Win It Wednesday Giveaway

Growing Up Chico is excited to announce our NEW Win It Wednesday promotion! Every month, we will have a giveaway from one of the local businesses featured on this page. To enter to win, simply go to www.growingupchico. com/giveaways. The winners will be picked randomly on the 4th Wednesday of each month. You can enter to win the first giveaway anytime between May 15th - June 24th by 12 pm, and we will email the winner later that day. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for reminders and information on upcoming giveaways.

Enter to Win a $50 Gift Certificate to the Forebay Aquatic Center!

Our Mission is to promote education, recreation, boating and water safety, competitive water sports, and tourism in and beyond the Feather River Watershed. Rentals include: Single Kayaks, Tandem Kayaks, Sit-In Kayaks, Canoes, HydroBikes, Pedal Boats, Stand-Up Paddle Boards. Season passes are also available! See website for more details. 930 Garden Drive, Oroville 530-570-2866, www.forebayaquaticcenter.com

Enter to win a one-month family membership to In Motion Fitness!

In Motion Fitness is a five-acre resort of pools and palm trees nestled in a luxurious Mediterranean resort setting. We offer northern California’s largest selection of group exercise classes, fitness equipment, and aquatic facilities. We invite you to experience the World-Class facilities, services, and programs that have made In Motion Fitness a nationally acclaimed fitness facility. 1293 East 1st Avenue, Chico 530-343-5678, www.inmotionfitness.com

Kept at Home? Keep Your Kids Busy... and Maintain Your

Sanity! By Kerrie McLoughlin

As plans are canceled daily due to the COVID-19 virus, we are all feeling a little disoriented. I genuinely believe that boredom can be a gift for our kids because it forces them to get creative (and get along!). It never hurts to put a few fun suggestions in front of them to get them started, so some of the following ideas kids can do on their own and some you will want to join in.

1. Lego Masters. Break out the Legos because kids of all ages can get in on this one. Start by taking turns tossing out ideas for things to build (if you are stuck, there are some great ideas for printable cards online). For example, you might tell the kids to make a refrigerator; then, everyone tries their best to build that. Everyone’s creation will be different, so it’s not really a competition, but it’s fun seeing what everyone makes! Then pop some popcorn and turn on Lego Masters (Hulu).

2. Art show. Kids love to draw and color! I have tons of artwork on my fridge, but how about REALLY showcasing their special artwork of the day? All you need is a long piece of thin rope or yarn hung from one end of a room to another. Then hang finished pictures using clothespins, pretend you are having a grand gala opening, serve some snacks, and you have an art show! (Bonus activity: get some canvases, paint, and a variety of paintbrushes, and you have art to hang on your wall that can be switched out with other pieces they’ve created.)

3. Restaurant. I loooove when my kids play restaurant because I get to be the diner sitting at the table reading my book while they serve me different foods and drinks! They get to play waiters, hostesses, managers, and cooks (depending on age and what they are making, of course, but what an excellent opportunity to do some cooking and/or baking with them as well!).

4. Play-dough. This one only takes a few minutes of your help, and then the kids are off on their own, creating for hours. You could always just buy the stuff, but here’s a simple recipe, as well. Pair with a rolling pin and cookies cutters for even more fun!

1 cup flour ½ cup of salt 1 cup of water 1 T. oil 2 t. cream of tartar Food coloring

Mix all ingredients except food coloring on low heat in a pan. Once the consistency is of playdough, take the pan off the heat, let cool, then add food coloring a few drops at a time. Knead until the color is all mixed. Grab some cookie cutters and other kitchen items and let the fun begin! Store in air-tight containers or baggies. aren’t old enough to write them down. That’s where you come in! Have each kid tell you a story that’s been running around in their mind, and you can either write it out or type it. Then have your child illustrate it! If you’re creating the story on the computer, you can go to free photo sites like Pixabay to grab images for the story!

6. Scavenger hunt. Take out a piece of paper and write down different items in the house on it (if you have two teams doing the scavenging, write the same things down on another piece of paper). Ideas include a winter glove, a cotton swab, a doll shoe, a pie pan, etc. Now send the teams off, and whoever gets back with the most items from the list first wins a prize.

7. Board or other games. There are so many to choose from it’s insane! Depending on the ages of the kids and how much time you have, great games include Clue, Bananagrams, Tenzi, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Apples to Apples, Ticket to Ride, and so many more!

8. Play with your food. Break out the mini marshmallows and spaghetti noodles and have the kids construct creations like houses, bridges, towers, and more! If you have rice around (and you should right now!), put a bag into a large baking pan and let the kids play around in it on the kitchen floor. Excess can be vacuumed up, and the rest can be put into a bag to play with later.

9. Perler beads. You may know them as those things that go crunch when you vacuum, but kids recognize them as hours of fun! Using flat, plastic shapes with spikes, kids can create all sorts of things by placing Perler beads in different patterns. You can turn creations into necklaces, magnets, cool things to put inside school binders! Once the beads are in place, you’ll need to place parchment paper over them and iron on low until the beads melt together. Flip it over and do the other side, then they are stuck together and ready to go!

10. Salon. This is another one of my favorites because I usually can get a 5-minute back or neck massage while playing this. It’s also a blast to have the kids do my makeup, wipe it all off and start again. Then I get to do their makeup or, for my boys, tattoos on their arms using washable markers. Then it’s time for a bubble bath for the kids to wash off makeup (and germs — for the parenting win!).

