Being Savvy: Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers and kids in San Diego, CA

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The Haunted Dollhouse

October 23, 2008

Placing furniture in rooms and reinacting family life with dolls certainly grows imagination. Watching my girl play with her dollhouse brings back fond memories of my childhood so playing dollhouse with her is like returning to being five. We were playing with her dollhouse the other day when she said, "Mama, let's make my dollhouse a Halloween house." In other words, let's decorate  Read more...

Junior Theater for Very Young Students

October 06, 2008

Since we are on the topic of nurturing imagination this month, I just had to share something I came across that I wish I would have come across a month ago. Some of you are probably already aware of the classes offered at the San Diego Junior Theater , but I, myself, was not. I have a child who LOVES to act; in fact, she's really got the dramatic thing down. Now Im looking for ways to  Read more...

Pretend Play at the Children's Museum

October 02, 2008

What would childhood be without pretend play? I know one word I would choose to answer that question:Boring. My entire childhood was centered on pretend play and as I watch and interact with my daughter, I realize, so is hers. While at the New Children's Museum , where imagination runs rampant, we ventured downstairs to the Cricket Wireless Level and discovered the Performance Stage.  Read more...

October, A Month that feeds the imagination

October 01, 2008

We have officially entered October, my favorite month. I love the fall, even if we aren?t seeing too many signs of it yet, and Halloween with a child to me is well, super creativeespecially because my girl loves to make believe. What a better month to encourage imagination than the one with a holiday involving costumes, witches, ghosts and goblins. Here at Savvy Source I did a bit of  Read more...

Savvy Pick: Favorite Post of September

September 30, 2008

Today we have been asked by the Savvy Source team to choose our favorite post this month. When I looked back over the posts I wrote in September there was one that I had so much fun creating: Appreciating the Old Town Art Festival With Preschoolers. The reasons for this post being my favorite are: 1. I love a good art festival. 2. There are lots and lots of art festivals in San  Read more...

Not Your Ordinary Playdate

September 25, 2008

Are you in the mood to expose your kiddo to some eclectic music that yes, you too will enjoy? Want to get a dance party going for your babe and some of their playmates so you can listen to good music with other parents while checking out the awesome dance moves of preschoolers? Call up your best mommy and daddy friends and organize a playdate at the Adams Avenue Street Fair. This  Read more...

Relocating to San Diego: Tricks of the Trade

September 24, 2008

I have met lots of new families who have relocated to San Diego (especially with our military presence here) and one thing we always end up talking about is things to do and places to go with kids. You begin to share tricks of the trade which become invaluable in your quest to get to know this city. Here are some of the tricks I often suggest: Zoo Membership -if you live close to the  Read more...

Come An' Get It: Free Stuff in October!

September 22, 2008

There are some places here in our good ol' San Diego that are offering up some free stuff in October. Can you believe that October is literally right around the corner Back to the free stuff. We all love a freebie and here are some great opportunities to save a few bucks and have a good time. Hornblower Cruises is offering one hour bay cruises free to children 12 and under. Here's  Read more...

Appreciating the Old Town Art Festival with Preschoolers

September 19, 2008

Do you ever feel up for an art festival yet avoid it because your preschooler would rather be scaling the walls than appreciating art? If you are in the mood for walking around Old Town, checking out art, listening to live music and eating tasty, tasty Mexican food come this weekend to the Old Town Art Festival . Here are some suggestions to make it fun for your preschooler too. The  Read more...

Come On, Preschoolers! Express Yourself.

September 17, 2008

Expressing ourselves creatively starts at a young age. My girl loves to paint and draw tornadoes, tornadoes and more tornadoes. What that says about my daughter, well, it makes me wonder but let's not go there. Let's go check out some art classes offered up for our little artists. My Little Artists located in Poway and San Carlos provides individualized art instruction for kids as young  Read more...

Kids Care Fest

September 15, 2008

This coming up Saturday, September 20 th , the 7 th annual Kids Care Fest is happening at Briarcrest Park, in La Mesa, from 9am-2pm. This is an opportunity to teach your kiddos the importance of taking care of their cute little bodies. There will be a variety of health care screenings such as vision, hearing, dental and chiropractic. This is all FREE. Very cool. Educational health  Read more...

Art Walk on the Bay: Kidswalk, Kids Give

September 10, 2008

For the past few years, we have been regulars at Art Walk in Little Italy. Progressively through the years this art festival has become better and better. More art, more performers, more icy cold drinks, and more stuff for the kiddos. For these reasons, we are very excited for the return of Art Walk on the Bay (put on by the same folks as Little Italy's Art Walk) this weekend, September 13  Read more...

