Kid Archives • Page 6 of 21 • diy mama

by Shelly on March 5, 2019 2 Comments

Defy Indy for Active Kids

Defy Indy for Active Kids- Defy Indy is the ultimate extreme air experience! We were invited to check out the new Defy Indy in Castleton area today. As soon as we stepped through the doors we could feel the excitement with the music bumping and the kids jumping we knew we were going to have a great time.

Defy Indy is no average trampoline park. It’s got everything you could dream of at a aerial park and so much more. Like most, you’ve got to sign the waiver (which you can do before hand online) and then check in for your time slot. Depending on the age of the jumper and the time you want to jump you’ll spend anywhere from $12-32 for up to two hours of fun. They also have several ways to get discounted tickets through their
KidJump, Family Night, College Night or season passes. Their activities tab has a great list of fun ways to spend your time at Defy Indy. They also host summer camp and Birthday Parties!

We’re really an extreme aerosports facility. We like to refer to ourselves as Skyzone on steroids -GM Greg Schofield

Favorite Parts of Defy Indy

When I asked Sophia what her favorite part was, she sat thinking for a full minute and finally responded ‘everything!!’ There were familiar things to do like jumping on a trampoline but there were also brand new obstacles she’s never tried before. I was most impressed by her jumping off this HUGE platform that had three tiers. She started on the second one and was very nervous but after one big breath and a countdown she jumped! The very next time I suggested the highest platform and she did it! I wanted to show her how proud I was of her for trying something scary so when she suggested I jump I went right away to the second tier and was terrified! I couldn’t do the highest platform which makes me so much more proud that she was able to conquer that fear.

Best Time to Visit

During the morning was an awesome time to visit because it wasn’t over crowded with bigger kids at birthday parties. They have a under 6 jump from 9-10 that was perfect. Of course jumping with friends is so much better so she made several friends while we were there and wants to go back tomorrow.

Defy Indy also has discounted home school prices and options to have your school class or group come to jump. They even have a slumber party option where you can stay over night! How cool would that be for a girl scout group or Mom’s group!?

Defy Indy Venue

I was very impressed with how clean Defy Indy was. There was plenty of seating around the lower level as well as seating in the upper level for parents or kids to take a rest. As a mom with a little one it’s hard to always keep up with our 5 year old so I very much appreciated the open concept of the venue. I was able to look across the entire area and see clearly where my daughter was. Free lockers are available for your belongings. They have vending machines and a water fountain if you forget your water bottle. If you’re interested in hosting a party there are three room with tables and refrigeration. They provide staff to help with clean up for the parties as well! I’m thinking there may be an un-birthday in the works for Sophia this summer because she so badly wants to have all her friends there with her to jump.

For more information about Defy Indy, check out their website or call 317-520-5030. Feel free to ask me any questions as well!

jump@defyindianapolis.com 8356 Masters Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250

by Shelly on February 6, 2019 Leave a Comment

Loving Our Hearts at Goldfish Swim School

**This post is sponsored by Goldfish Swim School, though all opinions are my own.

Loving Our Hearts at Goldfish Swim School- Sometimes it feels like I’m always nagging our daughter to do things. Because she is only five, she needs lots of reminders. Thankfully healthy habits aren’t something I need to remind her about because she’s constantly dancing or skipping or begging to play outside. However, in the midwest, it’s difficult to get outside everyday which is why I signed her up for swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School.

Goldfish Swim School practices Heart Health month February DIY Mama — We LOVE Goldfish Swim School

February is Heart Health Month and we’ve been very focused on moving our bodies. We all relate February to groundhogs, presidents and love but having healthy hearts should be at the top of that list.

I want to give you three reasons we LOVE swimming at Goldfish Swim School

3 Reasons We Love Swimming

Safety- Our top reason for enrolling both daughters in swimming lessons is the comfort we’ll have in knowing they’ll know how to save their selves if they fall in water. Serious damage can happen in a matter of minutes to someone who doesn’t know how to swim. During the summer months we spend more time in and around water: on the beach, on the boat, at the pool or lake; we wanted to get a head start on our safe swimming skills.

Friendship- It’s hard to make friends, especially when you’re home-schooled. Our five year old has never met a stranger and makes friends easily when we’re out adventuring. I love that with Goldfish Swim School she sees the same friends each week so she can have a stronger bond with kids her age.

