Eight fun Chanukah tips to share with children in your life

'Celebrating Chanukah' photo by Paula Slade

Parents’ Choice® award-winning kids’ musician Mama Doni (a.k.a Doni Zasloff Thomas) is wishing everyone a Happy Chanukah and she’s provided some fun videos to share with your child each night.

This Chanukah season, Doni offers Mama Doni’s Eight Fun Tips for Chanukah, a series of 30-second video segments, featured at the end of this article, with a fun family activity for each of the eight days of the holiday.

These are Mama Doni’s tips — in her own words and they include:

DAY 1. Makin’ Lotsa Latkes!

“Chanukah is a celebration of light and oil, so we make latkes because making them uses so much oil! Start the holiday off right with a fun latke contest.  Gather some friends and make the traditional latkes, but then ask everyone to think of a special ingredient to throw into the batter. Try making veggie latkes like carrots (I call those carrotlatkes), broccoli (i call those broccolatkes), fruits like apples (applelatkes), banana (bananalatkes), even crazy things like spaghetti (spaghettilatkes), chicken (bokalatkes), or even chocolate chips (chocolatkes)! You can even make a latke sundae with sprinkles.  Kids can be the judges. Yum! Let me know how you did! “

DAY 2: Get Your Dreidel On!

“It's dreidel night! The dreidel is a four-sided top etched with Hebrew letters, which stand for the phrase, "A great miracle happened here." That miracle is the miracle of Chanukah.  Now, this is a chance for you to get your dreidel on-- for chocolate coins. Get yourself some dreidels and some gelt (instead of gelt, you can also use chocolate kisses or lollipops, or you can go healthier and play with fruit snacks or boxes of raisins).

Everyone spins the dreidel, and depending on what Hebrew letter the top lands on, you either win all of the candy (gimel), half of the candy (hey), none of the candy (nun) or have to give one back (shin). What I like to do is after everyone has had a turn to spin, is take a ROCKSTAR BREAK, and turn on your Chanukah tunes on my Chanukah Fever CD, and have a Chanukah dance party!  Everyone gets a candy or gelt if they go crazy dancing and singing! Then back to playing…. “

Day 3: The Story of Chanukah

“The Jewish holiday of Chanukah literally lights up our homes! Chanukah is also called “The Festival of Lights,” referring to the flames that we light on our menorahs on each of the holiday’s eight nights. The story of Chanukah is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees  and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days when there was only enough for one day. Chanukah is about hope and spiritual light, and it’s a time to be with friends and family, as we celebrate the light in our lives. “

DAY 4: Are you Grateful?

“On this day, get out a piece of paper and think about eight things you are most grateful for in your life.  Make your lists and read them to each other.  You can set up an area of your house as a stage, and everyone in your family can get on stage and read his or her list.  Of course if you want to sing the list, go for it! (Sing the list to the melody of “Maotzur”…)”

DAY 5: Is It “Chanukah” or “Hanukkah?”

“Everyone says the name of this holiday differently, but both ways are cool.  Something fun to do on this day is try replacing your "h" sound with the "chh" sound for a little while. You can say things like "chello?" or "chow are you?" It might make your throat tickle as well as give you the Chhhanukah giggles! Make sure to wish everyone a "Chappy Chanukah!”

DAY 6: Honey This Ain’t Money

“Everyone knows about Hanukkah gelt, (the Yiddish term for money) right? It looks a lot like change or gold, but it is actually made of chocolate!  A fun thing to do on this day is go to the store with your mom or dad or babysitter.  Put the Hanukkah gelt in your pocket ,and then when you get the cash register, take your Hanukkah gelt ,and hand it to the person at the counter as if you were paying with real change. Only let the joke go for a couple of seconds, because you are not trying to be mean, just a little silly!  Make sure your mom or dad has real change ready to pay right away. Maybe the store owner will have a good laugh with you, and remember to wish him or her a happy holiday!”

DAY 7:  Gobble Up Sufganiyot!!!

“Did you know that jelly donuts, also known as "sufganiyot," are a traditional Hanukkah treat? Kids all over the world are gobbling them up at Hanukkah time! Now, imagine a place made out of… JELLY?! Jelly donut boats, jelly streams, jelly birds, jelly donut houses... Imagine this crazy cool place with me.”

DAY 8: Eight Special People in Your Life

“It's the last night! This is the night where you can pick eight people in your life.  These could be your mom, dad, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends... eight people who are special to you, and you can call them (or if they are nearby, you can give them a hug) and wish them a happy happy Hanukkah and tell them how much you love them.”

