Take in the Outdoors at Tifft Nature Preserve

  Times Beach Nature Preserve/ Wilkerson Park Wilkerson Park is probably Buffalo’s newest and best kept secret (for now). Located adjacent to the Coast Guard station on Fuhrman Blvd, Times Beach Nature Preserve features a small beach with a well kept nature preserve to the right, and beautiful Wilkerson Park to the left with a double slide, kinetic sculptures against a breathtaking view of Lake Erie, that you can get to on top of a hill with a spiral path. Kids enjoy taking their bikes up to the top of the hill and spiraling down. Also, this park is one of the stops for the Queen City Ferry! Gallagher Beach Gallagher Beach is popular with windsurfers because it tends to be the windiest beach around…

Not only is the Maid of the Mist extending its season for another two days, but they are also offering FREE rides on these days! The season was originally scheduled to end on both sides of the border on Thursday, October 24. On Friday, the hours of operation out of Niagara Falls State Park will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get down to the falls and take advantage of this opportunity to check out the Maid of the Mist with your Little!

The third annual Canalside Holiday Celebration is a free, festive, and family-friendly event centered around our majestic 30-foot evergreen tree at Downtown Buffalo and Canalside’s newest waterfront attraction – the East Canal, located near the corner of Scott and Washington Streets next to the “Erie Canal Harbor” Station on the NFTA Metro Rail!   The 2013 Celebration kicks off at 4:30 pm on Friday, December 20th, with holiday singing and free kids activities (in a heated tent!), all leading up to the arrival of Santa Claus on the NFTA’s Metro Rail to assist us with our tree lighting! The festivities continue Saturday, December 21st, from 1-5 pm with more free kids activities, free horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, food trucks, and another visit from Santa Claus on the Metro…

Check out the Artvoice 2013 Summer Guide. It’s full of fun, free & low cost activities to do this summer, some of which are great for kids! Maybe your Little loves to garden and would be thrilled to check out a Garden Walk. Or maybe he or she is into film and would appreciate Squeaky Wheel’s Outdoor Animation Festival on August 21st. If you have questions about any of these events, or about their appropriateness for your little, please feel free to e-mail bigs@beafriend.org or contact your case manager. Click the link to see the listing.

Every kid loves a trampoline… now how about an entire building filled with them! Not only can you jump but you can also get involved with dodgeball leagues or fitness classes, at an extra cost. *Please note: You will need to access & print the Sky Zone waiver from their website and have it signed by the parent & ready to present when you attend. Location:  425 Cayuga Rd | Cheektowaga ,NY | 14225 Jumping Prices: 30 min jump: $10    |  60 min jump: $14Keep in mind your own endurance when picking a time length, although your little may be able to go for hours most people will tire themselves out within 30-60 minutes. Weekend Skyzone Open Jump Hours:Friday: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm Saturday:…

  It’s time to gear up for All Hallow’s Eve once again! Check out the following kid-friendly events for a Spooktacular Big & Little Halloween! Pumpkinville 4844 Sugartown Road, Great Valley Admission is free and includes a petting farm, gem mining, a trip to goat mountain (where you can interact with goats), the children’s Storyland section, a tour of the antique cider mill and more. For an additional $3.50 each (or $12 for an unlimited wristband), explore a corn maze, hayrides and a cow-themed tractor ride. When: Open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31. For more information: Visit www.pumpkinville.com or call 699-2205. Mysterious World of Bats Dudley Branch Library, 2010 South Park Ave. Come dressed for a costume party and…