Target the Stars Blog

Order you very own Alphabet Summer: Celebrating Life One Letter at a Time book today! Check out our Updated Summer Camp Resource Page page Richfield United Methodist Church Community Carnival , Sat, June 2, 10 AM - 2 PM MALL of AMERICA EVENTS Toddler Tuesdays: The Cat in the Hat, Tuesday, May 29, 10 a.m. - Noon, Rotunda Puss and Boots , Sat,June 2, 10 AM, Free Family Flicks at the Mall of America, first-come, first-served, as seating is limited to the theater capacity. FREE! Click here for future showings American Girl Doll Store Events - all events FREE and open to the public! McKenna "Take the Challenge" Scavenger Hunt , 4 - 8 PM, May 30 American Girl Historical Character Scavenger Hunt , Jun 1, 3 (2-6 PM) American Girl Historical Character Scavenger Hunt, Jun 1, 3 (2-6 PM) EXHIBITS, MOVIE, & THEATRE EVENTS Click here to enter to Win a Year of Museum Adventures MacPhail Center for Music FREE Family Music Seies MN Children's Museum&#

I had to share this blog post for my Twin Cities readers: 50 Things to Do with Your Kids Before They Grow Up . We'll definitely be adding quite a few of these to our Alphabet Summer!

Disclaimer —Alphabet Adventures is a blog dedicated to inspiring creativity and celebration of the alphabet and is filled with fun activities based on the alphabet.  I do my best to accurately list local activities and events for the education and enjoyment of families in the Twin Cities metro area. Because information is gathered from a number of different sources including websites, emails, magazines, and organization printings; the accuracy of listed and linked information cannot be fully guaranteed. It is strongly suggested that readers double-check dates, times, and overall information before registering or attending listed events in case of change or inaccuracy of details .   Postings of programs and events are not endorsements. Because these programs and events are intended for children, YOUR children, and some cost A LOT of money, you are strongly encouraged to seek as much information as possible by gathering feedback and references from trusted sources before you registe

Preschool Programs PeaPods for Preschoolers, Wed, June 6 - Aug 15, 9:30 - 11 AM or 12 - 1:30 PM $100.00 for the ten session series member/$120.00 for the ten session series non-member June 6 - Inch By Inch June 13 - Teeny, Tiny World June 20 - Soggy, Boggy, Froggy June 27 - Pea Pod Babies July 11 - Cattails and Dragonflies July 18 - Puddlicious July 25 - Dance Like Plants August 1 - Berries for Birds August 8 - Herbal Nose Poppers August 15 - "Friends in the Garden" Party Pea Pods for Preschoolers , Tues, October 9 - December 11, 9:30 - 11 AM $100.00 for the ten sessions member/$120.00 for the ten sessions non-member October 9 - Me-Oh-My-Apple Pie October 16 - Composting - Where Do Leaves Go? October 23 - "Mouses" and Mosses October 30 - Orange and Round Abound November 6 - Those Nutty Squirrels! November 13 - Bulbs - Prepare in the Fall to Burst in the Spring! November 20 - Hey Plants, Where Did You Go? November 27 - Three Sisters Stew D

Lil' Sprouts , ages 1 - 4, 10 AM - 12 noon, $15 for Adults – Kids are FREE .  Receive three $5.00 off coupons with the purchase of a Lil’ Sprout Thursday program that you can use on our Public Programs (one coupon per class)! Bird Buddies,  May 24 Furry Friends, May 31 Parent/Child Preschool Programs - Parent/Child Preschool Classes are for preschool children ages 4-5, accompanied by an adult, Fee: $15/child Sparky and Friends, May 22, 25, August 6, 10, Giraffes Galore, June 12 or 14 Monkey Business , June 20 or 22 Think Pink, June 25, 29 Totally Turtles and Tortoises, July 3, 5 Leapin' Lizards!, July 9, 11 Yuck & Stuff, July 17, 20 Big Cat Bonanza, July 25, 27 Excellent Eggs, July 30, Aug 2 Beautiful Butterflies, August 14, 16 Zany Zebras, August 22, 24 Life in a Dead Log, August 27, 29 Ss..Ss..Snakes, September 14 Fall Leaevs, Fall!, September 20 Outrageous Orangutans, September 26 Howl About It, October 12 Going Batty, October 10