In addition to the video below, which is for the first night, Mama Doni’s Eight Fun Tips for Chanukah are on the home page of her website — http://mamadoni.com -- through the end of December, where you and your children will be able to view all eight videos plus an energizing and fun music finale that will get the whole family movin’ and groovin'.

Mama Doni, a resident of Montclair, New Jersey, hopes that her music will add some Jewish flavor to the lives of people everywhere.

As you can see from the video, she speaks with great passion about preserving the priceless Yiddish and Jewish spirit by imbuing it with a contemporary vibe that connects to life in our times.

All of Mam Doni’s recordings recordings are available nationwide, as CDs and digital downloads, from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, FYE.com, iTunes, and select Costco locations.

Doni currently has a number of projects in the works, which include: A Mama Doni book; DVD; new CD and a TV pilot.

Halloween happenings part 2: Go 'Boo at the Zoo'

'Halloween Family' photo by Petr Kratochvil

This time of year, zoos nationwide open their gates to children and families for extra doses of fun and entertainment, along with the opportunity to see animals great and small.

Many zoos have activities that range from costume contests to pumpkin carving and crafts, and even hayrides or mazes.

Most have trick-or-treating on the premises and some zoos offer a haunted house, discounted admission and even live musical entertainment.

The following is a list of this year's top picks around the country for “Boo at the Zoo” or as some call it, “Zoo Boo” and even "Zoo Howl." Just click on the zoo’s link for further information.

You and your child will have a frightening good time.

Atlanta Zoo, Atlanta, Georgia

Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, Binghamton, New York

Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York

Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, Illinois

Detroit Zoo, Detroit, Michigan

Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, Massachusetts (Scroll down page for "Zoo Howl" information)

Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas

Knoxville Zoo, Knoxville, Tennessee

Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, Minnesota

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden, Los Angeles, California

National Zoo, Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Zoo, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Potter Park Zoo, Lansing, Michigan

Sacramento Zoo, Sacramento, California

Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri  (See video below of last year's festivities.)

Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara, California (Scroll down for "Boo at the Zoo" information)

Stone Zoo, Stoneham, Massachusetts


For more fun Halloween entertainment ideas you may want to see:
Halloween happenings part 1: Pumpkin picking

Halloween happenings part 1: Pumpkin picking

 “Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.”– Linus – from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

If the weather is cooperating where you live, and if you’re looking for an entertaining and fun-filled afternoon, why not make an outing for the whole family and pick-your own pumpkin for Halloween?

To plan your trip, there’s a wonderful and comprehensive website, Pumpkin Patches and More, where you'll find a pumpkin patch near you, take a peek at what it’s like to traverse a corn maze (in daylight or at night) and locations for safe trick-or-treating, hayrides and more.

Be sure to scroll further down on all of the linked pages that have been provided and you’ll see listings for not only pumpkin picking in the United States, but pick-your-own-farms for many other fruits and vegetables in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

You’ll also find a super recipe for making pumpkin pie from scratch, information on pumpkin festivals and weigh-offs, and even a “how-to” for making a carved pumpkin last longer.

In the video below, P. Allen Smith, gardening maven, visits a pick-your-own site, and takes us on a quick historical tour about Halloween’s most popular vegetable-like fruit, the pumpkin.

If you’ve already purchased this year’s pumpkin but are still looking for another fun outing, check out my other blog - Paula Slade: In My Humble Opinion and one of my most popular posts - It’s Apple Pickin’ Time: The Definitive Guide to pick your own apples nationwide – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

Learning becomes play with Putumayo Kids new globally-themed products

Putumayo Kids' World Culture Collection

Celebrated music label Putumayo Kids has launched its first new products outside of its CD series, with Africa, Europe and Latin America coloring books and sticker collections.

The Putumayo Kids’ World Culture Collection features the distinctive artwork of longtime Putumayo CD illustrator, British artist Nicola Heindl. Her colorful, folkloric style represents one of the company’s goals: to create universally appealing CDs and other products that combine art and culture. The artist’s work appears on all of Putumayo’s 150+ CDs.

Putumayo Kids’ Coloring Books include 20 oversized (11.5” x 14”) coloring pages (printed with eco-friendly soy ink) that invite children to discover the people, animals and musical instruments of each featured region. Suggested retail for each coloring book is $9.95.

The Africa Coloring Book includes a child-friendly glossary that helps budding artists identify images of animals and musical instruments as they color and learn about African culture. A map of Africa also helps children understand the geography of the region.

