Skidaway Is. State Park in Savannah now has an outdoor gym – for all – complete with elliptical, rowing machine & weight lifting equipment.

The new innovative outdoor gym & the six miles of trails make this Georgia state park the ideal spot to workout this fall.

Park Hours: 7AM–10PM

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Skidaway Is. State Park, 52 Diamond Cswy, Savannah, GA 31411, 912-598-2300, gastateparks.org/SkidawayIsland

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FOR MORE FALL EVENTS, VISIT OUR SAVANNAH FALL FUN GUIDE 2016 HERE. 

New York Times bestselling author of the Fancy Nancy children’s series, Jane O’Connor will be among the authors at the 2016 Annual Savannah Children’s Book Festival.

Live Oak Public Libraries and the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs will present the free 13th annual Savannah Children’s Book Festival on Sat. Nov. 12, 2016, 10AM-4PM at Forsyth Park.

The Fancy Nancy books chronicle the adventures of a young girl who loves all things glamorous, posh, and splendiferous! The series has now sold over 20 million copies and counting with the wildly popular latest title, “Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet.”

For more such Savannah-area events, visit our Fall Fun Guide 2016 here. 

Our column today in the Savannah Morning News spotlights 10-year-old Isa Lilja-Vazquez’s Little Free Library in her Savannah front yard. (Read it here).

Isa’s is among several Little Free Libraries in the Savannah Ga./Bluffton SC area.

Which got us thinking of how sweet it would be to take kids “Little Free Library hopping” in the Savannah-Lowcountry area.

Here’s our list of Little Free Libraries in our area compiled by using the map from the Little Free Libraries Web site.

So grab a bunch of used books your kids have outgrown to drop off in exchange for other books – following the LFL mantra to “take a book, leave a book” – and visit these Little Free Libraries in Savannah.

(Interested in starting your own Little Free Library? Get info on how to do so here. )

(Read about a Savannah 10-year-old girl who started her own Little Free Library here. )

Savannah

1919 Brogdon St. (in Magnolia Park neighborhood)
Savannah Ga. 31406

363 Island Road (Burnside Is.)
Savannah, GA 31406

9 Reynolds Court (in Kensington Park neighborhood)
Savannah, Ga 31405

605 Maupas Ave. (in Baldwin Park neighborhood)
Savannah, Ga. 31401

Corner of 38th Street & Howard Street (in former vacant lot)

733 E. Henry St.
Savannah, Ga. 31401

Bluffton/Hilton Head Is./Beaufort area

160 H. E. McCracken Circle (in front of Bluffton Elementary School)
Bluffton, SC 29910

39 Sheridan Park Circle Suite 10
Bluffton, SC 29910

1709 Camellia Road
Beaufort, SC 29902

Find more Little Free Libraries here.

Bring your kids to the FREE Gage Ochsner Kids Fishing & Coastal Water Safety event 8:30-11AM, Sat. Sept. 24 2016 @ the Tybee Pier & Pavilion on Tybee Island.

The day of FREE fun for kids ages 5 to 12 is being held in conjunction with Georgia’s free fishing day & is sponsored by Safe Kids Savannah, the Chatham County Aquatic Center, & the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to promote fishing as a family activity & water safety.

This is the seventh consecutive year for the event which is named in memory of Gage Ochsner, M.D., a long-time supporter of Safe Kids Savannah and specifically the Kids Fishing and Coastal Water Safety event.

Pre-registration is required.

Entry is limited and pre-registration is required. No registration will be allowed on the day of the event.

Register online here. 

All participants will receive a rod and reel, bait, and tackle box. No fishing license required. 

For more information on the event please call 652-6793.

FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA KIDS’ ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE. 

