To celebrate summer at Sprout Soup, we are going to do something fun on our Facebook Fan Page (get over there and become a fan if you aren’t one already). Every Friday from June 25th through September 17th (the last Friday before Summer officially ends) we will post a Friday Freebie. Our freebies will be little things we have extras of here at the store. They might be something for mom, maybe for baby. All brand new, all just looking for a loving home. Most of the time there will only be one, and one winner each week. Sometimes we’ll have more than one, and we’ll make sure to tell you when that happens!

Here’s how to enter: Each Friday after we post the freebie for the day, tag Sprout Soup in a status update and tell us you want the Friday Freebie! You can be creative or silly, or just tell us you want to win! You must name the item in your update. Unsure of how to tag? Here’s a Facebook tagging tutorial. Please note that your Facebook Privacy Settings must have posts set to “Everyone” in order for them to display on the Sprout Soup page. (You just need to change your posts, all other settings can remain private)

A quick example. If the Sprout Soup fan page says “Today’s Friday Freebie is an On Tray shopping cart snack holder!” then you might change your Facebook status to say “Hey @Sprout Soup! I want to win an On Tray!”

The first person to post correctly with a tag to Sprout Soup wins the freebie! It’s that simple.

A couple rules and regulations. The fine print, so to speak. One winner per household per 4 week period. If you won last week, you can’t win again this week, sorry! We will contact the winner to let them know how to claim the prize. If you are local to Sprout Soup, we will hold it at the store for pickup. If you are not local, we can arrange to ship the freebie to you, but you are responsible for shipping costs. No refunds or exchanges. It’s a freebie after all!

Have fun and enjoy the summer!

We are thrilled to offer a new adventure at Sprout Soup–Day Camps! Join us to play and create all summer long! Drop your child off or stay and play too. Held at Sprout Soup on Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for two hours per day, each session will cost $75 per child, with early bird, multiple child or multiple class discounts available. We’ll have camps for both young and old(er) with a range of classes offered for  ages 4 to 12. Registration is required. See individual descriptions for times and ages, as they differ slightly from class to class.  Call Sprout Soup at 267-7768 to reserve your spot today!

Unless otherwise specified, the following class times and ages are:
10 am – 12 pm ages 6 and up
1 pm – 3 pm ages 3 – 5 years

Kids Cook Day Camp
Love our Kid’s Cook classes with Miss Rachel? Then this is the camp for you! Each session will include lots of cooking, tasting, recipes and a take-home craft.
June 15-June 17 – BREAKFAST
June 29- July 1 – LUNCH
Aug 3-Aug.5th – DINNER

Art Camp
We’ll bring the outdoors in and do some nature crafts. We’ll paint. We’ll sculpt. We’ll explore different mediums and most of all, we’ll have fun! There are two sessions of Art Camp, each with different projects every day, as well as a whole class project we will work on through the week. Then join us for an art show on Thursday,  July 15th at 6:30 pm where the kids can show off their masterpieces!
June 22-June 24: Art Camp I
July 6-July 8: Art Camp II

Writing Camp
Even the youngest kids can create their own story! We’ll be reading (lots!), playing games and writing stories in personal, hand-crafted journals. The kids will get a bound book of all the stories created at the end of class.
Little Suesses is for ages 6-8, and we will work on what makes a story good, and basic writing techniques and lots dramatic play.
Blume-ing Authors if for ages 9-12. We will have more time for personal writing, work on crafting plot and character and talk about the basics of creating an engaging tale.
July 13-July 15: Writing Camp I
July 20-July 22: Writing Camp II

Science Camp
There is nothing better than introducing a child to the joys of science! We will do experiments, make some crafts, and generally learn about all the great things science can show us! Each day will have a theme. The first week we will learn about bugs, weather and animals. The second week we will learn about the body, space and plants. It will be a grand time where learning and fun come together as one!
July 27-July 29: Bugs, Weather and Animals
Aug. 10-Aug 12: Body, Space and Plants

There will be an OPEN HOUSE on May 15 from 11-1. Come explore what our camps have to offer, share some food, do some crafts and have some fun!

This seven-week course will give parents an understanding of how the pervasive effects of advertising, media and our consumer culture can influence a child’s view of the world. Participants will discover ways to create meaningful family times and healthful environments for their children and explore ways to develop a child’s connection to nature. Parents can also learn ways to foster creativity in their child and reduce dependence on technology and media.

Earth Institute classes are led by class participants. Following the guidelines in the class workbook, all class members will contribute to the class. For this reason it is important that those interested in the class register and commit to attend.

We will offer an information session on Wednesday, January 13 at 10:15am for those who are interested in more information about the course. The course will begin on Wednesday, January 27 at 10:15am and continue every Wednesday morning for seven weeks.

If you would like more information about the course, or if you are interested in participating but are unable to attend on Wednesday mornings, please let us know! We’d be happy to schedule another series of classes or provide you with more information about the course. There is a one-time $25 fee for class materials.

This holiday season Sprout Soup wanted to offer something nice for mom and dad. Something to spread a little peace at a time when things are often hectic and stressful. So with great anticipation and excitement, we present Twilight Thursdays.

On the first Thursday of October, November and December we will have a special time for parents and grandparents (aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, too!) to shop without the little ones and get a special preview along with some nice deals on our new toys.