The Latin America Coloring Book features bilingual coloring pages and a colorful kid-friendly glossary that invites children to explore the diverse cultures, landscapes, animals and musical instruments of Latin America.

The Europe Coloring Book enables children to discover the famous landmarks, musical instruments, animals and people of Europe. It features a glossary of well-known monuments and instruments, a map of Europe and a page of European flags that encourage children to learn as they play.

The three sticker collections are exceptionally high-quality hardcover packages measuring 9” by 9”, and each filled with more than 120 reusable, colorful stickers that will keep little hands and imaginations busy. Children can build sticker stories on the fold-out landscape, explore countries on the full-color map and check the glossary to get the scoop behind the sticker images. Suggested retail for each collection is $11.95.

For a closer look at each product listed above and below, or to order direct from Putumayo Kids’, simply click on the highlighted title.

The Africa Sticker Collection

The Latin America Sticker Collection

The Europe Sticker Collection

Putumayo has sought eco-friendly resources in the manufacture of these products. Each of the coloring books and sticker collections is printed with soy ink, and the printer is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. Putumayo has taken a “100% replanted” approach, providing funds to Trees, Water & People to support global reforestation efforts. 

Save that date: The Dirty Sock Funtime Band performs at Sesame Place

The Dirty Sock Funtime Band to perform at Sesame Place

Time to rock your socks off (and shoe leather too) when The Dirty Sock Funtime Band visits Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18^th.

Notes lead singer Mike Messer, “We’ve based our show on the idea of taking many of the elements you would find in a big arena rock show – a flashy lead guitarist, a front-man seriously committed to leaping gyrations, a drummer who continuously puts on a one-man show – all performing the entire gamut from raucous rock songs to quiet acoustic ballads, enhanced, of course, with what we’re famous for: really clever lyrics and plenty of audience participation.  Energy wise, the level is high, but everything is presented in a child-appropriate context.”

The band recently released a new CD, Sock-A-Delic, and their first DVD, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band. 

The next Dirty Sock Funtime Band release, in fall 2011, will be an interactive e-book based on their song “Treasure.” 

November 2011 will see the release of an all-new studio CD.

THE DIRTY SOCK FUNTIME BAND
WHERE:         Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA
WHEN:           10:00 a.m., Saturday/Sunday, September 17/18
TICKETS:       Free, with Sesame Place admission 
INFO:              http://www.sesameplace.com   
   
The video below is a behind-the-scenes look at The Dirty Sock Funtime Band – “the highest energy kids’ rock band ever to break out of NYC.”

Kids rock out with Rocknoceros: Upcoming DC area performances

Rocknoceros photo by SOTA Dzine

Rocknoceros has dominated the Washington, DC children's music scene since its inception in 2005, winning a remarkable seven Washington Area Music Awards (with 2011 marking their fourth consecutive year taking home the “Best Children’s Music Artist” award), and landing an ongoing Video-on-Demand offering through COX Cable. 


And now, Rocknoceros is set to take kids out to the ballgame with a special pre-game show on Saturday, August 13 at 4:15 p.m. at Bowie Baysox Stadium, 4101 Crain Highway. Bowie, Maryland.  

Tickets include general admission to both the Rocknoceros concert and that evening’s Baysox game!

Fireworks are scheduled to follow the game.

A week later, Rocknoceros will bring its own brand of crowd-pleasing artistry to the Dome Theatre at “a new breed of urban arts center,” Artisphere, 1101 Wilson, Blvd., Arlington, Virginia, for a family show at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 20.

 

Highlighting these shows will be an array of “Rocknoceros classics,” including such audience favorites as “Get Up” and “Pink,” and the band might even be inspired to provide a sneak preview of tunes from their upcoming kid-friendly concept album Colonel Purple Turtle, which is set for release on September 13 and includes its very first companion storybook, Colonel Purple Turtle’s Purple Turtle Journal.

Finally, the official Colonel Purple Turtle CD and-book release shows take place on Saturday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Avenue. E., Vienna, Virginia.

  
The September 17th shows will be an array of new songs from Colonel Purple Turtle, including such soon-to-be famous fauna favorites as the album’s title track (a whimsical song about our favorite purple turtle), “Harry Elefante” (the story of international elephant who loves to sing and dance), and “Pirate Harvey” (a nautical shanty about friendly pirate cats).

Audiences will also be treated to the world premiere of an all-new Rocknoceros video, based on the song “Early Worm” from Colonel Purple Turtle.  

