What are you doing with your kids this summer? If you need ideas and want a fun way to explore the area, read the Kidoinfo list of 100 Things to do with Kids this Summer in Rhode Island. Many of the ideas are free.

Thank you to all the readers who have already added their suggestions. Help make this the best list of things to do with children in the area by clicking here and add your ideas in the comments section.

Here’s another idea (pictured above): Tire Hopping at Brown Street Park. Happy Summer!

Making a Pinewood Derby car is a Cub Scout tradition. Our boys received their official Boy Scouts of America Pinewood Derby kit from their den leader and it included of block a wood, wheels, and specs. You can purchase additional kits at a local scout shop or buy an unofficial kit (meaning NOT approved for use at the Pinewood Derby race) from A.C. Moore and Michael’s craft stores. The scouts have a few weeks to make a car that will race on derby night.

The goal is for kids to learn about tool use and safety, collaborating on a project with a parent (or other adult), and to have fun. There is definitely a competitive edge to the event (for good or bad depending on how you look at it) since there are prizes and ranking involved. Depending on egos and kid involvement, I think the competition is driven more by some of the parents than the children.

Lots of good memories. I remember watching my brother race his car when he was a Webelo scout, and my husband was able to share the Pinewood Derby car he made with his dad with our sons. Although our boys would usually rather be behind or in front of a movie camera or planing/making props for their next show or film, they enjoyed designing their cars and learning about and working with power tools.

Having two derby cars to make and finding the time to work with each child to plan and construct the car was more of a challenge. And although our boys liked the idea of a speedy car, they seemed more into how they looked in the end. Their finished cars (see above) show their individuality.

Online you can find a staggering amount about Pinewood Derby car making and races, including videos and websites showing you how to make the fastest cars around. It seems an obsession for some.

Helpful tips when working on derby car (or any project for that matter):

• Plan to work on project in small chunks. Depending on the child or their expertise with tools, they might not have the stamina to work on a project as long as a parent does.
• Have the child involved in as much of the process as possible. They can look at their toys, online, or magazines for inspiration.
• Have them draw or draft what they want their car to look like and decide how to make the design work with the wood provided.
• Teach them about the tools they will use – what each one does and how to use it safely.
• Leave time to weigh the car. You may need to buy and embed weights in the bottom or top of car. To make your derby car the correct weight for the official scout race, you can purchase small weights at a scout or hooby shop. My husband bought sheets of lead from Home Depot, which turned out to be a cool decorative as well as functional element for one my son’s cars.
• Paint the car with acrylic craft paint and seal with a clear lacquer. Write your child’s name on the bottom and the year with a Sharpie – whether they make any more cars in future years or this is their only one, it will be a great keepsake.

By Katy Killilea

Recently in the kitchen laboratory we learned how to make ginger ale, ice cream, and Jello from almost nothing but pixie dust. Some people observe the transformation of ingredients and think: How did we get from point A to point B? Others think merely: Where is my spoon? These are worthwhile experiments, however your mind works and whatever your age.

Jello: Making jello at home from a packet from the Jell-o company might be enough of a thrill for some chemists. But the frontiers of science must not be limited to the likes of lime and blue raspberry. With agar-agar (a seaweed derivative) or plain gelatin (if the cowhide/hoof thing isn’t an issue), you can turn almost any liquid into jello.

Grape juice and orange juice are fun, but what about apricot nectar? Pureed watermelon? Chocolate milk? (Gin and tonic?) It’s fun to see the unexpected wiggle-jiggle, and in many cases the result will be fun to eat as well. Sometimes your liquid might not become jello or will be unpalatable. Do not be disgruntled: Was Excedrin PM invented in one day? Time for a new hypothesis and more experimentation. (more…)

What a great way to get your kids off the computer, meeting new people and learning about distant lands. Aime recently emailed me to share this fun activity she is doing with her family.

Geography is exciting to me.  I want my children to enjoy it too.  In January I learned of a postcard swap involving all 50 states hosted by Cassie of Our Adventures in Education.  Cassie chooses only one family per state to participate. By the time I learned about it my state was taken.  I was disappointed until it occurred to me that I could put together my own swap!  So I organized the Great American Postcard Swap.

