Top Not-So-Scary but Oh-So-Fun Halloween Happenings around the Hub

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shutterstock_26302213_little trickortreaters

We all have different definitions of “fun” when it comes to Halloween.  Some of our kids are more fearless than their parents (or at least this parent!) but many of our kids feel more comfortable if they don’t run into a cast member of The Walking Dead as they search for candy and fall fun!

No worries… lucky us, we live in Lubbock… and have the benefit of so many wonderful organizations and businesses that offer fun events for our kids.  Hair-raisin’ or cake-walkin’… it’s all here!  So we’ve gathered a list of our favorite entertaining yet not-so-scary ideas to celebrate the season.

For a walk on the more haunted side for older kids and brave parents, checkout the Halloween list at Lubbock in the Loop where they include a list of real area “Haunted Houses”…  (shiver, chill!)

OK – it’s time to grab your broom, your wand, or your magic carpet and head out to enjoy our beautiful West Texas autumn weather, meet the neighbors, and make some memories (sans the nightmares) with our goblins!

Updated: 10/29/2015

Community Events.

  • South Plains College Halloween Carnival.  Levelland. Thurs. 10/29 from 6-9pm.  Fun for the entire family and will be held in the Sundown Room on the Levelland Campus. Carnival booths, Trick or Treating, concessions available.  Tickets 5 for a $1.
  • Trunk or Treat on Main Street.  Levelland.  Sat. 10/31 from 6-7:30pm.   Includes annual costume parade followed by a fun filled, family oriented evening full of games, activities and of course TREATS!
  • Halloween Costume Photos by Mark McCall for Meals on Wheels.  Sat. 10/31 from 4-7pm. Mark McCall Studio. Corner of Broadway and Ave. E.  For the 5th year, Master Photographer Mark McCall will be conducting a Halloween Costume Photoshoot benefiting Meals on Wheels.  Fee is only a $10 donation or 10 cans of food for Meals on Wheels.

    Halloween Costume Photoshoot by Mark McCall

    Halloween Costume Photoshoot by Mark McCall

Texas Tech Halloween Events for the Community.

During this time of year, Texas Tech reaches out to our community and offers many events for our kids that have become traditional favorites.  From candy, to concerts, to soccer, to parades… those Tech students sure know how to make our kids feel like special, true, little Red Raiders!  Some of our favorites include:

Events for Active Goblins!

  • West Texas Endurance Howl-o-Ween Run

    West Texas Endurance Howl-o-Ween Dog Run

    Howl-O-Ween Dog Run/Walk by West Texas Endurance.  Sat. 10/24 starting at 8:30am.  Bring your 4-legged friends and 2-legged goblins and join this fun family-friendly event!  With 2 distance options (2K9 – 1.2 miles with your furry friends or 4 miles without a leash), there is an event for everyone. The “family-friendly” course of 2K9 (1.2 miles) will take you along the beautiful Canyon Lake 6. The more challenging 4 mile course runs through the City of Lubbock Cemetery.

  • Burgess-Rushing Tennis Center – Halloween Scramble.  Sat. 10/31 from 1-5pm.   For Juniors & Adults. $5.  Spooky pairings and lots of rotations & play!  Always a fun, festive time for our tennis-lovin’ kids.

Halloween Festivities at The Science Spectrum.

  • Silly Science Mini-Carnival.  Thurs. 10/29 from 10am-noon.  Especially for Preschoolers, age 5 and under!  This mini-carnival will take place in the museum and is perfect for younger ones who might not want to get out and compete with the older kids at other Halloween events. Fun activities include:  Carnival Games & Prizes, Fall Themed Maze, Mini Bounce House, Halloween & Fall Themed Crafts, Silly Science Demos, Costume Parade, Snacks & Treats.  All Silly Science Carnival activities will be located in the museum and are included with standard museum admission.  Children under 3 are free.
  • Spooky Science Carnival.  Fri. 10/30 from 5-9pm.  This event is great for families and kids up to age 14 looking for a safe Halloween alternative and a fun, educational party all in one.  Enjoy carnival games & prizes, trick-or-treating, the Haunted Science Lab, a live Mystery Scientist Show, children & family costume contest, and many more traditional Halloween “spooky not scary” fun activities for safe family fun!  Free Trick-or-Treating will take place in the lobby.  All Spooky Science Carnival activities will be located in the museum and are included with standard museum admission.  Children under 3 are free.

spooky science carnival

Trick/Trunk-or-Treating, & Festivals at
Churches, Malls, and Businesses.

