A Golden Opportunity for Family Fun

I like getting my kids out to the park, but I get tired of going to the same one. And every now and then, it's nice to find a place to go where you get more out of your park trip than just a few minutes of fun on the play equipment. If you live in or near Huntington Beach, California, Golden View Elementary School has just what you need to add a little life to your ordinary playtime.

Located just outside of Golden View Elementary is Golden View Park. It offers a 2-structure playground with sand and a field for playing tag or soccer. But venture on-campus, just past the basketball courts and you’ll find another play structure, a field, and a 2-acre fenced farm, the Student Environmental Learning Facility (SELF). You won’t be able to go inside like a petting zoo, but the magical moment when you and your kids are approached by 20-plus curious bunnies sniffing inquisitively at your fingers through the chain-link fence will definitely give you the giggles. And then you’ll meet a multitude of chickens, musical geese, and the monstrously large turkey you just can’t look away from. Be careful with fingers though. The animals seem friendly thanks to the interaction they get from the kids who attend school there, but they may still nibble and peck which can hurt if you’re not careful! 

The SELF is home to birds, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, turkeys, ducks, geese, turtles and rabbits and holds a garden bed for each classroom. The teachers include trips to the farm in their curriculum where students get a hands-on opportunity to care for plants and animals and learn about planting and caring for their gardens throughout the seasons.

Golden View Park and Elementary School is a great place to have fun with your family but visit on a weekend or holiday so that you won’t be in the way of the students when class is in session.

Golden View Park and Elementary School are located at 17251 Golden View Lane, Huntington Beach, CA.

 

 

 

 

**Reprinted from Heidi Deal's Yahoo! Voices Contributor Page**

 

 

The Children's Museum at La Habra

There’s something about a good children’s museum that puts a child-like spark in the heart of every playful parent. The Children’s Museum at La Habra is able to do that before you even step foot inside. From the parking lot, you pass the historic train-depot-turned-theatre building that looks mostly abandoned, a few old train cars including a caboose from 1942 and giant dinosaur topiaries along the entry path.

Once you get inside, the bright colors and stimulating patterns beckon you to run, touch and play with everything you can get your hands on. The Museum has 14 hands on activities with 7 galleries including one rotating exhibit. Little ones can dig for dinosaur bones, pump gas, ride a miniature carousel, “drive” a bus, put their hand in a lion’s mouth and build a castle out of giant blocks.

Of all the exhibits, it seems the most popular is the market where kids can load up their shopping carts with pretend food and cash out at the register. Watching the imagination and interpersonal communication pour out of the kids in this relaxed kid-friendly environment is inspiring.

Keep an ear out for the announcements alerting visitors to participate in daily events like caboose tours and animal meet and greets. And don’t forget to give your little superstar the opportunity to show their talent on stage! Visit the Theatre Gallery where kids can dress up, read scripts, or sing their favorite songs.

If animals are your thing, head to the far end of the Museum to the Nature Walk Gallery and get up close and personal with animals from all over the world. Stand next to towering bears, a leaping lion, and a small exhibit of live animals.

At $8 per person (kids under 2 are free) this Museum is a steal by providing magical family memories and hours of fun.

The Children’s Museum at La Habra is located at 301 South Euclid Street, La Habra, CA 90631. For hours and additional information, visit their website at http://www.lahabracity.com/custom.cfm?name=cmlh.cfm.

*Reprinted from my page on Yahoo! Voices*