Being Savvy: Activities, things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Silicon Valley, CA

Sharing Time

by Shawn Burns

There's a sign for share. Erin knows it. I'm not sure she understands the concept that clearly though. Everything in the world, so far, is hers. If I ask her to share something she'll give it over pretty readily, but it's a bit of a game; she'll try to take it back almost as soon as she's given it up. But we're practicing. Down at the pool, when she tries to snake somebody's ball or floatie ... Read more >

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Weekend Outlook: September 5-7

by Shawn Burns

Heading into this first weekend of what always seems to be the Fall to me my thoughts turn from the beach and pool and cooling off to other great activities for us here in the Valley. Although we'll be hitting the pool many more times before the month is out, it isn't our "go to" move now. So if you are like us and want to get out and do something beyond just soaking your head in the sprinlker ... Read more >

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List Day: First Day of Pre-school

by Shawn Burns

Happy Day-after-Labor-Day! In my ancient homeland (Canada) this day is the national go-back-to-school day for everyone. So I always get a little autumnally excited when this day rolls around: I smell pencil shavings and plastic binders, my clothes always feel as though they still have tags on them, my shoes squeak like new, and I can feel the weight of a full, new pad of paper in my hand. For ... Read more >

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Park Day: Burgess

by Shawn Burns

Burgess in Menlo Park is fairly close to home for us. We've taken advantage of its offerings after story times at the library, before and after swimming, before and after lunch in downtown Menlo Park, and on the rare occasion when we have some time after getting off the train. I like that it is heavily shaded, with a tree canopy blocking the noon sun and the tennis court backdrop blocking much ... Read more >

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Gymnastics

by Shawn Burns

Now that the Olympics are over and we've been appropriately inspired by Michael Phelps and Nastia Liukin we can do what thousands of other parents all over the country are doing: enrolling our children in swimming and gymnastics. As I've mentioned before, I bring Erin to the Peninsula Swim School in Redwood City because I like the teachers, the small class sizes, and the facility (covered and ... Read more >

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Heat Wave

by Shawn Burns

We are at the beginning of a short (hopefully) heat wave here in the valley. 90 degrees is a little hot to be going outside to just go play in the park. So, what will you be doing over the next couple of days? What will you be doing that is free? 1. Extra baths. Erin loves bathtime, and she's begun asking for baths in the middle of the day. On hot days like this I absolutely oblige her. 2. ... Read more >

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Weekend Outlook 8/29-8/31

by Shawn Burns

Another week, another weekend. Here are some things you can do with your pre-schooler during this, the last weekend of the month, and what feels like the last weekend of the summer. Friday: In the morning you can enjoy a storytime at the Barnes & Noble in the Pruneyard. This store also offers a pajama story time at 7pm if your kid can stay up that late. Erin can, but she's inherited her ... Read more >

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Cooling Off

by Shawn Burns

How do you cool off? Our national editors have some great ideas for cooling off in the heat. With a heatwave moving into the Silicon Valley this weekend Erin and I will be trying to cool off almost constantly. I love their suggestion to just drop an ice cube down your kid's shirt. I think I'll go do that now... Ok, but today is List Day, which means I get to tell you how to cool off. And I'm ... Read more >

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Park Day: Playtown

by Shawn Burns

Today's Park Day Post is about an indoor park, Playtown at Valley Fair. Playtown is an enclosed (one entryway), rubber-floored obstacle course and playground distraction down by the Lego Store and Build-a-Bear Factory. Within the walls of the lot there are soft row-benches for parents and nannies to sit on while their charges engage in all kinds of running and jumping and sliding and tunnel ... Read more >

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Pool Games

by Shawn Burns

We're heading on down to the pool, and I've been trying to think of a way to switch up the regular pool games kids usually play. For instance, although Marco Polo is a fun game and promotes action in the water rather than simple terrified floating, there seems to be a way to maximize the activity going on beyond the simple calls of "Marco" and "Polo". Counting Polo: Instead of shouting "Marco" ... Read more >

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