Created by Great Lakes Bay Parents - Informing parents since 2012!

Family Fun Guide


HAPPY NEW YEAR!


January 2025

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LET'S TALK ABOUT POTTY TRAINING!

Let’s talk about POTTY TIME! Introduce your child to things related to potty time by going on a fun potty-themed scavenger hunt together! Search your home for things like toilet paper, hand soap, and big kid underwear. At the end of the game ask your little one, “What do all the things that we found have in common?” 


For more ideas on how to talk, read, and sing together visit: TALKING IS TEACHING

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Kindergarten Readiness Goal:


  • Stack 10 or more blocks 
  • Controls strong emotions in an appropriate manner most of the time
  • Recognizes name and as many as 10 letters 
  • Uses numbers to compare, knows the purpose of standard measuring tools 
  • Demonstrates knowledge of characteristics of living things (pretends to feed a baby doll or animal, puts baby doll to sleep, etc.) 

AT HOME ACTIVITIES

COOKING AT HOME

Cooking Matters Recipe:

BROCCOLI SOUP

40 Minutes 8 Servings


Kids love to help in the kitchen and it is a great way to bond. Ask your child to name the colors of the vegetables. Let them measure the ingredients and pour it in the bowl.


Ingredients:

1 large onion

1 large potato

1 medium carrot

2 large broccoli crowns

1 medium stalk celery

1 clove garlic

1½ teaspoons canola oil

1 whole bay leaf

1 cup low-fat milk

2 (14½-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth

1 ounce low-fat cheddar cheese

¾ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Rinse and peel onion, potato, and carrot. Rinse broccoli and celery. Peel garlic.
  2. Dice onion and celery. Slice potato and carrots into thin slices. Cut broccoli florets away from the stem. Slice stems thinly. Mince garlic.
  3. Grate cheese.
  4. In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add celery and onion. Cook until soft and lightly golden brown, about 6–8 minutes. Add garlic and stir. Cook about 30 seconds more.
  5. Add potato, carrot, broccoli stems, bay leaf, milk, and broth to pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until veggies are soft, about
  6. 15 minutes. Add broccoli florets in the last 10 minutes.
  7. Remove and discard bay leaf. In a blender, puree about half the soup. Return blended soup to pot.
  8. Add cheese, salt, and pepper. Simmer to melt the cheese, 2–3 minutes.


View full recipe: BROCCOLI SOUP

POTTY TRAINING: A MILESTONE FOR YOUR CHILD & FAMILY

Maggie Dwan

Potty training is a big milestone for both children and families. It builds confidence, encourages independence, and strengthens family bonds. With family support, children feel more motivated to succeed. So, how do you know when it’s time to start?


Signs Your Child May Be Ready:

Fewer wet diapers: Staying dry for longer periods.

Can undress themselves: Pulling down pants on their own.

Curiosity about others: Interest in family bathroom routines.

Predictable bathroom times: Regular bowel movement schedule.

Expressing interest: Saying, “I want to try the potty!”


How Families Can Support Potty Training

Potty training is a family effort. Here’s how families can stay engaged:

  • Model the behavior: Children learn by watching family routines.
  • Praise and encourage: Celebrate small wins and avoid punishment.
  • Stay consistent: Caregivers, grandparents, and daycare should all follow the same potty routines.
  • Let kids participate: Involve them by letting them pick out a potty seat or fun underwear.


Fun Family Activities for Potty Training

  • Read Together: Books like Potty by Leslie Patricelli can spark interest.
  • Potty Progress Chart: Add stickers to track successes.
  • Sing a Potty Song: Make up a song to keep it fun and playful.


Need More Support?

Check out these helpful resources:

SCREEN TIME

7 Tips to Turn Screen Time into Quality Family Time

PBS For Parents

“Children think of their favorite media characters as people who become trusted friends,” says Sandra Calberty and Melissa Richards in new research supported by the National Science Foundation. Young children are especially likely to have emotional responses to situations they see on the screen. According to Common Sense Media, those under 8-years-old “can’t distinguish between fact and fantasy, so they may process a made-up situation the same way they would a real one.” 

Read full article: 7 TIPS TO TURN TIME INTO FAMILY QUALITY TIME

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

FOOD/ CLOTHING GIVEAWAY

The Closet Exchange

263 S. Main Street, Unit 3, AuGres MI


The Closet Exchange was established to provides children's clothing, shoes, etc. with the goal of meeting the basic needs of ALL children and is a division of the 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Organization "It Takes A Village - Arenac"


Learn more: THE CLOSET EXCHANGE


Safe Harbor Community Center

706 Joseph Street, Bay City, in the Banks District.


Serving Food 

Takeout

Monday - 5:30pm

Tuesday - 5:30pm


Food Pantry

Mondays 1:00pm - 3:00pm 


Mass Food Giveaway

Tuesdays - 9:00am


Learn more about SAFE HARBOR COMMUNITY CENTER

WINTER READING PROGRAM

Bay County Library System

Get YETI to read...Return of the YETI in the Annual Winter Reading Program! Read or listen for a total of 8 hours and log your reading to earn entries into a drawing. The more you read the more chances to win!  


