The Beach in Little Elm

If you can't make it to a real beach this summer, the beach at Little Elm is a good replacement. It is part of Lake Lewisville and off of El Dorado Parkway.  

The beach is similar to the ones attached to an ocean.  The ocean is 6 hours away from us.  While I love the ocean with it's salt water and waves, the beach in Little Elm is great for a stay-cation.  We always bring our sand toys like shovels, buckets, castle molds, boats, cars, and rakes.  Snacks and drinks are part of our cargo, but there is a mini cafe on-site should you choose to purchase snacks or drinks.  

In addition to this great swimming area, there is a large playground close by as well as a volleyball court.

Cost:

FREE!

Chuck E Cheese's in Allen, TX

If you have a child, 9 times out of 10 you have heard of Chuck E Cheese's.  I have taken my kids there countless times.  However, hopefully, you will learn something new today.  Chuck E. Cheese's offers a reward program for kids to earn free tokens.  If you need a motivator/a bribe to get your child to do something right/good, then check this out.  

There are 15 different calendars and 5 different awards to use.  Kids get 10 free tokens for completing 2 weeks.  They can be awarded for good behavior, reading, chores, homework, etc.  Every child in the family can use one and get free tokens, but only one calendar per child per day.  Here is the link to the calendars and awards. 

Every now and then, I need a little something to get my girls motivated to do things.  It is nice to have these as an incentive.  

Cost:

FREE!

Safari Park in Plano, TX

Safari Park is a place to play indoors in Plano for ages 1-10 years old.  I want to show you what all there is to do at this play place, but at the same time let you know what to expect when you are there.  

There are several things for the children to do including miniature golf, riding a train in a circle, riding mechanical animals, playing on play structures, ceramic painting and bear factory.  Most of these activities are most enjoyable for the children under 5.  

We have been here twice, and we have been disappointed both times.  The staff needs customer service and other training.  The staff is not happy to take your child on any of the rides.  They are hard to find in between times of rides for purchasing something from the cafe or for admittance.  Basically, once you get inside, you are on your own... But, you need the staff to do the train, robotic animals, ceramics, and bear factory.  

Special advisement: Children over 10 are not allowed to play or participate in any of the activities.  

This place is, also, over-priced in my opinion.  I will get to that now.  

Price: $9.99-$29.99 depending on which package you want

adults are $1 each

Cottonwood Park in Richardson, TX

If you are in the Richardson area, you may want to stop by this updated park.  It is close to Belt Line and Coit in West Richardson.  When I was younger, I lived close to this park, but it has improved in the last 10 years.  A small pond with ducks and geese have been added.  There are play areas, picnic areas, bridges, tennis court, and during the summer a public pool is open.  This park is relaxing, and we had fun watching the ducks interact with each other.

Cost: FREE!

Bubble Lady in Frisco. TX

The Frisco Library is offering a free Summer event for children in kindergarten through 5th grade (an adult must accompany the child, and this means that younger and older children may come with as well). Tomorrow, Monday July 9th, they will have Bubble Lady. Come early to get a ticket. Tickets are available starting at 10:00am, and they do go fast. The event will run all day with 4 separate sessions available to fit every child in to the event. The first showing is at 10:30am and the 12:30pm. The last two showings are at 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

Cost:

FREE!

Christ Fellowship Vacation Bible School in McKinney, TX

One of the most exciting events at summertime is VBS.  Christ Fellowship is holding their VBS this week, and there is still time to register.  The theme for this year is "Operation Overboard".  The kids will learn about God and the underwater universe. 

By the end of the week, the kids will have learned to:

Depend on God

Dare to Care

Claim Jesus

Choose to Follow

Change the World

This year's VBS is divided into age groups so that the church does not become overly crowded.  Preschoolers and those entering kindergarten this year will go in the morning from 9am to 11am.  Children entering 1st grade through 6th grade will go from 6pm to 9pm.  Both groups start Monday and go through Thursday (July 23 to July 26).  Online registration is closed, so just show up a little early on Monday to get registered. 

Cost:

FREE!

Half-Price Books Reading Program in Any Town, TX

Looking for a way to keep your kids learning this summer?  Half Price Books has a reading program for the summer that should keep the kids reaching for book after book.  For the month of July, your child can get a $5 store credit just for reading 10 books.  This is the perfect way to motivate them!  You can pick up a reading log from any Half Price Books locations, or you can print one directly from their web-site.