We’ve compiled the most complete list in the Hub of all the carnivals, festivals, trunk-or-treats, and trick-or-treats that have been scheduled for our kids!  Some happening the weekend before Halloween but the majority scheduled on the 31st taking advantage of the Saturday holiday.  As a parent, it’s humbling to see that over 200 churches, schools, and businesses are providing a safe, fun, Halloween experience just for our children… most at no charge!  Thank you wonderful community of Lubbock!  Check our Halloween Calendar to schedule your quest!  (Tip:  you can view activities in list format or calendar format and print it out for a Halloween hit list.  And Members can even print their favorites for a custom calendar to take along!).

Halloween 4

Silly Science Carnival at The Science Spectrum

Concerts and Productions with Soul.

Fall concerts, shows, and performances are simmering with a family flair this time of year.  We’ve gathered them in our Sounds of the Season section including:

  • Lubbock Symphony Orchestra’s Free Family Concert. Sun. Oct. 25 from 2:30-5:30pm.  Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. The LSO has a spooky good time planned for families, fans, and friends.  Children’s activities start at 5 p.m. in Parrish Hall where they can play real orchestra instruments, make their own musical instrument, learn to conduct, enjoy face painting and a costume contest and much more!  Concert starts at 6:30pm with an interactive concert with Maestro Cho.
  • Octubafest.  Sun. 10/26 from 6-9pm.  Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble Concert.  Free.  A Halloween week tradition!   Presented by the Texas Tech School of Music.  Hemmle Recital Hall.
  • University Symphony Orchestra Halloween “Hauntcert.”  Fri. 10/30 from 6-9pm.  Free Halloween Concert.  Hemmle Recital Hall.  “Instrument Petting Zoo” for children to visit with musicians and play the instruments.  Creative Halloween Costume Contest – win a chance to conduct or play with the orchestra!

It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie…  and Apples and Corn too!

A-Maizing how they grow!

A-Maizing how they grow!

Searching for that perfect pumpkin with the kids, taking photos to mark their height, and walking in the crisp air are some of the best, most memorable times of the fall.  Add farm animals, storytimes, corn and hay mazes, and other family-friendly attractions, and you’ve got autumn adventures even your teen will enjoy!  We’ve gathered a list of area farms that offer pumpkin patches, apples, corn mazes, pumpkin trains and more…. our favorites include:

Do you have a favorite?  Share it with us here!

And for additional creative and safe ideas for kids from tots to teens, check out the LubbockForKids calendar…. and Happy Haunting!

Halloween in the Hub

 

Photo credits:
West Texas Endurance – Captivated Images.
Mark McCall Photography.
The Science Spectrum.

Autumn with Kids ... Livin' in the Moment!

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What is it about autumn that makes it such a magical time of transition… a time we all remember from when we were kids ourselves?  Is it the cooler days, nights, colors of the trees, smells… like caramel apples, fall festivals, cake walks, the fair, burning jack-o-lanterns?  Maybe because it’s the perfect time for families – before the holiday craziness.  Maybe it’s because now that we’re parents, we see the changing seasons as a reminder that our little ones are not as little as they were at the beginning of the summer… we see how they change in all those pictures we take every year at the pumpkin patch and at The Corn Maize  standing next to the height marker. We see how unique each season is especially seeing it through the eyes of our kids. We realize how we as parents are fortunate to absorb at least a smidge of the innocence and clarity and enthusiasm with which our kids embrace each fall event and activity. Pure joy!

A-Maizing how they grow!

A-Maizing how they grow!

Maybe that’s it… autumn is a time that offers so many opportunities for us to be kids with our kids.  Livin’ in the moment.  Maybe it’s a time when even those of us who are missing the “creativity gene” can still decorate with our kids and have fun and make someone smile!  Come on, let’s all give it a try!

Lubbock rocks - and rolls! - with creativity!

Lubbock rocks – and rolls! – with creativity!

Maybe that’s why we’re so excited to participate in several area fall events! … including the Pumpkin Carving Workshop @ the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum and the Pumpkin Trail!

Pumpkin Trail 2013

Pumpkin Trail

So go ahead… dive in and enjoy this gorgeous Lubbock fall weather by taking in some of the local events… pick one you’ve never been to before!  We’ll try to help by making it easy to find all the fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and activities in the area – many of which are free or almost free (another reason we love autumn!).   Always check LubbockForKids.com for the latest events & activities and our Facebook page too for fun picks.  Thanks for submitting your fall festivals and events to our calendar – keep ‘em coming! –  and we’ll keep adding everything we can dig up too (sorry, just had to do it!).

Thanks for reading! … and for joining us as we embrace and celebrate everything kidful in Lubbock and beyond!  Let us know: is there a local fall tradition or event that was your favorite as a child that you are now sharing with your own children?