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

22nd Annual Telfair Art Fair
Nov. 12-13, Telfair Square in front of the Jepson Center for the Arts
Savannah’s largest, liveliest, and most cel­ebrated open-air festival of visual art, Telfair Art Fair attracts thousands of high-end art collectors, tourists, local residents, and families. Featuring 85 artists displaying and selling works in a variety of artistic disciplines—and for a wide range of budgets—this year’s Telfair Art Fair presents an array of genres, including painting, printmaking, digital media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography, furniture, glass, textiles/fiber, and mixed media.
Free Admission

Free Family Day
1-4pm, November 12, Jepson Center for the Arts
Take time to enjoy the annual Telfair Art Fair, explore Telfair’s modern and contemporary art collection, and apply a bit of your own creativity both inside and outside the museum!
Free Admission

JEPSON CENTER
207 W. York St. Savannah, 31401

Follow Telfair Museums on Facebook here. 

Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Bring the family to see a large interactive installation  in the North Garden of the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah

As part of Ships of the Sea’s fiftieth anniversary, Ships of the Sea presents a large interactive installation entitled “Gestalt” by local artist and SCAD professor Chris Nitsche.

The installation – located along the north wall in the Museum’s North Garden – will be open free to the public daily from August- December 2016.

The installation takes the shape of a ship’s hull—75 feet long, 8 feet high, and will be built in sections with access gaps to enable visitors to walk through the inside of the hull.

Great chance to pay homage to the maritime history of Savannah.

A selection of the Chris Nitsche’s preliminary sketches are on display in the Museum atrium.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
AUG.-DEC 2016 TUES-SUN, 10AM-5PM (LAST ADMISSION 4:15)

LEARN MORE HERE.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
41 Martin.Luther King Jr Blvd.
Savannah, 31401
(912) 232-1511

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

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It’s a Wiener Dog Racing, Bratwurst Tasting, Oompah Dancing celebration @ Savannah’s 33rd Annual Oktoberfest on Historic River Street.

Enjoy a bit of Germany…Savannah style with a beer garden offering a variety of beers, food booths featuring German cuisine, and of course the famous Wiener Dog Races hosted by Savannah Morning News. There will be regional arts & crafts exhibitors, live entertainment and all weekend long.

WHEN: Oct. 28-Oct. 30, 2016
WHERE: Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, 115 East River St. Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, Savannah, 31401

COST: Free & Open to the Public
CONTACT: Savannah Waterfront Association, 912.234.0295

Festival Hours
Fri. Oct. 7, 4-10pm
Sat. Oct. 8, 10am-10pm
Sun. Oct. 9, 10am-5pm

Reminder: you can take the free ferry ride from the Westin on Hutchinson Is. across the Savannah River to River Street  & then take it back. Kids love the boat ride.

New York Times bestselling author of the Fancy Nancy children’s series, Jane O’Connor will be among the authors at the 2016 Annual Savannah Children’s Book Festival.

Live Oak Public Libraries and the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs will present the free 13th annual Savannah Children’s Book Festival on Sat. Nov. 12, 2016, 10AM-4PM at Forsyth Park.

The Fancy Nancy books chronicle the adventures of a young girl who loves all things glamorous, posh, and splendiferous! The series has now sold over 20 million copies and counting with the wildly popular latest title, “Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet.”

The 66th annual Greek Festival at the Hellenic Center, 14 W. Anderson St., Savannah
Oct. 21-22 2016 (These are the new rescheduled dates after Hurricane Matthew caused the cancellation of the event earlier this month)

The Greek Festival, sponsored by St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, will feature homemade Greek foods, desserts greek dancing, church tours, market place, a live band and so much more during the three-day celebration of Greek food, music and heritage.

Menu favorites include:

• spanakopita (Spinach w/ feta cheese & herbs baked in layers of filo);
• Greek meatballs (a favorite for kids of all ages);
• gyros (sliced beef and lamb served on pita bread);
• diples (fried filo dough dipped in honey syrup);
• kourabiedes (butter cookies topped with powdered sugar;
• baklava, pecans & spices baked in layers of filo.

