iFly: Fort Worth's Spot For High-flying Fun!

I went skydiving when I was 25.

My best childhood friend and I called it our "quarter-life crisis" and jumped out of an airplane outside Denton, TX, tandem with experienced skydivers for the thrill.

It was incredible.

Not something I'm dying to do again, mind you, but something that I'll be forever glad I checked off my bucket list!

So when Pearachute, my favorite class-pass for kiddos in DFW, added IFly Indoor Skydiving to it's list of offerings, I couldn't wait for my girls to try it out!

The cool thing about iFly is that it is more of a weightless experience- so even those that are afraid of heights (and will therefore never check skydiving off their bucket lists) can still experience the awesomeness of indoor skydiving!

After receiving our vouchers via email from Pearachute, I went to iflyworld.com to book their flights. IFly has two DFW locations- Frisco and Hurst (or Dallas and Fort Worth, as they are classified on the Website), so we chose the Fort Worth location because it is only about 12 miles from our south Arlington residence, just up 820 and across the highway from North East Mall.

We arrived to check in today at 2:20. Our flight time check-in was 2:30, and the girls were called back to the "flight deck" at 2:55. After signing all the waivers and filling out all the required paperwork, the girls and I went back to "flight class" to learn about hand signals and proper form while in the flight tunnel. (You wear ear plugs while in the wind tunnel, and then have a helmet over your ears. Combined with the excessive noise of the wind tunnel itself, these things make it nearly impossible to communicate without hand signals inside the wind tunnel!) They practiced proper flight technique and were trained by their instructor so as to be prepared for the experience! This part of the experience took about 10-15 minutes.

After reviewing all the proper hand signals and procedures, it was time to suit up! Please note- I neglected to read the fine print on the email I received from iFly and had my girls dressed improperly. Flyers should come in pants or shorts (not dresses, for comfort's sake) and need to wear lace-up, secure sneakers (not flip flops like my oldest. Luckily they do keep sneakers behind the counter for poor souls like us!). The girls put on flight suits, sneakers, ear plugs, goggles and helmets. The certainly looked like proper skydivers once they were in full gear!

We had the unfortunate luck of booking right after a birthday party that ran long. The girls had a hard time waiting- and there was lots of waiting today. They finally got called to their seats within the wind tunnel area about 4:10 pm, which was, admittedly, a lot later than I thought it would be.

Their group was full- 10 flyers. Each flyer gets two flights, each for a total of one minute. The first flight is merely to give you a taste. The girls got to experience weightlessness and feel what it's like in a wind tunnel. They were in the tunnel with a flight instructor who was able to properly guide them and signal them as necessary.

The second time around they really got to have fun. For $10 extra per person, the flyers can be taken up the tunnel 3-4 times with the instructor's help. Once we came this far, well, we didn't have it in us to say no! So for their second "flight," the girls got to go high in the wind tunnel several times and do a few tricks with the instructor.

After the flight, the girls each got a completion certificate and a chance to view photos and videos of themselves in flight.

The cost of the flight package is $70 per person. IFly also does birthday parties, events, Scout outings, field trips and executive events. How cool would this place be for a birthday party?!

The girls loved the experience! While it took significantly longer than I anticipated it would, I loved seeing their smiles after their flights. This would be such a great treat for a birthday kiddo, or as a reward for a job well done. What's even better is that it's awesome for all ages! Kids as young as 3 can take flight here!

A few extra bits to know:

- It's fun to watch! Not only can you watch the other flyers, but instructors often do stunts and tricks after they help their groups go. Some are very flashy while some are very funny. The girls loved watching them all!

- There are lockers for your personal belongings while you are "in flight."

- There is a gift shop with swag and vending machines with chips, candy and pop.

- Parking is free.

Feel free to ask any questions you want! (Oh- and check out Pearachutekids.com for this and so many more amazing opportunities for your kiddos all over DFW!)

Daytrippin' with Everything Arlington: Reunion Tower GeO Deck in Dallas!

I'll confess: I've lived in the DFW area for more than 12 years now, and I've never been to the GeO deck at Reunion Tower.

Although, it seems, this is not uncommon. I have many, many friends who have lived here their whole lives and have never been up Reunion Tower! It's such a fun day trip from Arlington, I'm honestly not sure why I waited so long!

