Many of our normal Independence Day festivities have been put on hold this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate at home! These six easy Fourth of July crafts are super accessible for a broad range of ages, and you probably already have most of the supplies on hand. Give a few a try as you discuss the topic of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for ALL.
Summer is here and Frisco is ready to play again! From patriotic celebrations to sweet treats, sports, and more, Frisco is the place to be this summer! Grab your calendar and make plans to check out these events and fun things to do in Frisco.
If you’re like me, maybe you’re just starting to lift your head above the rough waters of quarantine and crisis schooling at home. Also, like me, maybe you’ve been eating and drinking your feelings and fears for almost four months, the result of which is not what you imagined your “summer bod” would look like. But no matter the state of your physical bodies, please hear me, Mommas: THIS IS NOT THE YEAR.
Father’s Day is this weekend! Much like Mother’s Day, many local restaurants are offering holiday meal packages for Father’s Day. Some are for take-out and some are for dine-in. Many of the local deals and details are listed below. Did I miss any? Let me know!
Feeds 4 for $49.95; pick-up or dine-in
4 pulled pork sandwiches
Tossed salad
Chilled asparagus
Potato salad
Dessert
Grill Master Package (all items come raw)
2- 13 oz. Ribeye steaks
6- 6 oz burger patties
Farm fresh veggies
Dessert
Shiner beer
Feeds 4-6 for $75; to-go
Father’s Day Feast Options (comes cooked for reheating at home): Each option served with: buttermilk chive whipped potatoes, Cadi mac n’ cheese, grilled asparagus, cornbread, ranch house salad, dessert, and a Woodford Reserve Old-Fashioned kit
BBQ (ribs, sausage, barbacoa)- $130
Tomahawk & Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce- $350
Glazed Texas Maple Baked Ham with Horsedadish Sauce- $150
Smoked Turkey Breast with Gravy- $155
Smoked Porch Chops with loaded baked potato and seasoned green beans- $18/person; available for dine-in or to-go
Father’s Day Brunch Saturday & Sunday- serving regular brunch menu for dine-in or to-go
Legacy Hall is offering all kinds of Father’s Day goodies! From dine-in options to eat in the Box Garden, to all-day happy hour for dads, we well as boozy gift packages that the fathers in your life will love. Visit Father’s Day at Legacy Hall for details and ordering info.
Choose a sushi platter and pick-up date and location:
The Jackie Platter- $40; feeds 4-6
The Chuck Platter- $60; feeds 6-8
The Bruce Platter- $80; feeds 8-10
Pick up Saturday 6/20- N Ft Worth (Villages of Woodland Springs) https://forms.gle/uTPTi2rf4YX2HiaF9
Pick up Sunday, 6/21- Frisco (Phillips Creek Ranch) https://forms.gle/zYs4sABgKEJpB5Ec8
Various Friends & Family Meals to choose from
Prices range from $25-50 and come with entrees and sides
Family Style Meals with the Fixins
Brunch: All-America, Tex-Mex, or Syrup Needed (feeds 6 for $55.99)
Lunch & Dinner: Meatloaf, chicken fried steak or chicken, chicken & dressing, pot roast, chicken or steak fingers, pork chops, or Monterey chicken (feeds 6 for $59.99)
All meals come with an appetizer, two sides, and cornbread. Delivery only.
Whole Brisket- $155
Dino Ribs- $140
Smoked Pork Ribs- $80
Brisket (2 lbs)- $65
Burger Box Dinner- $40
4 burger patties (uncooked)
4 buns
Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle
Cheddar cheese
Burger seasoning
15 wings (uncooked)
Buffalo & ranch sauce
S’mores
$50 Meal Bundle includes:
Pimento cheese appetizer
Shrimp dinner for 4 + salad and side
6-pack domestic beer
$10 Taziki’s gift card
Fast forward about a week into the stay-at-home quarantine, and I broke down. I sobbed as I tried to explain to my husband how I felt like I was failing at everything I was supposed to be good at; how it was going to scar my children for life, and how it was all my fault. He calmly asked me where my biggest frustration and sense of failure was, and, without missing a beat, I answered, “THE HOUSE.”
