Weekend Roundup January 8-11

Welcome to the first Weekend Roundup of 2015!

January is always a quiet month around here, but if the cold weather has you and the kids rattling your cage bars, don’t despair! If you’re new to Rocket CIty Mom, you should know we list our favorite free/cheap, family-friendly and FUN events happening in Huntsville and Madison County each Thursday, and our readers love this effort to make parenting in Huntsville a bit easier.

Before you dive into our list, I want to remind you we’re launching new weekly Giveaways for all our RCM Newsletter subscribers – you can sign up here, but only if the thought of free passes to local attractions, events, and activities is something that sounds good to you. We send one email a week and never share your info with anyone ever.

Festival of the Cranes

Saturday from 6:30 AM – 2 PM
Cost: $5 donation per person
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge (map)

Yes, this is early and yes, it’s cold. But if you have a budding naturalist at your house you’ll be hard-pressed to find an event that will move them more. The third annual Festival of the Cranes will offer a day of nature walks, live raptors and special programs. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring binoculars and a camera. Bleachers and spotting scopes will be available and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions. Children’s activities will take place throughout the day and a full schedule of events can be found here.

Nature Explorer’s Club

Saturday at 10 AM and 2 PM
Cost: FREE
Hays Nature Preserve (map)

The Nature Explorers’ Club is a fun, literacy-based nature experience that uses popular children’s books to teach each session. Today is all about Animal Signs – there are many species of animals that live in Hays Nature Preserve. Whether they walk, swim or fly, come have fun and learn all about these amazing creatures. Compare footprints and see if you can match the animal to its print. A walk along the footprint trail will be in order! Geared for children in Preschool – 4th grade. Please dress for the weather in clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

Huntsville City Schools Magnet Fair

Saturday from 10AM – 1PM
Cost: FREE
Lee High School (map)

This fair is a great opportunity to learn more about what the seven Huntsville Magnet Programs have to offer. Your family can meet faculty, students, and staff and watch some really awesome live performances. Potential students can get their questions answered and participate in activities throughout the day. More details here.

Craft Expo at the Library

Saturday from Noon – 3 PM
Cost: FREE
Huntsville Public Library (map)

What better way to spend a winter day than within the walls of a cozy library? Add to that lovely experience a Craft Expo and you’ve got a great afternoon with the kids. Read some books, browse the crafter’s tables, and watch some demonstrations – you might learn a thing or two!

Art Market at Lowe Mill

Saturday from Noon – 4PM
Cost: FREE
Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment (map)

Another great chilly day activity! Kids & parents alike will love the funky, colorful art on display at all three floors of this historical Huntsville mill. The Art Market is a fun bizarre of local talent and affordable arts & crafts. Not to mention the new studio additions of the North Wing include Suzy’s Pops, a homemade popsicle shop that makes treats so good you won’t care if it’s below freezing outside.

[box style=”lavender rounded” ]DISCLAIMER: We do our best at Rocket City Mom to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from user submissions, press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. While we always try to confirm details before they are posted here, sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go, especially when it comes to outdoor events and weather. [/box]