Dinosaur State Park: A Walk Back in Time

If you have any mini paleontologists in your group, you should add a trip to Dinosaur State Park on your list of things to do.

Located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Dinosaur State Park has a combination of walking trails and a domed museum (the Arboretum).  The museum was built on top of the 1966 discovery of over 200 dinosaur footprints during a construction dig.  This in itself was pretty amazing; but what really blew my mind was that these prints are 200 Million years old.  Try wrapping your head around that.

There is a small walk through exhibit where you can see the footprints as well as a few dinosaurs and information about the Connecticut River Valley.  There is a Discovery Room that houses center-like tables where children can create bookmarks, pretend play with dinosaur puppets, or become geologists by examining rocks and fossils.

The entrance fee to the museum is minimal: $2- 12 and under; $6- 13 and up. Included in the fee is access to short films and demonstrations.  The day we visited, the staff brought out a large Skink which the boys were allowed to pet at the end of the presentation.  There were short movies about the park during which I learned quite a bit, as well as some other presentations about dinosaurs.  Make sure to ask for the Scavenger Hunt Bingo sheet.  I love it when museums do this.  It helps to engage the kiddos into looking at things a little more deeply during the trip. When they finished, the boys each got to pick a small prize.

T Rex Footprint Cast

The 2 miles of labeled walking trails are free as well as the parking.  There are picnic tables available to enjoy an outdoor snack.

Therapod Footprint

FYI for your trip:
Exhibits are open Tuesdays through Sunday  9-4:30, except Major Holidays.  As much of the activities are outside, be mindful of the weather.

Many parts of the trails are not stroller friendly, so consider throwing the little ones in a Baby Bjorn.  Bring bug spray.  Some of the areas are quite swampy and this IS Connecticut; make sure to do a tick check after walking the trails.

There is also a casting activity you can participate in IF YOU BRING YOUR OWN 15 POUNDS of plaster of paris.

It took about an hour and a half for us to travel back in time.  I share this because we only stayed about an hour and half to do the walking trails and dome activities.  So we spend double the time in the car than we did doing something.  All fine and dandy, but I think that I would have made the stop in conjunction with another activity in the area to make the drive worth while.

Overall, if you are in the area, it is well worth the drive as a single activity day.  But if you are over an hour, consider locating a few more things to do like the Connecticut Science Center, The Dinosaur Place, or the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (all of which are a part of the Connecticut Dino Trail).

ReVamped Ecotarium Brings a Mountain of Fun

With our year's membership coming to an end shortly, I figured yesterday would be a great day to visit the Worcester Ecotarium with the boys.

We were pleasantly surprised to enter the newly renovated top floor.  Upon entering, we became emerged in The Arctic Next Door which has Mount Washington related experiments.  There is a new bouldering wall that Boog just had to keep trekking.  A wind tube that let them experience hurricane force winds.  An air flow construction area that was intriguing to look at with its colorful wall of 144 pinwheels.

Many of the tried and true fun-sploration was still there.  But there were some new additions too.  Right now there is a Playing Together area in which we played giant chess, giant manacala, and a bunch of other great games.

And of course since the weather was nice, we hit the playground and I even went up the rope net with Boog.  The boys stuck it out with me in the mud to do the Forest Trail.  And we payed our respects to Kenda, the Ecotarium's pride and joy polar bear who passed away this January.

This family pass was by far one of the best investments we have made.  Not only is the Ecotarium a great local place to visit and spend hours experimenting and exploring, but the pass has either full price or discounted reciprocity to 250 other places including the Providence Children's Museum and the Boston Museum of Science.  For  $100, it covers 2 adults and up to 4 children under 18. If you choose the $120 plus option, you get an extra 2 guests to bring. We are definitely renewing our membership.

So if you are thinking about things to do in the upcoming February vacation, you may want to check out the Ecotarium.  It is open Tuesdays thru Saturday, 10-5; Sundays noon- 5; closed Mondays, except as indicated on their website.

Foster'ing Good Times at Cucumber Hill Farm

Our good friend invited us to go to a corn maze tonight, out in Foster, Rhode Island.  Cucumber Hill Farm is a beautifully revamped farm that has a little extra to offer this time of year.

Located wayyyyyy out off Route 6, right near the Killingly, Connecticut border, is where you can pick your own pumpkins and gourds, do a few pony rides ($3), or do some fall photography.

Open weekends,  September 24 to October 30th, Cucumber Hill Farms offers free hayrides, free kiddie hay maze, and tonight they had some complimentary hot cocoa and coffee.  For a $8 for anyone over 12, $4 for 4-12, and free for under that, you get to enjoy a corn-y trip through the Land of Oz.