Yesterday my littlest one and I attended Tall Tales Story Time. That's right- the GeO Deck, in conjunction with the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in Dallas, has a story time for kiddos the last Thursday of the month at 11am! The storytime was very interactive, complete with music to get the kids moving and stories to get the kids thinking. Storytime is appropriate for kids ages 1-5. And it's so unique! My LO is no stranger to library storytime... But at the GeO Deck? How cool, right?! (The next story time is Thursday, September 28, at 11a).

LO and I arrived at 10:30 am and paid $6 to park in the Reunion Tower parking garage. The drive from Arlington was easy- we took 30 east to 35N and exited Commerce St. It took us about 30 minutes to get there from south Arlington. Ticket prices are $17 for adults, $8 for kids and 3 and under are free.

We were able to hop right on the elevator and zip straight to the top (after snapping the obligatory souvenir photo, of course)! Once up there, LO and I loved walking around the open air deck and looking down at Dallas. She enjoyed seeing all the cars zipping by and looking at how tiny each building looked from so many floors up. Her highlight, though, was most certainly looking out the stationary binoculars and get a closer view of the city below!

Inside the tower there are loads of interactive displays that help you identify buildings and landmarks some 470 feet below at ground level. There is also a new interactive display called Constellation, where guests can attach their name and geographical info to a star in an interactive way that allows them to leave something virtually behind after their visit!

My LO was introduced to flattened souvenir pennies during our road trip this summer, and she loved making a new penny at Reunion Tower to add to her collection!

Reunion Tower also has several dining options- Cloud Nine Cafe and Five Sixty- making Reunion Tower a fun evening destination for a great date with your SO! While we didn't experience dining here on our trip, I can't wait to go back with my husband and have a drink with an incredible view!

A few fun facts I learned yesterday during my visit:

One of the Tower's nicknames is the Dallas Dandelion!

It is 837 steps to the top of Reunion Tower.

This building debuted along the Dallas Skyline in 1978.

Go. Enjoy. Be a tourist in your own backyard (kinda backyard. You know what I mean!)

The Best Apps to Navigate Parenthood

I never thought I’d see a day where my entire life could be managed on a device smaller than a slice of bread.

And yet, here we are.

Never one to be late to the electronic game, I, like most, use my cell phone for everything.

Including simplifying my life as a mommy of three (girls!).

I’ve rounded up my favorite parenting (and adulting) apps to tell you how they make my life easier and why I can’t live without them! (All of these apps are free unless otherwise noted. Please note that I use an iPhone and cannot guarantee all apps are available on an Android)

For organization's sake:

Picniic

This app is like my personal assistance. It’s my calendar, my to-do list, my important dates list, shopping list and meal planner all in one. I can upload all our activities here, from birthday parties to camps to volunteer shifts, and assign them to a specific person in the family. My husband has the app on his phone, too, so he gets notified when I add something so he can’t play dumb when I tell him to pick up a gift for the birthday party next Saturday. The paid subscription allows you to enter important information such as medical info, financial info and personal info and add a passcode for extra security.

Mint

Adulting is hard, especially when it comes to money. Budget for this, that expense pops up. And somedays I just need Starbucks, or the cute sale dresses at Target (times three!) or the gorgeous Kendra Scott necklace because it’s my birthday month so the necklace is half price. But it’s not always easy to keep track of the spending… So in comes Mint.  I can keep track of my money all in one place. The checking account. The savings account. The college funds. The bills. And so on. 

For practicing my social skills:

Meetup

This app helps you find your tribe (or fitness group, or common interest group and so on). Create your profile (make it as detailed as you want) and you can search for groups in your area. When I first became a mommy, this app helped me locate mommy groups in the area to socialize my babies. On the app, you can connect with others in the area, find local meetups and playgroups and search by common interest to fill your days!

Winnie

Sometimes it's hard to know where to go for kid-friendly activities and restaurants. Where should you eat? Where can you play? Enter Winnie to answer these questions for you! Open the app and enable GPS and you'll never wonder what to do with the kids again! Search by area to find restaurants, parks and kid-activities in any given spot. The app even offers information about the place such as whether or not there is a kid's menu or if a park is great for nursing. If you travel frequently with your kids- this app is for you!

