Weekend Warrior
What to do and where to go in the OKC metro
Web 2012
 |
12/30/12Five Ideas for a Family-Friendly New Year's Eve!New Year's Eve is upon us, bringing with it the nostalgia for the past year and excitement for the year to come. As 2012 draws to an end, are you looking for something fun to do with your family? Here are five family-friendly ways to ring in the new year. |
 |
12/23/12Enjoy the Chickasha Festival of LightHeld each year, the Chickasha Festival of Light is well worth the drive from the metro. With over 3.5 million lights, The Festival of Light is a truly magical way to get caught up in the holiday spirit—and a great place to take out-of-town visitors or family during the holiday break. (Or, in the words of my daughter "It feels just like Christmas in here!") So whether looking at holiday lights is an annual holiday event or a new tradition, this nationally-recognized lighting display is one you won't want to miss! |
 |
12/14/12'Tis the Season for Outdoor Ice Skating!Outdoor ice-skating is becoming somewhat of a holiday tradition for us. The OKC metro offers several outdoor ice-skating rinks for you to start a holiday tradition with your own family. |
 |
12/08/12Take a Ride on the Christmas Train!You may have experienced ice skating or snow tubing as part of Downtown in December, or even see the fantastic production of The Nutcracker that OKC Ballet performs every year. But there is another Christmas tradition that you family may not have experienced—Christmas Train Rides at the Oklahoma Railway Museum. Posted at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments: 3 |
 |
11/30/12Places to Find SantaSanta Claus is extremely busy this time of year preparing for his big night, but there are plenty of opportunities for your little ones to take pictures with him and divulge their secret Christmas wishes. You can go the traditional route and sit on Santa’s lap at one of the local malls, have breakfast or cupcakes with him at one of many venues offering such events or you can join him at various tree lightings and holiday celebrations around the metro. Posted at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments: 3 |
 |
11/24/12Paint Your Own Christmas Gifts!Hopefully, you survived Black Friday shopping, are enjoying Small Business Saturday and gearing up for CyberMonday. If you have shopped 'til you drop and still have gifts on your list, or if you are wanting to give something more personal in nature, you might want to take a trip to a local pottery painting place! Posted at 03:01 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
 |
11/16/12Enjoy Festive Fun at the Sandridge Tree Lighting FestivalIf you are looking for a fun, festive and FREE way to get into the holiday spirit this season, look no further than the SandRidge Tree Lighting Festival. I lived in Oklahoma for 4 years before making it down to Bricktown during the holiday season and I honestly cannot say why it took me so long! Posted at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
 |
11/03/12Feel the Need to "Unplug" this Fall?So, let's pretend like it hasn't been in the 80's for the last few days, and instead, concentrate on the fact that it is now November. Which, means, in theory, that it will start getting cool outside and we will need to seek indoor entertainment for our families. Posted at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
 |
10/27/124 Places to Go for Scary Halloween Fun!Now through Halloween is when all the spooks come out! Check out these haunted farms near you. Venture out – if you dare! |
 |
10/26/1217 Fun Trick-or-Treat AlternativesThere is a plethora of fabulous low-cost and, in many instances, FREE trick-or-treat alternative events going on in the OKC metro area this year. If you are unable to take your kids out on Halloween for whatever reason, there are even several great activities being held on Saturday or Sunday before Halloween. Posted at 01:30 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
 |
10/20/12Hauntingly Fun Events Next Week!I love Halloween—and not just because I can sneak chocolate out of my children's candy buckets after they go to bed. I love the excitement that my kids have about picking their costumes and getting dressed up, not to mention all the fun events going on in the community around this time. While there are a tons of fall festivals and Halloween events going on over the two weeks, two of my family's most favorite events take place next week. |
 |
10/13/12OKC Barons=Exciting Family FunWhen you think family fun in the OKC metro, your first thought might not be a hockey game—but it might just be something new and exciting for your family to enjoy. |
 |
10/06/12Buy a Pumpkin, Help Those in Need!There are several church-run, non-profit pumpkin patches throughout the OKC metro area that help support mission projects and various charitable organizations. When you purchase your fall pumpkins from one of these patches, you can be sure that you are not just getting a great pumpkin; you are helping others in need. |
 |
10/02/12Looking for Hay Mazes & Pumpkins?Teachers and parents, don’t forget that fall pumpkin patches and mazes kick off soon and run through the end of October in most cases. Find hay and corn mazes, pumpkin patches and games and more at Oklahoma’s fun farms. |
 |
09/29/12Enjoy a Day Out with ThomasA Day Out with Thomas will take place at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NE Grand Blvd) on October 5, 6 and 7 for the final weekend of the Mystery on the Rails Tour 2012. Kids (and adults) of all ages can enjoy a chance to fully immerse themselves in the world of Thomas, including having their photo taken with Sir Topham Hatt and taking a train ride led by a 15-ton replica of Thomas himself. It's truly as close to Sodor as you can get! |
 |
09/22/12Looking for a Date Night Idea?If you and your significant other are anything like my husband and me, you are probably in a date night rut. “What do you want to do?” “I don’t know. What do you want to do?” Finally, we end up at dinner and maybe a dollar theater movie. We can never seem to find anything more exciting to do….or we do find something more exciting, but it is not on the same night as we can find childcare for our kids….or it is just too much work to plan something out of the ordinary when really, we both just want to relax in peace and quiet for a couple of child-free hours. |
 |
09/15/125 Reasons to Visit the OKC Zoo in September!But, I have to admit that we have avoided the Zoo like the plague for the last few months—the crazy summer heat has kept us away from one of our favorite hangouts—so I am delighted that the weather is finally heading towards fall! With cooler temperatures in the forecast, I took at look at some of the great events coming up in September...and here are five reasons to go check out the OKC Zoo in September. |