Cotton n kids

Experience and Create Art with your Kids

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By Jenny Lloyd-Strovas, Ph.D.
Guest Contributor

We are so excited to introduce our newest blog contributor Jenny Lloyd-Strovas, Ph.D.!
We met at the Wolfforth Water Expo where her group was helping educate and introduce families to the “Dearth Project: Communicating Science Through Art.”  We are honored that Jenny will be sharing her insights with our readers!  And we love her first article and the Lesson Plan she shares below. It gives parents the learning tools that make it easy for the family to spend an afternoon outside together, observing nature, learning about playa wetlands, and creating art as a family! For example: Do you know why they are called “Playa” lakes? Checkout her lesson plan to find out!  If you have any questions or ideas for Jenny, just comment below.
Welcome Jenny!

Are you looking for something fun
AND educational to do with your children
before summer ends?

We have an idea for you!

Create and Experience ART about NATURE.

The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA) recently hosted an art exhibit called  “Dearth: Communicating Science Through Art” celebrating the two primary water sources in the Texas Panhandle: Playa Wetlands and the Ogallala Aquifer.  Dearth is a word of many facets.  As a whole, it means scarcity or lacking, but by breaking it down you find the words “art” and “earth”. The Dearth Project is true to its name in all facets. It is an artistic expression of the water scarcity issues in the Texas Panhandle.

The exhibit included works of art from area children that expressed Dearth.

Dearth gallery

Interested in creating a Dearth experience with your family?  
Click here to find a lesson plan that will walk you through educational materials and a few different art activities related to playa wetlands. Please feel free to leave your comments concerning the activities – we’d love to hear from you!

Get Outside with your Family and Learn about Nature!

Girl in nature

 

Picnics & Playdates: Reader Tips & Faves around the 806 + {giveaways}

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nature walk

It’s hard to imagine anything that brings sweeter summer memories than a picnic.  Time seems to stand still for just a moment… And doesn’t everything taste better when it’s eaten on a blanket outside, watching the kids play?  And thanks to our beautiful West Texas weather and so many great local venues, Lubbock parents have some stellar opportunities to get outside and dine al fresco with the fam!   We’ve checked with our readers and local parents and compiled a list of favorite spots and resources to help you enjoy every slice of the season with our kids… from toddlers to teens!  So bring it on… Have Picnic, Will Travel!  Don’t see your favorite?  Share it with us here!


Favorite Source for Picnic & Playdate Prep

Costco.
Thanks to some great local retailers, it’s so much easier for parents and grandparents to say “yes” to what was traditionally a time-consuming project… picnic preparation!  Our readers’ choice is Costco (Costco facebook page here):  Quick. Easy. Healthy. Thrifty.  Costco really is a parent’s best friend – so glad they came to Lubbock!  They always have fresh selections of high-quality deli items to grab and go in quantities that work for a group.  Their Kirkland brand is always consistent and has healthy, yummy options for kids… including organic!  You can also find good quality, practical picnic gear including coolers and containers.  And in case you want to take a few things along to keep the kids engaged, there’s a great selection of age-appropriate reads and games for the kids (and for us!), just begging to go along.

Costco Picnic Pack{{ Flash Giveaway }}
Great news! In celebration of our Picnics & Playdates guide, our friends at Costco would like to provide this awesome picnic pack to one of our lucky readers! To enter, just leave a comment below in this blog post with one of your favorite things to take on a picnic or in our  post on our Facebook Page. For an extra entry, you can share a photo of your little one with their favorite Costco picnic items… or hop over to the Costco facebook page and like their page & let us know you did. Entrants must reside in the Lubbock market. Good luck to everyone! Entries will be accepted through Sunday 7/19. So jealous… wish we could enter!

Favorite Picnic & Playdate Spots with a Show

Lubbock Moonlight Musicals.
Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre at Mackenzie Park.
Tickets start at $7 per child, $20 per adult.
Live outdoor performances on Friday and Saturday evenings through the summer give area families one of the best venues in the country for enjoying a family picnic while being entranced by family-friendly, top-notch productions like Shrek, 1776, and Oklahoma!

Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre

Photo from Moonlight Musicals – Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre

{{ Ticket Giveaway!}}
Our readers picked the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals as a favorite spot for a family picnic and our friends at Moonlight Musicals agree!…. and want to offer one of our lucky readers a family 4-pack of tickets to their current performance of 1776!!  To enter, just leave a comment below in this blog post with the name of your child’s favorite forefather in our post on our Facebook Page.  For an extra entry, you can post a photo of your kiddo dressed as their favorite forefather or like the Moonlight Musicals page, and let us know you did!  1776 is a great show, especially for our kids who are now studying American history!… But hurry… Entries will only be accepted until Midnight Thurs.7/16, with the winner announced Fri. morning!
{Tickets good for any remaining 1776 show and will be for 2 adults & 2 children (ages 5-9)}. 

New!  Morning children’s matinee of Beauty and the Beast by Lubbock Moonlight Musicals’ Moonlight Children’s Theatre.
Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre at Mackenzie Park.
Tickets start at $5 per child, $10 per adult.
Friday and Saturday mornings at 10am through July 24th.