11. Marco Polo. No, I’m not talking about the swimming pool game! I’m talking about the smartphone app that lets you leave video messages for friends and family. Depending on the age of your child, let them make all the video messages they want for their friends, and especially for grandparents! My dad and grandma love to see what we’re up to each day indoors and in our backyard.

Check out these fun Do It Yourself Kits offered from local businesses. It is a great way to support our local businesses and a fun way to keep the kids entertained. Look them up online, or give them a call to find out all they have to offer!

Art

• A Girl & Her Farm • BareFeet Creations • Board & Brush

Educational

• Sunny Garden Montessori • Thrive Home School Program

Toys

• Apple Blossom Baby • Chico Princess Parties

Yummy Food Treats

• Capay’s Harvest • County Morning Bakery • Denine’s Cupcakes • Fresh Cove • Shuberts

Center

Creative Outlets In-Home Preschool License # 045405971

Kids Park License # 045404701, 045404702

Preschool & Childcare Directory

Ages

2-6 years

2-12 years

Hours

8:30am-1:30pm Monday-Thursday

M-Th: 8am-10pm, Fri: 8am12midnight, Sat: 10am-12am, Sun:1pm-6pm

Curriculum

Creative Outlets offers a true preschool experience with the benefits of a loving, in-home setting. The owner has 20 years of experience and a degree in child development. The program focuses on teaching kinder readiness and is tailored to the needs of each student. It incorporates Math, Science & Pre-Reading, utilizing Zoo Phonics, cooking & gardening. Children learn through play, music & art, while providing a safe & exciting place to learn & grow. Exploration/personal growth on an individual basis is encouraged. Nutritional snack & lunch provided.

Drop in childcare, affordable hourly rates. The preschool curriculum is offered from 9:00am-11:30am. The 4 and 5 year old class is held on Monday/Wednesday/Friday and The 2 and 3 year old class is held on Tuesday/Thursday.

Contact

892-8069 funnyfaces@digitalpath.net www.facebook.com/creativeoutlets

2477 Forest Ave. 894-6800 www.kidspark.com

Little Sprouts Preschool License # 045405784 2-5 years 7am-5:30pm Monday-Friday

Little Wonders

Nature School

Notre Dame Preschool License #045407128

4-5 years

3-5 years

2.5 years & up 8am - 12:30pm, Monday-Thursday, Monday/ Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday option. Runs September-May with monthly registration

9am - 1pm, runs in 6 week sessions on Tues, Weds, and Thursday, each day is a separate registration

7:30am – 6pm Monday – Friday Little Sprouts Preschool offers: organic gardening and recycling. The Kindergarten readiness program has Zoo Phonics, daily circle time and enrichment activities. Nutritious snacks and lunch included.

Get your “Little Wonder” ready for Kindergarten by making learning fun and adventurous!

A first learning experience in nature with crafts, songs, games, animal visits and guided exploration of Bidwell Park.

Half Days & Full Days Available Preschool & Daycare Available

15 Overland Ct. 345-0123 littlesproutspreschool1@gmail.com

Dorothy Johnson Center 775 East 16th St. In the Little Wonders Room (530) 895-4711 www.chicorec.com/preschools

Chico Creek Nature Center 1968 E 8th Street 530-891-4671 x27 www.chicorec.com/preschools

500 Orient St. (530) 487-7330 preschool@ndschico.org www.ndschico.org/preschool

Tiny Tots 3-4 years 9am - 11am, Tuesday & Thursday from September-May with monthly registration Get your “Little Wonder” ready for Kindergarten by making learning fun and adventurous! Dorothy Johnson Center 775 East 16th St. In the Little Wonders Room www.chicorec.com/preschools

Allstate, Kevin Baker: Apple Blossom Baby: Azad’s Martial Arts Center: Boys & Girls Club of the North Valley: Butte County WIC: Camp Pendola: Camp Quest West: Chico Area Recreation and Park District: Chico Cheer Allstars: Chico Creek Dance Centre: Chico Princess Parties: Chico Unified School District: Children’s Choice Dental Care: DeAnna Holman-ARBONNE: Downtown Chico Business Association: Forebay Aquatic Center: Forest Ranch Charter School: Funny Faces Chico: Govan Ranch: Happy Campers: Help Me Grow Butte County: HYPE Dance Studio:

Growing Up Chico’s Business Directory

pg 16 pg 31 pg 15 pg 12 pg 19 pg 16 pg 24 pg 7, 30 pg 24 pg 5 pg 21 pg 9 pg 32 pg 2 pg 12 pg 6 pg 6 pg 19 pg 16 pg 17 pg 3 pg 12 In Motion Fitness: Inspire School of Arts & Sciences: Instant Nails: Joy Book, Norwex: Kids Park: Kinetics Academy of Dance: Lake View Charter: Little Sprouts Preschool: My Chico Dentist: North State Ballet: Northern Valley Indian Health: Notre Dame Preschool: Notre Dame School: Oak Bridge Academy: Sherwood Montessori: Small Town Girl Photography: Spun: Suk Young Ahn DDS: Thistle and Stitch: Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology: Vision Training Center: Youthful Smiles Dentistry:

pg 2 pg 19 pg 21 pg 19 pg 5, 30 pg 16 pg 5 pg 12, 30 pg 3 pg 16 pg 27 pg 15, 30 pg 15 pg 20 pg 19 pg 21 pg 31 pg 19 pg 15 pg 5 pg 6 pg 20