How does it work?  One family from each of the fifty states sends a postcard to the 49 other participating families so that by the end, each family will receive a postcard from every state other than their own.  Each state has their own week to send postcards so the swap actually takes almost a full year to complete.  There are four separate swap groups, each needing 50 families.  If you would like to join us, visit my blog, Adventures and Pursuits, to see a list of the states we still need.  Spaces are limited, so if you don’t see your state on the list, why not organize your own swap?  I started by contacting family and friends, posting info on my blog, and sending emails to a variety of bloggers inviting them to join.  It’s been fun for me, and even better, my kiddos are having fun with geography.  A perfect combination!

Aimee Mobley is a wife and stay at home mom living in Northern Idaho with her husband and five kids.  Her blog, Adventures and Pursuits is her place to write about the everyday adventures of family life, pursue a variety of interests, and connect  with other normal  people.

By Jeanine Silversmith

I’ve had enough. Between the sinus infections and fevers, the wind and the rain, the frigid temperatures, and the toddler who absolutely refuses to wear mittens yet screams, “Cold! Cold!” while pointing to his chubby, purple hands, I am pretty much done with winter.

For those of you who know me or have read my columns here at Kidoinfo, you might recall that I started RI Families in Nature because I truly believe that everything falls into place if we all just get outside and play a bit every day. So you might say it surprises me a bit to know how many days it is difficult for me to get outside with my kids – especially during the winter.

So when cabin fever really gets the best of me and my two little ones, I reach for the books, surf trusty sites, and find some new motivation. My latest vice: the wintertime wild animal safari. I found this idea along with a host of other gems in Nature Rocks Winter Wonderland Activity Guide.

Step 1: Sneak outside and hide a few of your children’s stuffed animals in your yard. You can also do this in a park; just have your kids hide their eyes while you do it. Place them in trees or shrubs, on top of logs or rocks. If you’re a bit of a neat freak and worried that the animals will get wet or dirty, simply use plastic animals. And if you’re a bit of a science geek like me, you’ll feel compelled to place them in species appropriate spots. Like a stuffed owl would go on a tree branch, whereas a stuffed mountain goat would go on a big rock. What, doesn’t everyone have a stuffed mountain goat?

Step 2: Announce to your kids that it’s time to go on a wild animal safari! Grab a pair of binoculars and a camera and you might just be out there longer than you thought you’d be. I first tried this activity on a particularly cold albeit sunny and dry day, so I had pretty low expectations of how long we’d be out there. Little did I know that my two little ones would decide to take turns hiding the stuffed animals and searching for them. Then, they decided we needed snack out there. And then we had to tell each and every neighbor what we were up to. So we wound up watching the sun set and going in after 75 minutes. At that point, of course, my toddler was shrieking about his mittenless hands. (Hey, I kept putting them on him. And he just kept taking them off.)

Step 3: Feed them a big, healthy dinner, put them to bed early, and revel in the fact that spring is just around the corner. No matter what that groundhog says.

Jeanine is a self-described tree hugging, science and math geek whose love of nature, coupled with her absolute certainty that people, especially children, are happier, healthier, and wiser when they regularly spend time in nature, led her to establish Rhode Island Families in Nature. She loves to run, garden, bake, hike, and go camping, especially when accompanied by her husband, Ian, her four-year-old daughter, Sierra, and her two-year-old son, Devin. They live in Wakefield.

Public schools are taking a break, and so is Kidoinfo. You’ll find there’s more than usual going on in Rhode Island this week! Way more than what’s listed here—consider yourself lucky if you’re staying close to home.

This list is the tip of the iceberg—check our events calendar for more.

Keep in mind: many venues will be more crowded than usual. It’s wise to call ahead to confirm ticket availability or to check for cancellations.

1. In our book, number one will always be RELAXING AT HOME, with no rushing for the bus, no misplaced homework pages, and plenty of time for pancakes and coloring.

2. PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL. Long films, short films, animated ones and ones with real people. None made by Disney.

