Tag Archives: holidays with kids

Easter Week Hunt Guide 2016

Searching for Easter hunts

Looking for all the fun events in the Lubbock area for kids and families to enjoy over the Easter holiday weekend?  So have we! … and we’ve gathered them all in our Ultimate Easter section found on LubbockForKids.com.  Here are our tops picks…  Have we left off your favorite?  Share it with us here, add it to our Calendar, or share it with us on Facebook.  Be sure to check our calendar frequently… we’re receiving more info on more hunts every day!

Community Easter Egg Hunts 

EGGstravaganzas at area churches  

These aren’t your everyday, old fashioned church Easter Egg Hunts!  These are EXTRAVAGANZAs!… all free, and many include a fair-like atmosphere with bounce houses, door prizes, trains, or music.

Be sure to check with your neighborhood church too… even if they are not organizing a big event, many are offering church-wide Easter hunts and programs open to all guests!

Selfies with the Easter Bunny  

Better catch him Saturday… he’s got a really busy schedule Sunday!

Do you know of other area Easter events?  Share them with us here!

 

The Top Santa Sightings in & around Lubbock 2015

“Wish I knew all the places I can take the kids to see Santa this year”

Looking for Santa?  Spread the word... Santa and all the great events & activities for kids during the holidays can be found on LubbockForKids.com!

Looking for Santa? Spread the word… Santa and all the great events & activities for kids during the holidays can be found on LubbockForKids.com!

Done!   One thing you can already mark off your Holiday to-do list:  Find Santa!

It’s a present for all of us – the gift of saving time!  In today’s blog we wanted to share some of the opportunities that our kids have in the Lubbock area to see Santa… so great to be a kid in the Hub!

Santa has many more visits on his schedule, so check our Santa Sightings section for up-to-the minute listings.  You know… we are the official keeper of Santa’s schedule in the Lubbock area… it’s true!

What a wonderful place we live in … our community provides so many opportunities to create family memories and enjoy the fun of the season!

Where oh where can we find Santa on the South Plains?

At Breakfast with Santa events… (reservations required for most)

Fri 11/20 and Sat. 11/21: Holiday Happening @ the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.  Space is limited.

Sat. 12/5: The Village Shopping Center @ Zio’s (82nd & Quaker).  (Sold out).

Sat. 12/5:  Breakfast with Santa at Maxey Community Center.  $10/person.  Space is limited.

Sat. 12/5 starting at 9am @ South Plains Mall Grand Court: Polar Express Weekend Extravaganza Private Breakfast (free!) with Santa & “Mall Express Train’ ($3) to Premiere Cinema to see “The Polar Express” movie. Movie starts at 10:30am.  $3 mall train ride. $6 movie (purchase tickets online – sure to sellout!).  Activities FREE. Candy cane & cookie decorating at Premiere. Part of the Polar Express Weekend Extravaganza benefiting Literacy Lubbock.

At Tree-Lighting Events…

Tues 12/1:  The Carol of Lights ceremony @ Texas Tech.  Join Santa & Raider Red for cookies starting at 5pm at the Frazier Pavilion

Tues 12/1:  SPC Christmas Tree Lighting & Carriage Rides with Santa @ South Plains College in Levelland.

Fri. 12/11 & Sat. 12/12 from 6 to 9pm: Candlelight at the Ranch @ the National Ranching Heritage Center.  Special appearance by Santa till 9pm each night in the NRHC main gallery!

Santa at the National Ranching Heritage Center's Candlelight at the Ranch

Children will have an opportunity to visit with Santa at the National Ranching Heritage Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-12 during the 37th Annual Candlelight at the Ranch.

At Parades…

Thurs. 12/3:

Levelland Christmas on the Square & Lighted Christmas Parade @ 5:30pm.

Plainview Christmas Parade on Broadway @ 6pm.

Sat. 12/5:

Post City Trade Days & Christmas Parade @ 6pm.

Sat. 12/12:

Miracles Christmas Parade on 34th Street in Lubbock @ 6pm.

With Pets…

Mondays from 6-8pm till Christmas:  Pet Photos with Santa @ South Plains Mall.  A special time for your furry friends to visit Santa!  (Cats and Dogs only, in carriers or on leashes please).

Sat. 11/28 & 12/5 from 11am-4pm and Sun. 11/29 & 12/6 from 1-4pm:
Santa Paws Photos @ KK’s Corner Mall.  $10.  Professionally photographed by Robert Cason.
Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of West Texas

Sat. 12/12: Santa Paws @ Hodges Community Center (40th & University) from 9am-1pm.
Photos available for purchase or bring your camera!

On Trains…(reservations suggested)

On the Polar Express!   Departures begin Nov. 21 and end Dec. 26.  Wolfforth depot.

At Carnivals…

Sat. 12/5:  Christmas Carnival @ Mae Simmons Community Center.  2-4pm.

