Natatorium in Allen, TX

The Natatorium in Allen is a great place to swim without having to worry about putting on sunscreen.  The pool starts at 0 depth, so it is even a pool I would take a baby to.  There are plenty of pulleys and water gadgets for the kids to play with as well as slides. 

You can not bring any floats into the pool with you, but they do have life vests available for use.  Children 7 and under must have an adult in the water with them at all times, and there must be no more than 3 children under 7 years old per adult. 

This pool is always very clean.  There are lockers, changing rooms and showers available.  There is no outside dirt or leaves floating in the water. 

The one thing that I do not like about this pool is that it doesn't open until 1pm. 

Cost:

Adults: $5

Children 3-17: $4

Children under 3: FREE!

You can check out the web-site here: Natatorium

Krispy Kreme in Dallas, TX

We took a trip to the Krispy Kreme store to get a peek at how donuts are made.  They have a glass screened production line that gives you a behind the scenes look.  It was interesting to watch.  I am not a Krispy Kreme donut fan because they are too sweet for me, but I know a lot of people who love them.  You can stop by just to see the process, or you can pick up some donuts as well depending on your tastes.  There are a few locations, so check the web-site for the one nearest you.  Make a field trip out of it, and study donut making before or after you go.

Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX

Great Wolf Lodge is by far the best place I have ever spent the night!  I am not sure if a small post is sufficient to describe just how and why I feel this way, but I am going to make an attempt.

Reason #1: MagiQuest is the ultimate family togetherness game!  We spent hours on our quest through the lodge searching for clues with our wand.  We completed our quest before we left on the 3rd day of our visit, and we felt fulfilled.  We plan to go back soon to attempt another quest.  It is so much fun!  (You can do a quest without spending the night at the lodge, by the way)

Reason #2: We never had to leave the lodge for anything.  There was plenty to do every day.  The Cub Club has daily activities for the family including bingo.  Kids can, also, color a picture, color a shirt, play in a play house, play games on the computer, or read a nature book. 

At night, there was story time, and the girls loved going down in their pj's.  We went to every story time and soaked up all of the entertainment. 

Reason #3: They have a full scale water park that includes indoor and outdoor activities.  We did as much swimming as we could during the day and saved the MagiQuest and story time for evening time. 

Reason #4: It is close to home!  A vacation close to home is great!!  No long drive or huge gasoline bill. 

We did not do the Wolf Walk.  This takes place early in the morning.  Since we stayed up late playing MagiQuest every night, we did not get up early enough for the walk. 

There is a spa as well, so you can pamper yourself while you are there.  We were not in the market to spend that kind of extra money, but it would have been nice to get a massage while we were there. 

There are other entertainment options such as an arcade, a Starbucks, shops and a Build A Bear station. 

Like I said in the beginning, you never have to leave the lodge for anything.  There are plenty of restaurants to choose from... And if you get tired of what the lodge has to offer, there are several things to do and things to eat just down the street at Grapevine Mills Mall. 

I hope we get a chance to stay at GWL again.  We all had a great time, and we can't wait to go back! 

Home Depot Kids Workshop in Any Town, TX

This pencil case above was made and painted by Morgan at Home Depot. The girls always have so much fun building their wood objects using a small hammer and nails.  Then, the store lets them paint them and put on stickers.

Home Depot offers free classes for children the first Saturday of every month at 9am.  Every Saturday they make something different.  This Saturday they will be making an organizer for Father's Day.  You can find a store near you and what project they will be making on their web-site here: Workshop

Cost: FREE!

Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, TX

There is so much to see and do at the Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas. If you want to take it all in, you really need to make more than one visit.

Right now through September 16, they have the Planet Shark which is a full exhibit of shark facts and findings. I printed off the educational material that you can find on their web-site about sharks, and used that to teach my kids as we went through the exhibit.

Another cool exhibit they have going on right now is the Magic School Bus exhibit. This is an exhibit based on the book series. This exhibit focuses on weather and meteorology. A story on weather will be read once a month on Saturdays starting at 10:30am. The next reading will be June 23.

The Dino Dig is always a big hit with all of the kids. It is an over-sized sand box full of fossils to discover. There are brushes and pans to help the kids get the job done.

This museum has a planetarium and an IMAX theater. The showings change every few months, so check their web-site to see what is showing on the day you plan to go.

Cost:

The cost varies so much that I will direct you to their cost table here

Don't forget to enter to win 2 general admission tickets to the museum here! 

