Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Mayborn Exhibit: Be the Dinosaur

The Mayborn has a special exhibit over the summer called "Life in the Cretaceous:  Be the Dinosaur".  I was really excited about it because it seemed like something that would appeal to my older kids, and because the exhibits at the Mayborn are always really cool.  And while the kids did enjoy this exhibit, I have to say I was sort of underwhelmed.



It had a couple large animated dinos and an animated dino-baby:  one T-rex, shown above, which was outside the exhibit in the lobby (where you can see it without special admission), and a mom and baby Triceratops inside.


They had a VERY SMALL collection of dino bones.  This large Triceratops head (nearly as tall as an 11 year old boy) was the coolest, though probably a replica since it was out where kids could touch it.  The rest were all small fossils in a few glass cases.


But mostly it was these...a whole bunch of video game screens with basically the same game (you could be a Triceratops or a T-rex).  And while the game was alright, I for one take my kids out to get them OFF of video games, so I wasn't really thrilled.  It was educational, but could be scary for younger kids.  My 6 year old was fine with it.  (Definitely gave him a more realistic perception of dinosaurs:  His dinosaur toys started eating each other in stead of talking to each other after this trip.)



There wasn't much pretend play stuff, save for a jeep you could ride in and these Dino-tails.   If you have younger kids (too young for video games where dinosaurs eat each other), then I would save your money and not pay the extra amount to see this special exhibit (there's plenty of other stuff they'll love in the museum).  If you have older kids, they might enjoy it (mine did...though not so much as some past exhibits).  Or, you can just catch the free museum day coming up August 8.  The Dino Day special events on July 29 and August 5th would also be a good time to visit, since you can get into the museum AND this special exhibit for only $5, plus there will be other fun stuff going on.






Sunday, July 20, 2014

Fun This Week (JULY 21 - 27)

Fun things for kids to do in Waco this week.  Unless specified otherwise these events are free.  Also check out our VBS guide to find free (usually) week-long Bible day-camps in the Waco area.


MONDAY

6:30 - 8:00 PM - Angel Paws Reading Buddies - Central Waco Library
Read to a furry, four-legged friend!  These specially trained animal therapy dogs are great listeners who provide encouragement to reluctant and struggling readers while boosting their self-esteem during a 20 minute reading/craft session.  Contact Vivian Rutherford at 254-750-5952 to schedule your 20 minute session. .1717 Austin Ave., Waco



TUESDAY 

9:30 and 10:30 AM - Summer Showcase - East Waco Library
Weekly events for children - puppets, plays, storytelling and more!  See website for details.  901 Elm Ave., Waco

11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm - Dino Days: DinoRock 
An entertaining, engaging, and education program filled with fossils, dinosaurs, and fun! Show times at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. $5 per person pricing will be offered on Dino Days and will include admission to the museum, Be the Dinosaur and all special activities and events. Mayborn Museum Members and Baylor University students receive free admission. For more information, call 254-710-1110.

4:00 PM - Fitness at 4: Bust a Move or Yoga (Rotating) - West Waco Library
Register online.  See website for details. 5301 Bosque Blvd.,. Suite 275, Waco.


WEDNESDAY

9:00 AM - 9:00 PM - Batman Day - Barns & Noble
All day event celebrating the Caped Crusaders 75th birthday. Learn More Here.

10:30 AM - Hewitt Libary Children's Summer Program
Children's entertainment, every week.  See webiste for specifics on this week's event.
Hewitt Meeting & Event Center, 208 Chama Dr (next to the Library)

10:30 AM & 1:30 PM - Summer Showcase - West Waco Library
Weekly events for children - puppets, plays, storytelling and more!  See website for details. 5301 Bosque Blvd.,. Suite 275, Waco.

4:00 PM - Fitness at 4: Dancersize - Central Waco Library
Register online.  See website for details. 1717 Austin Ave., Waco

6:30 - 12:30 PM - Angel Paws Reading Buddies - Central Waco Library
Read to a furry, four-legged friend!  These specially trained animal therapy dogs are great listeners who provide encouragement to reluctant and struggling readers while boosting their self-esteem during a 20 minute reading/craft session.  Contact Vivian Rutherford at 254-750-5952 to schedule your 20 minute session. .1717 Austin Ave., Waco



THURSDAY


10:30 AM & 1:30 PM - Summer Showcase - Central Waco Library
Weekly events for children - puppets, plays, storytelling and more!  See website for details.  1717 Austin Ave., Waco

7:00 PM - Family Night - West Waco Library
Weekly performances for the whole family.    See website for details. 5301 Bosque Blvd.,. Suite 275, Waco.





