Hacks for Universal Studios Hollywood

Guest post by Dori Kaplan

This spring break, our family headed to Universal Studios Hollywood for our first time, and I can comfortably say it will be our last. While we enjoyed ourselves, we found the lines to be too long, and there wasn't that much to do. The few rides they had were mostly simulators (note: anyone who gets motion sick easily should probably not go. My mom and aunt get nauseous on spinning rides and boats, so they were done with most of the rides pretty quickly. Even the Studio Tour included several 3D simulators that shook us around). Here are some nuggets of wisdom we can pass on after visiting the park.

The entrance for the Simpsons Ride. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

1. Buy your tickets online 

Disneyland Tips: How to Make the Most out of Your Day at Disney with the Family

This is a guest post by Dori Kaplan.

My family is not one to dilly dally when it comes to Disney. Our motto is: structured, organized fun. In our most recent visit, we managed to go on all of the best rides within three hours of arriving at the park. Not only that, but we did not wait in a single line longer than half an hour. Those of you familiar with Disney lines will understand how big of an accomplishment this is, especially for a beautiful day during spring break. To help out other families who are hoping the maximize their day at Disney, here are some tips from my family.

Every 15 minutes, It's a Small World has a little clock show. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

**Note: usually we go to California Adventure and Disneyland - each for one day - but this year we just went to Disneyland. These tips apply for both parks.

Sephora Focus Group for Teen Girls

This one is right on the money for my teen girl! Sephora is looking for girls ages 13-18 for a 90 minute opinion study on May 8, 9 or 10 - at 6 or 7 p.m. in San Francisco. They're offering a $100 Sephora gift card for participating.

Parents or daughters can fill them out (one survey per child). You'll be contacted if you qualify. Here's the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SHLZPTL

iD Tech Discount Code for Summer 2017: Why Should Your Child Attend iD Tech?

This post offers an iD Tech discount code for summer 2017 at the bottom. Read why you should consider iD Tech this summer.

Last year we signed my son up for a computer game programming day camp at a community college. It’s an understatement to say that he was bored and frustrated by the inferior level of education and experience in general. A friend of mine told me about her son’s positive experience at iD Tech camp in Palo Alto, one of the few camps her son really liked and was excited to return to. He’s a really smart kid and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Her recommendation counted for a lot, so when my son was looking into week-long summer camp options, iD Tech came to mind.

Focus Group: $175 for moms of infants

Pregnant in the City is hosting a focus group in the Bay Area right now (through 4/20). They're looking for moms of babies 1-6 months old. The focus group lasts two hours, and will cover issues with being a mom to an infant. You'll get $175 if you qualify and participate. For more info, contact Gabriela at info@pregnantinthecity.guru.

Butterflies and Blooms - Release Your Own Butterflies

Would you and your kids like to release a newly emerged butterfly? You can do this at the Butterflies and Blooms exhibit at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. In this exhibit you'll see 20 species of butterflies, including monarchs. They'll be flying all around you. You'll also see butterflies in all the different life stages.

You'll get a docent-led show and tell of butterfly metamorphosis, and a pair of people-sized antennae to wear and take home (pictured). The experience is available at any time during their regular hours which are now longer for the spring/summer season, .
 
When: through June 30, 2017, 10-6 Tuesday through Sunday
Where: Conservatory of Flowers
Cost: $20 plus regular admission of $8 or less depending on age (discounts for SF residents)

Coming Up: Family Day at Contemporary Jewish Museum

This Sunday, the Contemporary Jewish Museum celebrates authors with free admission for SF Public Library card holders - and they'll have lots of family-friendly activities.

The event encourages a love of books and reading. The Green Bookmobile will be parked in front of The Museum throughout the event so families can sign up for new library cards and check out books.
They'll have a special Book Arts activity with the San Francisco Center for the Book in the Art Studio. Families can work together to design and make their very own book art.

Here's the schedule:
11:00 - free performance of Kate and the Beanstalk by Acrolele—part acrobatics, part storytelling, part ukulele
12:30 and 1:30 - storytimes with Puppy Dog Tales. Listen to a variety of children’s books and meet the lovable canines from the SPCA’s Puppy Dog Tales program
11–1 - stand-up comedians ages 5–18 can tell their best jokes for a chance to be included in the first ever Museum Kid Comics video, which will be screened in the Zim Zoom Family Room through the run of the upcoming exhibition Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs.
11­–2 - view the enchanting collection of books created by San Francisco public school students as part of the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition.

When: April 9 from 11-3
Cost: cardholders will receive free admission for themselves and one guest.
Where: Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street

Easter Activities in the San Francisco Bay Area 2017

If you're looking for some fun things to do to celebrate Easter with the family in the San Francisco Bay Area, here's the place to start.

Please add your favorites in the comments section!

SAN FRANCISCO 
What: Spring Eggstravaganza (egg hunt, inflatables, carnival rides, entertainment, carnival rides, food for sale, rib cook-off)
Where: Sharon Meadow at Golden Gate Park
When: Saturday, April 15, 2017 from 11-3 Cost: $8/person (free 2 and under)

What: Union Street Easter Parade (and festival with face painting, climbing wall, activities, characters)
Where: Union Street in Cow Hollow, San Francisco
When: April 16, 2017 from 10-5, parade at 2
Cost: Free

Coming Up: Sunday Streets

This Sunday is Sunday Streets! It's in the Bayview Dogpatch neighborhood. Come for 3 miles of car-free fun on with free activities for the whole family. Look for activity hubs (and GOATS) on 22nd Street, Cargo Way, Oakdale, and Bancroft Streets, with dozens of free activities in between, from local merchants. This is  one of the longest routes in the Sunday Streets season!

When:  April 9th from 11-4
Where: Southbound lanes of 3rd Street from 22nd Street to Donner Avenue

 

Coming Up: Fly Guy the Musical

Bay Area Children’s Theatre (BACT) opens its world premiere production of Fly Guy, the Musical, this Saturday, April 8.

"An insect for a pet? Flies are pests, not pets, right? Well, young Buzz and his new friend, Liz, know otherwise, and their adventures with their zippy, winged companions have the whole town, umm, buzzing! Inspired by the popular Fly Guy books by author and illustrator Tedd Arnold, this rollicking new musical will have families cheering for Fly Guy and his pal, Fly Girl, and delighting in their antics, as their caring friendships help them overcome all the challenges they face. "

Where: Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley
When: Weekends through May 7, 10:30 and 1:30.

Where: San Ramon, at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Road
When: May 13-14 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m

Where: San Francisco, at the Children's Creativity Museum Theater, 221 4th Street
When: Weekends, May 20-June 11, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Ages 4+
Tickets: $25/adults, $23/seniors, $20/kids, $15/groups (minimum 15)
Online at www.bactheatre.org or call (510) 296-4433