The Jammin’ Java stage will come alive with a colorful new backdrop and large cutouts of Colonel Purple Turtle characters.  

Special guests will join in the fun, and Colonel Purple Turtle CDs, tee shirts, and books will be available for purchase.

The 7:00 p.m. performance will be a “Rocknoceros Happy Family Hour” show that provides a wonderful night out on the town for the whole family. It’s a real concert at a real club in the evening, in a safe, clean, family-friendly environment. 

The Jammin’ Java bar will be in active mode, offering its signature Family Happy Hour drink special (“Buy a beer, get a free juice box!”).  

Although Rocknoceros Happy Family Hours take place in the evening, they do not make for late nights.  Families can be out the door and headed for home by 8:00 p.m.”

Be sure to check out the Rocknoceros website at www.rocknoceros.com

 

In addition to Colonel Purple Turtle, the band’s albums include Rocknoceros (2005), Dark Side of the Moon Bounce (2007), and the NAPPA award-winning PINK! (2009), about which Sirius/XM’s Kids Place Live program director Mindy Thomas enthused, “PINK! is whimsical and wondrous, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”


ROCKNOCEROS TAKES KIDS OUT TO THE BALLGAME

WHERE:             Bowie Baysox Stadium, 4101 Crain Highway, Bowie, Maryland

WHEN:               4:15 p.m. Saturday, August 13. Baysox game time is 6:35p.m.

ADMISSION:     $10 in advance. $15 at the door. Tickets include general admission to the Rocknoceros concert, plus general admission to that evening’s Baysox game.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
301-805-6000.or https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/Buy.asp?EventID=6577

ROCKNOCEROS AT ARTISPHERE

WHERE:            The Dome Theatre at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209

WHEN:                11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 20

ADMISSION:       $12 adults; $8 children 12 and under


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:                
703-875-1101.  or http://www.artisphere.com

ROCKNOCEROS’ COLONEL PURPLE TURTLE  OFFICIAL CD RELEASE SHOWS

WHERE:              Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. E. Vienna, Virginia  22180

WHEN:                 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Saturday, September 17, 2011

TICKETS:            $10.  Under age one, free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

703-255-1566.  or http://www.jamminjava.com

 

Musical Notes: Music industry news and releases for children and teens

Welcome to another edition of “Musical Notes.” This weekly column is dedicated solely to the best in musical entertainment. Like our sister columns, “If it’s Tuesday it must be toys and tours,” Wednesday’s “Book Report” and Friday’s “Popcorn Report,” which respectively features information on toys and travel, the world of literature and movies, this weekly post highlights the important world of music as positive entertainment for children and teens. Be sure to check back each Thursday.

This week’s edition of Musical Notes covers news of Zooey Deschanel voicing her talents for an upcoming Disney film, and the latest release by talented singer/songwriter/educator, Ben Gundersheimer (a/k/a Mister G).

NEWS

ZOOEY DESCHANEL HITS THE HUNDRED ACRE WOOD in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh

He’s a bear of very little brain. She’s half of the acclaimed band She & Him. This year, they come together on the big screen in “Winnie the Pooh,” which hits theaters nationwide on July 15, 2011. 

Actress/Musician/Singer/Songwriter Zooey Deschanel  (“Almost Famous,” “(500) Days of Summer”) joins Winnie the Pooh and all of his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, performing three songs for the film, including her own take on the classic “Winnie the Pooh” theme song, “A Very Important Thing to Do” and the original end-credit song “So Long,” which was written by Deschanel and performed with She & Him band mate M. Ward. 

“This has been one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had,” says Deschanel. “And I’ve just been thanking my lucky stars that I was able to work on this movie, because it’s delightful.”

Filmmakers were drawn to Deschanel’s signature style. “She was the perfect choice to do the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ song—a classic theme from the Sherman Brothers,” says director Don Hall. “Her music actually embodies the underlying spirit of the movie. We’re taking something that has vintage roots in the sixties, but spinning it in our own way and updating it. If you listen to Zooey’s music with She & Him—that’s their sound to a tee.”

Adds director Stephen Anderson, “It’s a perfect way to start the movie, letting the audience know right off the bat that this is Winnie the Pooh like you know him, but it’s something for today. We wanted to keep the same charm as the original, but give it a fresh spin, a contemporary feel, and she opens the movie with so much freshness, so much energy.”

