DFW Spring Break 2022: Your Spring Break Bucket List

We are less than two weeks away from Spring Break 2022! Yippee!

Where are you headed?

We are headed back to my roots to spend sometime in the Midwest, although I know my kids would rather be hitting a sunny Florida Beach. We are almost halfway done with our 50-state challenge (we are trying to visit all 50 states before my oldest heads off to college!), and this Spring Break, we intend to check two (maybe three, if I'm ambitious enough!) off of our list.

But if travel isn't on your agenda this Spring Break, don't worry! We live in such an awesome area that has so many incredible offerings for kids of all ages, you can keep the kids busy all Spring Break. Whether you have a video game enthusiast, an adventure-seeker, a homebody, an artist or a sports-lover at home, the EA Spring Break list has something that will blow you away.

So get planning, get excited and get ready for Spring Break 2022! (and read to the very end for a challenge with big prizes!)

The EA Crew is ready for Spring Break 2022!

Spring Break 2022: Let's Do Dallas/Fort Worth!

For the thrill-seeker:

GoApe Plano: Zip lines, a ropes course, Tarzan swings and more! Ages 10 and older. 

Six Flags Over Texas: Heart-stopping fun right here in Arlington. Rollercoasters and more.

PrairieLand: Let your kids get their kicks for a low price close to home! Wristbands are $13.99 and include the Vortex, Flea Fall, Wipeout and lots of other crazy rides. 

iFly: Indoor skydiving. Need I say more? 

For the animal lover:

Children's Aquarium at Fair Park: Two words: Doctor. Fish. Seriously, if your kids are like mine, they will love sticking their hands in the tank while the "doctor fish" peck at them! Feed the stingrays, see sharks and so much more. 

SeaLife: This Grapevine Mills spot is home to Texas' only 360-degree ocean tunnel. See sharks, sting rays and more up close! 

SeaQuest: Hang out with sloths, birds, sea creatures and more at this awesome aquarium located inside Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. 

Dinosaur Safari at the Dallas Zoo: Hop on a shuttle-guided Dino Safari with your "research assistant" at this fun, prehistoric party. Then stay and play at the zoo's children's area. Oh what fun! 

Dallas World Aquarium: You'll feel as if you've stepped into the rainforest when you set foot in the Dallas World Aquarium. Make your way through a number of exciting exhibits, including Mundo Maya, Ornico, Borneo and more. 

Fossil Rim Drive-Thru Safari: Located in Glen Rose, Texas, about an hour from Arlington, Fossil Rim is a fun experience for guests of all ages. Drive through the wide-spaces where animals roam- and feed the animals from your car! Stop halfway through for snacks and to visit the kid's area. 

For the video-game lover:

National Video Game Museum: Get ready for the ultimate throwback with a visit to this Frisco museum. Show your kids the computers and video game systems you grew up with and then have fun in the retro arcade at the end. 

Main Event: Get your game on! Spend the day playing video games, bowling, eating good food, doing the ropes course and more. 

Alley Cats: Play mini golf, go bowling, play video games and laser tag and more. This local spot is lots of fun. Or head up to the Hurst location because it has outdoor rides, too!

Dreamscape Immersive Dallas: Embark on a virtual adventure at Northpark Mall. Ages 10 and over. 

For the indoor playground lover:

PlayStudio Fort Worth: This Montessori-based play space in Fort Worth offers tons of fun for the younger set. Kids ages 8 and younger will enjoy playing both inside and outside, exploring, creating and more. 

Peppa Pig World: Immerse yourself in the world of this adorable British cartoon pig and her fun family. Lots of creative play is available at this Grapevine Mills space, which is great for kids ages 7 and younger. 

Legoland: Your little engineer will love this indoor play area that has Legos galore. There are rides and building areas and an indoor play space. In warmer weather, there is also an outdoor splash pad! Fun for kids of all ages. 

KidZania: Let your kids imagine what the world would be like if they ran it! Kids can create a news show, learning about dentistry, try their hand at fire-fighting and lots more. Kids ages 8 and older can be dropped off and play while you shop at Stonebriar Centre. This spot is fun for kids ages 4 and up. 

