learning fun Archives - Page 8 of 8 - Love to Laugh and Learn

Review: Conner Prairie on President’s Day (with a 2 yr old)

February 20, 2012 by Mama Carmody 11 Comments

It has been years since I have made a trip to Conner Prairie. I have always loved that place but since our finances have been tight over the last few years I just haven’t been able to go.

Today was President’s Day and Conner Prairie was offering free admission. I had two objectives in going today; first of all, I wondered how crowded and crazy it would be on a free admission day and secondly to see what kind of activities they had for the very young child.

So on the first objective:

How Crazy Was It On A Free Admission Day

There were definitely a lot of people taking advantage of the free admission but we didn’t really have any trouble getting around. The Science Lab was way too crowded for us to get into and, from what I have seen on Conner Prairie’s website, I thought it might be a little advanced for a two year old so we didn’t attempt getting in there. We were able to get into the Discovery Station. It was a little crowded in there so we didn’t let the two year old out of the stroller. There were so many interesting things for him to do though. We decided we would have to go back on a regular day when it might not be as crowded so he could get down and run around. One of the things in the Discovery Station was a General Store that children could play inside.

There were several tables set up with toys on them such as a barn and legos. All the tables were full so we moved on to another room…but we will be back.

Several activities were going on out in the hallway. There were craft tables with children making Abraham Lincoln masks and hats. There was a work table with several kinds of tools on it but we didn’t make it around to there. It was pretty well surrounded by children. There was a great dress up area with clothes for all ages. I saw kids and moms dressing up and everyone was having fun.

We were told that there were more activities going on upstairs so we climbed the stairs (unaware that there was an elevator) and found it wasn’t as crowded upstairs. There was a room with all kinds of old time toys and games set up. Since it wasn’t as crowded up there we let the two year old out of the stroller to run around. I will give more details on the things going on upstairs in a little bit when I cover what kind of activities were available for really young children.

After playing upstairs for a while we decided to go outside to see what was happening out there. First we headed to the Featherston Barn to join the birthday party for George Washington. We received a hot chocolate and enjoyed some fiddle playing and dancing.

All ages were having fun dancing.

After George Washington’s Birthday party we headed over to the Lenape Indian Camp. I believe this was one of the 2 year old’s favorite areas….more details coming up.

So in conclusion to this segment, some areas were a little crowded but not so crowded that I wouldn’t go back on another one of their free admission days. Everywhere we went was well staffed and everyone was very cheerful and helpful.

Now the second objective:

Activities for the Very Young

As stated above, the Discovery Station had several things that a young child would enjoy but the room was really full today. We definitely want to go back on a day that will be less crowded so the two year old can run around and play with all of the interesting things in that area.

All ages were enjoying the craft table that was in the hallway. Although the very young ones weren’t making the Abraham Lincoln craft they were enjoying coloring and drawing. There was an adorable little girl having fun at the dress-up area.

Conner Prairie: Little girl in dress-up area

As I stated earlier, it was less crowded upstairs so we let the 2 year old out of the stroller to play. He enjoyed playing bean bag toss…

…or should I say, 2 year old stuff the bean bag.

Conner Prairie: 2 yr old version of Bean Bag Toss

That kept him occupied for several minutes. We then went over to a table that had slate boards (chalkboards) and soapstones. Soapstones were what they used to write on the slate boards. We decided we liked the soapstones so much better than the modern chalk that children use today. The soapstones don’t leave that big chalky mess. The 2 year old really enjoyed drawing and we liked the fact that he didn’t have white chalk dust all over himself once he finished.

I believe the 2 year old had the most fun outside. He was able to walk through the basket on the bottom of the large balloon. It wasn’t going up during the time we were there but he didn’t seem to mind. He ran around the basket several times. There was a cute little imitation balloon that he, his brother and mother had their picture taken it. It was a little dark but really cute.

After the balloon we headed out to the Featherston Barn for the birthday party. The 2 year old loved the music and the dancing. The pictures are a little blurry because he kept dancing around in circles.

After he was done dancing we headed out to the Lenape Camp. On the way we got to stop and look at a goat. The two year old wanted to kiss the goat but thank goodness the slats in the fence were too small.

There were several cabins at the Lenape Camp. A couple of them were open but they were totally full of people. We were able to step into the doorway of one but we didn’t stay long. One of the cabins was closed up so we had a little fun with the two year old. His mom encouraged him to walk up the steps so she could get a cute picture of him.

She then encouraged him to knock on the door and say, “Is anybody home?”

No one was home….