Check out the UPDATED SUMMER CAMP RESOURCE PAGE MALL of AMERICA EVENTS Toddler Tuesdays: Treasure Beyond Measure Pirate Show, Tues, May 22, 10 AM - 12 noon, Rotunda Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Audition, Sun, May 27, 10 AM - 3 PM, West Market Square The Wizard of Oz , Sat, May 26, 10 AM, Free Family Flicks at the Mall of America, first-come, first-served, as seating is limited to the theater capacity. FREE! Click here for future showings American Girl Doll Store Events - all events FREE and open to the public! McKenna "Take the Challenge" Scavenger Hunt , Wed, May 23, 4 - 8 PM American Girl Historical Character Scavenger Hunt McKenna Bracelet Craft , Wed, 23 Innerstar University Spirit Scrunchie Craft , Fri, May 25, 4 - 6 PM EXHIBITS, MOVIE, & THEATRE EVENTS Click here to enter to Win a Year of Museum Adventures MacPhail Center for Music FREE Family Music Seies MN Children's Museum's Let Your Imaginati

Call 612-877-8090 to register for classes at Heartfelt in Linden Hills Preschool Classes - ages 2 1/2 and older with a grown up, $10, $5 for each additional child per family Preschool Air Fair, Wed, May 30 or Thurs, May 31, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Preschool Fairy House, Wed, June 13 or Thurs, June 14, 10:30 - 11:30 AM All Age Ice Cream Social, Wed, June 27 or Thurs, June 28, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Preschool Leaf Crafts, Wed, July 25 or Thurs, July 26, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Preschool Fairy Fete, Wed, Aug 1 or Thurs, Aug 2, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Preschool Butterfly Bash, Wed, Aug 15 or Thurs, Aug 16, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Fairy Garden, Sat, June 2 or 9, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, ages 6 to adult, $32 Flower Fairy Demonstration, Sat, June 9, drop in between 1 and 3 PM, FREE! Fairy Tree House, Wed, June 13, 20, 27, 2 - 4 PM, ages 6 & 7 with a grown up helper, $44 Pom Pom Guinea Pig, Thurs, June 14, 1:30 - 3:30 PM, ages 7 and up, $15 Flowers and Leaf Fairies, Sat, June 16, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, ages 6 to adult

Young Eagles kids airplane rides , Airlake Airport EAA Chapter 25 Hanger, Lakeville, ages 8 - 17 years, Sat, May 19, 9 AM - 12 noon, Please call in advance of flight dates. Rides are held the 3rd Saturday of each month all year, FREE! MALL of AMERICA EVENTS Toddler Tuesdays: Blue's Clues Clue Collecting Day , Tues, May 15, 10 AM - 12 noon, Rotund, Click here for upcoming Toddler Tuesdays events 2012 Midwest Robotics League Robot Combat Competition, Sat, May 19 - Sunday May 20, 1 PM, Sears Court, Rotunda Chicken Run , Sat, May 19, 10 AM, Free Family Flicks at the Mall of America, first-come, first-served, as seating is limited to the theater capacity. FREE! Click here for future showings American Girl Doll Store Events - all events FREE and open to the public! McKenna "Take the Challenge" Scavenger Hunt , Wed, May 16, 4 - 8 PM McKenna Mirror Craft, Wed, May 16 , 4 - 6 PM Kit’s Tree House Craft, Fri, May 18 : 3 - 5 PM A merican G

Fairies are flocking to the gardens of families all over the Twin Cities this spring.  Don't be surprised if you see one pop up in your neighborhood or even in your very own back yard.   If you wish to attract your own fairy, pixie, or gnome be sure to create a welcoming environment.  They really don't need much and are quite creative in their own right. It was about four years ago when we made our first fairy garden.  It was very simple.  Using the base of a terra cotta pot, we filled it with sand and spent a whopping $5.00 at Michael's picking out the tiniest items such as a mini watering can, flowers, and wooden painted birds, bees, and ladybugs. The fairy surprised us that night by sprinkling fairy dust (it looked a bit like red glitter) all over the garden.  We always knew the fairy had come because some of the items would be moved when we looked at it in the morning.  The fairy didn't come every night so it was always fun to look and wait for