KidMania: If your kids have energy for days (mine do!), this is the spot for all of you! You can sit on the second level in the parents room and work, read or simply scroll on your phone while your kids climb and play for hours. 

For the museum lover:

Perot Museum: This Dallas Museum has a fun kid's area on the lower level that will enable your kids to learn and explore. Spring Break Week offers lots of unique programs that deal with STEM activities so your kids can learn while they play. 

International Bowling Museum: Learn about the fascinating history of bowling at this Arlington museum. Your kids will love playing all the interactive games as well as bowling with mini balls and pins before exiting to the gift shop. 

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: I don't even know if I could possibly count the number of hours I spent at this museum when my kids were little, watching them stuff their grocery carts in the mini grocery store. The children's museum is geared toward kids in second grade and younger but there are lots of other awesome exhibits older kids will find exciting, too. 

Ripley's Believe It Or Not: Get ready to get weird! Check out all the celebrities in the wax museum, try your hand at the mirror maze and learn cool and yes, weird, facts inside the Ripley's Museum. 

Reunion Tower: Spend Spring Break at the top of this observation tower! There is tons of fun programming for the week, including story time, local sports teams' mascots and more. All of that is included with your admission ticket!

For the water-lover:

Epic Waters: Rain or shine, you and the kids can have a splashing good time! Try out the crazy water slides, relax in the lazy river, try your hand at the Flow Rider and more. 

The Cove at the Lakefront: This indoor waterpark in Little Elm is fun for all ages. With fun slides, a rope challenge, lazy river and more, everyone will have fun here. Plus, there is a seating area with TVs for you- and you can bring your own food in. Score!

Other fun spots to consider... Crayola (Plano), Play Street Museum (multiple locations), Cheeky Monkeys (multiple locations), the Fort Worth Zoo, Kiddleton (Fort Worth), Medieval Times (Dallas), Pump It Up (multiple locations), Urban Air (multiple locations), Sky Zone (Irving) and Great Wolf Lodge (Grapevine). 

Happy (almost) Spring Break, friends! 

Here's a fun challenge for anyone who read this far... Save this Bingo card to your phone. Cross out activities you do. It doesn't matter how many activities you do- whether you do one or all- just cross them out as you go. During Spring Break Week, share this card and tag my EA page (on FB or IG) with the number of cross outs on your card. One lucky winner will receive two tickets to GoApe Plano for some high-flying fun! 

Awesome Overnight Camps for DFW-Area Kids

Starting to plan out Summer 2022?

If your summer is looking like mine, it's already got dates blocked off for Camp Thurman and summer family travel. I've got pages saved on Facebook to revisit next week when the kids are in school and am trying to figure out what else my time and budget allows for.

My girls go to overnight camp at Sky Ranch each summer. The love it there! The water activities, campfire songs and general camaraderie bring them back year after year. They enjoy making new friends, learning new skills and enjoying a week away from mom and dad with their peers.

The glow after dropping your kids at camp for a week for the time of their lives! 

But Sky Ranch 2022 is almost booked up for Summer 2022! We've already secured our dates, but it has me wondering what other camps are out there that could be fun for kids. 

I highly, highly recommend overnight camp for kids. I went every summer as a kid from the age of 8 until 18 and some of my best friends and favorite childhood memories are from my weeks of overnight camp in southern Wisconsin.

If you are looking for overnight camp for kids in the DFW area, check out these 10 great camps for kids. (And if the financial piece is a concern, contact the camp director! Oftentimes there are scholarships and grants available for those who qualify. There are also payment plans at camps such as Sky Ranch, which make it a little less intimidating to shell out overnight camp for your kids.)

10 overnight camps for kids within driving distance of DFW

Practicing for overnight camp around a "campfire."

Sky Ranch (Van, TX)- Located less than two hours from Arlington, this Christian overnight camp in East Texas runs from Sunday- Saturday. Kids swim, craft, participate in theme nights and so much more. Older kids can also learn to horseback ride. Kids can start staying here after they finish kindergarten, and a week of camp starts at $1199. 