Conner Prairie: Nobody's Home — Conner Prairie: Nobody’s Home

…or so we thought…

Ooops...someone was home — Ooops…Someone was Home

…I guess we were wrong…somebody came out…

…but then he left. We were able to go watch him shoot his rifle after that.

I believe the two year old had the most fun in the Lenape Indian Hut. He spent a lot of time running in and out of there and climbing on the benches.

We had a hard time getting him out of there. Every time we would ask him if he was ready to go he would turn around and run back inside.

I would have to conclude that there are plenty of fun things for very young children to enjoy. A two year old may be a little young to explain the history of what Conner Prairie is about but the idea of it being a simpler time; a time with no television, no video games, a time when children had to use their imagination and make games out of every day items, is right up a two year old’s alley.

When all was said and done, we had a wonderful day! Lots of laughs and fun getting to run around in the sunshine on a not-so-horribly cold February day in Indiana.

Review: Conner Prairie with Young Children
Attractions
Review: Radio Disney Event, Indianapolis 2012

Review: Radio Disney Event, Indianapolis 2012

June 17, 2012 by Mama Carmody 5 Comments

The Radio Disney event was nothing like what I had conjured up in my mind. I thought this was going to take place in one of the many large buildings on the Indiana State Fairgrounds but I was wrong. I was also surprised to find out that, although the event was free, the fairgrounds charged $5 to get in and park. There was only one entrance open so there was no choice but to pay the $5 to get in.

Still holding on to the picture in my mind of entering a large building with rows of exhibition booths and a stage for the concert, I was shocked when this is what I saw:

It looked more like a kid-sized state fair. There were a few food booths scattered around. The ones serving cold items were the favorites since the temperature was hovering near 90 degrees. There were all kinds of booths with great activities and crafts for the children to participate in.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Turbana

The first exhibit I came to was the Turbana tent. Turbana manufactures many flavors of plantain chips. I’ve never tasted a plantain let alone a plantain chip but they were giving away small packages of chips so I won’t be able to say that for much longer. There were several other free items too.

There was also a foam banana, a real banana and a cute button and coloring page presented by The Produce Mom.

The Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

The Girl Scouts of Central Indiana had a booth where they used homemade solar ovens to cook s’mores.

Girl Scout's of Central Indiana - Solar Oven

Although they didn’t have instructions with them to show how to make the ovens, one of the ladies described it for me and I found these instructions on the internet: Making A Pizza Box Solar Oven. You were able to cook and eat the s’mores you made…yum!

Rhythm! Discovery Center

This is a place I want to visit but just haven’t made it yet. Rhythm! Discovery Center is an interactive percussion museum. They had several drums set up and some cute shakers for the kids to make their own music. It looked like it was a real popular place.

A Critter’s Chance

A Critter’s Chance is at the top of my favorites list. I love and respect the job they are doing for the rehabilitation and rescue of exotic animals. For a small $2 donation they would take your picture with one of their rescue animals. I donated $2 to help them out and was able to get a great picture for my blog.

Four Willows Farm

At the Four Willows Farm exhibit you were able to get a ride on a horse. I saw “kids” of all ages getting rides.

If you have been thinking about taking riding lessons, Four Willows Farms is a training facility that specializes in American Saddlebred training, showing and riding instruction.

Indiana Horse Rescue

I don’t believe I could word any better what Indiana Horse Rescue is all about than they do in their mission statement:
“To provide a caring, positive environment for those horses that have either been neglected, abused, abandoned, and/or are at risk of going to slaughter. We will place these horses in an environment that benefits both the horse and the adoptive family.”
They do not receive any state funding but wholly rely on the support of caring individuals that have a heart for neglected and abandoned horses.
This is the adorable little gal they had at their exhibit for the kids to enjoy. I loved what they did with her mane.

My Conclusions on the Day

This event may not have been what I pictured in my mind; it was actually so much more. You may have noticed that I didn’t mention the concert. I actually didn’t stay for the concert. I was more interested in finding out what type of activities there were to enjoy with your children.

As you can see from the few exhibits I posted, there was a lot to do even if you weren’t interested in attending the concert. The one thing that disappointed me is that I am an “old school” Disney fan and I didn’t see much that actually related to Disney at all. There were a couple of Disney backdrops for picture opportunities and there was a set of balloon Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the concert stage but other than that, not much to make you think of Disney.

Regardless of my disappointment in there not being much that reminded me of Disney, there were a lot of fun things to do with your children. I would definitely go again and for the mere price of $5 for parking it was a great deal.

