Affordable skiing for the family

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Ray Bisson

Do you remember, before you had children, going skiing for the day? Lift tickets were expensive at $40-$50+ each!  But what a great time we had skiing with family and friends.

Now, we have a 9 year-old and a 5 year-old and we want to share this activity with them. You could imagine our surprise when we saw lift tickets for $70+ for 1 day!! Plus, add in rental equipment for the kids and lessons, OH MY!

So we did some investigating. We were able to find a used pair of skis for our oldest son from a ski shop.  Fire on the Mountain in Dover, NH also offers an affordable boot club. You rent a pair of boots each ski season instead of purchasing a pair. This way you have a new pair each year that fits your child.

We live on the seacoast of New Hampshire so there is not a lot of ski areas near by. I took my son to Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick, ME on a Friday night. It cost us $5 each for our lift ticket. Powderhouse Hill has a rope tow lift, and three trails (one big trail divided by the rope tow and some glade trails). This was perfect for my son to start learning to ski. This experience reminded me of growing up in Claremont, NH and learning how to ski at Arrowhead Ski Area. Another town ski area with ticket prices running at $3 and $5.

This weekend we are going to McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester, New Hampshire. The ticket prices are $29 for an adult ticket and $26 for children, which is cheaper than an adult ticket at Gunstock. I am also hoping to get a lesson for him for $35, which is the same cost as Gunstock. Now, I know that these small areas do not have the vertical height, high-speed quad chair lifts, fancy lodges or even (in some cases) snow making, but these quickly disappearing ski gems are great for teaching the young ones how to ski.

We will still visit the traditional ski areas, because after all we have some of the best skiing right here in good ol’ New Hampshire.

The following is a list of some inexpensive local ski areas:

Filed under: Discounts and savings, Family Fitness, Family fun activities, Outdoor fun, Outdoors, Quality time with kids, Sports, Winter activities | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Our kids prefer plays over movies!

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Ray Bisson

This past Christmas we took our kids to see “Christmas Carol” at the Seacoast Repertory Theater in Portsmouth, NH. When we walked in to the theater, our five-year old said “Oh, I love this place”. We sat in the front row and were able to really experience the action.

We try to take our children to at least one play a year, and they have loved every one of them. They have also seen Sleeping Beauty and the Chronicles of Narnia.

We go to the movies often and there is something about watching live actors that will outdo even some of the best movies. 

To see a movie at our local movie cinema costs $10 per adult and $7 per child ($3.50 more per ticket if a 3D movie). To see the “Hobbit“, playing in February at the Seacoast Repertory Theater, we paid $10 per ticket. So for almost the same amount of money you can introduce your children to art and culture, and a magical experience.

Follow this link for a listing theaters throughout New Hampshire.

Filed under: Arts & Culture, Family Shows & Concerts, Family fun activities, Quality time with kids, Rainy day activities | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Building Workshops for Kids

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Ray Bisson

Throughout the winter we have taken our children to Lowe’s home improvement stores for their kid’s Build & Grow clinics.

Lowe’s and Home Depot have workshops for kids to build pre-packaged wood sets.  So far at Lowe’s, our boys have built a gingerbread house, pet treat keeper, money bank and a tic-tac toe game.

Usually when we arrive at Lowe’s, we ask where the clinics are being held because every store has had them in a different spot. Then we sign the boys in, they get a wooden set, apron and goggles (on their first trip) and a kid size hammer to use. The kits come complete with pre-drilled wood, nails and easy to follow instructions. Once the project is complete, the kids hand in their hammer and get a certificate and a patch.

On our first trip, I had to help our 5-year-old almost the entire time. Now he likes to do everything himself, including reviewing the instructions. Both boys have enjoyed the trips. The Build & Grow clinics give them a sense of accomplishment and help build their self confidence.

My only complaint is that we make the projects on the concrete floor, which gets uncomfortable after a while. I wish they had tables set up.

On February 6th, we will be going to Home Depot to build a car display, and on February 27th, we will go to Lowe’s to build a “Lowebot” (robot and car). Lowe’s holds clinics every two weeks and Home Depot has theirs the first Saturday of each month.