Pine Cove (Tyler, TX)- After kids finish first grade, they are eligible to start their Pine Cove journey. From Sunday until Saturday, kids will swim, play, explore and much more at Pine Cove. This Christian-based overnight camp is about two hours from Arlington and a week of camp starts at $1199. 

Camp El Tesoro (Granbury, TX)- Started in 1934, Camp El Tesoro is an overnight camp in Hood County for kids in first grade and beyond. At this camp, kids can participate in water sports and campfire fun as well as craft, hike and much more. Sessions start at $780 per child and typically run from Sunday- Friday.

Camp Carter (Fort Worth, TX)- Northwest Fort Worth is home to Camp Carter, a YMCA-owned camp open to kids ages 7-17. Overnight camp runs from Sunday- Saturday and is $800 for non-YMCA members ($700 if you are a member). At this camp, kids will sing campfire songs, swim, craft and much more. 

Camp Grady Spruce (Graford, TX)- Possum Kingdom Lake is the backdrop for Camp Grady Spruce, a YMCA-owned camp about 75 miles west of Arlington. This camp, for kids ages 6-16, has a climbing wall and zipline as well as a plethora of outdoor activities to keep kids excited and happy all week long. Camps run Sunday- Saturday and each week has a different theme. Camp is $740 for YMCA-members and $840 for non-members. 

Camp Huawni (Timpson, TX)- Another East Texas gem, Camp Huawni is located near the Texas/Louisiana border and offers overnight camps for kids after they have completed first grade. Since 1965, this summer camp as offered a fun escape for Texas kids each summer. About three hours from Arlington, this spot offers camp from Sunday- Saturday and starts at $1,495 per week. 

Camp Olympia (Trinity, TX)- This Houston-area summer camp is about three and a half hours from Arlington and endless fun for kids. Pack your bags and plan a getaway for you and your SO while your kids enjoy a week of fun in southern Texas. Kids age 6-16 are in for sun, fun and adventure. Week-long camps run Sunday- Sunday and start at $2,000. (14 & 21-day camps also available)

Camp Twin Lakes (Cedar Park, TX)- Texas' Hill Country is the backdrop for this YMCA-owned camp that is three hours from Arlington. Kids ages 6-16 can swim, hike, zipline, canoe and more at this Sunday- Saturday camp. Camp is $725 for YMCA members and $800 for non-members. 

Camp Balcones Springs (Marble Falls, TX)- Kids in first grade and beyond can plan to spend a good portion of their summer having fun at this overnight outside Austin that offers two and three-week terms to campers. Engage in all kinds of outdoor activities three hours from Arlington at this traditional summer camp. One week sessions run Saturday-Saturday and start at $1,850 per child.

Camp Sherwood Forest (McDade, TX)- Um, can I go to this camp?! Kids can spend a week traveling back in time and learning all about Medieval history. From blacksmithing to archery, kids will experience a one-of-a-kind week at this Austin-area camp about three hours from Arlington. Kids ages 7-16 are welcome, and camps run Saturday- Saturday and start at $949 per child. 

If you book your kids at any of these camps, please let me know! I'd love to hear your experiences! 

Have Kids, Will Travel: Ski Getaway to Sipapu in New Mexico

Have a bunch of snow-lovers in your family? Or have you always wanted to try skiing but it seems fancy and expensive? No worries. Sipapu Ski Resort in New Mexico is the spot for you- drivable, affordable and endlessly fun! 

I'm raising skiers. I am. In Texas! And I absolutely love it. 

I'm not really even a skier myself. But my kids are.

My youngest is now a snowboarder, though, so don't call her a skier. How dare you!

But skiing is expensive. The gear alone with cost you $100s to purchase. If you rent, you can expect to pay between $30-50 per day, per person (oftentimes more) for a helmet, boots, skis and poles (or a snowboard). Lift tickets are another expense- averaging around $50 per day (although often costing more) depending on where you ski. And don't forget the winter gear! Snow pants. Jacket. Waterproof gloves. Gaiter. Goggles. Skiing is simply not cheap. 

But don't let that intimidate you! Skiing is such a fun sport for all ages. And, whether you're like me and love the winter or you're like my children and prefer warm weather, you have to admit there is something magical about snow. 

