Hiccups parenting blog is written by parents for parents and their children

OKC Zoo to start mother’s day out program

Here’s some news from the Oklahoma City Zoo:

The Zoo’s Education department is offering a mother’s day out program beginning in February. The program will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nature Explorers Mother’s Day Out Program will run from Feb. 15 to May 26 and is for children ages 3 and 4. (Child must be 3 or 4 on or before September 1, 2010.)

The program will promote interaction skills, self direction, language skills, intellectual growth and environmental awareness.

For more information, including a program handbook, tuition costs and registration forms, go to http://zoofieldtrips.publishpath.com/explorers. 

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

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OKC Zoo plans winter activities

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Still need plans for Halloween week?

If you’re a sort-of country dweller like me, you don’t really have a good reliable neighborhood to trick-or-treat in this year.  So how do you make the most of Halloween when you can’t do the traditional door-to-door candy quest?  Here are some really great (and I’ve been to most of these) activities in the metro you can do with your kids this week to get in the spooky spirit:

 Haunt the Zoo:  We go every year.  You can’t beat the Oklahoma City Zoo for Halloween.  You won’t see animals, but you will see folks standing along a pumpkin-lined path handing out some yummy treats.  Neat displays are set up along the way, perfect for pictures.  Haunt the Zoo is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. starting tonight and ending Sunday. Tickets are only necessary for the kids, and they’re $7 each.  Click here for more information.

Storybook Forest:  Spring Creek Park at Edmond’s Arcadia Lake turns into a book of fairytales as kids can walk through a forest of stories.  Characters and scenes from children’s favorite books are brought to life, along with treats, hayrides, carnival games and a campfire for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.  Storybook Forest is open 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily through Sunday. Admission is $5 per child during the week, $7 on the weekend. Adults are free.  Click here for more information.

Halloween Train Ride at the Oklahoma Railway Museum is a real train ride for kids wearing their costumes.  Departure times Saturday are 10 and 11 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for age 15 and older, $5 for ages 3 to 14, and kids younger than 3 are free. Click here for more information.

Haunt the Harn at the Harn Homestead. Includes trick-or-treating, hayrides and more.  Event is Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for nonmembers, free for members.  Click here for more information.

The Metropolitan Library System also has a list of free events this week:

• Bethany Library: 10  to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday is ”Halloween Fun for Little Ones” for ages 3 to 6. From 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, it’s hosting “Spooky Spook Halloween” for grades 1 to 5.
• Capitol Hill Library: From 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday is “Halloween @ the Haunted Hill” for all ages.
• Downtown Library: From 1:30 to 5:40 p.m. Sunday is  the “Classic  Horror Film Marathon” for all ages.
• Ralph Ellison Library: “Pumpkin Carving for Teens” is 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.  The library’s fall festival is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday for all ages.
• Warr Acres Library: “Dress Up Party for Preschoolers” is tonight from 6:30 to 7:30.  Kids should be in costume.

Be sure to check wimgo.com for more Halloween event listings and have a great, safe week!

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

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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

esmith@opubco.com

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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

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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.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

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Zoo plans tons of winter fun

The time around the holidays is when the Oklahoma City offers some of its most fun things to do.  Don’t let the cold scare you away … you’ll enjoy great events, specials and you won’t be fighting the crowds.

Here are some upcoming events at the zoo:

Nov. 25 – Free day.  No admission fee!  Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 27 – Feast for the Beasts. Some animals will be feasting on traditional Thanksgiving dishes from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

December through February – Free zoo admission every Monday!

Dec. 1 – 24 – Deck the Zoo. Bring and edible wildlife ornament and get admission to the zoo for only $1!

Dec. 5, 12 and 19 – Cupcakes with Santa. Kids can decorate their own holiday cupcake.  They’ll create some unique holiday crafts and end the day with a visit from Santa himself.  Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Cost for children age 3 and older is $20 for ZooFriends members, $22 for nonmembers. Adults are free with a paid child. Pre-registration is required and must be made one week prior to the event. Register online at http://okczoo.recware.com or call 425-0218.

Dec. 5 – Wreath making class. Everything to make a holiday wreath will be provided. Cost is $20 for ZooFriends members, $25 for nonmembers and the class is for age 16 and older.  Register at the same site or phone number listed above.

Dec. 7 – Coffee Connections. This is a new, FREE program for ages 16 and older from 9 to 10 a.m. Meet at the Rosser Conservation Education Center to learn about the zoo and its happenings while sipping a cup of joe.

Dec. 14 – Santa is stopping by the zoo to delivery goodies to the animals from 10 to 11 a.m. Guests in the Canopy Restaurant can enjoy free hot chocolate and doughnuts and get pictures with Santa.  Activity is free, no reservations are required.  

