A Family Outing

You don't need to travel far for adventure. For Growing Kids something as simple as riding downtown on the bus can be a fun and memorable adventure.

Visit: 

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus Tour!

Where: Barnes and Noble, 102 Dorset Street

When: Saturday May 26th 11am -12 pm

Who: Families

Junie B. Jones and Mr. Woo visit to celebrate the very special 20th anniversary of their popular book series. 

Try:

Riding a bus is exciting for Growing Kids and can be an important experience for Preschoolers preparing to take the school bus to Kindergarten in the fall. 

As you travel around sing this classic song and create your own silly verses: 

The Wheels on the Bus
The Wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round, round and round. 
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.                                                 

Take the bus to the Library to read these funny books: 

Skip! Hop! Jump!

Regular exercise can help Growing Kids develop their motor skills and increase their body awareness.

Visit: 
Open Gym

Where:  The Schoolhouse , 8 Catkin Drive  

When:  Thursday, May 17th  9:45 am -10:30 am

Who:   Toddlers and Preschoolers


The Schoolhouse gym offers a large indoor space for children to run, dance, tumble and play. There are both organized activities and free play. 




Try:


Act out this fun nursery rhyme with your Growing Kid.

Jack be nimble! 

Jack be quick! 

Jack jumped over the candle stick!

For younger kids place on the ground low soft objects, like pillows or scarves, for them to jump over. 


For older kids mark a path with different size objects. Place the objects at varying distances and challenge your Growing Kids to travel along the path hopping over the obstacles in their way.  

A Bear Hunt

Growing Kids need exercise to keep their bodies healthy. Going on a walk is a great way to get some exercise and South Burlington has a number of beautiful parks that are perfect for an outdoor adventure with your Growing Kids.

Visit: 

Going On a Bear Hunt

Where: South Burlington Parks

When: May 11      9:30 - 10:30 am     Dorset Park

            May 18      9:30 - 10:30 am     Farrell Park

            May 25      9:30 - 10:30 am     Red Rocks Park    

Who:   Preschoolers, Ages 3 -5 

We are going on a bear hunt- who do you think we will find? Join us for fun and adventure as we follow the clues to find our mascot, Parker T. Bear. This group-led activity is a great way to introduce your little one to the wonderful parks in South Burlington. Each hunt is packed with fun, exploration, story time and snack. Come find Parker!

Pre-Registration is requested!

To Register please contact the 
South Burlington Recreation Department: 

575 Dorset Street, South Burlington

Hours: Monday - Friday,  8 am - 4 pm

Phone: 802-846 - 4108  

Try:

"Going on A Bear Hunt" is a fun and interactive song you can sing with your Growing Kids.

Like most traditional songs there are many variations of "Going On A Bear Hunt". Below you will find some sample lyrics but feel free to get creative with your Growing Kids and write some of your very own.

"We’re Going on a Bear Hunt "

The leader starts and the group repeats:

We're going on a bear hunt. (We're going on a bear hunt.) 

We're gonna see a big one!  (We're gonna see a big one!)

I'm not afraid!  (I'm not afraid!)

Are you?  (Are you?)

Not me!  (Not me!)

What's that?

Tall grass 

(Rub hands together to make a swishing sound)

Off we go …

What's that?

A river 

(Make motions with your arms to show diving in the water and swimming across)

Off we go …

We’re going on a Bear Hunt 

I'm not afraid

What's that? 

It's a tall mountain

 (Make motions to show climbing up then climbing back down )

Off we go …

We're going on a Bear hunt 

I'm not afraid

What's that?

Ohhhhh! It’s the cave. 

A really dark cave.

So dark I can't see anything 

But I can feel something 

and it’s big and furry.

Ahhhhhhhhhh! It's a bear.

RUN!

(Repeat the song chanting the verses in reverse quickly until you are home safe and sound.)

For another version of this fun song read the book by author Michael Rosen:

Happy Mother's Day

Children have a certain way

of growing bigger every day,

But these little hands

and this special smile

will stay in our

hearts a long, long while.