Still... Heading to a fabulous, established ski destination such as Park City, Utah, or Breckenridge, Colorado, might be intimidating. Those mountains fill up with skiers of all levels, and lines for the ski lift can get long. It might not be the right fit if you're new to the sport of skiing. And we won't even talk about the monetary angle...

Skiing is exhausting!

Sipapu Ski Resort: Affordable Family Ski Fun

Last year, my family and I went to Purgatory Ski Resort in Durango, Colorado. My husband also frequently travels to Breckenridge and Park City to ski. We've also visited Steamboat Springs. I told you- I'm raising skiers!

But this year, we needed something slightly less expensive for our ski getaway. A friend had told me about Sipapu years ago, so I finally visited their website and came up with a plan. 

Sipapu facts: what to know before you go

- Sipapu is about nine and a half hours from Arlington by car. It is about 30 minutes south of Taos, New Mexico.

- It is a somewhat isolated ski resort. There is one restaurant onsite as well as a gift shop with a small commissary of sorts.

- Kids ski free at Sipapu! That's right. Kids 12 and younger are free. Adult ski passes start at just $9 a day and top out around $60. Guys... That's a steal!

- You can rent ski equipment and take ski lessons onsite.

- You can stay onsite as well. They have a motel, mobile homes, duplexes and a few more options on hand for ski in/ski out accommodations. We stayed at the motel, and it was about a quarter-mile walk to the lifts.

- Sipapu is small and intimate. My girls never waited in line to get on the lifts or felt mowed down by expert skiers. 

Skiing at Sipapu Ski Resort in New Mexico.

Sipapu: accommodations

Okay, let me be honest (because we paid full retail for our vacation- the same that you would pay. I get no kickback or compensation for promoting Sipapu to my readers!). Sipapu is... rustic. What do I mean? I mean- if you want bougie and fancy, you should check out Aspen. Or Vail. Or Breckenridge. Or Park City. I could go on. If you have the money and the travel time, there are fancier places you could go that offer a lot more amenities.

But, if you have beginning skiers and are looking for something that is easy to access and inexpensive to visit, let me make my case for Sipapu!

When we arrived, we bypassed Sipapu and went into Taos. We rented the girls skis at a ski shop there (saving us about $100 total) and stocked up on food at Walmart (it's a small Walmart that was picked over on arrival. I recommend stocking up elsewhere!). We also enjoyed our only meal out for the week (we arrived Monday night and left Friday morning). 

Taos is only a 30-minute drive from Sipapu. BUT, I caution you here. It is 30 minutes straight up the mountains on winding roads. If you are not someone familiar with driving in snow, I don't recommend thinking you will regularly make this drive. 

We stayed onsite at the motel. There was ample parking and two queen-sized beds. No shampoo is available and there is no housekeeping. There is a TV and free Wifi, but there is no cable. We brought our Roku so we could watch TV at night. We have TMobile as our cell provider and got no service at Sipapu. Hooray for Wifi!

The motel, overall, was basic. No common area, no amenities. It was cramped but we made it work! We paid $795 for 4 nights including taxes and fees, so I promise you I'm not complaining!

Sipapu Ski Lodge & Store

Sipapu: onsite resources

Sipapu has a restaurant and a commissary onsite but not much else. There is a small gift shop with t-shirts and other branded items, and this is also where you can purchase macaroni and cheese, milk, and other pantry and fridge staples. 

Our motel room had a microwave, so we brought lots of soup, ramen and leftovers and lived on that. The room did not have a coffeemaker, so we did order coffee from the resort restaurant each morning (you can only order online currently). We didn't order any food from the restaurant, although it did offer a decent-looking menu. 

You can rent skis onsite, although the line is long in the mornings, so plan accordingly. You can purchase ski passes online and pick up onsite. Ski lessons are available. 

Sipapu: the slopes

My girls loved the slopes at Sipapu. There are two main lifts as well as two magic carpets. There are a number of runs ranging from basic to advanced. There was plenty of snow on the mountains when we arrived, and it snowed two out of the three days we skied. It was snowing again when we left. 

