SkyPark Santa's Village California Review

Family Fun

MBE partnered with SkyPark at Santa's Village for this post

A Four Season Family California Attraction

For more than a 65+ years, Southern California has been known by both locals and vacationing families as the ultimate destination for kid-friendly wholesome family theme parks. In that class of outdoor attractions there is a hidden jewel waiting to be discovered: SkyPark at Santa's Village in Skyforest, California.

SkyPark at Santa's Village in Summer

Located in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains adjacent to the resort communities of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, this unique park attraction is just a few hours drive from Los Angeles and Orange County. SkyPark is open Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Don't let the park's name mislead you: kids of course can visit Santa here year-round and if the children ask: tell them that yes, Santa does have a second home away from the North Pole. 

SkyPark, as my husband (who captured some of the photos in this story) and I found out by experiencing it first-hand, is so much more than we expected . It's a truly multi-generational outdoorsy place which kids, parents, extended family and grownups of all ages can enjoy any season of the year, whether or not you personally celebrate Christmas.

SkyPark at Santa's Village: Yesterday and Today

You may be surprised to learn as I was that this park, originally named Santa's Village, opened on Memorial Weekend 1955, six weeks before Disneyland. Another fun fact: Santa's Village was also the first theme park ever to franchise, eventually adding two other locations. Over the years this park has evolved and changed names, opening and closing due to bankruptcy and the 2003 Big Fire. 

Today, the park is open once more. Thanks to the vision of lifelong mountain community residents Bill and Michelle Johnson, many of the historical buildings have been restored or recreated. While still retaining the retro vibe, SkyPark at Santa's Village, in addition to the added Bike Park, are fully-operational and open to the public. 

The reimagined theme park -- catering to preferences of the new millenium -- has been expanded to include mountain biking and hiking paths, train rides, rock climbing walls, fishing, ziplining, axe throwing, archery, target shooting, roller skating in summer, ice skating in winter, and outdoor entertainment, including a summer adult concert series. There's even a mini mountain bike path for little ones just learning to ride a bicycle. 

Santa's House, SkyPark at Santa's Village

Among the fun year-round activities are cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus; visiting St. Nick and his human, animal and mushroom head helpers at the Santa House; panning for rocks and minerals; and participating in ecological educational programs. 

There are also costumed characters meandering throughout the park during the day, story time and special seasonal family entertainment for children and parents, an on-site pub with draft and IPA bottled beer for the grownups, and affordable kid-friendly food, and much more.

SkyPark Santa's Village Costumed Character

SkyPark Santa's Village Park and Bike Park

With a hat, sunblock, and bottled water, guests can easily spend a full day here, as we did so we could sample both parts of SkyPark Santa's Village: the Park itself and the Bike Park.  In fact, if our personal experience is any indication, one day alone is not nearly enough time if you want to fully enjoy everything both parks have to offer. 

The Park

As you can see from the photos throughout this whirlwind tour of the Park there is so much going on here. So, before the day is over, it's likely everyone in your group will likely have one or more of their own favorite activities. Within the Park, my hubbie loved the rock climbing. With a variety of beginner and more challenging levels to try, I lost count of how many times he climbed to the top of the wall and rang the bell during our media visit.  As for me, I've always wanted to try axe throwing, which was really fun here. I also really enjoyed revisiting the sport of archery which I loved when I was a kid. 

SkyPark Activities for Kids & Grownups

In fact, we both had such a great time here. Actually, my hubbie loved the rock wall so much that just a few weeks later, he went back up to SkyPark, bringing along my daughter and son-in-law. The three of them spent much of a warm summer's day climbing the rock walls (including getting soaked on the waterfall side) as well as trying out the zipline which was closed for repairs during our earlier visit.

The Bike Park

Experiencing the SkyPark Santa's Village park for the first time, BTW, took up most of the day. This left us with just about an hour to explore the SkyPark Bike Park that's also on the same property, thanks to the professional rental mountain bicycles and helmets provided to facilitate our experiential media review. 