 |
09/08/12Enjoy Some Fall Magic at the Annual Paseo Fairy BallI am not one to use the term "magical" loosely. Seriously, short of Disneyworld, I have a hard time describing just about anything about being truly magical. I am well known for using the word "awesome" ad naseum, but you will rarely hear the word "magical" come out of my mouth. But there is one event coming up next weekend that I feel is truly worthy of both words—it is both awesome and completely magical. |
 |
08/30/12Lowe's Build & Grow ClinicsJust about every other week, Lowes stores around the country hold Build & Grow Clinics in which construct and decorate a wooden project with the help of an adult. Participants receive an apron, goggles, certificate of completion, and a project themed patch. |
 |
08/24/12Take Me Out to the Ball Game!Even though we are not necessarily die-hard baseball fans, we frequently attend OKC RedHawks games for kind of an odd reason. While we certainly enjoy the reasonable ticket prices, the special promotions, the excitement of a home run, and the on-field entertainment—none of those are the real reason we might be spotted at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. |
 |
08/17/127 Reasons to visit the Myriad Botantical GardensIf you are anything like me, this break in the heat has us yearning for outdoor fun. While we have our favorite parks & playgrounds around the metro, we are always happy to find a new place to explore. If you are going to be near downtown Oklahoma City, a trip to the Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W. Reno) is well worth a stop. |
 |
08/11/12The Museum of Osteology—Dirty Jobs, Cool Bones & More!The Museum of Osteology is home to nearly 300 skeletons from all corners of the world. The specimens range from tiny mice and shrew skeletons to a 40-foot humpback whale and everything imaginable in between. |
 |
08/04/12Family-Friendly, Indoor Fun at Your Local Mall!Local malls can be a source for more than just shopping—they are also a great place to find family-friendly, indoor entertainment. And with the record-breaking temperatures of late, the words "free" and "air-conditioned" are music to my ears. |
 |
07/28/12Groove to the Music at a Summer Concert in the OKC MetroThe good news is that summer in the OKC metro is the perfect time to expose your children to music of all styles and types—not to mention introducing them to the thrill of live music and giving them an appreciation for the talent and dedication of local musicans. There are six different concert series taking place across the metro right now and here's the best part—they are all free! |
 |
07/21/12Seeking End of Summer Fun? How About Andy Alligator's!If you need inspiration for end-of summer fun, a great place to start is MetroFamily's list of 14 ideas for family fun in the OKC metro area. While you can't go wrong with any of those options, there is one that my family finds particularly appealing this time of year. |
 |
07/13/12Exploring Science Museum OklahomaWhat is a family to do when it is over 100 degrees outside and even the pool fails to feel refreshing? Spend some time exploring Science Museum Oklahoma! |
 |
07/07/12Chinasaurs at the Sam Noble MuseumHuge and exotic dinosaurs from China are visiting the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman—and here is why your family should go see them. |
 |
06/30/12Stay Cool at Four Local PoolsHere are four great community pools in the OKC metro that are perfect for family fun—plus two ways to save money on some aquatic fun! |
 |
06/23/12Get Hands-On with the Circus!Do you love "The Greatest Show on Earth?" This coming week, there are two opportunities you for you to get up close and personal with circus performers as the Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey's Fully Charged Circus rolls into OKC! |
 |
06/15/12Getting Close to Nature at Martin Park Nature CenterI have wanted to take my children to Martin Park Nature Center since I first discovered it during my quest to bring you the best events OKC has to offer. My 5-year old son loves plants, creeks and everything outdoors, so it was a natural choice for a family outing and something that would be easy on our pocketbook. |
 |
06/08/12Free Outdoor Movies Under the StarsGoing to the drive-in movies was a tradition in my family growing up—and I still remember thinking that watching a movie while being outside was just completely cool. I guess some of that feeling must still remain, as one of my new favorite summer traditions are the free "Heitz Movie Nitez" held at the Marc Heitz Chevrolet Community Complex in Norman. Posted at 05:19 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
 |
06/01/12Reel in Some Fun—Free Fishing Opportunities!Want to clock some good fishing time with your kids? Here are three opportunities to get your fishing on in the metro—and the best part? They are all free! |
 |
05/25/12Summer Movie FunIf you are like me, finding fun indoor summer activities is always a plus. One of our favorites are the summer movie programs offered at local movie theaters. Posted at 09:08 AM | Permalink | Comments: 4 |
 |
05/18/12Disney Magic at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of ArtAs a Norman-ite, this week's post is all about a gem of a museum right in my backyard. The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is one of the finest University-based art museums in the nation and they do a fantastic job offering programming for families that is as educational as it is fun.Currently, the museum is featuring a particularly family-friendly exhibit—especially if your family happens to consist of anyone who loves princesses, Mickey Mouse or just about anything Disney. Sound like anyone you might know? If so, read on! Posted at 02:50 PM | Permalink |
—and is constantly amazed by the sheer volume of ways for families to have fun in the Oklahoma City metro! A native Oklahoman, she is a work-at-home mom to two awesome kids—daughter Murphy is 6 and son Graham is 3. Alongside husband Jason, Brooke and family are often seen at family events around the metro—enjoying everything from live music to museums to fun playgrounds and more. 
to Oklahoma five years ago and loves working on the calendar for MetroFamily because it has introduced her to so many activities and venues she would not otherwise have known about. Sara is a work-at-home mom who lives with her husband John and her two precocious children--son Joshua is 5 and daughter Joy is 2. As a very musical family, concerts are a favorite choice for family outings, but the Riesters can be found all over the metro enjoying a wide variety of what OKC has to offer (often accompanied by the Barnetts).