FRIDAY


10:30 AM & 1:30 PM - Summer Showcase - South Waco Library
Weekly events for children - puppets, plays, storytelling and more!  See website for details.  2737 S. 18th St., Waco

1:00 PM - Barns and Noble Storytime
A reading from some of today's most popular children's authors followed by crafts and snacks.  Barns of Noble, 4909 W Waco Dr. Waco, TX




SATURDAY

10:00 AM - Lows Build and Grow 
Build a Turbo Taco Truck.  All supplies provided free, and you get to keep what you build!  More info and register online here.

2:00 PM - Movie Night at Hewitt Library
Free kids movies showing every Saturday at 2:00 pm.  This week Frozen.  See website for specifics on this week's event.




Sunday, July 13, 2014

Fun This Week (July 14 - 20)

Fun things for kids to do in Waco this week.  Unless specified otherwise these events are free.  Also check out our VBS guide to find free (usually) week-long Bible day-camps in the Waco area.


MONDAY



6:30 - 8:00 PM - Angel Paws Reading Buddies - Central Waco Library
Read to a furry, four-legged friend!  These specially trained animal therapy dogs are great listeners who provide encouragement to reluctant and struggling readers while boosting their self-esteem during a 20 minute reading/craft session.  Contact Vivian Rutherford at 254-750-5952 to schedule your 20 minute session. .1717 Austin Ave., Waco



TUESDAY 

9:30 and 10:30 AM - Summer Showcase - East Waco Library
Weekly events for children - puppets, plays, storytelling and more!  See website for details.    .  901 Elm Ave., Waco


11:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Dino Days - Mayborn Museum
Enjoy storytelling by Vivian Rutherford from 1:30-3:30 pm, the film “The Land Before Time” at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm and Digging for Dinosaur Bones: Dig Site Information from 2:30-3:30 pm. $5 per person pricing will be offered on Dino Days and will include admission to the museum, Be the Dinosaur and all special activities and events. Mayborn Museum Members and Baylor University students receive free admission. For more information, call 254-710-1110 or visit website.


1:30 to 4:00 pm - Teen Movie Party and Shrink Art (Ages 11 -17)
See a mad scientist accidentally allow his kids to get shrunk!  Make and take your own Shrinky Dink Art & make a piece of Jewelry or keychain ornament. See website for details. 1717 Austin Ave., Waco

4:00 PM - Fitness at 4: Bust a Move or Yoga (Rotating) - West Waco Library
Register online.  See website for details. 5301 Bosque Blvd.,. Suite 275, Waco.


WEDNESDAY

10:30 AM - Hewitt Libary Children's Summer Program
Children's entertainment, every week.  See webiste for specifics on this week's event.
Hewitt Meeting & Event Center, 208 Chama Dr (next to the Library)

10:30 AM & 1:30 PM - Summer Showcase - West Waco Library
Weekly events for children - puppets, plays, storytelling and more!  See website for details. 5301 Bosque Blvd.,. Suite 275, Waco.

4:00 PM - Fitness at 4: Dancersize - Central Waco Library
Register online.  See website for details. 1717 Austin Ave., Waco

6:30 - 12:30 PM - Angel Paws Reading Buddies - Central Waco Library
Read to a furry, four-legged friend!  These specially trained animal therapy dogs are great listeners who provide encouragement to reluctant and struggling readers while boosting their self-esteem during a 20 minute reading/craft session.  Contact Vivian Rutherford at 254-750-5952 to schedule your 20 minute session. .1717 Austin Ave., Waco




THURSDAY


10:30 & 1:30 - Summer Showcase - Central Waco Library
Weekly events for children - puppets, plays, storytelling and more!  This week's movie is Turbo.  See website for details.  1717 Austin Ave., Waco


7:00 pm - Family Night - West Waco Library
Weekly performances for the whole family.    See website for details. 5301 Bosque Blvd.,. Suite 275, Waco.




FRIDAY

10:30 AM & 1:30 PM - Summer Showcase - South Waco Library
Weekly events for children - puppets, plays, storytelling and more!  See website for details.  2737 S. 18th St., Waco


1:00 PM - Barns and Noble Storytime
A reading from some of today's most popular children's authors followed by crafts and snacks.  Barns of Noble, 4909 W Waco Dr. Waco, TX

1:30 PM - Science Shenanigans - Central Waco Library
A science lab for ages 7 to 11,. The theme is “Backyard Chemistry Lab,” with hands-on experiments. Reserve a spot by calling 750-5942. Space is Limited. See website for details.  1717 Austin Ave., Waco



SATURDAY

2:00 PM - Movie Night at Hewitt Library
Free kids movies showing every Saturday at 2:00 pm.   See website for specifics on this week's event.


SUNDAY

1:30 PM - Block Party - Central Waco Library
Block Party for Toddlers and Pre-K ages will be at Central Library on Sunday, July 20th, at 1:30 p.m. Please call 750-5952 for a reservation. See website for details.  1717 Austin Ave., Waco