The Bike Park -- boasting a variety of riding terrain, from easy to challenging mountain biking trails, ramps and jumps -- is extremely popular with families as well as dare devil mountain bikers. Easily you could while away a full day here while having fun and getting some exercise on more than 20 miles of bike trails winding through the pine-scented forest and mountain landscapes. 

Mommy Blog Expert Test Drives a SkyPark Mountain Bike

The bike trails are well-maintained and groomed daily, even when there's snow on the ground in winter. If you bring your own mountain bicycle, there's no additional cost to use the Bike Park, since it's included with standard SkyPark admission. There's also the option to rent sophisticated mountain bikes with helmets on-site (additional costs vary, depending on equipment chosen) with knowledgable staff to equip you for your ride. 

For sure, my husband and I would both like to return and spend more time on the Bike Park trails and explore more extensively on a future visit. 

Drinks, Food and Shopping

After our initial bike ride was  complete, we enjoyed a short break with a refreshing round of beer on tap at the bike-themed The Pedal Pub, followed by indulging in some Pineapple Dole Whip. We wound down our day in the charming, beautifully curated giftshop where Mrs. Claus was hosting a children's cookie decorating session. 

What an enjoyable and invigorating way to spend a Sunday breathing fresh mountain air in such a beautiful and fun place, before heading back down the hill to Los Angeles to start another work week. Whether you are lucky enough to live in Southern California and are looking for  a fun day roadtrip with the kids, a grownup day trip with friends,  or you're planning a family vacation, there's nothing like a visit to Skypark at Santa's Village any time of year. 

SkyPark at Santa's Village Gift Shop

About SkyPark at Santa's Village

In the San Bernardino Moutains in Skyforest, California, about a two hour drive from Los Angeles, SkyPark at Santa's Village is a unique Southern California outdoor adventure theme park attraction with a retro 1950s - 1960s vibe. Adjoining Santa's Village is the SkyPark Bike Park. Open year round, with day passes, monthly passes and annual passes with access to both parks are offered with discounted pricing for kids ages 4-12. 

Learn all about SkyPark at Santa's Village including checking out their calendar of special seasonal and holiday events throughout the year, a summer concert series, and more by visiting the official site SkyParkSantasVillage.com. Stay up to date on everything SkyPark at Santa's Village-related, as well, by following the park on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. For SkyPark Bike Park specific news, don't miss these social channels dedicated to mountain biking on Facebook and Instagram. 

SkyPark at Santa's Village and SkyPark Bike Park are both located at 28950 California State Highway 18, Skyforest, CA 92385, phone 909-744-9373. Parking is free.

Hanukkah Gingerbread House DIY for Kids

Chanukah

A Fun Jewish Holiday Craft Activity

The family gingerbread recipe I used to make this holiday creation is the same one my grandmother passed down to my mom, who handed it down to me. As a child myself, I have fond memories of decorating gingerbread men with my mother, using festive sprinkles and red hot candies for buttons. When I had children, I decided to put my own signature twist on this old-fashioned tradition. 

This post contains Amazon affiliate links and I receive a bit of compensation, at no extra cost to  readers, when you click on links in this post and make a purchase

Create a New Family Tradition

So, as a mom of four born within one year -- triplets plus one more -- I'm carrying it on, making sure that everyone gets some one-on-one time with me in the kitchen. Certainly, the Hanukkah Gingerbread House pictured in this post, with the ingredients and instructions included, is easy, and fun. What's more is that it has a good chance of bonding the family that works together on building it. 

If you make this with your own family, your kids will likely enjoy it as much as mine have, decorating this extraordinary cookie sculpture as well as breaking it a part with a small hammer when it’s time to serve dessert. But wait – before you let the children demolish this edible holiday craft, be sure to take lots of photos so that you’ll be able to continue enjoying your gingerbread house long after it’s physically eaten and gone.

