Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Spring Break "Stay-Cation"

Well it’s finally here – next week is the week of break that sends your kids into jumps of joy as they relish an entire week away from school. Dreams of adventure and swim trunks dance in their heads, and some may be lucky enough to jet off (with parents in tow) to an out-of-town vacation.
But you don’t have to leave Auburn-Opelika to have some spring break fun and quality family time! Here’s what’s going on next week for you and your kids to enjoy:


Monday, March 24
Superhero Academy
Auburn Public Library
2 p.m.
Do you have a Wonderwoman or Superman living under your roof? Take them to the Auburn Public Library on Monday, March 24, at 2 p.m. for Superhero Academy. They’ll learn all the super-skills required to put on their capes and save the world, all while improving their reading skills. Intended for children in grades K-5. Registration required - call Youth Services at (334) 501-3196.

Tuesday, March 25

AU Baseball vs. Kennesaw State
Plainsman Park
6 p.m.
Take your tykes out to the ball game and watch the Auburn baseball team take on Kennesaw State at 6 p.m. in Plainsman Park. Tickets are $8.

Superhero Movie Matinee

Auburn Public Library
3 p.m.
The Auburn Public Library will be showing a superhero film at 3 p.m. Snacks will be provided.
Intended for children in grades K-5.

Spring Break Camp (March 25-26)

Louis Kreher Ecology Preserve
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Spring into nature with the Louis Kreher Ecology Preserve spring break camp! Campers will learn about blossoming Alabama plants, busy bees, animals and more through hiking, fishing and gardening activities. Registration is $20 for members and $25 for non-members per child per day. For more information, click here. Camp intended for 1st-6th grade children.

Discovery Hike

Louis Kreher Ecology Preserve
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The Discovery Hike is a hike designed for parents and kids to learn more about nature together. It’s a great way for families to enjoy the outdoors and fit in some quality time with nature. Guided hikes are free to the public. For more information, click here. Hikes intended for children ages 5-12 accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Wednesday, March 26

AU Baseball vs. Kennesaw State
Plainsman Park
3 p.m.
If you have a future Babe Ruth (or Bo Jackson!) practicing his tee ball swings in your backyard, take an afternoon to enjoy a game of baseball as the Auburn baseball team goes against Alabama State. Admission: $8.

Dr. Magical Balloons

Auburn Public Library
2 p.m.
What is better than books and balloons? On Wednesday, March 26, Dr. Magical Balloons will be at the Auburn Public Library along with storyteller Dewayne Reynolds. Intended for grades K-5.

Thursday, March 27

Nature Walk
Louis Kreher Ecology Preserve
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
If your young nature enthusiast is a little too old for the Discovery Hike or Spring Break camp, the Nature Walk is a perfect fit. A guided hour-long hike with other nature lovers will introduce your child to the beauty and diversity of the nature in Alabama. Guided hikes are free to the public. For more information, click here.


AU Baseball vs. Missouri
Plainsman Park
6:30 p.m.
It’s the SEC matchup of the month as the Auburn Tigers baseball team battles the Mizzou Tigers at Plainsman Park. Admission is $8.




Writing Fairy Tales
Auburn Public Library
4:30 p.m. 
Join the AU Student Writers as they share tips and help young authors develop their creative
writing techniques. Intended for grades 6-8.

Super Heroes Teen Café 
Auburn Public Library
6:30 p.m. 
Prizes for best (and appropriate!) comic-con style super hero costumes will be awarded, and games and refreshments will be provided. Intended for grades 8-12.

Friday, March 28

AU Men’s Tennis vs. Kentucky
Yarbrough Tennis Center
2 p.m.
If your child dreams of becoming the next Serena or Venus Williams or Roger Federer, take them to the AU Tennis vs. Kentucky match on Friday, March 28 at 2 p.m.

AU Baseball vs. Missouri, Game #2

Plainsman Park
6 p.m.
Part 2 of the SEC matchup of the month as the Auburn Tigers baseball team battles the Mizzou Tigers at Plainsman Park. Admission is $8.

Saturday, March 29

Base CAMP - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Chewacla State Park 
12 p.m.
The Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers host a free Saturday ride every week for kids of any age to learn how to mountain bike. There is also a specific ride for kids 13 years of age and older. For more information, visit www.camp-sorba.org or email club president Philip Darden at camp.sorba@gmail.com.

AU Baseball vs. Missouri, Game #3
Plainsman Park
Noon
Part 3 of the SEC matchup of the month as the Auburn Tigers baseball team battles the Mizzou Tigers at Plainsman Park. Admission is $8.

Keep Opelika Beautiful Garden in the Park

Opelika Municipal Park
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Keep Opelika Beautiful Garden in the Park is a fun arts-and-crafts festival, with presentations and performances by local bands and seminars by groups like Opelika Parks and Recreation pottery. This event is very kid-friendly, with many activities just for kids like the Rocky Brook Rocket. For more information, click here.


Junior Adventure Challenge
Chewacla State Park
Packet pick-up: 3 p.m. (changed due to weather)
The Junior Adventure Challenge is a fun obstacle course that will have your kid splashing through mud puddles, climbing over hay bales and running through beautiful Chewacla State Park. For more information and to register, click here.

Legomania!

Auburn Public Library
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., ages 4-12.
Build up the building blocks of reading skills with LEGO blocks! The Auburn Public Library is hosting its weekly Legomania! From 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. 

Sunday, March 30
C.A.M.P. Mountain Biking Skills Clinic
Chewacla State Park
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers will be hosting Eddie Freyer, Level 2 Certified Mountain Bike Instructor for a skills clinic! This clinic is open to all bikers ages 12 and up, and is free to the first 15 people who sign up! (C.A.M.P. members will get priority - but it's easy to join! Email camp.sorba@gmail.com).  Lunch will be provided. For more information, click here.

Still looking for more ideas?

Here are some timeless staycation ideas that can be done anytime, whether it’s spring break or an open weekend.



1. Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel and Conference Center
The Marriott Hotel at Grand National is very family-friendly and is perfect for an overnight stay for a springtime change of scenery. The hotel boasts an indoor pool, a spectacular outdoor pool and a game room for the kids. Call (334) 741-9292 now for rates or visit their website here.

2. Camping/Hiking/Biking in Chewacla

Chewacla State Park is a great choice for a spring break family outing. With multiple hiking trails for all ages and expertise, opportunities to mountain bike (visit www.camp-sorba.org for more information) and camping options, Chewacla State Park is always a good idea.

3. Laser Tag & Bowling

Auburn-Opelika has great options for indoor recreation, too. AMF Lanes (website), located on Opelika Road, is Auburn’s local bowling alley. Grab a few friends, have some pizza and tackle the lanes (gutters or not.)
If your kids desire more thrill, take them to Cyberzone (website) in downtown Opelika for some high-intensity laser tag! 

What are your spring break plans? Let us know in the comments! 


By guest blogger Rachel Pipan