If you took your family out to enjoy the day, please leave a comment here and on my facebook page of how much you enjoyed your day. If you took any pictures you would be willing to share I would love to see them. Just post them on the Love to Laugh and Learn facebook page.

Attractions
Review: Conner Prairie on President’s Day (with a 2 yr old)

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie Review

October 13, 2013 by Mama Carmody 7 Comments

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie Review

Disclaimer: I was given 2 tickets to attend the Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie, as well as a backpack with some goodies. However, I was not influenced by the promotional materials or any of the Conner Prairie staff. All opinions and insights are my own.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Hot Air Balloon

Even before we reached Conner Prairie, we could see the hot air balloon, from the 1859 Balloon Voyage, floating high in the sky. My husband was quite interested in the balloon ride but with the cost of a ride being $15 a piece ($12 for members) it was way out of our price range. If they would lower that price to somewhere between $5 and $7 they would quite possibly have waiting lines for that ride all the time. At the lower prices, we would probably take a ride every time we went to Conner Prairie but at the current prices I don’t know that we will ever participate in the 1859 Balloon Voyage.

The first activity we participated in was the Headless Horseman hayride. If you missed my post from yesterday here is the link to that: Review: The Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie.

If your children are young and you aren’t interested in the hayride don’t write off the idea of making a trip to Conner Prairie. There was still a lot of spooky fun happening even without the hayride.

I love the idea behind their theme this year. Conner Prairie has been renamed Conner Scairie for this holiday season. The former mayor, Lord Moldywart, had a problem with a spell he was trying to cast and turned himself into a bunny rabbit.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Mayor Moldywart

He is cute but he can no longer fulfill the role of mayor so a new mayor must be elected. There are six citizens that are vying for the new position. It is our job to go around and meet each of them and then vote for the one that we want to become Mayor of Conner Scairie.

The first candidate we ran into was Harry Howler. He was standing outside a tent encouraging passersby to join him at the microphone for some scary-o-ke. There were some kids doing a great job with The Monster Mash when we stopped in. Harry also had a couple of craft tables as well as some fun activities outside his tent.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Fun at Harry Howler's — Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Fun at Harry Howler’s

The next candidate we ran into was Beautisha, the cosmetics-loving witch. She also had a craft area and she was more than happy to hand out beauty tips.

We didn’t get to catch her show but we got to peek in at the stage and costumes. Looks like it would be a blast to strut up and down the runway.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Beautisha's Costume Runway — Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Beautisha’s Costume Runway

Our next candidate to meet was little Miss Holly Ween. She was adorable. She reads spooky stories to the kids. She told us that this was her favorite story.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Holly Ween Collage

There was a large play area, associated with her section, for children 8 years old and younger. You can wind through bales of hay and then zoom down a slide on a burlap sack. There was a lot of action going on in the area. Several children were enjoying the play equipment.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Holly Ween's Play Area — Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Holly Ween’s Play Area

Next we ran into Ed, the mad scientist, and his assistant, Esmeralda. They were having fun with electricity. It played havoc with my camera but it still looked pretty neat. They cooked a hotdog with an electrical arc. It was fascinating to watch but I think I will stick with my microwave.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Ed's Electrical Spectacle — Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Ed’s Electrical Spectacle

We missed Dr. Acula but we did get to look around his monster museum. My favorite pieces were Little Red Riding Hood’s cape and a hairball from Big Foot. He had a craft area for the kids, too.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Monster Museum Collage

I forgot to mention that the Headless Horseman is also a candidate. I’m not sure what I think of electing a mayor with no head but I suspect he is using fear to intimidate the voters.

There were plenty of other activities going on that I don’t believe were associated with the candidates. We enjoyed watching the Flying Monkeys. They used a large slingshot type contraption to send the monkeys flying through the air.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Flying Monkeys

If you have been following my posts for very long, you know I love introducing children to music so of course one of my favorite spots was Rhythm Fun with Bill Bailey. Look at the kids having fun with all of those instruments.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Rhythm Collage

Another fun spot was the face painting. This family was kind enough to let me take pictures of the process.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: face painting

They sure are a cute bunch of kids.

Spooky Fun at Conner Prairie: Face Painting Fun

As I look over the program from the evening, I realize that we missed a few things such as the Marionette Show and the Crane Bros. Superstition Emporium. We passed by the Mystic and the Magic Show with C.R. Ryan Demier but didn’t get a chance to stop in for the activities.

As you can tell, there is a lot of spooky fun happening at Conner Prairie to keep you busy for quite a while. Even if your children are younger, and you don’t want to do the hayride, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy. You may even want to come back more than once to experience all the spooky fun.