Richmond For Kids
Richmond Virginia Kid Friendly Activites and Information
The Chesterfield Berry Farm
0472 days
We have been trying to get to visit the Chesterfield Berry Farm for weeks to pick our pumpkins. We haven’t actually made it yet, but we are definitely going this weekend, and I wanted to share with you some of the things that we are looking forward to when we visit.
We have visited other area farms in the past for pumpkin picking, but this year we chose the CBF because it promises to have so many things for the kids to enjoy. Before we take the hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins, I want to check out a few other attractions. There is a corn maze, moon bounce, duck and pig races, haunted barn, pony rides (costs extra) and a toddler play area. On the weekends there is live entertainment and plenty of food to enjoy in their picnic area. Admission is $11.95 per person and children under 2 are free. The weather this weekend is supposed to be great so I am looking forward to getting outside and enjoying the farm with the kids. This Saturday and Sunday is Military and Public Servants Appreciation weekend, so if you bring your i.d., admission is free! And next weekend for Halloween they will be having costume contests and the kids can start their trick-or-treating right there.
The Chesterfield Berry Farm is located out 360 West in Moseley. Please visit their website for directions and hours, plus see all of the many other things that they currently have to offer and year round. Don’t forget to print your coupon for any 5 pumpkins from the patch for $19.95. I will be sure to post some pictures after our visit this weekend. www.chesterfieldberryfarm.com
Richmond Sing-a-Long at Childsavers’ Fall 2010 Fundraiser
0474 days
A lost little mouse and hundreds of singing children will overtake Carytown’s Byrd Theater on October 30 for ChildSavers’ 4th Sing-A-Long event. The day will kick-off with performances and activities before the 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. showings of Steven Spielberg’s animated musical “An American Tail.”
Children and parents will enjoy a magician, face-painting stations, music and dancing before sitting down to watch the movie and singing along to favorites like “Somewhere Out There” and “There are No Cats in America!” Ticket holders 18 and older will be eligible to enter a free raffle with the chance to win a gift basket complete with movie theater goodies.
“We had more than 1,300 people show up for last year’s Sing-A-Long. It’s incredible,” said ChildSavers CEO Mark Hierholzer. “Parents, grandparents and kids have a wonderful time, while helping other Richmond children in the process.”
Each year, Sing-A-Long ticket sales go toward funding ChildSavers’ commitment to the mental well-being of traumatized or abused children and the positive bond between adult and child. Programs incorporate clinical treatment as well as education and training services that offer reassurance, healing and the skills necessary to achieve normal life and development.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children and can be purchased online at www.childsavers.org and by calling (804) 643-7283. Will Call opens at 9:30 a.m. and seating for the first showing will begin at 10:00 a.m.
About ChildSavers
ChildSavers is an organization dedicated to helping children in mental health and crisis situations, and has been a source of hope for Central Virginia’s children since 1924. ChildSavers provides various support services to children, parents and childcare providers on-site at its Church Hill location, and off-site in crisis situations. The organization partners with emergency response organizations, schools and in-home and childcare centers in Richmond and Central Virginia. ChildSavers also maintains strong relationships with health clinics and government agencies who work to serve needy children throughout the Richmond metropolitan area. ChildSavers’ three core program areas are its Guidance Clinic, Trauma Response and Child Development Services. For more information, visit www.childsavers.org.
Related articles
- Power Of Praying For Your Adult Children By Stormie Omartian (frommyexperience.com)
- Parenting a Child with a Learning Disability (parentinghelpme.com)
- The Gift of Play: Children With Cognitive Delays (children.webmd.com)
Romp N’ Roll
1499 days
A few weeks ago I purchased some Open Gym passes for my boys from livingsocial.com. I was able to get several passes for each at ½ the regular price. Too good to pass up! Today we went to check out the Midlothian location for the first time, just back from the corner of Midlothian and Huguenot. It’s basically a large, colorful room full of padded equipment for kids to climb, jump on, hang from, tumble and run around like wild animals.
We were the only people there at first and it was nice to have the run of the place. They ran from thing to thing, sometimes stopping in route to dance to the music that plays at all times. They were able to be as loud as they wanted and I wasn’t worried about them falling and getting hurt. Like I said before…everything is padded. They spent lots of time shooting hoops, jumped on the trampoline, dangled from the monkey bars (I didn’t even know they could do that at this age), went down the slide countless times and climbed on top of everything that was stationary. When they tripped and fell they bounced right back up off of the padded floors. I don’t think that one tear was shed in the hour that we were there, which is a huge accomplishment for two clumsy boys.
Our passes are for the designated Open Gym times, but there are also several different class options for varying ages 
and interests. Our boys enjoy music so much that I am most likely going to sign them up for the class called Tumble Tunes. They also offer art classes, adventure classes and summer camp for children between the ages of 2 and 6. And like most places geared towards young children, you can even rent the space for birthday parties. There are several locations in the Richmond area, and you can try any class for free. I know that we will be going more frequently once it’s too cold to play outside. http://www.rompnroll.com/
The Weinstein Jewish Community Center
0507 days
My husband and I have wanted to join a gym for some time and recently began looking in to options for our family. We have several friends that belong to the JCC and rave about so we decided to check it out. The most important thing for me is finding a gym that also offers babysitting to include young babies. Not only does the JCC fulfill these needs, but it also offers so much more and is very affordable, in my opinion. 
Babysitting services are available to members each day starting at 6 weeks of age up to 7 years. This is perfect for me as I will likely be cleared to start exercising again once baby #3 is that old. You must make a reservation to ensure a space for your child or children which I think is fantastic. You never have to worry about getting there only to find out that they are full. I love to plan ahead anyway! The babysitting facility is very clean and bright and full of fun things for young kids to do while their parents work out. And when your work out is over you can grab the kids and head on over to the indoor pool which is open all year. Now that our community pool is closed this is a perfect alternative.
I was excited to learn about all of the other programs and activities offered for kids of all ages at the JCC. I am especially interested in the Great Beginnings class for newborns. It seems like a good place to take our littlest to socialize with other babies. Once your child is 2 they can enroll in the preschool. In the summer there are so many 
different camps for all ages that I cannot even list them here. And don’t forget about the swim team. I also recall looking in to swim lessons over the summer for our older boys. We were never able to fit that in but I look forward to signing them up as soon as we can. And if you are looking for a place to host your child’s next birthday party, they offer several themes including sports, dance and pool parties. I also know that we will utilize the guitar and piano lessons once our kids are in Kindergarten.
I have only scratched the surface when it comes to all of the things that the JCC has to offer kids and their families. Hopefully this will entice you to explore it further. Most (if not all) of the things that I talked briefly about above are available to members and non-members alike, although they will always be less expensive for members. Be sure to visit their website and schedule a tour if you think you might be interested. http://www.weinsteinjcc.org/