Hosted in the St. Paul’s Hellenic Center, the Savannah Greek Festival attracts thousands of visitors each year. Come to enjoy the food, shopping, music, dancing and atmosphere of the Greek culture.

Serving food all day!
Fri. Oct. 21: 11AM – 9PM
Sat. Oct. 22: 11AM – 9PM

The festival will have free admission until 4PM Friday with a requested $2 donation after 4PM. There is also a requested $2 donation all day Saturday.

Drive Thru Take-Out
To download the order form, click HERE.
Friday – 11 AM to 2 PM Only; Saturday, 11 AM-5 PM
Phone in (236-8256) or Fax your Order form to (236-7321) Pick up at Drive Up window at Henry Lane behind the Hellenic Center.

Advance orders may be placed online for pick-up. Please order at savannahgreekfest.com or call 912-236-8256.

See the complete menu  here.

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FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA FALL EVENTS, VISIT OUR SAVANNAH FALL FUN GUIDE 2016. 

Savannah Philharmonic & the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs presents 2016 Picnic in the Park on Sun. Oct. 2

Enjoy fantastic music and fun family activities @ this annual Fall event in Forsyth Park featuring a repertoire from the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and more.

Come early to enjoy local band, choral & orchestral students at the Forsyth Park Bandshell.

WHEN: Oct. 2
WHERE: Forsyth Park Bandshell
621 Drayton Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
TIME: 4-9:30PM (the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra starts @ 7PM)

COST: Free and open to the public.

CONTEST: Every year, picnickers have an opportunity to enter the legendary “Picnic Contest”. Picnickers are encouraged to design an imaginative picnic spread that is inspired by the suggested theme.

MORE: For more information about Picnic in the Park or the Philharmonic, call 912.232.6002, visit savannahphilharmonic.org or email info@savannahphilharmonic.org .

Free Skidaway Marine Science Day 2016, Skidaway Is., Savannah, Oct. 22 2016

This free campus-wide open house at The UGA Marine Extension Service & Aquarium on Skidaway Island offers activities geared for all ages. Programs, tours, displays and hands-on activities, primarily related to marine science and the coastal environment, are all part of the day’s educational fun.

Open to the public at no charge, the event is presented by the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, the University of Georgia’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium, the University of Georgia’s Shellfish Research Laboratory and Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

One of the most exciting featured attractions this year will be a close-up look at Georgia’s first oyster hatchery, a project of the UGA Marine Extension’s Shellfish Research Laboratory and Georgia Sea Grant, units of UGA Public Service and Outreach.

Other activities include tours of the 92-foot Research Vessel Savannah, fun hands-on exhibits at the UGA Aquarium, and explorations of an underwater reef at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

When: Sat. Oct. 22 2016
Time: Noon-4PM

Learn more here. 

All activities at Skidaway Marine Science Day are free.

For additional information, call 912-598-2325, or see http://www.skio.uga.edu/

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CoastFest 2016 in Brunswick 

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant participate in CoastFest in Brunswick, Ga., every first Saturday in October.

This year’s festival will be Sat. Oct. 1 10AM-4PM @ Depart. of Natural Resources
1 Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA. 31520

This free, family-oriented educational festival is Georgia’s largest outdoor festival celebrating our state’s coastal, environmental, historical and cultural resources. Over 9,000 excited visitors enjoy interactive exhibits and activity areas provided by 80-plus local, regional, state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and institutions of higher learning.

Touch tanks with live coastal animals, educational information, games and activities for the whole family are just part of our offerings.

More details here.

FREE Trunk-o-ween at Shelter Cove Towne Centre, Hilton Head Is.

Monday, Oct. 31 from 5-7pm
Shelter Cove Towne Centre
40 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

FREE & open to the public. 

This special evening provides a safe environment for families, ghouls, goblins and ghosts of all ages. This year’s “spooktacular” highlights include:

•Trick-or-Treating in car trunks and shops
•Bounce Houses
•Cappy the Clown
•Plenty of treats to fill your bag

More details here. 