Kyle had the kids running around throughout the maze looking for the Wizard of Oz based questions.  We found 8 of the 10 posts with questions about the movie.  And since it was supper time, we didn't go back to see if we could find anymore.  

 Right.  Supper time in Foster.  Where to go?  Amazingly enough, we had heard of a little place called Pizza King.  Just a local joint, located off the beaten path (moreso than we were) on a pond.  For under $40, we fed 3 adults and four kids.  Not bad.  And neither was the food.  In fact, we decided we wanted to go back another night when the kids weren't so tired and wired to try some of the funky pizzas, lobster bisque, and grinders they had on the menu.  And it looks like it would make a great summer stop, since you can eat outside overlooking the view of the water.

So if you are looking for something to do out in the land of "No School Foster/Glocester", take a ride down route 6, pick some pumpkins, get lost in OZ, and find some tasty food less than 10 minutes away from the farm.

Pizza King
430 Ledge Road
Dayville, CT

Cucumber Hill Farm
39 Cucumber Hill Road
Foster, RI

A-Maze-Ing Perspectives at Fort Hill Farms

How someone can design a corn maze and make it with a weed whacker and a GPS is beyond me.  But Kristin Orr owner of Fort Hill Farms in Thompson, Connecticut did just that.

If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Kristin, you may be in awe of her positive energy.  She has a way with words, literally.  She goes around forming zen quotes about peace throughout the farm.  Today, she showed me "A-maze-in-grace", formed in rocks.  She not only shared with me her passion for words, but I could just tell about her passion for farming and agriculture as well.  She and her family have owned Fort Hill Farms for over 20 years.  The ice cream business, just for the past two.  The namesake to this year's corn maze "The Farmer's Cow" is from their desire to produce and distribute the freshest dairy around.

I inadvertently learned quite a bit today when I took the boys over to the farm to complete the maze after school. I figured it might be the only nice day of the week to do it, and Fort Hill is open daily, weather permitting.  Did you know there is difference between a maze and a labyrinth?  There is.  And you can find it out at Fort Hill Farm's Corn Maze.  For $7 per person, you can do the Milk Carton Labyrinth to find your fortune.  By locating the five flavors throughout the condensed labyrinth, placing a different chalk color on each finger, you can learn your destiny.

 It was actually oddly eerie that Boog's fortune was that he "Walks the Straight and Narrow."  Um, yes in fact, he does.  Mudge's fortune was that he "Aspires greatness."  And I, of course, "spend my time wisely."  Kinda funny.   Not surprisingly Kristin created the fortunes.  It took us about a half hour to complete the path and find our fortunes.  Then, of course, we had ice cream.  Muddy Boots.  Mint Chip. Nutter Butter Chocolate something.  All I remember is that it was delicious.

Though we didn't have a chance today to complete the formal Maze, we will hopefully go back before it closes in November.  If you happen to want some peace, tranquility and ice cream, head to Fort Hill Farms.  You just might find it there.  Or you just get lost and become fortunate.

Fall Fun

I love fall.  It is probably my most favorite time of year.  The weather is cool and crisp.  It makes me want everything apple, pumpkin or candy corn.  So I have been putting my feelers out on local places to do pick-your-owns.

Amazingly enough, there is a site called, you guessed it, Pick Your Own that helps identify places to harvest apples, berries, pumpkins, and whatever else might be in season in different Rhode Island counties.  I just highlighted a few in Providence County that I think I might stop by:

Barden Family Orchard in North Scituate, RI
Dame Farm and Orchards in Johnston, RI
Harmony Farms in Harmony, RI. I have been here a few years ago when Boog was just in a stroller. It was off the beaten path and quaint.
Steere Orchard in Greenville, RI.
Hill Orchards in Johnston, RI. They even provide a run down of exactly when to pick certain types of apples on their site.
Wojcik's Farm in Blackstone, MA. Though not in RI, its just a few minutes away for us, so we went there last year and had a great time.

Looking for a productive way to get lost?
Pumpkin Patches and More.org provide a listing of hay rides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches in the Rhode Island area.

But if you live in Massachusetts, you can check out Davis's Farmland and MegaMaze. Always an impressive adventure.  Last time we went, Boog was in the toddler back pack and it took us well over an hour.

Near Putnam, Connecticut is Fort Hill Farms, hosting a Farmer's Cow corn maze in 2 abilities, under 8, lasting about 30 minutes, and over 8 which could take nearly an hour and a half, per their comments. Plus, you can get their delicious ice cream after you've worked up an appetite :)

A Mini Paleontologist's Dream- another Penny Squisher Adventure

If your children (and most likely you) know more than one species of dinosaur from either Nick Jr.'s Dino Dan or PBS Dinosaur Train or even the How does a dinosaur series by Jane Yolen, then this is a must visit.

