Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in silicon valley, CA

July 21, 2009

One of the best things about summer are the long, long days, making it easy for the whole family to take a walk or kick around a few balls in the back yard after dinner. With such nice, warm, sunny evenings, it's no wonder that outdoor summer concerts are such a popular family activity. If you haven't already taken your family to a summer concert, now's the time to try. Pack a picnic dinner, grab a blanket and sweater, and enjoy one of the many outdoor summer concerts around Silicon Valley. There's one for every night of the week!

Monday evenings
Jazz Mondays on Main Street, Redwood City

Tuesday evenings
Campbell Summer Concert Series
Milpitas Summer Concert Series
Twilight Concert Series, Palo Alto

Wednesday evenings
Menlo Park Summer Concert Series
Jazz on the Plazz, Los Gatos
Summer Music and Market, Sunnyvale

Thursday evenings
Mountain View Summer Concert Series
Metro Music in the Park, San Jose
Sounds of the Row, Santana Row
Movies on the Square, Redwood City

Friday evenings
Music on the Square, Redwood City
Rockin on the Patio, AJ Stumps San Jose
Friday Movie Nights, Los Altos

Saturday evenings
Vasona Vibrations Outdoor Music Series
Jazz and Beyond, Sunnyvale
Summer Family Movie Nights, San Jose

Sunday evenings
Music in the Park, Los Gatos

Does your city have a summer concert series not mentioned here? Please email me at bonggamom@yahoo.com; I'd love to add it to the list!

Summer Activities: Exploring the Nighttime Sky

July 20, 2009

Can you believe it, we're more than halfway through the summer already! For some families, the summer camp schedule is in full swing, but for many others trying to make ends meet in this tough economy, a lot of the activities have been the At-Home or Do-It-Yourself guide -- which makes it more of a challenge to keep your child engaged all this time. Has your child begun uttering the dreaded words: I'm bored? Not to worry. We've still got lots of suggestions for summer activities you can do at home with your preschooler. There's a whole wide world out there for you and your child to explore. We've covered nature and the great outdoors, but today we're setting our sights on Infinity and Beyond -- the sky up above. Take it from the PBS Parents Exploration Guide and try these great suggestions for exploring the nighttime sky:

1) Reach for the stars: Allow your child to stay up late one night and observe the moon and stars. If you have a telescope or some binoculars, let your child look at the moon through them. For a fun project, you and your child can chart the position and appearance of the moon over the course of a week or two.

2) Make a "telescope" out of an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll. Then, put glow-in-the-dark stars on the wall and look at them through the "telescope".

3) Use play dough to simulate the surface of the moon. Roll the dough out on a table and push rocks into the dough to make lots of dents for "craters".

Click here to see the full article on PBS, along with their suggestions for more resources and book suggestions. And here are some great activities from our Savvysource Activity archive:

1) Astronomy 101
2) Shooting Stars
3) The Night Sky

Don't forget, our Super WHY giveaway ends at midnight PST, tonight! One lucky Being Savvy Silicon Valley reader will win a DVD of PBS Kids' popular TV series, Super WHY. Click here to enter -- entries will be accepted until midnight (PST) tonight. Good luck! Read more...

Summer Activities: Exploring the Outdoors

July 13, 2009

Last week we got down and dirty when we explored the natural world. This week we're moving back into suburbia -- but still staying outdoors. Because even though a patio, pool or sidewalk might not be considered nature, they're all places to explore. Just being outdoors, with all that natural light, all those smells and sounds, invigorates and energizes a child. You don't need to sign your child up for summer camp to keep him busy; there's a whole summer's worth of outdoor exploration activities you can do on your own. I've taken inspiration from the PBS Parents Exploration Guide and listed a few places you can start:

1) Stones, stones, stones! If you have the space in your yard, create meandering pathways or mazes with stones so your child can skip, hop and explore. You can even take a day to create and decorate some stepping stones.

2) Dirt, dirt, dirt! Start a small veggie and herb garden with your little one; they'll love digging and raking and getting their hands dirty. Then take some time each day to water the plants and watch them grow.

3) Water, water, water! Plan a Water Day and splash around with water balloons, sprinklers or sponges soaked in water. Or go and throw pennies into a fountain (Check this post out for some great fountains in Silicon Valley). Kids love the sound of running water and love to splash their hands -- and feet and anything else that mom or dad will let them.

4) Sand, sand, sand! Plan a Sand Day and find a sandpit where your little one can dig to his heart's content. Or take a day trip to visit the biggest sandpit of all, the beach.

Click here to see the full article on PBS, along with their suggestions for outdoor activities and books. And here are some great activities from our Savvysource Activity archive:

1) Searching for worms
2) Sandcasting
3) Sand Tracks
4) Tricycle Wash
5) Homemade Bubbles

Don't forget, there's still a week left to enter our Super WHY giveaway! One lucky Being Savvy Silicon Valley reader will win a DVD of PBS Kids' popular TV series, Super WHY. Click here to enter -- entries will be accepted until midnight PST on July 20th. Good luck!

Summer Activities: Exploring Nature (And a Giveaway!)

July 06, 2009

July 6: Summer Activities: Exploring Nature (and a giveaway!)

With 401k funds on shaky ground and the threat of unemployment looming everywhere, families are doing all they can to economize and save for a rainy day. This summer, one of the luxuries that families are cutting back on are those pricey summer camps for the kids. But that doesn't mean the long, lazy days of summer need to turn into the long, boring days of summer. With the right planning, you can come up with lots of activities to keep your child engaged and entertained -- and we at Being Savvy Silicon Valley want to help. A couple of weeks ago, we featured some guidelines to help you get started with your own summer reading program. And throughout July and August, we'll be featuring even more tips and tricks for planning all sorts of fun (and inexpensive) activities your child can enjoy this summer.

One great idea for a Do-It-Yourself summer daycamp is to plan activities around an Explorer theme. After all, kids love to explore, and it's a wonderful way for them to learn about the world around them. So for the next three Mondays I'll be featuring some suggestions based on the PBS Parents Exploration guide. Today we're all about exploring nature. It's a big world out there, and here are some great ways to let your child see it all for himself:

1) Use nature as a backdrop for your child's imagination. Set aside part of your backyard for your child to enjoy in his own special way -- making castles, forts, or anything else. If you don't have a backyard, create a "wild box" with rocks, twigs, some sand and seashells or other natural treasures. (Our driveway is lined with a multitude of rocks and pebbles; my daughter loves to gather twigs and leaves and prop them up among the pebbles to fashion little fairy houses)

2) Build a nature project using hammers and nails to shovels and seeds, hoses and houses. Plant a garden, build a trail or look for birds and butterflies. (Two weeks ago we bought some caterpillars and watched them build cocoons and grow into butterflies. It was an amazing experience!)