Chanukah Gingerbread House 
Recipe & Directions

2/3 c. shortening (half margarine)

1-3/4 c. brown sugar

2-3/4 c. molasses

1-1/3 c. cold water

12 c. white flour

4 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1/4 t. black pepper

2 t. allspice

2 t. ginger

2 t. ground cloves

2 t. cinnamon

Assorted kosher sprinkles in blue and white and silver

Candy and food-safe decorations

Royal Icing (recipe below)

Kosher Food Colors

Before beginning, cut out 3 rectangular cardboard templates from a cereal box that will fit together when assembled: front/back, sidewall, and roof to end up with a house with walls that are about 8-10” high.

Cream shortening and dark brown sugar. Then add molasses gradually stirring in water. In separate bowl combine the dry ingredients and then mix together with the wet ingredients. Gather dough into 3 balls and cover with plastic wrap; chill 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350. Dust counter surface or cutting board with flour and, using a rolling pin, roll out balls one at a time to 1/2” thick. Cut out TWO of each of the 3 templates out of the flattened dough and carefully transfer to lightly greased cookie sheets with cookie edges spaced widely enough so they don’t touch while baking. Also, from the dough, cut out the smaller cookie items you’ll be using to accessorize your house. 

I used cookie cutters from a Judaic Cookie Cutter set to create Star of David shapes in graduated sizes as well as cutting out a dog cookie cutter that resembled our pet Boxer. Bake larger house cookie parts for 15-18 mins; bake smaller cookie shapes for 14-16 mins, watching all carefully so they don’t burn. Allow cookies to cool completely on a baking rack before proceeding.

Royal Icing Recipe

While the cookies cool, mix royal icing by combining 10 T. of powdered egg whites or kosher meringue powder mixed w/ a little less than 1 c. water. Gradually, blend in 2 lbs. of confectioners’ sugar and beat for about 10 minutes. Separate icing into smaller bowls, reserving and covering about 1/2 of the white frosting for later with plastic wrap. Color the rest of the icing in each of the small bowls in desired hues and cover to prevent it from drying out.

Now it’s time to assemble your house. Fill individual plastic decorating icing bags with white in one and each of your other color in the others. Using a decorating #2 decorating tip create seams to connect the 4 walls together. Tip: Use a short stack of books or full soda cans to support the house until the icing dries. When it feels stable (about 30-60 mins) you can use the same process to attach the roof.

Here’s the really fun part: decorating your house. You can decorate using anything you want that’s edible in the way of candies and sprinkles and then attaching it with royal icing as the “glue”. You might also want to add some food safe non-edibles, like the dreidels, gold foil covered chocolate coins, and 4 deer cut outs that I used to represent my children. 

Also I used kosher salt to create the effect of sparkling snow and I melted chocolate and poured into candy molds to create the miniature chocolate menorah and the Hebrew chocolate letters over the door spelling out our last name. The sky’s the limit, so use your imagination and personalize it with things that relate to your loved ones and if you have kids, even toddlers, get them involved in some of this DIY crafting with food.

Chocolate Lovers Holiday Gift Guide

Chocolate Gift Ideas

2021 MBE Holiday Gift Guide Series

MBE received products featured, post contains some affiliate links

Imaginative Gifts for Chocolate Enthusiasts

What better gift category to start out this year's holiday gift guide collection than with our favorite finds for presents chocolate fans will most certainly appreciate. After all, just about everyone has a chocolate lover or two on your shopping list this year, right?

Delysia Chocolatier

Looking for high quality, delicious handmade chocolate in beautiful, unique holiday and Christmas designs? The chocolates you see pictured are just the beginning of all the choices available online from this woman-owned business based in Austin, Texas. Check out the complete artisan Holiday Collection from Delysia Chocolatier, a brand we recently showcased as the ultimate Thanksgiving hostess/host gift, for a wonderful assortment of holiday-themed artisan chocolates and more, all beautifully boxed and presented ready for giving this season.