Sat. 12/12:  Holiday Wonderland @ The Science Spectrum.  10am-3pm.

Sun. 12/20:  Pancho Clos @ Maggie Trejo Supercenter (32nd & Amherst).  2-5pm.

Holiday Wonderland at The Science Spectrum

Holiday Wonderland at The Science Spectrum

Through the Season…

South Plains Mall:  11/14 – 12/24.  Photos available for purchase.

Holland Gardens:  Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm (free!) now through Christmas.
(50th & Memphis)

Santa’s Land Drive Thru Park in Tahoka (free!):  Open November 26 (Thanksgiving!), 27,28,29 and December 4,5,6,11,12,13,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 and light will be on 25, 26 & 27.

Kingsgate Shopping Center:  Saturdays Thanksgiving – 12/20 (82nd & Quaker).
Also don’t miss their complimentary carriage rides Friday – Sunday evenings through Christmas Eve!
Bring a coat to donate to their Coat Drive!

Santa Land @ Mackenzie Park:  Nightly 12/10 – 12/23 from 6-10pm.
Opening Ceremony:  Tues. 12/10 @ 6pm.  Help welcome Santa & Mrs. Claus from the North Pole & turn on the lights to the tree and winter village!

And you can help Santa…. If you have him scheduled to be at an event open to the public – or if you know of any great event or activity for our kids – just add the listing to LubbockForKids.com or comment here on our blog to help spread the word!

This article was originally published in 2013 and updated for 2015.

 

Playlist to Rock Mom's Day around the Hub

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!

 

2013 Holiday Camp Guide: Camps & Classes for Kids in the Lubbock area during the Holidays

 

Kid-approved Holiday Camps & Classes offer fun & learning for kids and valuable time for busy parents!Winter Camps get 4 thumbs up!

What to do with the kids over the holidays?  With all the hustle & bustle of the season, be sure to take advantage of all the classes and drop & shop events in the Lubbock area.  Many of them provide artistic fun for the kids AND a handmade craft or work of art that will make a priceless gift for someone special!  We’ve gathered a sleigh-full of area winter classes, camps, drop & shops, and holiday childcare options from our Holiday Camps section of LubbockForKids.com for our nifty 2013 Holiday Camp Guide.  Classes and camps fill up quickly so click their link to register or check availability asap!

Note that events are in order by date in each category.  Check back frequently for new additions to the list and see our Holiday Page for dozens more ideas for winter fun – search by child’s age, interests and dates!  And if you know of a camp for kids, let us know or add it to the online listing on LubbockForKids.com!
(updated 1/1/2014)


Arts & Crafts Camps:

Kids’ Paint the Day Away class @ Art & Co.:
Thurs. 1/2 & Fri. 1/3:  1-3pm:
Grades: any age if parent stays with children. Grades 1st & up without a parent.
$20.
Kids can select a pottery piece to paint or take a blank canvas and design and paint their own masterpiece!  $25 per child without parent/adult staying with children or price of the piece/canvas if parent/adult stays with children.

Science Camps:

Go 4 Gold! Camp @ Science Spectrum:
Thurs – Fri, Jan. 2nd-3rd, 1-4 PM.
Ages 4-6.
Members $36/Non-members $40.
Get in the Winter Olympic spirit!  Learn about the different sports & games played during the Winter Olympics and the science behind how they work.  They’ll enjoy an “Olympic Day” on the final day of camp where students compete in fun Olympic-themed challenges.  Come a camper, leave a champion in Go 4 Gold!

Winter Wonderlab Camp @ Science Spectrum:
Thurs – Fri, Jan. 2nd-3rd, 10 AM – 3 PM.
Ages 7-9.
Members $36/Non-Members $40.
Walkin’ in our Winter Wonderlab, you will have the chance to do tons of fun and exciting experiments! We will take on icy investigations, explore candyology, study of science of toys, light up the world, and so much more.


Holiday Child Care:

New Years Week Camp @ Rawlings, Trejo & Simmons Community Centers:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri. of New Year’s week: Open 7:45am-5:30pm daily 12/30/2013, 12/31/2013, 1/2/2014, & 1/3/2014.
Ages 6-12.
$28 for the week.
While school’s out New Year’s week, the kids can play all day! Crafts, games, sports, and more! Children must provide lunch & drink.

New Years Week Camp @ Hodges & Maxey Community Centers:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri. of New Year’s week: Open 7:30am-5:30pm daily 12/30/2013, 12/31/2013, 1/2/2014, & 1/3/2014.
Ages 6-12.
$64 for the week.
While school’s out New Year’s week, the kids can play all day! Crafts, games, sports, and more! Children must provide lunch & drink.

TEGA Kid’s Superplex:
Day camps are offered on most school holidays:
From 7:30 -3:00pm or 7:30-6:00pm.
$45 per day.
Currently enrolled afterschool care students:  Full-Day (7:30-6:00) = $40 per child.   Non-enrolled students.