Tag: events

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Autumn’s Art: Fall Events at Local Museums

Delaware rests interminably on the division between snow storms and rain storms, flooding hurricanes and quiet spectating. We also have a tenuous relationship with fall. We could have weeks of a changing palette against the sky or 48 hours before a storm whips through and makes it look more like winter.

Fortunately, we are blessed with museums in and around our state that provide many ways to enjoy the season.

At Delaware Art Museum there are the final Thursday evening Summer Happy Hours leading up to the Peace Week Delaware and Fall Equinox Labyrinth Walk on Saturday, September 22nd, at 6:00 pm. Celebrating the change of seasons with a meditative stroll into and out of the Labyrinth will help you refresh for the fall. Level of meditation available will depend on how many children you have in tow.

On Thursday, September 27th, at 8:00 am, Brandywine River Museum of Art will host the Harvey Run Trail Walk: Finding Natural Wonders. This walk, inspired by the current Natural Wonders exhibit, will be led by Susan Charkes, author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes Near Philadelphia(free for members/$12 non-members). Other highlights from the Museum’s calendar include their First Sundays for Families with free admission on the first Sunday of each month, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. November’s first Sunday offers the thrill of Pirate Adventure Day.

First Saturdays at Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover are home to the free Biggs Kids programs. On Saturday, October 6th, at 11:00 am, Delaware Nature Society will be there for a special program on birding for children. Then the Museum will partner with Delaware State Fair at Delaware State Fairgrounds for The Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival on Friday, October 26th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturday, October 27th from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Fall Family FUNdays at The Delaware Contemporary on select Sundays, 1:00 to 3:00, are open to all ages and offer a variety of engaging activities and art-making opportunities. Attend all four and receive a FREE family portrait taken by a professional portrait photographer during the December 16th Free Family FUNday.

Keep checking back here to read more about local events to enjoy with your family this fall.

God bless,
Jason

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Legoland’s Home School Weeks

Legoland Discovery Center at Plymouth Meeting Mall is a must for any Lego Maniac. Home educators have the benefit of being able to visit attractions like this during quieter hours. In the coming weeks (September 10 – 14 and 17 – 21), Legoland will host their Home School Weeks, providing discounted admission and Educational Workshops at no extra cost.

Legoland offers hours of building, playing, learning, entertaining, and downright fun. The variety of activities (laser dodging, challenge building, race car construction, reflex games, padded play zone, 4-D movie theater, free building, and more) offer children the chance to exercise their energy between sit-down build sessions. 

What-A-Great-Experience Education Workshop


Go with friends or make some there as collaborative building can lead to simple masterpieces like this.

And don’t forget to bring your minifigures for trading! They don’t have to have the 5 components discussed in the Minifigure Swap Monday post, but I still like to take figures that are in good shape as other children may be interested. This is how it works: Every employee has at least one Lego minifigure on his or her name tag and must trade with anyone who asks. It may seem weird to get close enough to see what is there, but they’re used to it. I enjoy this especially as the children get to interact with the employees and often end up in fun conversations. And every once in a while, there’s an enthusiastic trader who has a secret stash of figures they may be willing to trade. Don’t just take your construction worker because you have ten of them, you may want to bring something a little fancier in case you get a chance to find something special.

You will come away with some cool new little guys and there is no limit, so fill those pockets.

Check out the schedule for workshops and plan your trip. Don’t forget some type of home education documentation. They’re not strict, but it’s a good idea to be prepared.

God bless,
Jason

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Lego in Delaware Libraries – September 2018

We are fully addicted Lego Maniacs now and that mania was born at Hockessin Library‘s Lego Club. It runs every Tuesday in September, 4:30-5:30 pm. This where I got to see my sons explore piles of bricks and build whatever came to mind. We still visit occasionally and I love watching the children build together, many of them winding down from a busy school day. It’s also gratifying to watch parents and caregivers assisting and, sometimes, building on their own.

Thursday, September 6th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Frankford Public Library will have their bricks out for building while participants watch The Lego Ninjago Movie.

Friday, September 7th, 10:30 – 11:15 am, Brandywine Hundred Library‘s Lego Storytime will focus on early childhood literacy and problem solving skills. My sons love to recreate and extend stories with their bricks.

Saturdays, September 8th and 22nd, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, South Coastal Library‘s Lego Club is for children 6 to 11 and requires preregistration by stopping by or calling the library at 302-539-5231.