Learn more: WINTER READING PROGRAM

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY

CHILD CARE PROVIDER RESOURCES


Michigan Tri-Share


The MI Tri-Share Child Care Program (Tri-Share) is an innovative approach to increasing access to high quality, affordable child care for working families, with the cost of child care shared by an employer, the employee and the State of Michigan. The pilot also seeks to increase the labor market by allowing employers to offer a child care subsidy to help retain and attract talent.


Learn More: MICHIGAN TRI-SHARE

Caring for MI Future


This is a statewide effort to help child care entrepreneurs open 1,000 new or expanded child care programs by the end of 2024. This initiative, led by the Michigan Departments of Education and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MDE & LARA) is focusing on what entrepreneurs need most to open and expand child care businesses—help finding and renovating space, startup funding, help recruiting staff, and support creating a business plan.


Learn More: CARING FOR MI FUTURE

PARENT SUPPORT & CLASSES

BAY ARENAC GREAT START

CAN COUNCIL

GREAT LAKES BAY HEALTH CENTER

MSU EXTENSION

FREE Online Parenting Classes


Extension Extras Parenting Hour

Tuesdays at 8 - 9:30 PM

January 7 - RELAX - Alternatives to Anger for Parents and Caregivers

January 14 - How Soon is too Soon? When to Teach your Children Money Habits for Life

January 21 - Positive Discipline

January 28 - Potty Training Pointers


Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Kinship Caregiver Webinar Series - January 2025

Fridays, January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31


Online Parent Talk System Series-January-February 2025

Mondays 7:30pm - 9:00pm


Online Kinship Caregiver classes: Talking With Kids About Race

January 8, 2025 7:00PM - 8:30PM


Building Early Emotional Skills for Parents Webinar Series - January 2025

Thursdays, 11:30am-1pm


Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series - January-February 2025

Thursdays, January 16, 2025 - February 13, 2025 7:30pm-9:00pm ET


Learn More & Register: MSU EXTENSION PARENT CLASSES

NEMSCA - ARENAC COUNTY


Rental Counseling


Financial Literacy Class


Homebuyer Education


Call 989-358-4653 or email gagnona@nemcsca.org for dates.


Learn More: NEMSCA

MCLAREN BAY REGION - BAY COUNTY


Visit the website to learn more about these upcoming classes:


  • Virtual Breastfeeding Class – Free of Charge
  • Virtual Childbirth Crash Course – Free of Charge
  • Breastfeeding Class : Health Pavilion


Learn More & Register: MCLAREN BAY REGION

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Visit Great Lakes Bay Parents' KIDS DAILY CALENDAR for a full listing of story times, family/ kid events, and new places to discover in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

STEM Pipeline

WHERE INNOVATION FLOWS


We're on a mission to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the Great Lakes Bay Region.


Locate STEM events: STEM PIPELINE CALENDAR

2024-2025 Playgroups

Winter Storytime

January 2 & 3 - No School Day @ The Museum

WHERE: Bay County Historical Society,

Bay City


DATE: January 2 & 3 at 10 AM - 4 PM


No school!?! Visit the Bay County Historical Society's museum, complete a SELFIE SCAVENGER HUNT and receive a coupon for a free bag of candy from Astro Freeze Bites.


Kids must be accompanied by an adult.


Program sponsor: Astro Freeze Bites


Admission: Bay County residents FREE


Register: NO SCHOOL DAY

January 2 - Move & Groove

WHERE: Alice & Jack WIrt Library, Bay City

DATE: January 2, 10:30 AM


Ages 0-5 with an adult. Join us for a story, music, and dancing! Both kids and their caregivers will enjoy shaking their sillies out in this movement-based program.


No registration required.


Learn more: MOVE & GROOVE

January 2 - Painting with Paper

WHERE: Sage Branch Library, Bay City


DATE: January 2 at 4:30 PM & 6 PM


For children ages 0-12. Use paper soaked in glue and paint to create a textured masterpiece on canvas.


Register: PAINTING WITH PAPER

January 4 - Kids Workshop

WHERE: Home Depot, Bay City


DATE: 1st Saturday at 9 AM - 12 PM


Join us the first Saturday of each month between 9 am – 12 pm for free in-person Kids Workshops.


Register: WOOD WORKSHOP

January 6 - Populace Storytime w/ WIRT

WHERE: Populace Coffee, Bay City


DATE: January 6 at 9 AM


Families with young children. Join the Wirt library downtown at Populace Coffee House for storytime.


