Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Ages Pre-K – 8th Grade
March 19-23
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 5

Spring Break Intensive
Children from across the state can enroll in a one-week theatre intensive taught by our highly-qualified, nurturing instructors of working theatre professionals. During the Spring Break Intensive, your child will be immersed in theatre for one-week focusing on acting, dancing, and puppetry.

Tuition – Pre K-2nd Grade – $150, 3rd Grade-8th Grade – $275

To register: Download the application HERE and return it by mail or fax. You may also call Stephen Pierce at 205-458-8185 or e-mail Dane Peterson for detailed information

Birmingham Museum of Art
March 20 – 23

The Museum is offering a variety of activities during Spring Break

Bart’s Books: Each day at 11 a.m.

Children’s Film Series: A different family-friendly film every day at 1:00 p.m. Films include Dolphin Tale, Puss in Boots, and Operation Dumbo Drop

Doodle for Google: The BMA has been invited to participate in the annual contest of designing a colorful Google logo. The contest is open to children, who will be led through the doodling exercise by BMA staff and Google representatives from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The theme will be to design a Google logo around the the phrase, “If I could travel through time, I would…”

Special events will include a troupe of Vietnamese dancers called the Melodi Dance Group out of Atlanta (March 23)

Local Birmingham artist Heather Spencer Holmes, the first community artist who will have her work installed in the ArtVenture community art gallery, will demonstrate how to make jellyfish similar to the ones she will have hanging in the gallery space when ArtVenture! opens.

Other art activities include making Bart the Art Bat sculptures out of cloud clay, Vietnamese Dragon puppets, watercolor marker “brush” painting, paper fans.

Each day will have a different theme: Google Day, Fly Away with Bart, Underwater Day/Swim the Seven Seas, and Dragon Day.

Birmingham Zoo
8:30a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
4K – 5th Grade

$45 for members / $55 non-members

Each day campers will learn about different animals and topics. There will be fun activities, crafts and tours every day and campers will meet and see some of the Zoo’s animals up-close during camp. Campers may even bring their bathing suits to play in the water fountains provided the weather cooperates.

Other activities will include:
* Train and/or Carousel Ride (as weather permits)
* Behind-the-Scenes Tours
* Mid-morning and Mid-afternoon Snacks
* Live Animal Demonstrations
* Animal Artifacts (Biofacts)

Register online at www.birminghamzoo.com/education or call 205-397-3877

McWane Center
March 19 & 20
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Pirate Days
Dress like a pirate and set sail for an educational voyage during the Pirate Party at McWane Science Center. Join our crew as we explore the museum and aquarium on a treasure hunt with fun activities. As you navigate your way through the aquarium discover an octopus, touch a shark and see a horseshoe crab up close during exciting programs!

COST: Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members

Visit www.mcwane.org or call 205-714-8300 for more information.

Red Mountain Theatre Company
March 19-23
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ages 7-10

Spring Workshop
The Spring Workshop will feature in-depth instruction in the three disciplines of musical theatre: music, acting and dance. Children will learn introductory acting ensemble work, stage and body positions, acting as story-telling with the full body and voice, and how to be a good audience member. They will also learn the basic positions of dance, as well as basic steps. Vocally, students will learn techniques to make every song their best, auditioning tips and how to pick the best songs for their voices.
Cost: $300

To register for this workshop, please contact the RMTC Business Office at 205-324-2424.

Ruffner Mountain
March 19-23
Ages K – 5th grade
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Spring Break Camp
Spring Break Camp is the perfect place for your child to stay active and learning during their break. Each day we will focus on a different theme. Every day will be filled with activities, art projects, games, and outdoor adventure. All camps include two snacks.

Cost: $40 day, $30 day (member)

A 10% discount will be given if you sign up before March 1.

Extended care is available from 7:30 AM – 9 AM ($5/day) and 3 PM – 5:30 PM ($5/day). Sign your child up for one day or multiple days.