3) Just open the door to get your little one going -- and growing -- outside. Encourage him to play with other children under the shade of a tree, not a roof. It's that easy to reconnect with nature!

Click here to see the full article on PBS, along with their suggestions for outdoor activities and books. And here are some great activities from our Savvysource Activity archive:

1) Flower Hunt
2) Summer Walk
3) Leaf Collage
4) Nature Collection
5) Bug Catcher Jar

And now, a giveaway -- PBS Kids has generously provided us with one Super WHY DVD for one lucky reader! Super WHY is an entertaining TV show with a unique interactive approach that helps kids learn the fundamentals of reading through colorful, animated storybook adventures. My kids love Super WHY and yours will too!

To enter, simply leave a comment here and share with us what activities you have planned for your children this summer. And for an extra entry, you can tweet or blog about the giveaway -- just leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet or blog entry. Here is a sample tweet you can copy and paste:

Win a Super WHY DVD from @savvySV http://tinyurl.com/kqr48c

The giveaway is open until midnight PST on July 20th, 2009; I will draw a winner at random on July 21st and announce the winner the next day. Good luck! Read more...

Frozen Yogurt in Silicon Valley

June 30, 2009

Exactly one year ago, on June 30th, 2008, my co-editor Shaun ran a post on the coolest places to cool down on the Peninsula, featuring tried-and-true hangouts like Baskin Robbins and Cold Stone Creamery amidst up-and-comers like Red Mango and Fraiche. Well, those two up-and-comers are now the tried-and-true staples of the frozen yogurt craze that's sweeping Silicon Valley. This isn't your everyday frozen yogurt from Costco or IKEA, oh no; the yogurt at these places is organic, probiotic, fat-free and all-natural. And with all the fruit toppings available, you might just be able to justify this cold treat as something that's good for you. I think. For those who like it tart, creamy and oh-so-cold, here's a list of frozen yogurt stores around Silicon Valley:

1) The ever-popular and ever-hip Red Mango has four locations (Palo Alto, San Carlos, Cupertino and San Jose) and four flavors (plain, green tea, pomegranate and tangomonium).

2) Fraiche has stuck to a simple decor and simple list of yogurt flavors (plain, chocolate, and the new pomegranate) and toppings. But with their in-house, made-from-scratch yogurt and quality ingredients like valrhona chocolate, it's no wonder that Fraiche is downtown Palo Alto's froyo hangout.

3) Pinkberry has stores all over Southern Cali; with only one location (Santana Row) to serve all of Northern California, it's no wonder the wait in line can exceed 20 minutes. But with their fresh fruit toppings, not frozen, people say it's worth the wait.

4) Tartini in Cupertino has large selection of flavors, tart and sweet. Taro, lychee, mango.... mmmm, I feel like I'm in the tropics already.

5) Green Cup in San Jose is more than just a self-serve yogurt bar. They pride themselves on their eco-friendly culture-- and I don't mean the yogurt. They use biodegradable cups, spoons, napkins and packaging.

6) Even if being green is a big priority, you don't have to drive all the way down south (and use up all that gas) to get your froyo fix. Culture Yogurt, on Palo Alto's California Avenue, uses eco friendly paper products, lighting and decor. You can even buy reusable yogurt cups and bring them with you the next time. And trust me, there will be a next time.

7) And the winner goes to....... Yogurtland, in Cupertino and San Jose. Their self-serve topping bar is every child's dream. Pull a lever and get sprinkles on your yogurt; what more can you ask for? They've got a vast selection of flavors and toppings, including taro and mochi. And they have a self-serve topping bar. They're cheaper than a good many of the froyo places. And did I mention the self-serve toppings bar?

Do you know of any other frozen yogurt places in Silicon Valley? Leave a comment here to share your favorites -- I for one would love to discover new froyo places (this is one kind of research I really enjoy)!

Read more...

Camping with Little Ones

June 29, 2009

Camping season is in full swing, and my family is joining all the other outdoor-lovers in America by getting ready to pitch the tents, strike the matches and spear the marshmallows. We started our children with backyard camping two years ago and moved on to an actual campsite last year. They enjoyed it so much that we planned a couple of weekend trips this year. Just as outings with children require special planning, so do camping trips. Here are five Must-Have items on my camping list when I camp with my kids:

1) Little Toys
Despite my belief in ability of nature to keep my children occupied, I always like to have a backup plan. So don't forget to grab a couple of Hot Wheels cars or Polly Pockets from the toy bin before you leave home. That way, your little one will have something to entertain himself with when Base Camp has all been explored-out, but they're stuck at Base Camp while mom or dad are cooking, and it's too hot to wander off.

2) A Box to Store Treasures
To a child, a camping trip is like a treasure hunt that lasts for as long as you're in the outdoors. There are shells and stones and feathers and trinkets galore, just waiting to be found -- so make sure your child has somewhere special to keep them. And when the camping trip is over, he'll have his special box that he can open to let all the good memories out.

3) A flashlight
Once it gets dark, every member of the family should have a flashlight. Campfires and kerosene lamps cast a nice friendly glow, but having a flashlight will help each person see where he or she is going. And it makes for some fun laser-light play.

4) A Night Light
The Great Outdoors can quickly become the Spooky Outdoors after bedtime has arrived and the lights go out. Flashlights are fun, but they might be too bright for little eyes and can cast scary shadows. Break out a couple of glowsticks and hang them inside your tent for a soothing glow that's a lot more like the nightlights back home. Or buy a hand-crank flashlight and give it a couple of turns. Wrap the flashlight in a tshirt if it's too bright, and gradually, as it loses power, the light will grow dimmer and dimmer -- just as your little one drifts off to sleep.

5) A Potty
If your child is in the habit of waking up in the middle of the night to use the toilet, consider having a portable potty handy just a couple of paces away from your tent. It's so much easier than having to walk to the nearest portable toilet and struggle with flashlights and toilet paper and a squirmy, sleepy child. We like to line our portapotty with disposable diapers to make cleanup easy. Of course, if you have a little boy, any nearby tree would make a great alternative.

Happy Trails!

Christmas in June

June 25, 2009

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It's hot, hot, hot, and the weekend is all set to be hotter still. Families everywhere could sure use a nice, cold snowfall -- and this weekend, you can experience the next best thing. Disney's A Christmas Carol Train is making a stop at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland this weekend. From 9:00am - 7:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9:00am-4:00pm on Sunday, the train is making a cross-country tour to promote Disney's A Christmas Carol, set to open in November 2009.