Kirkwood Library will host a full morning of building fun Saturday, September 9th, with Lego Brick Club (ages 5+), 10:00 – 11:00 am; Lego Brick Club Jr. – Free Play (all ages), 11:00 am – 12:00 pm; and STREAMer Kids Club (ages 7+) featuring Lego, littleBits, Goldieblox, Minecraft, Makey Makey and more, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Sunday, September 9th, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Woodlawn Library‘s Builders Club will have Lego,  Bill Ding Balancing Blocks, Magformers and littleBits available for imaginative children ages 5 to 12.

Mondays, September 10th, 17th, and 24th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm, Brandywine Hundred Library‘s Lego Club is the place to be. Miss Katherine provides themes each week, but free building is encouraged for all ages. This program is dear to us as it was born out of local efforts by home educators working with this great library.

Wednesdays, September 12th and 26th, 3:30 – 4:30 pm, Claymont Library hosts their Lego Club for ages 4 and up.

Wednesday, September 12th, and Friday, September 28th, 6:30 -8:00 pm, feature a monthly building project at Newark Free Library‘s Library Lego Land Club for ages 5 to 10.

Saturday, September 15th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Bear Library‘s Lego Club is directed at children ages 6 to 12. And Delaware City Library‘s Lego Club will have themed building for a similar age range, 2:00 – 3:00 pm.

Monday, September 17th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Bear Library‘s Lego WeDo Robotics Club just went on my personal calendar. I’m coaching a FIRST Lego League Jr. team this season and I’m looking to learn more about WeDo, an introductory build-and-program system.
Registration required at the Kids desk or call (302) 838-3300.


Tuesday, September 18th, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Appoquinimink Community Library‘s Lego Club requests registration through this link for ages 5-11. There will be construction challenges and free building.

Wednesday September 19th, 3:30 – 5:00 pm, Frankford Public Library‘s Lego Open Build will feature just that: open building!

Wowzers. Lego is expensive and none of these programs will cost you a dime. If your local library doesn’t have a Lego program, just ask. Many of them have a bin of bricks that aren’t being utilized. Maybe even step up and volunteer to host one yourself. You’ll be amazed at what children create.

God bless and happy building,
Jason

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Lego Store Calendar Breakdown – September 2018

Each month, The Lego Store releases a calendar of in-store and online promotions. A PDF of September’s calendar can be downloaded here. The online promotions offer extra VIP points and bonus items for specific purchases and early access to more in-demand sets.

It’s a good idea to join the Lego VIP Loyalty Program as much of what is discussed in this article will require this free membership.

August 6 – September 30th describes the in-store building promotion. This is a fun bin of Lego elements designed to excite you about the theme of the moment. Nothing to take home, but a chance to see some of the elements you might find in your next set.

September 11 – 12 are the dates for the VIP Monthly Mini Model Build. You must have a VIP account and the builder(s) must be between 6 and 14 years of age. Registration opens online here on the 15th of the previous month. Slots begin at 3:00 pm and continue on to closing. These models can be taken home and the program is free. If you make a monthly habit of this one you can grow an eclectic little collection in no time.

The third or fourth Monday features my favorite Lego program: Minifigure Swap Monday! This is also for ages 6-14, but a guardian can participate as long as he or she is polite with the staff and lets the children do the real choosing. This is a free program in which children can refresh their minifig collection by trading with the store’s (and sometimes an employee’s) grab bag of minifigs. A “minifigure” consists of five elements: head, torso, legs, headpiece (hat/hair/helmet/etc.), and accessory (anything carried in its hand or on its back). You do not have to stick to a theme for your offering, but this is a generous program and please consider that other children may be excited to find what you have left. Don’t bring in dirty, scratched, or broken elements.

We were rather fortunate on our last trade and walked away with a couple brand new Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts minifigs as well as Superman’s dad!

September 19 features an exciting build-and-take magic wand. You do not need to be a VIP member, but you do have to stop in the store or call (Christiana Mall Lego Store: 302-453-1897) to register beginning September 1. On weekdays, build times are usually 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. On weekends, the events often run 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Registration for these build-and-take events always opens on the 1st of the same month. Ages 6-14.

The Lego Life Meetings offer a chance to build the September Mini Model Build, make it your own creation, and enter it in a contest to win one of two $50 Lego Store gift cards. These events cost $10 per child ages 6-14. Registration opens on the 1st of the previous month (August 1st in this case). 

August 13 – October 7 describes another in-store building promotion. This one is a little different and a bit more fun as you can display your creation right in the store.

Almost all of these programs are free. Yes, they’re designed to get you in the store and buy something; however, if you regularly visit the store and don’t buy your children something, they will learn that a lot of enjoyment can be had without opening mom or dad’s wallet.

