Neighborhood-Kids - Bellingham, WA

Fun at Home for Lazy Summer Days

2009-07-09T08:24:09-08:00

Recently I took my bike out for a ride around my neighborhood and I was delighted to see lots of Bellingham kids enjoying the extra hours of sunlight that evening as they played in their yards. The coolness of the after-dinner hours means parents don’t need to worry about sunburn or overheating, and kids can get some exercise and exert any leftover energy of the day before hitting the hay.

What does your family do after dinner in the summer?

If you’re looking for ideas that will entertain the kids during the long and lazy summer days and nights, here are some of the fun activities that local kids seem to enjoy.

Sidewalk Chalk

Head to an art supply store, neighborhood drug store, or nearby retail store to buy a pack of sidewalk chalk. You can get a pack of 52 sticks for about five dollars and it provides hours of fun along your sidewalk and driveway. Play lots of games like Hopscotch, Tic-Tac-Toe, and Hangman because, with sidewalk chalk, there’s no paper waste! Kids can also practice their drawing skills for Allied Arts of Whatcom County’s Chalk ArtFest in August. At the end of every day, just hose off the sidewalk so the kids can start anew tomorrow.

A Game of Catch or Kick

Grab a ball—tennis, wiffle, soccer, foot…you get the idea—and go to town. This is a timeless activity that can be enjoyed by a parent and child, two siblings, or the whole family. Play a Hot Potato version and try to get rid the ball as quick as you can. Make up a game where everyone shares something about their day or acts like a different animal when they catch the ball. Just get outside, get moving, and get creative!

Take a Bike Ride or a Walk

Obviously, I’m a fan of this activity, and it’s great to see parents and kids exploring their neighborhood by bike as well. Whether your kid rides along in a trailer or pedals alongside you, a leisurely ride around the block or down to the park is a wonderful way to spend time together as a family. Or simply take a walk, admiring your neighbor’s gardens and enjoying the sunset.

What is your family’s favorite after-dinner activity in the summer? Leave a comment below or share your ideas in the Neighborhood-Kids.com Forum.

Bellingham Railway Museum

2007-12-28T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

The Bellingham Railway Museum features a number of model railroad layouts in several scales. These include display layouts, interactive exhibits where visitors to the museum can actually run the trains, and a floor layout for the kids to play with. The BRM believes that model railroading is both an important part of railroad history, and also an excellent vehicle for communicating the history of railroads to the public. The BRM features exhibits of railroad lanterns, a historical Centennial exhibit, train simulator, and model trains.

The Bellingham Railway Museum is located at 1320 Commercial Street. Hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 PM. The museum is also open by appointment at other times for groups or special events. Admission cost is $4 for adults, $1 for students, $6 for families of 4, and free for children under 2. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

For more information or to make an appointment to view the museum, please contact the webmaster or call (360) 393-7540. Read more: All Aboard to the Bellingham Railway Museum.

ARTIFACTual: The Object in View

2009-04-15T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

The exhibition explores different types of artifacts from the Whatcom Museum’s collection, asking us to think how an understanding of artifacts from other times makes us similar or different from the people who used them as every-day objects in their life. Museum admission is free. Call (360) 778-8930 for more details. Image: Dictaphone, gift of Laura Dawson.

Baby Connections

2008-02-05T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Parents with babies (birth to 12 months) can come to this free drop-in class, facilitated by pediatric nurse, which meets at Whatcom Day Academy, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and First Congregational Church of Bellingham (Room 33). Please make other arrangements for older children. This course is offered through Bellingham Technical College. For more information, call (360) 752-8350.

Thursday Movie Matinee

2008-01-25T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Have some time to kill this summer? Kids and families are invited to watch a free movie at the Bellingham Central Library on Thursday afternoons.

Call (360) 778-7200 for title or more information.

Library Events for Teens

2008-04-02T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Teens can head over to their local library for some great, free activities! Check out all the details below. Contact the Bellingham Public Library at (360) 778- 7323 or visit Whatcom County Library System for more information.

Concerts in the Park

2008-06-03T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Celebrate summer by attending outdoor concerts at various parks and other locations. From the jazz to bluegrass to rock n' roll, the music this summer will make the whole family want to get up and dance! Park concerts are free and often include games for kids, brought to you by Bellingham Parks and Recreation.

Bellingham Bay History Cruise

2008-05-05T15:36:44-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Where did Bellingham begin? How has the bay changed and how do we use this exciting and vital resource today? These are but a few of the questions answered at the Whatcom Museum’s Bellingham Bay History Cruises. The two hour and thirty minute sunset cruise is a great way for old timers and newcomers alike to learn more about the place they live and see the sites on the bay.

