Daily Picks for this Week! July 23-27

Our daily guide to fun! Click on the highlighted links for find out more. Don't mean to frighten you...or excite you (depends on your perspective!) but there are only 3 more weeks of summer for Cobb County School children!

MONDAY: Creative Thinking Storytime at Learning Express in Woodstock & West Cobb Locations at 11am for ages 5+ - FREE!


TUESDAY:

•  One of my favorite characters is in the spotlight during Barnes & Noble's FREE Storytime at 11am at their Town Center Prado location. Find out what happens to Harry when he travels to the beach with his family in Harry by the Sea. This book will make a great storytime for ages 5-8! 
• Get a taste of different cultures without a plane ticket at West Cobb Regional Library's Multicultural Extravaganza from 3pm-5pm. FREE, Open to all ages & just show up - nor pre-registration required 

WEDNESDAY: Grab a cheap seat on Regal's Summer Movie Express! Kids 12+ will enjoy the fairy tale character twists in Hookwinked Too showing at Regal's Town Center Stadium showing at 10am. Tickets are $1.


THURSDAY: Let your kids go Kung-Fu crazy at "Karate for Kids" at the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw at 9am. FREE sample classes this month for kids and adults to celebrate National Parks & Recreation Month!


FRIDAY:

• Have fun with food at Whole Kids Club from 3pm-4pm at Whole Foods at Merchant's Walk. FREE and it's best to pre-register (in store or call 678-996-9700) so they can plan. It's ok to just drop-in but be on time because space is limited! 
• Take part in live-action drills, challenges and on-field demonstrations! Learn more about Kennesaw's sports leagues & classes during their Youth Sports Spectacular from 6pm-9pm at Adams Park. Afterwards, hang around for an outdoor movie. Journey2: The Mysterious Island rated PG is showing at dusk! 

Plan Ahead:
Outdoor Romping & Stomping Series: July 30, July 31st
Chattahoochee Nature Center Olympics: July 28


Be sure you follow us on Facebook for more summer fun ideas. Be sure to check our calendar often since we are always updating as we find fun.

Gimme 5 Friday

FIVE FUN & FREE ideas for your weekend! Click on the highlighted link to learn more.

1. Kid's Fishing Rodeo at Lost Mountain Park from 9:00am-11am Saturday.

2. Free Classes Saturday at Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw to celebrate National Parks & Recreation Month:

• KidzArt Demo (Class) from 9:15 to 10 a.m.
• Jump Rope Jam (Workout) from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

3. Wear your favorite Hero Costume to the Touch-A-Truck event at Roswell Corners Chick-fil-A 4pm-7pm Saturday. (FREE)

4. Create an Olympic Torch at Lakeshore Learning Saturday from 11am-3pm to inspire your family to take part in your own Backyard Olympics (FREE)

5. Pack a picnic and enjoy an Outdoor Movie at Roswell's Riverside Park. Puss in Boots (PG) starts at dusk.

Be sure to check our website calendar for even more to do this weekend!

Gimme 5 Friday!

Five fun things to do this weekend! Click on the highlighted link to learn more.

1. Its a "Day of Discovery for Kids" at the Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site in Cartersville. On Saturday from 1-3pm, kids will learn what archaeology is from a professional archaeologist. Hear about history and see real artifacts. Take part in mock excavations and learn how to clean and identify treasures that you find. COST: $3.50-$5.00 770-387-3747. 813 Indian Mounds Rd., S.W., Cartersville.

2. Hear ye, Hear ye, you are invited to join the Royal Court...well, actually it's the Upper level of the JC Penney Wing at Town Center Mall but a grand event just the same! Simon Kidgits Club Prince & Princess Party is Saturday from 1pm-3pm. The festivities will include special prizes, fun activities and a DJ! Wear your favorite prince/princess costume OR your Kidgits shirt, to receive a special prize (while supplies last). COST: FREE for current Kidgits Club Members; $5 for nonmembers includes an entire year of fun activities!

