A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | | |
First flowers in the garden, wild flowers in the parks are all showing off their beauty for us! This is a great time to visit parks, take neighborhood walks, simply get outside!
Who knows better than parents about the best places for kids to explore!? A group of them has come up with favorite places where they explore and play! Enjoy, and do send us your own favorite places. Remember to download our dangerous three poison plants poster.
If you are thinking of a school change, visit their websites and call for a visiting time. Explore options.
If you like listening to podcasts while you're doing chores or driving, check out some of these until you find one that intrigues you. Scroll down.
Last week we suggested that if the guided tours of the Sandhills were full, that you lobby for more dates. I just learned from the county that:
"Fish and Wildlife sets the number of hikes and participants we are allowed each April. Owing to the sensitive nature of the habitat which hosts several federally endangered species, we may not add more hikes than are currently offered."
If you missed a tour this year, share this 7 minute Sandhills video with the kids!
Enjoy the weekend , Parmalee
| | Popular Parenting, Mostly for Moms, Podcasts | | Where are kid-fun streams and other nature-related places to discover? | | |
Question: When you have an afternoon to take your kids and play in a stream somewhere near Santa Cruz, where do you go?
We always end up at Henry Cowell, which is great, but I’m wondering if there are more places we are missing. We love to skip rocks, wade, explore, etc.
Also, if you want to do the same thing, but have a full day to take a day trip up to two hours away, where would you go then?
Thanks to Santa Cruz Mamas, a supportive FB group of moms, for many of these great suggestions > > >
| | Meet Me at the Downtown Library Festival | | Nurse-Family Partnership Home Visiting Program | | |
Are you pregnant and going to be a parent for the first time? The Nurse-Family Partnership home visiting program can pair you with your own personal nurse to help you navigate pregnancy and parenting your baby through their 2nd birthday.
Find out if this program is the right fit for you: www.thriveby5scc.org/family-resources
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Santa Cruz Dance Week, Dancing in the Streets Thursday, April 17, 5- 9pm; ALL Dancing Events, Thursday, April 17 – Thursday, April 25, Don’t miss out on the fun as we dance our way into an unforgettable week of movement and expression! For 15 years, Santa Cruz dancers have hit the streets of Downtown for Dancing in the Streets. Join us as we celebrate the joy of dance and the strength of our community through an unforgettable afternoon of free performances in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz. Details
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Earth Day Santa Cruz 2025 – A FREE Community Celebration!, Saturday, April 19, 11:30am – 4pm, Explore hands-on activities, educational booths, and sustainability-focused vendor booths from local businesses, schools, and organizations. This is a day to celebrate, learn, and take action for a greener future—and it’s all FREE! Don’t miss out on this amazing and inspiring event—bring your friends, family, and love for the planet! Details
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Earth Day at Abbott Square Market, Saturday, April 19, 11:30am – 4pm, Live music from SambaDá, Samba stilt walkers, Zero waste fashion by Fashionteens, Free face painting for kids. Explore hands-on activities, educational exhibits, and sustainability-focused booths from local businesses, schools, and organizations. More
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STEM Explorers: Build Your Own Computer! April 2 – May 7, Join us for an exciting six-week STEM adventure designed for kids 8-12! Participants will assemble and explore Piper computers, gaining practical experience with computer engineering, coding, and problem-solving. Details
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Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate Celebration, Thursday, April 17, 6 – 7:30pm, Join us in celebrating Santa Cruz County’s 2025-26 Youth Poet Laureate at the Samper Recital Hall, Cabrillo College. This is a joyful opportunity to appreciate our county’s youth and let their unique voices shine. The program will include readings from young poets across the County. Details | | | |
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Encouraging Your Child’s Self-Esteem: Triple P Workshop for Parents, Friday, April 18, 12:30 – 2pm, Details
Great Expectations Parenting Group for Parents/Caregivers of Neurodivergent Children, 3rd Saturdays, 1:30-2:30pm, Details
Learn How to Improve Your Self-esteem, Workshop for Adults
Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30pm, April 15, Details
Triple P Workshop: Promoting Positive Behaviors at School,Monday, April 21, 11am -12:30pm, Details
4-Week Triple P Group: Teaching Children to Clean Up, Wednesdays, April 16 – May 7, 6 – 7:30pm, Details