Dec. 29, 30 – Winter day camps are available for ages 4-11.  They are from 9 a.m. to noon and cost $20 for ZooFriends members, $25 for nonmembers.  Snacks will be provided, but bring a lunch. Advance registration and payment are required.  Enroll at http://okczoo.recware.com or call 425-0218.

For more information about upcoming zoo events, go to www.okczoo.com.

~Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

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See dinos at the zoo!

It was the weekend we have been patiently waiting for … the opening of the exhibit “Dinosaurs Unearthed” at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Saturday morning, my son had a toddler class at the zoo and even though temps were in the 30s, we still made the trek down to see the dinos after his class.  He hesitated to go in at first, hearing the growling of these massive beasts from outside the exhibit tent.  But after a little coaxing, he walked in, astonished at what greeted him. 

The exhibit has huge, seemingly life-size dinos, skeletons, bones and even a sand pit for the kids to play in, to find dino footprints.  All the favorites were featured – the triceratops, stegosaurus and of course, the T-Rex.  They were animatronic models (think Jurassic Park) and some could even be controlled by the kids.

If I had to sum up this exhibit in one word, it would be AMAZING.  I highly recommend a visit to the zoo to see these dinos. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily and runs through June 30. It is free with paid zoo admission.  I’m sure we’ll be spending many weekends among the dinosaurs between now and the end of the June.

For more information about the exhibit and other events at the zoo, go to www.okczoo.com.

Here’s just a taste of what you can see at the exhibit:

 

~Erica Smith

esmith@opubco.com

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Halloween with a toddler

Those of us celebrating this fun holiday with a toddler, may be thinking “My child is too young for trick-or-treating, but I can’t let the day go by without some festivities to create that picture perfect moment of my little one in full costume.”

Here are some ideas that might be a bit more toddler-friendly than trick-or-treating.

Have a get together at your house.  This works especially if you have other friends with toddlers.  They can have food and games just for them.

Go to the zoo.  The Oklahoma City Zoo sponsors “Haunt the Zoo” every year, and we go … every year.  You won’t see the exhibits, but you’ll meet alot of friendly zoo employees who will be giving out all kinds of goodies.  They also provide plenty of picture opportunities.  Go to www.okczoo.com for more information.

Festivals.  There are plenty around the metro. It seems that every church, YMCA and other community center is hosting a fall festival or carnival.  Take advantage of these, as many are free and they’re a fun, safe alternative to trick-or-treating.

Hand out candy. Dress your toddler up in their costume and let them pass out candy to visiting trick-or-treaters.  Chances are, they’ll just love the opportunity to show off their costume to neighbors.  And you’ll get to watch Halloween specials on TV.

And if you do decide to brave the neighborhood for goodies, just be sure to follow the basic rules of trick-or-treating:

-Wear light-colored clothing and/or reflective tape on costumes.  Don’t cross streets between parked cars.

-Go in a group, and while it is still light out.  Use flashlights if it’s dark. Don’t go to any house that has the lights turned off.

-Inspect all candy carefully and discard anything that has a torn or missing wrapper or could have been tampered with in any way. 

If you have any more good safety tips or suggestions for Halloween, post them here or email esmith@opubco.com and I’ll post them for you.

~Erica Smith

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Fun times at the Zoo

If you’ve read my blogs, you already know I’m a big fan of the Oklahoma City Zoo. 

Last night, my son and I attended the ConZOOvation event at the zoo, and it was a blast.  For $6 (the price for each adult, kids went free), we had an evening of dinner , crafts and a puppet show. They had the characters from OETA’s show Between the Lions and Chick-fil-A supplied dinner to the kids and adults.  Kids also got to make their own lion puppets and had a goody bag complete with animal book to take home with them.   

Also, once a month, we attend a class with other 2-year-olds and they do all kinds of fun things.  There’s story time, craft-making, and the zoo staff bring in a “friend” … usually something alive that the kids can touch and come face to face with.  It runs about an hour on a Saturday morning, once a month and they have a different theme each class.  For Zoo Friends, each class is $10.00 and for others it is $12.00 per child.  Well worth it!

Visit the zoo’s Web site, okczoo.com, click on education, then events, then toddler programs to see the programs offered for kids 5 and younger and special events.  There’s some fun things coming up like Family Fun Night for Zoo Friends members and Cupcakes with Santa in a few months.  For a monthly schedule of events, look under “Zoo News” on the homepage or go to http://www.okczoo.com/wimgo/.

Have fun planning your next trip to one of Oklahoma City’s best attractions!

~Erica Smith

esmith@oklahoman.com

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