High Noon Summer Concerts at the Lubbock County Courthouse Gazebo.  Noon on Wednesdays in the Summer through Aug. 19th.  FREE.
Nice shaded areas for camp chairs or blankets.  And all musicians are family-friendly.

Westwinds Band

Westwinds Brass Band Concert in the Park

Sunday Concerts in the Park by the Westwinds Brass Band.
Wagner Park at 26th & Flint.
FREE.  Sunday evenings at 8pm through July 19th.
Great place for kids to play during the concert and there is always a special children’s march at the end of concert.

Favorite Picnic & Playdate Spots with Water

The Splashpad at Vintage Township.
121st Street & Salisbury Blvd.
Splashpad and play equipment for the kids, nice gazebo for the adults!
FREE.

BSL Beach

Buffalo Springs Lake Beach

The Beach at Buffalo Springs Lake.
Nice sandy beach play areas help the kids get their beach fix right here on the south plains!  And if you have time, enjoy a hike together through one of their maintained trails!

Requires lake admission:  Kids 6-11 $3 (5 & under free), Adults $6.

Favorite Picnic & Playdate Parks  

Selected by ease of location, proximity to restrooms, picnic tables, and play equipment.

Prairie Dog Town.
Mackenzie Park.
The new picnic tables make it easy to have a great picnic watching those amazing little creatures or just drive around the park to find a nice picnic spot!  The favorite of the toddler set!

prairie-dog-town-in-mackenzie-park

Lubbock Parks and Recreation Photo

AMBUCS Hub City Playground at Maxey Park
(at the north end of the park across the street from Covenant Lakeside).
Perfect for kids including special needs… completely ADA Compliant.

ambucs-hub-city-playground237FE9FBAC4B

Lubbock Parks and Recreation Photo

Legacy Play Village.
Marsha Sharp Freeway at Milwaukee.
The “kid’s choice” favorite by far, however do be careful with little ones:  Some readers reported trash issues at times especially inside the structures/castle.  Super fun for the kids of all ages… just check the grounds when you arrive.

legacy-play-village

Lubbock Parks and Recreation Photo

Buddy Holly Recreational Area.
Canyon Lakes Drive & N. Univeristy.
Where else can the kids picnic next to a waterfall…. in Lubbock?!

Favorite Picnic Tips

Grab & Go Picnic:  Just make a stop at a local store and grab a quick picnic on the go!  And if the kids know it’s for a specific “mission” it shouldn’t take long.  Be sure to choose a place, like Costco, that would have everything needed!

PYOP:  Pack Your Own Picnic!  Have everyone pack their own picnic… similar to making their own lunch for school.  Great experience for the little ones and for everyone to work together in the kitchen!

What are some of your favorite picnic spots and tips?  Share them with us here!

 

Family Bucket List - 2015 Summer Fun in the Hub!

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Summer Bucket 2014


It’s our LubbockForKids.com 2015 Summer Fun Family Bucket List!
All fun, all local, many free, and ALL what summer is all about!
Click each activity for details

  * Cool it a Summer Movie Matinee         * Go to an Amusement Park

 * Explore some Kids Eat Free deals         * Take in a Summer Concert 

 * Sign up for a Summer Camp         * Visit a Farmers’ Market 

 * Enjoy a Vacation Bible School event         * Take a Day Trip 

 * Visit a New Playground        * Explore a Museum

 * Play in the Water        * See Fireworks

For tons more Lubbock-area boredom-buster ideas throughout the summer, visit www.LubbockForKids.com

updated 4/17/2015

shutterstock_185327138_kids in trunk

Top Dad-ventures: Father's Day around the Hub

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Carving out some special time with Dad is what it’s all about for Father’s Day.  And our amazing Lubbock-area dads deserve to celebrate their day just the way they want… Hungry-man breakfast? CHECK.  Sleeping in? CHECK.  Easy-to-find fun stuff to do together?  DOUBLE-CHECK…  thanks to our double-stuffed  Father’s Day Dad-venture section!

Father's Day in Lubbock

So whether Dad loves the great outdoors or the hustle and bustle of the city, we know his greatest wish is to spend more time with his little buckaroos, and our guide can help give you some ideas to start the adventure.  But most of all, be sure to fill his day with love, and laughter, and hugs, and everything that makes him smile. 

Take in a Show Together

Father’s Day Weekend offers a bevy of performances – live and cinematic – that are perfect for dads to enjoy with children of any age:

—>  The Musical “13″ performed by the Lubbock Community Theatre.  Father’s Day Special:  dads who attend with their kids or wives get in FREE on Father’s Day!

