Get Ready, Midland!

Have you been to an Air Show before? I have! Several of them actually. I absolutely love going. Whether it has been with family, friends or even my Cadet buddies, it was always a blast. Maybe that can be attributed to my love of history. World War 2 has been one of the most fascinating history lessons I continually return to. The technological advances, the lessons learned in medical sciences, and the political lessons that we should glean from even today - all tickle my fancy! 

We have lived in this town for enough years to know that there is an annual AirSho here. But this will be the first year that we can actually attend! And yes, I am making the kids go too. I really do hope they will enjoy it. Maybe even learn something while we are there. If nothing else, I know my history-loving husband will! He is as much of a fan as I am. Where do you think I heard of Unit 731 and Dark5? 

But here I am getting distracted again. History does that to me! Let's focus here. AirSho (yes, that is how it is spelled) is coming back to town. This year is a little more special than past years. It marks the 80th anniversary of WW2. Crazy, isn't it? 80 years! So many of those from that time have already passed. The number of veterans dwindles quickly. 

What to know, before you go!

They have quite the list of restrictions. What stands out to me is that we can't bring foods in. No coolers. Now, while they have concessions, this means we might want to plan ahead on having some extra money for food.

They have activities geared more for kids like bouncy houses and games and snow cones, but you better bring more money for those too.  

If I could afford to, I would pay for my husband to live out his dream of being in one of the iconic planes as they fly through the sky above our town! But alas, we don't make that kind of money. Maybe when the kids move out... If you are interested in that, just look HERE.  

Where can you learn more? 

They have a Facebook Page that has updates on the planes included in the show. You can also get a ton more information on their website. We also should note here, there is an additional $10 fee for parking, cash only, unless you get the VIP bundle. There is a handicap lot, it costs the same amount as normal parking, but is accessible. You just need to have the plate or placard ready. And when ordering your tickets online, there are additional fees (you know the kind - pay with card, pay extra!). But I did not see anything about you being able to pay in person. So it just is what it is. 

I promise to share more about the experience once we have attended! Let me know what your thought on air shows is. Do you ever go? Do you enjoy them?  

A Slice of Our Town - The Cloverdale Mercantile

I love heading out for an adventure on the weekend. It doesn't happen often, but it is always amazing when it does. This most recent trip took us out to the Cloverdale Mercantile. My daughter is officially a teenager, and decided she wanted to celebrate her yearly uptick in age by doing some shopping! So off we went. 

Cloverdale Mercantile used to be known as Wall Street Antiques. It was in a large, old building. Everything was covered in dust. And sometimes you might question if things ever moved. But then the owner of that building decided they wanted to sell. And quite frankly, I'm glad! Why? Because Wall Street was then able to look into moving. They found a newer place to move to. It is cleaner. Everything is well organized. Booth after booth is brimming with amazing finds. You are guaranteed to see new stock every time you stop by. I won't bore you with talking about it so much. Instead, I will give you a brief glance into the types of things you can come across. Yes, my focus was more on miniatures and doll-related items this time. Maybe next time, I can show you a wider variety! 

You can check out more about them on their Facebook page.  

Enjoy! 

From Hobby to Hussle

I love to bake. I quit doing as much of it as I once did, but it still brings me joy. Not just from making a tasty treat, but more so from the happiness I see others get when they dig in. Up until this summer, we would go to a Friday night Bible study with friends from church. Everyone brought a dish. After reading a passage and discussing it, we would partake in a meal. It was a great joy to us. I would bring desserts. Cakes, cookies, brownies, pies.... I even took requests. 

Then life got really busy. We couldn't go as much. So I would make our once-a-week dessert and set aside a little for certain friends who really enjoyed it. One of those friends owns a game store in our town. He loved things I would bring in. Made jokes about certain secret ingredients I must be adding to get people addicted. He then suggested I get a table at the local Trade Days. Not a bad idea. I've mulled it over and considered it. But that will have to wait until we are less strapped and short on time. In the meantime, I asked him about setting up some of my goodies during his game tournament nights. He agreed, and it has flourished! 