Click on the following links for all the details and to sign up for free.

Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic  

Kids Workshops at Home Depot

Filed under: Arts & Crafts, Discounts and savings, Educational, Family fun activities, Quality time with kids, Rainy day activities, Winter activities | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Winter family fun in New Hampshire

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Adrienne

Now that the weather has gotten colder, our thoughts are turning to sledding, ice skating and other fun winter activities. New Hampshire has plenty of free (or inexpensive) places to sled and skate with your kids this winter.  Bundle up the kiddos – here are some “cool” activities to try this year:

Wagon Hill Farm – Durham – Their huge hill makes it one of the best places to sled (for free) on the Seacoast.   As an added bonus, there are also beautiful paths that are perfect for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

The Rinks in Exeter – If the weather outside is too frightful, try the indoor ice arena in Exeter, which features public skating, lessons, camps and clinics, figure skating and birthday parties. 

Dover Arena – This indoor rink offers public skating, figure skating, skating lessons, youth and adult hockey programs; pick up hockey games and special events.

Alexander Carr Park – Derry – Have a blast sledding in the park, and then visit the on-site lodge to warm up with some hot cocoa and board games.

Derryfield Park – Manchester – A popular place for (free) sledding, right in the middle of town.  The great hills make it a go-to spot for many families, so it does tend to get crowded.

McIntyre Ski Area – Manchester – Features great tubing at (relatively) low prices.  Please note that children must be at least five years old and at least 44” tall to go tubing here.  Also has skiing and snowboarding lessons for all ages.

White Park – Concord – This gem of a park has a lovely pond for ice skating and great hills for sledding – both at no charge.

James Campion Rink – Hanover – This indoor rink features public skating at reasonable daily rates (season passes are also available), skating lessons and hockey.  They also have a store that sells skating supplies.

Filed under: Family fun activities, NH mountains, Outdoor fun, Winter activities | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

The 18th Annual Festival of Trees, November 20-22, 2009

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Adrienne

Our family officially kicks off the holiday season with a trip to the Festival of Trees in Portsmouth.  One of our favorite traditions is to wander through the Urban Forestry Center and marvel at the gorgeous holiday decorations.

The event features more than 100 trees, all beautifully adorned with lights and spectacular ornaments.  My kids are mesmerized by the displays and are delighted to see something fabulous every time they turn around.  Local businesses and organizations decorate the trees, and many have a “theme.” It’s always fun to see the diverse ideas and creativity – such as a local music store hanging CDs on the tree and baseball enthusiasts creating a Red Sox-themed tree with mini-baseballs, bats and “green monsters.”

A winding path leads through the Urban Forestry Center’s lawns and into their buildings, which is a nice break from the (usually) chilly weather.  And during the tour, kids get to “spy on” Mrs. Claus baking in the kitchen and sample her delicious cookies – something that my kids usually talk about for weeks afterwards.

Attendees can vote on their favorite trees, a responsibility that my girls and their friends take very seriously.  Every time we go, the kids enthusiastically debate about which tree should receive their coveted “popsicle stick ballot.” It’s tough to pick a favorite out of so many worthy contenders!

The event is best after dark, when visitors get the full effect of the twinkly lights, which make everything seem so magical.  My advice (from years of experience) – wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes.  And, if you’re like me, this event will probably inspire you to start thinking about your own holiday decorations as well!

The event runs from Friday, November 20 – Sunday, November 22 at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth.  Admission is $5/per person and children 12 and under are free.  Funds are earmarked for conservation education and supporting historic gardens around the Seacoast.  The Festival of Trees is hosted by the Portsmouth Garden Club.

For more information, visit www.portsmouthnhgardenclub.com/fot.htm.

Filed under: Festivals, Holiday Celebrations, Outdoors, Winter activities | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Children’s Art Expert Offers Pumpkin Decorating and Drawing Ideas That Kids Will Love

Posted on October 18, 2009 by The Mom Entrepreneur

decorated pumpkinIf spending hours scooping out seeds and stringy pumpkin isn’t on your list of fun things to do this Halloween, decorating a pumpkin without carving is a fun option.  Forget the knives and break out the permanent markers along with some other household craft items to decorate your pumpkins.