End of the Month Giveaway #1

Welcome to our first-ever giveaway for North Texas Activities!!  I am so excited to be able to offer tickets to the Dallas Museum of Science and Nature!!  This is the museum that is in Fair Park.  I will be blogging about the museum tomorrow...

In the meantime, we are going to have a little fun!  I am offering 2 general admission tickets to the museum (a $20 value).  One lucky winner will be drawn from Rafflecopter on May 31.  That means you have from now until May 30 to rack up your entries!  You can receive 5 entries per day for a total of 25 entries, plus one extra entry for signing up to follow the blog. 

To enter the Giveaway, simply click on this link a Rafflecopter giveaway Good Luck!!

The Splash in Sherman, TX

Today is the opening day of the Splash in Sherman!  I am so glad the pools are finally opening back up!  Texas is hot, so you will love this activity. 

I will be posting several water activity options over the next month or so, but this one is one of my favorite places to go.  It is perfect if you have little children because there is a zero-depth entry where they can safely step into the water with ease.  There is a small slide there for the little ones, as well.  Life jackets are free to use, so take advantage of that option if you need it. 

The pool starts at zero-depth and goes to 3 feet.  Then, there is a deeper end where the slides are including a drop slide and two longer swirling slides.  There is a diving board and a lazy river.  Umbrellas and chairs abound, but get there early to stake your claim.  There are lockers available to rent if you need to stow valuables. 

Price:

Adult 16 & up: $4

Children 3-15: $3

Children 2 and under: FREE 

Visit the web-site: The Splash

Watter's Creek in Allen, TX

Watter's Creek is a neighborhood/ shopping center/ park in Allen.  There are trails you can walk and do window shopping or do the real shopping with a very nice view.  There are gliders that you can sit and relax in, if you happen to wear yourself out. 

There are plenty of restaurants to stop at for a bite to eat as well. 

It is really pretty in the evening time, and there are often musical events scheduled.  Tonight at 7pm, a group called Falling Sideways will be performing at the creek.

Free movies are shown once a month, including one coming up Saturday May 26.  "You've Got Mail" will be playing. 

Yes, there is always something great happening at Watter's Creek, so check it out this week! 

Hollie Cavanagh Concert in McKinney.TX

American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh will be returning to McKinney this weekend! To celebrate her return, the city will be having a parade in historic downtown McKinney. Immediately following the parade, Hollie will perform a few of the songs she sang on American Idol. The celebration starts at 10:00 am this Saturday May 26.

Cinemark Movies 10 in Plano, TX

Back when I was a young girl (30 years ago), we had a $1 movie theater across the street from us.  It was exciting to be able to go to the movies for a buck.  Even if the movies have been out for a few months, there is just something exciting about taking your family to the movie theater.

Now, 30 years later, the theater is no longer open, but there is still a discounted theater in Plano.  It is not exactly $1.  It depends on the time of day that you go, but the price varied for 75 cents to $1.50.  3D movies cost extra. 

I love Cinemark because of the good ticket prices and the e-mail program.  You can go to their web-site and sign up for their e-mails.  If you do so, you will receive weekly discounts on concession items.  They are really good deals, too!!  Totally worth it!

Cost:

Price Range: $1.00 - $1.50

Tuesdays: 75 cents!

See what's playing at the theater now, and sign up for free concession items here: Movies 10

Celebration Splash Park in Allen, TX

With temperatures in the 90's, it is definitely time to get wet!  Beat the heat at Celebration Park in Allen.  This is the largest splash pad I have ever seen.  There are dumping buckets, shooters, and sprinklers.  You will get soaked for sure! 

It is open from 9am to 9pm but closed on Wednesdays.  We have stopped by on a Wednesday before and found out the hard way, so just know that there is no water on that day. 

There are shade trees on the grass and covered areas with tables.  All of these spaces get filled up quickly, so plan accordingly.  You may find yourself without a seat.  We bring a picnic blanket just in case. 

Cost: FREE!

For more information about the park, visit the web-site at: Celebration Park

Lowes Build and Grow in Any Town, TX

Lowe's has an awesome program for children.  They offer wood working kits that include the apron, wood, nails and stickers.  At our Lowe's, they have picnic tables inside the store for the children and their parents to work on.  Every child gets a hammer to borrow as well. 

