FRIDAY THE 13TH FUN

Get into the Halloween spirit with some Friday the 13th fun this year. A number of Detroit area locations that parents normally would associate as places for family outings with the kids are having 21+ adult focused Halloween festivities on Friday the 13th this year. Moms and dads get yourself a babysitter and enjoy a terror-ific date night at one of these spooktacular events:

GLENLORE TRAILS HAUNTED FOREST

This immersive outdoor Halloween attraction in Commerce Township has a CarnEVIL theme this year with creepy clowns on display and interactive carnival games. For Friday the 13th admission will be only adults (21+) and in addition to this Halloween trail's impressive light displays and special visual effects the evening will feature bourbon and wine tastings along with music from a live DJ. 

For more information, visit glenloretrails.com

SPOOKY SPIRITS AT THE DETROIT ZOO

Explore the Detroit Zoo after its normal closing hours at its Spooky Spirits (21+ only) event on Friday the 13th which goes from 6pm - 10pm). Wearing Halloween costumes is encouraged!  Event activities include: 

• A wide selection of themed specialty cocktails, classic spirits, beer, wine, canned cocktails and seltzers – meaning plenty of grim and tonics and Pino Grave-gios to choose from;
• A spooky screening of “Friday the 13th movie” in the 4D Theater (exclusive studio-edit, 20-minute 4D feature); 
• A complimentary welcome drink, courtesy of welcome sponsor Griffin Claw Brewing;
•  Live entertainment and life-sized games; 
• Music from Michigan band Weekend ComeBack; 
• A haunted trail full of pirates;
• Habitat chats with Detroit Zoo animal care staff; 
• Themed photo opportunities.

For more information, visit detroitzoo.org

MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER AFTER DARK

Find yourself in an eerie atmosphere where science meets the supernatural during After Dark: Friday the 13th at the Michigan Science Center. This 21+ event will feature a Stranger Things Laser Show, alchemically inspired elixirs, captivating music, and more. Each admission ticket includes a free drink ticket. While there check out the new exhibit Towers Of Tomorrow and get up close with mesmerizing creatures at the Reptarium.

For more information, visit mi-sci.org

SNOWY DAY AT THE DETROIT ZOO

With the holiday still on our minds, my family went on a trek to the North Pole the day after Christmas. Well the closest experience possible to a North Pole adventure without actually leaving town that is.  We visited the Detroit Zoo's Arctic Ring of Life exhibit.  We didn't come across Santa Claus during our snowy hike but we did see a playful polar bear, white furred arctic foxes, and some blubbery seals.

Visitors to the Arctic Ring of Life wander through a 4 acre outdoor and indoor exhibit space that is one of the largest polar bear exhibits in a North American zoo.  It is home to two 13-year-old polar bears, a female named Talini and a male named Nuka.  The Detroit Zoo's polar bear habitat includes grassy tundra spaces, an area that replicates pack ice, a freshwater pond that is visible from an outdoor trail and a 190,000 gallon salt water pool that provides indoor viewing spots.

You enter the exhibit walking across an outdoor trail that has placards along it with information about the Inuit way of life.  Inuit are the indigenous people who have inhabited the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russian Siberia.  Replicas of Inuit artwork, inuksuk landmarks, and structures line your path as you keep an eye out for polar bears.

If lucky, the first thing you'll see is one of the arctic foxes that have their own habitat near the entrance to the exhibit.  It is home to three female arctic foxes, Alex, Roxanne and Moxie.  They can be hard to spot at times though because during the warm weather months their fur is brownish-gray blending into their tundra habitat but in the winter they have furry white coats that are great camouflage in the snow.  We actually spotted all three as we walked along the path by their exhibit with one of them running over to check us out.

As we passed the arctic foxes the next spot we approached was an outdoor observation point that provides a view of the tundra space where the polar bears are often wandering and the freshwater pond where you'll often see them swimming.  No polar bears to be seen today but the pond was filled with hundreds of ducks which in it self was an impressive site to take in.  As we headed out of the observation spot, a huge turkey vulture swooped down flying just a foot or so over our heads as it headed for some nearby underbrush where a chipmunk was running for its life.

Next it was off to the indoor portion of the exhibit.  The 70-foot-long Frederick and Barbara Erb Polar Passage takes you through a 12-foot-wide by 8-foot-tall tunnel that goes underwater through a giant saltwater pool that has seals on one side of it and polar bears on the other.  It looks like they are in one pool but there is a transparent barrier between the two.  This pool is home to four rescued seals.  Three gray seals (Jersey, Georgia, and Kiinaq) and a harbor seal (Sidney).

As you walk through the underwater passage it is possible to get up close views of these seals as they swim alongside and above you.  This is a nice spot to sit awhile and just enjoy watching the seals swim about. Sometimes you'll get a real treat and one of the zoo's polar bears will jump in the water too!

