by Shelly on June 11, 2018 Leave a Comment

Events Happening at the Indiana State Museum This Summer

Events Happening at the Indiana State Museum This Summer- There is no shortage of fun going on in Indianapolis this summer for families. Here is the line up for June through August. There is so much that I will be posting another one at the beginning of August for all the Fall happenings. Be sure to check out all the free events as well!

Events Happening at Indiana State Museum This Summer

Summer – June through August

ISM Program: Canal Nights

When: 6 to 8 p.m., June 6, 13, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25
Price: Free
What: Canal Nights at the Indiana State Museum are nights of free, family-friendly fun along the canal just outside the museum entrance. Enjoy games, engineering activities, science challenges and more. Themes include STEAM Night, Water Science, Build It! and other themes. A full list of themes by date can be found at www.indianamuseum.org/family-and-camps.

ISM Experience: Hoosier Salon

When: Aug. 3 – Oct. 14
Price: Included with admission.
What: Now in its 94^th year, the annual Hoosier Salon returns to the Indiana State Museum this summer and fall. The juried exhibition of recent art by Indiana’s best artists will be on display from Aug. 3 to Oct. 14, and the art will be available for purchase. The Hoosier Salon is a statewide nonprofit artist-service organization based in Indianapolis, with galleries in Carmel and New Harmony.

NEW ISM Program: Small Wonders

When: 10 to 11 a.m., June 13, 16; July 18, 21; Aug. 15, 18
Price: $9/members, $12/non-members
What: Small Wonders invites parents, grandparents and caregivers to bring their 3- to 5-year-olds to learn, play and discover in the museum. Our monthly program will build your child’s sense of wonder and playfulness as they engage in storytelling, hands-on activities, music, movement, art and gallery exploration. This class is for 3- to 5-year-olds and an adult.

NEW ISM Program: Young Explorers

When: 1 to 2:30 p.m., June 16; July 21; Aug. 18
Price: $10/members, $13/non-members
What: Be a big kid and join us for these 90 minute drop-off classes that encourage creativity, exploration, and independence in an environment that fosters curiosity and imagination. Themes include “Sensing the World Around Me,” “Bees & Bugs,” and “Backyard Animals.” This class is for 4- to 6-year-olds.

NEW ISM Program: Exploring Abstraction with art therapist Lauren King

When: 1 to 3 p.m., July 15
Price: $20/member, $25/non-member
What: Explore the artwork of Lois Main Templeton, how it relates to your own lives and how it can be used as a method of self-expression. Participants will engage with the artwork on display visually, verbally, and through their own art responses. The first portion of the workshop will be in the gallery space examining artwork, followed by artmaking and discussion led by an art therapist. Each participant will create their own art response using line, shape and color to express emotion.

NEW ISM Event: Building Indiana

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 14
Price: Free for members, included with admission
What: This family-friendly event encourages a child’s passion for construction, a fascination with building things and taking things apart, and an interest in structures, big and tall. Budding architects, builders and engineers will test their hand at design and engineering challenges, learn from local experts and hear how they turned their hobbies and passion into a career, and even investigate construction trucks up close. More info to follow.

Corydon Capitol State Historic Site: Murder Mystery Dinner

When: 6 to 9 p.m., Aug. 18
Price: $25/person, includes dinner; for those ages 15+
What: Join us for a killer time at our popular murder mystery. Each guest is given a character involved in the mystery. This is an interactive mystery but there are no speeches to give or lines to memorize. Dinner is a full-course meal following this year’s theme, Ancient Rome. Reservations are required and sell out quickly. To make reservations, call 812-738-4890.

Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site: Clue Party

When: July 28, in the evening
Price: $30/person, reservations required by calling 812-944-9600
What: Was it Colonel Mustard in the library? Or Mr. Culbertson in the Blue Room? Can you figure out the real-life game of Clue? Make your way through the Culbertson Mansion and find the hidden clues to reveal who-done-it, where, and why. Costumes are HIGHLY encouraged. This costume party hosts light hors d’oeuvres and batch cocktails associated with the film, which will also play during the event. Prizes will be given for solving the mystery and for best costume.

Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site: An Evening in Gene’s Gardens

When: 8 to 10 p.m., June 9
Price: $35, for adults 21+
What: Enjoy an elegant evening in Gene’s “Tame” garden with luminaries providing atmosphere under the light of a full moon. The “Tame” garden is home to hundreds of species of plants – many planted by Gene herself! Live music, wine tasting and white chocolate-dipped strawberries will add to the romance of the evening.