Fun- swimming is fun exercise! It’s great for all ages because it’s low impact and reduces stress. At Goldfish Swim School kids can start swimming as early as four months. I’m able to take both girls and also get a little time in the pool myself with my six month old. They’re both learning critical skills while having fun at the same time!

If you’re considering swim lessons for your child, please feel free to ask me any questions! I would not promote Goldfish Swim School if I didn’t love what they teach my girls.

Your first visit as a member you’ll receive these awesome gifts! You will also receive a Tshirt or Swim Diaper depending on the age of your child.

***

We offer swimming lessons for kids ages 4 months and older, our own Swim Force swim team, Family Swim time for the entire family, week-long Jump Start Clinics and Open Swim times. Find a location near you and sign up for swimming lessons today! On the fence? Our WOW! customer service, 90-degree pool water and atmosphere will help you decide.

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by Shelly on January 31, 2019 2 Comments

Summer Art Camp at Line + Form Atelier

Summer art camps fill up in January and I’ve got a few lined up for Sophia but I am most excited for her week with LINE+form Atelier! I’ll be working with them this summer in promoting their awesome camps in exchange for Soph to be able to join in the Fairy + Unicorn Camp. In truth, there are several summer camps I’d like to join! Wizarding Camp?!

LINE+form Atelier is a process-based, community art studio providing a wide variety of art classes for guests of all ages. They focus on nurturing your innate creativity, and encouraging curiosity and imagination through art exploration!

Line + Form Atelier

I love that the emphasis is on the process of creating rather than the product. This lesson is hard for all ages but is important to emphasize in our children. Hopefully being around other creatives will inspire her to take joy in the process as well as the product.

Summer Art Camp

This summer they are offering 7 weeks of camp for children ages 5-12 and 6 class sessions for teens ages 13+. Camp is held Monday-Thursday for younger students, and Fridays for teens. Full day camp hours are 9-3pm and half-day is 9-noon.

In addition to all of the creative fun we have in the studio- we also take frequent play breaks outside in our garden space, nature walks, practice yoga and mindful mediation, and we even love the occasional Just Dance brain break!

Summer Art Camp themes for summer 2019 are as follows:
Insect+Bee Camp June 10-13th
Unicorn+Fairy CampJune 17-20th
Art in MotionJune 24-27th
Street Art CampJuly 8-11th
Fashion Design Camp July 15-18th
Anime+Comic Camp July 22-25th
Wizarding World CampJuly 29-31st

A full description of each of these can be found on their website.

PS! There is a sibling discount that applies automatically at checkout 🙂

I instantly felt like fast friends when I met Frances and am so excited to meet the rest of the team this summer!

The Line+form Atelier team is dedicated to providing you with the best service possible every time you enter the studio. Our staff consists of art educators, museum and gallery directors, art therapy students, and working artists dedicated to meeting all of your creative needs. Whether it’s facilitating an adult workshop or hosting your child’s birthday party, our staff promises to go above and beyond, warmly welcoming your family into our beautiful studio space.

Photos courtesy of Line + Form Atelier

by Shelly on January 10, 2019 Leave a Comment

Free Family Fun Around Indy on MLK Jr. Day

It’s a wonderful time to gather family and visit one of the businesses in the Indianapolis area who honor Dr. King with free admission. Many of the locations offer MLK Jr. activities to learn more about his accomplishments as well as offer their other exhibits free to check out.

INDIANA STATE MUSEUM and HISTORIC SITES

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites will offer free admission at its locations statewide in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

In Indianapolis, admission will be free for all visitors, with donation of a canned food item to Gleaner’s Food Bank strongly encouraged. Special activities will be offered at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis to commemorate the holiday, and visitors will also have access to all of the museum’s experiences, including Cardboard Engineering, Frozen Reign and the museum’s other galleries.

At the museum’s other locations, admission will be free for visitors to enjoy the everyday experience at the historic sites, but no canned goods will be collected.

Please note, Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, New Harmony State Historic Site and Whitewater Canal State Historic Site have seasonal hours and are currently closed.