17777_1104769736205544_7073049965648248535_n
—>  Shrek performed by Lubbock Moonlight Musicals 8pm Friday and Saturday night at the Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre.

Shrek 8x10
—>  Beauty and the Beast Jr.  performed by Lubbock Moonlight Musicals’ Moonlight Children’s Theatre at 10am Saturday morning at the Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre.  Beauty and the Beast Jr.

—>  Parties celebrating the premier of Disney’s new movie “Inside Out” at Premiere Cinema and also at Alamo Drafthouse Saturday.
—>  The Juneteen Celebration Parade and Festival Saturday.
—>  The West Winds Brass Band Performance Sunday evening at Wagner Park.

Create Together

—>  Creating (and eating!) cookie works-of-art Friday at the Celebrate Dad event at Cookies By Design.
—>  Painting a masterpiece together at the Art & Company Father’s Day canvas class Saturday.
—>  Enjoying fun kid-friendly and teen-friendly sessions at Painting with a Twist Saturday & Sunday.
—>  Creating a priceless treasure together Saturday at the Mud Room or Clay Cafe.  Handprints are always a winner!
—>  Making a cool Father’s Day Card at Chick-fil-A Raider Park‘s Craft & Game morning Saturday.

Eat Together

Several places are offering discounts for Dad Sunday including Beef ‘O’ Brady’s where he eats FREE and also Hurricane Grill where he eats FREE!

Road Trip!

—>  The Abilene Zoo is offering free admittance for Dad on Sunday, and the Tahoka Centennial Celebration Saturday will be fun for everyone (you KNOW dad could win the pie eating or watermelon contest!).
—>  Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose is also having a special Father’s Day Sunset Safari Dinner and Tour Saturday (which also happens to be National Giraffe Day!).
—>  Or, if you feel like a road trip but don’t have the time, how about a “backyard campout” at the local KOA Campground where they offer a special kids camp free deal on Father’s Day weekend (and did you know they have an indoor pool?).
—> Enjoy a pre-historic road trip by joining the Night Hike at the Lubbock Lake Landmark Saturday evening at dusk and welcome the beautiful West Texas evening together!

Consider gifts that bring everyone together long after Father’s Day

Great gift ideas include:
—>  a season pass to the summer Moonlight Musicals… all are perfect for families.

2015 Season
—>  Critterfest Tickets to use next weekend at the Science Spectrum.  critterfest image square
—>  a yearly pass to the Science Spectrum Museum.
—>  a season pass to Lubbock Water Rampage.
—>  a multi-pass to Joyland Amusement Park.
—>  jump pass to Jump N Jungle

Check our full Calendar for a complete list of events found over the Father’s Day weekend!

Wishing all the incredible dads and men out there special memories with your amazing kids, whether you are able to spend time together this weekend or in the future!

Happy Father’s Day!

S’more Brownie Ice Cream Cake - A Zesty Bite for Lubbock Kids!

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Just in time for summer, our local foodie contributor Meagan at A Zesty Bite has come up with another recipe that all our kids are going love (we may even need to fight them for a bite!)…. S’more Brownie Ice Cream Cake.

S'more Brownie Ice Cream Cake

You may have heard some buzz over the last few weeks about Tillamook now offering their premium Ice Cream products in the Lubbock area.  Well, they sent Meagan some ice cream samples and she designed something so yummy that she wanted to make sure our readers were in the know.   And the timing couldn’t be better as many local families are going through Blue Bell withdrawl!

We really love this recipe because it’s perfect to make with the kids (only 5 ingredients!) and also the perfect project to kickoff summer and celebrate another great school year!

For the entire recipe, just jump over to Meagan’s S’more Brownie Ice Cream Cake recipe on A Zesty Bite.

And do lookout for the new Tillamook Ice Cream (it’s now at some area United stores and you can confirm locations using the Tillamook location finder)… we love the fact that it has no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or high-fructose corn syrup.  The company has been in existence since 1909 and was founded as a farmer-owned co-op.  Lots of awards on all their dairy products so they are tried and true… which explains why it tastes like a little spoonful of summer!

Thanks for sharing Meagan!

S'more Brownie Ice Cream Cake

 

Parents Night Out / Family Night Out: Piggy Bank Friendly Dinner Dates

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From time to time, even super-hero moms and dads need some time to themselves to enjoy an adult conversation at a place where the meal does not come with a prize or in a bag!  But as we all know, time away from the kids sometimes feels like it’s more trouble than it’s worth!… and the big question:  What to do?  Hey, we’re all in the same place:  Our world revolves around everything kidful!  And that’s where our friends at LubbockintheLoop.com come to the rescue.  They are the experts in uncovering and sharing with very deserving parents the latest, newest places and savvy events across the South Plains.

