Last minute change, we will be here Dec 23rd!

Despite what it says in the paper there will be a Kid's Night this week, Dec 23rd. We will have a few crafts, some music and maybe some stories and talk about Christmas. Please feel free to join us in your PJs again (adults too!)

Big happenings in December

First off, there have been some big changes over at Birthdays by Mike, including a collaboration that gives you an affordable option for parties, including the place and set up! There have also been several changes to the packages and pricing, so grab a new brochure next time you visit.  Follow this link to see all about it: Birthdays by Mike website.
Next up, Christmas has crept up on us and because of the timing, we are doing our Christmas Eve at Kid's Night party a week earlier than usual. This years party will be on Dec 16th.(Details on the schedule below)
 If you would like to help with cookies, cupcakes and or the fixin's, please contact me asap!
You can text me at 508-496-8654 or email me at mdmckeon@gmail.com

Here's the schedule for December:

·        December 2^ND: Time to decorate! Make a variety of homemade trimmings and decorations for Christmas! Also, bring in your favorite comics or manga and see a neat way to do your own mini comic on one sheet of paper!

·        December 9^th: More Christmas and also Hanukah crafts this week including tags and cards for those special people on your list!

·        December 16^th: It’s our annual “Christmas Eve at Kid’s Night” party, so kids can wear their PJ’s, bring a pillow, blanket and/or a stuffed animal friend, and we’ll have a sweet treat: Decorate your own cookies and cupcakes, as well as music, stories (including of course “the Night Before Christmas) and other holiday offerings! (One cookie and one cupcake per child please) (Please see Kid’s Night Mike if you would like to help out and bring something)

·        December 23^rd: Sorry, NO Kid’s Night tonight, Merry Christmas everyone!

·        December 30^th: It’s almost New Year’s Eve, so kids make noise makers (you’re welcome parents), play games and just chill for the last Kid’s Night of 2014!

November schedule!

·        November 4^th: We take time to think of our Veterans with cards and coloring, and then think of ourselves with a new theme we call Selfie Night! Yes, we’ll be taking selfies, but we’ll also have some craft activities to try!

·        November 11^h: It’s election season, so tonight, we’re talking Turkey! Turkey callers, turkey hands and more! Maybe even a few turkey games!

·        November 18^th: Paint Night tonight! Colorful masks, dream catchers and more. Washable paints will be used, smocks are available.

·        November 25^th: Thanksgiving is this week, so tonight we’ll have a selection of Pilgrim and Native American crafts and games to make and play!

October activities!

·         October 7^TH: Fire Safety Night means our annual visit from the Middleboro Fire Department! Climb aboard the truck, take pictures, ask questions and get a chance to make a practice 911 call with a real firefighter. (Fire truck time 5:30-6:30)

·         October 14^th: Bring your own pumpkin or gourd to paint tonight at our Pumpkin painting night! (Acrylic paints used, so dress accordingly) (Softball to small bowling ball size pumpkins are best) (TIP: Arrive early to give the paint time to dry before you leave!)

·         October 21^ST: Spooky decorations like bats and cats and spiders on tap for tonight, plus a few spooky stories as well!

·         October 28^th: Our annual “Costume Show-Off Party and Parade”!  Wear your costume (optional) and enjoy (not too messy) crafts, lots of fun games, and of course, each child will get a small treat bag as well! (One per child please) Sometime between 6-6:30 we will parade around the neighboring stores, so plan accordingly so you’re not eating when its parade time!

I will also be doing face painting this month at both the Middleboro October Fest, October 18th from 4-10 at the KOA campground and at the Shane Gives Thanks Food Drive and Craft Fair on October 25th form 10-3 at the Carver High School cafeteria. Swing on by and say hi! Both events can be found on Facebook, but email me if you need info!

September schedule is up!

Check out the tab above for September activities!

A week off, then back to the fun!

There will be NO Kid's Night next week (September 2nd) as we give everyone a break for the beginning of school Please join us the following week for more crafts and fun!