                              ~Author Unknown

Happy Mothers Day!

Try: 

A hand print or fingerprint is a fun and special way for your Growing Kid to sign a card before they are able to write their name. 

What you will need to make a hand print:

            Washable paint

            A paper plate or plastic tray for the paint

            A washcloth or baby wipe for a quick cleanup

            Card / or paper for the print 

    

1.     Pour paint into a plastic tray and spread it out evenly over the surface.

2.     Have your child dip their hand or finger in the paint. 

3.     Press their painted hand or finger onto the card or paper.

4.     Count to five with your child and then hold the paper as they gently pull their hand up.

5.     Repeat steps 2 -4 as many times as you would like.

6.     When you’re done printing, wash your hands and wait for the paint to dry.

' 

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!

 It's never too early to teach your Growing Kids about the importance of recycling.

Visit:

  

       The Orchard School Tag Sale

When: Friday, May 4th 4-7 pm 

           Saturday, May 5th 8am - 2 pm 

Where: Orchard School, 2 Baldwin Ave 

Who: Families

Orchard School is hosting a Tag sale this weekend to benefit SLIMY, their sustainable living program. The funds will help provide spring, summer, and fall learning opportunities for students in the school gardens and natural landscapes.

Try:


Find ways to reuse items that you may typical throw away. 

An egg carton can be made into a:

Paint Box - place a squirt of paint in each cup and paint a picture on some recycled paper.

Treasure Chest - take the carton on a walk and collect treasures, a shiny rock to store in each empty space.

Seed Starter - fill each cup with soil and plant a seed in each space, water and watch your windowsill garden grow.

Unique Sculpture - cut the carton into strips and individual cups. Get out some markers, glue, glitter, feathers and colored paper and use your imaginations to create a work of art.

There are so many fun things you can do! What will you create?

Lullabies and Little Ones

Lullabies are a fun and beautiful way to introduce new language, music, rhythm and rhyme to your baby. By singing  with your little one you are helping build their language and develop skills  that in later years will support them as they begin school and learn to read.  

Visit: 

A Lullaby Brunch

Where: South Burlington Community Library

When: Sunday May 6th,  1 pm - 2 pm

Who:   South Burlington Families with a Baby born in 2011

Please RSVP by May 1st by visiting or calling the Library at 652-7080.

During this special celebration babies and their families will read a story with Children’s Librarian Miss Meg, participate in a lullaby sing-a-long with Jiggity Jog and share treats with friends, family and community members as we honor and celebrate the newest additions to the South Burlington community.

Try:

Try listening, singing and enjoying these lullabies with your Growing Kid:

Lullaby: A Collection by Music for Little People 

Guess How Much I Love You by Various Artists 

                         Dreamland: World Lullabies & Soothing Songs by Various Artists

In the Garden

Most Growing Kids love to dig in the dirt. By gardening with your Growing Kid you are not only giving them the opportunity to do something they love but you are also providing them with a great opportunity to explore the natural world and observe the cycle of life.

Visit: 

S.A.P.L.I.N.G.S- Seniors And Preschoolers Linking Inter-generational Needs & Growing Successful Communities

Where: South Burlington City Hall

When: Tuesday, May 1st from 9:30 - 11 am

Who:   Families with children under the age of 6

Join us for a multi-generational celebration of "Friends and Flowers". We will read Planting a Rainbow, and then enjoy a snack of PB&J Blossom Sandwiches. Together we will greet new faces in our community and work on a take home craft before saying good-by until next time.

Try:

Make gardening a family activity. Try planting sunflower seeds with your Growing Kid this Spring. When the seeds turn into seedling head out the the garden and sing this fun rhyme to the tune of "Where is Thumbkin" while you plant your family flower garden.

Planting flowers, planting flowers

In the ground, in the ground, 
Water them and they grow, 
Water them and they grow, 
All around, all around.