Delysia Chocolatier

Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake Company

Another mouth-watering gifting option that's sure not to disappoint serious chocolate fans is the Brooklyn Blackout 2-Pound Crumb Cake from Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake Company, a startup inspired by simpler times of kids growing up as Baby Boomers on the 1950s stoops of Brooklyn, New York. Reminiscent of the homemade cakes grandma used to make, the Brooklyn Blackout features luscious, plump and fudgy chocolate ganache crumbs topping moist, dark chocolate cake. Like all of Clarkson's bakery treats, these are delivered fresh-baked made with butter, milk, eggs and other natural and preservative-free ingredients. 

Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake Company

John Kelly Chocolates

Back in 2004, two guys named John and Kelly started a small chocolate factory on a quiet street off Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Thanks to hard work and a secret gourmet fudge recipe, John Kelly Chocolates is now an award-winning national brand sold in high-end stores, boutiques and online. From their elegantly boxed Holiday Truffle Fudge Assortment including Dark Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt and Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Caramel with Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt; to my personal favorite Peanut Butter with Himalayan Pink Salt Truffle Fudge Bites; to spicy Dark Chocolate with Chipotle and Habanero Truffle Fudge Bars; to Dark Chocolate Bars in imaginative flavors, John Kelly has something to please every sophisticated chocolate lover's taste buds. KSA-Dairy certified kosher

John Kelly Chocolates

Salivation Snackfoods

Is someone on your list on the keto diet or gluten intolerant? There's no reason they should have to miss out on sweet, chocolatedly goodness during the holiday season. Salivation Snackfoods has just the thing for people like these who want to enjoy Christmas without having to cheat on their diets: delicious keto, gluten-free Dark Chocolate Brownies made with no added sugar and healthy ingredients such as avocado oil, MCT oil, collagen, flax seed, monk fruit and more. With just 3 net carbs each, these heavenly morsels are a dream come true, individually packaged and available in three varieties, including Keto Dark Chocolate, Keto Walnut Chocolate Chip, and Keto Macadamia Nut Brownies. 

Salivation Snackfoods

Tidbits Meringues

Whether eaten directly out of the bag or floated in hot chocolate or coffee, here's a sweet no-guilt snack that might make an inexpensive stocking stuffer or small gift for a friend, co-worker or your child's teacher. Tidbits Meringues are just 1-2 calories each -- depending on the variety -- with the brand offering three lines: regular, keto, and diabetic. For chocolate fans Tidbits flavors include Cookies 'N Cream, Chocolate and Chocolate Mint; they also have super-fun non-chocolate varities like Strawberry, Cotton Candy, Cappuccino, Birthday Cake, and of course good old Vanilla. Whatever flavor you choose, Tidbits products are sugar-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and all made with natural ingredients. 

Tidbits Meringues

Johnson's Popcorn

Send the old-fashion charm of the Jersey Shore in summertime across the miles when you gift that chocolate lover on your holiday gift list with a giant 1-gallon tin of the best-selling Chocolate Drizzle Popcorn from Johnson's Gourmet Popcorn. Since 1940, Johnson's has been one of the most famous boardwalk landmarks in Ocean City, New Jersey. All the brand's popcorn is hand mixed in large copper kettles and is sold in a variety of delicious flavors, tins and plastic bucket sizes. Don't live nearby? With so many popcorns and different packaging options to choose from you'll be glad to have any gifts you order shipped direct to your recipient(s) anywhere in the U.S. or just about anywhere worldwide.

Johnson's Gourmet Popcorn

Novelty Chocolate Items

Last but not least, how about either of these novelty items for the children or kids-at-heart on your gif list? The Handstand Kitchen DIY Hot Cocoa Bombs Kit would be a lot of fun, both to make and to eat. Then there's this culinary riff on the beloved ugly Christmas sweater, the Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Ugly Sweater, OU-Dairy certified kosher. 