Some of his younger guests seemed to think he made up Suzette's Sweets! They think he provides them himself. He slipped up and called them by my real name once, which just furthered their belief that he is making up the baker of these delectable sweets. I explained to him, Suzette is my pseudonym. I use that for my characters in video games I play. It has become such a lore event, that I decided to boost the story even further. I created a little sign for them - 

Meet your Baker!

This is one of my game characters. I screenshot her from the game and put her to work as the sales girl in his shop. It must be working, or the sweets have truly garnered a following, as they have nearly sold out most weekends. 

I have really enjoyed doing this. I'm even learning new things to make based on requests that I get. And even better is the reward of a little extra cash to get 'fun' things.  

A Summer of Fun at the Perot Museum of Nature & Science

Well, we took a trip and made it memorable! Our most recent excursion took us into Dallas (and surrounding areas). In downtown Dallas, we had the great opportunity to check out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. A HUGE thank you to them for giving us complimentary tickets for this time. 

*Disclaimer: I was given free tickets to the museum in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions shared are mine or my families.*

What to know when planning your visit

Okay, where to start?? They are located in Downtown Dallas. You can check out their website HERE. They had the Bug Lab Exhibit opening when we were up there. This one costs you extra to see. As with many museums, they rotate out their Special Exhibits. Other exhibits that stay year round are fascinating for all ages! They also have videos that educate while entertaining. While walking through one floor, there was quite the line waiting to try out the earthquake simulator! You stand on a platform that gives you the feeling of being in an earthquake. 

Tickets and entries are timed. Make sure you pay attention when you purchase your tickets, so that you know when you are supposed to go in. They have a high volume of visitors to juggle. This also means that there are times when huge crowds are EVERYWHERE! 

Parking... Here is one that is super important. They have a museum parking lot that is $15 for non museum members. If you get the membership, it is only $5. Per vehicle, not per person. It is first-come, first-serve. If it is full, they have an overflow lot. However, they also have a special section if you are needing a handicapped spot. We ended up finding a lot that charged us $5.35 for 4 hours. You have to download the app or find the kiosk to mark your vehicle paid and avoid towing. 

What is inside? 

They have 4 floors of exhibits to see. My youngest loved the dinosaur level. So many skeletons and things to learn about the fossils. 

Being from an oil town, we loved seeing the exhibit on drilling and oil processes. There was so much to learn from it. Even a giant drill exhibit to give you an idea of what they are like. or the one that shows you how the oil is pumped upwards. 

We loved seeing the Gemstone exhibit too. Learning about topaz stones and geodes. The giant geode was extremely popular with the kids.

Seeing all the types of animal displays was fascinating too. We got to see what kinds of animals live where. 

Start at the top and trickle down! The elevators were constantly busy. And the escalator was down when we went. So be prepared to climb all the way up and then all the way down. We loved seeing the outdoor walls that were decorated with greenery and rocks. 

The staff were friendly, even in the rush of dealing with so many people. They were helpful in guiding us and answering questions we had. There are seating spots all over the place in case you get worn out from all the walking. The bathrooms were clean too, which was really nice. Oh yes, final notes! There is a food court and gift shop available. There were also fun things for little ones to do out front.  

We are so glad we got to stop in and see everything! It was a wonderful trip for our family.  

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Review (Discount included)

Summers are meant for fun, for family, and for making lasting memories. Usually, you take time out of school and, if you can work, to travel together and do something different. 

That being said, times are harder on many. Maybe taking a full trip isn't in your budget. So what about a one night trip? What about a day filled with fun? What if one place could give you the away time you need? Come with us as our family did just that!