One more week!

Next week (August 26th) is the final Kid's Night of the summer, so its back to school night! There will stuff to make for back to school, and for those who aren't quite there yet, a few other ideas to keep them busy!

Also note, the following week (Sept 2), there will be NO Kid's Night! I have something to do and it's going to be the day after Labor Day weekend and the kids are just getting back into the routine, so we'll take a night off. But, we'll be back the following week and coming up soon, our annual Pirate Party!

In the mean time, here's my pick of the week for photos from this week:

And to find the rest of this weeks pics, follow this link : August 19th pics

Coming Up!

Welcome to August,

Just a few things:

First, thanks to Mary Ann and Dominick and Joshua for the second rug for the story time area. Sarah and Nadine's rug was hijacked to become the floor for Fort Box.

I spent a long time going thru the storeroom and got rid of and found a lot of stuff. My last step is to rearrange the Kid's Night room which I hope to have ready by the August 12th Kid's Night. Please come by and check it out!

Birthday parties are almost all booked for August and September and now several dates gone in October and November, so don't wait or I'll be telling you "sorry". January and February are looking to be tough ones to find dates for as well if everybody who asked about them follows through!

Here's your August flier. Don't forget to LIKE and FOLLOW and SHARE my facebook pages for the latest pictures and posts!

·        August 5^th: A Night OF Reflections! A few crafts that involve mirror images, plus some crafts with food!

·        August 12^th: Kid’s Night 101! Kid’s Night gets a reboot this week! Come see the new Kid’s Night room layout as we go back to the basics!

·        August 19^th: Get Tubular! One of the things I found in cleaning up was a large stash of heavy duty cardboard tubes. Tonight we see what we can do with them! Bring your thinking caps and imagination!

·        August 26^th: Back to School! (Sorry kids!) Time to get ready, with special paper holders, magnets, “what I did this summer” books and more!

This week!

Mirror image art and reflections of your name, along with some food art this week at Kid's Night!

Its baaaccccckkk! Make Your Own Mini Pizza Night!

This week is out annual make your own mini pizza night! It only happens once a year and so it will be a busy one! Come early for best seating. There will be DIY crafts and activities as I will be working with the kids on their pizzas. Kids will get to stretch, pull and form the crust, add sauce and cheese and then we put it in the oven to bake! (One per child please)

Tuesday, 5-8pm See you there!

Finally, some new pictures

Follow this link to the latest pics and videos from Summer Camp at Kids Night week 2!
Kids Night Summer Camp Week 2 pictures
Don't forget , acrylic paints this week, so dress accordingly!

July schedule is up

Click the tab above for the July schedule.

Still in need of a small rug for our reading corner, and

still in need of more people LIKING and SHARING our Facebook page. After all we went through to get the corporates' attention, now we need to show them that its worth it to keep us funded!

That's it, keeping it short and sweet!

More Good news, a little help, and a few questions ..

Dear Kid's Night families, grab a cup of coffee and sit down for a good read (I think):

I had the chance to sit down with my district manager to get all the cards out on the table. I wanted to know whether Kid's Night was continue to be funded in light of the slow business overall lately at Papa Gino's as well as a rumor that someone had started about them not reimbursing me for supplies anymore.
I am happy to report that it was just a rumor, and that not only is Kid's Night going to continue, but none other than the new president of the company has heard about us and wants to see more of his stores do something like we do. (although , I think that after 20 years we have built something no one else could copy!

So I would like to thank the families that took the time to call and email and go on to the website to voice your opinions about Kid's Night. You definitely made a difference!

So we will continue to have  all the crafts, music, games and special nights that we have had in the past, and hopefully introduce new things as well. I am still redoing the back room, trying to find a set-up that works well for us, moving stuff, adding  and taking away as needed. When its all done, I hope to have a more efficient and easier environment to work and play in.

