Festival of the Arts might inspire your child’s creativity
The Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts offers a lot of art and a lot of fun for kids.
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend with your children, you’ll want to drive downtown and let your kids explore their creative sides.
The festival’s not just for children, but there are areas that are dedicated to your child.
For $2 your youngster can participate in hands-on art activities in the Children’s Art Field. And the Young-at-Art Mart is a children-only shopping area with artwork priced no more than $5.
For more information, call (405) 270-4848 or go to the Arts Council of Oklahoma City website.
–Linda Lynn
Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch
Here are a few photos of children enjoying this year’s festival, as well as some of the sights you might see when you go:
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- Comedian, contortionist and daredevil, Al Millar brings his high-energy street performance talents to the 2012 Festival of the Arts He is photographed during one of his three daily performances on Thursday, April 26, 2012. His stage name is the Human Knot. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
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- A man and woman walk through Sculpture Park on the north grounds of 2012 Festival of the Arts on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
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- Devin Smith and her daughter, Catelynn, 8, of Edmond, look an an acrylic painting in the tent of Houston artist Elaine Lanoue at the 2012 Festival of the Arts on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. This is Lanoue’s seventh year to exhibit her paintings in Oklahoma City. Her husband, Guiteau Lanoue, also displays his art at the festival. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
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- Patrice Tucker kisses her niece Jillian Tucker, 1, during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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- Gainsville, Florida digital artist Gregg Billman sorts and catalogs Monday, April 21, 2012 in preparation for the Festival of the Arts starting Tuesday. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
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- Sabrina Smith, 5, and Ajax Haldane, 3, run through a fountain in the Myriad Gardens during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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- Joseph Dover, 4, runs through a fountain in the Myriad Gardens during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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![Oklahoma City Barons mascot Derrick holds a Jumbo Turkey Leg from the Brewer Entertainment, Inc., & [Artspace] at Untitled booth on International Food Row during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman](http://blog.newsok.com/hiccups/files/2012/04/FESTIVAL-OF-THE-ARTS_003-150x150.jpg)
- Oklahoma City Barons mascot Derrick holds a Jumbo Turkey Leg from the Brewer Entertainment, Inc., & [Artspace] at Untitled booth on International Food Row during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
![Oklahoma City Barons mascot Derrick holds a Jumbo Turkey Leg from the Brewer Entertainment, Inc., & [Artspace] at Untitled booth on International Food Row during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman](http://blog.newsok.com/hiccups/files/2012/04/FESTIVAL-OF-THE-ARTS_003.jpg)
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- Strawberries Newport at the Strawberries Newport & Science Museum Oklahoma booth on International Food Row during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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- Kinetic sculpture by Andrew Carson during opening day of the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City TUesday, April 24, 2012. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
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- Kinetic sculpture by Andrew Carson during opening day of the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City TUesday, April 24, 2012. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
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- Paula Vallera, of Mustang, looks at the colorful shoes of artists Mark and Judy Carter from Prescott, Arizona during opening day of the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City TUesday, April 24, 2012. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
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- Nichols Hills Varsity Choir sings during opening day of the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City Tuesday, April 24, 2012. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
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- Mekhia Chandler, 8, a third-grader in the Nichols Hills Varsity Choir sings during opening day of the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City Tuesday, April 24, 2012. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Zoo plans fun programs for kids, families
Education programs abound at the Oklahoma City Zoo. And as a Zoo Friends member, I enjoy as much of these with my 4-year-old as I can. It’s a great perk for members and nonmembers alike so get ready for some fall fun with the kids!
Toddler and preschooler programs include a live animal presentation, craft, story time, songs and more. Classes are 10 to 11 a.m. and cost $12 for a child with adult Zoo Friends member, or $15 for child with adult nonmember. Additional fees apply for siblings.
Classes are:
Age 2: Mother Goose, Sept. 2 or 4
Age 3: R is for Rhino, Aug. 19 or 21
S is for Sea Lion, Sept. 16 or 18
Ages 4-5: Flying High, Aug. 28
Billy Goats Gruff, Sept. 25
School’s Out Safari Day Camps
If you would like somewhere fun and educational your child can enjoy during fall break or other fall days off from school, the zoo has you covered. Classes are for ages 4-12 and meet from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the zoo’s Education Building. Cost per day is $30 per child, siblings $20 each. Advance registration and payment are required, and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Snacks will be provided, but children must bring their own lunch.
