Monday, Monday... At least there are some FABULOUS free events to keep the blues at bay...

1. KidsNotes with Symphony Arlington at the Southwest Branch of the APL. 10:30a. Free. Learn about instruments during the instrument "petting zoo!"

2. Play Days at the Southeast Branch of the APL. 11a. Free. Let the kiddos play at the library- new toys always make mine happy! Stay for free lunch at noon :)

3. Lego Camp! Um, how COOL is Lego Camp- FREE Lego Camp?! If my oldest weren't at Art Camp this week... She would be here! 2p. Southeast Branch of the APL. For kids ages 5-12. MUST preregister- morelibrary.org. I mean- need I say more?

4. Teens 13-17 have 2 free camp choices this week!! Sports Action Photography at Lake Arlington APL and Robotics Space Station Camp at the East APL at 10:30a. Have I mentioned how much our library rocks?! Be sure you preregister! Morelibrary.org

5. Indoor Petting Zoo. Awesome, right?! Betty Warmack Branch of the Grand Prairie Library. Free! 3:30p. Bring the kids to learn about rabbits, chickens and more!
**You can also attend this same event at 1p at the Main Library and 6p at the Shotwell Library**

**Ongoing Monday Events** 

1. $1 movies at Studio Movie Grill. This week's feature is The Peanuts Movie. 11a.

2. Camp Creativity at Michael's. $5 per child. Any of the three area locations. 10a-12p. Make a new craft every time you attend!

3. Open Jump at Pump It Up. $8/child. Monday's times are 12:30p- 2p and 2:30p- 4p. Don't forget your socks!

4. Have you checked out area splash pads?! They ROCK for the younger kids! Brantley Hinshaw, California Lane and Don Misenheimer are great options in Arlington; Sonora Park in fabulous in Kennedale; Splash Factory is awesome in Grand Prairie (this one does cost $2/person).

5. Family Nights at Randol Mill Pool! $5 admission for everyone after 5p.

6. Jump from 10a-1p at Urban Air in Mansfield for just $12/person!

Weekend Round Up!

Here are a few activities to keep your littles busy this weekend!

1. Build and Grow at Lowe's, 10a, Saturday. Must preregister. This week's activity is Falcon.

2. Exercise with Me Storytime at the Lake Arlington Branch of the APL. 10:30a. Help your littles start the weekend off right!

3. Little Mermaid at the Mansfield Performing Arts Center. 2p and 7p. Tickets are only $5 each!

4. Chess Club at the Mansfield Public Library. 1p. All ages and skill levels welcome!

5. Movie Night at Bicentennial Park in Pantego. Dusk. Come see Hotel Transylvania 2 under the stars!

6. Dr. Who Cosplay party at Barnes and Noble at Parks Mall. 7p. This is more for the adults... But everyone is welcome!

 

7. Rick Trevino at the Levitt, 8:30p. Free concert! Don't forget your lawn chairs!

Yay for Friday!

Oh Friday, I've been waiting for you...

1. Head over to Little Gym's new location on Broad Street in Mansfield for the grand opening! 4:30-7p. Fun, games and enrollment specials!

2. Support local theater! Tonight is The Little Mermaid at the Mansfield Performing Arts Center. Tickets are only $5 each! Shows are Friday at 7 and Saturday at 2 and 7.

3. Friday Night Live for teens Elzie Odom. Starts at 7p. Flag and Powder Puff Football!

4. Family Movie Matinee at the Mansfield Public Library. Popcorn and a flick- free! This week's feature is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

5. Kid's Night Out at the MAC! Dying for date night? Drop the kids at the MAC from 6-10 and enjoy some time with your SO! $15 per kid, includes a meal. Discounts for siblings. Online registration closes tonight.

**Ongoing Friday Events**

1. Head over to Studio Movie Grill for $1 movies. 11a. This week's feature is Horton Hears a Who.

2. Camp Creativity at Michael's (every M, W, F). 10a. $5/person. Pop in to one of the three area Michael's and let your kiddo make a cute craft!

3. $1 hot dog Fridays at BK and Randol Mill Pools. Yum!

4. Let the kiddos bounce out their crazies at Pump It Up. Bounce times for Friday are 10:00-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2:00 p.m. and 2:30-4:00 p.m. $8/kid. Don't forget their socks!

5. Register at Kidsbowlfree.com and stop on over at Alley Cats in Arlington. Bumpers optional :)

6. Toddler Jump at Flight Deck Arlington. 10a-12p. $8 per kid per hour. 

7. Open Jump at Pump It Up. $8/kid. Don't forget your socks! 10-11:30, 12:30-2, 2:30-4.

Arlington-area Park of the Week!