“Decorating pumpkins without carving is a great alternative for younger children who can’t use carving utensils,” says Ms. Shell Herman, president of KidzArt, an international children’s art education franchise.  “Without carving, your child’s decorated pumpkin will last a lot longer and it can be displayed in your home throughout the fall season.”

Herman offers some clever pumpkin art projects that will excite the kids, minus a big mess:

  1. Stenciled Pumpkin Designs - Go online and peruse the hundreds of pumpkin template designs available.  But instead of carving, kids can use a stencil to trace a pattern on the pumpkin.  Use colored permanent markers (Sharpies® work well) to color, draw patterns, etc. 
  2. Glitter Pumpkins - For kids who love shimmer and sparkle, cover your gourds and pumpkins with a coating of glitter.  Using craft glue that dries clear, “paint” the entire pumpkin with glue.  While the glue is wet, sprinkle your favorite colored glitter over the pumpkin.  Let it dry for an hour and shake off the excess sprinkles.
  3. Pumpkin People - Kids can create ‘pumpkin people’ by using a variety of household items.  Draw eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks on the dry, clean pumpkin. Or get creative and use fruits or vegetables for ears, eyes or a mouth, glue on raffia for hair, add a hat, a bandana, glasses, ribbons or felt to give each pumpkin its own personality.
  4. Black on White - For a dramatic effect, kids will get a kick out of drawing with black Sharpies on a stark white pumpkin. Try tracing and coloring in simple black silhouettes like bats, cats and spiders!

For more creative art projects or for information on fall and winter art classes, call KidzArt at 800-379-8302 or visit their website to find the nearest KidzArt location in NH.

Filed under: Arts & Crafts, Fall activities, Family fun activities, Halloween for kids, Rainy day activities | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Local Public Safety Events Celebrated Fire Prevention Week

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Ray Bisson

Every Fall towns all around put on events for Fire Prevention Week. Some are held at the PublicBarrington Public Safety 10-10-09a Safety Buildings or Fire Stations and some are held at other facilities. The weekend of Oct. 3rd, Rochester, New Hampshire held their event in the Home Depot parking lot.  

My older son and I decided to stop by. Inside, they had a table setup where Rochester Police officers were talking about safety and helping with the kids fingerprinting kits.  They also had handouts, stickers, fire fighter helmets, etc. at their table.

After we made our purchases, we stopped by to watch the firefighters use the “Jaws of Life” to dismantle a car. The last exhibit we tried was the smoke house.  The firefighter explained to the children what to do if they hear a fire alarm - like feel the door with the backside of your hand and test for temperature. Then they opened the door for everyone to crawl through.

The Fosters Daily Democrat was interviewing a few children after they went through and they talked with my son.

The newspaper article read:

Jacob Bisson, 9, was a fan of the smoke house but said he was also entertained when firefighters used hydraulic tools to cut the doors and roof off a demolished car.

“It was like they used tweezers to open it up,” he said, adding that he is glad to have firefighters around for emergencies because “people’s houses don’t have special hoses.”

Barrington Public Safety 10-10-09bThis weekend on our way to the town dump, we drove past the Barrington Pulic Safety building, which was holding their event.

Kids enjoyed climbing in and around the fire trucks and ambulance, playing in the bounce house, putting out a fire, watching the firefighters use the “Jaws of Life“, and visit with Smokey the Bear. They also received pencils, stickers, comic books, etc. from inside the station.

These are great events for children to meet their local firefighters and learn about fighting fires. We try to visit every year and reinforce fire safety prevention with our kids.

Filed under: Educational, Fall activities | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Screamer’s Café: Cooking Up Some Fun

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Adrienne

My daughters love to help me cook at home, and we were thrilled to learn about Screamer’s Café in Stratham, a family-friendly, casual-style restaurant that offers kids’ cooking classes (as well as great birthday parties).

When my girls were as young as two, they loved to participate in the fun, interactive cooking classes, where kids have the opportunity to try new recipes and are encouraged to make a mess.  Each week features a new cooking adventure – including yogurt parfaits, chicken pot pie, meatloaf, cookies, cakes and my girls’ favorites:  tacos in a bag (which we’ve recreated many times at home and on camping trips.)