Summer is going to be a little weird this year, friends. Combine COVID restrictions with the Texas heat and we have a recipe for potential disaster. But I’m holding out hope that if we plan well enough, we can make it through relatively unscathed. (Can you tell I’m an Enneagram 1?)
I’ve put together a list of items I think are “must-haves” for keeping this summer on the rails. Because the Texas summer sun can be brutal and going outside isn’t always an option, I’ve created two categories: Indoor Must Haves and Outdoor Must Haves. Which items are you adding to your cart?
This post contains affiliate links. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
These KEVA planks are my kids current favorite toy! They play with them every day and the planks keep them occupied longer than any other toy. One of my kids sticks to the instruction cards while the other one goes off book- super fun and versatile for all personality types and ages.
My kids love this one, too! Perplexus is a 3D maze with the goal of working a small ball through the labyrinth by twisting and turning the sphere. My kids are so still and quiet while they’re concentrating on this toy- it’s magic!
Hot Dots is a great way to prevent the “summer slide” and is a great screen-free alternative to apps and computer-based learning. My kids love the fun sounds and tactile feedback they get from answering questions- it’s enough to keep them engaged and learning. Available in many grade/age levels.
This one probably goes without saying, but if you don’t have your own pool or your neighborhood pool isn’t opening this summer, you’re gonna need this. We get one of these inflatable pools every summer; they hold up all the way through and make for a ton of fun on hot afternoons at home.
This corn hole set is a great way to spend an evening on the back patio. Corn hole appeals to kids and adults of all ages, and this set is portable for fun on the go, as well as for easy storage to keep it protected from the blistering summer sun.
Is there anything better than a family squirt gun battle on a hot day? This is such a fun one and is sure to wear those energetic kids out. Fill up a large container or baby pool with water for refills and let them go wild!
My kids love to turn on some upbeat music and dance their hearts out on the driveway with these dance ribbons in hand. It’s a fun, creative, and active way to pass the time.
We are all spread too thin right now, mommas…the homeschooling, the work-from-homing, the financial stressing, and the unspeakableness that is quarantining with our children and spouses 24/7. It’s all just A LOT to deal with right now.
My fight-or-flight response kicked in and my brain started screaming: We have to get out of here. So I chose flight. That’s right, we went on “vacation” in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s controversial, I know. But before you start hurling the #stayhome and #flattenthecurve hashtags at me, let me explain. We didn’t undertake our trip lightly or flippantly.
If we were getting out of Dodge, we knew we’d have to maintain our social distance and quarantining practices, not only for our own health and safety, but for the health and safety of others. So I did a ton of careful research and planning to make sure we remained quarantined and properly social distanced, doorstep to doorstep. Here’s what I learned: the dos and don’ts of planning and taking a quarantine “vacation.”
At-home science experiments have been a life saver for us lately. But since I’m craft/science/patience challenged, the experiments we attempt need to be super easy and fast or we all lose it and end up in tears. Here are a few of our favorites that we’ve tried so far!
Egg Drop
This one took a while, but it was fun. And there are so many ways to do it! We started by watching this YouTube video from science experiment extraordinaire Mark Rober (all of his videos are really cool!). Since Mark used straws to construct his egg drop apparatuses, we did too. But you could do anything, like a bubble wrapped egg sealed in an Amazon box (I know you have several lying around, because #quarantinneshopping). After we finished constructing our apparatuses, we dropped them from different heights (standing, step ladder, tree house) and on to different surfaces (grass, concrete). Everyone had fun and it killed a big chunk of time!
Cloud Dough
This one is soooo easy- literally two ingredients (or three if you want to use food coloring). Just mix together two cups cornstarch and one cup baby lotion. Knead it together until combined, add food coloring if desired, and just keep kneading and playing! We had to tinker with the ratios to get it just right, so add corn starch or lotion as needed until you get a consistency that isn’t sticky or crumbly.
