Articles
Our Favorite Salt Dough Crafts for Kids
Salt dough is easy to make and requires ingredients you most likely have at home. Once you've whipped up a batch, here are our favorite fun items your kids can create. Read more
Monterey County Office of Education Announces Campus Closure for Remainder of School Year
Monterey County Office of Education, school district superintendents, and charter school directors have made the decision to extend the school facility closures through the end of the school year. Read more
N95 Mask Drive for Monterey First Responders
The City of Monterey is asking residents, businesses, and nonprofits to donate spare, new N95-rated masks to help protect first responders. Read more
Win a $200 Amazon Gift Card from Monterey Bay Parent
Monterey Bay Parent is giving away a $200 gift card on April 7. To enter you just need to open the April issue, click on today's link, and enter! Read more
Monterey County Schools Set New Target Date to Reopen - No Earlier than May 4. 2020
The Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE), most of the school districts, and charter schools, in concurrence with the Monterey County Health Department, announced today they do not anticipate schools returning earlier than Monday, May 4, 2020. Read more
Virtual Creativity: Storytime and Drawing Lessons Online
Have you reached your limit after reading “Dragons Love Tacos” a few dozen times and it’s only 10 am? Here are six of our favorite virtual storytimes and art activities. Read more
Celebrating a Birthday When Your Family is Sheltering in Place
Before the Coronavirus wreaked havoc on children’s party plans, there were also kids not able to socialize at parties due to comprised immune systems. Here are some suggestions for ways to celebrate without spreading germs. Read more
Looking on the Bright Side During Times of Uncertainty
Many of us are really struggling as we adjust our lives during this COVID-19 coronavirus scare. We can look to positive psychology for some guidance. The science points to several ways that we can focus our energy in a more constructive way. Read more
How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus
Children have a bunch of questions about the coronavirus and parents need answers! Here are expert tips on how to address your child's questions and fears. Read more
Setting the Example: 5 Coping Strategies for Parents
Dr. Susan Swick, the Physician in Chief of Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health in Monterey offers helpful tips for parents coping with the current health crisis. Read more
Breaking Through the Brass Ceiling: The Women Police Chiefs of Monterey County
The fact that a woman heads three of our twelve city police departments is highly unusual. Meet Adele Frese, Cathy Madalone, and Tina Nieto–the women police chiefs of Monterey County. Read more
Dig This! 10 Big Benefits of Gardening with Kids
Recent research shows that there are several reasons to start a garden with kids. The benefits range from making kids smarter to making them healthier. Here are 10 great reasons to get kids gardening. Read more
Hidden Treasure: Geocaching with Kids in Monterey County
With the temperate weather of the Monterey Bay area, geocaching is a great family activity. You can find caches hidden in parking lots, parks, beaches, and quite likely in your neighborhood or one within walking distance. Read more
Easy Easter Crafts
Easter is almost here. This year we celebrate on April 12! Here are 4 fun Easter projects that use relatively common supplies you probably already have at home. Read more
Keeping in Contact With Your Clients During Shelter in Place
We get it, lots of business owners have closed their doors, sent employees home, and are now wondering how they can keep business afloat while we wait out this uncertain period of time. Read more
First Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 among Monterey County Residents
The Monterey County Health Department announced today that two Monterey County residents tested positive for novel coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19. These are the first laboratory-confirmed cases among residents of Monterey County. Read more
Avoid Spreadable Viruses with Proactive Tips
The Coronavirus has started a panic. Without a vaccine available currently, your family’s health merits concern. The first place to start is with the guidelines posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read more
Monterey Bay Parent Receives Five National Awards
The winners of this year’s Parenting Media Association Design and Editorial Awards were announced on February 29, 2020 at the Annual Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Monterey Bay Parent Magazine received five awards for excellence. Read more
Monterey County Public Health Laboratory will start testing for COVID-19