No registration required..


Register: POPULACE POPULACE STORYTIME

January 6 - Busy Book Cafe (age 0-3)

WHERE: Sage Branch Library, Bay City


DATE: January 6 at 11 AM


We begin at 11:00 am. Craft supplies and coffee will be available for parents to build a page for a baby busy book. Toys will be out for children to play while adults craft and visit.


Register: BUSY BOOK CAFE

January 6 - STEM Sprouts (age 3-5)

WHERE: Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

DATE: December 7, 1:30 - 2:30 PM


Ages 3-5 with an adult. Drop in to spark young minds with hands-on STEM fun. Littles are encouraged to explore through playful, discovery-based activities. No registration required.


Register: STEM SPROUTS

January 7, 14, 21 & 28 - Preschool Tuesdays: Family Playtime @ the Museum

WHERE:

Bay County Historical Society, Bay City


DATE: Tuesdays at 10 AM - 4 PM


Preschoolers + adult are invited to stop by the Museum any time from 10 AM – 4 PM to complete the PRESCHOOL MUSEUM CHALLENGE.


Together you can explore the galleries for clues to complete the challenge, discover Delta College’s PBS Raising Readers Room with books supplied by the Bay County Library System, and play at the activity table. Stop by the Museum Store for a to-go activity and a coupon for a treat from McDonalds.


ADMISSION:

Bay County Residents & BCHS Members: FREE

Non-Bay County Residents: $2/person or $5/Family, Ages 0-5 FREE


Learn more: PRESCHOOL TUESDAYS

January 8, 15, 22, & 29 - LEGO Build Hour

WHERE: Pinconning Branch Library,

Pinconning


DATE: January 8, 15, 22, & 29 at 3:30 PM


Stop by the Pinconning Branch for this drop-in program throughout the month to make your own LEGO masterpieces!


Register: LEGO BUILD HOUR

January 9, 16, 23, & 30 - Great Lakes Bay Mom Cafe & Playgroup

WHERE: BAISD Career Center Playground, Bay City


DATE: Thursdays at 10 AM - 12 PM


LEARN MORE: text Amy Trogan 989-992-1803 or trogana@baisd.net

January 10 & 24 - Playdate (ages 0-4)

WHERE: Alice & Jack WIrt Library, Bay City

DATE: January 10 & 2 10 - 11 AM


Build together, family fun! What will you create with open-ended interactive building materials? Blue Blocks, Fort Build, Kinex, and more for you to BUILD with.  


No Registration Required.


Learn more: PLAYDATE

January 11 - Nature Explorers in Bay City

WHERE: Bay City State Park, Bay City


DATE: 2nd Friday of the month, 1 PM


Learn more by emailing trogana@baisd.net.


January 13 - Excited Goat Storytime w/ WIRT

WHERE: Excited Goat Coffee Company,

Essexville

DATE: January 13, 9 AM


Families with young children. Join the Wirt library at EXCITED GOAT COFFEE CO. in Essexville for storytime!


No registration required.


Register: EXCITED GOAT STORYTIME

January 13 - Nature Explorers in Omer

WHERE: Omer Library, Omer


DATE: 2nd Monday of the month, 10:30 AM


Learn more by emailing trogana@baisd.net.



January 14 - Ready, Set, Kindergarten (ages 3-5)

WHERE: Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

DATE: January 14, 2 PM


Ages 3-5 with an adult. Meet up with other preschool families each month to develop early literacy, math, SEL, and motor skills.


Register: READY, SET, KINDERGARTEN

January 14, 22, &23 - Lunar New Year Celebration (age 5-12)

Auburn Branch Library, Bay City

January 14, 4:30 PM


Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

January 22, 5 PM


Sage Branch Library, Bay City

January 23, 5:30 PM


Register: LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

January 15 - Pups & Pages (ages 4-12)

WHERE: Sage Branch Library, Bay City

DATE: January 15, 5:30 - 6:30 PM


Bring a book from home or come a few minutes early to look at books as readers are assigned to a dog as they arrive and check in at the Sage children’s desk.


Register: PUPS & PAGES

January 16 - Let Bluey Hack Your Snack (age 4-12)

WHERE: Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning

DATE: January 16, 3:30 PM


Oh, biscuits! Join Ms. Ronda from MSU Extension in making Bluey-themed treats based off the popular television show!


Register: LET BLUEY HACK YOUR SNACK

January 16 - Family Read Aloud Book Club: Flora and Ulysses (age 0-12)

WHERE: Sage Branch Library, Bay City

DATE: January 16, 5:30 PM


Join us at Sage Library for Family Read Aloud Book Club: Flora and Ulysses on Thursday, January 16 at 5:30 pm.