Disney is certainly pulling out all the stops (including whistle stops) for this movie. The fun will start for your little one as soon as you arrive at the train station, which will be decked out for the holidays with holiday decorations and snow. Ahhh, the thought of a huge pile of snow in the summertime, like a gigantic snowcone, certainly inspires lots of merry thoughts. And if that's not enough to get you into the holiday spirit, wait till you see and hear old-fashioned carolers (and thank your lucky stars that you're all wearing tank tops and shorts instead of those stuffy Victorian outfits). And of course, your little train lovers will enjoy looking at the train itself -- four custom-designed vintage rail cars, full of behind-the-scenes attractions, entertainimg demonstrations, and fun activities.

The inside of the train promises to be just as interesting as the outside. It will feature beautiful displays from the Charles Dickens Museum and from the movie itself (concept art, models, costumes, etc..) and interactive exhibits (don't miss the face-morphing booth). At every station, they'll be setting up makeshift theaters to provide guests with some great movie viewing opportunities (a Behind-the-Scenes look at the making of the movie, as well as a 3D sneak peek of the movie itself).

Check out the latest details about tour stops and scheduled events at www.christmascaroltraintour.com

Room to run: The best places to tire out your preschooler

May 19, 2009

Naps are a mixed blessing. On the one hand, they gave my tired, cranky kids (and their tired, cranky parents) a bit of time to unwind and recharge. On the other hand, when they nap for too long, that extra bit of sleep wreaks havoc with bedtimes. Short of taking out the Benadryl, parents need some way of expending that extra energy. Here are some great places to take your little Energizer bunnies when they need to be run ragged:

Any outdoor playground
The classic way to tire a kid out is to take him to a playground. Fortunately, we don’t have to look far; Silicon Valley is sprinkled with great playgrounds. Some of our favorite neighborhood playgrounds in the South Bay include those at Cuesta Park and Rengstorff Park in Mountain View, Shoup Park in Los Altos and Oak Meadow Park in Los Gatos. Like all good playgrounds, they are well maintained, they cater to a wide variety of ages, they feature a variety of equipment (a mix of old favorites and unique attractions), they have wide open spaces for running –and they have public restrooms.

Morgan Hill Aquatics Center
When the weather warms up, the combination of sun and water is a surefire way to use up any extra energy your kids have. Frankly, any community pool or backyard wading pool will do, but for a real treat, visit the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center. Their water playground, with its slides, sprays and fountains, is every kid's dream. Sure, you could splurge on the big waterparks like Raging Waters or Boomerang Bay. But this place gets your kids snoring just as loudly, and for under $10, you can easily make it a habit.

Pump It Up
This indoor party place in Sunnyvale is the tried and tested way to get rid of kids' birthday party sugar highs; have them jump up and down for an hour until all that cake and ice cream has gone out of their system. Kids start bouncing as soon as they catch sight of all those giant inflatables - slides, obstacle courses, tracks and boxing rings - just waiting to be attacked. Some of those bigger slides can get scary for smaller kids, so right next door is Pump It Up Junior, with slightly smaller inflatables designed for those under 6. You don't have to wait for a birthday party to try it out; both places have pop-in playtimes a couple of times per week.

One last place to tire your kid out: your bathtub. Just fill with warm water and lavender baby bath and dunk him in. Combine with any of the above activities to ensure an easy, early bedtime. Sweet dreams.

Weekend Outlook, May 15th - May 17th -- Let the Festivals Begin

May 14, 2009

They say it's going to be a scorcher of a weekend in Silicon Valley. I'm not looking forward to the high temperatures, but the good news is that the long, lazy summer is almost here -- and with the heat comes all the fun summer festivals! The summer festival season kicks off this weekend in cities all over the Bay Area. Here's a roundup of some family favorites:

1) Downtown Campbell is hot, hot, hot! Their Boogie on the Bayou festival (Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17) will showcase Cajun and New Orleans style cuisine, and they've got some spicy music playing, including Cajun, Blues, Calypso and Jazz. Kiddos will love the kids' craft area and grownups can stroll through the Arts and Crafts booths.

2) Mountain View's 13th Annual A La Carte & Art festival takes place this weekend in downtown Mountain View (Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17). Aside from the usual food, music and shopping, expect a juried art show, health and wellness displays, an organic and green products showcase, a farmer's market and kids' amusement section.

3) Kids are the stars of the Hands on the Arts Festival in Sunnyvale (Saturday, May 16). There are a whopping 37 different hands-on workshops for children ages 3-12, led by professional artists (participation requires a wristband which can be purchased for $5). There is also live entertainment throughout the day.

4) Held on the Saturday following Mother's Day, every year since 1947, the Los Altos Kiwanis Club Pet Parade begins on Main Street, promptly at 10 a.m. (May 16). It's a wonderful spring celebration that attracts thousands of kids, along with their pets, wagons, bicycles, parents and neighbors. It includes youth groups, marching bands, fire engines, and antique police cars.

5) This year San Carlos celebrates the 25th anniversary of the San Carlos Hometown Days festival. Held in the spirit of the old-fashioned, fun-filled community gatherings of yesteryear, the event kicks on on Friday night with a musical concert, and continues through Saturday and Sunday. It's chock-ful of events such as a parade, kids' relays, art contests, battle of the bands, a pancake breakfast, and fairground rides.

Get ready for the Palo Alto May Fete Parade!

April 30, 2009

Palo Alto residents know never to plan anything for the first weekend of May. They know to block that Saturday off for Palo Alto's May Fete Parade, and every year since 1922 they've been showing up in droves. We've been going to this parade every year without fail for the past six or seven years, either watching or marching, and sometimes both.

What makes the May Fete Parade so special? At this parade, children are the undisputed stars. There are no gargantuan animatronic floats, no beauty queens or roaring motorcycles or prancing horses. Just lots and lots kids, from preschools to high school marching bands to local dance studios to elementary schools, all dressed in bright school colors or uniforms, on bikes and scooters, accompanied by a swarm of parents armed with cameras and camcorders. Any group can register to join -- there is no limit -- but there is always a section at the end where anyone can jump in and march along.
Throw in a few fancy cars, some funny-looking bicycles and a couple of rollerskating, bubble-blowing clowns and you've got a charming parade with a nice hometown feel.

Each year the parade has a different theme (this year's is "Dream Green") and many groups join a float contest. The floats reflect the annual theme and are relatively small and simple -- which says nothing about the amount of effort put in by each and every group. Many who don't join the contest still come up with a float, and here and there you'll see a creative family whose wagon or stroller has been decorated to the nines to match the theme.

