Hello!

My family is in Albuquerque for a short time while my husband is working on a short-term contract here.

We are a large family (6 kids) and we've been homeschooling our kids all along. They are 4 - 13 years old.

Our interests are in Esperanto, and volunteer work. The kids normally have lots of volunteer activities they participate in, but since we've left California we are all feeling a bit disconnected from things.

We would love to find some great activities in town, and some kids to meet and play with. We're particularly interested in finding out about free days at museums, the zoo, etc.

-Jane
janeinla@yahoo.com

I don't really know anything about what days are free where, but Elizabeth is really good about posting information like that as it comes available.  Just watch the calendar.

Where in CA are you from?  We just moved here from the Sierra Foothills in northern CA a couple years ago.  ABQ is very different from that part of CA, but this is a nice place to live.  I will always miss the green of home, but this is a different kind of pretty.  It has grown on us.

Welcome to ABQ.  We'll look forward to meeting you.

-Kari
(mother of Lizze-age 12, Ashton-age 10, Arwen-age 8 and Dallin-age 3)

Thank you for replying to me!

We moved here from Los Angeles, near Glendale/Pasadena.

I also have a 12 year old daughter, Sadie. Also, Nick - 13, Alex (boy) - 10, Bailey (girl) - 7 (will be 8 next month), Ian - 6, and Duncan - 4.

What do you find your kids most like to do in Albuquerque?

-Jane

I hear there is a free day at the Natural History Museum Saturday.  

Welcome to the group!  I too have 6 children, ranging in age from 3 to 20. I have a 12 year old daughter and 14 year old son. We'll have to meet up. I personally have never heard of a free day at the zoo. Yet some of the museums do have free days. The first Wednesday of the month is free at the Albuquerque Museum of Art, located off of Rio Grande and Mountain. I would go through the phone book and ask when they have free days. Alot of the activities that we post are free or at reduced rates.

There is a free publication put out bi-monthly, called Albuq. Kids. In there is information on all sorts of events going on around Albuq. and even Santa Fe. Not everything is free of course, yet since the publication itself is free, it dosen't hurt to look. This can be picked up at any library, Babies R US, Toys R Us, or their website is http://www.newmexico-kids.com Although the calendar is not on the web-site, it might list additional sites to pick up the magazine.

If I hear of anything I'll post it here for you. You are of course welcome to join us at the Beach which with the group has a savings of 9.00 per person.

If you would like you can call me at 286-7990, again welcome.

HI, I think there is one free day every month at the zoo during the first week of the month. I can't remember the day...you'd need to call. I called them last year and I happened to call on that day. For things to do, you're best bet is to check New Mexico Kids. This free publication is at many places from Toys-R-Us to Keva Juice. This lists a lot of area things to do.

For example, I know that this Saturday, May 29th, there is a visit to Page 1 where Junie B. Jones arrives on the 'Stupid Smelly Bus." and signs books, etc. After that there a little Memorial Day celebration at Whole Foods, with some free food, activites, wine & beer tastings, etc.

Being new to the area, some basic things to do if you're not here long would be to do some tourist activities. Check out the petroglyphs, take the tram to the Sandias, drive out to Santa Fe and check out Old Town. Taos with a stop by Embudo Station. Places like Madrid have Ghost Towns and some neat little artist areas.

Anyway...hope your stay is pleasant.