Now i need two things:
First, i am in need of another small rug like one i use for story time. That one has been reallocated to serving as a floor for "The Box" which we have been playing with now for the last year or so. (I get new ones when we fill up or wear out the current ones) So if you have one, around 5 x8 or so, something nice to sit on, please feel free to donate it.
Thanks in advance!

Second, while I see many of you every week or every other week, there are many, many more to whom I send emails, who have expressed an interest in Kid's Night, but I never see at Kid's Night. I know there are other things going on and it can be expensive on a weekly basis, but i have over 100 families on my list,and i see probably around 20 or so regularly. I am thankful for all of you, but if you don't need to be on the list anymore, just let me know, no questions asked. If you haven't been in a while, please, stop on by and see whats new. We miss you! And lastly, if you can, spread the word, LIKE and SHARE my kids Night Facebook page with people or groups that you know,. Its amazing how many people still come in and say "I never knew about this"! In order to keep Kid's Night funded, we need guests.

I have some important people who will be visiting us at Kid's Night over the next few weeks and months, including, at some time, the president (of Papa Gino's) himself. So it would really be nice if we had a steady and even growing crowd each week.

Thank you for you time,and for your help!
Sincerely, Kids Night Mike

Good news for Kids night!

Dear Kid's Night families,
A little while back I expressed a concern over the future of Kid's Night, due to slow business and a new CEO of the company. I mean the original Kid's Night was supposed to be a 5-10 (15 tops) minute activity to keep the kids busy while you waited for your order. Obviously we are way past that and I think what we have is special and unique. I like to think you do as well.

The good news is I talked to my district manager, and he too thinks we have something good here, and has no plans to let Kid's Night go by the wayside with budget cuts. I am, however, in talks with him about a budget for Kid's Night, another concern i had, but he is willing to work with us and come up with a plan. And he has seen the many nice guest feedback from those of you who took the time to do them, THANK YOU! If you haven't already done so, and you think Kid's Night is worth it, please take a few minutes to visit this website( Guest Feedback) and do the guest feedback. Be sure and mention the specific store and Kid's Night and Kid's Night Mike.This will help assure we get support in the future for what we do. I appreciate your help. Also take a moment to tell a manger at the store when you are in there.

While there is no "bad" news, I have seen the average numbers going down the past month or so. If there is something you don't like that we do, or something that we don't do enough of,  please let me know. If you haven't been in a while, we have changed quite a bit in the back room. I have rearranged the set up to make it easier to find things and get around the tables. I have also started adhering to the rule, less is more, offering as few options as needed. I heard an interview that said that when given too many choices, people will choose to stay away rather than have to deal with them. So I am applying this philosophy to Kid's Night. I think its working out nice, as we have been able to really concentrate on the few things we do. I will always have extras on hand for those who like a challenge, but we're going back to the basics, games, crafts, music and FUN!

So please, if you havn't been in while, come on back and give us another try, we miss you! If you no longer need/want to be on our email list, just let me know, no explanation needed. I look forward to a summer full of FUN at Kid's Night, and I hope to see more and more of you there too!

Dear Kids Night families

Thanks you to those of you who went to bat for us at the website and did the guest feedback. If you haven't already, feel free to pass along a message to them of what Kid's Night means to you and if you go there only for that, let them know that too.,
Here is the link to the survey: Papa Ginos Guest feedback

I haven't talked to them since their big meeting, but i do know that business has been down, including Kid's Night, so if you want it to continue, please visit us if you haven't in a while, and pass along the website and facebook pages to friends who may also enjoy what we do. I hope it doesn't come down to it, because I know how much i would miss it.:(

Anyway, assuming all goes well, here is the info for the month of June:

Fathers Day and End of school activities for the first 2 weeks, including painting on the 3rd, so dress accordingly! Then we'll have a couple of weeks of 4th of July crafts, including the always messy, always popular Glitter fireworks!