For peace of mind

Mamabear

I would have been horrified as a child in the 80s and 90s if my parents tracked my every move. But we grew up in a very different world than our kids today. Internet safety and stranger danger are some of my biggest fears as a mom. Mamabear is just the app to calm my fears a bit. After registering my family, I can download this app to all their phones/devices and monitor their whereabouts and activities. I can set location alerts and track where they are- and whether or not they should be in these areas. I can also monitor social media so I know if kids have befriended inappropriate people or are messaging individuals who aren't their friends. Just a little assurance in this digital age.

WebMD Baby

Worried your newborn isn't nursing enough? Or that your infant isn't having enough we diapers? Enter WebMD Baby- a great app that allows you to track all things baby for your little ones to share with your pediatrician- or simply for your own knowledge. The app also offers loads of advice on little ones, everything from infant and toddler care to vaccine info. It also has a guide on what to expect at your kiddo's well visits each milestone.

For the kids 

PBS Learn & Play

Sometimes I have to entertain my kids when we are out and about, and my phone is a great tool for that. One of our favorites is PBS Learn & Play, which has great, easy-to-understand games for little minds that help them learn as they play. Lots of activities keep little ones exploring, and you can choose the age range for your kiddo to find a game tailored to his/her age group- and there is a even a Spanish option!

Nick Jr.

Sometimes my kids, much like me, want to plug in and tune out. And so we have Nick Jr./Nickelodeon, where kids can watch and interact with their favorite TV shows. I don't have to worry about the content they are exploring (which is why we steer clear of YouTube), and they can flip from character to character and show to show at their own pace.

For Memories

Artkive

My kids have more artwork than I know what to do with. And my oldest is only seven! The way they create I estimate that we will need a second house in approximately four years. Good thing I found Artkive, an app that lets me digitally store all of their masterpieces. I can organize them by kid and then order books or other products with pictures of their favorite creations so they never feel as if I didn't appreciate their creative genius!

Chatbooks

Sometimes my life is a little too digital. I often joke with my mom that if my girls ever want to know when they lost their first tooth or aced their first spelling test, they'll have to check my Facebook page. It's funny.... And sadly true. And so I discovered Chatbooks, an easy way to get those photos off my newsfeed and onto my coffee table. Create books any way you want at reasonable prices so your kiddos can cherish their memories forever- and not just on your Facebook newsfeed!

The Best Play Areas in DFW

Before I was a mom, I swore a blue streak I would never set foot in a place like McDonald’s. The food! The people! The germs! The horror!

And then I became a mom. And I had kids to entertain. And no matter how many shopping carts full of toys I hauled into our playroom, my girls were only ever entertained at my house for so long. And there were times when we just needed to escape the confines of our house.  (These were usually days when it was too hot, too rainy, too something, which prevented us from being able to escape to a local park.)

And so McDonald’s, the dreaded place, served as a shiny new space, an indoor refuge complete with climbing contraptions and other tiny humans and free Wifi! It became my second home. I could enjoy a coffee (and some French fries), and the girls could enjoy some good old energy-burning fun. We would traipse to play places all over the Metroplex, trying to find a new play area and more tiny humans to fill our days and stave off boredom.

And then, to my delight, play areas starting popping up all over DFW- ones that aren’t attached to a fast food restaurant! Now moms from Frisco to west Fort Worth can drag their kiddos to shiny, clean play areas to add some spice to their endless days without feeling guilty about the quality of food being touted or the cleanliness of the play area (how often does McD’s really clean those play areas? I mean really really?)

Here are a few worth checking out… And worth making the drive to, if you aren’t local to that part of town.

Fort Worth/West DFW

Inneractive Playhouse (5950 Park Vista Circle, Keller)

www.inneractiveplayhouse.com

Filled with a jumbo-sized, brightly-colored climbing structure, Inneractive Playhouse is the perfect spot to bring the kids after they’ve sugared up on snow cones or cupcakes. The structure features multiple climbing levels with large slides in the middle for kids to run, jump and play. A small, separate area for kiddos under three ensures that littles aren’t trampled by older siblings and other big kids. Snacks are available for purchase.

