App Review: Lola's ABC Party

By Amy My daughter is a big fan of games we play on the iPad and over the years I've found a few really great ones, but as she grows I'm always looking for new apps to help her learn and have fun.

Watching the video introducing Lola's ABC Party I noticed right away that the skills the app is teaching are skills we have been working on (letter sounds, drawing letters, etc) and that it has a format that she has liked in the past, of several mini-games inside the game, and when you're done a set of mini-games you get to build yourself a party – a bowl of ice cream, balloons, hats and cake.

The game is bright and colourful, and the kid liked Lola. The mini-games were similar to ones she had played before, but the first game where you find letters based on their sound was a bit tough with letters like 'I' – even I thought they were making the 'E' sound. Overall I could see what they were teaching, and she enjoying the rewards she got after each level. She did tell me one or two things was too hard for her, but with a bit of help and encouragement she kept going.

She really liked being told she was smart as a panda, and she loved getting to add toppings to the ice cream, blow up balloons, and decorate a cake.

Before I even got to show her the app she found it for herself and Daddy reported that she was giggling away. When I asked her if she like it she said yes, which is enough for her to keep trying and learning more about phonics and that's good enough for me.

Amy is mom to three year old The Kid and a 7 year old schnauzer named Henry. You can read her blog at amyboughner.ca where she writes about motherhood and anything else that’s on her mind. She was compensated for this review but the views are her own.

Welcoming Our New Sponsor: The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head (and a Giveaway to Boot!)

Giveaway Closed

Kids in the Capital is proud to welcome a new sponsor. And it’s not just any ordinary sponsor. It’s none other than the iconic Mr. Potato Head! The Children’s Museum, located in the Museum of Civilization, is now playing host to the temporary exhibit of The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head.

Last month, Kamerine got the chance to experience the exhibit with her two kids and thought it was pretty SPUD-Tacular.  The exhibit, geared toward children 3-8, is full of opportunities for creative play and problem-solving. There are tons of  hands-on opportunities for little inventors to creating their own amazing jungle bugs, for young oceanographers to climb aboard the potato-shaped spud sub, be budding archaeologists exploring the ruins of a lost vegetable kingdom or astronauts aboard the S.P.U.D. space station as they orbit the distant planet Neptato. The exhibit also includes one display of the original toy as it appeared in the 1950’s. Back then, children had to use real potatoes. What a great way to spend some time over the summer holiday.

The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head runs now to January 5th at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. You can read more about the exhibition here. This is also where you can buy advance tickets and look ahead to any special activities that are planned.

Congrats to Lisa Kastler who won a family pass to see The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head. But we have more! We’re also giving away two Mr. Potato Head toys. Just tell us whether you're partial to Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head in the comments below and you're entered! Contest ends July 10th!

Canada Day Colouring Sheet

  Happy Canada Day from our Kids in the Capital family to yours!

Canada Day Celebrations Around the Capital

Canada Day is fast approaching and we will soon be celebrating our 146th birthday. In Ottawa, there are a ton of family friendly activities as well as some of the best fireworks in the country. When you have kids, though, going to Parliament Hill isn’t always a feasible option. So I’ve put together a list of some alternative family friendly, Canada Day Parties.

For those families in the West End of the city, Canada Day in Kanata is always a great spot for families. For one of the largest community events in Ottawa, head off to Walter Baker Park off Terry Fox Drive in Kanata to celebrate. Admission is free with tons of activities all day. Trooper is playing on stage at 8 and at 10 there is an awesome fireworks show that shouldn’t be missed.

For those in the East End, Petrie Island in Orleans will also have a great family bash. There’ a whole slew of kid-friendly activities planned. Little Ray’s Reptiles will be there and so will some little princesses parties, Radical Science and, of course, a fireworks display at night.

If you’re in Barrhaven, you can start celebrating Canada Day early. Mattamy Homes is hosting a weekend long party starting on the 29th. There will be a midway as well as family friendly fun-filled activities, battle of the bands, food and fireworks at night.

The Canada Day celebration in Riverside South will be at Claudette Cain Park and headlined by Junkyard Symphony and Brad the Balloon Guy. The Barnyard Zoo will offer a petting zoo and pony rides! In addition, there will be rides and games for all to enjoy, a Storytime Tent and a Miniature Train Ride for kids. No fireworks, though and the activities run from 11-2.

All of these sites (except for Riverside South) do have amazing Fireworks shows but they do start late, at 10 pm. If your kids can stay up that late - it really is worth waiting for.

No matter what you decide to do on Canada Day, please do take a moment to think of how lucky we are to live in this awesome nation. So get your red and white on and celebrate, Eh!

Thomas the Train Visits the Capital

By Kamerine

Last weekend was a special weekend in Ottawa. Thomas the train made a  visit to the St. Laurent Mall. He was there for two free shows both Saturday and Sunday. We took in the 11am show on Sunday.

We arrived a few minutes before 11 to a packed house. Kids and babies and parents and strollers everywhere. The show was in an open area on the main floor and there was an area near the stage for stroller parking.

We actually went up to the second floor to look down at the show. There were less people and we knew that would be better for our kids. They were buzzing with excitement waiting for Thomas.

The show started with an emcee who got the kids excited, cheering and clapping, and then it was time for Driver Sam, a bubbly girl who sang songs and danced. Sir Topham Hatt came next, building the excitement with more songs and a dance. Eventually it was time for Thomas. The second the theme song started up the kids were all smiles.

The show was a little long and dragged at times, but overall was really fun. The kids were so excited and only a little disappointed that none of Thomas' friends were there. For a free event it was great, an amazing memory for the kids, and a fun time as a parent seeing them so excited.

Did you make it out to see Thomas? He's making his way across most of Canada on his live tour.