Cruise tour guide is Richard Vanderway, Curator of Education at the Whatcom Museum. Museum bay cruises travel on board the 110-foot Puget Sound tour boat Island Caper and leave from Squalicum Harbor near downtown Bellingham. The Island Caper has inside seating plus a covered upper deck viewing area. It has two on-board restrooms. Bring warm clothing to be prepared for evening breezes and your binoculars to see the sites close up.

Tickets are $25 per person; $20 for Whatcom Museum Members. Advanced tickets may be purchased by calling (360) 778-8963. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended as cruises often sell out

Fourth Corner Folk Dancers

2008-01-25T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

The Fourth Corner Folk Dancers meet every week to play music from Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East for dancing and listening. Wear clean, soft-soled dance shoes. Donations of $5 are encouraged. All ages are welcome

The Star-Spangled Girl at MBT

2009-04-10T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Enjoy a featured production in Mount Baker Theatre's Summer Repertory Theatre. The story describes a love triangle between two political activists and a southern belle who moves in next door. It is love at first sight but, in this comedy of errors, the love interest threatens to destroy the men's friendship. Tickets are $18. Call (360) 734-6080 to order.

Everson-Nooksack Summer Festival

2009-07-06T00:00:00-08:00

Friday, July 10, 2009

The Everson-Nooksack community gathers each year for tons of fun with a parade, craft booths, entertainment, and more. Check out the schedule of events below. For more information, visit Everson/Nooksack Chamber of Commerce or call (360) 966-3407.

Junior Ecologists Classes

2008-06-20T13:11:38-08:00

Friday, July 10, 2009

Kids will love learning about the beaches of Padilla Bay with these monthly classes that are free for kids age 6 to 9. Topics change each month. You can register online at Padilla Bay or get more information by calling (360) 428-1558.

Food, Fun, and Farming

2008-05-07T00:00:00-08:00

Friday, July 10, 2009

Young explorers (ages 4-7) can get a multi-sensory farm-experience, from songs, books, and paints to shovels and wheelbarrows, cutting boards and measuring cups! As your child collects eggs, plants and tends vegetables, or prepares and eats a delicious salad, opportunities abound for learning about plants, animals, and healthy living.

The cost is $20 per day. No pick-up and drop-off option for this program, but we're more than happy to help you coordinate carpools! For more information about this program and Common Threads Farm, call (360) 927-1590.

American Museum of Radio and Electricity

2007-12-28T00:00:00-08:00

Friday, July 10, 2009

The Amercian Museum of Radio and Electricity offers an exciting and educational experience for all ages with exhibits spanning four centuries of scientific discovery. The AMRE is located at 1312 Bay Street and open Wednesday through Saturdays from 11 AM to 4 PM. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children age 12 and under. Call (360) 738-3886 for details.

Mud Flat Safari at Padilla Bay

2008-06-20T00:00:00-08:00

Friday, July 10, 2009

When the tide goes out at Padilla Bay, it goes all the way out! Parents and kids can explore this huge expanse of mud as fearless guides lead you on a trek into the seldom seen world of the estuary's mud flat. Come with old shoes that tie or snug boots. All ages welcome for this free class. To reigister, visit Padilla Bay or call (360) 428-1558.

American Veterans Traveling Tribute

2009-07-07T15:57:24-08:00

Friday, July 10, 2009

Honor veterans by visiting "The Wall," an American Veterans Traveling Tribute at Sunnyland Memorial Park. Special events include an opening ceremony, a guest speaker and performance of patriotic songs by Laurie Lee Lewis and Calico Hearts, and a candlelight vigil. Funds raised will benefit local resident's medical bills and more. See schedule below.

Summer Drama Camp

2008-05-09T00:00:00-08:00

Friday, July 10, 2009

The Neighborhood Playhouse celebrates its 8th year of summer fun! Join us for Summer Drama Camp as we audition, rehearse and perform a play, make new friends, and have more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Registration begins April 13th. For information or registration, visit the website, call (360) 671-1930 or (360) 756-5066, or theneighborhoodplayhouse@q.com.

The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet

2009-07-06T00:00:00-08:00

Friday, July 10, 2009

Come see Shakespeare, Seussified! The Neighborhood Playhouse presents its 8th year of dramatic fun, with the culmination of the annual two-week drama camp. This year they have shaken up Shakespeare with a Dr. Seuss version of "Romeo and Juliet". A surprise around every corner! Tickets are $5 at the door.