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

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

Recently, The New York Times had an article about the surge in sharing kids’ photos online.  Many parents use sites such as Flickr, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other social networking sites to share countless moments of their kiddos – whether they’re in a Halloween costume, at Grandma’s house or (gasp!) playing in the tub.  But in some cases, photos have ended up used in ways not intended by the parent.

Some examples include photos of baby being passed off as someone else’s who is faking a pregnancy; use of children’s head shots on profiles on a social networking site in Brazil, even getting “sexy” ratings.  And of course, parents are concerned about pedophiles singling out their children and in turn finding out where they live. 

But some parents say this is the age of the Internet.  No longer are moms and dads sending pictures of their children through the mail to the grandparents in another state.  These days, grandma and grandpa are hooked to the Web to see instant pictures. 

So is it exploitation or unsafe to post pictures?  Or are the fears irrational and this is just how the 21st century is? It’s a decision only parents can make.  But if you do post pics, be sure to use password-protected Web sites and always check your privacy settings on these sites.  

And when given the choice of “Share with the world” or “Private” … don’t always go with what the site “recommends.”  Go with your gut instinct instead.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

With technology a staple these days, some parents are taking a different direction when documenting how fast their kids grow. 

One couple tracked it using a camera, taking a picture each day during their baby’s first year.  The result?  Click here.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Here’s a site that shows some of the worst, most awkward, yet funniest family photos.  Click here  to check it out.   If you have any memories of really funny or corny family portraits, let me know!  Comment here or send me an e-mail. I’d love to hear some stories.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com