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Community Corner

Grab & Go Kids Planner

Family Best Bets Of The Week: Casino, Shark Feeding, Extreme Bowling

Glad you clicked on our new Grab & Go Kids Planner! 

We've assembled a weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children. Each week, we'll give you the info on the five best family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Look for the kids’ planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips — just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you!

Choose from at night at the casino, a winter festival or a day trip to Massachusetts!

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK

Day Trip to Magic Wings and Yankee Candle Factory Store (www.magicwings.com and www.yankeecandle.com click on Flagship Stores)

Where/When: South Deerfield, Massachusetts

Why Go: OKAY... This day trip is not only fun for the kids but a treat for mom and dad too! First stop is Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory where the whole family can enjoy the thousands of butterflies floating around and landing on you as you sit on a tucked away bench. Be sure to check the mirror on the way out for hitchhikers! Next, stop by the Yankee Candle Factory Store. I know, we all love their candles but hate going to the store because the aroma is so strong! At the factory store you will find much more than candle in jars. It’s an experience! There is an extensive café area with coffee, fudge and other light fare. They have a whole children’s section with toys, a giant pirate ship for imaginative play, and our favorite…Santa’s Village. It doesn’t matter what time of year you go you are sure to see Santa sitting in his little alcove with Mrs. Claus knitting right beside him. It’s cute. It’s fun. It’s worth the drive. BE SURE TO: Pack a lunch or snacks for the ride.

If you go this Sunday there is a free event at Magic Wings. The kids can enjoy a garden sticks craft between 1-3 pm. Free with paid admission.

Pricing: Admission to Yankee candle: FREE

            Admission to Magic Wings: Adults- $12.00 Children-$8.00 Ages 3 and Under- Free

 • Extreme Bowling ( www.amf.com/saybrooklanes )

Where/When: Saturday nights from 6pm-12am. Old Saybrook bowling alley

Why Go: The lights are dimmed and bright colored lights flash. There is a DJ spinning music all night and he entertains the bowlers with trivia questions and challenges to win free games.

 • Mohegan Sun Casino Kid’s Quest and Cyber Quest (www.mohegansun.com )

Where/When: Mohegan Sun Casino Uncasville, CT

Kid’s Quest:


Winter Hours

Summer Hours

Sunday

9:00 am - 11:00 pm

9:00 am - 12:00 am

Monday-Thursday

10:00 am - 11:00 pm

9:00 am - 12:00 am

Friday

10:00 am - 2:00 am

9:00 am - 2:00 am

Saturday

9:00 am - 2:00 am

9:00 am - 2:00 am

Reservations can be made by calling toll free 1.888.226.7711

 Cyber Quest:


Winter Hours

Summer Hours

Sunday

9:00 am - 11:00 pm

9:00 am - 12:00 am

Monday-Thursday

10:00 am - 11:00 pm

9:00 am - 12:00 am

Friday

10:00 am - 2:00 am

9:00 am - 2:00 am

Saturday

9:00 am - 2:00 am

9:00 am - 2:00 am

 

Why Go: There are two options for your child. Kid’s Quest is a little piece of paradise for kids where parents can drop them off for open play. They have several different options to explore and play imaginatively with other children. This area is supervised childcare by trained professionals. SECURITY BONUS – they require photo ID to release your child. The second choice is Cyber Quest which is a children’s arcade that parents can go to with their kiddos. Plenty of traditional arcade games for mom and dad and tons of newer ones for the next generation. Either way, the kids will have a blast! The adults can enjoy a little gambling or quiet dinner. Kid’s Quest will provide dinner for your child if requested ($6). We usually take the kids with us and hit a fun restaurant like Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.  

Kid’s Quest:

Monday - Thursday


6 weeks - 29 months

$9.50 per hour per child

30 months - 12 years

$9.00 per hour per child



Friday - Sunday


6 weeks - 29 months

$10.00 per hour per child

30 months - 12 years

$9.50 per hour per child

  • Mohegan Sun Player's Club points are accepted
  • Nutritious meals available for an additional $6.00

Cyber Quest: Traditional arcade style. Find the machine, put in $, spits out tokens. Play

• Lyman’s 39th Annual Winterfest (www.lymanorchards.com )

Where/When: Sat/Sun, Feb. 26 & 27, 2011 @ Lyman Orchards

Located at the Junction of Routes 147 & 157 in Middlefield, CT 06455.

Why Go: Ice carving, horse drawn sleigh rides, outdoor grill, sleigh dog mushing demonstrations and all you can eat samples! ALERT- Bundle up, it’s gonna be a cold one. Make sure you wear your boots!

Pricing: Free with exception to food from the outdoor grill.

*Bring your camera!*

 • Shark Feeding

Where/When: 1pm Saturday

Mystic Aquarium  Mystic, Connecticut

Why Go: Everyone loves sharks and what’s better than watching them feast?

Pricing: Watching the feeding is included in the admission fee.

General Admission

Adult $26
Senior (age 60+) $23
Children (age 3 - 17) $19
Children (age 2 and under) Free!

HEADS UP- Depending on the size of your family it may be better to buy a Family Membership for $169

BONUS: Visit for two additional days with your ticket!  Have your admission ticket validated before you leave the Aquarium and use it to return for the next two consecutive days!

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