WHAT: At the Indiana State Museum, celebrate Dr. King’s dream and explore the struggle for civil rights. Watch videos highlighting Dr. King’s most iconic speeches, write thank-you notes to Dr. King, create your own protest poster inspired by issues you care about, or explore what you’d be willing to march for by tracing your shoe and adding your own footprint to our “march.” Plus, share your hopes for the future on our dream mural and reflect on how you see different people from society – and how they might see you, too.

WHEN: Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington, St., Indianapolis

PRICE: Free with donation of a canned good item

Martin Luther King Jr Day at Indiana State Museum — MLK Jr. Video at Indiana State Museum

CONNER PRAIRIE

Join us for a day of activities that illustrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s vision of what could be accomplished through non-violent protest. We’ll look back through history as well as asking you how you would protest an injustice.
Events and Activities
Freedom Summer: 1964
Anything Can Happen Theater will be an additional activity in Woodland North. Using a box of props, interpreters will periodically lead younger guests in imaginative play.
11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. in Lilly Theater (15 minutes)

Mr. Daniel’s Music
Conner Prairie welcomes back Mr. Daniel, a local favorite, for classic songs of protest from the 1960s to contemporary.
11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. in Lilly Theater (20 minutes)

Willa Brown, Aviatix
Willa Brown started her career as a teacher after attending Indiana State Teachers College. Looking for greater challenges, she went on to become the first African-American woman to become a licensed pilot and the first woman in the US to be both a licensed pilot and mechanic. She went on to train some of the Tuskegee Airmen, along with running for Congress and working as an activist.
10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. in Create.Connect (15 minutes)

Ongoing Throughout the Day
Family Board Games – in Delaware classroom
Imagination Playground – in Woodland North activity hall

Archaeology: Black, White or Both – Can you tell which artifacts might have come from a historic African American community, a White community or would have appeared in either community? – outside Lilly Theater

Tree of Dreams – In one of his most famous speeches, MLK told of his dreams for the future. Share your dreams for the future. – downstairs, near the elevator

Gallery of Non-violent Protest, Past and Present – outside Discovery Station
How would you protest injustice?

Draw a picture, write a poem, share with others what you would do to protest an injustice. – outside Discovery Station

Craft Corner – Help with a collaborative art project.

Food & Beverage – in Overlook activity hall

Indianapolis Zoo

Although the Zoo is usually closed on Mondays in January, they open to celebrate the remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King. The ‘hardier’ animals as the Zoo says will be outside for anyone braving the weather, and in keeping with other White River State Park properties, FREE admission will be granted to anyone with a donation of a non-perishable food item for Gleaners Food Bank.

Date/Time: Monday, January 21 at opening

Sports Legends Experience at Children's Museum of Indianapolis — Sports Legends Experience at The Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

The museum opens its doors with FREE admission to all children and families to celebrate the life, achievements, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Listen to storyteller Portia Jackson speak about courageous children from the Civil Rights Movement
Enjoy music from The Griot Drum Ensemble

Let freedom ring!

Visit Tips

FREE admission is from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; special activities end at 3 p.m.
There will be extra lunch seating in the Sack Lunch area located on Level 1.
Learn more about parking at the museum on our Parking Tips page.
Make the most of your day by reviewing the rest of our Visit Tips.

EITELJORG MUSEUM

Admission to the Eiteljorg Museum and other White River State Park WRSP venues is FREE on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 21, with the donation of a non-perishable food item to Gleaners Food Bank. FREE admission. Guests will enjoy a last chance to see the amazing model train exhibit, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, plus a fun-filled time in R.B. Annis Western Family Experience and the opportunity to enjoy a delicious Western flare meal in the Eiteljorg Museum Cafe.

Date/Time: Monday, January 21. 10am-5pm

Eiteljorg Museum Indianapolis — Eiteljorg Museum

NEWFIELDS: Speaking of Love

Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Newfields campus. Immerse yourself in experiences presented by youth of Tan-Za-Mania Dance Company, Indy Pulse poets and the Teen Arts Council. See a debut performance of excerpts from Village Voices: Notes from the Griot, directed by Indy native Joshua Allen Thompson. Requested donation items include canned goods, personal care items and art supplies.

