Say "Cheese Brick!"

The click of these particular LEGOS will be a camera click. Lego is planning on releasing digital and video cameras this summer for $19.99 to $59.99 according to KidsTechReview. The cameras won't actually be made of LEGOs, but hopefully they will be able to take being dropped, stepped on, and chewed by the family dog like the originals.

As cool as a LEGO camera will be, you could just buy a used digital camera for cheap on eBay, and for $20 get your child started with photography inexpensively. It may not last as long, but the kids will feel like a real photographer, with a real camera, just like Mom and Dad.

KidsTechReview via engadget

Thanks to Geriann for the ebay tip!

Hands On Art Studio in Fish Creek, WI

The Hands on Art Studio is a very cool paint-it-yourself ceramics studio out in the country near Fish Creek in Door County. The studio is in an old barn. There were all kinds of projects large and small to choose from. Our family picked a large platter, a fairy, and a cupcake container for about $40 with an additional $7 per person sitting fee. There was plenty of room for our group of 30 and the other customers. The staff handled all of us with a smile. Just a hint for when you pick up your pieces the next day: put an initial or mark someplace inconspicuous on your pieces so you can tell which ones are yours.

There are real artists working in other parts of the property which was inspiring to those of us whose calling is not in the arts. There is a small snack bar, and goats and horses that the kids can feed.

Hands On Art Studio
3655 Peninsula Players Rd
Fish Creek, WI
(888) 868-9311
handsonartstudio.com

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) in Madison, WI

MSCR offers a wide variety of programs for kids as well as adults. We have taken a few classes including Pre-Ballet, Parent/Child Art and currently, our three year old is enrolled in a swimming class called Shrimp Dip. It is a parent/child class, which means a parent or other adult needs to go in the water with her and participate. Basically, you are your child's teacher. She is loving it and will even let me pull her hair back for class, which is a MAJOR accomplishment!! The classes are reasonably priced (I think swimming was about $30 for 8 weeks). A new MSCR guide comes out every season. I think I may enroll myself in an exercise class. It's something you should check out. They have something for everyone.

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR)
3802 Regent St
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 204-3000
mscr.org

(Thanks for the review Julie!)

Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is one of my family's favorite places to go, all year round. Last week we went to see their spring flower show entitled "Springtime Skyline: An Urban Oasis". A rooftop garden is all set up with beautiful flowers, including daffodils, tulips, violas and hydrangea. It was wonderful to step out of winter and into spring, if just for a little while. The show is free but a $2 donation is suggested. Here's a link to the spring flower show, if you would like to read more about it:

http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/Olbrich/special%20events/Spring%20Show/spring_show.htm

We also wandered through the Bolz Conservatory, which is like stepping into a tropical rainforest. It is so warm and balmy, it helps you beat your winter blues. There's a waterfall, which falls into a goldfish and Koi pond and stream, which always captivates my girls. Sophie loves running around in the rain forest. The Conservatory is $1 per person, kids 5 and under are free. It is also free to Garden members.
In the spring, summer and fall we like to stroll (or run, as Sophie does!) through the beautiful outdoor gardens. It's a great place to wander through and enjoy the flowers and plant life. A fabulous place to be outdoors.

Olbrich Gardens does have a special events. Our favorite is Blooming Butterflies. It starts in the the lobby, where they have butterfly displays set up to enjoy, then the conservatory where they house live butterflies!! It's an amazing sight! Then out to the gardens to collect stamps to fill your Butterfly Passport. Find butterflies in their native habitat throughout the gardens, and earn a custard cone from Michael's Frozen Custard! Who can beat that!!
Make sure you check out the Olbrich Gardens website, which is listed below. A great family outing.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 246-4550
ci.madison.wi.us/Olbrich/

(Thanks for the review Julie!)