The parade starts just west of the University Avenue Caltrain Station on University and High. It winds its way down University Avenue and turns right on Webster Street. The whole route is shaded with trees, and never gets so crowded that your little one won't be able to snag a spot to sit on the curb for prime parade viewing. It ends at Palo Alto's Addison Elementary School, which hosts a Town Fair for the community. The fair, like the parade, is simple, fun and low-key. It features a multitude of children's activities like ball tosses, bead crafts and a giant inflatable slide, all free. Families like to stake out a spot on the field beside the playground and let their kids loose on the playstructure while they relax on the grass and listen to the live music play. Many people pack a picnic lunch or line up to buy the usual hotdog/hamburger/chips/soda combination. It's a great way for Palo Alto residents meet their neighbors and build a sense of community.

The parade starts at 10:00 am this Saturday, rain or shine. This year I'm marching with my two preschoolers while their sister and dad cheer us on from the sidelines. Grab your hat, sunscreen and water bottle and join us; we hope to see you there!

Spring Has Sprung: Baby Animals

April 28, 2009

Spring is an exciting season on a farm, with all the baby lambs bleating, the baby colts struggling to stand up, and the little chicks peep-peep-peeping out of their shell. Children love baby animals and nothing brings a smile to a preschooler's face like a fluffy yellow chick squirming in his outstretched palm. Here are some places around Silicon Valley where you and your little one can stop by to say, “Hello” to the animal world's newest arrivals -- and maybe even pet or feed a few:

1) All 3 major zoos in the region -- the San Francisco Zoo, Oakland Zoo, and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose -- have children's zoos with petting areas featuring gentle farm animals.

2) Ardenwood Farm in Fremont has pigs, sheep, goats, horses, cows and a henhouse with Araucana hens that lay the most beautifully-colored eggs I've ever seen (think Martha Stewart shades of blue and brown). To get up close to all of your farmyard favorites, join us for Afternoon Animal Feeding every Thursday-Sunday at 3:00 pm. Meet at the chicken coop and help check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. You’ll learn all the animals’ favorite foods as you help shut the farm down for the evening.

3) Emma Prusch Farm Park in San Jose has a poultry area and livestock barn. They also have a small animal area where children see their favorite farmyard animals. For a fee of $3.00, they can also help feed the ducks, goats, chickens, rabbits, geese, sheep and miniature pigs one Saturday morning each month (limited to 20 children).

4) Hidden Villa has cows, sheep, horses, goats and pigs. You'll need to join one of their educational guided tours in order enter the pens and pet the animals, but anyone can enter the chicken coop and be surrounded by flocks of hungry, hopeful free-range chickens. And anyone can open up the big green "learning boxes" near each animal's pen containing information about the animal and all the products we get from it.

5) Just one exit south from Hidden Villa on Highway 280, Deer Hollow Farm keeps a stock of chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs, and a cow. The buildings and pens are closed to the general public, but their last Spring Farm Tour is coming up this May 16. Take advantage of this opportunity to tour the farm from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, 45-minute tours.

Finally, it's not your typical farm, but Shoreline Lake at Mountain View is once more swamped with ducks and geese and their young hatchlings. Pack up your stale crusts of bread so your preschooler can throw some to the wildlife and find out what it's like to be a celebrity chased by the duckarazzi. Just be prepared to navigate through all their dropping! Not that your children would even notice -- after all, baby animals are baby animals wherever they can find'em!

April Fools Fun

March 31, 2009

Tomorrow is April Fool's Day, and Savvy Editors from all over are letting loose and cooking up some April Fool's Fun. So instead of my usual "looking back" post for the end of March, I'm looking ahead and joining in with some April Fools' pranks of my own! Here are some ideas for celebrating the silliness in life:

1) If you're brave enough, play "dress-up" with your child -- agree to let your child pick out your outfit for the day if you can pick hers. Pick out something silly (like pajamas) for your child to wear, and stick to your end of the bargain!

2) Serve your kids some fried egg on toast that's not egg-sactly as it seems. Pat a small scoop of marshmallow cream fluff on the center of a piece of toast and flatten it so it looks like a fried egg. Dab a bit of lemon pudding in the center for the yolk. Then watch your kids bite into their sweet surprise and let them know the yolk's on them!

3) You wouldn't pull the same joke twice, would you? Yes, you would! Serve up some cookie fish sticks and tart taffy peas for lunch or dinner. To make the fish sticks, cover some sugar wafers in peanut butter and roll in crushed cornflakes. For peas, break off bits of green taffy and roll into balls.

4) Visit the Rodin sculpture garden at Stanford University and play hide and seek among the statues. When it's your turn to hide, speak out loud in a funny (not scary!) voice and pretend one of the statues has come to life. If you sense that the game might be too scary, skip it; instead, plop a hat and scarf on the one of the statues, and take a photo of your little one acting silly with his new stone friend.

Happy April Fools' Day!

Enjoying the Oakland Zoo

March 30, 2009

Last Friday, we took advantage of our spring break and the spring weather to pay a visit to the Oakland Zoo. It was our first visit to the zoo, and I was curious as to how it would compare to the other zoos in the area. As much as we love the San Francisco Zoo and San Jose's Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, after spending a day at the Oakland Zoo I'd have to say that it's my favorite of the lot. Unlike the San Francisco Zoo, it's small enough to see practically all the exhibits in one day (barely, I'll admit, especially if you have children who love to linger at exhibits and at the children's playground). Unlike Happy Hollow, it boasts an impressive array of wildlife from all over the world.

Despite the plethora of information and educational programs for adults and older kids, the zoo still pays special attention to the little ones. They have a children's zoo with a petting area featuring the usual farm animals, some cool animal exhibits (the giant tortoise and alligators are fascinating), and fun areas featuring animal sculptures to play on, scattered throughout. I love this zoo's attention to detail. the wildlife safari theme prominently featured at the entrance is echoed throughout the zoo, in the design of each exhibit, fence, restroom and cafe. And the concrete paths have animal tracks stamped onto them, so even walking from one exhibit to another presents an opportunity for discovery.

All in all, the Oakland Zoo gets a big Thumbs Up from me as a place to take your preschooler for the day. In fact, we loved it so much we're thinking of getting a zoo membership so we can come back whenever we want. We hope to see you there! And because it's always nice to get advice from someone who has been there before, here are five tips to help you make the most of your visit:

1) Be prepared for hilly terrain; if your little one is too little to walk the up-and-down paths leading from one exhibit to the next, make sure you bring a stroller (or rent one near the gift shop).

