Summer Adventure Expo coming to OKC
Ready to get some new ideas for summer fun? Then head down to the Sheraton Hotel downtown from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, for the annual Oklahoma Summer Adventure Expo.
There will be engaging hands-on activities for kids, visits from Rumble the Thunder mascot and the Thunder Girls, door prizes, discounts from vendors, a performance by the Sugar Free All Stars, and plenty more to see and do. The entertainment stage schedule will be posted on the site soon.
For more information, click here.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Learn how to be an early childhood leader
The Oklahoma City-County Health Department is beginning an Early Childhood Leadership Institute on April 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.
According to their Web site, if you have ideas about what our community needs to be a better place for families or want to learn more about why the early years matter and what you can do to help, then this just might be perfect for you.
It meets for 5 evenings, from April 1 to May 13. Free child care is provided as well as dinner.
For more information, call Smart Start Central Oklahoma at 523-3519 or click here.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Need a little adventure?
Then how about a mountain adventure? For kids a little bit older (my 3-year-old is probably still too young) there is an area to go mountain climbing that’s easy and fun for families.
Check out this blog if you are up for hitting the trails:
http://blog.newsok.com/outthere/2010/03/23/elk-mountain-an-achievable-adventure-for-most/
If you’d rather save your adventures for the movie theater, then you might want to catch a showing of “How to Train Your Dragon.” Our reviewer says it is one of Dreamworks Animation’s best films, and she gives it 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.
Read the full review here:
http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/2010/03/26/movie-review-how-to-train-your-dragon/
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Free Easter bunny pics and more
Bass Pro Shops is offering Easter fun for children this year. Kids can do free crafts, such as sun catchers and Easter decorations this weekend and next (March 27-28 and April 3-4), beginning at noon, while supplies last. And from 2 to 3 p.m. (same days) there will be an Easter egg hunt at the store for kids age 8 and younger.
Also, children can get a free picture taken with the Easter bunny. Instead of dropping big bucks at the mall this year, get a free 4X6. Pictures will be taken 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and 6 to 8 p.m. on weekdays from March 27 through April 4.
For more information, click here.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Three deaths prompt recall of baby slings
One million baby slings made by Infantino have been recalled following the deaths of 3 infants in 2009. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has stated that there is a danger of suffocation with use of these baby slings in children younger than 4 months old.
These recalled slings have been sold in the U.S. and Canada from January 2003 to March of this year. Stores carrying the slings included Walmart, Target, Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory and on the Web at Amazon.com.
I had this exact sling when my son was born. But I had to return it because he was too big to fit inside without it straining my neck. If you have this sling, or know someone who does, don’t take any chances. Contact Infantino to get a free replacement product, like an activity gym or shopping cart cover (which I personally recommend and still use!). Go to www.infantino.com to get replacement information.
For complete recall information, click here.
-Erica Smith
Children’s Zoo is now open
We’ve been patiently waiting for more than two years. We’ve seen the signs change … “Children’s Zoo coming in Fall of 2009.” “Children’s Zoo coming in Spring of 2010.”
Friday, March 12, that day finally came. The Oklahoma City Zoo opened their new Children’s Zoo, located on the zoo grounds.
First tip: Do not try to find an entrance near the Canopy Food Court. You will have to come all the way back to the main entrance to take the route to the right down to that area.
Second tip: When you find yourself just inside the Children’s Zoo, be sure to duck down before entering the tunnels. They are made for the kiddos, so don’t hit your head. There are some neat things to check out in the tunnels. Bugs, scorpions, other creepy-crawlies, so don’t miss them. When you come out on the other side, there is a big slide for the kids and a path to come up to everything else.
The best part: the Barnyard. Although you only get to really pet the donkeys the zoo staff brings out, seeing the other animals up close is fun for the kids. Children get to brush the donkeys outside of the barn and go inside to see the bunnies, goats, sheep and hogs. If your children are really small, you may have to lift them up to get a good look at the animals.
A really neat exhibit is Explorikeet Adventure. You enter in a little area where lorikeets are flying around, landing on your arm, your head, everywhere. My son, who is 3, was a little scared but thought it was hilarious when I bent down to talk to him and all of sudden I had a bird on my head and one on my back.
Third tip: Don’t stand directly under the lorikeet tree. They tend to poop … a lot. And they’re not looking at where it’s going to land.
All in all, the new Children’s Zoo is a lot of fun, especially for younger kids. They’ll have a blast, guaranteed.
And while you’re at the zoo, be sure to check out the very cute, 2-month-old baby giraffe.
For more information, go to www.okczoo.com.
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- Kids love the double slide at the new Children’s Zoo.
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- Donkeys are brought out for the kids to pet and brush.
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- The baby goats, all named after Oklahoma cities and towns.
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- The Explorikeet Adventure is fun for everyone.
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- Monkeys are resting inside the Children’s Zoo.
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- Get up close with the flamingos.
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- The zoo has a baby giraffe.
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- The 2-month-old baby giraffe at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Be on alert for RSV illness – Virus can affect little children and adults
When my son’s daycare posted a note that two children had been diagnosed with RSV, I wasn’t concerned about him catching the illness.
I had always thought the virus was only an illness babies contracted, not children as old as my 4-year-old.
In reality, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) can affect babies through adults. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), RSV is a “respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages.” Healthy people can recover within one to two weeks, but some babies, young children and even adults can have more severe reactions to the virus.
When my youngest daughter had RSV as a baby, we were lucky she didn’t have to be hospitalized, but I remember sitting and holding her, counting how many breaths she was taking per minute. Her pediatrician had told me it would be dangerous for her to take more than 60 breaths a minute. So, I sat in the rocking chair, staring at her, focusing on every breath and counting …. 50 … 55 … 60 …. 50. It was nerve-racking.
My 4-year-old’s symptoms started Sunday: Crying, loss of appetite, 101-degree temperature, extreme sinus drainage. Today, his temperature has decreased, and though he is not his usual rowdy self, he is feeling better.
For more information about symptoms and treatment, go to the CDC Web site.
–Linda Lynn