We went after Christmas, typically a very expensive and busy time at a ski resort. Thinking back to last year at Purgatory, my girls had to wait in lines for up to 30 minutes to get on the lifts. At Sipapu I don't think they even waited two minutes to get on the lifts. They loved it. My youngest tried snowboarding on this trip and now basically thinks she's Olympics-ready. She was able to get a ton of practice runs in, aided by the fact that the mountains weren't packed and she could get on and off the lifts easily with no waiting. It was a wonderful first experience for her. 

Note- there is no sledding at Sipapu. If you bring or purchase sleds, you will have to drive further up into the mountains to find a spot to use them. 

Getting on the ski lift at Sipapu Ski Resort. 

Sipapu: final thoughts

My husband didn't love Sipapu, but he has skied for years and felt that Sipapu didn't offer hard enough runs for his preferred level of skiing or enough to do once the sun went down. I'm rolling my eyes as I type this...

Let me tell you the bottom line...

If you want a basic, fun ski vacation, you won't beat the price here.

Our ALL-IN price for this vacation- ALL-IN- was $1800.

That includes 4 nights of lodging, gas for our Kia Telluride from Arlington, Texas, roundtrip, food for 5 people 3 times per day for 5 days, ski rentals for 3 (my husband owns his own gear) and ski passes for 4 (remember, I didn't ski) and souvenirs. 

The slopes were open each day from 9am-4pm MST, so this was our schedule:

8 am- wake up, eat breakfast (oatmeal or fruit in the room)

9 am- 11 am- ski

11:30 am- 1 pm- lunch and break in the room

1 pm- 4 pm- ski

4 pm- 7 pm- dinner plus iPad time in the room

7 pm- 10 pm- family movie time

10 pm- bed

One last thing I will caution you- there isn't much to do at Sipapu once the sun sets. There is no pool, no common game room, just the one restaurant to grab food or a beer. So we had a lot of iPad and TV time, which was fine to us. 

I also didn't ski, and there were times when two or three girls wanted to head back to the lifts before I was ready to go back out (I still suit up in all the gear to hang out outside), and I felt confident sending them to the lifts solo with my oldest's phone on Wifi. The resort was small enough and felt safe enough that we could let them ski without one of us there. This would not be the case at other resorts.

I encourage you, if you are wanting an affordable ski vacation, to check out Sipapu. No, it's not fancy. No, it doesn't come with a ton of bells and whistles. But it's affordable and it's perfect for kids... And sometimes that's all you need!

My amazing snowboarder! 

The Journey : In the Beginning- An Immersive Christian Experience

Southlake has a new immersive experience!

From the producer: The Journey Dome has launched a Christian experience in Southlake, which will entertain, educate, and enlighten people of faith and people seeking clarity and guidance in life. Through state-of-the-art technology, The Journey allows the mind, body, and soul to journey through the stories and words of the Bible. The 50-foot diameter dome offers an immersive experience surrounded by high-resolution video and high-fidelity sound. With a run time of approximately 40 minutes, the presentations are family-friendly and suitable for people of all ages. Currently, there are two shows available for patrons -- "The Journey: In the Beginning” (covers the Creation, the Book of Jonah, and a Christian Reflection Prayer) and "Immanuel: The Nativity” (featuring immersion within ancient and contemporary oil paintings of the Annunciation, the Star of Bethlehem, and the Nativity). Additional shows will be added in the coming months.

The Journey Experience

Inside The Journey in Southlake, Texas.

Written by Guest Blogger Kara Roberson

Arriving at The Journey

We were not sure what to expect at The Journey Experience in Southlake. There is a small amount of parking spaces outside the dome and a parking garage right next to it. We arrived at the Journey 15 minutes early like the email said to do. They do close the door promptly at the show start time.

The Best Seats

There are four rows of bleachers, two rows of little round ottoman style stools and a row of pillows with arms to lay down on the floor. The best seat is laying down so that you can see the show more easily and don’t have to look up.

Watching The Journey.

