Thursday, March 28, 2024

Celebrate National Children’s Craft Day!

Spring Break is here, and we know parents are looking for ways to keep their young kiddos creative, active, and engaged.

Not only is it Spring Break, but it’s also National Children’s Craft Day! National Children’s Craft Day is a component of National Craft Month that encourages young people to get creative and develop their skills. Crafting can become a useful life-long hobby as it promotes relaxation, innovation, and critical thinking skills, according to nationaltoday.com.

Today is the perfect occasion to carve out a few hours to create crafts and life-long memories with your kids. Luckily, our Community Services team has spent the last few years finding and filming easy-to-recreate-at-home crafts for our young residents.

Here are a few handy-dandy crafts from our video arsenal!

Quick Cup Crafts
The best thing about children’s active imaginations is their ability to see beyond the utilitarian purpose of commonplace items. Do you have a few extra paper cups and plates around your house? Instead of using them once and discarding them immediately, save a few paper cups for these three fun crafts! Click the video below to learn how to make a custom pencil holder, a friendly Monster Cup, and a festive Snowman Cup to use as a piece of holiday decoration next winter.

Cup Screenshot

Paper Spinner
Who needs a fidget spinner when you can make your own colorful paper spinner? Follow along with the video below to learn how to make an entertaining spinner to keep your kids engaged for hours. Create a rainbow effect with different colored paper, or customize it to match your kid’s fun personality. The entire family will be delighted with this paper spinner!

Paper Spiner Screenshot

Paper Frog
Origami can take years of practice to master. This paper frog craft is a perfect entry point if your child has demonstrated an interest in learning the intricate skills of paper folding. Grab some green paper and follow along to make your hopping companion!

Frog Video Screenshot

There are so many ways to get creative with your little one today! What will you create?

Get Excited for our Spring Break Camps

Spring Break is less than a month away, but you can never plan too far in advance for Spring Break Camps.

We know you want your kiddos to stay active and engaged during school breaks in a fun and safe environment. Luckily for you, our Programs and Athletics teams are offering a variety of Spring Break Camps for every interest and hobby!

Check out these Athletic Camps for young athletes looking to sharpen their skills:

  • Elite Soccer Skills Training Spring Break Camp
  • Run, Jump, and Throw Spring Break Camp
  • Soccer Sparks- Spring Break Camp
  • Dodgeball Camp- Spring Break

For those that are more into STEAM, we have the following educational camps:

  • Learn How to DJ
  • Super Hero Vs. Super Villain Science
  • Snapology’s Creature Creator Robotics
  • Snapology’s Madrigal Magic (Encanto Theme)

Our programs are popular and they fill out fast. Register early to secure your spot for Spring Break.

It’s Not Too Late to Register for Spring Break Camps at Champions Club!

Spring Break is right around the corner, but it’s not too late to register your kiddos for some incredible camp programs!

Spring Break is the perfect time to sharpen your kids’ extracurricular skills. Champions Club has three unique week-long day camps to keep your little ones learning and playing from March 14-17!

DJ School- Spring Break Camp
This camp is ideal for those who are musically inclined and tech-savvy! Participants will learn the basics of being a DJ, including beat matching, mixing, and blending on professional DJ equipment. This camp is held Monday-Thursday from 1:00 PM-4:00 PM at Champions Club All Star rooms 1 and 2. Register here!

Spring Break Dodgeball Camp
There’s no better gym game than Dodgeball! This ultra-popular program teaches several versions of Dodgeball. The emphasis of this camp is on fun, teamwork, and exercise! Kids six to 12 years old will be divided into teams based on ages and use new coated foam balls. Join us Monday- Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Champions Club Fieldhouse. Register here.

Superhero vs. Super Villain Science Camp
Calling all future scientists! Our superhero vs. Super Villain Science Camp is ideal for curious kiddos with a passion for learning and finding solutions. Scientists-in-training will learn the basics of using science to become a superhero as we combine elementary science experiments with creative applications! Supplies are included! Join us Monday-Thursday from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM at the Champions Club All Star 1 and 2 classrooms. Register here!

Spring Break Camp Mania Thrilled Campers at Champions Club

Champions Club was busy last week as 30 campers took over for this year’s Spring Break Camp Mania.

Camp Mania had another successful year of fun, smiles, and laughter. School was out for the week, but that didn’t stop these campers from learning and playing with friends. Campers enjoyed a trip to Bicentennial Park, a dodgeball competition, and a swim day at Champions Club’s state-of-the-art Aquatics Center.