Social Animals: Kids' Safari at the Zoo

September 01, 2008

Welcome to September, my friends. The month of back to school, back to routines, and back to that constant work of exposing your preschooler to our social world...not like this ever stopped in the first place. But you know, socialization for this age group is a work in progress. The San Diego Zoo is offering up a social activity for kiddos ages 3-7 years old this Sunday, September 7th.  Read more...

History Lesson: Stagelines to California

August 21, 2008

Yearning for a bit of yesteryear? Celebrate the 150 th anniversary of Butterfield Overland Mail Stage at Stagecoach Days in Old Town and you'll be thanking these men who made our mail service what it is today. Kiddos will be mesmerized by coaches that delivered letters a long time ago. Heck, you'll be mesmerized by the fact that these men were committed to 25 days of travelin a stagecoach.  Read more...

Marine Biology for Little Minds at Birch Aquarium

August 18, 2008

Little minds are intrigued with life under the sea, just look at the success of Nemo. Living in San Diego, we are fortunate to have an aquarium whose education programs feed those hungry minds about what life under the sea is really all about. Birch Aquarium's A-B-Sea Club offers monthly, theme based classes for infants up to four year olds. With names like Five-Armed Frenzy, Ocean  Read more...

Frozen Yogurt Art

July 31, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] In honor of this past week's ice cream posts, I thought I'd do a shout out for frozen yogurt... So there was this rumor going around downtown about some frozen yogurt place moving in to the Hard Rock Hotel called Pinkberry . Pink what? Geez, the looks of horror and surprise at not knowing what Pinkberry was felt like sitting in the naughty chair. First of  Read more...

Chinese History in San Diego

July 28, 2008

I'll be the first to admit that we have strolled through Chinatown downtown and in the blink of an eye, passed right through it. There are a few buildings that are noticeably Asian and at the Sunday Farmer's Market and Asian Bazaar on Third Street, you get a taste of Chinese influence. But what I found admirable, without it being blatantly obvious, was the fight to preserve San Diego's  Read more...

An Education in Sand

July 11, 2008

This weekend in Imperial Beach, the US Open Sand Castle Competition is the main event. In honor of our love of the beach, and the sand that comes along with it, here are some fun and educational activities to enjoy while at the beachfrom our very own Savvy Source team. Finding Buried Treasure -before leaving home, gather a bunch of dollar aisle toys. Send the kiddos down to the shore  Read more...

Three Days In and Around San Diego: Day 3

July 10, 2008

The Jewel of San Diego La Jolla, meaning the jewel in Spanish, lives up to its sparkly name. This spectacular coastal community has a day's worth-a weeks worth-of activities for every age group. I've highlighted a kid-friendly day in the life of La Jolla including options because honestly, it's hard to decide. This town is magnificent. Hungry for breakfast? Grab a table on the  Read more...

Three Days in and Around San Diego: Day 2

July 09, 2008

Insider Tips Ok, since choosing only one attraction to make a day out of is a tough choice, what I thought I would do is give you some insider tips. You know, suggestions on making the most of your visit to one of these famous San Diego attractions. That's what you came to San Diego for, right? San Diego Zoo -the Nighttime Zoo is a mustand here's my suggestion. Get to the zoo in  Read more...

Three Days In and Around San Diego: Day 1

July 08, 2008

A Day in the Life of Del Mar A stellar morning in Del Mar begins with breakfast at Pacifica Breeze Caf in the Del Mar Plaza. This place is chill. Sit outside on the easy, breezy patio with views of the Pacific and eat in style. The Breeze Oatmeal is my personal fave. Best of all, this is a family friendly joint so it's OK to cry over spilled milk. No one will mind, they are all too  Read more...

The Old World Storytellers

July 04, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] The Coronado Public Library is hosting an old world style, marionette performance of Thumbelina on its lawn, Saturday, July 5 th at 1 pm. An old world style performance? How cool. Many babes might think of Pinocchio singing, I've got no strings to hold me down when they think of marionettes. Or many babes might think, What's a marionette What I find so  Read more...

US Open Sand Castle Competition

July 03, 2008

It's that time of year again. That time of year in Imperial Beach that is so intriguing 350,000 people are expected to show up. Holy crowds. It's time for the US Open Sand Castle Competition and it's happening July 12-13 th . If you haven't been to this event, you've most likely seen it on TV or even the National Geographic Channel. It's a big deal, literally. This event of great  Read more...

La Jolla's Very Own Dr. Seuss

June 27, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] Oh Dr. Seuss , an artist and writer who created a quirky world that young readers fall deeply in to with whimsical rhymes and one of a kind characters. Take pride in knowing he wrote about them in La Jolla while sitting in an abandoned observation tower he made a home. On a shoulder of Mt. Soledad, Theodor Geisel took in the views that stirred his artistic  Read more...

