Time to starting thinking...summer activities for the littles

Okay now, I'm totally not starting with preschool summer activities because this is the age near and dear to my heart. It's simply the age when a parent first goes nuts about that long summer and how to keep junior adequately occupied.

Enter Edmond's amazing list of summer activities (see last year's lineup here).

Now you can trip on down to the zoo (the hyenas are especially creepy) or the science museum (kids can't get enough of that giant robot!), which are definitely family-fun gigs. But when it comes to week-long or weekly classes, there's plenty to choose from right here in town. Here are just some of the amazing opportunities for little ones this summer (and if you're a local business, I'm always happy to add more to this list!).

Camps for the budding artist or performer....Edmond has several great opportunities for preschoolers to try their hand at the arts. The Fine Arts Institute of Edmond offers their Little Artist Camp for those ages 3 to 6, which will include painting, making collages, and creating 3-D art. Also, Dance Phase offers a Princess Camp for those ages 3 through 7, which includes dance instruction as well as other engaging activities.

Weekly sports classes...Most of the sports places listed here offer classes all year long, but some offer special summer deals as a way to try something out. Several Edmond hotspots for preschool athletics are the Edmond YMCA, Oklahoma Gold Gymnastics, Arctic Edge Ice Arena, and Edmond Soccer Club.

Mothers Day Out...Nothing better prepares those little ones to get into the swing of preschool, pre-K, or kindergarten like a fun-filled mothers' day out program (see a list here--not all will have summer availability). Becky Scharf, Director of Stepping Stones Mothers Day Out, agreed, saying, "It is important for kids to remain on some sort of schedule during the summer to keep them active and engaged." That may be true for us parents too, huh?

Vacation Bible School...For a week of faith-inspired activities and socialization, check out this year's list of local VBS opportunities here...

Swimming...And,  as always, a reminder that kids of any age, but this age in particular, have much to benefit from summer swimming lessons. Check for a list of local lessons here.

So, yes. It's time to start thinking about signing up. The problem is...what to choose? You know what? It's a good problem to have.

Stay tuned for grade school summer activities next week!

2013 VBS Breakdown

I'm not going to spend a lot of time chattering this week. I know, I know. You'll really miss my wit and awesome one-liners, but this week I've got serious business to attend to.

That's right. Vacation Bible School. You know, that week-long, generally FREE, camp-like event that gives you time to check a few things off that to-do list. Or shop. Or get a hair cut. Oh yeah.

So, here's this year's schedule, in alphabetical order. I've included a few churches in North OKC that serve our community and are large enough to provide some pretty spectacular programs.

2014 Dates (check back for updates)

Crossings Community Church - June 9 - 12

First Christian Church of Edmond - June 9 - 13

First United Methodist Church of Edmond -  June 16 - 19

Henderson Hills Baptist Church - June 9 - 13

New Covenant United Methodist Church - July 15 - 19

Quail Springs Baptist Church - June 23 - 27

Sante Fe Presbyterian - June 2 - 6

St. Elijahs's - June 16 - 20

St. Monica Catholic Church - June 9 - 12

So sign up quick. From experience, these spots go fast! And as always, I'm happy to add any program I've missed.