Albany Mommy Blog - Fun things to do in the Albany New York Capital District area for kids and parents

St Patrick's Day parade

Time for the wearin' of the green!  This Saturday is Albany's St Patrick's Day Parade.  It kicks off at 2pm from Quail and Central Aves.  For the parade route,click here. 

I'm hoping for the rain to hold out so we hav gorgeous, warm weather for the parade?!?!

Kidz Expo

Today is the Kidz Expo.  Couldn't ask for a nicer day.  Time to get out of the house!! Fun things for kids to do!

Today from 10am-5pm at the Empire State Plaza, free admission.

Tons of great stuff inside the convention center and be sure to check out all the great people in the hallway also.  The Children's Guide booth will be doing arts & crafts.  2 Sisters Tutus will be there - if you have an Albany Mommy discount card be sure to stop by them to get your free wand.  Don't have an Albany Mommy discount card? 2 Sisters Tutus will also be selling them today.  The card is $35 and today only 1/2 of the price will be donated to Team Lymphoma & Leukemia!

Dr Seuss birthday celebration

Wednesday March 3rd from 12-3pm you can help celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday at the Children's Museum of Saratoga.  There will be storytime and craft time with Thing 1 & Thing 2.  You do have to pay admission to the museum to participate.

Kids will LOVE this!

Last year I saw Crayola's window markers and thought they looked cool.  When I finally decided to buy them I couldn't find them in any stores.   Last week I found them at Michael's.  Yipppeee!! {$5.50 for a pack of 8}

They are so worth it.  Give kids markers and tell them they can draw on the windows - you won't believe the look on their faces. They wash off really easy too.  Windex and a paper towel got the drawings off quickly. 

Funny how much kids enjoy doing something that they aren't "normally" allowed to do, like coloring windows.

Looking for something fun for the kids to do? This will provide hours of creativity and fun!

Albany's best kept secret

Did you know that the NYS Museum has a carousel? It's located on the fourth floor above the museum. 

They ask for a donation to ride, but there is no specific price.

At last check the carousel was running 7 days a week from 10am-4:30pm.  You can call 474-5353 to check.

NYS Museum school break week activities

NYS Museum has activities for all ages February 16th-18th. Lots of the activites are hands on for little ones too.

National Museum of Racing

Did you know that the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga has tons of stuff for kids? 

They have a preschool program on Wednesdays from 10-11am, tours, vacation programs for school break week, an more.

Ice Skating

Looking for stuff to do President's Week? The Times Union Center is offering some open skating times February 16th-18th.  You can skate from 12-2pm, 2:30-4:30pm, or 5-7pm.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for 12 & under, and skate rental is $5. 

A few other places to skate in the area-Conway Ice Rink at HVCC, Albany County Hockey Rink, Frear Park, Knickerbocker Arena ( 235-0215), and Clifton Park Ice Arena.

Indoor water fun

Did you know that the Great Escape's indoor water park sells day passes? 

They have an area for little ones and tons of stuff for big kids. 

Before we had our second child, we actually took our "babymoon" there with our first child and it was so much fun.  He was just 2 at the time and would not get out of the water.

Half day passes are $25, full day are $35, and for $50 you can get a pass for unlimited visits through March 31st.

They do reserve certain days for just hotel guests, so check with them before making definite plans.

It is soooo cold out

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Did you know Afrim's in Colonie has a bounce zone?

It's open Saturday from 9am-8pm & Sunday from 10:30am-6pm. $5 for a day pass, $20 for a month, or $50 for a 6 month pass.

Tell them Albany Mommy sent you!

PS - While you are there ask about their summer camps.  You get 10% off summer camp or birthday parties with the Albany Mommy discount card. 

Cool kids music.... {Dan Zanes give a way}

Dan Zanes is coming to the Egg on January 23rd.  Albany Mommy is lucky enough to be giving away a few CD's and DVD's to get ready for the concert!! Here's the scoop...

We know you love Dan Zanes and Friends so in celebration of his performance at the Egg on January 23rd our good friends at his record label Festival Five are giving away copies if his latest CD of classic Broadway tunes 76 Trombones and their new live DVD The Fine Friends Are Here! 

To enter to win leave a comment below and tell us your favorite Dan Zane And Friends tune.  Give a way ends Sunday January 18th so you have time to enjoy before the concert!