3. ICE SKATE in Providence or Newport or at your neighborhood’s smoothest frozen body of water.

4. NEWPORT WINTER FESTIVAL—going on all week, with special events for children February 14th & 15th.

5. MAKE VALENTINES check the events calendar for cookie decorating and card making options or get crafty at your kitchen table.

6. INVESTIGATE BITE WEEK at Mystic Aquarium. Chomp!

7. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT all week long at Buttonwood Park Zoo—including Toe Jam Puppet Band on Monday—and it’s all FREE with zoo admission.

8. THE AUDUBON SOCIETY has richly varied special events for young naturalists all week.

9. FLIP BOOKS, STUFFED CREATURES, ARCHITECTURE and more! Classes for kids at Warren Art Spot.

10. LIBRARY TIME. Visit your favorite branch or explore a new one. Free. Many libraries have special activities planned for vacation week.

What will you and your family choose? Share your favorite places to go, things to do, and ways to enjoy a week of wintry togetherness. We love your comments and depend on them for great ideas.

Here are 10 ways to have fun with your kids in Rhode Island without spending a dime. I know there are many more great things to do than listed below. See our list of 100 Things to Do for additional ideas. Please add your own favorites in the comments below.

1. Libraries are free to visit. Many of the states libraries have wonderful children areas, special events and lovely librarians.

2. Explore one of the Audubon’s Wildlife refuges. Over 15 places around the state to choose from.

3. The RISD Museum of Art is free the last Saturday of the month (except December) for Free-For-All-Saturday. Kids can explore the museum, see live performances and make a project based on monthly theme.  Want to go when it is less crowded? Admission is “pay-what-you-wish” every Sunday from 10am-1pm and free to all from 5-9pm on Gallery Night (the third Thursday of each month except December).

4. Roger Williams Park Zoo is free the first Saturday of every month for Providence residents. Bring proof of residency.

5. Did you know your Roger Williams Park Zoo Membership lets you into the Museum of Science in Boston for free? Although special exhibitions like the Harry Potter Exhibit cost extra,  your Zoo membership will give you a discount on special admission tickets.

6. The Audubon Environmental Education Center in Bristol, RI is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month for Free Family Fun Day. Join in for crafts, nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more.

7. Take a hike. Join the monthly hike organized by Rhode Island Families in Nature. Different location every time.

8. Looking for indoor play space? You can play at any of the indoor play areas in McDonald’s or Burger King without buying food. Go in the morning when it is quiet and the kids have already had a snack.

9. Providence Children’s Museum is free on select Friday evenings throughout the year. Check the calendar for details.

10. Visit your local fire station. Depending on the station and whether the fireman are busy,  kids may get a chance to sit in the truck, hold the hose, or have a full tour of the station.

By Cathy Saunders,
Director of Education, Providence Children’s Museum

Working at the Children’s Museum, I have a reputation to uphold with the young people in my life.  They fully expect that I will have a project, a toy, or a riddle up my sleeve when they see me.  And indeed, I have garnered a repertoire of favorites to have on hand:

Creative Constructions
Playful building projects are always a winner with children and adults. A bag of marshmallows or gumdrops paired with toothpicks or dried spaghetti provides the foundation for wacky tabletop constructions. To build larger structures, roll sheets of newspaper into “poles” (tape the ends with masking tape); you’ll find they are surprisingly sturdy. Start by building triangles, squares, and cubes. Then let the engineer in you go to town!

Slime Time
When I’m willing to get a little messy, there is nothing that beats oobleck—the curiously fascinating polymer made from cornstarch and water. Mix up a little in a bowl (one part water to up to two parts cornstarch) and then play with spoons, strainers, and containers of all sizes. Give the oobleck a squeeze or a poke and it hardens instantaneously, but scoop it up and it runs through your fingers. Add food coloring for special effect. Oobleck is easy to clean up, but be sure to dispose of it in the trash, not down your sink.

Scientist in the House
“Rubber” eggs and chicken bones are marvels. It’s simple: Submerge an egg or a thin chicken bone in a jar full of vinegar and watch to see what happens. It takes a few days, but it’s fun to check the progress–taking notes, making observations, and discussing what is happening.

