Rookie Moms Challenge #41: Test drive some baby classes

kindermusik toddler

Did you know that most baby and toddler music/movement classes will offer a free trial? They don’t usually shout it very loud once you and junior are clapping along in circle, but if you call ahead, you can often join a test class or negotiate a free preview. This is your 41st weekly challenge. Here [...]

Kickstart this: Hackermoms

hackermoms

If you are a crafty, makery kind of mama in the East Bay, you must check out the Hackermoms Kickstarter fundraiser as they try to raise money to build a workshop with tools and equipment, plus create a kids program and business incubator for moms inside it. I was blown away by Sho Sho’s story and [...]

Weekend Planner (October 13 + 14)

EB Mini Maker Faire

We’re sponsoring a face-painting table with Urban Sitter at Berkeley Open Streets and a kid craft room at the Mini Maker Faire — hope to see you at one or both! Indulge in the continued, heavenly weather by getting outdoors for a hike with other moms at Redwood Park. The Bites Off Broadway family-friendly food [...]

Ticket Alert: Lyle the Crocodile

Lyle Juggling1

LYLE THE CROCODILE, a live theater production for children, plays at the Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley, on Saturdays and Sundays, for the next couple of weekends, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (No performances Saturday, October 20.) Adapted from Bernard Waber’s popular children’s stories about Lyle, the show is best for children [...]

Sunday Streets Berkeley, this weekend!

open-streets

Berkeley’s first Open Streets project, Sunday Streets Berkeley, is coming up this weekend on October 14th, from 11am to 4pm. The deal is that the cars go some place else so the people can wander freely. All ages are welcome to play, bike, skate, toddle, walk, and bounce for a mile and a half. In [...]

Reader tip: Peralta Junction now open

peralta-junction

Weekends from Oct. 4 – Dec. 15, the vacant lot at the corner of Mandela Parkway and West Grand will be transformed into a creative community space filled with art and commerce. If that sounds like a good time for you and your family, read on… Grand Opening Weekend, October 6 and 7, when Peralta [...]

Weekend Planner (October 6 + 7)

silhouette artist

Lively, musical play time is still happening over at La Pena with Stephanie Pepitone and the Rockin’ Kids Sing-a-long. Learn about and celebrate the Sukkot feast Friday evening with other families at JCC East Bay. You and your partner can break away from the kids for the evening – drop your children off at Studio [...]

New class: Costume lab for kids

girl-sewing

Sticky Art Lab is offering a special costume and fashion lab in time for Halloween with local mom and artist, Erica Blue. Kids between 2nd and 6th grade can design and create their own costumes. Create wild, outlandish costumes and fashions like Ninja, Fairy, Hula, Robot, Pirate, or Whatever! The class will make a trip [...]

Ticket Alert: East Bay Mini-Maker Faire

eastbay-mini-maker-faire

Will you join us this year? Early bird tickets are available now and are 50% off the price of day of tickets.

Weekend Planner (September 29 + 30)

ClownSnotBombs

Morning classes for tots have kicked off over at Habitot: Fridays feature kids cooking with Flavors of Asia. It’s movie-in-the-Redwoods again with feature presentation, Jumanji. Martial arts enthusiasts may want to check out the competition between various youth clubs over at Frances Albrier. Celebrate the sweetness of pears – pies and recipe contests included! It’s [...]

Temescal Farmer’s Market with a stop by Frog Park

frogpark-little

Lazy Sundays should be spent tooling around Temescal Farmer’s Market (with a stop at Frog Park if your kids have earned it).

Groovy California art

3 fish studios artwork

Allow me to make a quick introduction to Eric Rewitzer and Annie Galvin, the artists behind 3 Fish Studios. I met Eric while he was working the 3 Fish Studios booth at the 2012 Maker Faire and was immediately drawn (heh) to their whimsical California subjects. As Potrero Hill residents, a primary inspiration is the [...]

Solano Stroll Street Festival this Sunday

solano-stroll-el-cerrito-preschool

300,000 people will party in the street this Sunday on Solano Avenue. (Bring your walkie talkies!)

Weekend Planner (September 1, 2 + 3)

chabot

The Lego Brick Show is coming to a close on Sunday and is well worth the visit – you may find yourself deeply engrossed in a Lego figurine scavenger hunt! Friday night, you can catch Ice Age for an outdoor summer movie at Redwood Heights. Celebrate,  view and even ride steam engines at the Historic [...]

Kid’s theater classes in the East Bay

acting-classes

The Bay Area Children’s Theatre Youth Education Program, aka YEP! is starting fall semester performing classes on September 10. Fall classes will be putting together a production of Winnie The Pooh. Students are segmented by ages 5-6 and 7-11. Where and when: Piedmont Piedmont Center for the Arts 801 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont Little Performers (ages [...]

Reader tip: Epworth playgroups

Epworth playgroups happen in North Berkeley at the Methodist Church for new parents and toddlers. Not religious, all families are welcome. Though I’ve never been, I’ve only heard good things about these groups from my moms’ group buddies and strangers around town. Each play session is two hours long for little ones from 14 months [...]

Weekend Planner (August 18 + 19)

pedalfest

Bring your lego lovers to San Leandro for a special exhibit of trains and castles and more! (But leave your stroller in the car…) Discover Berkeley’s hills and paths through the eyes of your children: join them for a special scavenger hunt. It’s Pedalfest at Jack London Square this weekend! Arrive via bicycle or arrive [...]