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

Soil Toil - a List of Community Gardening Projects for City Dwellers

by Terese Farmen

March 31, 2009

At preschool, my daughter is learning how to grow a plant in a Dixie cup. She has finally begun to understand that flowers die when they are no longer planted in soil and has some concept that the vegetables on her plate came from a seed like the one she planted in school. Being in the heart of the city, understanding the concept of the planet's contribution to our survival in the form of food seems completely abstract, if not bizarre to her.

In an effort to instill some of the more country roots (sorry for the pun), we researched various community garden projects to find out who was doing what in San Diego County to allow city dwellers a chance to get dirt under their fingernails. We added ourselves to multiple waiting lists where we get to rent a section of dirt to grow our own food. We even found various organizations that use this community gardening project to feed the less fortunate members of our community fresh, organic produce grown and harvested on this community land.

Introducing the water conservation garden...for those unfamiliar

by Jenny Ciampa

November 19, 2008

A girlfriend of mine, who is a preschool teacher, asked me if I have taken my girl to The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College . The what? "Take her," she declared. Her class of preschoolers went there on a field trip, the kids LOVED it. Housed on 5 acres at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, this non-profit and eco-friendly garden is fascinating...and free. The purpose of the  Read more...

Inspiration for Imagination in San Diego

by Jenny Ciampa

October 14, 2008

Inspiration for the very active imagination of a preschooler is all over San Diego. In fact, it was challenging to just pick five but, I did. I thought about the places my girl and I have gone recently where she entered her world of imagination while I watched in awe the unclouded mind of a child. Check these places out: Desert Garden -this garden in Balboa Park is filled  Read more...

Day Trip: U-Pick Apples in Julian

by Jenny Ciampa

September 12, 2008

Apples in September, they bring thoughts of back to school and Julian . Right? Right. The apple orchards in Julian are open for the pickin'. Plan a day trip and head on out to the town that boasts tasty apple pies and history of gold. Best time to visit Julian and pick apples is mid-week. It's quieter and not so jam-packed with visitors. But, you need to be sure to check out the list  Read more...

Chinese History in San Diego

by Jenny Ciampa

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...

5 Classes You Should Know About

by Jenny Ciampa

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...

A Secret Garden, Not for Naked People Anymore

by Jenny Ciampa

June 13, 2008

I thought we knew Balboa Park pretty well and the other day, I found out just how much we don't know. Time after time we have passed by Zoro Garden on our way down El Prado without even noticing. It's tucked away, actually it's sunk away, and it's a treasure. The stone pathways that zigzag down the sides of this hidden grotto create an exciting, downhill journey for kids determined  Read more...

How to Cultivate the Tiniest Green Thumb in San Diego

by Jenny Ciampa

May 14, 2008

[picture credit:wikimedia] If my daughter's thumb is anything like mine, a lot of plants are in jeopardy. Visiting the Botanical Building in Balboa Park allows her to revel in the wonder that not all plants are brown like Mama's, and it allows me to revel in the wonder of how the heck they keep everything so green. Man, it is lush. If you want your child to be excited about this  Read more...