3. Meet the Author Event at the Town Center Prado Barnes & Noble Saturday at 11am. Author Anthony Pearson will read his new book, Baby Bear Eats the Night. He will also sign copies for sale. COST: FREE

4. Enjoy all things butterfly this weekend at the Butterfly Festival at the Chattahoochee Nature Center on Saturday (10am-3pm) & Sunday (12pm – 5pm). Be a part of butterfly releases & encounters, crafts & face painting, sidewalk art & fairy house construction. Enjoy live entertainment, food trucks and so much more! Little ones can wear their butterfly or caterpillar costumes and take part in the Butterfly and Caterpillar Costume Parade. Go online to find schedule of the weekend activities! COST: 
$10 General Public/$8 CNC Members 

5. Get creative and leave the mess on someone else's floor!! FREE crafts for kids around town this weekend.

• Michael's Passport to Imagination is taking everyone to Japan from 1-4pm Saturday.
• Kids can make "My Pet Fish" with their handprint from 11am-3pm at Lakeshore Learning East Cobb on Saturday
• Lowe's is celebrating kid's favorite movie characters this summer. This month's project at Lowe’s Build & Grow Workshop for Kids is a "Kung Fu Panda Spinning Attack" on Saturday at 10 and Sunday at 2pm. Register online!

Looking for something else? Check our website calendar & follow us on Facebook!

Daily Picks for June 25-29

MONDAY: Catch a movie at the Central Library.

• Dumbo showing at 2pm (also showing The Muppets this week on 6/27) 

• "Social Network"showing at 3pm for ages 13 to Adult

TUESDAY: It’s Storytime!

• Tales for Tots at Whole Foods at Merchants Walk at 10am 
• Town Center Prado Barnes & Noble at 11am – They’ll be reading “Birds” by Kevin Henkes 
• Cosmic Possum Storytime at 10:30 at the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw. Adams Park is right next door so pack some snacks and go play or keep cool browsing books at the Kennesaw Library nearby.  
• Choose your favorite Cobb County Public Library storytime, click here to view schedule 

WEDNESDAY: Bring your kids to Chick-fil-A at Roswell Corners and have fun playing BINGO for prizes at 10:15. Afterwards, play on their indoor play center or head over to Roswell Area Park

THURSDAY: It's about the tweens & teens today!

• Summer Fun for Tweens at Gritters Library from 3:30-4:30pm. Learn about "Jewelry Making" this week. Register ahead so they have enough supplies for you - call 770-528-2524
• Kids in grades 6th-12th will have fun Designing Wind Chimes at Mountain View Library 3pm-4:30pm – pre-register at the reference desk or calling 770-509-2725

FRIDAY: See an "Arabian Adventure" at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center presented by Tanglewood Marionettes. Showtimes on Friday at 10am & 1pm. (More performances Mon-Sat at 10:00am and Wednesday at 1pm;) Children 2-12 are $5 per person, lap babies free, adults are $6. For more details on show & purchase tickets online, visit www.roswellpuppets.com

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more daily ideas and I'm always adding more fun to our website calendar so check back often!

"Dream Big" with Cobb Libraries

The 2012 Summer Reading Program "Dream Big - READ" begins on June 1 and ends on July 31, with an end-of-summer reading celebration scheduled for Saturday, August 4.  Here are 5 of Cobb Tots & Kids "Don't Miss" activities for June at the library! There are  over 700 programs and activities this summer to celebrate reading so it was a challenge to narrow it down!  I'll be back with a list for July. More information about these and even events can be found at www.cobbcat.org/calendar: 

1. Dream Big and get creative with The Art Station. The creative minds at the Art Station have come up with all sorts of fun. Open to children of all ages with caregiver. Powder Springs Library at 11am on Tuesday, June 4th

2. Learn about Frogs & Toads during a fun program about the frogs in our own backyard with Rachel Small from the Cobb Watershed Stewardship Program. Listen to a the zany story "Tuesday" by David Wiesner and Ms. Small will demonstrate the differnent sounds that frogs and toads make. Registration is required. For grades 3-6. Mountain View Library Tuesday, June 5th at 3pm

3. Summer Fun for Tweens is a weekly program at Gritters starting June 7th from 3:30-4:30. Each week the topic changes...from Calligrapghy to Soap Carving kids get to try something new while having fun. Regsitration is required so call 770-528-2524.