The Journey Show

The video has a narrator talking through creation, Jonah, and has a meditation prayer at the end. There are many breathtaking images in the show. Some of the images get larger coming toward you, and because of the dome shape of the theater, it looks like things are coming right at you making it an immersive experience. The Bible is filled with stories that happened thousands of years ago, it is sometimes hard for us to imagine ourselves in their shoes, but this show does an excellent job of putting you in the action and making you feel like you are there. My nine-year-old and I loved it, but my seven-year-old was nervous at one point when it looked like we were going to fall off a cliff. Obviously, she really felt like she was actually there!

Some of the imagery you see during The Journey.

The Journey Prayer and Meditation

There were relaxing images and music as the narrator started the prayer time. He asked you to close your eyes and relax. He asks you to pray to God. I thought there might be someone there at the end to discuss a decision with you if you desired, but at the end, the doorman was the only one there. I enjoyed the show, and I was very glad that my kids experienced it, because it brought stories from the Bible to life for them.

Here are a few more reviews from Googler users. Let us know if you attended The Journey, and what you thought of the show!

The Journey Dome in Southlake.

Fun Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve with Kids in the Arlington Area

Wondering what to do with the kids to celebrate 2022's arrival? EA has rounded up five fun activities in the area for you and the kids this New Year's Eve!

We've done it. 

Well, almost, anyway.

We've almost made it through 2021!

It was better than 2020, that's for sure.

But now it is time to look forward to 2022 and all the excitement a new year offers. 

If you're like me, your New Year's Eve celebrations certainly aren't what they were in your 20s... With three kids now, I just don't have the energy to put on a fancy dress and stay out late (but more power to you if that's your thing!). Instead, I look for ways I can celebrate WITH the kids. Most years, we stay home and ring in the new year with sparkling grape juice from the couch.

It's almost 2022!

But this year, I thought it might be fun to do something special with the girls. While we haven't made any finite plans yet, there are certainly a number of awesome options in the Arlington area! If you are looking for kid-friendly fun for New Year's Eve, look no further. EA has rounded up five great options for you.

Five fun ways to ring in 2022 with the kids in Arlington, TX

1. Bowling Party at AMF Lanes- Celebrate the new year with two hours of bowling fun with friends and family. Special packages are available that include two hours of bowling plus a selection of yummy food and even drinks to toast midnight (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are available). So fun! 

2. Epic New Year's Eve at Epic Waters- Have a splashin' good time celebrating 2022 at Epic Waters in Grand Prairie. Hula dancing, luau festivities and so much more await you and your family at this indoor water park. This party goes until 1 am and you won't want to miss it!

3. Unlimited Play and Fun at Alley Cats- For $40 per person, you can have unlimited play at Alley Cats in Arlington from 10 pm - 1 am. Endless arcade games? Yes please! There are also specials available for those who would like to reserve a bowling lane.

4. Zoo Year's Eve at the Fort Worth Zoo- Your kids can spend the night at the Fort Worth Zoo on New Year's Eve! They can enjoy dinner plus a night hike and tons of fun while you spend NYE with your significant other or friends out on the town or relaxing at home. The choice is yours!

5. Noon Year's Eve at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History- Skip the late night and cranky kids and celebrate the new year at noon instead of midnight! Learn about different new year's celebrations and then set resolutions with for the new year. This event is included with your museum admission. 

We are ready to cheers to a new year!

How are you spending New Year's Eve this year?

10 Non-Toy Gifts To Give Your Kids This Christmas

Every year, the conversation I have with my husband regarding gifts for the girls and Christmas goes something like this:

Me: I don't know what to get the girls for Christmas.

Him: They don't need anything.

Me: Exactly. They don't need anything. So what do I get them?

Him: I think you're missing the point. They don't need anything... So don't get them anything?

Me: Then what am I going to give them for Christmas?

Him: Um...

Me: Yeah. 

And so it goes, this and every Christmas. I don't know about your kids, but my kids don't play with toys anymore. Don't get me wrong, they did play with toys. Once upon a time we owned every single Paw Patrol toy Target stocked, and I used to trip on Magic Clip princess toys like it was nobody's business. But, as my kids have gotten older, they have played with fewer and fewer toys. Sure, if I offer to play a game of Life or Sorry, they will happily retrieve the box from upstairs and play with me. But, left to their own devices, my kids would prefer to bounce on our trampoline, chat with their friends on Kids Messenger or simply watch TV. My closet full of games and miscellany has been largely untouched for the past few years. 