2) Pack your own snacks and lunch. When you're at one end of the zoo, it's a long walk back to the zoo cafe at the entrance -- and at lunchtime, the line goes out the door.

3) The gondola sky ride gives you a great birds' eye view of the zoo, and it's not to be missed -- but it's closed on weekends for most of the year (it's open every day during the summer, call before you go to check).

4) Dress in layers and bring water, sunscreen and hats. The zoo is nestled in the Oakland hills and you'll be walking through the trees, so it can get cool in the mornings, but by mid-day the sun can be burning hot.

5) Adjacent to the zoo, just beside the zoo exit, is a small amusement park with a carousel, train, and several other kiddie rides. It's almost impossible to sneak past this area without your child seeing or hearing the rides, and asking if he or she can catch a ride on one or all of to get on one or all of the attractions; if your time and budget allow for just one ride, I would recommend the train. For $2 per person, you get a fairly long ride on cabs pulled by a cute vintage-style engine, . There are zoo animal statues scattered over half of the route, and the train chugs through a portion of the zoo for the other half of the route.

Spring Has Sprung! Weekend Outlook, March 27th - 29th

March 26, 2009

The sun is shining, it's 65 degrees outside, and they're predicting more sun and high temperatures this weekend (mid-70's!)... don't you just love California?! Spring has definitely sprung in our little corner of the world, with lots of fun springtime events, uh, sprouting up all over Silicon Valley. We've got lots of ways to celebrate the great weather this weekend with your preschooler:

1) Celebrate the beginning of gardening season with a fun gardening activity, this Friday at Cheeky Monkey toys in Menlo Park.

2) It's time for a Spring Fling at Filoli! Filoli Gardens hosts their popular annual springtime event this Saturday. The gorgeous spring blooms serve as a colorful backdrop for this family fun event. Children will enjoy visits from well-loved characters, a puppet show, a magic show, arts and crafts, and storytelling. For grownups, there are demonstrations, guided walks, floral displays and live music.

3) Stanford Shopping Center hosts an early Easter activity this Saturday at 11:00am. Their Easter Eggstravaganza features a mall-wide egg hunt, visits from the Easter Bunny and Desperaux, and Hop Into Spring entertainment at 2:00pm.

4) Speaking of Easter, the Easter Bunny is once again making the rounds at various malls. Dress your little ones in their best Easter Bonnets for a special photo, or just have them sit on Mr. Bunny's lap for a short visit.
* Hillsdale Mall
* Stanford Shopping Mall
* Eastridge Mall
* Westgate Mall

5) Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's time to bring out the ice cream! The Friends of the Atherton Library will be hosting an ice cream social and book exchange. Head to the library this Saturday,March 28, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Bring a book, take a book, have some ice cream -- it's all free.

Creeks and streams for Children in Silicon Valley

March 24, 2009

Ah, spring. It's a wonderful time to explore the outdoors with your preschooler and get started on correcting the nature-deficit that suburban families sometimes experience. Plants are sprouting, animals are birthing and creeks are bubbling..... did you say creeks?? Oh yes; there's still a chill in the air, but springtime is actually a great time to head out with your preschooler and splash in a stream. By the time the hot summer days roll around, all the water will have dried out, so now's the time to explore the creeks and streams of Silicon Valley. Pack a snack, a pair of wellingtons and a change of clothing (or two!), and head out to these local spots:

1) Hidden Villa Nature Preserve, Los Altos
Adobe Creek bubbles and spills its way through Hidden Villa Farm and the hiking trails behind it. My kids could spend the whole day throwing pebbles into the water or wading through it with sticks and stones to build channels and dams.

2) Shoup Park, Los Altos
Shoup Park a year-round favorite for urban nature lovers. This section of Adobe Creek that runs behind the playground is clean and shallow, making it one of the best creeks for wading, splashing and rock skipping after a good rain. Quiet and scenic, it's tucked amidst the redwoods just off University Avenue in Los Altos.

3) Cornelius Bol Park, Palo Alto
Who would have thought that a suburban Palo Alto park would have a creek in it? Home to the famous Bol Park Donkeys, Bol Park is relatively less manicured and developed than other Palo Alto parks. It has a small creek that runs through one side of the park, just beyond the paved trail favored by runners, hikers and moms-with-strollers. You'll have a fairly steep descent, but once you make your way to the creek bed, your little one will have a lot of fun wading through the ankle-deep water.

4) Los Gatos Creek Trail, Los Gatos (near Vasona Lake Park and Lark Ave.)
The Los Gatos creek runs through a good portion of Silicon Valley, changing in appearance several times along its way. After it spills through Vasona Dam and leaves Los Gatos' Vasona Lake Park, the creek makes its way through suburban neighborhoods of Los Gatos. At this point, the accompanying trail is easily accessible to walkers, joggers, skaters, bicyclists -- and pint-sized creek waders. Small beaches along the creek banks allow access to the creek. Your children will enjoy wading through the shallow areas -- just remember to keep a close eye on them.

5) Serra Park, Sunnyvale
Okay, so the creek that runs through Serra Park is actually dry. But children still love "wading" and exploring in it. They can also imagine they're in the midst of all the water in the world when they play on the huge riverboat playstructure. All this dry "water" play can be fun, but if you really want to get wet, they do have a cool waterplay feature on hot days: a forest of poles that sprays water in all directions.

The Great Indoors: Silicon Valley Storytimes

Redwood City Libraries
Menlo Park Libraries
Palo Alto Libraries
Mountain View Libraries
Sunnyvale Libraries
San Jose Libraries
Santa Clara Libraries
Los Gatos Public Library
Santa Clara County Libraries
San Mateo Libraries
San Mateo County Libraries

March 17, 2009

It may go out like a lamb, but March, with its roaring winds and pelting rains, definitely came in like a lion. That's bad for your clean floors and your sanity, but good for my Great Indoors series of posts -- because as long as this iffy weather keeps up, it makes sense to keep cranking out suggestions for places to take your little ones on a rainy day.

Today we're all about storytimes. Ahhh, storytimes. I can't think of a better way to pass an hour on a rainy day -- your child gets to listen to new stories and sing new songs. You, on the other hand, get to listen to someone else reading story after story to your child. What a sweet combination.

I'm sure you know your local library's storytime schedule by heart. But why stick to one branch? Why not (pardon the pun) branch out a little and try a library from another city? You might discover a super-talented storyteller, a storytime format your preschooler loves, or a less crowded crowd. And why go to ten different websites when you can find links to Silicon Valley's major libraries and storytimes, all from this one post?