Portrait Innovations in Middleton, WI

If you are looking for a place to get your kids pictures taken, this is the spot. I've taken my girls there numerous times and have had wonderful results each time. I just had them in for our baby's one year pics and some Valentine's pics of both of them, and they turned out adorable. The photographers spend a nice amount of time taking pictures on different backgrounds. There's no sitting fee, and you can add as many people that you want to the pictures. So if you want to get a couple taken of you with your kids, you can do that for free. They also encourage you to bring a change of outfits for your kids. You get to see and pick your picks immediately and receive your pictures that same day. Plus, the cost is VERY reasonable. I spent much less on these sets of pictures than I did on my first child's one year pics that were taken elsewhere. Much less. There is a lego table in the waiting area to keep the kiddos occupied while you're picking pictures. My oldest loves it. I highly recommend Portrait Innovations!! It's a fabulous place.

Portrait Innovations
1701 Deming Way
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 824-8720
portraitinnovations.com

Chazen Museum of Art in Madison, WI

The Chazen Museum of Art is located on the east end of the UW-Madison campus. Children and adults can go through the museum in a couple of hours and cover 2000 years of art from ancient Greece to 20th century New York. Artists in the permanent collection include Gauguin, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Andy Warhol. The Chazen usually has two exhibitions in addition to the permanent collection.

The museum's size makes it a very intimate setting to view art. It is probably most age appropriate for children who can stick with the "look with your eyes, not with your hands" rule. Parents of children who are not old enough to be aware of museum etiquette should keep it in mind though for a weekend when the babysitter is available and they want to get reacquainted with culture.

Entrance to the Chazen is free. There are also free concerts in the museum on most Sunday afternoons between September and May.

Chazen Museum of Art
800 University Ave
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-2246
chazen.wisc.edu

Capitol Kids in Madison, WI

Capitol Kids is a fabulous store in Madison for kids. Located on the Capitol Square, it's a convenient spot for anyone to get to. They have a great toy selection for kids of all ages. A nice place to find a holiday gift for that special someone on your list. They have beautiful clothes for kids there, too. Some really cute stuff! You should stop in and check it out. Don't miss it this holiday season.

Capitol Kids
8 S Carroll St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 280-0744
capitolkids.com

(Thanks for the review Julie!)

Madison Public Library: Lakeview Branch in Madison, WI

Lakeview library is our neighborhood library branch. Located in a mini mall, you would never guess that it was so wonderful inside. It has a nice children's area, with a play/reading space and a fish tank to keep the kiddos occupied while you're looking for books. The magazine room, which is in the back of the library. is spacious, warm and cozy, with many large windows and a fireplace. This is where many of the library's activities take place, including the preschool story time, which is a big hit with my three year old. I love the fact that you can browse the Madison Public Library's website for items, request them and when available they will be shipped to whatever library branch you choose. Very convenient when you have kids.

Madison Public Library: Lakeview Branch
2845 N Sherman Ave
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 246-4547
madisonpubliclibrary.org

(Thanks for the review Julie!)

Kindermusik with Debbie in Madison, WI

Kindermusik with Debbie is a great way to expose your child to music and dancing. I highly recommend the program. It's a great way to bond with your child. Debbie is an experienced teacher and great with children. The Kindermusik program is of high quality and has a great curriculum for children 0-7 years of age. You can preview a free class by contacting Debbie.

Kindermusik with Debbie
1501 Gilbert Road
Madison, WI
(608) 274-6635
youngstir.com/debbie/

(Thanks for the review aforer!)

Madison Children's Museum in Madison, WI

The Madison Children's Museum is a fun place to take your kids. They have many exhibits and play areas where kids can really get involved, whether it's pretend play, making music with instruments or brushing a cow. They also have many programs for toddler, preschool and school-aged children. If you live in the Madison area and have kids, I would highly recommend purchasing a yearly membership, because if you attend any of the weekly programs for kids, your admission is then free. Definitely worth it! It does get crowded because of it's popularity, so I recommend going early in the a.m.

Madison Children's Museum
100 State St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-6445
madisonchildrensmuseum.org

(Thanks for the review Julie!)

First Stage Children's Theater in Milwaukee, WI

Excellent introduction to theater for children. Plays target specific age groups. Performances held at Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts on Water Street.

First Stage Children's Theater
929 N Water St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-7206
http://www.firststage.org/

(Thanks for the review j rose!)