4.  Kids Writing Workshop at Kennesaw Library on June 12th from 1:30-3:30 with Best-selling author and Kennesaw resident Margaret Johnson-Hodge. Young writers will be presented with tools to tap into their creativity and tips tailored especially for students ages 9-12. The workshop will be hands-on, and will include handouts and on-site exercises. Participants also will learn methods for tackling the hardest part of writing - the first page!

5. Watch Joe the Magician on June 12 at 11am at the Powder Springs Library. Open to children all ages with caregiver.

Children from birth to 5th grade can participate in the Summer Reading Program at the library. Pick a folder to log the books they have read. Return the reading log anytime after July 4th to receive receive a certificate and to be eligible to win prizes. Stevi B’s has also sponsored a pizza giveaway for participants, and the first 5000 children to return their folders any time after July 4 can receive a coupon for a free kid’s buffet at any local Stevi B’s location!

Adults and Teens in grades 6-12 are also encouraged to participate in the "Dream Big" Summer Reading Program too by submitting book reviews. Forms can be picked up at the branches, downloaded from the website, or submitted online. Each person who enters a book review will be eligible to win a Sony eReader, courtesy of OverDrive, a provider of downloadable books and audiobooks.

Every person, regardless of age, who completes the library’s reading program will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad 2, courtesy of Cobb EMC. All winners will be announced at the End of Summer Reading Party, which will be held on Saturday, August 4 from 5-7 p.m. at the Central Library. Any winners not in attendance can pick up their prize at the Cobb County Public Library System branch of their choice.

Cheap Seats for Kid Flicks

School is almost out! When a rainy day spoils your pool playdate or it's just too darn hot, enjoy a movie. Here is a list of free or cheap seats this summer. Click on the highlighted links to get the movie schedule.

Children's Summer Series at Studio Movie Grill on Holcomb Bridge Rd offering $1 tickets for kids $2 for adults Monday-Friday at 11am beginning May 8th through week of August 6th.

Town Center Stadium on Town Center Drive in Kennesaw is participating in Regal Theater's Summer Movie Express. Showing G or PG rated movies for only a $1 on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:00 starting June 5th. A portion of proceeds from the Summer Movie Express will be donated to the Will Rogers Institute.

Park 12 Stadium Cinemas & Merchant's Walk Stadium Cinemas are hosting Georgia Theater Company's Summer Kid Show Series on Tuesday's & Thursdays at 10am staring June 5th. Door open at 9:15. Tickets are $1, $1.50 Kid-Size Popcorn, $1.50 Kid-Sized Drinks.

The Cobb County Libraries are showing FREE movies throughout the summer at various branches. Click on highlighted link to see schedule. If it its not posted, call the day of to get movie title.

• Central Library has "Movie Matinee" on Mondays & Wednesdays at 2pm beginning on June 4th through July 27th. Showing G or PG movies. No movie on July 2nd or 4th!
• Central Library also showing PG-13 movies for teens to adults on Mondays at 3pm.
• Hattie G Wilson Library will be showing movies on Wednesdays for school age children at 4pm. Starts June 6th until last Wednesday of July. No movie on July 4th!
• "Beat the Heat - Movies for Teens and Adults" at Mountain View Library on Saturdays in June & July at 2pm. For ages 13+ only! You may bring light refreshments.
• Stratton Library is showing G rated movies at 2:00pm on Thursdays in June and July. Feel free to bring a blanket and pillow and get comfortable.
• Page to Screen Series at Central Library every Monday afternoon in July at 3pm for a blockbuster movie based on a book. For ages Teen to adult only!
• July 16th bring the family out for "Family Night" at the Central Library at 7pm for a Mercer Mayer Short Film Festival - enjoy 3 short films based on the frog stories written by Mercer Mayer.
• "End of Summer Film Festival" starts July 30th through August 3rd at West Cobb Regional Library at 11:30am. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! Open to all ages.

Follow us to find the fun! 

Tuesday Storytimes

Take your pick of storytimes today...