Ice Cream in a Bag
This is another three ingredient experiment that has a sweet payoff. Combine 1/2 cup whipping cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a sandwich bag with a zipper. (My addition to the instructions- seal the ingredients bag into another zipper sandwich bag, otherwise you may end up with salty ice cream.) Fill a gallon ziploc with ice and salt, insert the sandwich bags, wrap with a towel, and shake for 5 minutes. Voilá- homemade vanilla ice cream!
Paper Towel Rainbow Bridge
We first saw this on the Ryan’s Toy Mobile YouTube channel, but I won’t link it because I can’t stand Ryan’s Toy Mobile (it was a screen time emergency). But it’s super easy to do without a video! Simply mix together water and food coloring to make the colors of the rainbow, each in a different container. We used glass ramekins because that’s what we had on hand, but you could use juice glasses, regular glasses, or even plastic cups- basically anything that holds water. Fold up some paper towels and place them into the containers, with each towel spanning two containers. Give it a couple minutes to absorb and you’ll have a beautiful, soggy rainbow!
Rainbow Paper
This one comes from 20 Minute Labs, which I love. Again, just three materials: water, clear fingernail polish, and construction papers. Watch the video to see how they scoop their shapes in and through the nail polish. OR do what we did that ended up working better for us (pictured): Sink the paper shapes to the bottom of the plate of water, drop the nail polish on top of it, then pull the shapes out by the corners. Note that using a dark plate and dark construction paper makes the process easier and final product prettier.
And just like that, science for the week is done! I try to discuss a few sciencey things with my kids as we’re doing these experiments, but we mostly just have fun. Do what works for you! If you’re Super Science Mom, explain and teach away! If you’re Just Trying To Survive Mom (hello, me!), just do your best to have some fun time together.
Remember the cute flyers that would come home in weekly folders with clear guidelines about what to do for each day of Teacher Appreciation Week? Ah, the good ol’ days…As we all know, this year is totally different, so showing our appreciation for our children’s teachers will be in totally different ways, too. Let’s shower our teachers with love and appreciation—they deserve it now more than ever! Here are a few Teacher Appreciation ideas during Coronavirus that will fit most any budget.
Remember the good ol’ days, when you could send your kids off to school, come home to a quiet, empty house, make things clean and sparkly, and they would stay that way for upwards of 5 hours? I do too. And one of my favorite parts of that idyllic time was the ability to listen to a podcast- uninterrupted- while I went about my menial household tasks.
But now we’re quarantining due to COVID-19. That means we moms don’t get much free or alone time to do things like binge podcasts or pee alone. But I’m still trying to find time- sometimes in 5-10 minute segments- to listen to a few of my absolute favorites. Last summer, I posted my Top 10 Podcasts, but since then I’ve had to pare my favorites list down to a precious few. If you, like me, need a little auditory escape these days, try one of these podcasts from my absolute favorite Top 5 Podcasts.
The Armchair Expert - Hosted by Dax Shepherd, this is a long-form podcast where episodes regularly cross the 90 minute mark. It takes me several days to get through one episode. But they’re all so interesting! On Monday episodes, Dax welcomes various famous people for chats about their background, their challenges and triumphs, and everyday life stuff that everyone deals with, regardless of fame, prestige, or wealth. On Thursdays, Dax hosts Experts on Expert where he has real experts come in to discuss their field (think Bill Nye, Steve Madden, Elizabeth Gilbert, etc.). This is my absolute favorite podcast, at least currently. But be forewarned: This podcast comes with a language and content warning (not safe for little ears or work).
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend - This is another podcast in which a celebrity host welcomes fellow celebrities in for a chat. The podcast began as Conan inviting guests he didn’t personally know well and wanted to get to know better, but has morphed into a podcast chock full of household names discussing interesting things together. In true late-night comedian form, this podcast also comes with a language and content warning (not safe for little ears or work).
The Popcast with Knox & Jamie - These two hosts- Knox and Jamie- are hilarious! They have the absolute best chemistry and make me LOL at least a few times every episode. The opening line of every episode describes it perfectly: “The Popcast is a show dedicated to delightful idiocy, and we’re committed to educating you on things in entertainment that do not matter.” The Popcast keeps me up to date on what’s going on in current pop culture without having to follow any Kardashians on Instagram. Knox and Jamie do a great job keeping it light and clean.