During our visit, Nuka was having a lot of fun playing with his favorite toy, a plastic ice cube, and it was a thrill to watch him.  Getting a close up view of a polar bear is an amazing experience.  Wow are those paws huge! In fact, these are some big animals overall that can range from six to nine feet tall and weigh 450 to 1,400 pounds.  Nuka looked so friendly my kids exclaimed they wanted to give him a hug, that is a big no-no though as polar bears are some vicious carnivores.  They are really great to look at when you aren't in danger of being their next meal and we spent a good amount of time watching Nuka playing with his toy in the pool as he walked above us on the roof of the tunnel and swam throughout the pool.

Our up close encounter with a polar bear made a trip to the zoo on a frigid winter day well worth the effort and discomfort of the cold weather.  The snow on the ground also made it seem as if we were taking a trek to the North Pole.  Plus we practically had the place to our selves ... there were no crowds to be found on this snowy day at the Detroit Zoo.

As we left the Arctic Ring of Life heading back to our car, otters racing around their habitat caught our eye.  The cold weather wasn't going to keep them from having a good time!  They were sliding across their ice covered stream, swimming in and out of the water, and rolling around in the snow.  Before we knew it a half hour had passed as we stood around watching the otters frolic.  It was a good day to be at the zoo!

The Detroit Zoo is open seven days a week 10am - 4pm from October through March.  Closed on some holidays.  Regular admission (15 years old +) is $14.  Children (2 - 14), Seniors (62+) and Active Military with ID are charged $10.  Under 2 years old is FREE.  Parking is $7 per car.  For more information about the zoo, visit detroitzoo.org

National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America

Bird watching has become a favorite activity for my children and I to do together.  It is something that you can do together as a family outdoors anytime of the year with relatively little expense that provides a great opportunity to get some exercise.  The regular nature hikes I took my kids on as toddlers have evolved over the years into bird watching expeditions as they always get a thrill seeing these creatures in the wild.  It is amazing how encountering birds brings out a sense of wonder in children.

One of our favorite resources to learn about the birds is a book from National Geographic Kids.  Light weight and just the right size to hold in a child's hands or throw inside a backpack, National Geographic Kids BIRD GUIDE OF NORTH AMERICA highlights more than 100 species of birds that you could come across in the United States and Canada.  It's great to flip through before going out on an excursion to provide an idea of what birds you may encounter as well as nice to flip through after getting back home to identify what you may have come across while out and about.

A favorite type of bird that we like to go out looking for during the summer months in Michigan are Great Blue Herons.  They truly are an incredible sight to behold especially when you can get up close to one.  National Geographic Kids BIRD GUIDE OF NORTH AMERICA features wonderful two-page spreads on fifty of the most popular birds that people are on the look out for including the Great Blue Heron.  Enjoy some great photographs of the birds showcased in this section of the book while reading about where they live and what they like to eat.  Each of these profiles also includes a weird fun fact and a facts box with information like a bird's scientific name and wingspan.  All this information is fun to read about for curious minds but also educational as well.

The book also has a section divided by habitats and breaks down which environments different birds live in.  Planning on taking a trip to a different part of the country?  National Geographic Kids BIRD GUIDE OF NORTH AMERICA shows you various examples of interesting birds to keep an eye out for.  Plus the book provides tips bird watching to help make the activity enjoyable for kids.

In addition to birds living in the wild here in North America, the book also gives examples of extraordinary species from around the world that you may be able to see in a local zoo.   The Detroit Zoo recently opened a new penguin exhibit and my children like to read up about these birds in their National Geographic Kids book before our family outings there.  This 176 page paperback book is an eye-opening look at the impressive diversity of birds and encourages readers to get outside and do some bird watching for themselves.

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program. Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors.  A Geek Daddy does not receive any financial compensation for my participation as a National Geographic Kids Insider.

WINTER IS A GREAT TIME FOR A VISIT TO THE ZOO

When you think of a trip to the zoo probably a school year field trip or summer family outing is the first thing that comes to mind.  Most zoos are open throughout the entire year though and winter can be a great time for a visit.  While you might be in for a chilly time, some of my family's best trips to the zoo have been during the winter time.

If you are like me and don't care for being in crowds, a zoo during the winter months is a great place to be because they are fairly deserted places to stroll around.  While us humans don't want to be out in the cold, this time of year is when many of the animals are the most active, even ones that you wouldn't think would like being in the snow like lions from the African savanna and kangaroos from the Australian outback.   Some of our best close up views of wildlife running and playing in front of us have been during winter outings to the zoo. There have been plenty of times where it has felt like it was our family's own private park to enjoy because we practically had the place to ourselves.  It is a nice time to linger and view all the informational displays when there aren't a lot of other people getting in the way.  Plus while there may not be a lot of visitors, you'll still often find plenty of knowledgeable animal keepers, docents, and volunteers who will be excited to share with someone their insights about the animals that live there during this time when things aren't that busy.