On cold winter days, it’s nice to explore ice in the comfort of the indoors. Fill a balloon or milk carton with water and freeze it to make a giant ice cube. Set the ice on a tray or in a pan and let the investigation begin. Drops of food coloring will reveal the cracks and crevices. Sprinkling salt will have interesting effects, too.

Get Physical
Making up yoga positions gets in good stretches and giggles. Start simple by making different shapes with your body–triangles, diamonds, circles. Then look to nature for ideas. Many yoga positions are named after animals (downward dog, cobra, eagle). Try some of those and invent new ones.

Balloon badminton is a hit at the Children’s Museum. Construct rackets from paper plates attached to paint stirrers or rulers and use a balloon as the birdie. For a coordination challenge, I like to have a balance race. We try to walk the length of a room with books on our heads. We work our way up, balancing two or three, even adding a stuffed toy to the pile!

Some helpful websites with other activity ideas to keep the winter blues at bay:

• The Silicon Valley Art Museum has “at home art” activities as well as tips about materials and creativity.

• PBS’s FETCH!™ website provides hands-on science activity guides and resources. (You can also drop into the Museum’s FETCH! Lab each week.  Check our calendar for details.)

• The Science Learning Network’s Thinking Fountain is a dynamic website with creative science ideas.

• The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine has simple art, culture, science and cooking activities.

For more indoor winter fun, visit Providence Children’s Museum–there’s something different happening every day! Join the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 18, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Popular storytellers and actors Valerie Tutson and Rochel Coleman perform the powerful “M.L.K.: Amazing Grace” at 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:30 PM, bringing the civil rights movement to life through songs and stories. Families also explore an exhibit of photographs, words and books describing Dr. King’s life and work and take part in a thought-provoking antidiscrimination activity.

TM/© 2007 WGBH Educational Foundation

photo credit: Providence Children’s Museum

The contest is already done. If you did not win tickets to attend Bright Night you can still buy tickets for today’s events.

The artist-run, family-friendly New Year’s Eve festival Bright Night promises to be a most magical evening. It’s not that Harry Potter will be running around town or that that a unicorn will appear, complete with magical horn. (Although both of those would be kind of cool.) This year the main act for Bright Night is the magic/illusion spectacular IllusionQuest. A featured act at Six Flags New England for five years, master illusionist David Garrity and his team will magically appear, disappear, pass through solid objects and even float people from the audience. Read comeplete article here.

Read about how Kidoinfo readers spend their New Year’s Day. I love all the tradtions shared in the comments.

Looking for something to do with your kids during vacation? Here’s my Top Ten List of things to do – many are Free and Cheap. Check the Kidoinfo calendar, Winter Guide and blog for more ideas.

1. Host a crafternoon. Have kids (and parent) bring a shoebox filled with stickers, magazines, ribbons, rubber stamps, glue sticks and scissors. (Crafty ideas: Make books, paper bead necklaces, collage bookmarks, puppets, treasure box…) (Free / Cheap)

2. Go ice skating outdoors at the River Island Ice Skating Rink in Woonsocket. (Free / Cheap)

3. Book a Rhode Trip. Visit a new library with your children. (Free / Cheap)

4. Animal Power. See what the animals are doing this time of year at Roger Williams Park Zoo. (half-price admission)*

5. Read the Biggest, Best Snowman than build the biggest, best snowman ever. Find more winter book ideas here. (Free / Cheap)

6. Set up a playdate swap with a friend. (Free / Cheap)

7. All aboard. Take the commuter train to Boston. Plan a trip to the Museum of Science in Boston to see the Harry Potter exhibit.

6. Check out classic movies from your local library; Red Balloon, Yellow Submarine, Singing in the Rain, Charlie Chaplin. (Free / Cheap)

9. Building Blocks. Build a castle, city or rocketship using all of your Legos. (Free / Cheap)

10. Bundle up and head out on a winter hike. Explore a wildlife refuge. Try it with snowshoes. (Free / Cheap)

* Get passes from the library.