Champions Club provided the ideal background for the ultimate Spring Break Camp experience. Equipped with a large classroom, an indoor turf field, an Aquatics Center, and proximity to Bicentennial Park, campers had plenty of opportunities to let their imaginations run wild.

Activities at the Aquatics Center consisted of riding water slides, relaxing on the lazy river, and playing with pool toys provided by the Aquatics Coordinator and Supervisor. Park activities at the Playground included a zipline, slides, and monkey bars. Other highlights were a movie day, freeze dance and tag, and a joke-telling competition between staff members judged by the campers. The weather was beautiful all week long, and every day was a new adventure packed with great activities.

Camp Mania is truly a staple of the Southlake Community Services Department. Getting better and better every year, this year we welcomed new faces and familiar friends. Those who have experienced Camp Mania before will attest that it is always an enjoyable experience.

When asked about her experience planning Camp Mania, Gretchen Morgan, programs coordinator, stated that “Camp Mania has always been a fun and exciting experience for kids. Seeing their smiles at the end of each day lets us know that we have done our job. Of course, pulling off such an incredible camp experience for the Southlake community would not have been possible without the hard work of our dedicated camp counselors and full-time staff.”

Spring Break may be over; however, summer is just around the corner! Keep an eye on our website to register for Camp Mania during the summer. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss!

Southlake is the Number One Spring Break Staycation Destination

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and we are all too cool for school—that’s right, Spring Break is just around the corner!

With the arrival of warmer weather and the exciting prospect of classes being out for a week, also comes the question of what to do with the newfound free time. Luckily for Southlake students and parents, the Community Services Department is offering multiple camp opportunities to keep kids curious and engaged.

Adventures in Science Club-Spring Break

Have a future scientist in the family? Then look no further than Adventures in Science Club-Spring Break! This Spring Break camp will offer naturally inquisitive children opportunities for hands-on experiments and projects. The best part is that most of the projects completed at camp can be taken home. Open to science-enthusiasts aged 6-13 years-old, this club gives students the tools they need to succeed all while having fun!

Don’t miss out on your next “Eureka!” moment! Join us at Champions Club and sign up here.

Cross Timbers Spring Break Nature Camp

Naturalists, outdoor enthusiasts, and explorers unite! If adventure is calling your child’s name, then the Cross Timbers Spring Break Nature Camp is for you. Join us at the Bob Jones Nature Center for a week of practicing outdoors skills, hiking, crafting, and creating! Conduct exciting science experiments and learn all about Southlake’s local ecosystem and how we can become good stewards of the land.

Get in touch with your wild side and register here:

Spring Break Camp Mania

Calling all fun-lovers, creators, and young innovators: Camp Mania is back and it’s the perfect destination for a Southlake Champions Club staycation! If your child is a social butterfly wanting to learn and play with friends during Spring Break, then save your spot for Camp Mania. Join us for a week of arts and crafts, structured activities, free play, and lots of fun!

Spots will fill up quickly so make sure to get in the action are sign-up here!

Who says you need to leave Southlake to make lifelong Spring Break memories? With so many incredible camp opportunities for our youngsters, our hometown is where the most cherished experiences happen! See you at camp, Southlake!

Spring Into Action at the Southlake Library!

The Southlake Library has a variety of great events to keep the kids engaged and entertained over the spring break.

Chalk Art in the Square
March 11 at 10 a.m., Family Park
Let your creativity in the chalky medium shine with Chalk Art in the Square. Get ready to chalk up the sidewalks, play lawn games, bubbles and listen to great tunes. No registration. All ages.

Preschool Animal Show
March 12 at 11:15 a.m., 3rd Floor, Town Hall
Get ready to travel the world and discover animal habitats from multiple continents and ecosystems. There is a surprise waiting at every stop of the Preschool Animal Show. No registration required. Best for ages 2-5.

Fantastic Animals for School-Age Kids
March 12 at 2 p.m., 3rd Floor, Town Hall
Discover animals that possess some out-of-this-world talents at Fantastic Animals. What has a tongue as long as its head? What holds the record for jumping the highest? What in the world is the longest-lived land animal on earth? Visit the Library to discover all the answers! No registration required. Ages 5 and up.

Cool School with Ms. Maria
March 13 at 10:45 a.m., 3rd Floor, Town Hall
Cool School with Ms. Maria is a fun interactive musical program designed especially for kids ages 2-5 years old. No registration required.