I'm a huge chocolate lover myself, so I can imagine how many other like-minded chocolate fans will be thrilled to receive one or more of these delicious gifts. While you're shopping for others, if you love chocolate as much as I do, why not treat yourself to some delicious chocolate too? Happy Shopping!

About MBE's 2021 Holiday Gift Guides

Since there's really no such thing as a single holiday gift guide to suit all people and tastes so MBE is excited to unveil a series of thoughtfully curated specialty gift guides for Holidays 2021. Our Holiday 2021 Gift Guide for Chocolate Lovers is the first in a series of gift guides to make your shopping easier and more fun. Watch for MBE's other specialty gift guides which we'll be publishing throughout the holiday season.

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program without any extra cost to consumers that allows our site to earn a bit of compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Styling Kids for DIY Holiday Photos

Kids Style

Tips to Style a Kids Holiday Smartphone Photo Shoot 

The holidays are upon us. If you're looking for some smartphone tips and inspiration to easily create heirloom-quality images of your kids this season, you've come to the right place. Keep reading, because as you can see from these pictures, a children's photo shoot doesn't require either an expensive hired photographer or fancy camera. All you really need to capture beautiful family portraits like these are a good smartphone, happy kids, an uncluttered background (ideally with natural outdoor lighting), a little parent patience, and several well-made, vintage-style classic coordinating outfits from Feltman Brothers Fall and Winter 2021 children's wear collection.

 

MBE partnered with Feltman Brothers

Good Looking Outfits Key to Great Photos

"From the moment the Striped Knit Set and the Chunky Knit Set styles from Feltman Brothers arrived, I couldn't wait to try these classic and cozy matching outfits you see in this post on my little guys and start snapping some pictures, to share with family and friends," says Rachel Marks, a Southern California boy mom of two including an 8 month-old and a 3-1/2 year-old. 

"I was really looking for some photogenic kids clothing just like this which would be functional and comfortable, as well as stylish," she explains. "In fact, the homemade knit details, quality tailored construction, and classic small details went above and beyond what I was expecting. What's more is the matching styles both my sons photographed even more beautifully than I could have ever imagined.

"The Feltman Bros. classic look, which the company is well-known for, is so refreshing," she continues. "Truly such a nice change from all the contemporary boys' apparel in stores that involves dinosaurs, cars, sharks, trains, or other similar motifs. Beyond just wearing these for matching family pictures, both styles are nice enough to be worn throughout the holiday season.  And what could be more fun and cute than brothers wearing matching outfits, right? 

"Both pieces we received from the brand are cozy, timeless and the fit was generous and ran true to size with a bit of leeway so they can be worn a little longer. Without a doubt, these styles will be well-loved by my boys throughout this fall and winter," Rachel sums up.

Fall and Winter Feltman Brothers Children's Collection

The two outfits above -- which you see the Marks boys modeling above, are available in sizes 3 months to 4T and are made of 100% cotton. These styles are just a glimpse of what's new this season. True to the Feltman Brothers brand, these adorable two-piece sets are designed in classic style in soft pastel colors such as French blue, coral rose, and ivory. Boys and girls styles include scalloped collar knit, rosebud knit, V-shape knit, argyle raised stripe knit, daisy tunic knit and a few holiday designs including a holly knit set and toy soldier cardigan.

More About Feltman Brothers

Founded more than a century ago in 1916, Feltman Brothers is known for their classically-styled, hand-embrodiered and smocked, old-fashioned quality children's wear. From newborns to babies to toddlers a huge range of beautiful styles for boys and girls including 1 piece and 2-piece outfits, children's clothing accessories, christening gowns, baby bonnets, and more is offered. To check out the full collection and keep up to date on what's new at FeltmanBrothers.com visit the brand's site as well as  follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

 

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program without any extra cost to consumers that allows our site to earn a bit of compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Thanksgiving Artisan Chocolatier Review, Giveaway

Thanksgiving

MBE partnered with Delysia Chocolatier for this Review & Giveaway

A Gracious, Unique & Delicious Holiday Gift

Looking for a way to add a touch of elegance to your Thanksgiving entertaining this year?  Perhaps you're searching for a thoughtful, beautiful and memorable seasonal host/hostess thank you gift? Or, though you  may be separated across the miles this holiday, you'd still like to send a sweet present to loved ones to let them know how much you misss them? Delysia's beautiful, hand-made holiday-inspired artistic boxed chocolates would be perfect for any of these Thanksgiving occasions.

