How could you deny that sweet little monkey, Curious George? What about not hearing that all too famous, “Sunny Days, Sweeping the Clouds Away…,” chanted by your little ones, then giggling with belly laughs at Elmo monster? It’s that time of year to show you care, and want Vegas PBS to be around for your kids, just like it was for us! This time, get the whole family involved by coming out to the Flightlinez Zipline Attraction at the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas on Monday, June 11th, from noon to midnight.
Here are some facts about Vegas PBS:
· Vegas PBS features 151 hours of PBS KIDS programs including Arthur, Curious George, Sesame Street and SuperWHY!, among others, at a cost of $138,000 annually
· Sesame Street first aired more than 40 years ago and continues to educate children around the world
· This summer, Vegas PBS will focus on literacy with 10 weeks of programming featuring reading-related episodes from PBS KIDS series
· KLVX (Vegas PBS) began broadcasting on March 25, 1968 as Nevada’s first educational and public television station
· The mission of Vegas PBS is to improve people’s lives by creating and distributing media content that improves health and education, strengthens community institutions, provides universal access to the arts, and fosters civic engagement.
Join FlightLinez, Curious George, BMX pro dirt jumper Ricardo Lagunaand DJ BABYCHINO, World’s Youngest DJ, as they work to support the efforts of Vegas PBS.
OK! The vacation has been booked. Itinerary confirmed! And, kids have been told! (See our fun video below on how we surprised the kiddos about our trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.) My daughter has been frantically asking me about how long we will be on the airplane for. Though she has flown cross country, she still gets nervous about the “In-Flight Entertainment,” and frankly, so do I. From experience, I have learned to have the older kids (once they reach 4 or 5 years old) to pack their own Entertainment Bag (with guidance, of course). My biggest fear is that from 35,000 feet up, stuck in a cabin, they are gonna get bored and people are gonna get annoyed. So, I also pack extra things in my own bag…new toys, travel games, fun snacks, things they are not expecting so the flight goes a little easier.
But just in case in your stuck, I found some additional resources from some real Travel Pros!
APPS for your SmartPhone– I researched and found some pretty cool Free Las Vegas Apps that would be beneficial if you are traveling to Las Vegas this summer, and wrote about it on the TravelingMom website, which is a great resource for all your family traveling needs. I also came across these fun drawing apps, iLuvDrawing*. They were created by a mom with young children in mind. there are three to choose from, Draw Animals, Draw Monsters or Draw People, and are available in the iTunes store from $.99 – $2.99 depending on which device you download them to. My daughter loved the Draw People while my son loves the Draw Animals. If your kids are into creating and artsy apps, then I would suggest biting the bullet and purchasing at least one to try out. It kept my kids pretty busy, and the end result is that they will be able to take their learnings from the app and apply it to an actual paper drawing. There is a sweet voice that walks the kids through the instructions as well, so it’s something they will remember while drawing on their own.
The running joke in our family is that Mom makes the kids do “Stations” all through the summer. One day, they’ll thank me, I’m sure of it, but for now, I have to find ways to keep it interesting. By the way, my Stations are mobile, so it doesn’t matter where we are in the world, the kids still have to practice their lessons. As these TravelingMoms point out though, there is still plenty to be learned during your summer escapades.
I love what Connie Roberts, Disabled Traveling Mom, writes about how to incorporate education into your summer travels through language, culture and more. For those taking a road trip and want your kids to still read, check out Audio Books for Your Kids, by Traveling Mom, Elizabeth Rodgers.
Do you have any great tips for traveling with kids? Would love to hear them!
*iLuv Drawing provided me the codes to download and try the iLuvDrawing People, Monsters and Animals. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
This week I’m loving the fact that the city is filled with art. Really. There is an entire Arts District Downtown, tons of Visual Arts line the streets of Fremont and Las Vegas Boulevard, the lobbies, restaurants and hotels are full of pieces and there are a few galleries that house amazing works by renown artists throughout centuries and decades. Think Las Vegas has no culture? Think again.
One of my favorite art galleries is the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. The intimate gallery houses visiting exhibits throughout the year with historical artists like Van Gough, Picasso, Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keefe. Currently, Claude Monet: Impressions of Light, is running now through January 2013. A serene escape from the loudness of the casinos and place to quiet your mind a bit. The BGFA partners with established museum programs throughout the United States and the world to bring impressive collections to the Las Vegas community. General Admission is $15 for 12+, and standard discounts apply (teacher, student, resident, military).
RSMLV Tips: Strollers are not permitted in the museum, neither are photos or video, and the museum does not have a place to store these items. Next time you are in town, check the calendar listing for the Art & Wine event that happens monthly.
The Cosmopolitan is full of eye-candy l’objects d’art throughout the entire property. From the visually engaging video towers in the lobby to the mid-century inspired Art-o-mat vending machines in the halls to the uber contemporary fixtures like hot pink chandeliers and gigantic high-heeled shoes, your eyes won’t be able to take it all in with just one visit. This on-going showcase of contemporary art was developed in partnership with the New York City’s Art Production Fund.
RSMLV Tips: You really just can’t get enough of this visually stimulating resort. Take the time to leisurely stroll through different parts of the hotel, restaurants, pools and banquet rooms. There is art everywhere! Challenge yourself to find something new with each visit. See for yourself by clicking this video of Evalyn Daniel-Putnam’s quick guided tour of 3D art exhibits at The Cosmopolitan.
Aria Las Vegas and City Center house one of the most extensive art walks in the city. The pieces combined make up the first major permanent collection of art in Las Vegas to be integrated into a public space. What I truly {heart} about the space and resorts that make up City Center is how once on property, I feel transformed into the heart of a major cosmopolitan city. Not only is dining ans shopping a major player in that, but the idea of interacting with the pieces in a non-gallery setting feels almost as though I’m walking through a sculpture garden in Paris. Between paintings, sculptures, and architecture, the City Center Fine Art Collection is made up of 15 acclaimed artists and visionaries pieces made accesible to the public.
RSMLV Tips: Download the free CityCenter Fine Art Collection app on your smart phone for a self-guided tour. While you’re at it, check out these other free Las Vegas apps to plan out your visit.
Photo image from www.theartsfactory.com
You can’t talk about Art in Vegas without mentioning the bustling Downtown Arts District that has been demanding attention from art communities around the world. It’s a funky little piece of Las Vegas that gives off a distinctive vibe like no other that you won’t find anywhere else in the Valley. Just off Fremont Street you’ll find The Beat Coffee Shop where you can sip true barista-style espresso drinks and delicious food while listening to vinyl records playing on a record player overlooking the mixed crowd of tourists, lost locals and hipster artists, and is located below the Emergency Arts building. Further up off Main is the heart of the Arts District, the Arts Factory, where you will find cool cafes, antique shops, galleries, boutique style thrift shops and a groovy little yoga studio, Blue Sky Yoga.
RSMLV Tips: If you are in town on a first Friday of the month, be sure to plan a trip to the First Friday Las Vegas community celebration in the Arts District. A family friendly place where the community comes together to celebrate food, music and art. If you are looking to enjoy some public art in a large open space, stop by Symphony Park at The Smith Center. For some Southwestern eats and cool architectural views, pop into Mundo at the World Market, and snap a shot of the Cleveland Clinic Larry Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
World Market Center in Downtown Las Vegas
While some of the galleries do charge a fee to view the exhibits, most of the art in Las Vegas is in public space, and doesn’t cost a thing. It makes for an interesting stroll and educational experience all at once. And you can totally rock the art scene with or without your little entourage!