The Bible Binge - Brought to you by Knox and Jamie of the Popcast! Each season of The Bible Binge focuses on a different area or theme of the Bible. The hosts, both Christians, do a deep dive into Bible stories in a fun and inventive way by “casting” each of the stories as if it were a movie. Did you know that Leonardo DiCaprio is a perfect fit for King David at all stages of Leo’s/David’s lives? But seriously, I learn a lot from this podcast, and have a lot of fun while doing it.
For the Love! with Jen Hatmaker - Jen Hatmaker is my girl. She loves Jesus, keeps it real, and makes me laugh. Win, win, win. Her podcast is excellent as well. She welcomes a wide variety of guests and chats with them about everything from broad “let’s save the world!” topics to the most recent episodes of The Bachelor. Her podcasts always involve a large element of faith, which I love and appreciate. It’s always a delightful and uplifting 45-60 minutes.
What are YOUR favorite podcasts? Please let me know in the comments. I need some new toilet-scrubbing material!
A few days ago, I posted the best nostalgic movies on Netflix to binge with your family. But now it’s time for DISNEY+! Because even though they are both excellent movies, I can also only watch Frozen II and Onward so many times. So I searched Disney+ to find the best hidden gems and was not disappointed. The next time your kids ask to watch a certain icy movie, go “Into the Unknown” with one of these classics instead.
This 1978 Disney adventure tells the story of 12-year-old David (Joey Cramer) who lives with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. When he awakens from being accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, he finds that eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but just as perplexed as he is by the fact that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist (Howard Hesseman) discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.
During the Battle of Britain, Miss Eglantine Price (Angela Lansbury), a cunning witch-in-training, decides to use her supernatural powers to defeat the Nazi menace. She sets out to accomplish this task with the aid of three inventive children who have been evacuated from the London Blitz. Joined by Emelius Brown (David Tomlinson), the head of Miss Price's witchcraft training correspondence school, the crew uses an enchanted bed to travel into a fantasy land and foil encroaching German troops.
When kids sneak into inventor Wayne Szalinski's (Rick Moranis) upstairs lab to retrieve an errant baseball, his experimental shrink ray miniaturizes them. When Szalinski returns home, he destroys the device -- which he thinks is a failure -- and dumps it in the trash, throwing out the kids along with it. The four children, now 1/4-inch tall, must survive the journey back to the house through a yard where sprinklers bring treacherous storms and garden-variety ants stampede like elephants.
Four Jamaican bobsleighers dream of competing in the Winter Olympics, despite never having seen snow. With the help of a disgraced former champion desperate to redeem himself, the Jamaicans set out to become worthy of Olympic selection, and go all out for glory.
Young orphan Pollyanna (Hayley Mills) believes life's most difficult problems can always be surmounted by a positive attitude and pragmatism. But when she moves in with her dour aunt (Jane Wyman), she is introduced to a range of disheartened folks who challenge her upbeat outlook. Not to be discouraged, she sets to work spreading hope and good cheer. However, when an inspired doctor (Richard Egan) leads the community in a campaign in opposition to her aunt, Pollyanna's goodwill is strained.
After three poor orphans are sent to live with gambler Russell Donovan (Bill Bixby), they discover they have actually inherited a large fortune from their dead father. Soon a series of greedy undesirables shows up. They try to get their hands on the money, so, in order to keep things uncomplicated, the kids decide to give their inheritance to a lovable outlaw duo, Theodore (Don Knotts) and Amos (Tim Conway). But there is only one problem -- the gold is locked away in a bank vault.
If you’re like me, you’re not exactly limiting your kids’ screen time during the quarantine. Now is not the time, mommas! So once my kids and I finished current Netflix, we took a deep dive into the old-school classics from the 70s, 80s, and 90s that I grew up with. These titles may not get as much buzz these days, but they fill a nostalgia-sized hole in my heart. If you’re ready to take a digital trip down memory lane with your kids, try these old-school options for your next Netflix family movie night (or morning, or afternoon… hey, I’m not judging)
When his young children are abducted by his old nemesis, Capt. Hook (Dustin Hoffman), middle-aged lawyer Peter Banning (Robin Williams) returns to his magical origins as Peter Pan. Peter must revisit a foggy past in which he abandoned Neverland for family life, leaving Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts) and the Lost Boys to fend for themselves. Given their bitterness toward Peter for growing up -- and their allegiance to their new leader, Rufio -- the old gang may not be happy to see him.