Also, don't forget that your local bookstore or museum might also offer regular storytimes. My favorite Silicon Valley children's bookstores all have occasional or regular storytimes. Here are some other stores that have them:

1) Keplers Books hold storytimes most Sunday mornings, often with featuring authors reading their own books.
2) Borders - Check your local Borders for storytime schedules
3) Barnes and Noble - Check your local B&N for storytime schedules
4) Pottery Barn Kids has storytimes every Tuesday and singalong concerts every month or so.
5) It's Tuesday Tales at Coyote Point Museum every 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of the month. Children ages 2-8 enjoy stories, animal presentations and activities, free with museum admission.

As always, check their websites or call for schedules. Happy reading!

Five Things To Look For in a Preschool Game

March 16, 2009

Want to win this classic Candyland game? Read on!

We're giving away a classic Candyland game! Keep reading to find out how to enter...

Heads up, everyone, Family Game Nights are back! Libraries around Silicon Valley host them regularly: for example, the Palo Alto library is having Game Day on March 20, and the San Jose library's Game Day is on the 27th. In this economy, Game Nights make sense; they're a fun, inexpensive way for families to bond and reconnect. But 4-year olds can hardly be expected to sit still for 5 minutes, let alone participate in classic Game Night standbys like Monopoly or Pictionary. What sort of games should parents play with their preschoolers on Family Game Night or any night?

In today's guest post, toy expert Jim Silver discusses features that parents should look for when choosing games for their preschoolers. Jim is a widely recognized and often-resourced authority on the toy and licensing industries, having worked within the publishing and toy industries for more than 20 years. He's also editor-in-chief for www.TimeToPlayMag.com, a great website parents can go to for toy, gaming and entertainment information. Read below to learn 5 things parents should look for in a preschool game, then check out Jim's list of top preschool games for 2009.

Five things to look for in a Preschool Game

By Jim Silver, editor in chief, TimetoPlayMag.com

1. Easy to play right out of the box. Instructions should be very simple and easy, so that you can open the box and play right away. Set up should be minimal, which also means clean up should be too. Young children don't have the patience for long instructions, and parents don't want a lot of mess.

2. Appropriate levels of reading, color matching, sequencing and memory for the age group. Playing the game should be fun...not frustrating. The great thing is that your children will let you know when they're ready for more advanced games. The child who loves Candy Land for months may suddenly realize he's too old for it, for instance.

3. Correct balance of chance and strategy. For younger children, the balance should be more chance than strategy. They're learning counting, memory, and matching among other skills. As they get older, strategy-thinking a few moves ahead-can be introduced. Kids also respond well to games that have a clear winner, even if it's not them. Children like the defined beginning and ending of a game with a clear objective.

4. 15 minutes or less. The younger the child, the quicker a game needs to be completed before a child gets bored or loses focus. For a three-year-old, a game should be completed in less than 15 minutes. As a child gets a little older, 20 minutes is the magic number. Many game companies are now putting game playing times on their packages; look for these to help gauge what's right for your child.

5. Motor skills. Many games greatly enhance motor skills through the need of hand-eye coordination. Many young children don't have enough opportunities to develop these skills, and games are a great occasion for younger kids to develop them through play.

Want to get a head start on your Family Game Night games collection? Being Savvy Silicon Valley and http://www.timetoplaymag.com/ are giving away the classic preschooler's board game, Candyland! If you don't have Candyland at home (or want to give one as a present), now's your chance to win. To enter, simply leave a comment below with your email address and your favorite board game when you were a child.

For extra entries, you can also do any or all of the following:
1) Follow TimeToPlayMag on Twitter (twitter id @TimeToPlay).
2) Follow Being Savvy Silicon Valley on Twitter (twitter id @savvySV).
3) Blog or tweet about this giveaway.

For each extra entry you complete, please leave a separate comment telling me which extra entry you did (leave your Twitter ID or the link to your tweet or blog post).

This giveaway is limited to US mailing addresses only, and ends on March 30, 2009. I'll draw a winner at random and post the winner's name the next day. Good luck!

Weekend Outlook, March 13th - 15th : Going Green

March 12, 2009

It's your lucky weekend! The stores are full of plastic four-leaf clovers,a nd the weekend is packed with activities leading up to St. Patrick's Day next Tuesday. With all the green goings on in the next several days, from leprechaun crafts to tree walks, Kermit the Frog will have to find some other time to sing It's Not Easy Being Green.

1) It's not Boston or New York, but San Francisco's St. Patrick's Day Parade is a longstanding tradition -- it's on its 158th year -- and draws over 5,000 parade participants from all over the country. The parade begins at Second and Market at 11:30 AM, and the festivities continue throughout the day at the Civic Center Plaza.

2) Watch energetic Irish Dancers, snacks and crafts at the Palo Alto Family YMCA's Irish Dance Social. March 3/13, 3:30-5PM.

3) Mountain View celebrates Arbor Day with live music, children's activities and crafts, information and education booths, a tree climbing demonstration and a ceremonial tree planting. It's all happening this Saturday at Pioneer Park.

4) Treat yourself to some fresh air, a healthy walk and a new perspective. Go on a free guided Canopy Tree Walk around Palo Alto to learn more about the trees that create a healthy urban environment. Meet at the Junior Museum and Zoo on Saturday, Mar. 14, 10am-noon.

5) Make free sparkly Leprechaun Wands at San Jose's Lakeshore Learning tomorrow morning starting at 11:00 am -- it's a free kids' craft for ages 3 and up.

99 things you must do with your child in Silicon Valley before they grow up

February 24, 2009

It seems like only yesterday that The Pea was just a little pea. Now she's 7 and there are still so many things we haven't done together. I really have to hurry, because some of the best experiences in the Valley have use-by dates: I want my kids to first experience them while they're young, before the magic fades and they retreat into the solitude of their bedroms and their iPods.

With that in mind, here's a list of must-do activities for parents and kids around Silicon Valley:

Good Eats
1) Taste garlic ice cream at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
2) Chew on saltwater taffy at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
3) Pick berries at a local farm.
4) Eat fish and chips at Princeton-by-the-Sea.
5) Get a sugar high at the Jelly Belly Factory.
6) Have a pancake breakfast at Hobees.
7) Slurp clam chowder from a sourdough bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf.
8) Have an ice cream sundae at Ghirardelli Square.
9) Burn your tongue at Palo Alto's annual Chili Cook-off.
10) Enjoy berrylicious treats at Watsonville's Strawberry Festival.
11) Go on a tasting tour -- cheese tasting, that is -- around Napa and Sonoma Valley.