“It’s always fun to have a contemporary artist rediscover a classic and that’s exactly what Zooey did,” says producer Peter Del Vecho. “She brought her own personality to the song—when she sings about introducing the individual characters, it’s as though she’s known them her whole life—and she has.”

“I’m a big fan of Winnie the Pooh and all his friends,” says Deschanel, who also plays the ukulele in the song. “It’s really hard to pick a favorite: Winnie the Pooh is so special, he loves honey and he’s just cool. Eeyore is amazing, I love Eeyore. And Piglet is so small. It’s really a four-way tie between Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger.”

Among the songs Deschanel performed for the film is “A Very Important Thing to Do”—a song that helps illustrate the contest the friends from the Hundred Acre Wood take on to find Eeyore a new tail. She also lent her voice to “Everything is Honey” and “Pooh’s Finale,” joining Jim Cummings (the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger), Tony Award®-winning songwriter Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q”) and other cast members. 

For the end-credit song, Deschanel teamed up with Ward to perform “So Long,” a song Deschanel wrote.  “When I was writing ‘So Long,’ I just held the images for the end credits in my mind,” she says. “I spent a number of days tinkering with ideas, melodies and chord progressions that I thought would fit the images, the new music being written and the original Sherman Brothers stuff-- but still be my own thing. The song definitely has its own feel, but also pays respect to the original.”

Deschanel plays piano for “So Long” and turned to the instrument when it came time to write the song. “I usually write on piano because that's the first instrument that I learned when I was a little kid,” she says. “All of my musical theory knowledge is in linear piano form.”

Her heart, however, is in the vocals. “I’m always thinking in terms of vocals, and arranging a fabric of vocals is the most exciting part. I love to sing backup parts—I always try to squeeze in as many as possible,” she says. “It’s fun; it’s my style.”

 Deschanel’s songs, plus the Sherman Brothers classic and a host of original songs by Robert Lopez and wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“The Wonder Pets”), as well as original score from composer Henry Jackman (“The Da Vinci Code,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”), will be included on the “Winnie the Pooh” soundtrack (available in the U.S. on July 12, 2011) from Walt Disney Records.

"So Long" Preview - Zooey Deschanel sings for Winnie the Pooh

LIVE PERFORMANCES AND ENTERTAINING EVENTS

The Merryall Center for the Performing Arts presents Mister G

8 Chapel Hill Road

New Milford, Connecticut 06776

Phone (860) 354-7264.

3:00 p.m.
(Parking available in the lot next to the Merryall Center and in the field across the street where the Merryall Chapel is located).

Admission:

FREE – This event is sponsored by the New Milford Commission on the Arts

Event Notes from the Merryall Center:

“Like those last few seconds before recess, the wait is unbearable. Tapping their feet, humming favorite songs: the crowd is antsy. Where’s Mister G? Off stage, the funky guitar kicks in, and tiny hands reach for the sky. By the time Mister G appears with his trademark hat and bright red shoes, high-pitched shrieks threaten to crack windows. Ben Gundersheimer has been writing children’s music for decades, entertaining around the world, emphasizing environmental issues and unleashing kid’s creativity.”

Gundersheimer, affectionately know to his fans as “Mister G” is an accomplished musician, songwriter and educator, and he has just released his newest pop album: BUGS - a delightful mix of songs about all the things kids find fascinating and important in their lives. Songs about sharks in the bathtub, grilled cheese, friends, brothers and sisters and some ghosts and goblins added to the mix; each tune well crafted with clever lyrics and delivered with polished musicianship.

Sound samples of all 14 tracks of BUGS are available at CD Baby where the complete CD can be ordered for $14.99 or the entire album in MP3 format downloaded for $9.99.

Below is a fun Mister G video to share with your child.  The song is “Squirrels” from Gundersheimer’s debut album, PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST.

Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD features animals with a fun attitude

Almost all children are familiar with the tale of The Three Little Pigs, but Scholastic Storybook Treasures has taken it a bit further and provided a hilarious and entertaining DVD version with THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS…AND MORE ANIMAL ADVENTURES.

The title story on this DVD, "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" is based on Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s 5-star retelling of the classic fable, and offers the tale from the “Wolf’s” point of view.

Also included in this 62-minute beautifully produced animated DVD from the award-winning Weston Woods Studios is a special read-along feature and four other delightful stories: THE PIG’S WEDDING (Written and illustrated by Helme Heine) ; WALLACE’S LISTS (Written by Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik, illustrated by Olof Landstrom, narrated by Zach Braff); HENRY BUILDS A CABIN (Written and illustrated by D.B. Johnson, narrated by James Naughton) ; THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT (Written and illustrated by Simms Taback, narrated by Mandy Patinkin) plus an interview with Scieszka and Lane.

