'Kiddie Karnival' Brings Fun to Young Children

Parents of young children won’t have to travel far to find fun for their little ones this weekend.

The Hopkins Early Childhood Parental Advisory Council is hosting its annual “” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the (125 Monroe Ave. S.).

The Kiddie Karnival is uniquely tailored to the young ages served by Hopkins’ early childhood program. There will be games, face painting, arts and crafts, music, story times, dancing and an obstacle course. will host a room where kids can let loose their inner builders. And Curious Minds, which brings science to young children, will be there.

“It’s for the littles,” said Chris Polston—chairman of The Hopkins Early Childhood Parental Advisory Council, which advocates to the school board on behalf of families with preschool-aged children. “It’s very hard to take a 2- to 3-year-old to an event that is geared to 8- to 14-year-olds.”

The event is a fundraiser for the council. The group provides grants to early childhood teachers to enhance the classroom experience over and above what the district is able to do. Grants have gone toward items such as educational toys or a three-child stroller whose replacement would have otherwise been delayed.

The council also provides scholarships for students in need and those whose financial situation changes radically during the school year.

Each activity or snack at the Karnival costs one ticket. Tickets are 25 cents each. Adults will also be able to bid on dozens of silent auction items or gift cards donated by local businesses such as , and the . Organizers in bright orange vests will also be on hand to provide more information about Hopkins' early childhood programs.

Polston said he has high hopes for this year’s Karnival.

“We just try to have fun—make this productive play,” he said. “It’s been a big success, and we hope to keep it a big success.”