Special Events for Kids

Want to treat your child to something special for their birthday, or as part of a trip, or just treat your child to celebrate life? Here are some unique suggestions around the U.S.A. that will give your child a day (or a night) to remember! We start west and move eastward:

PORTLAND, OREGON
Sleep over at the Oregon Zoo (without parents). This is often scheduled around the Saturday night near Valentine’s Day. Dinner, snack and breakfast are included for $45.00. Sleeping bag required. Call 503-226-1561 or click on http://www.oregonzoo.org

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Surface scuba drive in Monterey bay’s great tide pool for an up close look at sea stars and monkey face eels. Cost is $79.00. Contact the Monterey Bay Aquarium 866-963-9646 or got to http://www.mbayaq.org.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Appear on the cover of a Marvel comic book (alongside Spiderman or the Incredible Hulk) at the California Science Center. Cost is $9.75 for adults, plus $7.75 for kids, plus $10.00 for the photo. Event ends Labor Day. Click on http://www.californiasciencecenter.org or call 323-724-3623.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Ride shotgun in a real stock car driven by a professional instructor. Ages 14 and up, cost is $99.00. Contact Richard Petty Driving Experience at 800-237-3889 or go to http://www.1800bepetty.com

CHICAGO ILLINOIS
Brunch at American Girl Café – dolls and adults welcome too. Cost is $18.00. Check out http://www.ameicangirlplace.com or call 877-247-5223.

TAMPA, FLORIDA
Scuba dive with 1,700 animals native to Florida and the Caribbean. Age 6 and up. Cost is $75.00. Click on http://www.floridaaquarium.org or call 813-273-4000.

WASHINGTON D.C.
Go on a scavenger hunt at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – age 7 and up. Cost $10.00. Go to http://www.watsonadventures.com or call 877-946-4868

PHILADELPHIA, PA
Camp overnight at the Franklin Institute with live science demonstrations and arts and crafts projects, snacks, and breakfast included. Cost is $41.00. Call 215-448-1114 or check out http://www.fi.edu

NEW YORK CITY
Have tea with crumpets at the Madeline Tea in Bemelmans’ Br, named for Ludwig Bemelmans, the author of the “Madeleine” books, (he painted the bar’s murals). Tea service for adults is $31.00, kids $24.00. Friday-Sunday, noon to 4:00pm. Click on http://www.thecarlyle.com or call 212 744-1600.

CHERRY HILL, NJ
Last, but not least, check out the activity schedule for the Discovery Museum, voted one of the 20 best children’s museums in the U.S. Summer activities include an arts series featuring a variety of fun and unique hands-on activities for children and their caregivers to experience together. It’s a full week of workshops and performances with local special guest artists. Admission is $8.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids and seniors. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. Go to http://www.discoverymuseum.com for more details or call 856-424-1233.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Single Parent Travel at 888-2-SPT-KIDS. Visit their website at www.singleparenttravel.net or send an e-mail to John Frenaye, Chief Single Dad!