Date/Time: Monday, January 21 1-4 Free with donation to MLK Community Center

INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, enjoy programs, service activities and free admission to the Indiana Experience. Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on this day to serve their neighbors and communities. Join us on this National Day of Service to learn more about homelessness in our community, and lend a hand with our projects.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Madam Walker Legacy Center | 10 a.m. to noon
Join the Madam Walker Legacy Center for their MLK Day of Celebration festivities at the History Center as the Walker Theatre undergoes an exciting renovation.

Collecting and Storytelling of the Civil Rights Movement | 12:45 p.m.
Feel free to bring your own civil rights mementos and participate in a discussion with IHS Coordinator of African-American History Susan L. Hall-Dotson about the importance of sharing and preserving your memories of the civil rights movement.

Griot Drum Ensemble | 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy high-energy African-influenced drumming, dance and storytelling at its best. Hear wonderful African folktales accompanied by mellow traditional instruments. Participate in the music and learn about traditional African instruments.

First Aid Kit Packing | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us as we pack care packages to benefit the HealthNet Homeless Initiative.

Write a Letter | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Write an encouraging letter or draw a picture for someone experiencing homelessness.

Make Your Own Activism Poster | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Learn about current causes to engage in and organizations that have stood up to fight throughout history.

Homelessness Talk | 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Join the HealthNet Homeless Initiative Program to find out more about what causes homelessness in our city and what you can do to help.

Local Speech, Global Reach | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take in a traveling exhibit to honor the 50th anniversary of King’s death and Kennedy’s speech created by IHS and the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative.

Library Case Exhibits | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take a look at items relating to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement from the IHS collections and items from the Madam C.J. Walker Collection.

In partnership with Madam Walker Legacy Center

by Shelly on December 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

Prepping for Kindergarten with Playmobil

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PlayWithPlaymobil #CollectiveBias

Prepping for Kindergarten- I loved playing with Playmobil as a kid and they have continued to put out great toys for our kid’s generation. The school bus toy is getting my daughter excited for her year at Kindergarten next year and I couldn’t be more pleased for her.

Hover over the image to shop for the School Bus play set

Playmobil makes toy sets that are perfect for kids 4+. My daughter is 5 and she was able to follow the instructions to put all the stickers where they go and put the backpacks on the little students. Her favorite part of any toy is getting it set up. The Playmobil School Bus had the perfect amount of set up for her to not get frustrated before she got to play with the toy.

Prepping for Kindergarten

There are three things we’re doing to prep Sophia for kindergarten next year.

Making sure we know what they’re teaching in her grade. The Indiana Department of Education lists out exactly what she’ll be learning next year so she’ll be confident in what she already knows.
Working on meeting friends and all that comes with friendship. As she has been an only child until a couple months ago we wanted her to have lots of interaction with kids to learn sharing, compromise, empathy and kindness.
Preparation of what’s to come. She’s most excited to ride the bus so we pretend play with her Playmobil school bus. Her favorite thing is to take it outside on the driveway, make chalk roads and drive it along waiting for the real school bus to drop off the neighbor kids. The bus drivers in our neighborhood know her name because she has now made friends with them all in her excitement to start school next year. I’m so glad she’s excited about going to school. When I ask what she’s most excited for, her response is always ‘RIDING THE SCHOOL BUS!’ Her enthusiasm for school will hopefully make it less difficult for me to watch her ride off on her first day.

Walmart carries a large variety of the Playmobil sets for very affordable prices. We found sets from their City Life, The Explorers, Dinos and Family Fun lines. I love that they have sets that you can build onto to make as elaborate as your imagination can dream. You can see lots of different ways kids and their parents play with Playmobil here.

Playmobil Makes a Great Gift

Playmobil has been making toys in the US since 1974. My parents saved the Playmobil farm set my sister and I played with as kids and now my daughter and nieces love playing with them! The high quality characters move easily and all of the toys are manipulative. On this school bus the lid can be taken off and the lights work. It’s the little details that make kids love Playmobil sets so much. At 5, my daughter is the perfect age to begin playing with the school bus and we’ll be getting her the playground set to go along with it for her birthday because they’re perfect for helping to develop her cognitive and social/emotional skills.

What are some other ways you helped prep your little ones for Kindergarten? The school bus seems to be the thing she’s most excited for so, for now, I’m milking it for all I can!

Tips for a Smooth Back to School

Homeschool Field Trips Around Indianapolis

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