 

Here are few tips on having an enjoyable trip to the zoo when it is cold outside:

+ Annual Memberships & Winter Discounts -- purchase an annual membership to your local zoo which often  provides unlimited visits to the zoo throughout the entire year for the same price as family admission would be for one or two trips without it.  Having one of these annual zoo passes will encourage your family to visit throughout the year to get the most out of your investment in it rather than just visiting during the peak attendance summer months. Some zoological parks will provide a discounted admission if you have an annual pass with another zoo so always remember to bring your membership card with you when traveling.  If you don't live close enough for an annual membership to be economical, check to see if a zoo you'd like to visit has discounted admission rates during the off-season to encourage attendance and utilize the deal as part of a fun winter road trip.

+ Check the Weather  -- A brisk stroll through outdoor exhibits is a great way to get kids who have been cooped up inside during the winter some exercise and release pent up energy. Be careful though because if it is too frigid out the experience will just be unpleasant and could even be dangerous as you risk hypothermia or frost bite if exposed to really low temperatures for too long.  Winter days when the animals are most active and you'll be the most comfortable to walk around bundled up are sunny ones with temperatures in the mid-30's or higher that have no wind chill to turn your nose and cheeks red.  Always dress appropriately for the weather conditions and check your local weather reports before you head out both for comfort and safety.

+ Online Zoo Maps -- most zoos have maps of their facilities online now.  Plot out routes between outdoor and indoor exhibits so you are giving yourself a chance to regularly warm up inside as you are exploring the zoo grounds.  It is nice to have your path planned out ahead of time instead of trying to figure out where you want to go while you are out in the cold.  Often time these online maps will highlight which exhibits are open and closed during the winter months to help you plan your visit in advance.  Also while visiting a zoo's website make sure to check out their hours as while most are open all year long they often have reduced operating hours during the winter season.  If they have an app add it to your phone or a mobile device to have access to the information as you are walking about.

+ Enjoy Indoor Exhibits -- when it is cold outside it is often possible to spend most of your time enjoying areas that are inside at many zoos.  My daughter's favorite animals are giraffes and there is a nice space where you can observe them inside so we go to see them a lot during the winter with our annual Detroit Zoo family pass.  We've had winter visits to our local zoo where we just went to the indoor butterfly and tropical bird garden, penguin exhibit, and reptile house staying inside almost the whole time.  Just because it may be frigid outside don't forget there may be interesting, warm spaces indoors at a zoo to enjoy.

Going stir crazy in your house? Maybe a winter road trip to a zoo is just the ticket to get out and about. A trip to the zoo is always an entertaining and educational experience that also provides some nice exercise.  While cold weather may be a detraction for some, my family has always found our winter visits to be enhanced by better visibility of the animals and accessibility around the exhibits.  Take advantage of the off-peak season and enjoy a family outing to a zoo.

Our Annual Hop Over To Bunnyville Egg-stravaganza @ The Detroit Zoo

This year was the third year in a row that we've hopped over the the Detroit Zoo to participate in its annual Bunnyville activities. Taking place the Friday and Saturday before Easter, the zoo provides fun activities, games and entertainment for children that are FREE with paid admission to the zoo. Being that we live a fifteen minute drive from the zoo and have an annual family pass this egg-stravaganza is always a nice extra benefit of having a zoo membership that my kids really enjoy. We started off our visit to Bunnyville with a stop at the Jelly Bean Jamboree where the kids rubbed on some temporary tattoos, built custom bracelets, and made bunny faces from paper plates and cotton balls while enjoying live music performed by Mr. Seley and the Troublemakers that put a rock spin on some popular children's songs like "Old McDonald Had A Zoo."

Next was a stop at the Ford Education Center for a sp-egg-tacular magic show by the Amazing Clark followed by a stroll around to view some of the animals and a zookeeper talk at the grizzly bears exhibit. Than it was off to the Children's Hospital of Michigan Whisker Painting Station so the kids could get their bunny faces on.

The Funny Bunny Games are always a hit.  This year's activities included a hoop toss, floating duck contest, beanbag throw, and don't drop the egg walk for prizes that included dinosaur masks, a handheld pinball maze game, pencils, and some fruit gummy snacks.  All of which thrilled and excited my kids.

Every year we've attended this egg-stravaganza my kids favorite part has been the Bunny Follies live play, especially when they get everybody in the audience to do the chicken dance. 

The theme of the skit is on how Elmer the Bear wants to replace the Easter Bunny with the Big Brown Easter Bear.  The show has some humorous gags and musical numbers that get the audience engaged and my kids talk about it for days afterwards.