  • After registering pick up of a copy of the book at the Sage Branch Library or call Sage to have a copy sent to the branch of your choice.
  • There is eBook and audio book also available on Hoopla.
  • Read the book or listen together as a family.
  • Family can include aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends. 
  • Come to the library on January 16th for a pizza party and book related activities.
  • If you don't completely finish the book, please still come on the 16th. 


Register: FAMILY READ ALOUD BOOK CLUB

January 17 - Craft Extravaganza (ages 0-12)

WHERE: Alice & Jack Wirt Library

DATE: January 17, 9 AM - 4 PM


Drop in to the Children's Program Room to flex your creative muscle and create something new from our old craft supplies. From popsicle sticks and markers to foam shapes and plastic containers, you never know what you might find at Wirt's Craft Extravaganza!


No registration required.


Learn more: CRAFT EXTRAVAGANZA

January 17 - Young Scientists (Age 2-5)

WHERE: Sage Branch Library, Bay City

DATE: January 17, 10:30 AM


Join us at Sage Branch Library for Young Scientists: Spectacular Snow on Friday, January 17 @10:30 am.


Children ages 2-5 with the adult as the assistant are guided by your librarian during the hour of fun science exploration through STEAM stations, play, and craft geared toward snow!


Register: YOUNG SCIENTISTS

January 17 - A is for Art

WHERE: Auburn Branch Library, Auburn


DATE: January 17, 10:30 AM


Have fun painting snowman in this preschool art program!


Register: A IS FOR ART

January 17 - Mars Family Night

WHERE: Delta College Planetarium,

Bay City

DATE: January 17, 6-10 PM


A celebration of Mars’ close approach to Earth with activities, planetarium show and observing! The event begins in the grand atrium lobby with demonstrations and tabletop activities for families, handout material and take-home resources. A special showing of “Dateline Mars” plays at 7pm, with telescope viewing of Mars (weather permitting) beginning at 8pm on the planetarium’s rooftop observation deck. This is a free event.


Register: MARS FAMILY NIGHT

January 18 - Pups and Pages

WHERE: Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City


DATE: January 18, 2-3 PM


Join us in-person at Wirt Library and read to a certified therapy dog. Ages 4-12 read to a certified therapy dog in a one-on-one timed session based upon registration and arrival at the library starting at 2:00 pm. The dogs love to be read to and they look forward to seeing you soon!


We request an adult supervise or be present in the library.


Learn more: PUPS & PAGES

Janaury 21 - Penny Pinchers Party (age 6-8)

WHERE: Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

DATE: January 21, 4:30 PM


Practice your financial literacy skills by becoming a birthday party planner, creating a Planning Board for your client while staying on budget. Once we've planned the party, we'll celebrate with cookies and juice and classic birthday games like pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs!


Learn more: PENNY PINCHERS PARTY

January 23 - Pups & Pages (Age 4-12)

WHERE: Pinconning Brach Library, Pinconning

DATE: January 23, 6-7 PM


Join us at the Pinconning library for Pups & Pages for ages 4-12! Bring a book from home or come a few minutes early to look at books as readers are assigned to a dog as they arrive and check in at the Pinconning Public Service Desk. We look forward to seeing you!


Register: PUPS & PAGES

January 24 - Snowy Babies & Toddlers

WHERE: Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

DATE: January 24 at 10:30 AM


Join us for a cozy morning of crafts, snacks, and a sensory bin! There will be hot drinks and crafts for grownups as well.


Register: NOW BABIES & TODDLERS

January 25 - Pups & Pages (Age 4-12)

WHERE: Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

DATE: January 25 at 11 AM


Read to a therapy dog or dog in training in a one-on-one session. You will be called to schedule your session the week of the program. Children ages 4-12 are invited to attend. 


Register: PUPS & PAGES

January 30 - Mad Scientist (Age 6-12)

WHERE: Sage Branch Library, Bay City

DATE: January 30, 5:30 PM


Children age 6-12 are invited to join us at Sage Library for Mad Scientists: Temperature on Thursday, January 30 @ 5:30 pm. 


We will build our own thermometers! 


Register: MAD SCIENTIST

January 31 - Little Wigglers

WHERE: Sage Branch Library, Bay City

DATE: January 31, 10:30 AM


For children that are walking ages 5 and under + Adult


Move and dance our wiggles out at a fun musical program. 


Register: LITTLE WIGGLERS

January 31 - Science Club JR: Igloo Challenge (age 2-5)

WHERE: Auburn Area Branch Library, Auburn


The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.


Register: SCIENCE CLUB JR.

Visit Great Lakes Bay Parents' KIDS DAILY CALENDAR for a full listing of story times, family/ kid events, and new places to discover in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

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