As part of each class, the kids sample whatever dishes they’re making, plus they get to take home their creations to enjoy later.  (It’s great to have an entertaining morning activity where the kids make their own lunch or dinner, giving me one less thing to worry about later!)

The hour-long classes are held on Thursday and Friday mornings and cost $10 per child.  There’s no commitment to sign up for a series of classes – just drop in when you can – which is great for families with crazy schedules. The staff requests that parents sign up in advance (even the day before) so they can be sure to have enough ingredients and set up enough workstations for all of the kids.

They happily accommodate food allergies, with nut-free and dairy-free options available in the cooking classes and on the restaurant’s menu.

In addition to the cooking classes – which are the main draw for my family – Screamer’s is a wonderful place to eat.  They offer kid-friendly foods, such as macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, PB&J and grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as delicious options for adults, including soups, sandwiches, quesadillas and more.  And prices are very reasonable.

The Café has a toy room with a play kitchen, tool bench, blocks, dolls and a huge chalkboard.  They also have stacks of coloring books, puzzles and games for children to use on-site.

We’ve been to some fantastic birthday parties at Screamer’s.  The staff is completely hands-on, leading games like limbo contests and musical chairs.  Children can choose their own theme in advance (we’ve recently been to a butterfly-themed party and a cooking class party.)  The staff will bake the birthday cake for you (or have the guests make the cake as part of the party’s activities.)  And they’ll even haul over the gifts and clean up the wrapping paper debris. 

For more information, including a schedule of upcoming cooking classes, visit www.screamerscafe.com.

Filed under: Birthday party ideas, Family fun activities, Quality time with kids, Rainy day activities, cooking with kids, eating out with kids | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Popular Book and Doll Series Come to Life

Posted on October 7, 2009 by The Mom Entrepreneur

New Hampshire’s only sanctioned  American Girl Fashion Show is taking place the weekend of November 7 and 8 at two shows daily beginning at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Capital Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main Street, Concord, NH.  Tickets are $27 and $37 and available at the box office or online at www.ccanh.com.  Benefits the Junior Service League of Concord.

Don’t miss this enjoyable experience for children, their families, friends, and favorite American Girl dolls!  The show features historical and modern day fashions for both girls and their dolls, as the show comes alive with over 80 models.  The fun-packed program also features auctions, raffle prizes, opportunities for photographs, favorite refreshments from various eras, and more.

Since 1931, the Junior Service League of Concord has been raising funds to support women and children in crisis in the greater Concord, New Hampshire area.

Filed under: Fall activities, Family Shows & Concerts | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Cathedral Ledge – North Conway, NH

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Ray Bisson
cathedral ledge 9-17-09s

Cathedral Ledge

I recently attended a quarterly meeting for the New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association, which was held at the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel.

I was not looking forward to the long ride from the Seacoast to Attitash along Route 16.  Luckily the meeting was short and I was able to start the drive home before it got dark. 

It was a gorgeous “fall” day and I was by-passing downtown North Conway and Conway by taking the scenic West Side Road. When I saw the sign for Cathedral Ledge I decided to take a detour and drive to the top. 

Cathedral Ledge is a very short distance, less than 2 miles, from Route 16 in North Conway, and has a summit road that meanders up to the top.  As you start your drive, you may be lucky to see rock climbers gathering their gear. This is a very popular cliff to climb, but no thanks…I will drive around.

Once at the top there is a short (5 minutes at most) hike to the cliff. There is a chain link fence that keeps people and kids from getting too close, but you can still get a good view at the steep cliff.

I remember every visit that I have taken to the top - from when I was a child on a family trip, to weekend getaways with my wife (then fiancée), to taking our oldest son on his first visit. Every time it is absolutely beautiful, and this time was no exception. I just wished my family was with me. 

This is a great side trip and does not take a lot of time. Once you come down from the ledge, drive into North Conway Village and get an ice cream or coffee and stroll through the town.

Filed under: Fall activities, Family fun activities, NH hikes, NH mountains, Summer activities, Summer attractions, Traveling with kids | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Next Page »