The Happy Lark (5816 S. Hulen St., Fort Worth)

Thehappylark.com

Located close to Hulen Mall, The Happy Lark is a small, modern kid’s store with a large, open play area in back for caregivers and their tots. Mod, wooden toys and creative learning activities fill the open space, offering a multitude of activities for little ones. Free coffee keeps caregivers happy, too! Best for kids ages 5 and under.

Small World, Big Imagination (280 Commerce, Ste. 125, Southlake)

Smallworldbigimagination.com

Located in Southlake just off Highway 114, Small World, Big Imagination is a treat for kiddos of all ages. Mini storefronts line the back walls of the playspace, encouraging kids to role play (Want to be a fireman? Store owner? Car mechanic? Vet?) while small tables near the front are filled with all the supplies your tot could possibly need to create his next masterpiece. Snacks are included with admission price and given upon exit.

Peek N Play (2805 E. Grapevine Mills Circle, Ste. 150, Grapevine)

www.peeknplayarea.com

Oh, to be 5 again! Peek N Play is truly a playspace that was designed with fun and creative play in mind. Two levels of games encourage kids to play in oh so many ways. There is a tree house with a ball pit (not the ones of your childhood, filled with old band-aids and load of trash underneath filthy plastic balls) keeps kids climbing and sliding for hours while faux storefronts encourage kids to stretch their minds and role play. Upstairs kids can build with Legos or large foam blocks, or grab a book and get lost in the world of make believe. Downstairs, parents will find a plush seating area with coffee for purchase and free Wifi.

Dallas/East DFW

The Playdate Co. (2701 Custer Parkway, Richardson)

www.playdateco.com

We don’t live anywhere close to Richardson, but this place is so worth the drive for us! Lined with imaginative play areas all with different themes, Playdate Co. is a bright, clean space where you’ll feel comfortable letting your tot roam.  My girls’ favorite spot is a bike-like apparatus in the middle of the space that allows kids to peddle in a circle as fast as they want (the bikes are all attached to a single, fixed point). Free Wifi and a parents’ spot makes this place ideal for relaxing while kids play. Even better? Across the street is an ice cream place where you can treat kids to an afternoon snack.

The Coop (8802 Coleman Blvd., Frisco)

www.thecoopfrisco.com

The Coop is the epitome of a kiddie cool. A large climbing structure lines the center of the room with a ball pit the size of Texas awaiting kids at the end of their climbing adventures (my 7-year-old self is crazy envious). Bright, friendly colors make this space easy on the eyes and a cappuccino bar in the lobby makes this space perfect for some R&R for parents and caregivers.

Kid’s Expressions (1651 W. Eldorado Parkway, McKinney)

www.kidexpressionstx.com

Newly opened, Kid Expressions is the perfect escape for kids after a long week. The play space is divided into individual rooms with themes. In one room, kids can bang on drums or play the guitar, in another they can read. Large blocks, a basketball game and a bounce house adorn the main room, giving kids of all ages something to get excited about.

Little Lakewood Salon (6434 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas)

https://www.facebook.com/littlelakewoodsalon/

Little Lakewood Salon is a trendy boutique, salon and play area rolled into one. Toys, costumes and a play structure wait for kiddos who can pop into the salon for a great cut and style before heading to the play area to get creative. Mom can enjoy browsing the selection of boutique clothing while kids interact with all the toys. 

The Crunchy Boutique: The Newest Arlington Hot Spot for Moms & Tots!

I searched high and low when I first had kids to find parenting resources in the Arlington area.

I discovered lots of great mommy groups and mommy workouts, but I really struggled to find a place to go for natural parenting. Although cloth diapering was never my thing, I nursed my babies, co-slept, baby-wore and tried to use safer baby bath products.

So you can most certainly color me envious that The Crunchy Boutique is open here in Arlington and was everything I looked high and low for... Now that my kids are 3, 5 and 7!

Nestled in a quiet business center at the intersection of Davis and Randol Mill in North Central Arlington, The Crunchy Boutique is most certainly a must-visit for all mamas and mamas-to-be in the area. Complete with all the resources you need to successfully breastfeed, cloth diaper, baby wear and so on, The Crunchy Boutique is the local business to support your motherhood journey.

My youngest and I dropped by yesterday to see the space and were seriously impressed. The store had a small table set up near the front with magnetic blocks for her to build with while I explored the space. And the space is incredible- open, warm and so inviting.