*Disclaimer: I was given the chance to go to Ripley's Believe It Or Not! in Grand Prairie, in exchange for sharing about our experience. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are mine and my family's own.*

First off, Ripley's Believe It Or Not! has locations across the nation. Maybe not in your city, but I bet you can find one in your state. For us, it is near the Dallas area. This meant we had quite the drive to plan for. It also meant we had to get a hotel room and stay overnight. For my family, this equates to a mini vacation! So be sure to check their locator and see if you can find one close to you. 

Since the one we went to is the one I'm spotlighting, I'm going to say that not all Ripley's are the same! What we saw here, you most likely won't see at the other locations. So keep that in mind. 

How to get started! 

Ripley's in Grand Prairie has multiple things to enjoy. If you get their combo ticket, you can enjoy Luis Tussaud's Waxworks exhibit, Ripley's Moving Theater, Ripley's Power Up and Ripley's Mirror Maze, as well as the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium exhibits. These tickets are $56 per adult. If that isn't in your price range, they also offer the 3-Way Combo or a 2-Way Combo option. I love the fact that you can choose which attractions you want as well, if you choose the 3 or 2 options. You can purchase your tickets online, ahead of time, or in person. In-person purchases are how you can use various modes of discounts, so check their website to see if you qualify for any before you purchase. 

                                Thinking I might just need to join the MIB.

Parking is free! Huge bonus for the wallet on this one. Especially in a big city. 

Our Ripley's just installed a new exhibit as well. It is based on their actual Ripley's Warehouse in Orlando, Florida. That warehouse holds all the oddities that Ripley's collects over the years. Things like medieval torture devices, odd taxidermy (ever seen a two-headed calf before?), and ancient artifacts from Asia - just to start with!  

My family voted on their favorite attractions. The Mirror Maze won hands down. It took us about 4 tries to find the exit and the youngest was begging to go back in. Part of the maze has a cool selfie room that is lit and mirrored. The floor was a shiny tile that almost made it seem like you were floating with the hanging lights. 

Luis Tussaud's Waxworks exhibit came in second place. It has a long trail to follow with so many characters, both modern and historical. If you are brave, the ending can lead into a horror haunted house. But they have an exit for those who are faint of heart as well. We chose to check out the haunted house.

And let me tell you... there were some great jump scare moments. My favorite part was seeing the Phantom of the Opera! 

We took up the challenge on the 7D Moving Theater to shoot at robots and try to save the city. That was a fun experience. I think my oldest son had the best luck at shooting the janky guns, but we all had a blast. (pun intended!) 

We shot at mutant slimes in the Power Up attraction. That allows 3 people at a time to go into a room where 3 of the walls allow your device to 'shoot' at things on them.  

The Odditorium had so many fun things to see though. A mechanical statue of the world's tallest man that will go from sitting to standing! Talk about having big shoes to fill. 

There are plenty of places to sit and rest. So don't worry about getting tired as you galavant along. You can rest along the way. Each one is designed to fit the theme of the exhibit. 

My final note was in the Wax display attraction. As a Christian woman, I was particularly surprised, and pleased, to see a part that was dedicated to the life of Jesus Christ. There were scenes set up to show important events like the Last Supper. 

You don't see things like this often. It was almost like a gospel presentation, but in an entertaining way that isn't hard to handle. I really loved that.  

I highly recommend a trip to Ripley's! No matter the age. No matter your interests. I think there is something for everyone! Let me know what you liked from what you could see. Or let me know if you have been. I'd love to hear from you! Until next time, my friends. Keep it weirdly real out there.  

What Are You Doing This Summer??

It is time to dive into some amazing fun! Summer is here, it is hot outside (my car was reading 117 yesterday), and the kids need something that tears them away from the screen. So I have a suggestion on one of your next destinations! If there is one near you, why not try a Ripley's Believe It Or Not?? Have you ever been to one of these? My Mom took my sisters and I once to the one in Florida near her. They are FANTASTICALLY FUN! There is something for everyone, of every age. But not just fun... They sneak in learning in ways that the kids don't expect it. Everything has a weird-but-true story attached. 