Lanier Mansion State Historic Site: Music at the Mansion

When: 7 to 9 p.m., June 9; July 14; Aug. 11; and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 8.
Price: Free
What: Enjoy free summer nights of music outside of the beautiful Lanier Mansion. Bring a blanket or chairs and pack a picnic to enjoy while taking in the sounds of different bands in a gorgeous location. Bands will include the Sycamore Community Band, Juggernaut Jug Band, Lick Creek Band, and Small Time Napoleon.

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site: Inside the Levi & Catharine Coffin House: A Poetry Workshop

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., August 25
Price: $10/adult, $8/senior (site admission); reservations are required and can be made by calling 765-847-1691.
What: Join Indiana poet Shari Wagner for a special one day poetry workshop at the Levi & Catharine Coffin State Historic Site. This workshop for adults allows participants to express their reactions to the Coffin story through poetry. Learn about poetry prompts and models, along with gaining tools for collaborative and individual writing exercises. As part of the workshop, participants will tour both the Coffin Interpretive Center and the 1839 Coffin home. This event is supported by the Indiana Arts Commission.

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site: Meet the Author Talk and Tour with Randall Wisehart

When: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., July 21
Price: $12/adults; $10/seniors; $7/youth
What: Join Richmond, Indiana, author Randall Wisehart for a special guided tour of the Levi & Catharine Coffin house in Fountain City. The site is celebrating the re-release of his young adult novel Luke’s Summer Secret. While on a guided tour of the Coffin house, Wisehart will talk about how the house and the Coffin story are used in his novel. Tour participants will also learn how the Coffin home was used as a safe place for freedom seekers, or runaway slaves, on their journey through Indiana.

Limberlost State Historic Site: Independence Day “Birds of Prey” Program

When: 2 to 3 p.m., July 4
Price: Free (donations encouraged)
What: Come to the Limberlost State Historic Site to celebrate America’s birthday with a bird of prey program. The presentation will include a live bald eagle, hawk and owl. A PowerPoint presentation about the bald eagle will be offered in the visitor center classroom.

New Harmony State Historic Site: Say’s Firefly Party

When: Evening (specific time TBD), July 2
Price: Free
What: Join a party to celebrate the designation of Say’s Firefly as Indiana’s official state insect. New Harmony scientist Thomas Say first discovered and described this type of firefly in the 1820s. The party will take place in the evening so visitors can watch the beautiful flickering of the fireflies.

Vincennes State Historic Sites: Indiana Frontier Day

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 18
Price: $5/adult, $2/youth under 12
What: Experience life during the time of the Indiana Frontier. This interactive program at the site of Fort Knox II will give visitors the chance to learn about different aspects of life, work, and play during the early 1800s. Special events throughout the day – including a Tecumseh-Harrison debate, a kids militia, weapons demonstrations, a duel, and a dance – will take place throughout the day as well.

by Shelly on June 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

Summer schedule for your preschooler- This summer I wanted to try something different with my 4 year old Sophia. Because there will be a lot of change in our schedule with not going to school and the new baby being born in July, I wanted to have a weekly calendar we could loosely follow so she understands what to expect. During the school year she did well with knowing which days we were going to the YMCA (my work) vs. which days she had school so I had a simple calendar up on the fridge that she could check each morning. I do believe summers are for more freedom and play but I know that our daughter does very well with routine. She feels more confident when she knows what to expect throughout the week without having to ask us.

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

For this weekly calendar I wanted to use it to work on her learning the order of the days of the week as well as be able to follow a chart with data. It printed on two pages so I cut it and taped it together to make one larger sheet. It was simple to make on Google Sheets and I am not posting this for download because these images are not mine to sell. I wanted to be able to give an example of how you can make your own to fit your family’s needs.

When I introduced this schedule to Sophia I let her know that nothing, other than the YMCA times, are set in stone. I let her know that the breakfast, snacks and activities are suggestions that we can change based on what she’s hungry for or what she wants to do. Of course she got excited to see the smoothie as a breakfast option and said she wanted to have that every morning for breakfast.

No TV During the Week

We are continuing with our ‘no TV’ rule during the week even though it’s summer because she is so creative and imaginative without the crutch of the TV. We have Friday Family Movie Night each week and we often will let her watch cartoons in the morning on Saturday and one more show or movie on Sunday while we work on a project. I did add computer time on this schedule because we bought the ABC Mouse learning game and want her to become familiar with using a mouse and figuring out computer games on her own. Once the school year begins we will add a few more advanced games to help with coding. You’ll notice that I made sure her chores were on the same day as the computer time and she is not allowed to get on the computer until she finishes them.

