Kids Activities

Sierra Nevada Children's Services has comprehensive events calendars for families with young children in Nevada County.

PLAYGROUNDS
P.L.A.Y.: Behind Hennessey School, 225 S. Auburn, Grass Valley. Designed by children, built by community volunteers, 14,000 square foot park structure. Open during summer and after school until sundown. Parking off Colfax Avenue or behind Veterans Building on South Auburn.
DOW ALEXANDER: Bennett and Bank Streets, Grass Valley. Playground equipment.
MINNIE: Minnie and Brighton Streets (entrance to Condon Park), Grass Valley. Playground equipment.

TRAILS
DEER CREEK MINER'S TRAIL: Nevada City near Broad, Boulder and Sacramento Streets. Relive the experiences of 49ers, 15 to 30 minutes, pamphlet at site.
ROCK CREEK: Off Hwy. 20 on Conservation Camp Road, six miles east of Nevada City. Less than a mile, information about flora and fauna and local history, brochure at site.
SIERRA DISCOVERY TRAIL: Hwy. 20 out of Nevada City to Bowman Lake Road. PG&E community service project, less than one-mile loop, interpretive signs, waterfall, restrooms, picnic area with barbecue on Bear River.
BRIDGEPORT: Hwy. 20 out of Grass Valley to Penn Valley, right on Pleasant Valley Road, then eight miles. Buttermilk Trail 1.25 miles each way, fairly flat, favorite spring wildflower hike, access to swimming holes, information at ranger station.


MOUNTAIN BIKING
LOWER PIONEER TRAIL: Off Hwy. 20 out of Nevada City, parking at Harmony Ridge Market or horse staging area one mile east, turn around at White Cloud Picnic Area, distance 10 miles.
EMPIRE MINE STATE HISTORIC PARK: Begin and park at horse staging area off Empire Street near South Auburn Street, 1.5 to 10 miles. Maps at Mine Visitor Center, (530) 273-8522.

RECREATION
TRUCKEE-DONNER: Recreation & Park District, 10046 Church St., Truckee, CA 96161; (530) 582-7720. Summer camps for ages 3 1/2 to 17, including Camp Little Chief, Karate, Summer In The Park, Extended Hours, Junior Counselor, Resident Camp, Counselor-In-Training, Youth Sports Camp. Also Summer Teen Trips. Activity Guide available. http://www.tdrpd.com/

MUSEUMS
SIERRA NEVADA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: 11400 Donner Pass Rd. (530) 587-KIDS. Open Monday thru Thursday 9am - 1p.m.; Hands on.

LIBRARIES
GRASS VALLEY LIBRARY: 207 Mill Street; (530) 273-4117.
MADELYN HELLING NEVADA COUNTY LIBRARY: 980 Helling, Government Center off Hwy. 49, Nevada City; (530) 265-7050.
TRUCKEE LIBRARY: 10031 Levon Ave.; (530) 582-7846.

SPECIAL EVENTS
NEVADA COUNTY TRACTION COMPANY: Northern Queen Inn, Railroad Avenue, Nevada City; (530) 265-0896. Railroad cars and engines. Take a tour on a 1920 rail bus, 1/2 hour, historic scenery. Annual events, Halloween pumpkin hunt and Easter egg hunt by rail.
LILLIPUT PLAYERS: Regional professional children's theatre repertory company holds "Haunted Garden" at Builders and Consumers, Nevada City Hwy., Grass Valley, at Halloween for ages 12 and under.
KVMR FRIGHT NIGHT: 265-9555. Community Halloween party directed towards kids, kindergarten through teens. Entertainment, games, prizes.
SAFE TRICK OR TREAT FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Downtown Grass Valley; 272-8315. On Halloween, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
DAY OF THE YOUNG CHILD: 272-8866. Sponsored by Gold Country Association for Education of Young Children, Sierra College, Sierra Nevada Children's Services. Birth to age 8, mid-May; information for parents; art activities, obstacle courses, wood construction, music and performers for children.
FISH DAY: Big Bend exit off I-80, at Big Bend, first part of June, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tahoe National Forest; (530) 265-4531. To help children of all ages learn more about fishing, fish, fish habitat. Displays, lunch.