Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Sacramento, CA

Last year, purely out of nostalgia, I bought a Rubik's cube.  Like many of us I was a kid in the eighties and witnessed in full force the Rubik's cube craze that ensued.  Of course, my boys had never seen one.  My 6 year-old likes to play with it in the car and while he can't figure it out, he thinks I'm a genius because I can get one color solid on one-side (that means the other five sides are still scrambled!).  However I like being considered a genius by my kid once in awhile. 

You can pick these fun toys up at Toys R Us for about $10 and they are actually a great tool for practicing hand-eye coordination, learning colors and counting (sides, squares, etc.)  Not to mention they are just fun to play around with for little and big ones alike! 

Anyway, cruising around on the San Francisco Exploratorium's site I found out that on Saturday, January 18th they host the International Rubik's Cube Competition!  I know, I'm a dork to get excited about this, but I remember and have told my kids about the Rubik's Cube television show where whiz kids could solve that colorful puzzle in what seemed like seconds.  They are always very impressed with these stories so we are definitely going to make the day trip to see this event.  Here are the details:

 Internationa Rubik's Cube Competition

San Francisco Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco

Competition begins at 11 a.m. and is included with admission.  For more info call 1-415-EXPLORE or go to www.exploratorium.edu

 Also if you or your kiddo is a Rubik's whiz this competition is open to everyone!  If you want to participate registration is from 10-11 a.m.!