The store has all kinds of cloth diapers and all the accessories you might need to be a successful cloth diaper-er. There are baby carriers of all kinds (including the much-desired mesh baby wraps I loved with my third baby because I could wear it in the water), a variety of natural teeters, toys, clothes, nursing accessories and so much more. Truly, if you need something to accessorize your natural-parenting lifestyle, shop here! Support local! Help this awesome business thrive!

Beyond just a place to shop, The Crunchy Boutique is truly a resource the Arlington area should be proud of. The shop includes a large, open room for classes and meet ups and a full calendar for July hosting mixers and informative sessions. From birth planning classes to baby play time to Rock Your VBAC (man I wish I could have attended this years ago!), The Crunchy Boutique offers classes to all area moms in all stages of motherhood.

I simply could not be more impressed with this store and its offerings. Seriously, guys... Log out of Amazon. Put down your one-click shopping lists. Get off of Facebook. Check out the July calendar, shop local and support this awesome business- because this is the kind of business Arlington needs and should be proud to support!

Find more info on the boutique here: crunchyboutique.net

Pearachute Kids: A way to explore the Metroplex!

When I first joined Pearachute, I loved the concept.

Because if I’m honest, my kids are typical, well, kids.

They love ballet for two weeks and then decide they’d rather be ninja warriors. By the time I finish signing up for karate classes (and selling off all the ballet garb!), they’ve decided to become rockstars and begin begging for guitars and karaoke machines.

So Pearachute offered us the opportunity to pursue ALL their passions, no matter how frequently those passions change! They could be ballerinas and black belts and Olympic swimmers- and then next week we could find something new!

Once I discovered Pearachute enabled my kids to be explorers, I then discovered how truly vast the Metroplex actually is. I’m fantastic at navigating my own little neck of the DFW woods, but I found that there are so many amazing classes if I was willing to drive just a little further than normal.

And so, to maximize my Pearachute membership, I started making “field trips” all over town, stacking classes and open play times together, and mapping out fantastic lunch spots in between! This has allowed my adventurous girls and me the opportunity to pop into classes we didn’t know existed, play in open play spaces that were otherwise “too far to drive” and expand their horizons beyond the comfort of our own backyard.

For example, we recently did a weekday in North Dallas/Plano. We started with a morning class at Kid’s Garden Club, where the girls got to shake and groove to lots of of-the-minute songs while listening to stories or shaking instruments. We then stopped off for a lunch at a nearby McDonald’s with a playscape we hadn’t played in before! Then we headed off to open swim at Aquafit in Plano, where the girls got to glide like fishes through the water and play with toys provided. Lastly we headed over to Jump Mania in Plano, where the girls were able to run and play and bounce out all their late-afternoon energy and I was able to sit and relax with free Wifi and a cup of coffee. It was a wonderful day filled with new-to-them activities, most of which I wouldn’t have known about without Pearachute!

Last week we did a day in the Southlake area and experienced some of the offerings there. We started with open play at Small World, Big Imagination, an incredible play space that allows my girls to create and dream and play. They crafted at the creation spot and fished from the play canoe and put on a puppet show at the theater. When we finished there, we headed to Central Market, where the girls got their pick of yummy food and got to play with other kiddos on the outdoor playspace. From there we headed to Sweet and Sassy, where the girls got their hair cut and styled in a fun way. They loved watching Moana as the hair stylists braided their hair into gorgeous plaits and then topped off their visit with suckers. Lastly, we rounded out our day with more open play time at Peek N Play in Grapevine. We built a Lego castle, played with their large foam blocks and then the girls played in the ball pit while I sat down in the “mommy area” with coffee and my email!

In the Fort Worth area, we are mapping out a day that includes a soccer lesson at Game On and then open play at The Happy Lark. On the south side of town, we are planning a day where the girls attend a dance class at A Persons Legacy of Dance in Pantego and then check out a tumbling class at The Little Gym of Arlington/Mansfield. There is always a nearby McDonald’s or Central Market- or a splash pad to visit (check out Don Misenheimer in Arlington after you visit Little Gym in Mansfield or Dove Park in Grapevine after you hit up Peek N Play!), if you want to pack a sack lunch.