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Ocean Alternative Parent Information Night, Thursday, April 17, 6:30 – 7:30pm, Parents, come learn more about Ocean Alternative, a K-8 independent study/homeschool program in Live Oak School District. We will explain how our public school program works and what we can offer families. Details
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Baby Time and Stay and Play Capitola, Friday, April 11, 11am-12pm, Details
Where your California State Library Parks Pass will take you, Details
The Art of Nature, March 11 – May 14, Details
Live Like Coco Seeks Volunteers for Read Run Repeat, April 26, Details
Free Magic Show at Kennolyn Camp, Sunday, April 27, Details
Jazz at the Library, Friday 12 – 1pm, May 2, Details
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Walk with a Doc, Thursday, April 17. 10 – 11:30am, Do you live in a world that contributes to stress and “dis-ease”? Join us to experience an all-in-one prescription for a healthier and happier life! Experience the combined power of physical activity, health education, social connection, and the healing magic of nature by joining our Walk with a Doc program. Details
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Join us at a E-Bike Test Ride Event in April,Friday, April 18, 11an – 1pm, Prepare to set your pedal assist mode to turbo, cruise past $5 a gallon gas, and get from A to B sweat-free. Join GO Santa Cruz, Ecology Action, Gazelle Bikes, and Bicycle Trip for an e-bike test ride event open to all. Details
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Fashion Teens, Friday, April 18, 6:30 - 8:30pm, A Program for Social & Environmental Youth Activists, For 14 years, FashionTeens has been bringing teenagers from across Santa Cruz County together for a fabulous, fashion runway evening. After working for months, students with a passion for fashion and creativity design, source, create, construct and showcase their own unique piece of fashion art. Details
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Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday & Sunday, April 19-20, Join Roaring Camp’s Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny makes a stop at Roaring Camp. Hop aboard the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain for an Easter Egg Hunt and participate in Easter activities in Town. Details
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Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza in Watsonville, Saturday, April 19, 1 - 4 pm, Franich Park, Egg Hunt Times: 2pm& 3:30pm, A family-friendly event filled with arts & crafts, games, food trucks, an egg hunt, and more! Kids ages 3 to 13 years old are invited to participate in the egg hunt. Registration is not required for this event. Please bring your own basket (or container) for the egg hunt. Face Painting, Arts & Crafts, Games, Food Vendors, Live Performance by: Mariachi Alma de Mexico, Details
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Easter at the Rio with Vintage Faith Church, Easter Sunday, April 20, 10am; doors 9am, Join us on April 20th, Easter Sunday, at 10am as we gather together in the beautiful, historic Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz! We will celebrate, remember and Experience the powerful story of Christ’s resurrection through song and Scripture. Free but get TICKETS, Details
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Lyrid Meteor Shower, Tuesday, April 22, a little before midnight a little after... A dazzling meteor shower producing 10-15 meteors per hour! Since the radiant rises before midnight, try spotting meteors before the fat crescent Moon rises after midnight. What’s the best way to see shooting stars? Face roughly toward the east, lie down in a safe, dark place away from bright lights, and look straight overhead,” NASA spokesman Preston Dyches said. More > > >
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Teen Job Fair, Monday, April 21, 3 – 6pm, FREE event to connect youth ages 13-19 with: jobs & internships, volunteer positions, career training, community resources, FREE resume review! WIN exciting prizes! Ages 13 - 19, Jobs, Internships, Volunteer Positions, Career Training, Details
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What to Do Instead: Guiding Kids and Teens with Empathy and Trust, Thursday, April 24, 7:30 – 9pm, As parents, we want to help our kids get along with each other, respect and set healthy boundaries, and develop self-discipline. We know that the old ways of harsh discipline and unrealistic expectations don’t work. So what do we do instead? Join Tina McRorie, MA for this live online workshop (part of the Attached at the Heart Parenting Program from Nurturings) and learn positive, effective ways to guide your children. Details
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Parenting Workshops, These parent workshops offer outstanding skills, tips and support in our parenting path. We are fortunate to have these resources. Even if everything is going well, it's good to know what's available! April
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