Kid Friendly (1)

So we’re excited to team up with LubbockintheLoop to share a new series:  Parent Night Out / Family Night Out.  We collaborate on a bi-weekly basis to showcase Parents Night Out and Family Night Out ideas. Each article will feature a different theme (Outdoor activities, Nights Out Under $30, Free Weekends, Healthy Nights Out, etc). LitL will hand-pick “Sitter Worthy” parent  ideas and we’ll feature family top picks. So whether you have some family time in mind or crave some adult time, we’ll have you covered!  Feel free to let us know what you think!  Have an idea for future themes? Share it with us here or on our Facebook Page.

This week’s theme: Top Dinner Date suggestions that won’t break the bank…  with the family and without!

Parent Night Out – Top Places for Dinner under $30 from Lubbock in the Loop

Dinner Picks under $30 from LubbockintheLoop

Click here for Top Dinner Picks for under $30 from LubbockintheLoop.  And Remember:  If you’re looking for a sitter so you can have a kid-free meal, checkout our list of fun Kids Night Out events…. usually on Friday nights at several locations around town.

Family Night Out – Top Picks for a Family Dinner Out that Won’t Break the Piggy Bank from
Lubbock For Kids

Any place that offers Kids Eat Free that night!

We offer a handy list that stays constantly updated of area Kids Eat Free or almost-free deals… and there’s at least one every day including the weekends!  Most are targeted to kids 12 and under so this is especially sweet for those with younger kids!  And most of the area buffet-style restaurants offer Little Kids Eat Free (under 3) everyday including Souper!Salad! and Golden Corral.  Several sit-down restaurants that feature weekend deals include:

Abuelo’s Taqueria 19th & Quaker (free) on Fridays after 3pm.
Denny’s (free) on Saturdays between 4-10pm.
Mama Rita’s (for $1.29 all day) and Dickey’s Barbecue (free) on Sundays.

(reminder:  Be sure to check before you go… deals can change!)

Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe

Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe is a great local spot for families to have a great lunch or dinner out and very reasonable.  Easy to forget that they have yummy daily specials hot of the grill!  We really like their soups… yum!

Arcade Restaurants

The area arcade-based restaurants are great options when everyone wants to play!  However, we all know that these can tip our budget with “one more game!”  - so beware or just be lucky!
Chuck E Cheese (younger kids)
Mr. Gatti’s (younger and mid)
50th Street Caboose (older kids)

The Drive-In

A great deal for a family dinner out is to head to Stars & Stripes Drive-In.  The food is really good and reasonable and there is always a screen with family-freindly movies.  And for an uber piggy bank friendly night, you can pack a picnic !

More…

There are so many great family restaurant around town where you can sit down with the family, not break the bank, and have fun!  We know there are so many more…. where are your favorites?  Share them with us here or on our Facebook page!

And check back soon for our next Family Night Out / Parent Night Out series with Lubbock in the Loop… and until then if you need an idea for some mom and dad time, checkout their website where you’re sure to find everything in town that’s “Sitter Worthy!”

LubbockintheLoop

Playlist to Rock Mom's Day around the Hub

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Mother's Day surprise
Happy Mother’s Day  to all our fabulous Lubbock moms and all the ladies in our lives who inspire and support our kids!

Making memories and having fun together is always our goal … but what will be the Mother’s Day outing that will make Mom happy as well as the fam?  To help the search, we’ve gathered a playlist of ideas that will appeal to many different types of Mamas around the Hub… and her peeps!  And we’ve also included some special deals being offered just for Mom!

(See our Mother’s Day Section for the latest and greatest activities and deals to make Mom’s weekend brilliant!)

updated 5/4/2015


Moms who like to Play

Of course, one of the most playful places in town is Joyland!  And on Mother’s Day, moms ride free with a paying child from 2 PM – 8 PM.  Fun!    Buffalo Springs Lake is also launching their first “Float-In” Movie event the Friday of Mother’s Day weekend on May 8th  - you can pull up on your boat, float on an inner tube, or sit in the grass, and watch a family movie together to kick off the weekend.

Moms who like to Learn

The great thing about educational events with kids… they’re also fun… even for moms!  The Science Spectrum is a local treasure and if you haven’t had a chance to take in the exhibits and the pirates, then it’s the perfect time!  Regular rates apply.  They are also featuring a special pirate event Saturday 5/9 called the “Pirate School! Swashbuckling Show” at 1:30pm & 3:30pm.  $3/child & $4/adult.

pirate school picture

The 2015 Wolfforth Water Conservation Exposition also takes place Saturday at Frenship High School from 10:30am-4pm where everyone can learn more about about water conservation and enjoy fun activities for the kids too!   The Texas Tech Museum on Saturday offers the popular Dino Day event from 1-4pm… free and fun and a great learning experience!  And of course,  a stroll through the Windmill Museum,  Silent Wings Museum, Lubbock Lake Landmark, or the Bayer Museum of Agriculture always offers a great day together and they are all open Mother’s Day Weekend.

