10 am Fridays, Java Cat. $3 donation. 852-4524

When: Weekly on Friday @ 10:00am
Cost: $3 donation
Call: 852-4524
Web: www.myspace.com/reidmillershow
Email: pawpawpuppets@yahoo.com

More Information:
Puppet Shows at Java Cat

Fridays, 10 a.m., Java Cat Cafe, 3918 Monona Dr, Madison, Reid Miller’s Paw Paw Puppet Theater presents puppet shows of traditional and contemporary fables, and folk and faerie tales. The series runs through August.
Included in the ever-increasing list of titles are Lion and Mouse, Monkey and Crocodile, Mootown Musicians, Stone Soup, Chicken and Alligator, and more.

In addition to puppet shows, Java Cat serves up fresh gelato, bakery, candy, coffee, soda, soup or sandwich; and free wi-fi.

A $3 donation is appreciated. Infants are free. Prize drawings follow each show. For details contact: Java Cat, 608-223-5553; or Reid Miller, 808-852-4524, pawpawpuppets@yahoo.com

• Posted in Kids Play, Learning, Storytime, Weekly

Free math & literacy play groups for preschoolers: 10 am-1 pm Thursdays, Salvation Army-Darbo Drive; 2-5 pm Thursdays, GHC-Fitchburg; 10 am-1 pm Tuesdays, Ho-Chunk Youth Center & Lussier Community Education Center; 3-6 pm Tuesdays, Falk Elementary; 10 am-1 pm Wednesdays, Fairways Apartments, Fitchburg. 235-4055

When: Weekly on Wednesday
Call: 235-4055

More Information:
Caregivers and preschoolers! Come join us for a play group where we will build math and literacy skills together through play! Totally Free!

Locations, Times and Days (does not meet when school is not in session)

Tuesdays 10 am to 1 pm
Ho-Chunk Youth Center
2040 Sherman Ave

Tuesdays 10 am to 1 pm
Lussier Community Education Center,
55 S. Gammon Rd

Tuesdays 3 pm to 6 pm
Falk Elementary, Early Childhood Room
6323 Woodington Way

Wednesdays 10 am to 1 pm
Fairways Apartments Party Room
2301 Traceway Drive, Fitchburg

Thursdays 10 am to 1 pm
Darbo Salvation Army, Annex Room
3030 Darbo Way

Thursdays 2 pm to 5 pm
GHC Hatchery Hill Clinic, Basement
3051 Cahill Main, Fitchburg

For more information contact Play and Learn Group Leaders, Nicole and Rissel, 235-4055 or 235.4950. More Play and Learn coming soon

• Posted in Free, General, Kids Play, Learning, Weekly

Free development & school readiness activities for preschoolers, 9:30 am Thursdays, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Cross Plains; 9:30 am Tuesdays, Living Water Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie; or 9:30 am Wednesdays, Covenant Presbyterian Church. RSVP: 241-5150

When: Weekly on Wednesday @ 9:30am
Call: 241-5150

More Information:
Play and Learn-PALZone: free, drop-in play group for parents and preschoolers with a focus on age appropriate activities that promote development and school readiness. Contact Family Enhancement at 241-5150 for more information about these locations:

PalZone-Sun Prairie, Tuesdays, 9:30am-11:30am, @Living Water Lutheran Church, 3075 Prospect Drive, Sun Prairie.
PalZone-West, Wednesdays, 9:30am-11:30am, @Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 S. Segoe Rd, Madison.
PalZone-Cross Plains, Thursdays, 9:30am-11:30am, @St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 2427 Church St., Cross Plains

Also:

Play and Learn-FUNZone: free, drop-in play group for parents and preschoolers with a focus on age appropriate activities that promote development and school readiness. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9am-noon, @Family Enhancement, 2120 Fordem Ave., 241-5150

Spanish Play and Learn – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-noon, @Family Enhancement, 2120 Fordem Ave. 241-5150

• Posted in Free, General, Kids Play, Learning, Weekly

10:30 am Fridays, Meadowood Neighborhood Center. Free. 467-8360

When: Weekly on Friday @ 10:30am
Call: 467-8360
Web: www.mscr.org

More Information:
MSCR Classes at the New Meadowood Neighborhood Center

The Meadowood Neighborhood Center is located at 5734 Raymond Rd. Many programs are free and drop-in. Most are for ages 18 and up. Please call 467-8360 for more information or go to www.mscr.org for a complete class listing.

Preschool Crafts - Fridays, 10:30-11:15 am, Free

• Posted in Crafts, Free, Learning, Weekly

Borders East
10:30 am Wednesdays. 240-0080

When: Weekly on Wednesday
Call: 240-0080

More Information:
Dan, Dan, the Story Man: stories, music and activities, Wednesdays at 10:30am

• Posted in General, Learning, Storytime, Weekly

Free development & school readiness activities for preschoolers, 9 am-noon Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays; en Espanol, 10 am-noon, Tuesdays & Thursdays, Family Enhancement. 241-5150

When: Weekly on Monday @ 9:00am
Call: 241-5150
Web: www.familyenhancement.org
Email: bbanks@familyenhancement.org

More Information:
Play and Learn-FUNZone: free, drop-in play group for parents and preschoolers with a focus on age appropriate activities that promote development and school readiness. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9am-noon, @Family Enhancement, 2120 Fordem Ave., 241-5150

Spanish Play and Learn – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-noon, @Family Enhancement, 2120 Fordem Ave. 241-5150

Play and Learn-PALZone: free, drop-in play group for parents and preschoolers with a focus on age appropriate activities that promote development and school readiness. Contact Family Enhancement at 608-241-5150 for more information about these locations:
PalZone-Sun Prairie, Tuesdays, 9:30am-11:30am, @Living Water Lutheran Church, 3075 Prospect Drive, Sun Prairie.
PalZone-West, Wednesdays, 9:30am-11:30am, @Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 S. Segoe Rd, Madison.
PalZone-Cross Plains, Thursdays, 9:30am-11:30am, @St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 2427 Church St., Cross Plains

• Posted in General, Kids Play, Learning, Weekly

Tools to explore prairies, wetlands, woodlands & meadows, available 8:30 am-4 pm Monday-Friday, Aldo Leopold Nature Center. $5/family rental. RSVP: 221-0404

When: Daily until 12/31/09
Call: 221-0404
Web: www.naturenet.com/alnc

More Information:
Family Trailside Backpack Program

Enhance your exploration of nature with our Family Trailside Backpack Program. This self-guided program is designed for families to learn together, at their leisure, as they wander the trails at the Nature Center. To help you explore we provide a Backpack with an easy-to-understand Exploration Guide and tool-kit. Activities may be used with children of all ages. Seasonal backpacks allow your group to explore nature as it changes with the seasons. Backpack themes are Spring is in the Air, Crawling Critters, Amazing Adaptations and Snug in the Snow. We also have a Fabulous Forests theme that is loaded with facts and fun.

Program Fee:
Members: FREE
Non-members: $5/ family
$10 for Daycare and Scout groups

Drop-in hours are Monday through Friday, typically 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To ensure availability, please call in advance to reserve the backpacks. Backpacks were generously donated by REI.

• Posted in Animals/Outdoors, Learning, Weekly