Visit www.ruffnermountain.org or call (205) 833 – 8264 for more information.
Villager Yoga
March 20 – 22
Ages 5-12

Spring Break Mini-Camps
VY yoga camps allow kids to find their inner and outer strength, while being creative and expressing themselves. Group exercises and games teach considerate peer interaction and leadership skills in a non-competitive environment. Children will find a calm mind and body and learn self-soothing techniques through mindfulness activities and relaxation. Yoga poses will be introduced around a theme and camp will include the thoughtful preparation of a healthy snack, group game time, a creative art project and mindful breathing and visualization exercises.

5-8 years old | Tuesday, March 20, 3:00 – 5:00 pm |Yoga Trails
5-8 years old | Wednesday, March 21, 3:00 – 5:00 pm | Yoga Adventure
9-12 years old | Thursday, March 22, 3:00 – 5:00 pm | Yogi Knows

$35 per camp |View agendas & register

YMCA
Ages 5-12
7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Spring Break Camp
Spring Break Camp is an all-day program and camp when school is out. Children will participate in organized games, swimming, playtime (WII, basketball, etc.), and go on daily field trips. Grades will be divided into groups led by a counselor. Parents may choose for child to participate by day or by week.

Daily Fee: Member- $25, Non-Member – $38
Weekly Fee: Member -$94, Non-Member – $128

Visit www.ymcabham.org to find a camp at your closest YMCA

In little league things can get pretty intense, usually because of the high emotions running through the parents. After all, we all have the best, fastest, coolest kids in the world. So I thought of some ways we can encourage our children to be good sports no matter the outcome of the game that they are playing and no matter what is being shouted at them from the sidelines.

5 good sportsman tips to encourage your children to use on the field

1. Always congratulate the other team. No matter win or lose, everyone tried his or her best.

2. If a player falls down, help them up! It doesn’t matter if the game is still going on. Show you care and give them a hand.

3. Never get mad at a teammate for making a mistake. Everyone will have a good and bad game at some point in his or her little league career. Remember there is no “I” in TEAM.

4. Play fair and follow the rules! Listen to your coaches and referees. Even if you don’t like what they are saying they are still your mentors.

5. And most importantly HAVE FUN!! Winning or losing doesn’t matter at the end of the day. What is important is that you try your hardest and you enjoy yourself.

·      If your twins don’t sit upright, put one twin in her rear-facing car seat inside the buggy and carry the other twin on you in a carrier. Be sure to have a carrier that is supportive enough for you to move in without disturbing the baby.  Tip: Put your fussy child in the carrier; she will love all the sights and sounds around her!

·      If your twins are old enough to sit upright, take advantage of grocery stores like Publix that have a two-seater buggy.  Secure your twins inside the buggy and put their shopping cart cover around them for extra padding and support.

·      Sam’s and other wholesale stores sometimes have buggies that can seat two children side by side.  As they get older they can have fun trying the food samples!

·      If you are just running to pick up your prescription or an extra can of formula, take your double stroller with you.  The stroller is great for places with an electric door to get in and out easily.

·      Take two buggies and secure each child in the seats. As you shop, pull one buggy behind you.  This is convenient for big shopping trips.  Try to avoid crowds so you can maneuver the aisles easily.

Regardless of where you go or how you get there, remember to be courteous to those helping you.  People are amazed at the sight of twins!

Does your child pick at her diaper too?  Here are some tips from moms like you to keep the diaper on:

·      Put the diaper on backward.  She might look like a dog finding his tail, but it does the trick!

·      Bloomers. Instead of walking around the house just in her diaper, slip a pair of bloomers or shorts on your little one so she can play without picking.

·      Duct Tape the diaper to her waist.  Seriously, don’t knock it until you try it!

·      Pull-Ups. Slide on a pair of pull-ups over her diaper before bedtime.  This also helps give your sheets a break if your child leaks during the night.