Best pricing for THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS…AND MORE ANIMAL ADVENTURES is currently available through Amazon.com Marketplace for $5.15 plus shipping and handling – a bargain for this excellent compilation, and guaranteed to keep kids happily entertained on a snow day or sick day.

PBS Kids Design Squad Nation: Inspiring kids to dream big and change the world

Design Squad Nation co-hosts Judy Lee and Adam Vollmer (c Anthony Tieuli)

If kids have a dream, they can learn how to make it a reality with the help of the new PBS Kids program DESIGN SQUAD NATION, which premieres Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011.

Geared toward tweens and teens, DESIGN SQUAD NATION takes co-hosts and engineers Judy Lee and Adam Vollmer from coast-to-coast and around the world inspiring kids to dream big, and then build upon their ideas using creativity while incorporating all-important educational concepts using science, technology, engineering and math.

“Kids will see DESIGN SQUAD NATION and be absolutely amazed at all of the different ways that engineering can be part of their world,” says Vollmer.

A spin-off from the highly successful DESIGN SQUAD series, NATION helps kids create engineering feats that include such creations as: a pedal-powered bike organ; a human-powered flying machine; fashion designs; a skateboard park and more.

DESIGN SQUAD NATION also has a cool interactive website for having fun and encouraging additional dream-making inspiration.

Lee says, “We hope the show and website will get kids thinking about what sorts of problems and challenges they would like to solve, and to see engineering as a way to have fun while innovating for the future.”

The show’s Executive Producer Marisa Wolsky says, “More than a TV show and more than a website, DESIGN SQUAD NATION is a growing community built around the belief that with creative problem solving and engineering, any kid can make a difference.”

The video below gives you a glimpse of what’s in store during the 10-plus episodes of DESIGN SQUAD NATION. Be sure to check your local television listings for exact times and air dates on PBS.

The Ohmies: Last weekend for the ultimate play date in New York

Preschoolers and their families in the New York City area have one more weekend to experience the ultimate play date provided by THE OHMIES, that talented troop of performers that get kids up and moving in a healthy interactive performance of dancing, stretching, singing and giggling.

With original music, bright costumed characters, families are encouraged to participate in the performance by wearing comfortable clothing and socks, as you’ll be seated child-style on large, antimicrobial fitness mats. Limited seating is also available for those who are unable to sit on the mats.

The 55-minute performance is held at Daryl Roth Theatre, 101 East 15th Street (Between Union Square East and Irving Place) New York NY 10003.

Tickets and pricing are available through Telecharge. Show times are as follows:

Thu.Jan.27 11:00AM
Fri.Jan.28 11:00AM
Fri.Jan.28 1:30PM
Sat.Jan.29 11:00AM
Sat.Jan.29 1:30PM
Sun.Jan.30 11:00AM
Sun.Jan.30 1:30PM

For more information about this one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, please visit the Ohmies website or take a peek at the video preview below.

THE OHMIES – it’s lots of fun for little ones.

Halloween fun nationwide: "Go Boo at the Zoo"

This time of year, zoos nationwide open their gates to children and families for extra doses of fun and entertainment, along with the opportunity to see animals great and small.

Many zoos have activities that range from costume contests to pumpkin carving and crafts, and even hayrides or mazes.

Most have trick-or-treating on the premises and some zoos offer a haunted house, discounted admission and even live musical entertainment.

The following is a list of top picks around the country for “Boo at the Zoo” or as some call it, “Zoo Boo” and even "Zoo Howl." Just click on the zoo’s link for further information.

You and your child will have a frightening good time.

Atlanta Zoo, Atlanta, Georgia

Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, Binghamton, New York

Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York

Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, Illinois

Detroit Zoo, Detroit, Michigan

Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, Massachusetts

Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas

Knoxville Zoo, Knoxville, Tennessee

Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, Minnesota

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden, Los Angeles, California

National Zoo, Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Zoo, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Potter Park Zoo, Lansing, Michigan

Sacramento Zoo, Sacramento, California

Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara, California

Stone Zoo, Stoneham, Massachusetts



For more fun seasonal offerings, be sure to visit my other website: Paula Slade: In My Humble Opinion - "Autumn Fun: Pick-your-own-pumpkins a definitive guide" and "It's apple pickin' time: The definitive Guide to pick-your-own-apples nationwide" Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4