Out and about... and what's free in Silicon Valley Part 1

I was looking for something for D and I to do together after school and I happen to find a list of things that you could do with kids for free. I was surprised as to what you could for free around here. It's not a place known for being cheap or free.

We decide to investigate.

Fabulous Par

First stop, the Junior Museum and Zoo (https://friendsjmz.org/). It is a small place. Small and perfectly formed. The Museum bit is really science activities that allow kids to push buttons and bounce balls around, all in the name of science! The contraptions are old but wonderfully designed and D has a great time slotting balls into tubes and shooting them into the air. There are wheels to spin and levers to move. He is in Heaven and won't move from the spot.

Weaver birds climbing frame

When we finally make it to the zoo part, it is small, but thoroughly enjoyable. Most of the animals are rescued or bred in captivity from other zoos. They have a good selection of animals - golden weaver birds, snakes, spiders (yikes!), bats, ferrets, raccoons, peacocks, a GIANT turtle (that moved like the wind!), a bobcat, some ducks and rabbits and even a beehive! We are amazed by how well kept they all are and all this ithout charge (you could always make a small donation). We especially love the weaverbird exhibit. A play frame is built in, and you canclimb to the top to watch the birds! We thoroughly enjoy learning about the different animals and D takes a very keen interest in habitats and animal behaviour.

Here we are!

Rinconada Park

Afterwards, we hop over to Rinconada Park (http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=118&TargetID=14)just behind the Museum and Zoo. This park has tennis courts, community swimming pools (one lap one play pool, both HEATED!), two playgrounds, barbecue areas and a massive field to lounge in. Zip wires, slides, swings, monkey bars! And with the sun shining, we t hink this what heaven feels like.

It's time to go. D wants to do some tennis and this means jumping over to Rosita Park (http://www.losaltosca.gov/recreation/page/rosita-park) the park near our home has tennis courts too. The tennis courts are free so all we have to do is go home, pick up our rackets and get changed! We have a game or three and after about 45 minutes, we are beat! Tennis courts are available for an hour at a time so we pack up and leave. The farmers' market is just starting and we want to get in on the action.

Los Altos Farmers' Market

We zip over to Los Altos town for the farmers' market (http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/los-altos-farmers-market/) that has just started. Spring time brings a whole host of farmers' markets to the area and I just love them!. The idea of food to table appeals to me and I like to meet the people who grow our food. Call me sentimental and old fashioned, but I like it that way. So I am well pleased when the farmers' market returns in Spring to our town.

The atmosphere is lively with a live music and smells of cooked food permeate our senses. I am salivating already with the thought of food food and more food! Organic strawberries, nuts and beans, artichokes, kale, and much more, all grown in my backyard (so to speak). I am loving it. There is also a kids' arts and crafts table to entice the little (and not so little!) ones to the market.

We buy some strawberries and eat them along the way as we  browse the stalls. D claims they are the best strawberries he has ever had in 'his whole entire life'! I try one and it's true, they are amazingly sweet and fresh. None like I have ever tasted before. There is a mixture of vegetable and fruit, meat, bread and cakes and fresh food being sold. After the strawberries, we head for the shaved ice and syrup, apparently a Hawaiian favourite. It's reminiscent of my childhood too in Penang and Singapore, were we get ice balls and shaved ice kacang. We get one to share and cool down as to continue to browse.

After picking up some fresh vegetables and fruit, we head on home, happy and satisfied. There are many more free things to do in and around my area, but I'll leave the rest for next week. It's been so much fun and all for free. I do love where I live!