Swackhammer (Danny DeVito), an evil alien theme park owner, needs a new attraction at Moron Mountain. When his gang, the Nerdlucks, heads to Earth to kidnap Bugs Bunny (Billy West) and the Looney Tunes, Bugs challenges them to a basketball game to determine their fate. The aliens agree, but they steal the powers of NBA basketball players, including Larry Bird (Larry Bird) and Charles Barkley (Charles Barkley) -- so Bugs gets some help from superstar Michael Jordan (Michael Jordan).
While truant from school, young siblings Jeremy and Jemima meet the beautiful Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), who falls for their widowed father, Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), and his various oddball inventions, including the family's noisy rebuilt car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. One day at the beach, Caractacus tells Truly and the children a fanciful fable about the villainous Baron Bomburst (Gert Frobe) and his evil designs on the Potts family car.
Epic tale in which an intrepid archaeologist tries to beat a band of Nazis to a unique religious relic which is central to their plans for world domination. Battling against a snake phobia and a vengeful ex-girlfriend, Indiana Jones is in constant peril, making hair's-breadth escapes at every turn in this celebration of the innocent adventure movies of an earlier era.
Richie Rich (Macaulay Culkin) has every toy any little boy could ever want, in addition to an adoring mother (Christine Ebersole) and father (Edward Herrmann). The one thing Richie doesn't have is friends. When his parents suddenly go missing, Richie suspects an executive (John Larroquette) in the family company is to blame. Setting out to solve the mystery, Richie hooks up with a group of kids who prove they just might fill the void in his life, while helping him save his folks.
If it's not a rainy day (or 5 in a row), it's COVID-19. Whatever the reason, days stuck in the house with little kids are inevitable. But those days don't have to be boring, frustrating, or full of screens. Here are 50 fun and free things to do when you're stuck inside!
PlayDoh. You can even make your own.
Kinetic sand. Spread it out on a rimmed baking sheet to control the mess.
Bake something simple. Think boxed baking mixes here, mommas.
Create sensory bins. These can be adapted for many ages.
Board games. Some of our favorites include Sequence for Kids, Scrabble Jr., and Operation.
Puzzles. Giant floor puzzles down the hall is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Read a great book aloud. A great way to sneak in those childhood classics. Or Harry Potter.
Build a fort. Bonus points if you all take a nap in it after.
Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Or whatever animal is easy for you to create.
Circle Time. Just like preschool- go over the day's date, weather, letter, number, shape, and color.
Chore BINGO. Trick them into having fun while cleaning house!
Take a nap!
Make cereal necklaces. Simply string yarn with Cheerios or Froot Loops for instant fun and snack time.
Dance party. Try Just Dance or Go Noodle.
Limbo. How low can you go? Find out using holiday garland, a string of Christmas lights, or ribbon.
Musical chairs. Ask Google Home or Alexa to do this for you!
Make cloud dough. Only two ingredients, mommas!
LEGO time. Fun to do with LEGO Masters playing in the background for inspiration.
Make a road for cars. Draw roadways on paper or cardboard, or use tape on the floor.
Hide & seek. Good for a couple minutes of quiet time if you find a really good spot.
Create a family tree. A fun way to go down memory lane.
Obstacle course. Use masking or painter's tape to mark the route.
Card games. Faves include Go Fish, Old Maid, and Hi/Low.
Make instruments and create music together. Rubber band banjos, TP roll kazoos, and pot & pan drums are classics.
Interview family members. Ask "What's your favorite color? TV show? Season?"
Charades.
Pictionary.
FaceTime or Skype friends and family.
Throw a party. Decorate the house, bake a tasty treat, and have a "just because" party.
Play I Spy.
Tea party. Get dressed up to add extra flair.