5 Great Ways to Introduce San Diego History in Old Town

June 24, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] History is the story of time and preschoolers love stories. In 1769, the Spanish arrived to build their first, permanent settlement in the birthplace of California, now called Old Town . Father Serra established the first of twenty one missions resurrected in our state at this very location. Talk about history. Old Town is filled with stories to tell.  Read more...

The "Big Top" Seaport Village

June 19, 2008

[photo credit: chad cavanaugh] Now, I know this might sound downright crazy. This might even sound downright absurd considering the crowds that flock to San Diego in the summer time-we've all seen them. But, you gotta trust me on this one-just do it once-and go to Seaport Village . I know, I know, I am suggesting you visit the epicenter of downtown tourism. But, let me tell you, if  Read more...

5 Classes You Should Know About

June 17, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] On those non-preschool days, my girl and I have our favorite habits but you know, we need to kick those habits and try out some new gigs. San Diego offers a lot more than our same ol' habits ever will. Nature, Mommy and Me -on the second Thursday of each month at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park this class is offered for kiddos ages 1-5. Story  Read more...

Grandparents Sharing San Diego

June 16, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] Grandparents have all kinds of things to share:memories, experiences, time and that patience that only comes knowing that you give these kids back. Stories from the mouths of grandparents of the good ol' days can liven up any adventure. The Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum is a fantastic outing especially for grandparents with a military background. There  Read more...

Portraits Speak Volumes

June 12, 2008

Looking at portraits hanging on the walls of a museum is pretty fascinating. Just who are these people anyway? Put an almost three year old in front of these same portraits and she'll tell you exactly who they are. The Timken Museum in Balboa Park is a great place to check out portraits. First off, it's free ALL of the time. Secondly, it's small. There are a few galleries to walk through  Read more...

It's All About Shyla

June 06, 2008

Yesterday afternoon, here in sunny ol' San Diego, it rained. It was four in the afternoon, not my prime time, and I still had a few hours to burn with my girl stuck in the house. Well, 'stuck in the house is dramatic but I wasn't about to hop in the car and go anywhere in the rain. San Diegans don't drive well in the rain; we are used to water at the beach, not on our roads. I  Read more...

Getting to Know San Diego: Martin Luther King Promenade

June 05, 2008

My girl knows the Martin Luther King Promenade in the Marina because in the later afternoon, when Mama feels like a caged lion, we run wild and free here. Racing up the promenade we reach the Breaking the Chains sculpture. This is where hide and seek begins. Mind you, my girl is only hiding within and around this sculpture and could do so for hours. After the hours are up (OK, maybe  Read more...

Best Birthday Venues in San Diego

June 03, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] As a child, don't you remember all of the dreamy details you envisioned for your birthday party? The cake, the gifts, the menu, the venue-oh the venue, that always spoke volumes about the birthday kid. For the active kiddo with daydreams of jumping, tumbling, rolling and climbing, My Gym puts on one heck of a party. These peeps not only know how to  Read more...

The Budding Art Critic: How to Make the SDMA a Place Your Child Loves

June 02, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] Georgia O'Keefe has arrived! The Georgia O'Keefe and the Women of Stieglitz Circle exhibit is on its last stop, here in San Diego, from May 24-September 28 th . We checked out the exhibit on opening day because I could no longer contain my excitement. O'Keefe's flowers are um, let's say, thought provoking. Before our visit, I dusted off My Name is  Read more...

The Littlest Picasso in San Diego

May 21, 2008

The New Children's Museum in downtown has opened and let me tell you, my girl and I heart this place. We skip through the front doors every time we visit and we visit once a week. Hey, we live downtown and walk there. My girl is not the only one needing creative release. If you were to visit just one area in this museum, visit the Outdoor/Wet Art Studio on the main level. Be warned, this  Read more...

5 Best Day Trips within an Hour of San Diego

May 16, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] When another hour in the urban jungle will cause you and your babe to go apes, hit the road for a day trip. Your babe will play the day away at Cottonwood Creek Park in Encinitas . The water feature is where my girl makes water and sand soup. The climbing rock and play structures action is as constant as the bikes and scooters speeding by. We try to picnic  Read more...

Top 5 Things to do in San Diego on a Rainy Day

May 15, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] It's raining, it's pouring, San Diego feels so boring. Aw, it's not that bad, but come on! This city wasn't designed with rain in mind. It rains like 42 days annually. San Diegans are meant to be outside, all of the time. Well, OK, not all of the time but what to do to burn energy? While sitting in a cozy chair sipping a latte at Java Mama in La Mesa, I  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in san diego

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites

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Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

The Voice of Being Savvy san diego:
Terese Farmen, Jenny Ciampa

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