Town Square Scavenger Hunt
March 15 at 10 a.m., Town Square
How well do you really know Town Square? Bring your friends and go on an adventure searching for hidden messages and treats at the Town Square Scavenger Hunt. All ages welcome.

For more information, please contact the Southlake Library at 817-748-8243.

Spring Break at Southlake Library

Spring Break is just around the corner, and the Southlake Public Library has plenty of exciting activities planned the week of March 13th through March 17th!

Chalk Art

Monday March 13: Chalk Art In the Square
Join us for this unique opportunity to chalk up Town Square. The Southlake Public Library will provide music, chalk, goodies, and all sorts of fun. Chalk Art in the Square will be held from 10AM to 11 AM in the Family Park in Town Square. All ages are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!

Bob Jones

Tuesday March 14: Scavenger Hunt Story Time at Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve
The Southlake Public Library is partnering with the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve for a fun, outdoorsy adventure! Participants will enjoy a unique story time followed by scavenger hunt through the preserve. The fun starts at 10AM at the Bob Jones Nature Center Pavilion.

Dancers

Wednesday, March 15: McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas
The oldest Irish dance school in North Texas presents a show that features multi-age dancers in a variety of foot-tapping, high-energy routines accompanied by rousing traditional Irish music. The show starts at 2PM. All ages welcome to attend.

Sky Science

Thursday March 16: FWMSH Astronomy on Wheels
The Fort Worth Science and History Museum is bringing the night sky to Town Hall. The friendly planetarium staff will interact with children as they travel through the depths of outer space. FWMSH will host show times from 5pm to 8pm. Shows and times will vary. Event will be held in the lobby of Town hall on the 2nd Floor. Children of all ages are welcome to attend.

Movie & Donuts

Friday March 17th: Movie and Doughnuts
Join us for a family friendly movie as we bring Spring Break to an end—with a MOVIE & DOUGHNUTS! The movie will start at 10:15 in the Youth Services area in the Southlake Public Library. Come hungry! All ages are welcome to attend.

For more information on these events, please find them here.

Spend Your School Breaks with Camp Mania!

Make sure your child has a fun and safe break from school this spring with Camp Mania. Join us for a single day fun field trip at Day Break Camp Mania or a whole week of fun, friends and excitement at Spring Break Camp Mania.

On President’s Day, Monday February 20, join Day Break Camp Mania to a trip to the Ft Worth Zoo from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, cost is $35 per camper.

Spring Break wouldn’t be fun without Spring Break Camp Mania, March 13-17. Before and aftercare is provided during Spring Break Camp Mania at no additional charge from 7:30 AM-9:00 AM and 4:00 PM-6:30 PM, cost is $150 per camper.

Join Day Break Camp Mania before summer break, Friday May 26, as we travel to the UT Arlington Planetarium and River Legacy Park in Arlington from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, cost is $35 per camper.

If you are interested in signing your child up for Camp Mania, you can register online or at the Parks and Recreation office located at 1400 Main St, Suite 210.

Spots fill fast so be sure to register before these popular camps sell out!

For more information please contact (817) 748-8019 or visit www.SouthlakeParksandRec.com

Need some FREE activities for the kids this Spring Break?

Spring Break is a great time for young students to discover or get reacquainted with the public library. In that spirit, the Southlake Public Library is offering a ton of great programs and events during the week of spring break. Here is the schedule:

Monday, March 14: 10:00 AM – Chalk it up in the Square at Family Park in Town Square
We’ll provide the chalk and treats, and you bring your creativity! All ages.

Tuesday, March 15: 2:00 PM – Ice Cream in a Bag, 3rd Floor Town Hall
Learn the fine art of making ice cream in a bag. Ages 7 & up.

Wednesday, March 16: 11:00 AM – Mother Goose Story Time in the Library
Mother Goose is on the loose for some fun and silly times! For ages 5 & under.

Wednesday, March 16: 2:00 PM – Art house: Rubbings in the Library
ART house of Southlake will teach textures and patterns though the art of rubbings. All ages.

Wednesday, March 16: 2:00 PM – Teen Writing Workshop with Jeramey Kraatz, 3rd Floor Town Hall
Jeramey Kraatz, cool writer of middle grade fiction, leads a 2-hour class on writing.

Friday, March 18: 2:00 PM – Friday Flick, in the Library
Water and snacks provided.

For more information on these and other events, call 817.748.8247 or visit SouthlakeLibrary.com.