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You Must Go To The Springdale Aquatic Center

July 24, 2008 | 1 Comment

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I took my boys to the Springdale Aquatic Center for the first time on Wednesday, and I was shocked.  The place is amazing — a competitive sized swimming and diving pool and a play pool with two long, twisty, curvy slides and plenty of fountains and playthings for the younger kids.  It has several zero entry areas and a large covered play pool with fountains for children under 4 years old.

Kids of any age will absolutely love the place.

  • Location:  on the corner of Pleasant and Watson Street in Springdale, next to the Springdale Public Library 
  • Hours:  Monday thru Saturday from 12–6:45 p.m., Sunday from 1— 6:45 p.m.
  • Cost:  $4.00 per person, under 5yrs old - $2.00

Learn from my mistake:  Bring cash or check.  No credit cards accepted!

Here’s a link to the Springdale Aquatic Center’s website.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Outdoor Activities 

Looking for Something to do? Visit the War Eagle Mill

July 24, 2008 | 1 Comment

On Monday, my mother-in-law took us to the War Eagle Mill  – a local working water powered grist mill.  My boys had quite an adventure:  they watched the working mill, purchased a boomerang in the gift shop, then waded and skipped rocks in the river beside the mill. 

The drive to the War Eagle Mill is scenic, but not too long.  Once you get to the mill, the kids can walk along the wooden bridge, feed the ducks, and browse for trinkets at the mill’s store.

The Bean Palace Restaurant on the third floor features the Mill’s whole grains for breakfast and lunch.

If you go, be sure to purchase some of the locally ground organic flour and baking mixes. 

The mill is open 7 days a week (except in January and February).  Here’s a Map to the War Eagle Mill.  Here’s a link to the War Eagle Mill’s website.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Hidden Gems, Outdoor Activities 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Botanical Gardens

July 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Midsummer Night’s DreamI love the idea of exposing kids to Shakespeare, and I believe this production would be the perfect entree to the bard.  First, this modern adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream lasts only one hour.  Second, tickets are only $5 ($20 max per family).  Third, the setting is the main lawn of the beautiful Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks.

The show is THIS WEEKEND and begins at 6:30pm both Friday, July 25th and Sunday, July 27, 2008.  For more information, call 455-6333 or go to www.bgozarks.org. 

Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on.  You can also bring a picnic basket or cooler, but any alcoholic beverages must be purchased on site. 

Remember, this is still Shakespeare, so I would suggest preparing by reading the story before you go.  Here’s a good one at Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare (link).  Or, you could read a modern translation of the entire play.  Here’s a good online resource at No Fear Shakespeare (link).

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog 

Friday Morning Movies at the Fayetteville Public Library

July 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The Fayetteville Public Library is hosting Friday Morning Movies as part of its Summer Reading Club activities.  The screenings are open to all children and families

Movies are shown each Friday through August 8 at 10 a.m. in the library’s Walker Community Room.

The two remaining show are James and the Giant Peach (PG) on August 1 and Charlotte’s Web 2 (G) on August 8.

Students can sign up for the Summer Reading Club at the Children’s Desk or at www.faylib.org.  For more information, call the Children’s Library at 571.2222 x 4370.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Upcoming Events and Deadlines 

The new Trike Theater for Youth at the Bentonville Farmers Market

July 20, 2008 | 1 Comment

Have you heard about the new Trike Theater for Youth?  This new theater company has great things in store for kids interested in experiencing professional theater.

The Trike Theater is the brainchild of Kassie Misiewicz.  Many of you know Kassie.  She was formerly with TheatreSquared – spearheading their theater for young audiences and education programing.

If you are interested in learning more, the Trike Theater will be presenting a sampling of their programs for children ages 1-18 at the Bentonville Farmer’s Market on Saturday, July 26 from 8am-1pm (during the Reconstructing Art Walk). 

