Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in tucson, AZ

Weekend Round-up 3/13 - 3/15

by Kara B

March 12, 2009

Another big weekend here in Tucson.  The one event I am most excited about is the Tucson Festival of Books.  Check their website for all the wonderful info on the 300 authors, 200 exhibitors and 15 stage areas.  You will find the listing of character appearances here.  The Festival runs on both Saturday and Sunday.  If you can get your hands on a February issue of Bear Essential News for Kids, there is a little quiz to fill out for kids to receive a free book.  

Here are some more activities:  

If you have access to Davis Monthan AFB check out the DM-50 picnic for free food and activities.  Festivities will be held at Bama Park Saturday from 11am - 4pm.  

Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Festival - Saturday and Sunday at Pima Community College Northwest Campus.  Art exhibits, live music, many cultural food experiences, kid's activities and the largest inflatable play land.  Free Admission  

St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival - The festival will be at Armory Park on Sunday starting at 10am.  Check the website for the parade route beginning at 11am. Free Admission  

For moms, head over to the Just Between Friends spring sale to find everything you need for infants to teens.  Be sure to bring your own tote or laundry basket since there will not be shopping carts.  

For couples take in a classic movie at the Fox Theater.  Rocky Horror Picture Show is showing on Friday at 8pm.

Looking ahead, if you have a Thoms the Train enthusiast, get your tickets now for Thomas and Friends Live on stage coming to town on March 17th at 7pm.    

Have a great weekend!

Happy Hanukkah

by Kara

December 22, 2008

I'll be honest with you, I don't know much about Hanukkah. I know a little, but most of what I know came as a review when I volunteered in J's class a couple of weeks ago. The kindergarten classes joined together to create interactive lessons to teach the kids about celebrations in other countries. They made passports and "flew" to a different classroom where the teacher of that room was  Read more...

Did you miss these? November Recap

by Kara

November 29, 2008

Have you recovered from the turkey and black friday shopping? It's been a whirlwind of a month. We talked about books, books, and more books. In case you missed it: Tucson ABC's - The fun and essential activities unique to Tucson Beyond the Library Storytime - Place to hear a great story. Must Have Books - Book reviews from me and Savvy Source. Desert Dweller Books - Books to  Read more...

GF/CF Cookbook for kids and a giveaway

by Kara

November 26, 2008

I was given the opportunity to review a cookbook designed for parents and caretakers of children with ADHD and/or Autism. The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet While J is on the Autism Spectrum and also has an ADHD diagnoses, we have not gone completely gluten free/casein free (GF/CF). We did at one point last  Read more...

Desert Dweller Books

by Kara

November 25, 2008

When we first moved here, hubby went to a briefing on the base where they told them not to let the kids or pets play outside the block wall yard unsupervised. You would think this was common sense, but the reason they gave, "because there are wild Javelinas and Coyotes." WOAH! Yeah I was quaking. This Tuesday's list will introduce your children to a selection of books to help them see the  Read more...

Must have books

by Kara

November 24, 2008

Christmas is right around the corner. Have you thought of what to put under the tree or in the tree, as is our family's tradition? A great book makes an inexpensive and lasting gift that can be shared between parent and child. The Savvy Source for Parents offers a wonderful resource of books, toys, and more that includes more than 500 books that have been reviewed by parents. Over the next  Read more...

Getting to know the pima county libraries

by Kara

November 24, 2008

With more than 25 branches of the Pima County Library System, you should be able to find one in your neighborhood. If there is not one convenient to you, check the Bookmobile schedule for it's monthly visits to the outer edges of Tucson. The library is much more than books in Tucson. It is your gateway to literacy and fun. To get started you and your children will need library cards. The  Read more...

Finger Plays and more

by Kara

November 22, 2008

Experts agree that saying, reading, and singing rhymes are essential to the process of learning to read. When you combine words with movement you are giving the abstract word a meaning. Of course there is always the added benefit of touch therepy as well. What mom, or dad, can resist playing "This Little Piggy Went to Market" on those cute baby toes. Even now, 3 year old Little J sticks his  Read more...

Usborne First Experiences

by Kara

November 20, 2008

I love November's theme "Because a Great Book..." We are in love with books at our house. Book shelves are over flowing and yet buying a w book is hard to resist. J comes home with a new school library book every couple of days and although he is in kindergarten, his librarian knows him and his favorite books by name. With all of our love of new books, there are still a few tried and true  Read more...

Silly books to make them giggle

by Kara

November 18, 2008

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. e e cummings We love to laugh, giggle, snort, and sigh. A funny book is one that my kids will ask to hear over and over. We read them so many times that J can recite them from beginning to end for his little brother. Our most current favorite is Tiger Can't Sleep. My mom bought this book for us because Little J  Read more...

Bedtime Bonding with Books

by Kara

November 17, 2008

Were you those parents that read to your child in utero? We were. We didn't do it all the time, but sometimes hubby would feel the need to bond with our unborn baby. While I was pregnant, I took care of a friend's baby three times a week. I felt like every song and story I read to him, my own baby was hearing. Amazingly, the baby's favorite calming songs are also J's favorite songs. On our  Read more...

Beyond the Library Story time

by Kara

November 11, 2008

It's Tuesday List Day around here at Being Savvy Local. The theme is best local story times. But since I've written in the recent past about some great story time places here in Pima County, I thought I'd give you some options that are off the beaten path. W.A.L.K. Events - Join your favorite book character every first Saturday of each month, 10:30am at your official UA BookStores  Read more...

Tucson's ABCs

by Kara

November 04, 2008

In honor of the first step to reading, today I will be posting an A-Z list of things you will find in Tucson. But can I buy an X because I got nothing for it! A rizona B iosphere II C actus everywhere D iamondbacks E lectric Park F landrau: The UA Science Center G em and Mineral Show H OT HOT HOT I -10 construction J avelinas K itt Peak L oft cinemas M t.Lemmon N ational Solar  Read more...

Because a Great Book Makes you wonder

by Kara

November 03, 2008

In November we will be focusing on great books and literacy in the local setting. Can you remember back to your own childhood when reading with your mom and dad or even the children's librarian? Did you like books that made you think or ones that were predictable? I loved books that had my imagination flying trying to guess what would happen next. This past week J came home reciting lines that  Read more...