Chores for Your Preschooler

We only have three chores listed on her summer schedule because the other ‘chores’ are expected. Folding and putting away her clean laundry, emptying all the trash bins and cleaning up all toys/books/crafts are the three chores she’s responsible for. She will not get allowance for these chores but will get to do fun activities if she completes them. TIP: schedule your children’s chores around your chores. We do all laundry on Sunday/Monday which is why I have it set for her to put all of her clothes away on Tuesday. I have her picking up all toys/books/crafts on Friday because that is the day I vacuum and need all floors picked up.

Free Family Fun at Canal Nights in Indianapolis

Free Family Fun at Canal Nights in Indianapolis- Free, family-friendly fun returns to the Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum beginning June 6 during Canal Nights and the Summer Under the Sails concert series. Both events are free and open to the public, and they take place on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer along the Downtown Canal outside the museums.

(photo credit)

Free summer fun kicks off June 6 at Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum

The Indiana State Museum’s Canal Nights take place outside the museum’s canal entrance from 6 – 8 p.m. and will feature a variety of topics, from nature play and game nights, to STEAM or Build It! nights. The programming is all free to the public. Before Canal Nights, visitors are invited to see the newest experiences, “Frozen Reign,” “First Nations,” and “The R.B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab” – all included with general admission and open until 5 p.m.

The Eiteljorg Museum’s Summer Under the Sails concert series returns every Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. in June and July, as well as August 1. Enjoy food, drink, activities and free live music in the Eiteljorg Museum gardens along the Downtown Canal. Admission to the museum is also free these evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Inside the museum, see the blockbuster exhibit on Hollywood movie and TV Westerns, The Reel West.

Canal Nights

The dates, themes and concerts for the different nights are as follows:

June 6

Indiana State Museum – STEAM Night: Explore the relationship between science and art and everything in between with hands-on activities, engineering challenges and games.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: The Tillers (String Band, Americana, Bluegrass)

June 13

Indiana State Museum – Nature Play Day: Come play with natural materials, stroll through the Watanabe Gardens, and discover the wonders of nature in our very own backyard.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Tim Brickley & The List (60s and 70s hits)

June 20

Eiteljorg Museum concert: Emily Ann Thomspon (Jazz)

June 27

Indiana State Museum – Build It!: How high can you build it? Or how fast can you knock it down? Try building, making and constructing at Build It! Night.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Soundz of Santana (Carlos Santana Tribute)

July 4

Indiana State Museum – Boom and Sparkle: Enjoy art and science programming inspired by fireworks.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Heartstone Crossing (Popular Music Covers)

July 11

Indiana State Museum – Water Science: Cool off with science experiments and activities all about water.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: My Yellow Rickshaw (Popular Music Covers)

July 18

Indiana State Museum – Game Night + Member Night: Join us for fun games and activities for the whole family. Work together as a team or bring out your competitive side at Game Night.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Pavel & Direct Contact (Latin Music)

July 25

Indiana State Museum – Jump, Skip and Play: Explore fun ways to get moving with games, activities and challenges.
Eiteljorg Museum concert: Tad Robinson (Blues)

Aug 1

Eiteljorg Museum concert: il Troubadore (Sci-Fi and World Music)

(photo credit)

For a full listing of programming at the Indiana State Museum, visit indianamuseum.org. For more information about the Eiteljorg Museum’s concert series, visit Eiteljorg.org.

# # #

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is located in White River State Park in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. It is Indiana’s museum for science, art and culture, offering a place where you can celebrate, investigate, remember, learn and take pride in Indiana’s story in the context of the broader world. Even the building is a showcase of the best Indiana has to offer in architecture, materials and sculpture. Easy and convenient parking is available in the attached underground garage.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the Indigenous peoples of North America. Located on the Central Canal at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg Museum recently was named one of the USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best Indiana Attractions.

by Shelly on May 21, 2018 1 Comment

These Beach Essentials Are All Under $25

Beach Essentials and Pool Toys- A day at the beach is not always ‘a day at the beach’. Things can go upside down quickly if you’re not prepared with the right gear. With these beach essentials and pool toys there will be no reason to not hit the waves this summer! Head over quick while prices are under $25.

Beach Essentials

Beach Toys:

Kites for those windy days at the beach. They also work great as chair markers for when you go on a stroll down the beach. Simply tie them to your chair or umbrella and you’ll be able to spot it from far away.

Sand Molds for the perfect sand castle. Dig a trench from the ocean up to your sand sculpture building area for a constant supply of water at the ready.

Sand Baking Set for making the perfect sand pies and soups for lunchtime!

Beach Gear:

Sand Chair for those afternoon snack times and the perfect way to cool off. Simply place your chair at the base of the waves and feel a refreshing sense of cool water every few seconds.

