Museum of the West

To finish out my reviews (see 2 previous posts) on our three-part Museum of Western Colorado membership, we visited the Museum of the West in downtown Grand Junction. The museum is home to a wonderful collection of Western Colorado's history, they say dating back a thousand years. From the Native Americans, the pioneer days and beyond, there is a lot to see, read and even experience. I would have loved to spend some time meandering through, picking up interesting facts that I never knew about the city I call home. BUT with a three year old and a baby in tow, I barely had a second to figure out what each exhibit was even about!

Verdict: this is not the best place for young kids to visit. I knew there was an airplane exhibit and a covered wagon you could sit in, that sounded fun. I told The Boy about those and as soon as we entered the building all I heard was "where's the airplane, where's the airplane, Mom?!" We eventually found the airplane and the wagon, and they were fun for about one minute. They both have a button you can push for sound effects, but nothing too exciting. There was an old fire engine, and a mining tunnel to walk through, but C didn't like how dark it was inside the tunnel. Those were the only kid-worthy exhibits as far as we were concerned.

I will say, the most exciting part of our visit was getting to climb the stairs to the top of their observation tower. I think it was 125 feet off the ground and you have amazing views of the whole valley. We rode the elevator up and then you have to climb the last 2 flights of stairs to the top. There is a picnic table where you can sit and enjoy the view.

Overall, I would not recommend this stop for the little guys. Even with our membership, I don't think I'd bring the kids back here any time soon. Adults will get so much more out of this one!

Click here for their website to learn more.




The Cessna airplane exhibit


Outside the mine tunnel.

Up on the observation tower.

Cross Orchards

As I mentioned in my last post, we have a 3-part membership to Dinosaur Journey, Cross Orchards, and Museum of the West. Yesterday we stopped by Cross Orchards, an old apple orchard turned historic site. This was our second visit, and a different experience from our first.

The first time we went, we went on the "tour". They have sweet volunteers, dressed in period clothing who can tell you all about the farm. I'm glad we did the tour (well, at least part of it), because I was able to learn a little about the place. However, my 3 year old was not interested in the least about apple orchards or how they picked and packaged them way back when. He was anxious to see the animals and I felt a little rude as we were rushing our tour guide along.

The guide was very understanding and skipped a few highlights to get us to the animals (there was a pig, calf, and chickens). We got to feed the pig some weeds, that was fun! An unexpected highlight for The Boy was the wood shop, where our guide hand-makes old wooden toys. We got to try some of them out, and they were also available for purchase.

For this last visit, we just kind of wandered around on our own. Unfortunately there were only chickens to see this time, and no one was in the wood shop. But it was nice to go at our own pace.

The farm is quite large and would be a great place to bring out of town friends/relatives who enjoy history and antiques, as they have an expansive collection. There is an old box car train to look in as well. I saw picnic tables around, so I suppose it would be okay to bring a lunch. There is also a cute little gift shop.

I would say this is better suited for adults and older children who are interested in the history here. I wouldn't pay to bring your 3 year old, but if you already have a membership, go ahead and check it out:) Remember, Cross Orchards is only open seasonally, April through October.

Click here to visit their website.


Connor at the entrance.


They still have apple trees around.


Where they used to box the apples.



Playing in the wood shop.

Dinosaur Journey Museum

One of our favorite places to go spend an hour or so is right here in our own backyard. Many people don't realize that Western Colorado has been a major source for dinosaur fossil discoveries. The Dinosaur Journey Museum, right here in Fruita, has many interesting things to see and do for both older and younger visitors. It is of course full of giant dinosaur exhibits with tons of history and facts to read about. I have not yet had the pleasure of meandering through with time to read and really appreciate everything:)

For the younger set, there is a water table with flowing water, rocks and sticks to play with (even our 11 month old gets into this!), dino puzzles, a sand table with dino footprint "stampers", an earthquake simulator (fun!), and one of my son's favorites, a giant sand pit (well, it's actually finely ground walnut shells) where he can uncover fossils. There are fish tanks, a reading area and even a giant dinosaur that spits a stream of water at anyone who dares stand on his bridge. As far as I can tell, most younger kids are totally freaked out by this one:)

There is also a loft area with vending machines and a table to sit and eat lunch at (we bring our own). Like I said, we usually last about an hour here, but you could spend more time as there really is a lot to see and do.

The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children. We come here often enough that we decided to invest in the yearly membership, which was $40 for our family. The cool thing about this is that it also includes entry into Cross Orchards(been there) and Museum of the West (haven't been there). I plan to do reviews on these places soon.

Dinosaur Journey is a fun, educational, indoor activity for all ages. I heard they do Birthday parties here too! Click here to visit their website.


One of the exhibits


Digging for fossils

The earthquake simulator!

