Cape Cod Kidz

The Cape Cod Kidz What to Do on the Weekend Guide

Featuring Christine's top picks for November 18 through 20, 2011

By Christine Chapman

I can't believe we're literally a week and a day away from Thanksgiving. As late fall begins to greet us with the holiday cheer of Thanksgiving, I cannot help but to notice how much holiday-oriented events we have to enjoy on Cape Cod. Here's hoping you get the opportunity to support our local schools, artisans and crafters here on Cape Cod as Thanksgiving approaches. Let's try to remember that more than anything else, this season is about enjoying time together with loved ones and staying active may help ward off those extra holiday pounds!

Have a great weekend, everyone...we do indeed have a lot to be thankful for! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving and hope you have a great one with your families...and don't forget to check out the movie schedule next week!

• All aboard the Polar Express at Edaville USA.

  This weekend, there is a special weekend long activity that will be a great time for the whole family! The Polar Express at Edaville USA will be ongoing, Friday through Sunday evenings from 4pm to 9pm at Edaville USA in Carver. The Polar Express will come to life at Edaville this Christmas season! Inspired by the award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg and the hit movie starring Tom Hanks, The Polar Express^TM will transport pajama-clad passengers to the North Pole. There Santa will board the train and greet the children, each receiving their own jingle bell just as in the story. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served by costumed staff while guests enjoy a live reading and carols.

• On Saturday and Sunday, bring your aspiring actors and musicians to Auditions for "Big River the Musical" 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM Harwich Junior Theatre   (Harwich)

For Friday November 18, 2011:

• The Provincetown Farmers' Market continues, thanks to the wonderfully mild weather we have been having! Get there from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM in Provincetown.

• HYCC Stroller Skating 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM at the Hyannis Youth & Community Center in Hyannis. It's a big hit with families in rinks around the country and HYCC is bringing it here to Cape Cod! All levels of skating ability are welcome! Kid-Friendly Music will be lowered to a volume level that is acceptable for babies ears! This is a great way for new moms and caregivers to get a workout that offers aerobic strength training and fun interaction with their babies, older children and other moms!!

• Engage your preschooler in nature with this Mommy-and-Me style class. Songs, stories, role plays, crafts and hands-on explorations will be used to discover the world and develop cognitive, motor, and social skills. Each Small Fries: Animals in Motion - Ages 2-5 class focuses on a special animal or habitat. This is a great experience at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellfleet from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM.

• There are several good storytimes scheduled this time of the year.

  If you have a toddler and you're anywhere near Wellfleet, Toddler Town is a treat for the little ones from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM at Wellfleet Public Library. The indoor gym opens up at 11am so the kids can run off that extra energy!

• Another preschool and toddler activity available for children between the ages of 2 and 5 is Preschool Storytime at Eastham Public Library in Eastham at 10:30am. This activity will includes stories, fingerplays, songs, silliness and a crafts.

• Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich is a great spot to take kids of all ages and they always have great programs. Critter Capers is a popular program from 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM. Participants get to visit with a naturalist and one of the animals to learn about life cycles, habits and habitats.

• Story, Dance & Craft is hosted by Miss Tara and all kids are welcome to join in a fun storytime which includes a new story read aloud and making a creative craft. This event is from 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Hyannis.

• For kids between grades 3 and 7, Rock Night at HYCC (Grades 3-7 only) is a wonderful weekly activity so many kids look forward to! It gives kids the opportunity to skate to the beat of popular music and socialize with their friends from 7:15 PM - 9:15 PM at The Hyannis Youth and Community Center.

On Saturday November 19, 2011:

• Catch the last weeks of the Orleans Farmers' Market from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM in Orleans from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM. What a treat to have this farmer's market in November!

• Head out to the 30th Annual Orleans Elementary School Craft Fair from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Orleans Elementary School in Orleans for a jump start on your holiday shopping!

• Who doesn't love pie?

  Pre-Thanksgiving Pie Auction & Bake Sale! From 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, the Coalition for Children presents the Toe Jam Puppet Band & Pre-Thanksgiving Pie Auction & Bake Sale at Oak Ridge School in East Sandwich.

• Family StoryWalk Take a family stroll and read "Leaves," by David Ezra Stein at the same time! Start anytime between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the front entrance of the Falmouth Public Library on Main Sreet. Light refreshments will be served upon completion in the Children's Room. Storywalk was developed by Anne Ferguson to encourage reading, outdoor activites, and fun for families.

• Holiday Faire 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Waldorf School of Cape Cod in Cotuit. Step into a world of whimsy and wonder on Saturday November 19th, from 10 am to 4 pm as the Waldorf School of Cape Cod presents its 21th annual Holiday Faire. This year's event promises to be a magical combination of unique shopping opportunities, crafts & activities for children of all ages, delectable food, and lively performances by talented local musicians.

• Live Animal Story Time is on again from 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM at Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich! Drop by and join a naturalist for a lively story of "Peter Rabbit" and friends and a visit with one of the animals featured in the day's story. Suitable for families with children ages 3 and up.

• Saturday Family Science 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  Green Briar Nature Center. The Science Cart houses materials for on-going science exploration for families with children ages 4 to 12 years. The cart will be staffed by a naturalist each Saturday afternoon throughout the year. Advance registration is required for each week's session. Call 508-888-6870.

• For all you ice-skaters out there! Hyannis Youth and Community Center has Public Skate again from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Sunday November 20, 2011:

• Enjoy what's left of this good weather out with your family! Take some time to plan that wonderful Thanksgiving meal and family gathering. Decompress, relax, take a nap. It's Sunday!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Christine Chapman is the mother of two children: Celia is 5-years-old and Henry is one. She is a type 2 diabetic determined to become a healthy role model to her children. Christine was born and raised in Montreal, and has resided in Seoul, South Korea, Vancouver, Canada and in Boston, MA. She is an alumna of the Sacred Heart School of Montreal, Skidmore College and is in pursuit of her master's degree at Harvard University.  She runs her own business, Starr and Chapman, from her South Plymouth home.