This year, we are doing experience gifts. Or, gifts that maybe won't be *as* exciting to unwrap but that will be much more fun to enjoy together as a family all year.

So, if you, like me, aren't interested in adding any more toys to the pile cluttering the toy room, here are some amazing experience gifts that will keep the magic going all year. And, bonus, I've included an item you can wrap and place under the tree so your kids have something to unwrap come Christmas morning.

10 experiences to gift your kids for the holidays 2021

1. A membership to a zoo or aquarium. We have to many to choose from in Dallas-Fort Worth! Buy your kids a membership to the Dallas or Fort Worth Zoos, or to one of the aquariums in the area, such as SeaLife or SeaQuest. With a membership you can go throughout the year, and most places offer some pretty awesome perks with your membership.

    Put this under the tree: a t-shirt or brochure from the place you bought a membership

2. A movie-a-month pass. Okay, so this isn't actually a thing that you buy, but you can design a fun graphic on Canva and then detail what your movie-a-month program looks like! Mine goes something like this: Each month, my girls will get to pick a movie we go see in the theater. At the movie, each girl gets her own bag of popcorn, drink and candy. I've committed to a fun afternoon with my kids that doesn't clutter up my playroom. Score!

    Put this under the tree: an empty popcorn tub from a local movie theater with your graphic inside it

3. A family staycation. Do your kids have vacation on their minds? I mean, I do! Basically all the time. If getting away right now isn't feasible, no worries. Why not book a weekend away close to home? A weekend at the Gaylord or Great Wolf Lodge will give you a chance to spend time together as a family without have to leave the Metroplex. Or check out the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. There are so many options for great local hotels that offer kids activities on-site.

    Put this under the tree: a new pair of pajamas to wear on your staycation

4. A spa day. My girls love nothing more than getting mani/pedis at the nail salon. And, as fun as those are, they add up when you have three girls! But they love feeling pampered and blissed out just as much as I do. And, boy moms, don't shy away! My husband enjoys a good pedicure, too, he just skips the polish! Treat them to a mani/pedi and an ice cream- what could be better? Bonus points if you take them for a facial or massage, if they are old enough. Or take them to Sweet 'N Sassy in Southlake and let the awesome stylists there pamper your kiddo.

    Put this under the tree: a new nail polish or other beauty accessory

5. A wet and wild day! Okay, not actually at the old Wet 'N Wild (I will always call it Hurricane Harbor; my husband refuses to call it that!), unless your kids can wait until summer. Plan a day over break where your kids can get wet and wild at Epic Waters or The Cove at the Lakefront or Great Wolf Lodge. Forget the sunscreen but pack all the pool toys and get ready for fun!

    Put this under the tree: a new bathing suit or flip flops

6. A museum or play area membership. You have so many choices with this one. Perot Museum in Dallas. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Peppa Pig World in Grapevine. Legoland in Grapevine. Six Flags. KidZania in Frisco. Crayola in Plano. I could go on! Pick a spot that your child loves and buy a membership. Your membership will pay for itself in just a few visits and you'll always have somewhere to venture to when it is cold or rainy outside. Or just because!

    Put this under the tree: a souvenir from the spot where you are buying the membership

7. Start saving for an experience with Kidsperience. If your child has a truly large-dollar gift in mind, such as a trip to Disney World or a week-long summer camp, you can plant a seed now to make this happen! Download the new Kidsperience app for free and set a goal. Maybe it's for a summer camp that costs $500, or a trip to Florida for $1500. Or something smaller, such as karate lessons or a trampoline for the backyard. You tell the app what your child wants and how much it costs and then you send it out to friends and family. They can download the app and contribute to the gift! No more mountains of meaningless gifts- your friends and family can help you save for something your child really wants. You can start saving now, and then ask people again at Valentine's Day, birthdays, etc. Anytime when a loved one might give your child a present, ask for a contribution instead. You'll get your child's dream gift off the ground in no time.

