Circus Smirkus

We featured this event in our list of things to do last weekend, so we thought we would check out a show and report back. If you are looking for a high energy, action-packed show that will keep your kids talking for days, this is worth checking out! If you can’t make one this year, don’t worry; they tour throughout New England every summer with a new storyline.

Photo Credit: Robert Sanson (link to flickr set)

This “Big Top” is actually a “Little Top”: it’s a 750-seat, one ring circus that is performed entirely by children 18 years old and younger. Risers surround the ring with only 6 or so rows, so there are no bad seats and you are up close to the action. Small children get the best seats in the house – they can sit on the ground around the ring itself. These seats are limited, so you will want to get there early. Novelties and food are sold in concession tents and there are vendors selling popcorn and drinks inside the main tent. Who doesn’t have room for popcorn at a circus?

This year’s theme is Smirkus Ever After and is set to various fairy tales including the ‘Three Little Pigs’, ‘The Tortoise and the Hare,’ ‘Little Red Riding Hood,’ and many more. Characters from these stories, played by Smirkus troupers, weave together this 2 hour show with a 15 minutes intermission accompanied by original music performed by a two-man band. The show is full of juggling, acrobatics, various trapeze acts, clowning around, and many more amazing feats.

The show itself is very entertaining, but it is much more interesting when you know a little about the company. Circus Smirkus was founded in 1987 and is based in Greensboro, VT. They are a non-profit organization that raises money for other groups, like a non-profit youth or community organization. The one we attended was in Lawrence, MA, and was presented by the Lawrence Sons of Italy.

The purpose of Circus Smirkus, as stated on their website, is “to give kids the chance to run away to their own circus.” The troupers in the circus are kids!! Many of them begin their careers in a Circus Residency at their school. In cooperation with your child’s school, this program can run for one to two weeks and introduce the students to the skills used in the circus. A professional from Smirkus works with the students every day during the residency. The next step is to attend a summer camp, which is held at Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, Vermont. There are different programs for children ages 6 to 18 and these are also one or two weeks long.

Auditions are held to choose the troupers that get to be part of the circus tour. The kids in the tour come from the Circus Smirkus camps as well as similar programs, and they have to audition every summer to be part of the tour. The circus also boasts performers from foreign circus schools! Many troupers have gone on to work for such prestigious companies as Ringling Bros., Cirque du Soleil, and the Big Apple Circus.

Mom Says: I want to give major props to all of the kids in the show - they were awesome!!! I can’t believe the tricks and stunts they were performing at such a young age! It’s nice to be young and have no fear

Dad Says: This is a different experience than the larger circus and gives your kids a great chance to see other kids performing. We’ll check this one out when it comes around next year for sure!

Circus Smirkus
www.smirkus.org

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Model Rockets

We were visiting some friends recently when the two dads found themselves needing some entertainment for 2 young boys. We decided that it was model rocket launching time! It had been quite a few years since both dads had launched rockets, but we felt confident in our memory and ability to follow instructions, so we headed right out to Wal-Mart to pick up some supplies on the way to the field. We’ll cover how to go about this activity with your kids and offer up some tips along the way.

Where can I get model rockets?

The first thing you will need to launch rockets is the actual rockets (pretty obvious, we know). There are many different stores that carry model rockets. Hobby stores offer the greatest variety of rockets if you are looking for something special, while the main discounters (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) carry rockets, launch kits, and engines as well nowadays. If you head to one of the discount stores, your best bet is to look in the toy section where they keep model airplanes and helicopters.

What type of rocket should I get?

We found that Wal-Mart offered one launch kit option, which had the launch pad, remote controller ignition system, and a rocket to assemble. They also carried two other single rockets that were pre-assembled. Depending on the age of your kids and your level of skill with assembling potentially complex models, decide whether you want the Ready-to-Fly rockets or the more advanced rockets that require assembly. Many model rockets require more than one day to assemble as you must glue them together, then paint them or apply decals. We tried both types, and would recommend starting with the Ready-to-Fly models before investing in the more complex types. The Ready-to-Fly version took a couple of minutes to attach the fins and the parachute, while the other one took at least 25 minutes to work through the assembly instructions. If your kid enjoys building things, then making the entire rocket would be a great activity on its own. Most rockets come with decals so your kid can decorate it as well.

The launch kit that we purchased came with the launch pad itself, which is a tripod-type stand with a long metal rod that guides the direction of the rocket when launching. This kit also came with the electrical ignition controller, which provides the electrical charge to ignite the engine and blast the rockets off. Look for controllers that have a safety key to ensure no accidental launches occur while you are prepping the rocket.

Engines are typically sold separately from the rockets and come in many different sizes and power ratings. Each rocket will have documentation on the box explaining which engine sizes are compatible. We went for the largest engine size that would fit in our rockets to maximize how far into the sky they would go. When buying engines consider how many launches you will want to do and account for the fact that some may not work correctly. We had two rockets and brought along 9 engines, all of which worked. If you want to teach your kids how the engines actually work, this site provides a good visual of the process.

Safety

Safety is very important with this activity as you are dealing with powerful engines. We felt it was OK to have our kids help place the rocket on the launch pad, but we made sure they were 15 to 20 feet away when we were connecting the controller clips to the engine and when actually launching. We always held the controller and allowed the kids to hit the button. With older kids they could start to do some of these things on their own…with supervision, of course.

Preparing for Launch

For each launch you have to prepare the engine as well as the parachute and nose cone. For the parachute you fold and roll it up per the instructions, wrap the cords around the parachute, stuff several sheets of wadding into the fuselage (this is to protect the parachute from burning), insert the parachute, and then secure the nose cone in place.

Launching

For the engine, an igniter is placed into the hole of the engine and secured in place with a plastic plug. The engine is then inserted into the rear end of the rocket and secured in place by the metal clips on the rocket body. Once ready, the rocket is placed on the launch rod and from a safe distance (the ignition controller usually has a 15-20 foot cord), a safety key is inserted, a countdown is done, and your kid presses the launch button.

Rocket Flight

Our rockets went 800-1200 feet in the air and were pretty hard to see at their highest point. One of the most exciting parts was tracking the descent of the rocket and trying to get to where it was going to land. This is easier if there is little wind and the parachute system works correctly, of course.

Dad Says: I’m not sure if the dads had more fun or the kids with this activity. It brought back some great childhood memories and once you’ve invested in the launch pad, controller, and some rockets, you just need to buy new engines every time.

Dad’s Friend Says: Get at least two rockets and plan on losing one of them unless you have a very large field and no wind. I’ll definitely be getting some more engines to bring the kids out again.

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West End Creamery & Mini Golf

We didn’t have room last week to talk about West End Creamery, so we are featuring it this week. We happened upon it when leaving Purgatory Chasm and were delighted with the great find! It’s right down the street from the chasm, which we reviewed last week, and is worth including in a trip to the chasm or to visit by itself. West End is open until 10:00 pm to it’s easy to include in any trip.

West End Creamery is a family run business that offers more than just a cold, tasty treat. It includes an 18-hole miniature golf course, a farmland petting area, and large fields to create your own activities such as Frisbee, running around, or rolling down the hills (which we saw many kids doing).

We’ll start with the important part, the ice cream! While they do not make it on site, it is local to Massachusetts. West End offers close to 50 flavors of hard ice cream along with frozen yogurt, sherbet, and several low/no fat options. Standard vanilla, chocolate, and swirl soft serve is available as well as frappes, iced coffee, fountain drinks, Rickies, and Del’s lemonade. They have a small ice cream on the menu for children 3 and under, and it’s priced right at 95 cents. You can bring your dog, too – “Puppy Licks” is a feature for your canine child.

A large outdoor deck overlooks the West End Creamery property and provides ample outdoor seating to enjoy your ice cream. Go inside for additional seating and a view of the model train that snakes its way around the inside perimeter of the building. Our kid tried his hardest to follow the train all the way around, but we had to stop him from entering the ice cream work area!

Any time we encounter those 18 plots of artificial turf it’s hard to resist, and the West End Creamery mini golf course is fantastic. The course is superbly decorated with traditional farm equipment, gardens, 7 different ponds, 2 waterfalls, and a working 6 foot gristmill. Great, but how does it play? This one is tough with the hills, but doesn’t have too many crazy obstacles, so if you can play the hills right you should do well. Golf costs $7.50 for adults, $6.00 for kids 4-12 and is free for those 3 and under.

A new attraction to the West End Creamery is the Farmyard, which is setup in the barn down the hill from the golf course (following the paw prints on the ground to get there). This barn provides viewing and petting of some small farm animals. This isn’t a full-fledge zoo of course, but kids always love to see animals and it’s a nice add-on when visiting West End.

If the outdoor deck is packed or you just want to get away from the crowd, take a walk down the hill (or roll like the kids do) where there are a few picnic tables and a path to walk along Swans Pond.

Mom Says: Waffle cones are made right in front of you so you know they are fresh. For an extra treat, ask for a warm one; otherwise they are served cooled off to avoid melting the ice cream.

Dad Says: I rarely pass up an opportunity to get ice cream and play mini golf, so I loved this place. The ice cream was great and the service was solid from the local employees.


West End Creamery
481 Purgatory Rd
Whitinsville, MA 01588
www.westendcreamery.com

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Purgatory Chasm

The weather is not perfect, but we have started to get some good days, and there is no better way to spend a beautiful, dry day than to visit Purgatory Chasm in Sutton, MA. Put on your hiking gear, pack a picnic, and maybe even bring the dog. Definitely bring your camera. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round, and is free to the public.

As you drive down Purgatory Road there are several parking lots, all of them being fairly close to the entrance of the chasm, which is the major attraction. Approximately one-quarter of a mile in length, the trail brings you over and under granite rocks with walls of granite on each side as high as 70 feet. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear to avoid slipping. We went a few days after some of the rain and there were still a few muddy spots, so be prepared to get a little dirty. Blue paint marks the path of the trail as you go along. You do not have to follow it, but it can be helpful if you are looking for an easier way through. Rock climbing is prohibited without a permit.

There are several trails around the chasm through the woods. Maps are available at the entrance to help guide you. There are five main trails, the shortest being .25 miles and the longest being 1 mile; of course, you can (and in some cases, have to) put some of them together. The trails on either side of the chasm are great to take as they offer spectacular views of the rocks below. Five of the rock formations have clever names, such as ‘Fat Man’s Misery’ and ‘Lover’s Leap.’ Look for the signs as you hike along.

The visitor’s center is a small building on the opposite side of the street of the chasm entrance and has some basic information as well as bathrooms. Beyond this building are several areas with picnic tables and grills as well as a very nice playground, which has three main areas: the main structure, a swing set, and a spinning, webbed ride. The playground itself is very new and safe for the kids. The spinning thing is worth talking about a little more. Picture your standard playground carousel and add a webbed netting that creates a cone from the outside of the platform up about 10 feet, so it looks like a big upside down ice cream cone. Kids get inside, hang on the outside, or climb to the top and the adults spin it around. We are not sure who had more fun, the dads running around trying to spin this thing as fast as they could or the kids hanging on as they screamed in pure joy!

The picnic areas are located throughout the park and are perfect for a family outing or a large play date with friends. There are plenty of picnic tables and outdoor grills available to use. You may want to bring some money: an ice cream truck is known to park near the entrance of the chasm.

Mom Says: This was one of my favorite places to go hiking when I was young and I am excited to share that with my husband and son. The best part about the chasm is that the granite rocks keep it cool, so even on a hot, humid day you can stay outside and cool down. Fall is a beautiful time to go to check out the leaves changing color.

Dad Says: This place was jammed packed with adults, kids and dogs and was a great time. I was surprised at how many youngsters were able to navigate their way through the Chasm. You know it’s a good place when you hear “This is awesome” and “Look Dad, I’m sliding like Spiderman” from the kids.

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation
Purgatory Road, Sutton, MA
www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/purg.htm

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Davis Farmland

We finally drove out to Sterling, MA, to visit Davis Farmland, a children’s discovery farm. Sounds like a simple idea, but the Davis family has taken farm fun to a whole new level by mixing the old in with the new. This place is a MUST-SEE. Be prepared with bathing suits and towels as you will want to get wet! During the summer they are open 7 days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is $16.95 per person (children under 2 are free). Discounts and memberships are available, so check the website.

Let’s start with a little history, which makes the farm very intriguing. Seven generations of the Davis family have run the farm from the beginning. Their mission is to ensure that rare breeds of farm animals live and repopulate for years to come. You may not recognize some of the animals on the farm, but they have posted very detailed signs so you can identify them. Their website boasts that “Davis Farmland is the largest private sanctuary of endangered livestock in North America.” They have even teamed up with San Diego Zoo to preserve DNA of endangered farm animals. Yes, the admission is pricey, but think of it as helping to save some of these animals for your future grandchildren to see!

Upon paying this admission your group is given wristbands for security. Your group must leave together and no one can take your child home. Many venues have similar security measures, but a staffed and locked gate to exit made this a bit more secure than some play places we have been to. In addition to your entry fee, you can purchase cups of feed for the animals for $2.00 each. This is highly recommended by our son. A few short steps past the ticket counter and you are smack in the middle of the action. Watch out! The first animals you see are kittens, and they are up for adoption. We were able to walk away easily, but if you are a sucker for fuzzy paws that attack your fingers through the wire, then you have been forewarned. Don’t worry – there are tons of other animals to pet. Rabbits are in the cages across from the kittens. You can touch them if they are close to the edge of the cage, but also listen to the staff’s shout-outs throughout the day. At one point they took out some rabbits with angora hair and put them on a picnic table to be brushed and petted by the children (and adults that want to act like children, like us). Some of the farm animals are in cages, and others are roaming free in an open area that you can stroll through. Our son loved to chase the chickens around, though I don’t think they liked it as much… Beware of the younger goats as we found that they liked to chew on our clothes.

Don’t like animals? The farm has plenty of other activities. The face painting station is equipped with all the paint and mirrors your child needs to create a masterpiece on their body, including sketches for them to use as guides. A sink is nearby for easy cleanup. There were several play areas for kids of different ages and interests. The toddler area (under 3) had some plastic treehouse-type (think Berenstain Bears) buildings to play in, a wooden train, some sandboxes, and swings. The best feature in this section was the speedway. This road course was adjacent to the play area and had lots of coupe-style cars for the kids to drive around or be pushed by adults. This area also has a play market, campground, farm, sand area, maze, and water tables. At the other end of the farm is a play area for the next oldest age group. Along with the usual playground buildings, they have a sand area, Peek-a-boo huts, dinosaur bone dig, pedal track, and scooter bugs. We’ll leave it to you to find out what those are on your visit! Sufficed it to say, Davis Farmland has enough to keep a family busy for a complete day if you plan your visit right.

The Adventure Play & Spray is a definite for those hot New England summer days, so pack the bathing suits and towels. It’s a zero-depth spray ground where your child can run through the sprinkler all they want! Prepare to get wet – you know you won’t be able to resist running through it a little as well!! The toddler area is separate from the main play & spray and has a rubber floor and only a few sprayers. Locker rooms and changing areas are available, and swimmy diapers are a must for the little ones.

Davis Farmland opens their well-known attraction, Davis’ Mega-Maze, on July 30. This year’s theme is ‘The Lost Tomb.’ Keep an eye out for our review later in the summer.

Mom Says: The Davis family really thinks like parents and keeps a stash of safety items on hand everywhere you look: wipes, sunblock, bug spray, and ‘Boo-Boo Stations.’ The food choices they offer are good (they even have baby food!), but they also have an abundance of picnic tables so you can pack food for the family and bring it in with you.

Dad Says: It’s hard to summarize Davis Farmland as there was so much to do, see, touch, feel, and experience. We caught a special exhibit called ‘Birds of Prey.’ Check the website as there are many more special events throughout the year. I was impressed with the staffing levels (OK, sounds like my day job) at Davis as every time you turned around, there was a friendly employee asking if you needed help or telling you about one of the animals.

Davis Farmland & Davis Mega Maze
145 Redstone Hill
Sterling, MA 01564
www.davisfarmland.com

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