood Theater is located at 207 Glen Street in Glens Falls.

This event is part of the Home Town Holidays, where you can bring the whole family to downtown Glens Falls to stroll the city streets and get transported to a winter wonderland filled with Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, carolers and more!

Come to Downtown Glens Falls on Friday, November 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., for the tree lighting at 5:45pm, and stay for the activities and attractions including: visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus, refreshments & cocoa, live reindeer, musical performances, horse & wagon rides, children’s activities, costumed characters, holiday shopping, and more!

New this year… a Window Display competition among Downtown businesses and on Saturday, December 1st, from 5 to 7 p.m., check out the Downtown Holiday Sale and Market! Downtown businesses will be offering a Hometown Holidays special, a discount or food and drink special. Be sure to vote for your favorite window display too! 

Family Saturday: Treasure Chest at the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery 12/1

After looking at H.C. Westermann’s sculpture Memorial to the Idea of Man if He Was an Idea in 3-D Doings: The Imagist Object in Chicago Art, 1964-1980, kids will create their own treasure chests filled with all kinds of objects and images from their imagination. What kinds of things would you want to keep in your treasure chest? Materials include cardboard boxes, felt, paper, markers, buttons, and 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. All materials will be provided, and be prepared to get messy and have fun. And dress accordingly! Reservations are required and may be made one week in advance of each program. 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.

Tang Event Page: https://tang.skidmore.edu/calendar/898-family-saturday-treasure-chest

Winter Family Fun Night at the Saratoga Regional YMCA 11/30

Tonight is the Winter Family Fun Night at the Saratoga Regional YMCA Saratoga Springs Branch! Come out to the Saratoga Springs branch Friday, November 30th from 6:30-8 PM for a night of family-friendly holiday fun. The event will include access to the annual book fair, a reindeer run on the track, story time, hot cocoa and photos with Santa! 
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This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! To participate, they just ask that you donate a new toy to their adopt an angel program.

click the photo below to see more local holiday events

Free Metabolic Class to Support Toys for Toga 12/2

Looking for a 45-minute break from your kiddos in order to do something for yourself and for kids in need? Saratoga Spring's newest workout, Metabolic, will be hosting a free class to support Toys for Toga on Sunday, December 2nd at 9 a.m.

All you need to do is sign up for the class on the Metabolic app and bring an unwrapped toy. We won't tell if you decide to go over the river and through the woods, past Target, on your way home...

FOR: Metabolic Members + Non-Members

WHEN: Sunday, December 2nd at 9 a.m. ADDRESS: 30 Gick Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

COST: FREE, with an unwrapped toy

Questions? Call 518-860-9299.

Santa's Cottage Opens 11/29

find even more local holiday stuff in the Mini City Holiday Guide

by clicking the image below

Kids Night Out at Skidmore College 12/7

Kids Night Out returns for its 27th year!

What is Kids Night Out?  Kids Night Out is a great opportunity for kids to enjoy some recreation activities which include: swimming (bring your bathing suit), basketball, kickball, soccer, dodgeball, and many other sports provided by the great facilities at Skidmore College. All parents have to do is drop their children off and they take care of the rest. It is well supervised by coaching staff and 25 baseball players.

For:  Children ages 5-14
Times: 6:30 - 9:30pm
Cost: $10 per child  
 
Supervision:  The Skidmore College Baseball Team, including certified lifeguards
Location:  Williamson Sports Center @ Skidmore College
Concessions Available
No pre-registration necessary; an adult must sign child in at the door.
 
Contact:Skidmore College;  518-580-5380  Ron Plourde Baseball Coach

Baseball team enters its 27th KNO season
This year's schedule:
Friday,  Nov. 2
Friday,  Nov. 16
Friday,  Nov. 30
Friday,  Dec. 7
Friday,  Feb. 1
Friday,  Feb. 8
Friday,  March 1

Sundaes with Santa and the Jonesville Volunteer Fire Department 12/2

The Jonesville Ladies Auxiliary will be holding their annual Sundaes with Santa on Sunday, December 2nd from 12:30PM to 2:00PM at Station 1 (953 Main Street, Clifton Park).

Santa will be making a special visit, so bring your camera for a photo opportunity!

Cookies and juice will be served, and you may purchase ice cream sundaes for $1 each.

In addition, members of the Jonesville Volunteer Fire Department will provide rides on the fire trucks.

click the photo for the Mini City Holiday Guide

Breakfast with Santa at the Wilton Fire Department 12/9

Join the Wilton Firefighters on Sunday, December 9th from 8-11am for pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and fun! Don’t forget your list for Santa! 

click the photo below for the Holiday Guide

Little Elves Workshop at the Saratoga YMCA Wilton Branch 12/2

Bring your little elves to the Saratoga YMCA Wilton branch to make two take home gifts for this holiday season! They will provide play time, snack and two gifts that they will make themselves. This is also a great time for you to catch up on your holiday shopping while your children make their own gifts to give. Please register at the Member Service Desk or online here: https://bit.ly/2Pqm2yE 

Reservations are closed 48 hours prior. Space is limited.

Ornament Workshop and Holiday Market at Pitney Meadows Community Farm 12/2

Register today for the second Pitney Meadows Holiday Ornament Workshop taking place on Sunday, December 2nd from 1-4pm! Like last year they will be offering a variety of holiday projects to come and make, along with holiday goodies and a bake sale. They are also excited to include a holiday market!
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We will have pre-made ornaments, and will offer homemade and handmade items from farm participants for sale to benefit Pitney Meadows Community Farm. The perfect opportunity to buy local for holiday gifts!
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Families will find all of the materials they need to make a wide range of decorations, including pine-cone bird feeders, painted gourds, recycled wrapping paper from newspapers, and ornaments from such natural materials as pine cones, acorns, walnuts, berries, and seed pods. 

Hot chocolate, cider, Christmas cookies and other holiday refreshments will be served. Don't miss visits with Santa as well! 
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$5/person or $15/family. Please RSVP in advance: Contact@pitneymeadows.org

click the image below to see the Holiday Guide