These projects are always a lot of fun, and it teaches the kids to put things together following directions.  The other aspect of this program that I love is that the kids get patches for each event.  The patches can be sewn on to the apron or on to some other program sash or vest.  My girls put them on their Girl Scout vests. 

Cost: FREE!

You can find the store closest to you and when the next event will be by visiting their web-site here: Build and Grow

Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine, TX

Tucked in a space at Grapevine Mills Mall, you will find Sea Life.  Stop for a visit, and you will be surprised at how much they were able to put into that space.  This aquarium is packed with sea creatures including sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, turtles, seahorses, eels, clown fish, and more!  After our visit they added an octopus.

If you want to learn something while you are there, you have several opportunities.  There are talks and feedings at regular intervals, so make sure to pick up a schedule when you arrive.  You can, also, hold a starfish or hermit crab in the rock pool.  We watched a film about conservation there on the upper level.  For a little extra money, you can take a behind the scenes look at the feeding and care of the animals.

Our favorite part was the 360 degree tunnel.  We stood in there watching the turtle, rays, sharks, and fish swimming for a long time. 

Overall, we had a great time, and I feel like we went away with a little more knowledge.  The staff was completely attentive and ready to teach us what they knew.  We stayed for about 4 hours, and we definitely got our money's worth.   

Cost:

Adults age 13 and up: $20.56

Children age 3 to 12: $16.24

Online Adult age 13 and up: $15.43

Online Child age 3 to 12: $12.18

After 5pm for everyone: $13.53

Behind the Scenes Adult: $5

Behind the Scenes Child: $4

Follow Us!

This blog has only just hatched, so there are not many activities on here yet.  However, there are a bunch to be released still!!  In addition, we will be featuring freebies and giveaways!!  Please follow us using the links on the right hand side of the blog so that you will be the first to know about the upcoming events. 

Make sure to leave feedback after your visit, so that everyone can benefit from your experience as well.  If you have had a good experience at a location or event that I have not posted about yet, let me know.  I would love to hear from you!  I am hoping everyone will benefit from this blog and get good quality time with their families. 

National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX

For all things cowgirl, you have to visit the Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth.  There is nothing like it that I have ever seen.  The whole building is packed with history and facts about the American cowgirl.  You will be in cowgirl heaven! 

The things that I found most interesting were the old t.v., the jukeboxes with songs from the past, the black and white movie, and the jewel covered cowgirl saddles.  The girls liked the bucking horse they got to ride.

The best time to visit the Cowgirl Museum is during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.  If you visit during January or February, you can get in free to this museum with the purchase of the stock show ticket!!

Price:

Adult: $10

Child 3-12: $8

Child under 3: FREE

*Get 1/2 price admission to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History with paid admission to the Cowgirl Museum

*Get free admission with the purchase of FW Stock Show paid admission!

Sharkarosa in Pilot Point, TX

Sharkarosa is a zoo in Denton County.  It is open to the public only on the weekends March to November.  It is open on other days for groups.  We went on home school day, and there will be a 2012 home school day announced later this year. 

There are about 150 animals living at the zoo including camels, kangaroos, lemurs, zebras, monkeys, deer, etc.  Some of the animals are outside of their cages.  The baby camel, for example, was walking the premises when we were there.  We had several opportunities to pet him.

There is a 40 minute tram ride that you can take.  If you plan to take the tram, you need to get to the zoo early.  The line forms quickly.  The last tram leaves at 4pm, so plan accordingly. 

For the kids, there is the bucket train to ride.  The ride lasts about 3 minutes, and they go in a circle.  The kids LOVE this ride!  We were there on home school day, like I mentioned, so we had a long line to wait in to ride the bucket train.  Luckily, each ride only lasted 3 minutes, so the line went rather quickly. 

We watched a few presentations while we were there.  Our favorite presentation was the kangaroos.  We got to see them hop around and saw some recently born joeys.  The zoo keeper showed us how the joey gravitates to a pocket for comfort.  It was really interesting.

Tickets are:

Adults: $10

Children 3-12 years: $8

Children under 3 are free

A season pass for a family of 4 is $90

(home school day and other group events have discounted admission)

For more information, visit their web-site here:  Sharkarosa

American Girl in Dallas, TX

If you are a mother to a little girl, chances are you know what American Girl is.  Just in case you do not know what American Girl is, I will fill you in.  American Girl is best known for its line of dolls.  With the dolls come a bunch of doll accessories, furniture, books, etc. 