And please come join the party on Jan 23rd at the Egg, it’s going to be a great time!  Visit here for all the info.

Saratoga Children's Musuem

Have you been to the Saratoga Children's Musuem?  It is sooooo cool.  Until the end of the year they are offering a trial membership at a good price.  Listen to this:

Now, through Jan 31, 2010, purchase a trial membership gift for only $35 that entitles
its holder to up to 4 free admissions for every visit, unlimited visits, member-discounted pricing on special programs and events (birthday parties excluded) and items in the gift shop.The holder of the trial membership will also receive the museum's newsletter and program updates.

The trial membership is good for two months after the activation date, but you can choose the date that would be most convenient for you! Plan your gift membership to coincide with some of the new programs the museum is offering in 2010, including a new healthy cooking class with Stuffee, and more imaginative stories and crafts.

Holiday fun with kids...

This time of year there are so many imaginative ways to amuse the kids.

Riding around looking at Christmas lights.

My kids think it's the biggest treat to have hot chocolate. Make it with milk and get some extra protein and calcium in.

Going to Lowes or Home Depot and checking out their Christmas decorations.  We love to look at all the blow up things.

Check out some more cool ideas to keep the busy indoors here.

Got any ideas? Leave a comment below...

Polar Express

Looking for something to do Saturday? Borders is having a Polar Express party Saturday at 11am.  Come in your pajamas {the kids that is - not the grown ups} and join in the party, make crafts, have fun!

Christmas Parade

This Saturday, November 21st is Schenectady's Christmas Parade.  Starts at 5pm at the community college and goes up State St to Lafayette St.

I have never been but I have heard such good things I think I have to go this year!

Fancy Nancy

Fancy Nancy party this Saturday 11am at your local Borders!!  Story time and activities.

While you're there, buy a holiday beverage and get 1 50% off.

Fun, fun, fun AND adult conversation

What are you doing November 13th?  Albany Mommy is hosting a great Mommy "Mix & Mingle" networking night at Tumbling Tykes!

It's $5 for kids and $5 for adults.  What to do get for your $5?  Kids get to play in the supervised play area and are fed pizza and juice by the Tumbling Tykes staff and Moms/Women get 2.5 hours of ADULT conversation!!  Yeah, over 2 hours of adult conversation with other Moms and women!  When else can you get that?!?! 

We'll have finger foods for the grown ups and lots of grown ups to talk to.  Want to talk to other Moms?  Want to tell people about your business? Want to get out of the house?  We gotcha' covered!  So many local Moms own and run businesses and do it with their kids in tow, this is a great opportunity to tell others.  So many Moms want to get out and meet other Moms {that would be ME!} and have some fun.

You can buy your tickets on line hereor at Tumbling Tykes. {Tickets will not be mailed, just print your on line receipt and bring that with you}  Children's spots are limited and most be reserved ahead. 

Interested in sponsoring the event and really getting your business out there? Find out more info here.  Sponsors are nice enough to help keep the costs down for kids! Daniellehas already signed on as a sponsor, thanks Danielle!

Fun time today!

Goold Orchards is having a pirate and princess party today {Saturday} from 1pm-3pm!  They are going to get started a little earlier with tons of fun things - car seat checks, activities for kids, treasure hunt and more!  They will be holding this event under a tent if there is rain!

2 Sisters Tutus will be there selling tutus and other princess items. Including a few Halloween costume tutus - pumpkins, witches, angels, Tinkerbell, and so much more...  They will also have a limited number of Albany Mommy discount cards at their table. Stop by and check them out!

Pirates & Princesses!

This coming Saturday, October 3rd, from 11am-4pm Goold's Orchard is hosting an incredible Kids Play day.  Lots of fun things to do including a Pirate & Princess party with Radio Disney!

There will be car seat checks, Disney costume party from 1-3pm, treasure hunt, and so much more!  Don't have a costume?  2 Sisters Tutus will be there selling tutus! 

HarvestFest today

Today {Sunday} is the HarvestFest at the Crossings in Colonie!  So much fun - pony rides, caricatures, clowns, balloon making, wagon rides, petting zoo, vendors, and more.

Albany Mommy will have a booth there.  I'll be selling the brand new Albany Mommy discount cards!  Get discounts for local businesses when you buy the card.  The introductory price is only $25 while we build our list of discounts. AND - the first 100 sold have no expiration date, you can use them for years!!

See you there!