Borders Story Time — Nov.

BORDERS STORY TIME. 11 a.m. Saturdays. Free. Borders Books, 1700 E. Washington Ave., Union Gap. 248-4018.

Teddy Bear Picnic

Little ones will have lots of fun at this special picnic with their beary best friends. Whether planning a party or just looking for an excuse to head outdoors, you can make this theme as simple or elaborate as you like.

All that’s needed to start the fun is a blanket on the lawn (or living room floor). Invite the children to bring their fuzzy friends to lunch.

With just a little extra effort, a teddy bear picnic becomes a sweet birthday party for tots. Just remember to keep it simple: Young children are easily overwhelmed by crowds and strict schedules. The classic rule of thumb is to invite only as many guests as your child’s age — or their age plus one. (Bring as many bears as you like.)

BEAR NECESSITIES

Set up a backdrop for photos, which can be tucked inside thank you cards for your guests. Fill a picnic basket with bears and tie on a few balloons to set the scene.

For the girls’ hats, we used a hot glue gun to dress up simple sun hats with artificial flowers and berries. For boys, use fishing hats and lures. Older children might enjoy designing their own. We bought our hats and flowers at the Dollar Tree. Cost: $2.50 each.

BEARY GOOD TREATS

Berries, of course. Gummy bears are great, too.

To create a fun Bear Party Mix, we combined Teddy Grahams, Honey Maid Bees and mini marshmallows. Raisins and other dried fruit would be tasty, too.

Use a bear-shaped cookie cutter to make peanut butter and honey sandwiches. For a breakfast party, pour teddy bear pancakes.

BEARLY PLAYING

A picnic is more fun with games to play. Don’t overdo it, but try these activities if the kids need a little direction:

• Toss the Bees into the Honey Pots: Decorate small flower pots or buckets to look like honey pots. Have kids toss bean bags into the pots to win a prize.
• Teddy Bear Hot Potato: Play some music (perhaps “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” — download a version on iTunes that suits your style). Have children sit in a circle and pass around a bear. When the music stops, the child left holding the bear is out but gets a small prize.
• Read a bear story. There are lots of classics like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” or the Berenstain Bears and Paddington Bear.
• Cut fun bear shapes with cookie cutters and dough.

Story and ideas by Sara Bristol. Photos by Destiny Williams.

Saturday Nite Live — Nov.

SATURDAY NITE LIVE. 7-9:30 p.m. Free drop-in program open to youth ages 7-15, in partnership with Yakima Valley Young Life. Swimming, sports, games, Christian message. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. 248-1202 or 961-9898.

Mom & Baby — Nov.

MOM & BABY. 10 a.m. to noon. Discussion group for moms with infants under 1 year; bring your baby. Free. Meets at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital’s Community Education in the Nob Hill Plaza, 2506 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. 575-8484.

DivorceCare for Kids — Nov.

DIVORCECARE FOR KIDS. 7 p.m. A group for children, ages 5-12, whose parents are divorced or separated. West Valley Church, 7109 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. Pastor Mary: 966-1550, ext. 23. westvalleychurch.com

Inklings Toddler Story Time — Nov.

INKLINGS TODDLER STORY TIME. 10 a.m. Inklings Bookshop in the Chalet Place shopping center, 5629 Summitview Ave., Yakima. 965-5830. inklingsbookshop.com

Preschool Story Time and Craft — 11/4

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME AND CRAFT. 10 a.m. Union Gap Library, 3104 S. First St. 452-4252.

Summitview Preschool Story Time — Nov.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME. 11 a.m. Summitview Library, 5709 Summitview Ave., Yakima. 966-7070.

1, 2, 3… 40 free tickets! (bwahaha)

I’ve always loved The Count and his batty-bats on Sesame Street.  So you can bet I’m excited to announce that I’ve got not one, not two, not three… but 40 free tickets to see The Count, Big Bird and other Sesame Street favorites when the touring show “Elmo Makes Music” comes to Yakima in December. (High-five to Adam Kramer for making it happen.)

Here’s the deal: In the next issue of Playdate, which hits stands on Nov. 26, there’s going to be a coloring page. Rip it out — or, make a photocopy (we totally understand if you don’t want to ruin your mag). Have your kid color it and bring it to the Herald-Republic right away.  The deadline is Dec. 3, so you’ve only got a week to enter.  We’ll pick 10 winners to receive four vouchers for free tickets to the show. (Click here for all the dates, times and whatnot.)  Good luck!

Baby Story Time (Selah) — Nov.

BABY STORY TIME. 10 a.m. Selah Library, 115 W. Naches Ave. 698-7345.

Moxee Preschool Story Time — Nov.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME. 11 a.m. Moxee Library, 255 W. Seattle. 575-8854.

After-School Art — Nov.

AFTER-SCHOOL ART. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Age-appropriate art activities for school-age children (K-12). Cost: $10. Preschoolers welcome ($5); parents must accompany children age 6 and younger. Red Art Gallery, 30 N. Third St., Yakima. 469-2766.

Selah Preschool Story Time & Craft — Nov.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME AND CRAFT. 10 a.m. Selah Library, 115 W. Naches Ave. 698-7345.

Yakima Preschool Story Time — Nov.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME. 10:30 a.m. Downtown Yakima Library, 102 N. Third St. 452-8541.

MOPS First Pres – Nov.

MOPS — FIRST PRESBYTERIAN. 9-11:15 a.m. Meeting donation: $5, includes childcare; scholarships available. First Presbyterian Church gymnasium, 9 S. Eighth Ave., Yakima. Call Sherrie at 966-0604.

Toddler and Preschool Art Studio — Nov.

TODDLER AND PRESCHOOL ART STUDIO. 10 a.m. to noon Fridays. Drop-in open studio for children age 5 and under. Cost: $5. Red Art Gallery, 30 N. Third St., Yakima. 469-2766.

Terrace Heights Preschool Story Time — Nov.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME. 10:15 a.m. Terrace Heights Library, 4011 Commonwealth Drive, Yakima. 457-5319.

Air museum honors veterans

McAllister Museum of Aviation will host a Veterans Day event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Admission is free and coffee and cookies will be served.

The museum displays memorabilia from local veterans and a large collection of replica WWII aircraft “nose art” panels.  An Army Jeep from the Korean War Army and a rare military Cushman scooter are also on display.

The museum is located at 2008 S. 16th Ave. in Yakima, just south of Washington Avenue.  Due to construction, visitors approaching from Washington Avenue should use the entrance to Cub Crafters at 16th and Washington and use the southeast part of the parking area. From Ahtanum Road, visitors can take 16th Avenue and park at the museum.

Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 457-4933 or visit www.mcallistermuseum.org.

Funky Friday Night — Nov.

FUNKY FRIDAY NIGHT. 7-8:30 p.m. Rockin’ recreational swim featuring loud ‘80s music. Cost: $1 adults, $.50 youth, or $3.25 family. Lions Pool, 509 W. Pine St., Yakima. 575-6046.

Night Action: Late Night — Nov.

NIGHT ACTION: LATE NIGHT. 8-11 p.m. Special activities for youth in grades 6-12 include movies, pool parties, dances and dodge ball tournaments. Organized by Yakima Parks & Recreation and supervised by AmeriCorps members. Southeast Community Center gym, 1211 S. 7th St., Yakima. 575-6114.

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