6th Annual Savannah Food Day Festival 2016

The Savannah Food Day Festival is the largest in the nation and celebrates sustainable, accessible and healthy foods. The free event includes a farmers market, educational workshops, top local bands, art activities, food vendors and more.

Saturday, Oct. 29
11AM – 5PM
Daffin Park
1301 E Victory Dr.
Savannah, 31404

Contact
912-662-5162
email: fooddayinfo@wellfedsavannah.com

This festival will be full of activities for all ages and families, including your pets.

More details to come.

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Registration is open for the 2016 Festival

Organizers are now accepting applications for exhibitors, vendors, & volunteers.

Sign up early and pay before Aug. 31 to receive 25% discount

Exhibitors

This year’s 2016 Savannah Food Day Festival is the perfect place to promote your organization or business. All non-profit organizations are automatically approved and organizers welcome other organizations and businesses that are community oriented and promote a sustainable or healthy lifestyle. Exhibitors do not sell anything at Food Day Festival.

If you would like to request the use of tents, tables or chairs: Availability is very limited this year, so please sign up early for your best chance to receive assistance.

Click here for Exhibitor Application.

Vendors

Food Day Festival focuses primarily on pre-prepared food vendors and locally produced goods. Organizers will only approve a small number of craft or non-food vendors. Submit your application today and it will be reviewed quickly. Most applications can expect to receive confirmation within 2-4 days.

Click here for Vendor Application.

Here’s a chance for Savannah-area children with special needs to be introduced to the sport of surfing: Surfers for Autism 6TH ANNUAL COASTAL EMPIRE BEACH FESTIVAL 2016.

At a Surfers For Autism event, children and young adults within the autism spectrum are provided a safe, fun, judgement free environment where highly skilled surf instructors carefully guide them into waves.

Participants enjoy a day filled with a range of activities including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, live music, face-painting, games, fire engine tours and much more. Lunch is also provided, all at no cost to registered participants,their families & volunteers.

FREE SURFERS FOR AUTISM 6TH ANNUAL COASTAL EMPIRE BEACH FESTIVAL
9AM-4PM Sat. Oct. 15 2016
Tybee Beach Pier
Tybee Is. GA

For registration info, click here. Registration opens 10AM Aug. 31.

On Facebook here. 

Annual two-day Beaufort Shrimp Festival celebrates local food, live music & contests @ the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Fri. Sept. 30 & Sat. Oct. 1 2016. The festival will feature local food, live music, contests & more.

Food & beverages will be available for purchase.

At 8AM Sat. Oct. 1, participate in the 5k Run/Walk & the children’s Popcorn Shrimp Run. Food & beverage booths, the Arts & Crafts Market & the children’s area will open later in the morning, followed by the adult Shrimp Heading and children’s Shrimp Peeling competitions, Restaurant Competition, the Sea Island Rotary’s Charity Shrimp Race & live entertainment.

The Sea Island Rotary Club’s Annual Charity Shrimp Race gives spectators the opportunity to adopt one or more of the 5,000 rubber floating shrimp that are dropped into the Beaufort River. Shrimp will float toward a designated finish line & the first 10 to finish will earn their owners $5,000 in cash, plus offer the chance to win $1M.

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE.  

Bring the kids to celebrate Science, Engineering, Technology and Math at Georgia Southern University at STEM Festival 2016 in Statesboro.

This FREE fun-filled community event will be Sat. Sept. 24, 2016
10AM-4 PM.

Learn more here. 

Nessmith-Lane Building
*847 Plant Drive on the Georgia Southern Campus

50+ Exploration stations will provide hands-on activities for children young and old. Activities appropriate for elementary, middle and high school will be available.