The American Girl store in Dallas is a girl's dream come true!  The store has everything a baby doll could need including matching girl and doll outfits.  There is a salon upstairs where girls can take their doll to get their hair brushed and styled.  You may even stop by for lunch or dinner at their restaurant where your daughter can dine with her American Girl doll. 

Now, here is a little known secret, periodically, American Girl hosts events for the girls to engage in with the AG characters.  Many times the events are historical and educational when they focus on the historical dolls.  I made this post today to let you know about an event that is coming up tomorrow.  Tomorrow's event will focus on Kit and the 1930's.  It starts at 3:00pm with a craft and scavenger hunt and ends at 5:30pm.  Starting at 5:30pm, you may extend your American Girl experience with a celebration that includes food and take home items including a book.  The event at 5:30pm, is $27 per child and requires a reservation, but the events before 5:30pm are all free! 

To learn more about American Girl, please visit their web-site: American Girl You will find more events there as well.  Enjoy!

Towne Lake in McKinney, TX

Playground above and in the photo below, you can see the paddle boats in the far background

This 22 acre lake in McKinney is the perfect place to go if you want to relax.  The scenery is breath-taking, and the air is peaceful.  Visitors to the park can be seen relaxing on a blanket in the shade of an old tree, or having a picnic on one of the picnic tables there.  There are even pavillions, if you need a place for a group. 

There is a paved trail that travels the length of the lake that is great for walking the dog, riding bikes, inline skating, or just going for a scenic stroll.

We like it here because there are ducks, geese, and seagulls to feed.  A word of caution, though, do not get too close to the geese because they are aggressive. 

On the back side of the lake, there is a playground with slides, swings, and bars.  There are restrooms on that side as well. 

If you like to fish, fishing is available as well.  I have seen several people fishing while we were there, though I have never seen them catch anything. 

You can rent a paddleboat swan and paddle around the lake on the weekends.  We have never done this, but if taking a paddleboat for a spin is what you would like to do, give them a call at 972-542-4865. 

All in all, we have a relaxing time every time we visit the lake, so we enjoy going regularly.  The physical address to the lake is 1405 Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney, TX. 

GattiTown in Frisco, TX

If you are looking for a few hours of food and fun with the kids, GattiTown is the place for you! 

You have to buy a buffet to get in, but if you are looking for a bargain, go on Monday.  Monday, moms eat free with the purchase of a child meal!  Included in the buffet is:

*pizza

*salad

*fruit

*pasta (mac & cheese for the kids)

*dessert

While you eat, you can watch a movie.  They always have a children's movie playing, and in another room there is sports.

After eating, you can hit the arcade which is full of games and rides.  You have to purchase a game card to use on them, and the games cost anywhere from 25 cents to over $3.  Some games are just for fun, others you can win a prize immediately.  Still other games you accumulate points and turn the points in for prizes.  If your kids are looking for amusement park rides, they have bumper cars, a carousel, and a pirate ship.  There is, also, a mini bowling alley for bowling enthusiats.   

Overall, this is a fun place for the kids.  Plan to spend a few hours.  Depending on your arcade spending habits, you will need to plan accordingly for money.  When we went, there were 8 of us (2 adults and 6 kids).  We are both mothers and we went on Monday, so we got in free.  One of the kids is under 2 years old, so he was free as well.  That left only 5 people to pay for.  This is what we paid:

3 kids x $14.99 (this is $4,99 for the buffet and a $10 credit in the arcade for each)

2 kids x $5.69

Total: $56.38

Broken down and divided out, it cost $7 per person for all you can eat food and $30 worth of arcade fun. 

Check out their web-site here: GattiTown

The Village Depot in Allen, TX

There are 5 little buildings for children to explore, and a maze to find their way through!

A real train caboose is open for exploring and can even be rented for parties.

This play area is in the parking lot of The Village on the Allen side (southeast side of US75 and Stacy Road).  Here are some of the fun things inside the gates of this play area:

*Little buildings for the kids to play in including a bank, train depot, etc. 

*A (fake) grass maze to get lost in.

*A caboose with toys inside to play with.

*picnic tables with umbrellas

*park benches

Cost: FREE!

This is the perfect play area to stop when you are out doing errands and need a break.  The kids can get their energy out, and you can sit down.  There are a lot of shops in the area such as Super Target, Dollar Tree, Best Buy, etc.  Restaurants are all over this area including Uncle Julio's.

For more information about the Village Depot, visit the web-site here: web-site