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

Find out more about:

Archives

Art Appreciation

Nuts about Nutcracker

December 18, 2008

If there's one performance that has proven to be a must see year after year, the Nutcracker has got to be at the top of the list. The colorful costumes and props, the adorable little children with their bright colored cheeks and adorable little tutus, and of course the excruciating grace of the dancers on stage, appeal to audiences year after year. The ballet is so popular that generally  Read more...

A theater to be proud of

October 27, 2008

Did you know that the San Diego Junior Theater is the oldest continuing children's theater in the country? I didn't and when I found that out I will admit I once again felt proud to be a San Diegan. Housed in Balboa Park with a stage in La Jolla as well as classes in Chula Vista, this non-profit organization has been nurturing imagination for over 60 years. Junior Theater's  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

5 Best Ways to Enjoy Balboa Park

May 13, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park marks itself as the largest, urban, cultural park in the nation. Little minds are bound to grow large in Balboa, let's ripen them. The Lawn Programs at the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages is a worldly trip for your babe. 31 countries, each represented by a cottage, share their cultural music, dance, food, art  Read more...

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

urbanjungle.jpg

Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

doremi.jpg

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

artisticendeavors.jpg

Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

roomtorun2.jpg

Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

rain.jpg

Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

localhistory2.jpg

A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

naturalhistory2.jpg

Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites

waterparks2.jpg

Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

holdinghands2.jpg

The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

bestofcity2.jpg

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

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

Read more Being Savvy for: