Wonder Inc.

Storytime Theatre of City College
Sacramento City College students put on these shows.

3835 Freeport Blvd. (Sacramento City College), Sacramento
916.264.7057
www.citytheatre.net

Cost:		$5 per person
Hours:		1 pm on Saturday

Note: It is located in the Auditorium Room 6.

Davis Music Theatre Company
This theater is unique because it uses children as the actors.

616 Second Street (Varsity Theatre), Davis
530.756.3682

Cost:		Varies
Hours:		Varies

Note: They use actors between ages 7-17.

POETRY

Cafe Roma Poetry Slam
3rd and University (across the street from UCD)
916.3456987
poeticus007@hotmail.com

Cost:		$3
Days:		2nd and 4th Monday of the month
Hours:		8pm

Note: It is an open mic night so you may want to be sure if it is age appropriate for your Explorer.

Luna's Cafe
It's a small cafe that serves as an art gallery for artists, new and experienced, as well as a music and poetry place.

1414 16th Street, Sacramento
916.441.3941
www.lunascafe.com

Cost:		Varies
Hours:		8am-4pm Monday-Tuesday 8am-10pm Wednesday 8am-11pm Thursday 8am-midnight Friday 11am-3pm Saturday Closed Sunday

Note: Their internet calendar provides details about upcoming performances. Like many other places, please make sure the art is age-appropriate.

Los Escritores del Nuevo Sol/Writers of the New Sun

704 O Street (inside La Raza Galleria Posada), Sacramento
916.446.5133

Cost:		Free
Days:		1st and 3rd Friday of the Month
Time:		not stated

Note: Please make sure the art is age-appropriate.

Sacramento Poetry Center

1719 25th Street, Sacramento
916.451.5569

Cost:		Free
days:		Mondays
Hours:		7:30pm

Note: Make sure poetry is appropriate for age of Explorer.

DANCE

Ebo Okokan-Offerings from the Heart
An Afro-Cuban music and dance ensemble.

916.427.3867
www.cwo.com/~lucumi/

Cost:		Need to call for events
Hours:		Need to call for events

Sacramento Ballet
They provide a variety of shows but not necessarily every month.

1631 K Street Sacramento
916.552.5800
www.sacballet.org

Cost:		Varies
Hours:		Varies

Note: There is a student discount for the 10am shows and tickets are $12.

CRAFTS

Friendship Bracelets
The Explorer and the Guide can have their own personal bracelets.

Materials: Embroidery thread (various colors), safety pin or a long piece of cardboard.

Directions: To make the simpler bracelet you need 8 long pieces of thread, two of each color. Tie them together with a knot at one end. Pin the strings to your pants or a piece of carboard. Then you make a knot by laying the "working" cord (the string that you are moving) over the "holding" cord (all the other strings) then pass it underneath the holding cord (it looks like a four before you pass it underneath) and pull snugly. Continue this process until you want to switch colors and repeat the process. Tie with another knot at the end.

Note: If you don't understand these directions, please call Lupe and she will show you how to make them.

Sewing
You do not necessarily need a sewing machine.

www.allcrafts.net

Options:

1.		Use needle and thread to make patterns on a pillow case.
2.		For younger kids, doing the cross-stitch with yarn and those plastic grids would be best. They can make different things by cutting the girds into different objects.
3.		You can also make sock puppets, sew on the eyes, or make finger puppets.

Beading
Visit a bead shop and learn how to bead, or pick out some beads.

Beading Ideas

Options:

Make key chains with your name or with cool beads.

Tie Dye
Have the Explorers make their own gifts.

Materials		object to be dyed (605 cotton) rubber bands or string rubber gloves old pot/bucket for dye (3 gallon), long handled utensils/stick to mix dye newspaper/plastic bag to protect work area, rags for cleanup
Directions:		Follow the instructions on the dye box/bottle

Finger Paint
Introduce them to watercolors and painting techniques before visiting one of the museums.

You can have them make cards, pictures, and stationary. To make things a little neater, you can use gloves or paint brushes. Also, try taping a piece of paper onto the inside of an old box and rolling around marbles that have been dipped in color (marble paper).

Decorate Pottery
You can buy plain pots and paints, stickers, and such and have the child decorate the pot. Then plant some seeds in the pot and watch the plant grow!

Make a Pi�ata
It's not as hard as it sounds. Really it isn't!

Materials		balloon (any shape) old newspaper tissue paper/craft paper (various colors) flour glue (flower and water slightly cooked, or paper mache glue) scissors, an old wire hanger candy or confetti
Directions:		On a spacious workplace covered with some newspaper, inflate the balloon and make a knot. Rip newspaper into strips. Then dip or brush on the glue to one side of the newspaper and wrap around the balloon (sticky side down). You may want to wrap two layers around the balloon for strength. After it is completely covered in paper, set it aside to dry. While it is drying, take the tissue paper and fold it in half the long way (a hotdog not a hamburger) and fringe (1 or 2 inches deep) the folded side of the paper. When the pi�ata is dry, glue the uncut end to the balloon and keep doing so until it's covered. "Fluff" out the fringed ends and let dry. Once it dries, with a needle you can poke a small hole and pop the balloon. If you were planning on breaking it, make a small hole, feed in the unwired wire hanger and fill the pi�ata with goodies.

Examples of pi�atas include, a strawberry (round balloon, red and green tissue paper and a black sharpie for seeds), a mouse by adding construction paper for ears, tales, and whiskers.

Butterfly Art Project
Have Explorers learn about life cycles. This is a long project that can be done in two visits.

Caterpillar Crawler:

Materials		egg carton (styrofoam preferably) pipe cleaners glue beads (for older kids) non-toxic markers
Directions:		Cut the egg carton lengthwise so there are two six-section halves. Stick one pipe cleaner through each cup so it hangs out on either side to form legs, take two pipe cleaners and stick them through the front of the first cup for antennae. Put glue on the edges of the carton to seal it, let dry and decorate.

"Stained Glass" Butterfly:

Materials		non-toxic black marker clear contact paper colored tissue paper scissors yarn, pipe cleaner
Directions:		Draw a butterfly shape with a marker on the front of the clear contact paper (either free draw or trace). Peel of the back of the contact paper and lay it on the table, sticky side up (don't cut out the butterfly yet). Cut tissue paper into 2 inch squares (you can do this ahead of time). Tear or crumple the small pieces and press them onto the contact paper. Decorate the interior of the butterfly, Leaving as much or as little clear space as desired. Lay another piece of contact paper on top placing the sticky sides together so that the tissue is sandwiched in between. Cut out the butterfly, make a hole at the top and insert yarn. Glue on pipe cleaners as feelers. Trim the pipe cleaners to finish it off and hang the butterfly in the sun so that the colors are reflected.

Sugar Skulls
Cool project for Halloween time.

Materials		sugar dough (you can make your own buy combining sugar and water to dough consistency) tubes of decorating frosting wax paper
Directions:		Grasp a ball of sugar dough in your hands and mold into a skull. They eye sockets are typically made by your thumbs pressed into the dough. Decorate with the frosting as you please. (You can use beads, or food coloring.) Let dry on the wax paper.

Make Stickers
A very simple way of making personalized stickers!

Materials		neatly cut images for stickers (magazine, book, picture, catalogs, the web, greeting cards, own drawings). One packet of unflavored gelatin. bowl measuring cup war water paint brush aluminum foil newspaper/plastic bag to protect work area
Directions:		Make sure you have the stickers you are going to make before starting. Use a thicker paper if you plan to use the child's artwork. Place the packet of unflavored gelatin in the bowl, then add half a cup of warm water and stir until completely dissolved. Use the paintbrush to brush the gelatin onto the back of the image and then place it, sticky side up, on the foil to dry. It will not be sticky once it dries, so you can store them. Just moisten them to apply them.

MISCELLANEOUS

Fairytale Town
A "town" full of wonders and characters from fairytales.

3901 Land Park Dr., Sacramento
916.264.5233

Cost:		$4 General on weekends, $3.75 General on weekdays
Hours:		10am-4pm Thursdays-Sundays, November 1st through February 28 9am-4pm all week, March 1st through October 31

Note: Combination passes are available to go to the Zoo and Fairytale Town in the same trip. Also, you cannot enter the park without a child if you are an adult.

California State Library
914 Capitol Mall, Room 220, Sacramento
916.654.0174

Cost:		Free
Hours:		930am-4pm Monday-Friday

Note: Guide your Explorer in finding more information and pictures of things they like.

Old Sacramento
Live Historic Sacramento

Note: You could spend a whole day in Old Sacramento but you will need to pay for parking. There are museums, entertainment, restaurants, and a historic park.

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