Pearachute has so many amazing classes… Get out there! Explore! Experience! Enjoy!

Get your first month on www.pearachutekids.com for $1 (3 class pass) with code StephanieJ2017

25 Ways To Have Cheap Summer Fun in the Arlington Area!

It is this time every year that I start to hyperventilate about Summer.

Don't get me wrong... I'm beyond excited for sleeping in, lazy mornings, late nights, all of it, really, but I also panic a bit when I start to think up ways to fill our days without breaking the bank.

Luckily, we live in an awesome area that has tons of fun things to do all summer long!

Here is a list of 25 ways to have Summer fun for $10 or less in the Arlington area...

1. Hit up a splash pad! Pack a sack lunch, some sunscreen and an old cup or two (because my daughters always beg for cups once we get there, to fill up with water and dump on unsuspecting splash pad-goers) and hit the splash pad. Don't forget a blanket to sit on! Our favorites are Don Misenheimer Splash Pad (201 Lonesome Dove Trail) in Arlington and Sonora Park Splash Pad (203 S. New Hope Rd.) in Kennedale.

2. Check out a $1 movie at Studio Movie Grill! A new movie will play each week all summer long- and you and your kiddo can get in for $1 each! (Don't forget to raid the piggy bank for popcorn money...) Check out the schedule here: https://www.studiomoviegrill.com/Movie/Film-Series/Childrens-Summer-Series

3. Head to Peter Piper Pizza (4800 S. Cooper St., Arlington) for $5.99 Summer Fun Days Tuesday starting mid-June from 11 am- 1 pm. Kids can enjoy two slices of pizza and a craft, as well as burn off some energy on their indoor play structure! Each week will have a different theme.

4. If your kiddo is dying to get creative this summer, Michael's has a fantastic program called Camp Creativity! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, kiddos can make a different craft (each week has a new theme) for $5. This program is best for kiddos ages about 5 and up. Michael's has two Arlington locations as well as a Mansfield location.

5. Check out the library programs! Arlington Public Library has some AH-mazing summer offerings! From baby yoga to magic shows and Lego builds, the library has something for everyone! Check out the schedule here: morelibrary.org

6. Get your kiddo moving at Pump It Up (1120 Eden Rd., Arlington ). For $8, kiddos can jump at daily open jump times. Kids younger than one are only $5. Bring a water bottle and some goldfish and let your kiddo get to jumping! Free Wifi for parents, too! Head to pumpitupparty.com for their open jump times.

7. Speaking of jumping... Kids under 42" are only $6 during open jump times at Flight Deck Trampoline Park (1600 W. Interstate 20, Arlington). And toddler jump is Monday-Friday from 10 am until 12 pm, where kids ages 6 and younger are only $8 to jump. Get those kiddos active and let them have air-conditioned fun!

8. Have you registered at Kidsbowlfree.com? Sign up on the site and your kiddos can play two free games every day all summer long! Head over to Alley Cats (2008 W Pleasant Ridge Rd., Arlington) and play your free games! You can play, too, for a fee. You will need to rent shoes for about $5. Or, if you think you'll bowl every day, you might check Amazon for some inexpensive shoes that will save you the regular rental fees!

9. Head over to Barnes and Noble at the Parks at Arlington for story times and special events all summer long! They have storytime every Tuesday and Saturday, as well as special events (including this Tuesday, June 6, when River Legacy Science Center teams up with B&N for a great, hands-on event). Check their website (https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2342) for dates and times.

10. Two-For-One Tuesdays are back at Arlington-area pools! Head to Howard Moore Play Pool (my favorite for the 5 and under set!)(1919 Bever Blvd.) for $3.50 admission for you and your kiddo! Other pools where you can get in for less than $10 for two people on Tuesday include Allen Bolden, Randol Mill, Helen Wessler, BK and Woodland West. For more info:  https://naturallyfun.org/aquatics-events#special-promotions

11. Check out a movie with the family at Levitt Pavilion (100 W. Abram St.) in Arlington! On Wednesdays in June, the Levitt will show new popular kids movies starting at 8 pm. Pack your cooler or grab dinner from a food truck! Pack a blanket and some lawn chairs and enjoy yourself! They have lots of free concerts all summer long, too! Check out the calendar here:  http://levittpavilionarlington.org/events/