In an attempt to draw more readers, I'm starting a new feature on the page... Park of the week! I will pick a park and include my own pictures and review. The good, the bad, the ugly :)

My first park is Clarence Foster Park, on Woodside Dr., close to the intersection of Woodside Dr. and Arkansas, in 76013.

Why I love Clarence Foster:

This park was redone about 5 years ago. It now includes two large play structures, one for littles under 5 and one for bigger kids. There is a row of swings that includes both toddler swings and regular swings. There is a free-standing spinning structure that accommodates several kids at once. There are large blue canopies that serve to shade the park and woodchips on the ground. But Clarence Foster has so much more than just a play structure!
Clarence Foster also has a walking trail all the way around the park. Every 1/4 of a mile or so there is a small fitness station with various machines and instructions on how to operate/use them. This walking trail (it's a cement sidewalk, actually, so trail is probably not the right expression) is great for getting your steps in with your fitness tracker, letting the kids ride bikes or exercising with your 4-legged friend!
Clarence Foster also has public grills and picnic tables for those who want to make it an evening at the park. There are park benches around the play area so you can sit back with friends and enjoy a hamburger and watch the kiddos play!
Clarence Foster also has a baseball diamond and tons of space to kick around a soccer ball. There is also a large cement embankment where my girls always marvel at the older kids skateboarding or doing tricks with their bikes.
We love Clarence Foster!

What I don't love about Clarence Foster:

Because this park is in a neighborhood, there are no bathrooms. Luckily, we don't live far from this park, so running home isn't too inconveniencing if a little one has to go. Be forewarned!

1. Little Art. 11a. East Branch of the APL. Best for 5 and under. Let the littles create a masterpiece (and leave the mess somewhere else!). Don't forget free lunch at noon!

2. Children's Ballet (K-6). 1p. Southeast Branch of the APL. Free! Preregister at morelibrary.org.

3. Children's Jazz (K-6). 2p. Southeast Branch of the APL. Free! Preregister at morelibrary.org.

4. Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Lake Arlington Branch of the APL! Drop off your kiddo's stuffed toy at 3:30p and come back on Friday... The staff there will show your kiddo a fun slideshow of all the awesome things the stuffed lovey did overnight!

5. Teen Movie Night at the Mansfield Public Library. Teens 13-17 can enjoy popcorn and a free flick. 5p. This week's movie is the Book Thief.


**On-going activities**

1. 9 am movies at Cinemark Mansfield for $1. This week it's Home.

2. 11 am movies at Studio Movie Grill for $1. This week's feature is Horton Hears a Who.

3. The Church on Rush Creek has open play in their play area from 10-2, but they do close for lunch from 12-1. But pop over in the morning for air-conditioned, free fun! This is best for the 5 and under set.

4. Head over to Pump It Up on Eden Rd. to let the kiddos bounce out some energy! We went Wednesday and it was fairly empty! It's $8 per kid for 1.5 hours of bouncing. 12:30-2 and 2:30-4.

5. Free lunch at the library! North East, East and South East Branches. 12 noon. Go make some new friends in the area and get your kids a nutritious meal.

6. Throwback Thursdays at BK and Randol Mill pools! Take $1 off admission at both pools. These are great for all ages!

7. Toddler Time at the Southeast Branch of the APL. Stories and sing-a-longs for the under 3 set. Plus stay for lunch afterward! 10:15a.

8. Preschool Story Time at Lake Arlington Library. For the 3 to 5 set. 10:30a.

9. Bilingual Story Time at the Mansfield Public Library. Songs and stories in English and Spanish. 10:30a.

10. Bouncing Babies Storytime. Southwest Branch. 11:15a. For the 18 months and under set.

11. Check out Urban Air in Mansfield. At last check, they were doing a special- $12.99 per child to jump from 10a-1p! That's a great deal :)

12. Register with Kidsbowlfree.com and spend some time indoors perfecting your game! Bumpers not required... ;)

13. Book Babes. This one is for infants-18 months! 12p at the Shotwell Branch of the Grand Prairie Public Library. Sing and play with babes!

Wacky Wednesday!

1. Little Movies at the Soutwest Branch of the APL. Little ones can come and watch a free movie based on some of their favorite books.

2. Youth Center Sneak Peek: 10a, East Branch of the APL. For teens. Come try out all of the gadgets in the youth center!

3. Story time at Chick Fil A on Camp Wisdom and 360. 10a. Free. Come enjoy a snack, a craft and a book with Miss Peggy. Best for the 5 and under set... And so fun!