The Animal Kingdom
12) Pat a llama at the Happy Hollow Zoo.
13) Join the Los Altos Pet Parade.
14) Milk a cow and feed chickens at Hidden Villa.
15) Watch for whales at the Point Sur Lighthouse.
16) Feed the ducks at Shoreline Park.
17) Spend the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
18) See the Monarch Butterflies in Pacifica.
19) Listen to the sea lions barking at Pier 39.
20) Ride an elephant at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
21) Go on safari at Santa Rosa's Safari West.
22) Visit the elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Reserve.

Events
23) Do the Dragon Dance at San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade.
24) Welcome springtime at Cupertino's Cherry Blossom Festival.
25) Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at San Jose's annual parade.
26) Watch 4th of July Fireworks from Shoreline Ampitheater.
27) See the Tall Ships and Blue Angels at San Francisco's Fleet Week.
28) See the world's biggest pumpkins at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.
29) Go trick or treating at Santana Row.
30) Watch the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker.
31) Drive through the Vasona Fantasy of Lights display.
32) Meet Santa Claus at a train station during Caltrains Holiday Train.
33) Enjoy holiday scenes at San Jose's Christmas at the Park.

Sporty Stuff
34) Watch a baseball game at San Francisco's AT&T park.
35) Sail a boat on Shoreline lake.
36) Surf (ok, boogie-board) the waves at San Gregorio State beach.
37) Go rafting on the American River.
38) Ice skate under the stars at Palo Alto's Winter Lodge.
39) Run Bay to Breakers with the little ones in a stroller.
40) Bike the Los Gatos Creek trail.
41) Sink a mini-hole-in-one at Golfland.
42) Take your child for a spin at Redwood City's Malibu Grand Prix.
43) Row, row, row your boat at Vasona Lake County Park.
44) Catch some fish at Ed Levin County Park.

Museums
45) Explore and learn at the Children's Discovery Museum.
46) Scare yourself at the Winchester Mystery House.
47) Play tag amongst the artwork at Stanford University's Rodin Sculpture Garden.
48) Marvel at the California Academy of Science's Living Roof.
49) Count the Pez dispensers at Burlingame's Pez Museum.
50) Walk like an Egyptian at San Jose's Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.
51) Geek out at the Tech Museum.
52) Take a class at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.
53) Play and pretend at Oakland's Habitot Children's Museum.
54) Let your imagination take flight at the Hillier Aviation Museum.
55) Follow the toy trains at the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History.

Seein' the Sights
56) Watch an IMAX film at The Tech Museum.
57) See the circus trees at Gilroy Gardens.
58) Enjoy the view from the top of Stanford's Hoover Tower.
59) Watch a space shuttle launch at the NASA Ames Visitor Center.
60) See the stars up close at Lick Observatory.
61) Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.
62) Check out the local bikers at Alice's Cafe in Woodside.
63) Watch a play, for kids and by kids, at Palo Alto's Hotdog Suppertime Shows.
64) Watch the airplanes bound for San Francisco airport take off and land, from Coyote Point park.
65) See where the San Francisco Bay ends at Palo Alto's Baylands Park.
66) Count as many of the Livermore windmills as you can while driving through Altamont Pass on Highway 580.

Nature
67) Hike through the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park.
68) Hike up to The Dish at Stanford University.
69) Build a sandcastle at Santa Cruz beach.
70) Find serenity at San Jose's Japanese Friendship Garden.
71) Paint the roses red at San Jose's Heritage Rose Garden.
72) Wade in the creek at Los Altos' Shoup Park.
73) Save the earth on California Coastal Cleanup Day.
74) Pick apples at Gizdich Ranch.
75) Explore the tidepools at the Natural Bridges State Beach.
76) Say hello to the wild turkeys at Deer Hollow Farm.
77) Camp overnight at the Big Basin State Park.

Spend the weekend (or week!) at....
78) ...Yosemite National Park...
79) ...Sequoia National Park...
80) ...Lake Tahoe...
81) ...Napa Valley...
82) ...Sacramento...
83) ...Strawberry...
84) ...Gold Country...
85) ...Carmel-by-the-Sea...
86) ...Big Sur...
87) ...Solvang, or...
88) ...LA

Just Plain Fun
89) Ride the Caltrain up and down the Peninsula.
90) Ride the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad.
91) Chug through the redwoods on the Roaring Camp Railroad.
92) Catch a cable car on the hills of San Francisco.
93) Hop on the Bill Mason carousel at Oak Meadow Park.
94) Enjoy the rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
95) Get stuck on stickers at the Mrs. Grossman's sticker factory.
96) Splash around at the Morgan Hill Aquatics Park.
97) Meet storybook characters at Oakland's Fairyland.
98) Splash through the fountains at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
99) Watch a movie at the San Jose's Capitol Drive-In Movie Theater.

My family has done quite a few of these items, but we're nowhere near done. We (and you) had better get cracking on the rest of this list before the kids grow up!

If you have other activities that simply must be on this list, email us at beingsavvysiliconvalley@savvysource.com.

Holiday events in the Valley, around the World

December 09, 2008

With all the cultures and traditions represented in the San Francisco Bay Area, you won't have to charter a jet to introduce your child to holiday traditions from around the globe. Chances are there's some international holiday celebration going on right here in Silicon Valley. Here are a few family-friendly holiday events to get you started: 1) The Young Scandinavians Club rings in the Read more...

Weekend Outlook: December 5th-7th

December 03, 2008

Even if you aren't going to be participating in or enjoying any of the activities and events I talked about yesterday you can still have a great time with your kid(s) this weekend around the Peninsula. And for the sake of variety this will be a concert/theater-free Weekend Outlook. I know you must be played out (that's kind of a pun). This Friday from 3-4pm is the first in Hidden Read more...

Park Day: Santana Row, San Jose

December 01, 2008

At first glance, it doesn't seem like Santana Row is kid-friendly at all. Posh shops, high-end (read: breakable) home accessories, luxury spas and chic bars dominate this outdoor shopping mall. But look closer and you'll find hints of kid-friendly fun here and there. Like the small, fenced in toddler playstructure at Park Valencia, a small patch of green at the heart of the mall. And the Read more...

Holiday tree lighting ceremonies

November 28, 2008

Get ready, people; today is Black Friday. Even though you've still got half a turkey in your fridge, The December Holiday Season has Begun . For many grownups, this means crowds and overspending and drunk relatives and stress, but for children, it's all about the presents and the treats and the decorations and the pretty twinkling lights. The holidays are a special time for children, and cities Read more...