Still room on the board for more kids school pics. Still looking for several things you may be getting rid of or have collecting dust, check the website (below)

Lastly,  as some of you may know, I recently started advertising my Birthday party business on a few Facebook pages and I got a lot of feedback! I now only one date left in June, a few dates in July and a few more in August. September and October dates have been asked about as well. So as I always say, don't wait to book!

Thanks for you support and I hope to see more of you soon!

This week at Kid's Night ...

This week we'll be painting and making Father's Day cards and gifts! Washable paints, and smocks are available, but dress appropriately just in case!

Balloon night coming up!

This week (May 27th) we'll be having fun with balloons. They'll be silly faces, even sillier races and more, all with balloons! (please note, this is just regular balloons, not twisty balloons, as a few people though last year when i did this)

What's happening tonight?

There was an error in the Gazette, the game night it mentioned for tonight was last week, but if enough kids want to play games and we have time, we certainly will! Otherwise, its crafts that you can make and take and play with at home!
Don't forget those school pics and the list of wanted items below!

New pics, still looking for ...

The new pics from last night are up, see the link below to the right.
Also, still looking for school pics for the bulletin board, as well as more bulletin boards, chalk/dry erase boards and other stuff, see the list in the post blow this one.

The May schedule is up! (See schedule tab)
And the Drive In is open for the season! (See things to do with the kids tab)
And the links to to the latest pics are up (see sidebar below)
And here's what you missed if you didn't see the last email:

Dear Kid's night families:
Just a few important notes, please read through, as I am looking for a few things you may be able to help with:
But first:

• Thanks again to everyone who helped for my surprise 50th birthday party! And for all the cards, gifts, desserts, drinks, etc!
• Next week (5/6) is more Mother's day activities. May schedule will be ready too!
• Second, a BIG THANKS to Brian for bringing his drum circle program to Kid's Night! I was without a voice that night, and it worked out great as he handled all the kids with all the drumming. Awesome time! He has offered to come again some time, so we'll keep that in mind for sometime in the future. To find out more about it, visit musiccircles.org.
• I am re-arranging the back room to make it more functional, so bear with me as i try to find what works and doesn't. They moved all my stuff around and it has been crazy trying to find stuff.
• Thanks for all the great customer surveys, unfortunately, the company has discontinued them for the time being. (new owner of PG)

Now for your part:

• I redid the bulletin board so there is room for more school pics, so bring them in and I will scan and print and post them on the board!
• I am looking for several things for the room, there is a list on the website, but among them are chalkboard /dry erase board easels. (two of the ones i have are really no good), Pringles or similar plastic lids, movie posters (the free ones you see when you go to the movies), bulletin boards, (i used my birthday party ones for the Kid's Night room), old costumes and props (for my birthday party dress up box actually)
• Lastly, and once again, if you haven't already LIKED and SHARED my Facebook pages, please spread the word by doing so. We could use some new faces joining us!

Thanks as always.

More pics! More coming!

I just posted the link to the April 1st and 8th Kid's Night pics, see list to the right and down. There are more coming soon, as well as the May schedule!

Big things happening in April! Tell your friends!

Lucky Egg Hunts, Drum Circles and
the first ever Herring Run Festival

·        April 1st: April Fools and magic! Kids will get to learn a few tricks to try on friends and family, including magic stretching paper, card tricks and more!

·        April 8^th: Time once again for the Lucky Easter Egg Hunt! Come anytime through-out the night (No need to get here right at 5) and see Kid’s Night Mike to get your lucky number. Then go search the store for the egg with that same number and bring it back to get a small bag of candy in return! (One bag per child please) Easter crafts as well!

·        April 15^th: Easter DIY! Tonight, kids will be doing the creating and making with materials prepared for them. All they need is to do it themselves!

·        April 22^nd: A very Earth Day night tonight as we welcome Brian Montgomery and his Drum Circle program to Kid’s Night!  NOTE: There will be (2) sessions, one for the younger set at 6pm and one for the older kids at approximately 6:30pm. Kids will be able to take part in the program and also make their own music makers to bring home.