Here are some of my favorite career-focused websites to help children learn about the many jobs that make up our nation’s workforce: bls.gov , careerinfonet.org , careerkids.com , iseek.org , kids.gov    Informational interviews with trusted family and friends is a great way for children to learn about different kinds of jobs.  You may want to have them draw a picture of someone doing this kind of work in their Alphabet Summer journal.  Here are some questions they could ask:    1. What is your job title?  2. How long have you been doing this kind of work?  3. Does this job focus mainly on people, information, or tools?  4. What’s your favorite part of this type of work?  5. What is the most challenging thing about your job?  6. How did you prepare to be able to do this job?  7. How did you learn about this job opportunity?   8.What are the titles of some other jobs that are like yours?  9. What advice would you give someone who was interested in this kind of job? 10. How much

Even though the majority of individuals in our workforce do not end up being actual entrepreneurs, it is still a great idea to encourage your child to develop and build their own entrepreneurial skills such as creativity, hard work, marketing, networking, working well with others, self-confidence, risk taking, and most importantly persistence despite rejection or failure .     In addition to introducing your child to entrepreneurs you know well, you can also encourage them to create their own little business to practice these skills.  Be sure to keep your child safe and only work for people you know very well or work with them so they are not alone.    Here is a list of kid-friendly jobs to try:       1. Babysitting       2. Car washing       3. Cleaning and organizing homes and garages       4.Making and selling greeting cards       5. Mowing grass       6. Organizing the house or garage       7. Delivering newspapers       8. Being a parent helper – babysitting whi

In 1987 I donned an actual red and white candy striping uniform and volunteered for over a year at the Buffalo Hospital (sure wish I had a picture of that!).  After extensive training, I was allowed to assist nurses, doctors, technicians, and administrative staff in all departments of the hospital including the ER, ICU, front desk, gift shop, med and recovery floors, and my favorite was in the newborn nursery. I learned a lot during that volunteer opportunity.  I did not pursue a career in medicine but it opened my eyes to all the hard work that staff within a hospital do to assist in the healing of patients. In addition, I met many inspirational staff and folks who were on the mend whether I was filling out paper work, passing out juice, or even sanitizing bed pan. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity for both give and take and allows not only organizations to benefit from in-kind assistance, it helps people who volunteer the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the

PARENT EDUCATION Understanding Your Child’s Developing Brain, Thurs, May 10, 7 PM, St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development, 3395 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka, FREE! Register online at http://www.stdavidscenter.org/ces or contact Layne at (952) 548-8627 or ltrout@stdavidscenter.org . MALL of AMERICA EVENTS Toddler Tuesdays: Diego's Rainforest Fiesta, Tues, May 8, 10 AM - noon, The Patio Click here for upcoming Toddler Tuesdays events . The Road to El Dorado , Sat, May 12, 10 AM, Free Family Flicks at the Mall of America, first-come, first-served, as seating is limited to the theater capacity. FREE! Click here for future showings American Girl Doll Store Events - all events FREE and open to the public! McKenna "Take the Challenge" Scavenger Hunt , May 9, 4 - 8 PM McKenna Bracelet Craft , May 9, 4-6 PM Mother’s Day Card Craft, May 11 (1-3 PM) and May 13 (12 - 2 PM) EXHIBITS, MOVIE, & THEATRE EVENTS Target Free Family Concer

Last fall I purchased a riding lesson at The Grand Equestrian in Elk River on Saveology.com .  We finally had a chance to use the voucher on Tuesday for our now 8 1/2 year old daughter who was in heaven as she groomed, fed, led, and rode a beautiful horse named Biscotti. She was taught by long-time horse trainer Andrea who carefully explained how horses like to be treated and how to avoid injury while working with horses.  The Grand Equestrian offers group and private lessons in addition to hosting birthday parties , weddings , and summer day and week-long camps .

Is your teenager(s) looking for something to do this summer? Teens going into 6th through 10th grade are welcome.  The cost is $100 which includes the entry fee to all events and a t-shirt.  Parents are needed as drivers and chaperones. The program includes day trips every Tuesday from June 12 through July 31 (except July 3) including Cascade Bay, the Minnesota Zoo, Lake Nokomis, Grand Slam, mini golf, Como Zoo, and all day at Valley Fair. Click here for more information or call Terri Hunat at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Richfield at 612.869.2426, ext 120 or email: faithformation@strichards.com .  Registration deadline is Friday, May 11.