Most of the time, our blog focuses on places and events in the OKC metro—but sometimes, there is just something special outside the metro that we really think it worthy of a mention.
For the last few years, my family has taken a trip during Spring Break to the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum in Seminole. It's about an hour from Norman, an easy drive down Highway 9. It's an interactive, hands-on museum designed to engage children of all ages. With both indoor and outdoor activities, you can easily spend a whole day exploring and having fun with your family. Kids can "try on" various careers and get a feel for what it is like to do some of the everyday jobs they see in their lives.
Where to go:
What is there to do at the Jasmine Moran? I'll share my family's personal highlights to give you an idea:
My daughter's favorite is the grocery store, designed to look like a mini-Homeland complete with shopping carts and cash registers. She enjoys pretend shopping, and it's the perfect opportunity to talk about math, budgeting, nutrition and meal planning as you "shop" the aisles of this store.
My son loves the auto garage, where kids can pretend to be mechanics—changing tires, checking fluids and performing all kinds of car maintenance.
My husband's favorite is museum's 12,000 square foot castle maze outside the museum, where you have to find your way out of 4 interlocking mazes. When the weather is beautiful, it is a fun and active way to spend the afternoon.
My favorite is the TV station set, where kids can forecast the weather, share sports reports or other breaking news on a "real" TV set. Since my childhood dream was to be a broadcast journalist, it is fun to see my kids sitting "on set" and sharing the latest breaking news from around town.
An on-site cafe' makes snacks and drinks convenient, and you can bring a picnic lunch or outside food in to the museum. There is also a fun indoor play area, a train you can ride (for an extra $1.50) and a hospital area where kids can step into the shoes of a doctor, take care of a baby in an incubator, and explore other health careers. Throw in a fossil dig site, an airplane cockpit and an ambulance that they can explore, and you've got the perfect recipe for a fun, educational and memorable family trip.
What to do:
Coming up this month is the museum's annual Egg Hunt event, scheduled for Saturday, March 30 at 11am. Jazzy’s Egg Run is free and includes over 8500 eggs. [To find other Easter-related events in the OKC metro, visit our 2013 Easter Fun Guide!]
The Jasmine Moran Children's Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am— 5:00pm, and Sundays from 1:00-5:00pm (closed Mondays). Admission is $8 + tax for ages 3 & older, and $7 + tax for seniors ages 60 and above. Group rates and birthday parties are available.
How to save:
Children 2 & under are free. You can save $1 on regular admission with our Kids Pass coupon.
For more information, call 405-382-0950 or visit www.jasminemoran.com