Spa day. Bubbly foot baths, face masks, and mani/pedis.
Shadow animals. Use a flashlight in a dark room to create fun shadows on the walls.
Puppets. Make paper bag puppets and put on a puppet show.
Watch a livestream. Choose from bald eagles, penguins, lions, and many more.
Art for Kids Hub. Create works of art from step-by-step instructions.
Make cards or write letters to loved ones.
Watercolor. You can even make your own paint!
Play dress-up.
Origami.
Create a collage/vision board. Put those old magazines to good use.
Draw self-portraits. Set up shop in front of a mirror. Or draw portraits of one another.
Listen to an audiobook together.
Indoor games. Try Leap Frog, Simon Says, and Red Light/Green Light.
Activity or sticker books.
Wash toys. Fill up the tub or sink and let the kids wash their own toys!
And if all else fails... it's MOVIE TIME!
The current snack demands in my house are out of control, and I bet they are in yours, too. Maybe it’s comfort eating during these strange times (I’m guilty as well). Or maybe it’s all the extra physical activities, like long family walks and epic bike rides we’re getting in. Whatever the reason, kids seem to be eating more than usual. For our sanity and to conserve our temporarily limited resources, these Quarantined Snack Monsters must be tamed.
While at KidZania, your kids will have the opportunity to independently “work” in over 100 professions, from veterinarians, fire fighters, and podcasters to window washers, NICU nurses, and everything in between. The workers get paid in “KidZos” for a job well done, which they can then use to “buy” fun experiences, such as an elevated ropes course experience, or they can purchase items from the KidZania general store.
Spring break is coming! While many families choose to take family vacations during spring break, many other families opt to stay closer to home. Our family almost always chooses to stay home and embark on daily staycation adventures. However, this year will be a little different for us because my daughter is getting her tonsils out during spring break, which means we’ll be staying home for the most part. But I still hope to take my son to do a few of the ideas listed below. Have fun with these ideas for daily spring break events in and around the Frisco area!
But first!! The best and most economical way to explore a big portion of Frisco for spring break is with a Frisco Museum Pass, available through Visit Frisco. The passes are $25 each (a 25% savings over paying each admission individually) and cover admission to five incredible venues in Frisco, all of which are on this staycation list. If you’re not able to visit all the venues within the spring break week, no worries! The passes are good for a full year after purchase date. We LOVE our Frisco Museum Passes!
Have you been to the Frisco Discovery Center lately? It had been a minute since I’d been there, but we recently went as a family and it was INCREDIBLE! Several new attractions have been added and many updates have been made, making it a premiere spot for local family fun. All of the venues within the Frisco Discovery Center listed below are included with the Frisco Museum Pass. While it’s technically possible to explore all the Discovery Center venues in one day, I recommend splitting the venues between at least two days to get the best experience. And I know we don’t want to mess with any exhausted kid meltdowns, amiright? Within the Frisco Discovery Center, you will find:
Sci-Tech Discovery Center- Sci-Tech is a hands-on, tactile kid’s dream! From creating 3D printed objects in the Maker Studio to blowing giant bubbles, learning how sneezes work, and flying airplanes on a simulator, kids of all ages will have a blast at Sci-Tech. My kids love it and could spend all day there! Be sure to check their events calendar to plan your spring break visit.
National Videogame Museum- While this kids will definitely have a ton of fun here, it’s an actual walk down memory lane for us parents. The National Videogame Museum will transport you back to your childhood through playing all of the systems and games you grew up with- Pong, Super Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, even Duck Hunt! And the back room is packed with playable, old-school arcade games (some tokens are included with admission and additional tokens can be purchased). My kids couldn’t get over what “the olden days” looked like for me and their dad. It’s just delightful. Continue the videogame-themed fun by having lunch right around the corner at Nerdvana!
