Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in denver, CO

Check it out! Bluff Lake Nature Center

May 26, 2009

I know that Colorado is known for it's naturey stuff, but it always surprises me when I find new and awesome things that are around to entertain and inform. Below is an article from Kristin, the volunteer program manager for Bluff Lake Nature Center in east Denver.

by Kristin

Bluff Lake Nature Center is a unique urban wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom in east Denver. The 123 acre refuge is adjacent to Sand Creek on the eastern edge of the Stapleton development. It offers a variety of native habitats including a seasonal lake, wetlands, short-grass prairie, a riparian zone and wetland woodland. Thanks to its 60 year history as an airport buffer, Bluff Lake has become an urban wildlife refuge for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, deer, fox, beaver, reptiles, amphibians and other types of wildlife that visit or live at the site.

Bluff Lake Nature Center is much more than a place for plants and animals. It is an oasis in the city where people can come to view wildlife, appreciate the peaceful sights and enjoy the sounds of nature. It is also an outdoor classroom for thousands of kindergarten through fifth grade students each year. It is our goal to encourage childrens' and adults' interest in natural science and stewardship through curiosity, observation, activity and a sense of wonder.

Bluff Lake Nature Center offers a variety of ways for the family to get outside and get involved.  Week-long Jr. Naturalist  day camps allow children to explore the trails and learn about nature in-depth. Free Fireside chats offer campfires and marshmallow roasts as families discover the animals and ecosystems at Bluff Lake.  Volunteer opportunities let you give back to your community while learning new skills.

Our wildlife and volunteers make this a place worth visiting! Go to www.BluffLakeNatureCenter.org to find out more about us.

More School Support - Montclair Plant Sale!

May 06, 2009

As we all know, Mother's Day is THE time to get planting in Denver. Officially "frost day" is May 7th this year - so we are free and clear to get shoveling by this weekend.

And I have a great place to send you to stock up on those plants, flowers, etc - AND help out a local public school in Denver.

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The 5th Annual Montclair Plant Sale
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
9 am to 2 pm, rain or shine
1151 Newport St.
Denver, CO 80220

Make your gardening dollars do good!

Your purchases:
    * Benefit the great kids at Montclair School
    * Supports a family-owned Denver nursery
    * Reduces your carbon footprint by buying plants that are grown in North Denver, not North Carolina!

They will have an expanded selection of perennials - plants that live for more than one year - AND proven performers for local gardens. If your gardening budget is tight this spring, consider investing in plants that will grace your garden for years to come. 

Get there early for best selection!

Win a Family 4-Pack to Sesame Street Live "Elmo's Green Thumb!"

April 09, 2009

Who doesn't love Elmo? My going on 7 year old still loves Elmo. Even me - at near 39 - *I* love Elmo. And if your kids (or YOU) love Elmo, Being Savvy Denver would love to help you get to see him and all his friends from Sesame Street.

I have one free family 4 pack to give away to the readers of this blog. All you have to do is comment on this post before midnight (Mountain time) Sunday, April 12th. On Monday, I will use a random number generator to pick one winner from the comments. Comment as often as you like. Please be sure your email address is in the comment so we can contact you with the prize!

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!

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Sesame Street Live
"Elmo's Green Thumb"
Denver, CO - Magness Arena - University of Denver
April 16 - 19, 2009

When Elmo's sunflower, Sunny, outgrows his flower pot, Big Bird's garden seems to be the perfect place for Sunny to flourish. An excited Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street's fairy-in-training, casts a spell to make Sunny grow faster. The spell does just the opposite and, instead of growing, Elmo and his friends shrink! As Abby tries to reverse the spell, Elmo, Zoe, Telly and friends explore Big Bird's garden from a smaller perspective and learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming fears and appreciation of nature. From dancing ladybugs to grouchy beetles, get ready for a fresh, original Sesame Street Live on a whole new scale!

Sesame Street Live is a larger-than-life, musical touring stage production featuring Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie...and more. Each performance is 90 minutes of singing, dancing and audience participation, including a 15-minute intermission. The perfect length for very young children!

Ticket information:

• Ticket prices: $15.00, $20.00 & $25.00. Limited $35.00 Gold Circle seating available.
• Opening Night (April 16, 7:00 PM)-All seats $12.00 (excluding Gold Circle seating).
• Kids' Matinee (April 17, 10:30 AM) - All seats $10.00 for school/daycare groups 15 or more.
• Additional group discounts available.
• Additional fees/surcharges may apply.
• To charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

Performance Schedule:
Thursday, April 16: 7:00 PM
Friday, April 17: 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 18: 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM & 5:30 PM
Sunday, April 19: 1:00 PM & 4:30 PM

Go Green! Top Eco-Friendly Resolutions for 2009

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

January 26, 2009

Going green is an awesome way to teach your child responsibility. And taking care of mother earth is a big responsibility, right? So when sharing the burden with kids, it's important to make it FUN as well. But, I can tell you, with Declan - it's neat to see how eco-minded he is - mainly because that's the way it's always been for him. It's been his habit since very little and that's they way he  Read more...

Time To Get Low Cost Street Trees In Denver!

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

January 21, 2009

Are you looking for trees to plant along your house at the edge of the street? The Park People's Denver Digs Trees program is here to help you. Every spring, this wonderful program makes trees available for the amazing price of $25 each to help beautify Denver. Their trees are available to all Denver residents, but target neighborhoods include: Baker, Barnum, West Barnum, Chaffee Park, Clayton,  Read more...

How to Cultivate the Tiniest Green Thumb

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

May 16, 2008

What comes to mind when you think of flowers, plants, and green thumbs in Denver? The Denver Botanic Gardens , of course. We'll explore the topic again and again, because I LOVE gardening but, truly. There is no place more appropriate to plant the seeds for a life-long love of the green than the DBG. Declan and I started a tradition two years ago, when he was barely even able to hold a camera  Read more...