Jan 31, 2013

Weekend Roundup January 31 – February 3

Stephenie Walker / Weekend Roundup / Learning Expo 2013, MindGear Labs, Operation Green Team, Opus Tadpole, Sheriff's Rodeo, The Little Gym, VBC, Wildflower Society / 2 Comments

Some weekends, we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel to find good family events to share here on the WERU. (Seriously, last week was so quiet I almost included “Stroll the Aisles of Costco and Enjoy the Free Samples”.) But THIS is not one of those weekends. All we can hope to do for you is narrow down your choices a bit!

Please keep in mind the events listed here aren’t all that’s happening in our area. There are numerous more listed in our full Event Calendar. Remember to click on the ORANGE TEXT to get more information about any event below. See something we missed? Leave the details in the comment section and share with your fellow Rocket City Parents.

1. Ditch the Kids at The Little Gym

Friday from 6:30 – 10:00 PM
What better way to enjoy a night out than to know that while you are enjoying dinner and a movie, your kids are having fun (and even better wearing themselves out). While not free, Parent’s Night Out at The Little Gym in Providence costs $20 for members and $25 for non-members, but anyone who’s paid for a sitter knows that’s a deal for three hours of quality care and fun. Kids can bring a sleeping bag or blanket for when they watch a movie during the last hour. Call (256) 382-3123 to reserve your space.

2. YEEHAW at the Rodeo!

Friday & Saturday from 7:30 – 9:30 PM
See the top cowboys and cowgirls compete for the national title in the Sheriff’s Lonestar National Finals Rodeo. More than 30+ loads of dirt began arriving at the VBC Arena yesterday, and there will be free kid’s activities for ages 10 and under: face painting, “Gold Rush” games, stick-horse barrel racing, kid’s target roping, and a “Best Dressed” contest to name a few. And who doesn’t love a rodeo clown? Tickets run $14 – $28 depending on what seats you prefer.

3. Reconnect with Nature

Saturday at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM
If your family has a case of cabin fever with all the rotten weather, today is a good day to work in some fresh air. There are TWO great events to help you do that together – for older kids, the $3 per person Wildflower Hike is a 5 mile (3 hour) trek on Monte Sano that begins at 9AM and is hosted by the Huntsville Wildflower Society.
The more little-kid-friendly Explore Nature Families Club meets at Hays Nature Preserve at 10AM, and is perfect for families with kids 3-5 years old. Today’s free excursion will be all about the textures you can find in nature with stories and a craft to go along with your hike. To register or find out more, contact Operation Green Team at 53-CLEAN.

4. Rocket City Inventor’s Club

Saturday at 10:00 AM
MindGear Labs is hosting the inaugural meeting of their monthly Inventor’s Club! A fun new place open to anyone who has a great idea and wants to build it, MindGear Labs wants inventors of all ages and experience levels to participate in this free gathering of the minds. If you like to tinker, no matter if you’re an engineer, artist, inventor, or just want to hang out with other inventing-minded kids, you should come check it out. Free and open to the public.

5. Listen to the Symphony Around You

Saturday at 10:00 AM
What is the difference between a viola and a violin? Children have fun discovering the answers to these musical questions and more during twenty-minute Opus Tadpole presentations, entertaining and interactive ways for the youngest listeners to learn about the instruments of the orchestra. Grown-ups will also learn a thing or two! These free sessions are held on Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. prior to Classical Series final rehearsals of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Families are invited to stay and listen to rehearsal.

6. Get Smarter (and visit the Space & Rocket Center for FREE!)

Saturday from Noon – 5:00 PM
We saved the best for last! Join your friends from Rocket City Mom as we partner with the US Space & Rocket Center to present the 2013 Learning Expo. This free event will be unlike anything else in the Tennessee Valley. Highlighting Independent Schools, Magnet Programs, Homeschooling Resources, Education-Related Business and more, this is an opportunity for parents to find ALL the information they need about their educational options in one place in one afternoon. Dynamic local speakers, a sneak peek of AAA’s “Seussical the Musical”, face art by Gabrielle’s Facepainting, and booths from these great schools will all be under the Saturn V Rocket. Come say hello!

WAIT! Before you go…