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Rookie mom

A calendar full of kids' activities

By KATHERINE SNOW SMITH
Published January 30, 2005

Children in our area have so many activities to choose from.

Playgrounds dot the neighborhoods, and we have the world's ultimate playground, the beach.

For something a little out of the ordinary, kids can soak up great works of art, get close to an alligator, study science with the Devil Rays or roast marshmallows under the stars.

Here's a tally of programs offered in the new year.

BREAKFAST WITH DALI: Children ages 6 to 11 get a private tour of the Salvador Dali museum and breakfast with bagels, muffins and chocolate milk.

His art is discussed in fun, creative ways with lots of information about this acclaimed yet unconventional artist.

For example, children love learning that every morning Dali dropped coffee and eggs on his shirt then immediately painted the pattern they made on canvas.

Some days he wore the shirt all day.

The two-hour tour costs a family of two $20 with a $10 charge per additional immediate family member.

It will be offered from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Feb. 26, March 12, April 16 and May 14. Preregistration is required.

Call 823-3767 for more information.

PIONEER NIGHTS AT BOYD HILL NATURE PARK: Kids in second through eighth grade spend much of the day and night enjoying outdoor activities, crafts, hikes, games and more.

Students bring their own dinner, drinks and snacks. The day is topped off with a campfire for marshmallow roasting.

Pioneer Nights will be held on Feb. 12, March 5 and April 9 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $25 per person.

Boyd Hill also has camps over spring break from March 21-25. Pioneer Camp is for grades 2 through 8, and Young Naturalist Camp is for kindergarteners and first-graders.

The cost is $95 per person. Aftercare is $15 extra. For more information, call Boyd Hill at 893-7326.

The nature park is at 1101 Country Club Way S.

GREAT EXPLORATIONS AND AMERICAN STAGE are teaming up for a spring break called "Exploring Shakespeare."

Students ages 5 to 14 will star in their own production of Taming of the Shrew, make costumes, design sets, backdrops and promotional materials.

Campers will also "play" at the Great Explorations museum and go on field trips. The cost is $150 for the week, including before and after care.

Call 821-8992 for more information.

THE SCIENCE CENTER OF PINELLAS COUNTY holds Science Rocks Saturdays once a month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 a person. Children 3 and under get in free. The calendar proves there's a science out there for everybody.

SATURDAY: The Devils Rays' trainer and orthopedist and players will demonstrate what happens when you hit a baseball, catch a pop fly and more. There will also be popcorn, peanuts, soft drinks and Rays giveaways.

MARCH 5: The Science Center's 16th Century Native American Village will come alive with demonstrations, dance, storytelling and songs. (There is no charge this day.)

APRIL 2: Gator Safety. Kids will meet Sawgrass the alligator and learn about gator behavior, habitat and more.

MAY 9: A Channel 10 meteorologist will talk all about hurricanes.

JUNE 4: A chef from Saffron's Restaurant will cook up dishes and explain kitchen chemistry.

JULY 9: Children can explore the wetlands and plants and animals that live there.

AUG. 6: The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary will have live birds on hand as they teach kids about feathered creatures.

SEPT. 10: The mysteries of physics will be presented with optical illusions, glowing minerals and more.

OCT. 1: A professor from the Marine Science Department at USF will discuss marine life. Kids will dip their hands in the science center's 600-gallon touch tank full of creatures.

The Science Center is also offering a day camp during spring break, March 21-25, for $30 a day or $150 a week.

For more information, call the science center at 384-0027. It's at 7701 22nd Ave. N.

Katherine Snow Smith can be reached at snowsmith@verizon.net

[Last modified January 30, 2005, 00:10:19]