Day 49 - Bass Pro Shop's Family Summer Camp

My kids are getting used to half-hour drives. Why is everything half and hour away?

Bass Pro Shops does a fun free event for the month of July. Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday they have Family Summer Camp. During this free event families can do a craft, participate in workshops, and practice shooting and casting. 

Workshops

During the "camp" there 20 minute classes offered every hour about different outdoor sports. The one we attended today was about archery. It was pretty boring. We couldn't hear anything because the class was right by the stream/waterfall. 20 minutes was also a very long time for my kids to sit and watch a PowerPoint with no interaction. They do get a lanyard and a pin showing they completed the course for each workshop they attend, but one was all we could do.

Craft

Every week there is a different craft offered. These are the types of crafts you'd buy through Oriental Trading Company. Today was a turkey footprint magnet that the kids colored with permanent markers. They were pretty cool and the kids enjoyed coloring them.

Camp Activities 

The big attraction was the BB gun range. Any age could par tipster and there was an employee to help them. My 3-year-old was really excited to try it. While the parents waited in line for BB shooting, the kids went around to the other activities; electronic shooting range, casting practice, and an "archery range" which was actually just a suction dart and target. 

Other Attractions

Bass Pro is just a fun place in general. There are taxidermied animals everywhere. It's like a taxidermy zoo with lots of bears, lions, mountain goats, you name it. There is also a huge fish tank with huge fish that the kids love to sit and watch for a long time. I don't know if this is true for all Bass Pro Shops, but ours has a little carousel kids can ride for free. My kids ride it over and over. And another fun freebies here: fudge samples. There is a little shop with a huge variety of fudge. My daughter and her cousin had at least 6 samples each. Delicious.

Day 13 - Commemorative Air Force Museum

My friend at the Mesa tourism office, Visit Mesa, hooked us up with some passes to the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Mesa, AZ.

This museum shows historic planes and teaches some of the navy history of past wars. I found the history of the planes fascinating. My 5 kids (ages 9, 6, 5, 2, and under 1) enjoyed getting a close-up look at the planes, engines, and bombs. This museum is somewhat small and not very interactive for young ones, so we didn't last here for too long (about an hour)... Read my full review on Trekaroo.com here)

 There was a B-17 that actually flew in WWII on display outside that we got to go inside of. We tried to count the number of guns and thought there were 7 but we missed about half because there were actually 13! For $850 you can ride in the gunner seat in the nose of the plane while it flies around Mesa. Anyone wanna spot me a thousand bucks?

These the the planes the kids were most interested in. Mostly the fought over who got to ride next instead of looking at the super cool and historical planes surrounding them. I did force them to take a break and walk around the exhibits with me for a while. I think at least Kids One & Two learned something.

Day 12 - Slickables & Downtown Mesa

I had to run an errand in Downtown Mesa, AZ. I hated to drag the kids all the way down there without a reward, so I found this cute new ice cream sandwich shop called Slickables. You can read all about it here. Turns out, it was just across the street from the i.d.e.a. Museum so we stopped by there for a couple hours as well.

I love the vibe you get when visiting Main Street in any town we visit. I love the little local shops and storefronts, I love the sculptures and festivals. Downtown Mesa is no exception. It is home to many family-friendly venues. They are even hosting "Kidtastic" events every Wednesday in May & June. Here is a list of what I love and what I'd love to try in Downtown Mesa.

Downtown Mesa, AZ for Families

• i.d.e.a. Museum-A children's art museum with fun play areas and crafts for all ages of artists
  
• Arizona Museum of Natural History-The local "dinosaur" museum. Also has Arizona specific history and panning for gold 
  
• Mesa Arts Center-Home to great performances, art, and festivals
• Sculptures-Cool statues that kids can climb on and pose with for fun pictures
  
• Sweet Cakes Cafe-I've heard great things about this bakery
• Farmer's Market-Every Friday, stop by to shop from local farmers and artisans
• Light Rail-Coming soon, we'll be able to hop on the train to Tempe or Phoenix

What do you enjoy doing in Downtown Mesa?

Day 7 - i.d.e.a. Museum

It's starting to get hot. That means we need more indoor activities. My oldest daughter hadn't been to the children's art museum, the i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa, AZ and had been begging to go. We used my membership I bought with a groupon deal ( admission for up to 4 people) and Kid One's Pogo Pass (discount pass for multiple Phoenix attractions) for a free, fun outing. Read my review of the i.d.e.a. Museum here.

Why I Love Children's Museums

My kids love to craft, but I hate the wasted glue, tape, and paper and even more, the mess. That is why the I.d.e.a. is so great! The museum provides all the craft supplies and the glue and scraps don't get on my table. My kids can make all the junk they want and we can leave it on the table for other visitors to admire instead of bringing it home to clutter up the house.

Speaking of messes, I love that the employees are wandering around picking up stray trash and toys while I just get to play with the kids. I don't need to worry about the clutter around me when we are at a children's museum. I can enjoy my children without the stress of household responsibilities right in my face.

Another thing I love about children's museums is that everything is a novelty to my kids. We don't have a light bright wall at home so they think it's extra special and sit and and stick pegs in holes for half an hour. The toys are all new to them so it takes longer for them to get bored.

I like that there are areas specifically for babies. Kid Five gets attached my her brothers all day at home but in the baby zone, big brother's aren't even allowed. I know she is safe from bigger kids who do t know to watch out for little hands. I also know she has age appropriate toys that she can't hurt herself on.

Last but not least, I love that I can have fun too. I also like to create things out of old scraps of cardboard, but I don't have time at home. I enjoy putting on a puppet show with my son or doing puzzle on a giant touch screen while the kids play around me. I like interactive museums as much as my children.

What do you love about going to children's museums?