Children can create their own story at the Sand Play station, spur their imagination at the Puppet Stage, or participate in one of the following 20-minute Dramatic Play workshops:

  • 8:00-8:20-Story Drama-age 3 and up
  • 9:00-9:20-Inprov-3rd grade and up
  • 10:00-10:20-Story Drama-age 3 and up
  • 11:00-11:20-Improv-3rd grade and up
  • 12:00-12:20-Acting-6th grade and up

The Farmer’s Market is located one block east of downtown Bentonville next to Dave Peel Park on the corner of B and Central Ave.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog 

Bed Bugs Storytime at the Fayetteville Public Library

July 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment

To do on Thursday night: 

  1. Put your kids in their jammies.
  2. Grab a favorite stuffed animal.
  3. Head to the Fayetteville Public Library for a Bed Bugs Storytime.

When:  Thursday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Walker Community Room.  For more information, call the Children’s Desk at 571.2222 x 4370.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog 

Ventriloquist Performance at the Fayetteville Public Library

July 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Texas ventriloquist and puppeteer Dennis Lee will perform for elementary students at the Fayetteville Public Library on Wednesday, July 23 at 1 & 2 p.m.

Lee has been a ventriloquist since the age of 10 and performs throughout the country. He has been voted Best Ventriloquist at the Annual International Ventriloquist Convention.

The is part of the library’s Summer Reading Club.  Students can sign up for the Summer Reading Club at the Children’s Desk or at www.faylib.org.  For more information, call the Children’s Desk at 571.2222 x 4370.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog 

Gulley Park Summer Concerts

July 17, 2008 | 1 Comment

The Gulley Park Summer Concert Series is one of my favorite family activities in Fayetteville.  The whole town (it seems) meets at the park.  Kids are running around, playing in the sandbox and on the playground — and best of all, the concert is FREE!

New this year is an expanded food court — Eureka Pizza, Lucky Luke’s BBQ, Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream, Smiling Jack’s Fresh Foods, and Qdoba Mexican Grill.

Here’s the remaining lineup.  The shows are on Thursday at 7pm:

July 24 - Ben del Shreve with Tiffany Christopher
August 7 - Oreo Blue

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Reoccuring Events 

New Giveaway — Alice Upside Down DVD!

July 16, 2008 | 2 Comments

Alice Upside Down MovieDo you know anyone who loves the Alice McKinley Books by Newbery medalist Phyllis Reynolds Naylor? If so, this giveaway is for you! I have 3 DVDs of Alice Upside Down to give away to 3 lucky Life+Kids readers.  Here’s a bit about the movie (which will be officially released on July 29):

Alice Upside Down tells the story of 11-year-old Alice McKinley, who has moved to a new town with her widowed dad Ben and teenage brother Lester, leaving her the only girl in an all male household. Alice imagines herself cool, confident and popular, but in reality her life is full of anxiety, awkward moments and overwhelming challenges. Alice misses her mom more than ever during these confusing pre-teen years, and she feels like she can’t do anything right! Can Alice survive the embarrassments of being “the new girl in school,” the dramas of the school musical, and the miseries of Mrs. Plotkin?

Alice Upside Down is based on Naylor’s Alice books and stars Alyson Stoner (”Camp Rock” “Cheaper by the Dozen”), Lucas Grabeel (”High School Musical”), Luke Perry (”Beverly Hills 90210″) and Penny Marshall (”Laverne and Shirley”).  You can learn more about the book series and even print a reading guide by clicking here to go to the Simon & Schuster webpage.

Back to the giveaway.  How do you enter?  Leave a comment on this post (if you get your updates via email, then click on the title of this post to go to the Life+Kids website and comment) or email me at terri@lifepluskids with “Alice Upside Down” in the subject line. 

You can increase your chances of winning by telling your friends about Life+Kids and copying me on the email (terri@lifepluskids.com).  Your name will be entered once for each friend.  So, if you email 10 friends about Life+Kids,  your name will be entered in the drawing 11 times (once for you and once for each friend you email). 

Entries must be received by noon on Sunday, July 20, 2008.  The giveaway will be held later that day. 

Thanks for reading Life+Kids — I hope you enjoy the Giveaway!

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Giveaways 

Summer Saturday Program at the Shiloh Museum

July 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History presents “The Civil War in Shiloh” as its July Summer Saturday program. The life of a Civil War surgeon will be portrayed by Doug Kidd, along with musket drills, cavalry recruits, a cannon display, lacemaking demonstrations, log cabin cooking and storytelling.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Upcoming Events and Deadlines 

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