The Monterey County Public Health Laboratory will start testing for COVID-19 on Friday, March 6th. This will allow for quicker turn around times for testing for those who meet the CDC criteria for novel coronavirus testing. Read more
Camp Memories: Adults share how camp shaped their lives
To understand why kids love going to camp, I spoke to 5 adults about their camp experience when they were kids. They shared with me how going to camp helped shape them into the people they are today. Read more
Summer Camp Safety 101
As you’re getting the kids ready for one of the year’s absolute highlights – summer camp – teach them how to stay safe while they’re having fun. Read more
How to Choose a Sleep-Away Camp Your Kids Will Love
Whether you’re looking for enrichment for your child, a way to keep your kids occupied and supervised while you work, or need a short reprieve from parenting, there’s sure to be a summer camp that’s the right fit for your child and family. Read more
Monterey County Spring Break 2020 Camps
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and some area private schools will be on Spring Break from March 16-27. If you’re looking for a spring break activity for your children, here are the local businesses and organizations offering camp. Read more
A Weekend Getaway to Solvang
We spent a warm February weekend in Solvang and found the little town to be thoroughly charming. It's the perfect getaway for your Monterey County family. Read more
Parents Coaching the Coach
Parents behaving badly on the sports field has become all too common. Don’t become one of “those” parents by learning why it happens and how to avoid bad behavior with your child’s coach. Read more
Hook a Book Lover
One of the most important things parents can do is raise a reader. Successful reading leads to successes in academics and gives kids a solid start in life. Read more
Dear Teacher: Writing Assignments, Study Methods, and Kindergarten Social Skills
This month our teachers tackle helping grade school students tackle writing assignments and share a study method that really works. Read more
Summer Fun With Grandma and Grandpa
There are many ways grandparents can participate in their grandchildren’s summer fun. Grandparents can help out with camp pick up, pick up the tab, create a “Grandma Camp” or even attend camp with their grandkids. Read more
Mindfulness and Fathering
If you want to be more effective, more attuned to your kids, less reactive, take the time to be a mindful dad. Read more
Win a Week of Summer Camp!
We’re giving away six weeks of camp. Thanks to our generous sponsors (All Saints’ Preschool, Carmel Youth Center, Central Coast YMCA, MY Museum, and Thomas Farms Films), six lucky families will win a week of summer camp. Read more
Sensory Sundays
Open 2 hours early on the first Sunday of every month, specifically for children with autism and other special needs. Reduced lighting and noise, food and games offered, trained and caring staff. Read more
Apr 5, 2020
9:00 AM
Monthly Bagging Party
On the first Sunday of every month we gather at the Vista Lobos Room in Carmel to bag rice and beans for distribution to those in need. Check www.riceplusproject.org for additional information. Read more
Apr 5, 2020
10:00 AM
Sunday Seaside Crafts
Sunday Seaside Crafts —make it and take it! Come create and take home a fun souvenir, an activity for the whole family to share. Read more
Apr 5, 2020
1:00 PM3:00 PM
Nature Hike
Every week, the Watsonville Nature Center offers a bilingual guided tour of the Wetlands. This Nature Center displays a diversity of wildlife habitats, including the Pajaro River, the Watsonville Sloughs and Pinto Lake. Read more
Apr 5, 2020
1:30 PM
Family Movie Time
Come view some of the best family-friendly movies of all time. Free event. Read more
Apr 5, 2020
2:00 PM5:00 PM
Big Games for Kids
Enjoy a fun evening with friends playing a collection of life-sized games. Play BIG Jenga, BIG Uno, BIG Connect Four or start a BIG tournament with friends! For ages 10-17 years, held weekly on Monday and Wednesdays. Free event. Read more
Apr 6, 2020
6:00 PM
Toddler Tales
Toddlers (with a favorite adult) will enjoy interactive stories, songs, and games that encourage their emerging language skills. Target audience is birth to three years old. Read more
Apr 7, 2020
10:00 AM
$2 Tuesdays at MY Museum
$2 Tuesday is the first Tuesday of every month. Enjoy $2 admission per person for Monterey County residents with ID. As always, children under 24 months are free. Read more
Apr 7, 2020
10:00 AM5:00 PM
Preschool Stories - Prunedale
Join us for stories and a craft every Tuesday at 11:00 am. Please call 663-2292 for more information. Read more
Apr 7, 2020
11:00 AM12:00 PM
Storytime at National Steinbeck Center
Free storytime with stories and crafts designed for 4-8-year-olds. All ages are welcomed, though. Held each week on Tuesday from 11 am-noon. Read more
Apr 7, 2020
11:00 AM12:00 PM