12. Catch a monthly movie with your little in Mansfield for $1 a person! The Farr Best Theater (109 N. Main St., Mansfield) will feature movies June 20, July 18 and August 8 at 1 pm. Check out the schedule here: https://www.visitmansfieldtexas.com/events

13. Take a stroll through downtown Mansfield during Third Thursday events, which happen from 5 to 8 pm on the third Thursday of the month. Enjoy crafts and activities, shopping specials at the local stores and lots of hometown fun! Check out their FB page for monthly updates: https://www.facebook.com/ThirdThursdaysMansfield/

14. Check out all the awesome play times and activities at Sock Monkey Junction, Mansfield's awesome hometown toy store. The store, located at 316 S. Main St. in Mansfield, has multiple play dates every week at various times. You can make your own slime, play board games and so much more! Check out their FB page for the full schedule: facebook.com/sockmonkeyjunction/

15. This one isn't quite Arlington, but it's free and fun and worth the drive to Fort Worth! Every Wednesday starting June 7th, the Amon Carter Museum (3501 W. Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth) hosts a free story time from 10:30 am until 12 pm for the 8 and under set. Hear a story, check out some art and participate in a craft. Learn more here: http://www.cartermuseum.org/calendar

16. Find the 20 stars that have been scattered throughout Arlington! Get to know this awesome city by going on a star scavenger hunt throughout the city looking for the stars sponsored by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and Women Inspiring Philanthropy. Learn more here:  http://arlingtonmuseum.org/stars/

17. Check out Joe Pool Lake! They have a small beach for playing and swimming, and they are showing movies at the beach all summer long! Each vehicle with up to 6 people is $10. Movies are select Saturdays all summer long and free with park admittance. Address, movie schedule and more here: https://www.gptx.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/26967/15

18. Every other Wednesday at 10a (the next date is June 14), the Chick Fil A at Camp Wisdom and 360 in Grand Prairie hosts a fantastic story time! Sing, dance, listen to a book (or two), receive a free snack and a goody bag... And have fun! This is best for the 5 and under set. And it's FREE!

19. This one also isn't in Arlington- but it's only seasonal and so worth the drive! Fritz Petting Farm in Irving is free and open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm. Let your littles get up close and personal with all sorts of awesome animals. Open during June and July only. Check out more details here: http://cityofirving.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Fritz-Park-Petting-Farm-38

20. Get building on Saturdays with the kids at Home Depot. The first Saturday of the month (the next event is Saturday, July 1), kids can build a pre-selected craft in store, and receive a certificate of completion, pin and apron at any of the area locations (there are two Home Depots in Arlington, as well as one at Eastchase and 30 in Fort Worth, one in Grand Prairie and one in Mansfield). Activities are free. Learn more here: http://www.homedepot.com/workshops/#store/0541

21. Stroller Skate with your tot at the Arlington Skatium ( 5515 S. Cooper St.) on the first Friday of every month. $4 gets caregiver plus one kiddo in to skate- and strollers are allowed on the rink! Stroller Skate is 10 am until 12 pm.

22. Snag a Pearachute Kids membership for $1 for your first month! Get 3 classes for $1, and drop into classes such as golf, dance, soccer and so much more in Arlington and Mansfield. Sign up here and use code StephanieJ2017 to get your first month for $1: www.pearachutekids.com

23. Chill out with a snow cone! Annie's Freeze Shaved Ice has our favorite sweet summer treats... And you can treat the whole family for less than $10! Annie's is located at 2382 W. Park Row Drive in Pantego.

24. Learn about nature at the River Legacy Science Center in north Arlington (703 NW Green Oaks Blvd.) with interactive environmental exhibits, aquariums and a gift shop! If the temperature outside isn't too hot, explore the trails and head to the park playground for a picnic lunch! The center is open 9 to 5 Monday through Saturday. Learn more here: https://riverlegacy.org/river-legacy-living-science-center

25. Check out the play area and toys at the Southeast Branch of the Arlington Public Library. Geared toward kiddos 3 and younger, interactive play toys and age-appropriate activities await kiddos at this library branch! 900 SE Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington.

Follow my page to stay up to date on fun Arlington on-goings this summer!
Know of an activity I missed?! Email me here: everythingarlingtontx@gmail.com