Moms who like the Theatre and Musicals

There’s a “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” treat for Mom (and her kids!) Mother’s Day weekend this year: Moonlight Musical’s performance of Mary Poppins!  Shows are Thursday May 7 through Sunday May 10 at the Civic Center Theatre.

Constant Contact -Mary P -72 DPI

And on Mother’s Day, another musical treat… the Lubbock Alamo Drafthouse has a special Broadway Brunch featuring of The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews at 3pm Sunday.


Moms who are Foodies

There are several nice Mother’s Day Brunches & deals being offered locally:
The Overton Hotel is presenting their popular Mother’s Day Brunch.
At Beef ‘O’ Brady’s moms eat FREE on Mother’s Day with a purchase of equal/greater value.
And perfect for moms with little ones ages 3-7, it’s a special Moms and Muffins “A Mother’s Day Event” at Hodges Community Center on Saturday 5/9 from 9-11am.  And perfect for the entire family, there is and Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social at Maxey Community Center 9-11am Saturday benefiting the Girl Scouts.

Moms who are Artsy

There are several paint-your-own pottery/craft places that are featuring mom & child pieces through the month.   The Mud Room has their Kid’s Day Saturday 5/9 where kids receive 15% off, Clay Café is featuring mom prints, Painting with a Twist is having a 1pm Mom & Teen “Gratitude” painting session on Saturday before Mother’s Day, and Art & Company is having a class on Saturday.  Whether creating a surprise for Mom or with Mom, there are several chances to create priceless, precious works of art and some memories!Artsy Mom Fun!


Moms who are Health Conscious

There is a great Child Safety fair this weekend…. making it the perfect outing for moms who love to stay up on all the latest for healthy families… and have fun with the kids!  The community-wide Healthy Summer Festival @ Safety City (46th & Ave. U) is Saturday 5/9 from 10am-1pm featuring tons of activities for the family including free children’s immunizations (bring shot records), car seat safety checks, bike rodeo, carnival games, entertainment, free health screenings, free fitness classes, demonstrations, dog agility and door prizes.

Moms who like Nature

The Second Annual Scales, Tails & Trails G.O. (Get Outside) event at the Lubbock Lake Landmark is the perfect family activity for the mom who enjoys learning about and experiencing the beauty of our West Texas home.  It’s a FREE outdoor education event for all ages Sat. 5/9 from 10am-2pm that features freebies and fun activities including a scavenger hunt, fish prints, live animals and face painting.  The Lubbock Memorial Arboretum is also holding their Second Saturday event 5/9 at 10am where moms and kids can learn more about gardening in West Texas – “Gardening in Small Spaces” is the theme Mother’s Day weekend.

Daisy for Mom

Moms who like to Run

Saturday 5/9, Frenship High School is having their Second Annual Frenship Spirit Fun Run 5K  from 8:30-11am starting at Tiger Stadium/People’s Bank Stadium Parking Lot.  Proceeds benefit the Frenship PTSA.

Moms who like to Pitch-in for a Good Cause

Saturday 5/9, is Lubbock Lemonade Day.  Moms and little entrepreneurs will be able to spend some nice quality time together, pitching-in together making their own family business for the day!  Saturday is also the 2nd Annual Duck Derby & Family Fun Fest sponsored by the Legal Aid Society at Buddy Holly Recreation Area.  Fun Fest is 11am-4pm and the Ducks drop at 2pm.  Prizes include great family packages including a Carnival Cruise and Schlitterbahn and Texas Ranger tickets.

So many ways to enjoy Mother’s Day – fast & slow!  See our Calendar for more ideas on how to make Mom’s weekend rock!

Do you know of any other Mother’s Day deals or freebies?  How do you celebrate Mother’s Day?  Add your favorites and other Mother’s Day events here and share with us!

 

Sitter Worthy: Top Picks that Scream "Get A Sitter!"

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From time to time, even super-hero moms and dads need some time to themselves to enjoy an adult conversation at a place where the meal does not come with a prize or in a bag!  But as we all know, time away from the kids sometimes feels like it’s more trouble than it’s worth!… and the big question:  What to do?  Hey, we’re all in the same place:  Our world revolves around everything kidful!  And that’s where our friends at LubbockintheLoop.com come to the rescue.  They are the experts in uncovering and sharing with very deserving parents the latest, newest places and savvy events across the South Plains.

birthdays, anniversaries, babies,

So we’re excited to team up with LubbockintheLoop to share a new series:  Parent Night Out / Family Night Out.  LitL will hand-pick “Sitter Worthy” parent time out ideas and we’ll feature family time out top picks for different themed weekends. So whether you have some family time in mind or crave some adult time, we’ll have you covered!  This week’s theme is The Outdoors… giving you some fun options to enjoy The Great Outdoors with your main squeeze or BFFs and also with The Fam!  Perfect for Earth Week. Have an idea for future themes? Share it with us here or on our Facebook Page.