• The library has TONS of storytimes for babies to preschoolers today even one at 4:15pm at East Cobb Library for ages 3-5 to help break up that LONG afternoon! When my kids were little I used to call that time of day the "witching hour"...Mom kids are getting tired and cranky! Click here to check for times and locations. 
• "Tales for Tots" at Whole Foods Market at Merchant's Walk at 10am? Supposed to pre-register by calling 678.996.9700 but I bet if you decide to drop-in they won't turn you away!
• Barnes and Noble at Town Center Prado on Barrett Parkway at 11am
• Cosmic Possum Storytime is at 10:30 at the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw. 

All of them FREE! Happy Tuesday Storytime!

Do you know of a local weekly storytime we've missed? Let us know by commenting here!

Weekend Family Fun!

You don’t have to spend much money this weekend to have some family fun.

• Let their creative juices flow at Lakeshore Learning’s FREE craft on Saturday. Drop by their East Cobb location between 11am-3pm to make a Honeybee Hive.
• Barnes & Noble at Town Center Prado has their storytime at 11am on Saturday. Grab a Starbucks for yourself, sit back along with your kiddos and enjoy finding out what happens when Itsy Mitsy tries to run away!
• Get your work boots on and head to Lowe’s for their Build and Grow Kid Clinic on Saturday at 10am. Kids will have fun building and decorating their own school locker. Each participant receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit along with their project. Although not required, it is best to make reservations online!
• Princesses (age 3 +) will be jumping for joy if you take them to the Disney Store at Town Center Mall on Saturday for their “The Story Begins with You” craft event on Saturday. Two 30 minute sessions are offered - stop by at 10:30am or 1pm dressed up as a princess for their enchanting crafts. If your princess is anything like mine, she will love any excuse to be in costume!
• Beyond Cobb, Centennial Olympic Park has their Fourth Saturday Family Fun Day from 12pm-4pm on…Saturday! The event is full of interactive, entertaining and educational activities for children based on this month’s theme “Games & Gadgets”. Activities include educational programming, specialty workshops, touring shows, street performers, family-friendly performances, children’s crafts, life-size chess games, appearances by on-air personalities, local sports mascots, contests, prizes and more. Oh, and don’t forget bathing suits and a towel so you can splash in the Fountain of Rings!
• If you want to get away from the city, scoot north on I-75 to Red Top Mountain. Pack a picnic, hike around a bit, then stop by the Visitor Center at 3pm for a special program about “Snaaaaaakes”. Everyone will get to touch a few of Georgia’s non-venomous snakes…if you want! Program is free but you’ll have to $5 for parking.
• Our pick for family flicks this weekend is the Coca Cola Film Festival at the Fabulous Fox Theater. On Saturday, catch Mr. Popper’s Penguins at 2pm & on Sunday, Cars 2 is showing also at 2pm. Be on time so you and yours can sing-a-long with “Mighty Mo” and watch a classic cartoon before the movie! Tickets are $8 each at the box office or online but B98.5 has a “Buy One Get One FREE” ticket deal! To take advantage of it, click here!
• Do a good deed on Sunday, eat ice cream! The 7th Annual Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ is happening on the Roswell Square from 2pm-4pm. For $5 per person or $15 per family, you can eat all the ice cream you want and you will help raise money for The Drake House, a crisis center for women and children. There will be entertainment, children’s activities, contests, and loads of hand cranked ice cream!

Looking for more fun, follow us on Facebook to get daily tips, deals, and activity ideas for family fun.

Free Stuff Friday

Yes, you can have a great weekend and not spend much money! Here's the last installment of our "Top 10 Picks of Things to Do This Weekend"!

8. FREE Movies at Cobb Libraries: Family Flicks @ East Cobb Library 11am, call location for specific movie; Movie Matinee @ Central Library showing Land Before Time at 3pm

9. Make a Buzzing Bee at Lakeshore Learning at 4287 Roswell Rd., 30068; FREE on Saturday, 11-3pm
 

10. Enjoy the outdoors at your favorite playground or a Cobb County park. Pack a lunch, fly a kite, kick a ball, ride your bikes! Head to Kennesaw Mountain, ride the bus to the top and it's a short hike to the "tippy top" for great views of a great city!

Have fun, wear your sunscreen, and let us know if you did any of our Top 10! We'd love to hear about your weekend!
I'll be taking the weekend off from posting on my blog but I will continue to post on FB & Twitter what I find worthwhile of your time!