Park Day: The "Red Ant" Playground, Santa Clara

November 20, 2008

3Po and Jammy don't like red ants. They've been bitten by the little buggers before and know to avoid them like the plague. But they happily embraced the red ants crawling all over Santa Clara's War Memorial Playground . Built on the former War Memorial Swimming Center on the Santa Clara High School campus, the War Memorial Playground was refurbished in December 2007. The new playground Read more...

Bringing Books to Life: Alice in Wonderland

November 06, 2008

One of the things a great children's book does is inspire pretend play. Take the classic Alice in Wonderland ; there's something about the story and colorful characters that makes every child want to visit Wonderland himself. If your child itches to be Alice or the White Rabbit, feed her imagination by planning activities centered around Alice and her adventures. You don't need to drive all Read more...

The ABCs of Silicon Valley

November 04, 2008

Today at Savvy Source we're doing the ABCs of Silicon Valley. Do you have the song in your head? Good. A is for Armadillo Willy's Barbecue . B is for the Baby Loves Disco . C is for the Cinco de Mayo Festival. D is for ducks . E is for environmentalism. F is for farmer's markets . G is for the Gilroy Garlic Festival . H is for Hobee's . I is for Ice Skating Read more...

Weekend Outlook: October 31st-November 2nd

October 29, 2008

We're in the home stretch of October. So many costumes, so much candy. But because October isn't over yet, and because this Friday is Halloween, your weekend outlook will of course include things to do that are Halloween-related. But not your usual faire of community festivals and storytimes. This weekend there are some really unique events in the area for you and the kids. First, if you are Read more...

The simple joys of Halloween

October 23, 2008

My kids really enjoy their busy Halloween social schedule (which is a good thing, seeing as I'm crazy about Halloween and drag them to as many events as possible). But for some children, all the raucus parties, sugary treats and scary costumes cause way too many meltdowns. You may decide that one Halloween event -- or just trick-or-treating on the 31st -- is enough. You can still have fun Read more...

Frightfully fun events around Silicon Valley

October 21, 2008

Alfie groaned when he came home one day and saw skeletons lining the fireplace mantel. "It's only September 28, and you're decorating for Halloween already". "I know it's early, dear, but October is my hands-down favorite month of the year, and I like to get into the spirit of things as soon as possible". As I patiently explained to him, when else will I find the time to glue all those litle Read more...

Park Day: Klein Park, Mountain View

October 13, 2008

As parks go, Klein Park (on the corner of Ortega Avenue and California Street) isn't one of those huge, full-featured, "must-go" destination parks. It's a friendly little neighborhood park that we like to visit when we find ourselves in Mountain View for one reason or another and feel the need to stretch our legs. Klein Park is big enough to keep my kids happy for an hour but small enough Read more...

Weekend Outlook: October 10th-12th

October 08, 2008

(to a classic, unnamed sea chanty) What do you do with a bored pre-schooler? What do you do with a bored pre-schooler? What do you do with a bored pre-schooler On Friday, Saturday and Sun-Day? Friday feed the otters in San Mateo Coyote Point Museum in San Mateo Twelve-thirty pm in San Mateo Let's go feed the otters. Saturday there's Fun Fest at St. Lucy's Read more...

Park Day: Central Park (New York)

October 06, 2008

Ah, this is a tricky one, right? See, my wife and I went away for the weekend, leaving our daughter home with grandma. They hit our usual haunts, and from all reports our meticulous list of instructions was both appreciated and totally unnecessary. We missed her more than we realized, and on our weekend trip to New York we found ourselves constantly seeing things that we would love to be Read more...

Apple Picking at Gizdich Ranch: Introducing Ana Picazo

October 02, 2008

Being Savvy Silicon Valley is very, very proud to introduce Ana Picazo, a writer, blogger, and mom from the Silicon Valley who will be teaming up with me to form the new Being Savvy Silicon Valley Super Squad . In the next few weeks Anna will begin posting regularly in this space, offering up her Savvy knowledge of the Silicon Valley to you, the loyal Being Savvy Silicon Valley readers. Her Read more...

Signing Time

September 25, 2008

One of the most important aspects of being social, even for toddlers and young children, is the ability to communicate. I've made no secret of the fact that I've been teaching my daughter how to sign, and that this has had a dramatic impact on how well she communicates with me, and how interested she is in the world. We've learned to sign in part from signing classes given by Bill White of Read more...

Signing Time

September 25, 2008

Park Day: Playtown

August 25, 2008

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...

List Day: What to look for in a beach or pool

August 06, 2008

The Peninsula is a strange place. Because the hills stretch from San Jose to San Francisco along the western edge of our little strip of land it can be easy to forget just how close we are to the beaches that dot the coast. Not all beaches are created equal, of course. Some are fantastically family-friendly, with slightly warmer water and a good kid-to-teen ratio and great things for the Read more...

Tot Lot

July 24, 2008

There's this long swath of water district property that carves its way through the housing developments in Mountain View. If you stand on it at just about any point it feels as though you can stare for miles in either direction, because no one is allowed to put structures on this land. For a long, complicated reason having to do with real estate and boring things like that, we took Erin to an Read more...

The Children's Discovery Museum: The Wonder Cabinet

July 09, 2008

I took Erin to the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose on Tuesday. We've been before, but I wanted to bring her back now that she's a toddling walker instead of a mostly-stationary crawler. We explored both the downstairs area and the Wonder Cabinet, the special area for children under 4 upstairs. This post will be about the Wonder Cabinet. We happened to get there just as the art studio in Read more...

Cooling off: Swedish Style

June 23, 2008

If you want to beat the heat, head to Sweden. Ah, if only I had the kind of disposable income that would permit me to fly to another, cooler, continent on a moment's notice. Alas, I make tens of dollars and that's just not enough for plane tickets. So last week when it was stiflingly, exhaustingly hot, so hot that even the pool was not a compelling option (because the sun would beat down Read more...

Outgrowing Places

June 12, 2008

Suddenly, she walks everywhere. And just as suddenly she can reach a thousand things she never could before. Her world is now at two feet above ground level instead of one, and so the things that catch her attention are all higher up. Those DVDs on the entertainment center that used to be safely out of both sight and reach are now her favorite objects in the living room. Pan handles on the Read more...

Kelley Park

June 04, 2008

I lived in San Jose in my late teens. I didn't get out much, working swing at a hotel out by the airport. So one of the places that I never knew about until I had a kid was Kelley Park , just south of downtown. The park can be tackled in four different ways; it really just depends on what you are in the mood for doing with your kid that day. As with all big city parks there are Read more...

Lions and Tigers and Bears