Moon Farm

We had heard of this place a few times, out here in Fruita, as having lots of different miniature buildings and things for kids to play in. The concept sounds good, but being there was a different story. I should have known when I googled it and couldn't even find a website, and the number I called had a terrible sounding connection. I got enough to hear it was open from 10-5.

I talked my friend and her little boy into "trying" out a new place, and if she hadn't been with me, I probably would't have gotten out of the car. We drove out there (about 18 1/2 and M Rd.) and as we pull into the parking lot we see some dinosaur statues, an old bus and merry-go-round, a ton of buildings, both big and small, some in good shape, some in not-so-good shape, and not ONE other soul in sight.  We cautiously decide to get out and see if we can find the "entrance." We came to the main house and saw a little box with a sign on it, something to this effect: "Had to go into town, please put your money in the box." After figuring out we only had to pay for my friend and I ($4 for anyone over 4 yrs.) we lifted the lid and slipped our money in.

To keep a long story short, from then on, we carefully crept from building to building, pretty much rushing the boys along the whole time and saying "don't touch that!!" We were grossed out by spiders and disturbed by all of the old dolls and mannequins inhabiting each place. If you ever manage to end up here DO NOT look in the giant shoe. Just trust me. And, oh, we didn't even dare to open the door to the "clown house".

Now, I do feel completely awful for giving a negative review, but I think it's only fair. So I'll try to point out a few pluses. I started off with a nice picture below because there were a few "nicer" buildings around. Also, we were AMAZED at how many nick-knacks and real artifacts they had in some of the buildings (think fossils, cool Egyptian pieces). This is a place that had tons of heart and soul put into it, and was at one time an amazing place for kids to come learn and use their imagination to it's fullest potential.  I hope the valuable pieces one day find their purpose again.

If you decide to check it out, I think they are closed Sundays. The number I called was 970-858-7176.

Like I said, I started off with a pretty picture, but had to throw in some of the odd images you'll come across at Moon Farm... ;)

Pretty little house.

"Granny's cabin"

Inside the castle

Bananas Fun Park

So, we just may have found the greatest place in the world for our running, jumping, NEVER stopping three year old boy. Seriously, I think it is all of his dreams coming true under one big yellow roof! Let me explain...

There is a place here in town called Bananas Fun Park. It has things like go-karts, a video arcade, bumper boats, laser tag, miniature golf, mostly things for the older kids. But, they also have... wait for it... a Bump-n-Jump Playland! This is not just one bounce house, there are FIVE of them. One is an obstacle course, one has a basket ball hoop, there is a regular one just for jumping, one for those under age 6, and our son's fave... the giant slides.

Now, I know most of you parents out there have stood in the longest line at some festival so your kid could go into one of those crazy bounce houses. Kids just love them! We came across this on accident when we just went to see what this "Bananas" was all about one Friday evening. It costs $8 for a wristband and you can jump as much as you want. Adults are allowed too:) BUT, on Friday mornings, there is a Preschool Special from 9 am to noon and it is only $5 to jump. I think that is a pretty good deal. I thought it would be a busy time with crazy three year olds running all about, but we were the only ones in there when we got there at about 11:00. I think there were about 6 kids total at the busiest time. I just can't believe more people don't take advantage of this!

So, overall a great find. We brought a lunch, but after seeing the signs for "no outside food or drinks", we held off on lunch until we got home. (well, at least until we were in the car on the way home). They do have a Cafe where you can buy lunch/snacks (think pizza, hot dogs, ice cream) and eat there. They also do Birthday parties. Click here to visit their website.


The Bump-n-Jump Playland at Banana's.

Story Time

Another good activity for little ones around town is a "story time". We particularly like the ones at Barnes and Noble, they do a craft and in the past have even had a coupon for your child to get a milk and cookie from their cafe. The ones at the Library are also good. There are always lots of them going on during the week, but depending on the location, age of your child, and the time of year, the times vary and are hard to keep up with.

Rather than trying to cover all of them, I will just post a link for the Mesa County Public Library website here (click on "kids" then "event calendar") and the Barnes and Noble website here (click on "stores and events" then enter your zip code, click on the Grand Junction store and a list of events should come up). Be sure to check out their calendars for other fun events too.

Home Depot

One of our favorite free activities around here is the Kids Workshop at Home Depot. They do them on the first Saturday of the month, from 9 am to noon. The projects are always so cute, and usually functional:) Our son has made everything from a fire station piggy bank, to a mini soap box derby ramp, complete with tiny cars, and even a butterfly house. We are always so impressed with how clever they are. Not to mention, they get the cutest little orange Home Depot apron to wear and a pin to put on it each time they complete a project.  My husband takes C to these to have some quality father-son time. You've got to check it out!

Here they are with the fire station piggy bank last October.