STEM Fest activities include:

See robotics in action
Watch Planetarium shows @ GSU’s Planetarium Digistar 5 Fulldome
Learn how video games are created
Make ice-cream with liquid nitrogen
Blast off Alka-Seltzer rockets
Learn about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Learn about Georgia Archaeology with the ArchaeoBus
Participate with NASA
Go on a mission with the Army
Visit Georgia Southern Museum & see its 26-foot long Mosasaur skeleton

Free guest parking will be available in lot #32; bus parking available in lot C behind the Nessmith Lane building
Food will be available for purchase.

Institute for Interdisciplinary STEM Education, Georgia Southern University, (912) 478-2549, kagreer@georgiasouthern.edu

FOR MORE FREE KIDS’ EVENTS IN SAVANNAH & THE LOWCOUNTRY, CLICK HERE.

Third Annual Savannah Seersucker Ride

Saturday, September 3 2016
2-4:30 PM
Tiedeman Park
Savannah, Georgia 31401

Show off your Southern summer clothing with a casual bike ride around Ardsley Park, Chatham Crescent, and other nearby neighborhoods. The ride will depart from Tiedeman Park, cruise shady streets, then return to the park for a picnic and croquet.

Don’t have any seersucker in your closet? Don’t worry! Savannah Bicycle Campaign loves you in seersucker or not.

Try to dress for the theme with some dandy cycling attire (a helmet is strongly encouraged as part of your ensemble), even if it isn’t in this particular textile. Linen, madras and other seasonal fabrics are also good choices.

Organized by Savannah Bicycle Campaign , non-profit organization.

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

Family Fun Food Truck Festival @ Skidaway Is. State Park

Join your favorite food trucks at Skidaway Island State Park for their first ever Family Food Truck Fun Fest, noon-4PM Sept.4 2016.

Pokemon lures, Giant Ground Sloth, Cornhole, Ranger-Led Games and Reptile Show are all part of the fun.

$5 parking.

Sun. Sept. 4, Noon-4PM
Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Cswy, Savannah, Georgia 31411

Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah , GA 31411. On Facebook here.

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, CLICK HERE.

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Other State Park Labor Day Events 

Labor Day at Fort King George
Monday, September 5, 2016 10 AM to 4 PM
Fort King George Historic Site – Darien, GA
Historians and volunteers will demonstrate colonial-period “labor,” including pinning, wood-working, and blacksmithing. Celebratory musket and cannon firings will take place on the hour. $4.50-$7.50 912-437-4770.

Labor Day at Fort Morris
Monday, September 5, 2016 11 AM to 3 PM
Fort Morris Historic Site – Midway, GA
Commemorate Labor Day holiday with hourly soldier talks and musket and cannon firings at this scenic coastal fort. $3-$4.50 912-884-5999.

FOUNDERS DAY EVENTS & FREE ADMISSION WEEKEND

Aug. 25-28 in celebration of National Park Service’s 100th Birthday Weekend.

Thurs. Aug. 25, 2016
Fort Pulaski will celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service with a special day of events.

Free Founders’ Day Events on Aug. 25
Fort Pulaski National Monument invites YOU to celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service. Special programs will include guided walks, ranger programs, cannon firings, musical performances, and concert with the Third Infantry Division Band from Fort Stewart. Come to the fort Thurs. Aug. 25 as we party like it’s 1916!

Founder’s Day Schedule (Thursday, August 25th, 2016):

10:00 AM – Lighthouse Trail Walk
11:00 AM – Guided Fort Tour
12:00 PM – Ranger Program: The National Park Service at 100!
12:30 PM – Artillery Demonstration
1:00 PM – Performance: Savannah Arts Academy
2:00 PM – Performance: Three Fold Chord
2:30 PM – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 PM – Guided Fort Tour
4:00 PM – Ranger Program: The National Park Service at 100!
4:30 PM – Artillery Demonstration
5:00 PM – Performance: Gee Gullah Ring Shouters
6:00 PM – Cake Cutting & Artillery Demonstration
6:30 PM – Concert featuring the Third Infantry Division Band from Fort Stewart

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Throughout 2016, Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah is hosting special events as a part of its Centennial Series every third Sunday of the month so visitors and locals alike can discover Savannah’s national park.

