Growing Up in Santa Cruz

News and Views for Families in Santa Cruz

Mount Madonna November 19 ad

Dive into the December Issue!

Upcoming Events
Dec
6
Fri
all-day Boardwalk Holiday Ice @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Boardwalk Holiday Ice @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Dec 6 all-day
Our new 32′ x 90′ covered ice skating rink is open rain or shine! Each 1-hour session includes ice skate rental. Reservations for ice skating recommended at https://beachboardwalk.com/Boardwalk-Holiday-Ice Festivities Include: Ice Skating by the Beach—on Real Ice! Select Boardwalk Rides and Games Indoor Arcades, Mini Golf, and Laser Tag Delicious Boardwalk Treats Classic Holiday Movies Festive Crafts Holiday Lights and Decorations
10:00 am Free First Friday @ Santa Cruz MAH
Free First Friday @ Santa Cruz MAH
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Make the MAH a stop on your First Friday Art Tour for three floors of exhibitions, live music, and drop-in craft activities.
10:00 am Heritage Holiday Craft Fair @ Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Hwy 152, Watsonville
Heritage Holiday Craft Fair @ Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Hwy 152, Watsonville
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Hwy 152, Watsonville. The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation invites you to the 42nd Annual Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair happening at our beautifully decorated Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds this December.
10:00 am SLV Charter School-Winter Craft ... @ Multipurpose Room, 325 Marion Ave, Ben Lomond CA 95005
SLV Charter School-Winter Craft ... @ Multipurpose Room, 325 Marion Ave, Ben Lomond CA 95005
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Handmade items by our students and parents include photos, cards, jewelry, essential oil blends, bags, quilts, ornaments, and other unique gifts. Food items are also available. This annual event is a great way for our students to build their entrepreneur skills.
10:00 am Toddler Time @ Downtown Library
Toddler Time @ Downtown Library
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Toddler Time is a weekly program for families with children ages 1-3 years old. It includes music, movement, stories, fingerplays, rhymes, songs and fun for your child and you as well as social time with other children and their caregivers.      Let’s play and learn together!
11:00 am FREE First Friday @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
FREE First Friday @ Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Dec 6 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Enjoy the Museum for FREE with your family on the first Friday of every month. Enjoy our intertidal touch pool, large-screen microscope, and other exhibit features like our fossil dig pit! Stop by from 5-7 p.m. for free artist-led gift making stations, festive treats and drinks, and a storewide sale.
11:00 am Infant/Toddler Workshop @ Santa Cruz Children’s MOD
Infant/Toddler Workshop @ Santa Cruz Children’s MOD
Dec 6 @ 11:00 am – 11:45 am
Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Early Childhood Exploration (0-3). Come and enjoy this fun exploration-based program for infant and toddlers! Your young child will have the opportunity to engage in fascinating explorations of light and shadows. Your child will have the opportunity to explore open-ended materials in a safe space while developing skills and exploring cognitive concepts such as cause and effect.

Read the full December issue above! You can also read each individual article below or by clicking HERE

santa cruz beach boardwalk holiday ice
santa cruz health and fitness guide

Santa Cruz Heath and Wellness Guide

faerie cricket haley brown

Yes, Virginia, There are Faeries and They are Magic

Taj Rodriguez

He Flies Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease: Extremely Sports

foster parenting santa cruz

The First Placement for our First Foster Child

Jacob's Heart Santa Cruz

Jacob’s Heart Beats for Santa Cruz

environment comic books

New Movie Villains Want to Destroy People to Save the Environment

Ricky Chavez video games

How I Learned to Make Money Playing Video Games

santa cruz theater

Forget Broadway, Catch Some School Plays

beyond burger santa cruz

Impossible Burger vs. Beyond Burger: Healthy Eating

teaching gratitude to kids

Gratitude and the Joy of Giving: Ask Nicole

testing for kids santa cruz

How Fast is Too Fast? Behind the Teacher's Desk

labor preparation santa cruz

Use your B.R.A.I.N.: Birth Matters

chimney fire safety

Chimney Fire Safety Tips

holiday learning gifts

Linking Play to Future Careers: Career Pathways

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk holiday

Finding the Right Gift for the Thrill-Seeker: Always Amused

board games for families

Organization=Family Peace During Board Games: Get Organized

dog gift guide santa cruz

Holiday Gift Guide for Dogs

Santa Cruz MAH trains

Kids Navigate the Rails During Winter Break

Santa Cruz gift guide

Shop Local, Give Local

Brad Kava

Editor's Note