What To Do This Weekend?
Enjoy The Great Outdoors – Disconnect!
Parent Night Out / Family Night Out

Outdoor Picks for Grownups Out & About – April 24-26.

Cork & Pork.
Friday 4/24 | 7pm-11pm | Bayer Ag Museum: 1121 Canyon Lake Drive.
Hosted by The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas High Plains Chapter.
$35 for members and $45 for Non-Members.
Tickets can be purchased at Host & Toast, McPherson Cellars, The Funky Door, The Wine Nest or at the door.  Benefits High Point Village.
Event features a whole hog & fixings, music by Gary Nix & West Texas, Great Plains Dist. beer, along with McPherson Cellars and Llano Estacado wine.

Put on your dancin’ shoes and come join the fun!

Betenbough Homes Spring Event: Delight in DIY.
Saturday 4/25 | 10am-noon | Betenbough New Home Center.
FREE.
Come spend a morning pampering yourself and home! Enjoy a new dessert recipe, be inspired with beauty and home décor DIY crafts, and learn easy workout tips. Enter to win a massage gift card at the event!
This is a FREE event and will benefit Women’s Protective Services.

For more, hop on over to the full listing at LubbockintheLoop.com!

Need a sitter for Parents Night Out? Be sure to check our Parents Night Out section for childcare options on weekend nights at super fun places where the kids will have even more fun than mom and dad!

Perfect Outdoor Picks for Families – April 24-26.

Annual Plant Sale at the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum.
Saturday 4/25 | 9am-3pm | Arboretum at 41st & University.
The Arboretum will be buzzing with fun, plants & rain barrel kits to select, and a Kids Zone for young gardeners with races, snacks and garden activities! The Native Plant Society will be there selling water-wise plants and the Lubbock Master Gardeners will also be there to help and answer questions.

17th Annual Blue Ribbon Rally.
Saturday 4/25 | 10am-5pm | Downtown Depot District.
FREE.
Classic car show, motorcycle show, live music, food vendors, merchandise vendors, kids area, bounce houses, awards show, grand prize motorcycle give away!! All benefiting Family Guidance and Outreach Center of Lubbock.

National Picnic Day event at The Arboretum.
Saturday 4/25 | 5-8pm | The Lubbock Memorial Arboretum.
FREE.
Pack up the family and a big picnic and head to the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum at Hodges Community Center (41st & University) to celebrate National Picnic Day. You’ll find live music, kids activities and some great family time outdoors. Don’t forget the chairs, coolers and blankets!

Lamesa Chicken-Fried Steak Festival / Balloon Rally / 5K.
Friday-Sunday 4/24-26 | Lamesa Texas.
Lamesa’s Original Chicken Fried Steak Festival, 5K, and Crossroads Balloon Rally.
What a great, outdoor event!
Chicken-fried steak dinner: Friday 5:30pm-8:30pm.
Hot air balloon lift-off: Sunrise Saturday & Sunday.
5K Fun Color/Glow Run and Walk: Saturday 8:30pm.
Pie Contest: Saturday 10am.
Children’s Costume Contest: Saturday 10am.
Classic Car Show: Saturday 10am-2pm.
Team Roping – Rodeo Arena: Saturday 10am-3pm.
Pet Costume Contest: Saturday 1pm.
Chicken fry cook-off: Saturday.
Hot Air Balloon Fire concert for spectators: Saturday Night.
Live Music.
And more!

Safety City Birthday Celebration.
Sat. 4/25 | 3-5pm | Safety City.
FREE.
Safety City is turning 22 and we couldn’t celebrate without you! Come celebrate your favorite little City’s 22nd Birthday with our Dr. Seuss themed birthday party to see where we’ve been and the places we are going. Enjoy riding bikes, NEW pedal cars, and playing games at the Safety City Birthday Party.

Several Family-Friendly Walks & Runs are also taking place this weekend… pick one or 2 and get some fresh air with the family while getting a smile from helping out some amazing organizations:

Run For Recovery 5K & 1K Family Run.
Saturday 4/25 | Mackenzie Park | 9am.
Includes inflatable obstacles and family color run!

March of Dimes March for Babies.
Saturday 4/25 | Urbanovsky Park @ Texas Tech University | 9:30am.

Burkhart Walk for Autism Awareness.
Sunday 4/26 | Jones Stadium | 2pm.

For more Earthy family ideas, checkout our latest blog on Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day with Kids.

Check back soon for our next Parent Night Out series with Lubbock in the Loop… sure to be “Sitter Worthy!”
Kid Friendly (1)