Chico Kids

The Chico Circus Town exhibit at the Chico Museum switched to a new theme, so we went back. It’s “Screamers, Bandsmen & Circus Fanfare March” through March 29, and there are fun mirrors, instruments to play and more hands-on stuff for kids so don’t miss it!

Yes, the precipitation is much-needed, but if your kid is going as stir-crazy as mine is during this storm, you could probably use some fresh ideas on how to get your children out and about without getting drenched in the downpour. (Of course, there’s something to be said for a little mudpuddle splashing now and then.)

1. Library. Hit the Chico library for storytime or just to browse. Check out ChicoKids.net’s list of other Chico Storytimes for more options. It’s free fun!

2. Chico Museum. If you haven’t seen the circus exhibit, now’s your chance! Bring an umbrella in case you don’t get a parking spot close by.

3. Get Crafty. Head to Glazed Creations, String Bead, Busy Bee Ceramics or another crafty place where kids can explore their creativity and make something cool.

4. Child Care. Hand the “problem” off to someone else: Let KidsPark, gym child care, etc. get the wiggles out while you get a much-needed rest.

5. Chuck E. Cheese. Get out the Purell and head to Chuck E. Cheese. That’s where my husband took our son today, and $5 kept the kid happy and busy for two hours.

Also consider: the Chico Mall, the movies, a play, the Nature Center, Bidwell Mansion and some of the other fun places mentioned on ChicoKids.net. And please feel free to add your own suggestions to the comments. Thanks!

This week we’ll go to the Saturday Farmers Market in the sun. Last week we went in the rain. It’s all good. When it rains, someone sets out this rubber duck family in one of the parking lot puddles and the kids love it. Good ol’ Chico.

The incredible exhibit Chico Circus Town, which has been on display at the Chico Museum since mid-October, is being shown in six parts through June 21. This week, the “Side Shows, Freaks Shows and Wonders of the Midway” began.

 

We visited last weekend and were quite impressed. A lot of effort went into these feature exhibits, which are drawn from the collection of Grace and Arvel Allread. There’s a baboon cage (no baboon, though) and scenes set up with a bear and another with an elephant. The vintage posters are great, and the freak show part isn’t too freaky to scare little kids. Alec’s favorite part was pretending to walk the high wire—an authentic tightrope placed along the floor. Visitors can also learn what makes a good “circus town” and see how the circus tent was raised.

 

This part of the exhibit closes Feb. 15. The next installments are: “Screamers, Bandsmen & Circus Fanfare March” running Feb. 21-March 29; “Wild, Wild West Shows” running Apr. 4-May 10; “Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh My!” running May 16-June 21.

Before the much-needed rain came to Chico this week, Alec and I ventured out to the USDA Forest Service Genetic Resource Center’s Nature Trail, which most people just call the Tree Farm. It’s one of our favorite places to go, although we were scarce for a while when Alec went through a scared-of-dogs stage (the trail is popular among dog owners). Kids love the creek, bridges and, most of all, the bamboo forest. Alec kept looking for panda bears in there.

 

The demonstration forest was started as a plant breeding research center way back in 1904, and despite threats of budget cuts it remains one of the best-kept secrets of Chico, yet still popular enough among those in the know that managers have had to plead with dog owners and picnickers to respect the sensitive landscape or risk losing access to the area. There are picnic tables, benches overlooking Comanche Creek and signs identifying more than 130 tree and plant species from China, England and beyond.

 

The Tree Farm is near Skyway and Highway 99. To get there, take Dominic Drive off the Skyway to Morrow Lane and then Cramer Lane. Drive (or bike, or walk) to the end, where you can park and enter.

Last weekend, my husband and I took our 4-year-old out to Gray Lodge wildlife refuge near Gridley to check out the birds. But you don’t have to drive 40 minutes south (well, an hour if you overshoot and have to go through Live Oak like we did) to see and learn more about migratory waterfowl. There are a lot of kid-friendly activities scheduled for the 10th Annual Snow Goose Festival Jan. 23-25, as well as nearby bird-watching opportunities. You can see them all at the Snow Goose Festival Web site, and here’s a direct link to the youth activities page: http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/events/special.html.

 

Highlights include art exhibits, guided tours to wetlands and workshops for kids and grownups. There’s a carving workshop for kids, a raptor class (meet Checkers, the Great Horned Owl) and, on Sunday, Jan. 25, the children’s duck call competition. You can also see all of the California finalists in the Duck Stamp contest and meet Smoky Bear and the Blue Goose mascot.

 

I toured wildlife preserves as part of the first Snow Goose Festival back in 1999, and it’s great to see how much the Chico-based event has expanded over the years. Please, check out the Web site to see what you can do with your family, or call 345-1865 for more information on the festival.

Athletic Horizons, which is scheduled to move to snazzy new digs at the end of this month, has announced its Parents Night Out dates for January through March. Alec loves playing on the gym’s equipment with the other kids and I like having an evening to myself. There are games, snacks and crafts. It’s $13 (additional siblings are $11 each). It runs from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (It used to start at 6 but has been extended.) Parents Night Out is usually held the second Saturday of each month, barring holidays, and in early 2009 is scheduled for: Jan. 10, Feb. 21 and March 14. Kids must be 2 1/2 and out of diapers, unless the parents plan on staying.

Advance signups are required for the Children’s Christmas Party to be held Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chico Elk’s Lodge (Manzanita Place) at 1705 Manzanita Ave. Kids 12 and under can enjoy crafts, snacks and Santa. To reserve a spot, call 343-1431 by Dec. 16.