·        April 29^th: Believe it or not, Mother’s Day is just a few weeks away, so tonight make her some special crafts using paints! (dress appropriately)

ALSO THIS MONTH: Kid’s Night Mike will be doing twisty balloons and glitter tattoos at the first ever Herring Run Festival April 12&13 at the Oliver Mill Park!
You can find out more at the Middleborough on the Move website and look on face book for the Herring Run Festival!

Latest pics and more

Had a busy but productive night last night, lots of flowers and butterflies were made! Welcome to a few new families as well, hope you enjoyed yourselves!

Here's a link to the latest photos:
March 18, 2014 Kid's Night photos

Next week we'll be making poppets!!!!!!! If kids want to make a poppet of themselves or other people, bring in a photo with a head shot that measures around 1 inch wide by 1 1/2 inches tall (no more unless they want to be big heads!) The pictures will be cut, so make sure its a copy or use a print out on regular paper.

Anime Boston this weekend, so if you come next week, you just might see the beard dyed and the mustache gone!
See you at the next Kid's Night!

Lots of fun coming up!

This week we'll be making spring crafts (hopefully the weather will cooperate!)
Coming up the following week, POPPETS return!

In case you're wondering, only a few more weeks of the beard, but first i have to shave the mustache. Anime Boston coming up,  then i will lose the beard and regrow the mustache.

On the Things to do with the kids front , check out the tab above for some great Easter time activities at the Bass Pro Shop down in Foxboro including FREE pictures with the Easter Bunny, Egg hunts and crafts!

And coming up in April: Easter is coming and so the annual LUCKY EGG HUNT will be here too!
And special plans for April vacation week! Details to follow ...

March schedule, important reminders and something to do with the kids!

 In case you didn't get the email ....
Dear Kid's Night families,
Finally seeing a light at the end of the long winter tunnel. I really enjoyed reading some Dr. Seuss books and an old favorite, Three Billy Goats Gruff, last night. If your kids like the story time, please let me know. I know i do!
A couple of reminders:
Thanks to those of you who have gotten the customer survey on your receipt and put in a good word for me and Kid's Night. If you get one on yours, fill it out (online or via phone) and be sure to mention Kid's Night Mike and Kid's Night. In return you get a code for $2.00 off your next visit!
The management has asked me to remind you HOODSIE ICE CREAMS are NOT FREE unless you purchase a kids meal. They can be bought individually. Several of you have taken advantage of workers who don't know better (and will be hearing about it) Please set a good example for your kids and the other Kid's Night guests. Thank you.
And something to do with the kids: Besides the regular great programs at the Middleboro Library, there is a special series World Music Weekend coming up this weekend. One of our own Kid's Night parents will be involved this Friday at 6pm and it sounds like a nice night. You can find the details here at the Middleboro Library Website PLEASE NOTE: If you took one of the fliers i was handing out, the FREE PIZZA was a mistake. There was some confusion, and we believe the pizza will be available, but not free. Sorry for the confusion.
Don't forget the always ongoing things too:
LIKEs and,SHAREs on my facebook pages are always appreciated! (links below)
Wallet size pictures of the kids for our bulletin board (pictures can be returned).
Still a few openings in March and April for birthday parties.
Please find the schedule for March below

·        March 4^th: Postponed due to winter weather, we once again try to warm up with sunset silhouette paintings! Washable paints are used, and smocks are available, but dress accordingly, just in case!

·        March 11^th: St. Patrick ’s Day activities and games! From rainbows to Irish carnations, tonight, we’re up all night to get lucky! (Daft Punk reference)

·        March 18^th: Spring is coming early! We’ll have a variety of projects to celebrate including butterflies, bugs and more!

·        March 25^th: It’s time for an old favorite: Poppets!  (It’s a popsicle stick puppet that you turn into anything you want, like a fashionista, a super hero or maybe you!)