OK, so it’s a little bit about the kids, but we know that part of making mom and dad happy is bringing a little extra joy to their little ones!

Our first Twilight Thursday is coming up quickly on Thursday, October 1, from 6:30-9pm. Join us for light refreshments as we present goodies from Montgomery Schoolhouse and more!

Boxes are rolling in, and Montgomery Schoolhouse was the first to ship out our holiday order. This is a company that we have been working with for years. We are so fond of them because they create true heirloom toys. Tough and well-built, and made in the USA!

We’ve restocked a lot of our old favorites, like the Classic School Bus and Scoot Cars, but there’s also some new toys, like these adorable cars with jumbo wheels. A great addition, because those larger wheels mean these toys don’t need to be reserved for the 3 and older crowd!

Here’s just a few more sneak peaks, but we do hope to see you on Thursday!

Sprout Swap version 1.5 will happen August 21-23, 2009.

What is Sprout Swap? It’s a chance to find great deals on gently used cloth diapers, baby carriers and more all in one place. It’s also a chance for you to pass on your gently used baby items to other families!

Here’s how it works. Starting on July 28 and continuing through August 14, we will collect, tag and price items that you bring in. All items entered in to the swap are recorded and you set a minimum selling price, or we can work with you to set prices which would be competitive for the products.

During the weekend of August 21 the items will be displayed in the swap room at Sprout Soup. Any items that you are interested in can be purchased directly through Sprout Soup. On the last day of the swap, Sunday, August 23, items will be discounted for final sale.

All purchases are recorded, and the original owners are given the choice to take their commission in cash or Sprout Soup store credit.

Here’s what you can do to get ready. If you have items to sell, please make sure that they are clean and in the best condition possible. If you are selling cloth diapers, you may want to create small ‘lots’ of diapers that are similar in size and type. If you are selling baby carriers, look for the original instructions and packaging that the carrier came in. If you still have these items it will add value to your carrier. If you don’t have them, finding instructions online and printing them out to include with your carrier will be helpful. If your carrier is one that comes in sizes, please make sure it is easy to figure out what size it is.

We do not accept toys, furniture or clothing in the swap. We are willing to consider breastfeeding items, such as nursing pillows, new or excellent condition breast pads, freezing trays for breast milk, etc. If you have questions about what you should bring in, please feel free to call us.

We will have forms available that can be filled out before you bring your items in.

Our swap in February was a lot of fun and a great success, so we are happy to do it again! We’re looking forward to it as much as you are!

Located on the alleys between Broad, High, Gay and 3rd streets, the market is definitely a vibrant part of downtown! The alleys of Pearl and Lynn Street are blocked off for booths and walking traffic only. Parking does not have to be problematic, there are lots of meters on Gay Street, and the underground garage at the Statehouse is across Broad Street.

It was certainly a different environment for a kids event. Perhaps Kids Day at Pearl Market was a trend-setting event that will encourage more like it! The Market organizers did a great job, though! A few daycare classes came through the market and were rewarded by the entertaining live music. Sprout Soup brought our sandbox, which is always a hit, filled with Mini Bilibo and the Green Toys Sand Play Set. Kids could also make crafts, have their face painted by Amy of Little Alouette, or sample some fresh fruits and vegetables provided by the market’s vendors.

Kids were also encouraged to make picnic games out of recycled pizza boxes and paper plates. Roll the dice and add picnic foods to your plate, if you roll the ants, they carry away one of your foods! Fill your plate and you win!

It was fun to be in the downtown environment with our kids. They really enjoyed playing and dancing in the ally, and I think one of the highlights was the mounted police and their horses! Hopefully we’ll be involved with next year’s Kids Day at the Pearl Market, it was such a fun experience. And our customers in the store might notice something new, given to us by the Pearl Market organizers! They’re pictured here to the left– pens with flowers on the top! Perfect for our checkout counter! The pens were made by a regular vendor of the Pearl Market, although I didn’t catch her name. If you know who it is, please let us know. We’ve had many compliments on the pens, and some customers even asking if they can purchase them! We’re not willing to give them up, though!

The swap begins promptly at 10am on Friday, February 20, shop early for the best selection! Our hours this weekend and for the swap are as follows:
Friday 10am – 6pm
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 12pm – 5pm

Every item in the swap is tagged and labeled with the item’s brand and size (as best as we could determine) and a price, most of which were set by the item’s owner. To whet your appetite here are some of the items we have available at this swap:

• Hotslings, both designer and pool pouches
• Kangaroo Korner fleece and cotton adjustable pouches
• Kozy Mei Tai carriers
• Ergo, Beco, Olives and Applesauce Structured Carriers
• Fuzzi Bunz in sizes XS through XL
• Bummis Wraps
• Kissaluvs contours and snaps
• Swaddlebees organic velour fitted diapers and pockets
• One-size pockets: BumGenius, Haute Pockets, Happy Heiney’s
• Prefolds and Snappis
• Wool soakers, longies and shorties
• Plus a $1 bin!

This is the first and only event of its kind in Columbus and all of Central Ohio! Come on in and join the fun!

Haven’t been to Sprout Soup before? Here’s where Sprout Soup is located.

When: Saturday, November 22 11a-1p
Where: Sprout Soup

Please register for this event. The event is free and open to everyone, although we are considering a lunch option. Please note your preferences when registering. Thank you.