The Dinosaur Place is located in Montville, Connecticut, exit 77 off Route 395.  For less than $20 bucks per person aged 2-60, there is enough to keep everyone occupied for the day.  There is first a walking trail around Raptor Bay where you can get up close to life-size dinosaurs like Therazinosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Utahraptors, and Brachiosaurus as well as many more.  After a the trail, there is a maze leading you to the mouth of a TRex.

Now put on your suits and head for one of the best and largest zero-depth splash pads in the north east.  But remember to bring water shoes or flip flops. They are mandatory.  They do offer flip flops S, M, and L to borrow if you happen to forget.  The staff minding the area are incredibly diligent about keeping the running feet at bay, but they are kind and very good at what they do.  There are also changing rooms and rest rooms located right on site which is very convenient.  Even a little boy's urinal in the ladies room, since they end up in there with us anyway.

Then there is Monty's Playground, the envy of any and every schoolyard.  There are web structures galore that will allow the kids to climb to their hearts content.  And if you are the adult with them, it will bring your heart into your throat as they climb way further than you would want them to.

Since we have found this place, it has been an annual voyage. The boys look forward each year to going to the "dinosaur museum".  Today I had 4 boys, ages 3-11, and each one of them had a great time.  So great, all but the almost-6-year-old fell asleep in the back of the car on the ride home. Sweet.

If you are looking to make the trek, normal business hours for the outside adventure is from 9:30 (splash pad opens at 10) to 6 pm.  But check here for hours and events.  There are also indoor activities, for an additional cost.  And yes, there is a penny squisher.  Bring 2 quarters and 1 penny. :)    Pack a lunch (though there is food available) bring your camera, sunscreen, and water shoes, then get your dino on. Click here for a family-saving printable coupon.

Children of the Corn Maze....

Just got the email that Fort Hill Farms (gem of Thompson) will be opening August 20th!

Not that I am done with summer, but I love the fall.  I love apple picking, apple crisp, hot apple cider, appletinis, pork chops and applesauce.... but I also love corn mazes.  It has been a while since I have done one, the last one being I think when Boog was able to fit in a backpack.  So I am looking forward to checking out the farm's 2011 maze.

From what I have read, there will also be a Maize Quest, or scavenger hunt, in which you will have to search for clues about farming and what not.  And it's six acres, you might want to bring an overnight bag if you are geographically and topographically challenged.

The other benefit is that when you have succeeded in actually getting out of the maze, you can get fresh Farmer's Cow ice cream. I wonder if they will have an apple flavor....

Anyway, their hours of operation are Sunday thru Thursday 10-5, Fridays and Saturdays 10-10.  If you are brave enough and don't fear a Stephen King story waiting to happen, you can bring flashlights for the night time adventures.  Good luck and maybe we'll see you there, camped out with rations and signal flares, unkempt because I'll have been lost with the kids for hours...

Discover the Connecticut Children's Museum, if you are in the area....

Right down the street from my site of OT study in West Hartford, Connecticut, is The Children's Museum.  When my friend suggested we'd go, as we both have the Association of Science and Technology Centers Ecotarium pass which reciprocates with the Children's Museum for free, I figured what the heck.  It was an easily recalled drive for me, just exit 43 off Route 84.

So after the 90 minute car ride with a case of the nuh hun and yeah huhs, we made it.  We attempted to Kinnect with the moon and Mars, but it wasn't too effective so we trotted off to a prehistoric area. The kids explored in the dinosaur dig and mining area, "drove" a jeep, and looked at creepy crawlies.

Outside they played mini golf.  And by played, I mean whacked balls around happily.  Then even experimented with sound with parabolic whisper dishes which were pretty cool.  And of course traversed through a giant Sperm Whale replica that blew water out his blow hole.  Pretty funny.  Not so funny when Mudget and Boog decided to stomp in the mud puddle it created. C'est la vie.

He managed to locate the dino's rump.

After a break for lunch we headed back in to find the best parts.  Downstairs is what lies the creativity zone of legos (they need more axles for the car race section), bubble blasting and TV green screens. We must have been down there for another hour and a half by the time we recommended ice cream.

So after four hours there, we drove to the center of West Hartford to get ice cream, locating both a Ben and Jerry's and a Friendly's.  We opted for the Vermont route.  All in all, a fun day with the kids.  If you have the ASTC pass, its not a bad stop for a free day.  Otherwise it is pricey at $11 per person, free for under 2.