Sand Coasters to keep drinks from spilling or to use as a little bowl for small hand snacks.

Inflatable Lounge to help encourage kids to get out in the ocean.

Mesh Toy Bag to help keep your home and car sand free. Simply pile in the toys and give it a good shake before heading inside.

Sand Blanket to keep off the sand. Get one with weighted sand pockets so you can fill them while at the beach to hold your blanket down.

As DIY Mama editors, we write about stuff we love and we think you’ll like too. DIY Mama often has affiliate partnerships, so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

by Shelly on July 6, 2017 22 Comments

5 Tips for Throwing a Neighborhood Summer BBQ

5 Tips for Throwing a neighborhood summer BBQ- This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SeeHowFreshWorks #CollectiveBias

On every summer bucket list you can find ‘BBQ’. Every time we move, we look for a neighborhood that is full of kids playing outside and neighbors chatting on the side walk. This summer we were lucky enough to host the neighborhood summer BBQ in our back yard. Being my first neighborhood party, I learned a few tricks that I wanted to share with you.

Tips for Hosting a Neighborhood Summer BBQ:

DON’T DO ALL THE FOOD YOURSELF

Have everyone bring a different side dish or dessert. If the crowd is large, separate dish types by last name. For example, have A-I bring sides J-N bring drinks O-R bring snacks and S-Z bring dessert. This way, you’ll only have to handle the main dish.

HAVE A DESIGNATED DRINK AND SNACK STATION

This helps with the flow and can be set up away from the food. Depending on the size of the crowd, you could also have a special table with just kid’s drinks and another one just for adults!

HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES

Turn up the tunes and have games such as , whistle helicopters, frisbees, bags set, hoolahoops, bubbles, footballs, sprinklers, chalk, scooters and a tub with water for super soakers. On hot summer days the water games are most popular. We also had a suntan/bug spray station to keep everyone protected while playing outside.

HAVE FOOD OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE

Because we want to be sensitive to everyone’s health needs we were sure to provide options for everyone. For example, we had a set of ribs with no BBQ, plane baked sweet potatoes, salad and had a fruit salad as a dessert option. Because I know how hard it is to stay away from the cookies and brownies, I always bring my famous fruit salad. I’ve never brought any leftovers home!

Summer Fruit Salad Recipe

Ingredients

Strawberries (1 large container)
Kiwi
Mandarin Oranges (1 8oz can)
Pineapple (cut a fresh one for best results)
Red Grapes
Blueberries (small container)
Blackberries (small container)
Lemon Juice (a 3 second squirt)
Honey (5 second squirt)

See the video below for how to mix my Summer Fruit Salad:

TIP: My biggest secret for this delicious summer fruit salad is keeping the fruit fresh until the weekend in my Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™ produce container. Two reasons I use my FreshWorks containers over all others are:

That they have a Crisp Tray™ which elevates produce away from moisture and promotes proper airflow to help prevent spoilage. The FreshVent™ technology allows excess CO2 to escape, delaying produce spoilage. My strawberries stay fresh all week after my routine grocery trip on Sunday morning.

Lid, container, and tray are dishwasher safe and BPA free. Quick to clean and non-toxic for my family.

MAKE CLEAN UP SIMPLE

Having several designated areas for trash makes it easier on you! If you are using disposable plates and utensils, it will make clean-up a snap because everyone will be “pitching-in.” At the end of the night, wash a few containers that held your main dishes and that’s it!

Now that I’ve hosted my first Summer Neighborhood BBQ at our new house, I’m already planning next summer’s 4th of July Bash! Find more Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™ inspiration and learn about how the product works here. No more throwing out moldy strawberries after one week! You can also get $2 off FreshWorks™ produce containers while supplies last with this link.

Here is how you can find Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™ next time you’re at a Kroger near you:

Pin for later:

Events Happening at the Indiana State Museum This Summer

Events Happening at Indiana State Museum This Summer

Summer – June through August

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

No TV During the Week

Chores for Your Preschooler

Free Family Fun at Canal Nights in Indianapolis

Free summer fun kicks off June 6 at Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum

Canal Nights

The dates, themes and concerts for the different nights are as follows:

These Beach Essentials Are All Under $25

Beach Essentials

Beach Toys:

Beach Gear:

5 Tips for Throwing a Neighborhood Summer BBQ

Tips for Hosting a Neighborhood Summer BBQ:

DON’T DO ALL THE FOOD YOURSELF

HAVE A DESIGNATED DRINK AND SNACK STATION

HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES

HAVE FOOD OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE

Summer Fruit Salad Recipe

MAKE CLEAN UP SIMPLE

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