The Bunny Follies really are egg-cellent!

Our family has really enjoyed the Detroit Zoo's Bunnyville activities during our kids preschool and kindergarten years.  Based upon the activities though the event probably peaks out as being suitable for children in first or second grade so while Bunnyville has become somewhat of a family tradition it might not be that much longer lived as the twins move on to first grade this Fall.  If you are a parent of a preschooler or kindergarten aged child that lives in the Metro Detroit area, Bunnyville at the Detroit Zoo gets A Geek Daddy Nod of Approval and I highly recommend hopping by to enjoy the festivities.

Spring is here, the sun is out and it is time to get your Vitamin Z!

Our Weekend With Dexter - The mischievous monkey from "Night at the Museum" swung by for a visit

As part of his whirl wind tour of the United States to promote the March 10, 2015 release of "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" for blu-ray, dvd, and digital download the mischievous monkey from the movie Dexter swung by our house this weekend for a visit.  He tagged along for some of our normal weekend activities like going grocery shopping, to my daughter's dance class, and the twins' swimming lessons plus we enjoyed an afternoon at the Detroit Zoo's Wild Winter Safari Social.

Our family has annual passes to the Detroit Zoo which is about a fifteen minute drive from our home so we go there often, even during Michigan's cold weather months.  The zoo was holding some special events this weekend that included crafts, games, a magic show, an artwork gallery exhibition and a scavenger hunt around the zoo to locate animal facts from the placards displayed at various exhibits.

The kids made binoculars and safari vests, with a little help from Dexter, at the Safari Social's craft tables.  It's remarkable how much fun kids can have with paper grocery bags, toilet paper rolls, some duct tape and string.

After we had our binoculars and safari vests ready to wear for our scavenger hunt adventure, the kids played some games for a chance to win prizes.  Dexter really cheered them on as they hurled hula hoops over the necks of various animals in these contests.  I'm not sure though if that monkey was cheering on the kids or teasing the stuffed animals who were having hoops thrown at their heads.

Then we watched a humorous magic show by the Amazing Clark before wandering outside to explore the zoo and participate in the scavenger hunt.

Though we all had fun at the zoo, Dexter seemed more wild about experiencing the routine things our normal, middle class, Midwestern family does most weekends.  He gave some great tips on finding the best bananas at the grocery store and showed us how useful a tail can be when it comes to folding laundry.  Dexter insisted on going to my daughter's ballet class where he showed off his movie star talents insisting on participating in a pas de deux and demonstrating some incredible pirouettes for the class.

We wrapped up the weekend at the twins' swimming lessons and while Dexter enjoyed playing with the kids along side the pool he wanted nothing to do with getting dipped into the water - I don't think the monkey knows how to swim.

After a fun weekend of activities with our family, Dexter was off to the next stop on this "Night at the Museum 3" publicity tour.  You can follow Dexter's adventures as he travels across the country by searching for the hashtag #TrackDexter on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.  Also don't forget to check out Dexter's newest movie "Night at the Museum 3" on blu-ray, dvd, or via digital download.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings back to life your favorite museum heroes in NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB available on Blu-ray^™ and DVD March 10. Families around the globe have come out to see the hysterical third and final installment in the franchise, which has grossed more than a billion dollars. Now, parents and kids can not only enjoy the best ‘Night’ ever, but also get their hands on a bonus Digital HD movie: their choice of either Night at the Museum or Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.

If it’s laughter you’re after, get ready for the most hilarious night ever! Ben Stiller leads an all-star comedy cast, including Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Rebel Wilson and Ricky Gervais, for one final, fun-filled Night at the Museum. This time, Larry Daley (Stiller) and his heroic friends embark on their greatest adventure yet as they travel to London in order to save the magic that brings the museum exhibits to life!

The Blu-ray™ comes with tons of special features that will have the whole family laughing! You can check out how Stiller got into character for his alter ego Laaa, get a behind the scenes look at The British Museum and learn how the film’s iconic fight scene inside an M.C. Escher painting came to light. Best of all, every Blu-ray™ comes with a bonus Digital HD movie – not only do you get a Digital HD version of NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB, but you also get a Bonus digital movie – your choice of one of the other movies in the franchise.

DISCLAIMER:   I did not receive financial compensation for this post, but we did receive a Dexter plush toy and activity set as part of this blog's participation in the Fox Home Entertainment Insiders program.  Any opinions, thoughts or stories in this post are my own though information regarding "Night at the Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb" was provided by Fox Home Entertainment.  A Geek Daddy Blog participates in the Fox Home Entertainment Insiders program which provides us blu-rays/dvds to review, movie prize packs for giveaways to our readers, and other occasional promotional items to promote its product lineup.