TrainTopia at Museum of the American Railroad- To be honest, I was surprised by how much my kids, ages 7 and 5, LOVED the miniature train museum, TrainTopia, especially my 5-year-old, who sometimes still has trouble with “look but don’t touch.” But we had a marvelous time at TrainTopia! The intricacy of the miniature trains and detail of the tiny settings is mind-blowing, and the scavenger hunts available for both kids and adults was the icing on the cake. TrainTopia has such a special history and is so fun to experience. In addition to the indoor miniature museum, you can also schedule an outdoor walking tour of real trains. Several types of train cars are available to tour at this time, but please note that the outdoor walking museum is still under construction so tours are limited to certain days and times, and accessibility can be limited.
*Please note that all Frisco museums, including those listed above, are closed on Mondays.
While my family has long participated in Frisco Heritage Center’s Third Sunday Open House events and Shawnee Trail Cowboy Days, we only recently discovered how FUN the interior of the museum is. You’ll learn all about Frisco History in a fun environment, complete with a beloved scavenger hunt, and also get to role-play being early Frisco residents in a replica homestead on the second floor. There are also many historic homes and buildings on the grounds of the Heritage Center. The interiors may not be accessible unless there is a special event, but it’s still fun to run around the grounds and look at them. Then grab lunch at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House next door! Frisco Heritage Center admission is also included with the Frisco Museum Pass.
*Please note that the Frisco Heritage Center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
You guys, it’s weird how much my kids enjoy going to the mall, but I’m not complaining. The mall is a natural day-off destination for us, but I don’t usually do a lot (or any) shopping when my kids are with me. Instead, we focus on the fun aspects of the mall. These include: getting free helium balloons from the kids’ shoe section in Nordstrom, looking around the Disney Store (bonus: they almost always have kids’ pajamas on sale!), playing in the LEGO store, exploring Amazon 4-star, and, of course, the food court for lunch and cookies. Other fun Stonebriar Centre attractions include: shuffleboard and giant Connect 4 in the downstairs courtyard, Dave & Busters game play, and the carousel. My kids have aged out of the indoor soft play area, but there’s one of those, too!
One of our favorite (and frugal) mall events is a mall scavenger hunt! There are plenty of mall scavenger hunt lists over on Pinterest, or you can make up your own to compliment whatever tasks you need to accomplish while at the mall. Need to try on a particular pair of shoes at Dillard’s? Add it to the scavenger hunt list! Kids with a clipboard and crayon are willing to do most anything without complaining. ;)
Hopefully you’ve heard of KidZania by now. If not, or for more information, go read my KidZania review from our visit in November. Located in Stonebriar Center, the Frisco location is the first KidZania to open in the United States. And it’s FANTASTIC. KidZania is basically an 80,000 square foot city run by kids. Your kids will get to “work” in many different professions, for which they earn KidZos that they can use to purchase items or fun experiences, like a ropes course. Some of my kids’ favorite KidZania jobs include veterinarian, NICU nurse, fireman, and parcel delivery workers, with dozens of other jobs to explore. I just love how independent kids get to be within the KidZania “city limits.” A visit to KidZania is definitely a full-day event- plan to spend at least 4 hours there, and possibly longer since it will likely be busier than usual with longer lines during spring break. And considering admission prices are pretty high, you’ll want to stay long enough to get your money’s worth.
These are just a few of the awesome spring break opportunities Frisco has to offer; we’ve barely scratched the surface! And we didn’t even venture out of the Frisco bubble. So if you need a few more ideas to round out your spring break week, try these:
Is Valentine’s Day an over-commercialized, manufactured holiday? Probably. Does that stop me from eating all of the heart-shaped foods I can get my hands on? Absolutely not. If you’re like me and enjoy indulging on Cupid’s birthday, here are a few unique heart-shaped goodies to gift yourself, a friend, or significant other.
Cheese + carbs = heaven. Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits are iconic in their deliciousness, and this year you can get an order to-go in a heart-shaped box! Throw in a classic line from Friends, and I can get on board with that. (Take note, Frugal Frisco Daddy.) Order online now!
I could eat Olive Garden breadsticks by the pound. This year at Olive Garden, you can get a bouquet of breadsticks for your sweetheart! The bouquet comes as part of a to-go dinner for two for $35. Or you can download the bouquet wrapper online to create your own unique gift.