SNOW !!! AGAIN???

I'll probably be late, but i should be there!
It's supposed to change to rain, so hopefully the roads will be better by then.
If you come tonight, be careful!

Take a break during winter break! Bring the kids to Penguin Night at KId's Night!

We had another busy night last week, and with the weather looking good this week, should be a nice night to come and join the fun for Penguin Night!

That's more like it!

Finally a Tuesday without any weather or other things to interfere with Kid's Night! And it showed!
Over 20 kids including some new and some "haven't seen in along time families"! Up next week, stain glass hearts and more Valentine's Day crafts!

February schedule is up!

Lets hope we don't have any more snow/ice nights this month!
here's a look at the upcoming weeks:

·        February 4^th: Valentine’s Day is coming up, so we start tonight with 3-D hearts and other decorations, as well as cards for your sweethearts!

·        February 11^th: Valentine’s Day is this Thursday, so tonight we finish off with crafts and activities like the Mr. Heart puppet and more.

·        February 18^th: No vacation for us! Penguin night tonight! Make a skiing penguin or a penguin hand puppet

·        February 25^th: It will be Dr. Seuss’s birthday this Sunday, so we’ll have crafts, games and activities to celebrate, and of course, read a few stories too!

REMINDER!

NO Kid's Night this week (Jan 28th), we'll be back Feb 4th with Valentines Day crafts!

Another Kid's Night, another storm!

As of right now (7am  Jan 21st) i  plan on being there for tonight's Kid's Night. If the roads are too bad and I can't make it i will post it on my facebook page! Of course, use your own discretion  if you are planning on coming! Stay safe!

Please note that the LAST Tuesday of January (January 28th) there will be no Kid's Night due to a last minute conflict. (This is a change from the previous schedule i emailed)

Coming up this week (Jan 21st) will be a paint night, so dress accordingly! We will be doing sunset silouettes!

Parents please note:They probably will forget to tell you, but there are a few kids who keep asking "Why aren't I up there?" and want to bring in their school pictures for our bulletin board. If you send one in, I will scan it and can return the original.

There are a few kids whom I had to speak to several times last week. If they continue to misbehave, I will be bringing them out to you and if they want to come back in you will have to accompany them. Please speak to your children and let them know, that if it was them, how you would feel about this. For those who are behaving, tell them not to worry.

On the birthday party front, February is just about booked, and there are several dates in March and April that are already unavailable, so please don't wait till its too late to ind a date!

Also on the Birthdays by Mike  and Mikes kids Night facebook pages, (links below)  I would appreciate if you could help me spread the word. First like the page if you haven't already, and then share it to your timeline asking people to go to my page and like it (not your post) I am hoping to hit a hundred likes on the Birthdays page and get the Kid's Night audience up there as well. Thanks in advance!

January Schedule is up! Plus a few changes to Kid's NIght room and rules!

If you didn't see the email or aren't on the list (and why aren't you?) here is the jist of it:
I went in during break and did some cleaning and rearranging in the Kid's Night room.

I've opened up a few more tables for parents who want to stay back there.
I also moved some things around so that i now have a table that is off limits except for me. Please tell your kids, especially the older ones, that the pink table (over by the kitchen door) , with my radio, hot glue gun and cds, is off limits unless i give them permission to do something there. If they want a cd, they can look through the empty cd jackets and give it to me. I will find it and change the cd.
The table next to it has several activities for them to choose from if they aren't doing the crafts of the week. There are books, magazines, puzzles, games etc. They should not be running around in the hallway, bathrooms or dining area.  Lastly ,when i go into the dining area to do games or a story, I don't want any children back there in the kids night room unless their parent or whomever brought them is back there with them.Thank you for your attention in this matter.

I hope these changes will make it easier for little ones and for new families to come and enjoy Kid's Night.
Please, spread the word, like my pages and bring your friends, as we start a new year at Kid's Night!
Thanks as always for your continued business!