God bless and happy building,
Jason

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Loud, Dirty, Stinky Education

dirt traction GIF

Demolition derbies, dirt tracks, drag races, stock cars, monster trucks…these are the things that excite children young and old.

Our area is hosting some amazing motor sports events between September 13th and 16th. 

To kick-off the weekend, FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pennsylvania will be home to the Mopar Mega Block Party on Thursday the 13th. This free event starts at 4:00pm with monster truck rides and a car crush by Raminator and will include everything from race simulators to a bounce house to live music. The night will be capped off with a fireworks show wrapping before 10:00pm.

The Dodge National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Nationals will happen from the 13th to the 16th at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, and feature the loudest and fastest cars you will ever see. There is a free education program on September 14th for ages 13 and up that includes a ticket to the race. Beyond this program, there are great learning opportunities for the curious child. These men and women love to talk about their cars and you can get a semester of STEM in the pits before a race.

If that isn’t enough noise and action for you, Bridgeport Speedway in Swedesboro, New Jersey, will feature the Monster Truck Throwdown on September 15th and 16th with EIGHT trucks competing for glory. Head over to Groupon for discounted tickets. Don’t forget to get there early to see the trucks up close, these man-made beasts are amazing.

If you haven’t been to events like these they can seem a little intimidating. But as long as you’ve got water, sunscreen, and ear protection, they can be a lot of fun. Generally, the spectators are relaxed and there are plenty of breaks in the action to get ice cream or take a walk away from track side.

If you’re still not convinced, take a look at Creamery Tire’s Customer Appreciation Day in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, on September 23rd. The iconic Bigfoot will be the highlight of a fun, free, family-friendly day. The day starts at 4:00pm with fireworks at 8:00pm. Getting to see just one monster truck crush cars in front of you will give you the bug to see more.

Inspecting the carnage.
Crushing off into the sunset.

God bless,
Jason

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Who Is Delaware Dad?








Who is Delaware Dad?

When our second son was born seven years ago my wife and I decided that I would leave my job as a proofreader and editor to take care of our boys. Exploring our world with these wide-eyed wonders quickly became my calling. We visited museums, zoos, parks, and any place that would admit us. I saw the unexpected connections the boys made between our expeditions, read aloud sessions, and play time. “Unexpected” would be a good title for the rest of the story. We watched how they learned and decided to try home education. We analyzed the trials and tribulations, looked at the results, and fell in love with the lifestyle. Smaller in material ways, but seemingly boundless in love and learning.

We became libertarians, then Christians. We put God, family, love, and learning at the center of our universe and it seemed to be working out.

Then my wife, Mary, got the flu. She was healthy and strong by any standard. She went to her doctor, we went to urgent care, we went to the emergency department, we went back to the emergency department. She was gone six days later.

Delaware Dad was born shortly before Mary’s passing. I wanted to share our experiences with home education, my love of Delaware and the tri-state area, and help other families find their own adventures. I am so excited and grateful to be able to write for Macaroni Kid. We haven’t stopped exploring, learning, and loving.

God has given us an unexpected life. One that I believe is worth sharing and can help others. Feel free to reach out to me on Facebook to share your local favorites, educational opportunities, and any questions you may have about our grief journey. I look forward to bringing the best Delaware has to offer to you and your family.

God bless,
Jason Zerbey

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Your Corner

Two years ago, Delaware Art Museum started a new tradition with their Kids’ Corner by inviting an Artist-in-Residence family to design and revamp the space each year. The most exciting part of this plan was to involve all of the museum’s families to participate in the shaping of the kid-friendly area.

Delaware Art Museum was where I first envisioned how adventurous home education could be. I left my job and came home to take care of a three-month-old and a two-year-old while my wife, Mary, supported our family. She suggested the Museum and I ventured out on one of our earliest excursions. It was challenging, but it was also enlightening. We could spend most of the day in this venue that I thought was meant for adults. We could talk about paintings and sculptures, sit and read books in Kids’ Corner, or be a little more structured and attend the weekly (and fantastic) Glory of Stories program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was, and still am, an absolute museum novice, but it didn’t matter. I quickly figured out that I didn’t have to be a “teacher” to my boys, I could learn alongside them and simply bring my excitement for knowledge acquisition.

This coming Sunday, families can come and feel that same excitement as the Museum unveils the newest incarnation of Kids’ Corner. You’ll be invited to participate in remaking the space and then visit all year and be able to say to your child, “You helped build this.”

God bless,

Jason