You don’t even have to leave the house for this one. Order a heart-shaped thin crust pizza and brownies from Papa John’s and let the Netflix roll! This is the perfect way to avoid crowds and get in some extra snuggle time. Just go easy on the garlic dipping sauce. ;)
Say it with a cookie! Great American Cookies has so many Valentine’s cookie designs to choose from, I got a serious cookie craving while researching them. Order online and pick up in store or have it delivered.
Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!
Every couple has their own interpretation of a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. For some, it’s a candlelit dinner at a fancy restaurant. For others, it may be takeout out on the couch with Netflix. But I think we all agree that one theme rings true for almost all couples - sharing a delicious meal together is key. No matter what your Valentine’s Day couple style, Frisco has something for you. Check out these Frisco Valentine’s Day Dinner Destinations to find the right spot for you.
Valentine’s Day is coming up and that means one thing…DATE NIGHT! But it also means that many babysitters may already be booked, so what’s a mom to do? Try a Parent’s Night Out at local venues that offer quality childcare, entertainment, and, often, dinner for your little cupids. Here are several options for Valentine’s Parent’s Night Out events in your area so you can get in some quality one-on-one time with your Valentine.
Leslie Knope, Parks & Recreation
Valentine’s Day is coming up. But before we get there, we need to make a stop at GALENTINE’S DAY! Historically, and according to Leslie Knope, Galentine’s Day is celebrated on or around February 13 and is a time for “ladies celebrating ladies.” Basically, “it’s like Lilith Fair without the angst, plus fritadas.” What is not to love???
Our area of North Texas is a great place to celebrate your best gal pals with several local restaurants and other businesses offering some pretty incredible Galentine’s Day events. So make a reservation, call your gals, and go celebrate your friends on Galentine’s Day!
HeartStories Galentine’s Sip & Stroll - Frisco
Thursday, February 6 | 6:30-9:30 pm
Cost: $59
Register online
Gather your girlfriends for the first Galentine’s party of the decade! It’s a night filled with pampering, shopping, handcrafted drink pairings, and all things GIRLY!
Bonnie Ruth’s Galentine’s Day Brunch or Dinner - Frisco
Wednesday, February 12
Reservations encouraged
Brunch & Bubbles | 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Chef’s Special Brunch Menu & Complimentary Mimosa
Wine & Dine | 4:00-8:00 pm
Featured Dinner Pairings & Complimentary Glass of Wine
Da Mario Galentine’s Day Celebration - Frisco
Thursday, February 13 | 5:30-7:30 pm
Celebrate with your BFFs at Galentine's Day at Da Mario! Raise your glasses with a free rosé toast and complimentary Hors d'oeuvres, after work from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. RSVP by Monday, February 10th, to Nicole.Ramirez@D-reamUSA.us. Wanna stay for dinner? Tell Nicole and she'll make it happen!
Color Me Mine - Frisco
Thursday, February 13 | 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Drop by for some creative fun painting with your Gal Pals!
$5 Studio Fees All Day!
Bring Your Own Wine & Snacks!
Sweets on a Stick Valentine’s Cookie Class - Frisco
Thursday, February 6 | 6:00-8:00 pm
Cost: $45
Register online
Grab your boo or your galentine and spend the evening decorating cookies together! Everyone will go home with six Valentine masterpieces! Complementary champagne will be provided, or feel free to BYOB as well!
Jump Into Art Studios - McKinney
Friday, February 14 | 6:00-9:00 pm
Cost: $50
Register online
Galentine's Day Paint Party for Women on Friday, February 14 from 6 - 9 pm - meditation, painting, wine, cheese and chocolate! The perfect way to spend an evening with a community of like- minded women enjoying the evening painting and playing!
Dallas Museum of Art Second Thursday with a Twist: Galentine’s Day
Thursday, February 13 | 5:00-9:00 pm
Cost: $5 (free for DMA members and educators)
It’s only the best day of the year! Celebrate your love of all things Parks and Rec this Galentine’s Day: You Are a Poetic and Noble Land-Mermaid; Everyone Should Love Waffles; Jerry, Garry, Larry, Terry; Lucky Boy; Ron’s Woodshop; 5,000 Candles in the Wind; and A Smooth and Silky Evening.