Dates are: Sept. 6, 7 and 24 and Oct. 21 and 22.
Family program
An upcoming family program is “Sink Your Teeth into Sharks!” and is Aug. 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. Your family can learn all about the world of sharks. Adults are free with paid child registration. Cost per child is $15 for zoo members, $18 for nonmembers. Program is for children ages 4-12.
Zoo art
Have any little artists in your family? Then come join local artist Lance Kelly and learn to draw animals. Basic drawing concepts are reviewed, followed by live sketching of zoo animals. Class meets in the education building and is $20 per class for one person, $5 for each additional family member. Classes are for ages 7 and older and meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Class dates and animal topics are:
Sept. 25: Grizzly Bear
Oct. 23: Bison
Nov. 13, Turkey
For more information or to register for any of these programs, go to okczoo.recware.com or call 425-0218.
-Erica Smith
Camps for preschoolers
If you’re like me, you may be trying to find somewhere to put your preschooler this summer if their day care is closed for a week or you have a sitter going on summer vacation. Believe it or not, there are actually some pretty interesting camp options for the 3- to 4-year-old set.
Here are some of the camps being offered this summer (costs vary-click on websites or call for more information):
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, Oklahoma City
606-7003
Dates: June 1 – Aug. 13
Preschoolers travel through time and learn performing arts basics. Camps conclude with a performance. Other camps available for up to age 12.
oklahomachildrenstheatre.org
Casady School Summer by the Lake, Oklahoma City
749-3192
Dates: June 7 – Aug. 13
Over 100 programs are available from pre-K to high school.
casady.org
Fine Arts Institute of Edmond
340-4481
Dates: June 7-Aug. 13
All types of artistic camp classes for age 2 through 8th grade.
edmondfinearts.com
Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City
425-0218
Dates: June 7-Aug. 6
43 themed camps offered for ages 4 to 15.
zoofieldtrips.com
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Norman
325-4712
Dates: June 7 – Aug. 6
Summer Explorers program is for ages 4 to 14.
snomnh.ou.edu
Ginger’s Kindermusik, Oklahoma City
722-2379
Dates: June 21-25 or July 19-23
Themed camps for children from birth to age 7 and piano keyboard camps for ages 7-8.
gingerskindermusik.com
Mad Science of Central Oklahoma, various locations
285-9643
Dates: June 21 – Aug. 6
Camps for kids age 4 to 12 include Secret Agent Lab, Science AdventureQuest and Little Agents Academy.
madscience.org/okc
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
236-3100
Dates: June 1 – Aug. 6
Themed camps for ages 4 to 16 focus on permanent exhibits and special exhibits.
okcmoa.com
Heritage Hall Day Camp, Oklahoma City
749-3002
Dates: June 1-July 23
Camps for ages 3 and older include enrichment, creativity, technology and sports options.
www.heritagehall.com
Victory School of the Arts, Warr Acres
440-2186
Dates: June 21 – Aug. 7
Classes offered for age 3 and older in all types of dance, tumbling and guitar.
victorydance.tv
Unpluggits Playstudio, Edmond
340-7584
Dates: June and July
Camp sessions have a superhero or dinosaur theme.
unpluggits.com
If you know of any other fun summer camps available for preschoolers, comment here or email me.
Happy camping!
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Kids can honor a hero
By now, you’ve probably heard about the amazing ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ – and how U.S. Airways pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III made an incredible split-second decision to land the plane into the Hudson River, saving all 155 on board.
In New York City, a kids’ group called KidCity started a project to thank the hero they say saved not only his crew and passengers, but quite possibly many more people on the ground. Kids are honoring the pilot by sending him artwork, photos, drawings, and more. They are compiling the art and including a gift to present to “Sully.”
Even though this project is based out of New York City, I am sure his efforts are appreciated across the country. Kids here in Oklahoma can contribute to this project by sending cards, artwork, photos, or anything else to honor the pilot to:
Sam Chapnick
300 W. 55th St.#15A
New York, NY 10019
What a great way to say “Thank you for a job well done.”
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III
~Erica Smith
