Field Trips

Lake Mead http://www.nps.gov/lame/

We spent a few hours Sunday after church at Lake Mead. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery as we drove to the visitors’ center. At the visitor’s center we looked at the displays and I was happily surprised at that a good deal of it was hands on for kids. On the way out I got a Jr. Rangers activity book to fill out at home. Although it is mostly for older kids younger kids only have to do 3 pages (with help) to get a certificate and a badge. We will do research on the internet too. We walked the trail around the visitor’s center. Then we went to Lake Mead and walked along the shore while Alex threw rocks and chased sea gulls.

M&M World http://www.mymms.com/merchandise/

This was a just for fun trip. M&M World is four stories of M&M merchandise and a 3D movie. We had a lot of fun, but it is on the Strip (Las Vegas). We will not be going back because of the atmosphere of the Strip and the horrible traffic as we left. If it was in a different location we would definitely go back.

Natural History Museum http://www.lvnhm.org/

I was so impressed with this museum that we are planning on becoming members. The displays were wonderful. We spent the most time in the sea, desert, dinosaurs, and of course the kid’s section. Prior to our trip we started studying dinosaurs. We are planning on going back next month when my in-laws visit. Before the next trip we will study the desert, after all we live in one.

Hoover Dam http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/

We took the Power Plant tour which included a 10 minute film- “How the West was Won,” a trip into the powerplant, the Exhibit Gallery, and the Observation Deck. We did these things, but we didn’t do all of the things on the tour because we got tired.

Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary http://www.gilcreasenaturesanctuary.org/

This sanctuary is home to many many birds, cows, miniature horses, goats, pigs, rabbits, and cats. It was a spur of the moment field trip. My sister-in-law was visiting so I did an internet search and found Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary and we went the next day. We really enjoyed ourselves. The highlights for Alex were petting the goats and the talking parrots. And of course Aunt Sandy!

Las Vegas Zoo http://www.lasvegaszoo.org/

A few days before we went I got 5 or 6 non-fiction animal books from the library and a couple of documentaries about animals. The zoo is small, but it was just about the right size for Alex. Alex enjoyed chasing pigeons and playing on the turtle and elephant statues as much as he enjoyed the animals. My favorite was the cougar. My least favorite was the ostrich that almost got Alex’s fingers.

Local Parks

About once a week we go to a local park. So far we’ve gone to 5 or 6 since we moved to Las Vegas, but our favorite is the closest to our house. We almost always go for a walk first then let Alex play at the playground or ride his bike, (he’s still learning). Sometimes we have a picnic. I love parks.

Lied Children’s Museum http://www.ldcm.org/

Alex’s favorite parts were the giant bubbles, the tunnels, and the different shaped blocks. I was a little disappointed that the arts sections had puzzles that were too advanced instead of crafts. Upstairs was for older kids, but we still went up there. Alex was happy to get back to the blocks.

Bonnie Springs http://www.bonniesprings.com/

Bonnie Springs is a replica of a 1800’s mining town and petting zoo. We dressed Alex as a cowboy and called it, “”Cowboy Day.” I found some pages of cowboy coloring pages and taught Alex a little about cowboys. There was a shoot out with the posse. Alex’s favorite part was the train, we rode it twice. I have to admit I felt sorry for the animals because the cages seemed so small, but overall it was fun.

Nevada State Railroad Museum http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/museums/BoulderCity/rr.htm

Alex loves Thomas the Tank Engine. So we decided he should get to see a real train. I brought all of his Thomas books and some of the toys for the car ride. The museum was trains. We rode on the train then when we got off we asked one of the conductors if we could get a picture of him and Alex. He then took us, (we were the only ones) on the caboose that wasn’t yet open to the public.

Woodland Zoo (Seattle, WA) http://www.zoo.org/

This zoo has an awesome website that we visited several times before our trip. We went with some friends so Alex was very happy to have his friend Richard with us. The highlights were the petting zoo, play area, and the butterfly garden. I had never been in a butterfly garden so I could have stayed a lot longer, but our friends were ready to move on.

Tacoma Children’s Museum http://www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org/

We went twice, once with my mom and once with friends. This was my first time being at a Children’s Museum and I was very impressed. The main theme was food. It had a “garden,” a market, a café, and a play kitchen. It was small so after an hour or two the grownups were bored, but the kids could’ve stayed all day.

Other places we’ve gone that Alex was too young to remember were; Brevard County Zoo, Tacoma History Museum, Alexandria Zoo, Mt. Rainer, Point Defiance Zoo, Sea World, Coco Beach, and the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library.

Marie-Anne