    Put this under the tree: a t-shirt from the spot (or activity) you are saving for. 

8. A Pogo Pass. If you don't want to commit to one membership because you like to vary your outings, don't fret! Purchase a Pogo Pass that will let you do multiple activities with one membership. Your can purchase a Pogo Pass for your child for $39.98 with code Everything (please note: I am an affiliate and will get a kickback if you purchase) and you can do a number of awesome activities! Go to the Fort Worth Zoo, visit Hawaiian Falls in the summer, visit KidMania, venture to SeaQuest and more! Find out more information at www.pogopass.com. 

    Put this under the tree: a print out of the pass along with a memento from one of the locations

9. Give to charity in your child's name. Give your child a gift card to TisBest, a charity website that enables your child to go through the list of charities on the site and select the one they want to give their money to. Your child can decide if they want the money they are donating to benefit animals, veterans, the homeless and so on. Teach them about how good it feels to help others.

    Put this under the tree: a certificate for ice cream to celebrate their selfless giving

10. A unique instructional class, with or without a grown up. Does your kid want to learn to sew? Or paint? Or cook? Cool! Why not give them a certificate for a class that will help them explore the hobby they want to pursue. Places such as JoAnn Fabrics offer classes that help kids learn to sew, and there are several kids cooking classes in the Fort Worth area. Sign them up for a one-time class or for a series of classes. Not only will they learn a new skill, they might make new friends at class, too!

    Put this under the tree: something to go along with the class, such as fabric or a spatula

Spending time with my kids is my present this year!

Happy Holidays! Shows + Performances to Ring in the Season in the Arlington Area

Nothing delights this time of year like a holiday performance. If you are looking to spread some holiday cheer by seeing local performance of one of your favorite holiday shows, look no further! EA has your comprehensive guide to Arlington-area holiday shows.

I can still remember my favorite holiday show I've ever seen live- The Radio City Rockettes at the Rosemont Horizon in the Chicagoland area. I must have been 13 or so the first time we went, and, WOW, those high kicks! As someone who grew up dancing, I love nothing more than watching those talented women dance their hearts out in flashy, sparkly dresses up on stage. I hope to take my own daughters to see the Rockettes some day.

Until then, though, I love seeing all the fun performances of my holiday favorites all around the Arlington area. Forget professional actors- I adore nothing more than seeing a local student (or young child!) tackle the role of Buddy the Elf or Tiny Tim. And to see tiny dancers perform The Nutcracker... It's truly what the holiday season is all about! 

This year we are lucky enough to have multiple performances spanning multiple weeks of some of our favorite holiday shows right here in the Arlington area. Whether you want funny, or serious, or heartfelt, you are sure to find something that will give you the warm fuzzies this December and leave you ready to spread some holiday cheer. No need to drive to Fort Worth or hoof it all the way to Dallas- Arlington and the surrounding area has tons of opportunities for you to see your favorite shows.

So dust off your Sunday best and get ready to get in the holiday spirit!

Holiday performances in the Arlington area

The Nutcracker

Leap of Faith Dance & Performing Arts presents The Nutcracker- 

Friday, December 3 at Arlington Music Hall. Tickets start at $15. 

The United Performing Arts Guild presents The Nutcracker- 

December 3 & 4 at the AISD Center for Visual and Performing Arts. $20 per ticket. 

Art Ballet Academy presents The Nutcracker-

Saturday, December 18 at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $20. 

Rhythmic Souls Tap Company presents The Nutcracker Untapped-

Monday, December 20 at Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie. Tickets start at $10. 

Elf

Grand Prairie Arts Council presents Elf the Musical-

Weekends, December 3 & 10 at Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie. Tickets start at $13.

Kennedale Wildcat Theater presents Elf Jr.- 

December 16-19 at the Kennedale Performing Arts Center. Tickets start at $15. 

A Christmas Carol

Kennedale Community Theatre in the Park presents A Christmas Carol-

December 11 &12 at Kennedale Town Center. Free. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Mainstage Classic Theater presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever-

December 3 & 4 at First Methodist Mansfield. Tickets start at $8.