Fort Pulaski National Monument is on U.S. Hwy 80, 15 miles east of downtown Savannah. For more info, call 912) 786-5787 or visit nps.gov/fopu.

Centennial Series at Fort Pulaski
September 18–Kayaking with a Ranger
October 16–Full Moon Hike
November 20–Oystering along the Savannah
December 18–Historic District Walk

Fee information
Adults: $7
Children 15 & younger: Free

Free showing of Disney classics on the rooftop of The Florence restaurant in Savannah @ 5PM Sundays.

Movie for Aug. 21: Beauty & the Beast
Movie for Aug. 28: Cinderella
Movie for Sept. 4: Aladdin
Movie for Sept. 11: Lady & The Tramp: Spaghetti & Meatball special
Movie for Sept. 18: The Little Mermaid
Movie for Sept. 25: Peter Pan
Movie for Oct. 2: Fox & the Hound
Movie for Oct. 9: The Jungle Book
Movie for Oct. 16: Hercules
Movie for Oct. 23: Pocahontas
Movie for Oct. 30: Casper
Movie for Nov. 6: Mulan
Movie for Nov. 13: Tangled
Movie for Nov. 20: Frozen

Pizza, beer, and some of your favorite films.

Disney Classics Rooftop Reels Series @ The Florence, 1 W Victory Dr, # B, Savannah 31405
Early Show | 5 PM |

Details here. 

The Florence, 1 W Victory Dr, # B, Savannah, Georgia 31405

FOR MORE FREE KIDS’ EVENTS IN THE SAVANNAH-AREA, CLICK HERE.

Mathnasium of Savannah Midtown is having a FREE games night this Saturday July 30, 5 -7PM.

Come and play giant chess and giant Connect 4 and many other fun games suitable FOR ALL AGES.

Pizza will be served! So parents can enjoy a childfree dinner our or back to school shopping while Mathnasium entertains your students!

RSVP to savannahmidtown@mathnasium.com or call 912-355-5678.

Open to ALL children 1st grade & older.

Mathnasium of Savannah Midtown
912-355-5678
(next to TJ MAXX)

Mathnasium is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Christmas In July!

July 23&24! COOL Specials throughout Savannah Mall. Synthetic Ice Skating at Center Court.

On Sat. July 23:

1-3:30PM Savannah Balloons will create Balloon art at center court

1, 2, & 3PM Puppet People will have a Frozen Cold Rock and Roll Jukebox show

Selfies w/Santa July 23: Snap a selfie with Santa and share w/Facebook or Twitter #SavannahSanta & win a $500 gift card.

Hourly Prizes: Skate Savannah Mall’s Synthetic Ice Rink! Snap a selfie with Santa and share it on Savannah Mall’s Facebook or Twitter (use #SavannahSanta) you could win a $500 gift card to a Savannah Mall store.

Savannah Mall, 14045 Abercorn Street, www.savannahmall.com , 912-927-7467. The Savannah Mall is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Come out to Skidaway Island State Park to enjoy FREE kids’ nature activities on certain days during July 2016 including Call of the Wild on July 23 when you walk the trails at night to hear nocturnal animals call.

To see the complete list of FREE kids’ nature activities @ Skidaway Is. State Park each month, click here.

Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah , GA 31411. On Facebook here.

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, CLICK HERE.

Baby Care Anywhere – by Savannah pediatricians Ben Spitalnick and Keith Seibert- is now available as an eBook for free.

The eBook version of Baby Care Anywhere is currently FREE with any shopAAP purchase!

So now you can buy this award-winning paper book as a gift, and keep the eBook for yourself!

Simply go to shop.aap.org and use promo code BABYCARE at checkout.

This freebie ends August 15, 2016. It’s good to share!