My favorite is their Christmas Wonderland. They pack December full of free crafts, fun displays, games and a FREE studio-quality 4 X 6 photo with Santa.  So skip the expensive mall Santa photos and head down to Bass Pro.

Crafts are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. (while supplies last) and include:

Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 4 & 5:  Snowman Suncatcher ornament
Dec. 7 – 9, 11 & 12: Wooden ornaments
Dec. 14 – 16, 18 & 19: Reindeer ornaments
Dec. 21-23: Cookie decorating

From now through Dec. 12, Santa photos are  5 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

From Dec. 13 to Dec. 24, photo hours are extended to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays and Christmas Eve.

All games and activities are available during store hours.  These include toy trains, slot car racing, laser and soft gun arcades, remote control trucks and video games.

Also, this year, Bass Pro is giving away free “Santa Bandz” to the first 150 children on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m.  Bandz are different each week.

For more information about Santa’s Wonderland, click here.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

I  know, I know. It’s the safest form of travel. You can spout off statistics all day long and I still won’t board a plane. Call me crazy. Especially when you hear that I drove, (yes, drove) to Connecticut, which is about 1600 miles from Oklahoma City … with a 4-year-old.  Yep, that’s me, the crazy lady.  

But to be honest, it was amazing.  The drive was long, but my son was terrific on the drive up and back.  Thank goodness for car DVD players! It took us about 2 1/2 days each way and we were able to stop at some fun spots along the way,  such as the Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Mo., and the Ohio State Fair on the way back. The Great American Road Trip. That’s what we were on.

The best part, though, was going home.  Seeing all my family, some dear friends, including a girl I’ve known since I was 5, and even Simba the family cat.  It was a two-week whirlwind.  Trips to museums, the beaches, and of course, New York City.  My son was in heaven when he stepped foot into the largest Toys R Us – the one in Times Square.  He got to meet his heroes, Iron Man and Spider-Man.  It doesn’t get any better than that for a 4-year-old boy.  And the train ride back to Connecticut to boot.  He was in awe. 

Seeing his Gwennie (his grandma) and grandpa, his Uncle Will and great-grandparents was such a treat.  They spoil him and he knows it.  Family friends were calling day and night, wanting to catch a visit with us. With some, we could fit it in, with others, we just couldn’t make it this trip.

Now, I’m back in Oklahoma and find myself missing home. I may sound like Dorothy, but there really is no place like home and no one like family and lifelong friends. I know I won’t be able to wait another 4 years to go back, airplane or not.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

From noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, through July 11, children and adults alike can attend seminars on archery, bird watching, plants & insects, camping basics, animal identification, hiking basics, pet safety, fishing basics and shooting basics.   And for every workshop you attend, you earn a pin.

There are also craft sessions for children on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 p.m.   They include:

Paint a Wiggle Fish: June 22 and 24

Make  a Camping Photo Frame: June 26-27, 29 and July 1

Paint an Animal Track: July 3-4, 6 and 8

Design Your Own Birdhouse:  July 10-11

On Saturdays and Sundays, get a free photo of yourself or your kids on the cover of Field & Stream magazine.

And make some free s’mores over a campfire from 5 to 6 p.m.  Yum.

Other free activities include the shooting gallery, shooting range and casting pond.

On June 26-27, the NASCAR Sprint Cup race car also will be pulling into the Bricktown Bass Pro so bring the kids out for an up-close look at a real race car.

And while you’re there, pick up a free copy of the Summer Fun 2010 guide to get tons of ideas, tips and product checklists to make the most fun out of your summer.

For more information, go to www.basspro.com or click here.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

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