4. Movie Night at the Levitt Pavilion. Come enjoy a free movie under the stars! Don't forget your blankets and lawn chairs. Pack a dinner or grab some grub from the food trucks. This week's feature is Shaun the Sheep. 7:30p.

5. Story time at the Mansfield Library. Join us for Story Time Adventures for "Get Ready, Set, Read, and Rock With Ms. Maria!" Come have fun with Ms. Maria, Cool Cat, and Max the Mouse as they exercise mind and body. 60 min. Ages 3 to 9. 10:30a.

6. Family game time at the Mansfield Library, come and go event, starts at 2p. Drop by to play a few of your favorite board games, provided by the library!

7. Free movie: Inside Out! 1p, Main Branch of the Grand Prairie Library. Enjoy some air-conditioned fun.

8. Free movie: Shaun the Sheep! 1p, Betty Warmack Branch of the Grand Prairie Library. Escape the heat with a free flick!

**Ongoing Wednesday Events**

1. Camp Creativity at Michael's. Head to one of the three area Michael's for craft time at 11a. Crafts are $5/child.

2. Cinemark Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark Mansfield. 9a. This week's feature is Home. $1/ticket. (search the page for the coupon posted earlier- you can save $1 on a wacky pack, which is popcorn, fruit snacks and a drink!)

3. $1 movies at Studio Movie Grill. 11a. This week's feature is Horton Hears a Who.

4. Bad Konigshafen pool at Stovall Park has $5 admission after 5p.

5. Woodland West Pool has family night from 8-10p. Admission is $2.50/person.

6. Open Jump at Pump It Up. $8/kid. Wednesday times are 10-11:30, 12:30-2, 2:30-4. Don't forget socks!

7. Play and Learn at the Grand Prairie YMCA. Free. Drop by with your littles (best for the under 5 set) and play with play doh, make crafts, engage with new toys. Enjoy the indoors!

Kids bored after the holiday weekend? Here a few activities that should keep them happy!

1. Children's Hip Hop at the Lake Arlington Branch of the APL! Kids 5-12 can learn new dance moves! Free. Be sure to register first at morelibrary.org.

2. Hip Hop for teens, 13-17. Free dance lessons at the Lake Arlington Branch of the APL. Be sure to pre register at morelibrary.org.

3. Family Fun Night- FREE- at Elzie Odom Rec Center! Stretch, exercise, climb a rock wall! 7p.

4. Creative Coloring for teens (ages 9-17). Drop by the Mansfield Public Library starting at 4p for some relaxing coloring. All materials provided.


**Ongoing Events**
(These events occur every Tuesday at the same time)

1. $1 movies at Studio Movie Grill. 11 am. This week's feature is Horton Hears a Who.

2. Summer Movie Camp at AMC @ Parks. 10a. $1 per ticket. This week's feature is Madagascar.

3. Storytime at the Barnes and Noble at Parks Mall, 11 am. Stay for crafts and activities afterward!

4. 2 for 1 Tuesdays at all Arlington Public Pools! That's right- get two guests in for the price of one! BK pool is closed today.. But take advantage of this great special at other pools such as Howard Moore, Helen Wessler and Randol Mill.

5. Open Jump at Pump It Up. $8 per child. Times are 12:30-2, 2:30-4. Don't forget your socks!

6. Craft Tuesdays at Peter Piper Pizza! Head over to Peter Piper for a craft and games! Buffet lunch for kids is only $4.73 per kid and includes a drink. Add 20 tokens for $5 more! Kids can color and do various themed crafts each week! This week's theme is crazy hats (feel free to wear one)!

7. Toddler Tumble at Flight Deck Arlington, 10a-12p (this goes on daily). $8 for one hour of jumping. This is for kids 6 and under.

8. Open jump starts at 10a at Urban Air Mansfield. Check the website for current specials (urbanairtrampolinepark.com)

9. Free bowling at Alley Cats! Sign up your kiddos here: kidsbowlfree.com. Then go enjoy some air-conditioned fun! (this is an every day event!)

10. Open play at the Church on Rush Creek. Drop by the air-conditioned play room at Rush Creek and let the kiddos run around! Best for the 5 and under set. Open play is from 10-12 and 1-2p.

*Looking for a way to get the kiddos out from under foot? Check out all the awesome camps the City of Arlington offers! My girls will be attending camps at Cliff Nelson and Elzie Odom this summer! Camps start at age 3... naturallyfun.org for more!