Delysia Autumn Harvest Hostess Collection

This beautifully packaged, limited edition 16-piece chocolate truffle red box ($55.95) with white satin ribbon creatively captures everything I love about fall and Thanksgiving. From colorful leaves, cranberries, apples, turkey with stuffing and acorns, to pumpkins and a sense of gratitude for the bounty of food on our table during this time of year, these sweet beauties say it so eloquently.

The extraordinary edible chocolate art collection is wrapped ready for giving making it an gift to give for Thanksgiving. The assortment, which like all Delysia products is made with only finest quality chocolate and ingredients, includes a foursome of truly imaginative truffle flavors you won't find anywhere else.  

Truffle varieties in this gorgeous 16-piece assortment

• 4 Sweet Potato Casserole Chocolate Truffles
• 4 Cranberry Sauce Chocolate Truffles
• 4 Apple Pie Chocolate Truffles
• 4 Caramelized Stuffing Chocolate Truffles

With Delysia handcrafting just 50 boxes for Fall 2021, this limited edition is selling quickly. Order today to get yours before they're all gone.

More Fall, Thanksgiving Chocolate Gifts Available Now 

A wide variety of other Autumn and Thanksgiving-inspired smaller and larger Delysia chocolate gifts and gift sets ($7.95 - $139.95) can be purchased, ready for shipping direct to your gift's recipient or if you are lucky enough to live in the Austin, TX area there's also the option to order, then pickup IRL at the shop. 

From Delysia Handmade Solid Chocolate Pumpkins and Turkeys -- the latter available in Gold, White, Milk or Dark Chocolate flavors -- to various sizes of boxed collections with seasonal truffles and other chocolates and gift items, there is truly something here for every taste and budget.

2021 Delysia Holiday Collection - Time to Pre-order 

Be sure to check out the equally exquisite 2021 Delysia Holiday Collection and order early so you're not disappointed. Among the many beautiful, unique, and delicious gifts you'll discover are the boutique chocolatier's exclusive 25-piece holiday countdown Chocolate Advent Calendar inspired by 25 different countries around the world and their diverse holiday culinary traditions. 

With such beautiful and delicious handcrafted chocolates which double as works of edible art, MBE is excited to be hosting a chocolate lovers giveaway. This time, we've partnered with this fine gourmet brand to offer you the chance to win a Delysia 16-piece Chocolate Truffle Gift Boxed Assortment of your own. 

Read on to find out how to enter this special giveaway...

GIVEAWAY

Delysia Chocolatier

16-piece Truffle Gift Box

MBE Giveaway
on Instagram

Now thru 11/14/21

Thanks to the brand, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win a 16-piece Delysia Chocolate Truffle Gift Box, ARV $59.95. To enter this giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is running, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends November 14, 2021 at 11:59pm EST. Delysia Chocolatier is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

About Delysia Chocolatier

Founded in 2008 by Chef Chocolatier Owner Nicole Patel, who was named 2020's Best Chocolatier in the Americas, Delysia is an award-winning artisan chocolate maker based in Austin, Texas. The company's handmade products are available for domestic U.S. shipment via FedEx, as well as for curbside pickup. For more information on the brand's holiday and year-round sweets and other gift items, how to order online and for local pickup in Austin, visit Delysia.com. You are also invited to keep up with all this gourmet chocolatier's news by following them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.