Halloween. And Then It’s Over, So What Are You Doing This Weekend, Besides Recovering?

I completely forgot to share previous posts about Halloween Treats like popcorn balls or Jack-o-Lantern oranges or pumpkin cheeseball.

That’s because I’m barely ready for Halloween.

Yesterday someone wrote a letter to the editor in the Daily Gazette about Books for Treats. Um, hello? Why didn’t I think of the unbelievably excellent idea to hand out our gently-used, no-longer-wanted children’s books as treats for Halloween? I get to de-clutter, encourage literacy, and decrease candy consumption (without being obnoxious about it) at the same time? Yes, please! Sign me up! One of my tasks today will be to check our shelves for books we don’t want anymore. Then kids will have the candy or book option.

Okay, here’s this week’s KidsOutAndAbout newsletter, and here’s what’s happening this weekend:

Multiple Times:

•  Lyle the Crocodile at Steamer No. 10 Theatre. A wacky, wonderful hour with our favorite reptile, based on the timeless picture books by Bernard Waber.
• Albany Ski & Snowboard Expo at Alpin Haus. Giveaways, Swap Shop, Family Fun Zone, Photo Contest, and More!
• The Not So Common Players present A Secret Garden at Not So Common Players. This enchanting classic of children’s literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, performed at Shenendehowa High School East’s Little Theater
• Glean Apples to Provide Food for Hungry Families at Capital District Community Gardens. A terrific service opportunity for families, gleaning is collecting leftover crops from farms to provide produce to area soup kitchens, homeless shelters, & food pantries. Come help! If you’re able to attend, please email so that we can plan for you.
• PUBLIC STAR PARTY at Landis Arboretum. A variety of telescopes will treat you to views of nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, planets, and other celestial sights
• Signing Smart Play Class- Come learn sign language! (Beginner Level) at Happy Babble. Come sing, sign & play! Come learn how to integrate ASL (American Sign Language) signs and communication strategies into daily life. Classes are for children and parents/caregivers ages 6 months to 2 years.
• Wild and Wiley Turkeys at Albany Pine Bush Preserve & Discovery Center. It’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to turkeys! Come discover the life of wild turkeys in the Pine Bush.

Friday, November 1st:

• Friday, November 1: Wiggle & Giggle at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. A time for children to explore the many different things that they can do with their bodies! Crawl through tunnels, walk the balance beam, roll balls, toss bean bags, and make music with all kinds of musical instruments.
• Friday, November 1: Parent’s Night Out at My Place to Play. On the first Friday of every month, drop the kids off for some wholesome fun, while you get a night out! ONLY $15 per child!
• Friday, November 1: Mystic India at Proctors Theater. Mind-blowing choreography, dazzling costumes and 65 professional dancers come together for one massive show that will leave you breathless.
• Friday, November 1: Story Art  at New York State Museum. Meet in Kid’s Cove ﾪ FREE Program for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Friday, November 1: Toddler Storytime at Albany Public Library – Main Library Children’s Room. Join Ms. Sarah in the Tulip Queen Reading Room for stories, fingerplays, songs and rhymes for toddlers and their caregivers.
• Friday, November 1: Surf and Turf Steak and Lobster Dinner at Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc.. The dinners will feature delicious fresh lobster, steak, shrimp, clams and seasonal sweet corn. Pre-sale tickets are $25, and regular tickets are $30. The dinners may be eaten on site or taken to go.
• Friday, November 1: WeeMuse: WeeRead Pajama Party at Berkshire Museum. Wear your favorite set of PJs and get cozy at the Museum for a night of storytelling and reading. Each gallery will feature a different story and story teller. Special guest readers will be announced.
• Friday, November 1: “I CAN SKATE!” tm at Rollarama Skating Center, Inc.. FREE learn to skate, learn the basics instructional class offered at Rollarama Skating Center, every Friday night at 6:30 pm, ending at 7:00 pm.
• Friday, November 1: Family Story Time at Lansingburgh Public Library. We’ll foster literacy skills by reading stories, singing songs and doing a craft based on a weekly theme. We encourage young children and their caregivers to come join the fun!
• Friday, November 1: Busy Bees at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. Calling all babies and toddlers! Join us for our newest weekly program, Busy Bees!

Saturday, November 2nd:

• Saturday, November 2: U Albany Men’s Soccer Team Home Game at Bob Ford Field at SUNY Albany. Come support your hometown team and see some great soccer! Click on link for opponents or to buy tickets online.
• Saturday, November 2: CNSE Community Day 2013 at SUNY CNSE: College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. Interact with CNSE faculty, students and staff and participate in a variety of activities that promote a greater understanding of nanotechnology, including a Kid’s Corner featuring child-friendly activities relating to nanotechnology
• Saturday, November 2: Story Art at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. Reading together is always better, so please join us on Wednesdays or Saturdays for an exciting new story each week!
• Saturday, November 2: Community Dance at Old Songs. Fun, simple dances from the U.S. and around the world. For every age and ability. All dances will be taught. Circles, contras, squares. Covered dish dinner before dancing.
• Saturday, November 2: Fall Open House at The Susan Odell Taylor School. Stop in! Meet our teachers and learn more about our engaging educational opportunities from preschool through Grade 6. Bring your kids. Enjoy games, playground fun (weather permitting) and a snack.
• Saturday, November 2: Art for All at Albany Institute of History and Art . Bring your family to the museum and spend the day being creative. Activities include mask making, jewelry making, coffin decoration, shabti sculptures, and linen cartouches.
• Saturday, November 2: Kulak’s Kidz Club at Kulak’s Nursery & Landscaping. We are cultivating future gardeners and planting healthy ideas! Join us for some gardening fun! Monthly gardening activities for children.
• Saturday, November 2: Living off the Land, Season IV: The Autumn Harvest at Huyck Preserve.  Join ethnobotanist, Justin Wexler, for walk at the Preserve and learn about the final harvest of wild fruits for winter, the plants used for hunting and trapping, and how the Indians prepared for the snowy season.
• Saturday, November 2: Furry Tales & Touchables at New York State Museum. A storybook reading comes to life as youngsters observe and touch real and replica Museum specimens that relate to the story.
• Saturday, November 2: Try Hockey for Free! at Schenectady Youth Hockey Association. Come to the Schenectady County Recreational Facility on 11/2/2013 from 4-6pm and try hockey for free – hope to see you there!

Sunday, November 3rd:

• Sunday, November 3: Toad the Wet Sprocket at Massry Center for the Arts at The College of St. Rose. When Monty Python’s Eric Idle created the fictional band “Toad the Wet Sprocket” for the program “Rutland Weekend Television” in 1975, he never dreamed that anyone would actually use such a silly name.
• Sunday, November 3: Pizza Making Workshop at The Lager House. “You make ’em, we bake ’em!” Any kid who enjoys cooking or simply loves to eat pizza will not want to miss this event! Our Pizza Chef will give step-by-step instructions while kids follow along to create their own edible masterpiece.
• Sunday, November 3: Madeline and the Bad Hat at Proctors Theater.  Madeline, Miss Clavel and all of her friends have a new, but not well-liked neighbor. When the new kid finds himself in a bind, Madeline must do what she does best – cause a little bit of mischief to avoid a big heap of trouble.