Okay, okay - so maybe oddly true facts don't seem like enough education to make that a selling point. For me, just having the kids out of the house, but inside where it is cool, and away from the video games for a bit is a sell I can't pass up! I'm looking for ways to beat the heat, but make some great memories. 

And best of all?? They are offering you some great coupon deals! Why?! Because you are my readers, of course! 

Don't wait, get your tickets! Then come back and tell me about your amazing trip. I can't wait to share mine! My local Ripley's is in Grand Prairie (The DFW area), but there are others, so don't let the location ward you off in the provided information they asked me to share with you. Other locations are also hosting similar deals, so check your local bloggers.  

One of DFW's Top Family Fun Attration's - Experience five extra-odd-inary attractions under one roof at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Grand Prairie! Be astounded by hundreds of artifacts, incredible art, pop-culture memorabilia, and interactive games in Ripley's Odditorium! With more than 200 lifelike wax figures, strike a pose and take a selfie with your favorite superstars in Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax! Embellished with LED lights and infinity mirrors, challenge your perception and sense of direction in Ripley's Enchanted Mirror Maze. Feel every twist and turn while you compete to get the highest score in Ripley's 7D Moving Theater! And enter the Ripley's Power Up arena and immerse yourself in our all-ages, group gaming experience. Make lifetime memories and experience the excitement of Ripley's Grand Prairie, your one-stop destination for family fun!
$5 OFF Ripley's Attractions Combo Ticket with code DFWKIDS - Show this coupon at the ticket counter or use code DFWKIDS to buy online and SAVE $5 on a 5-Way Super Combo ticket!

Ticket includes admission to FIVE attractions: (1) Ripley's Believe It or Not! - Explore hundreds of oddities, artifacts, memorabilia, and more from around the world! (2) Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax - Strike a pose with over 200 lifelike figures, from the famous to the infamous! (3) Ripley's Power Up - Battle it out against friends and family in this virtual, all-ages gaming experience! (4) Ripley's Enchanted Mirror Maze - Find your way out or lose yourself in seemingly endless hallways of lights and mirrors! (5) Ripley's 7D Moving Theater - Become part of the movie in this full-throttle, interactive motion simulator ride!

Children 3 & under are FREE!
Visit: https://www.ripleys.com/grandprairie/
Coupon to Share: https://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=13445&dealid=3359

Something Short and Sweet

 

I recently saw something on a friend's post on Facebook. I recognized it immediately and thought it was so much fun. I even reposted it, but changed it up to make it more interesting. Time consuming? Yes. Worth it? Yes! So, I am sharing my repost here. And I want to see how many read it and actually answer. Here is a hint - Can you speak military? 

India Foxtrot.

Yankee Oscar Uniform.

Charlie Alpha November.

Uniform November Delta Echo Romeo Sierra Tango Alpha November Delta.

Tango Hotel India Sierra.

Charlie Oscar Mike Mike Echo November Tango.

Bravo Echo Lima Oscar Whiskey.

Hotel Oscar Whiskey.

Yankee Oscar Uniform.

Alpha Romeo Echo.

Delta Oscar India November Golf.

Lima Oscar Victor Echo.

Yankee Oscar Uniform.

Alpha Lima Lima.

 

Let me know in the comments below. I really do want to hear from you.  

That's Not a Hat!

Ravensburger - do you know that name? If not, let me introduce you!

*Disclaimer - I was sent these products for free in exchange for hosting a party and posting my reviews. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own or those of my guests.*

Ravensburger is a name you might see on some games, toys and puzzles. They are a family-owned company that has been making games since 1883!

They sent me two games to showcase. One is called That's Not a Hat. This is the one I focused on. The other was Strike, which I gave away as a door prize. Both can be found on the Ravensburger website. Don't worry, I'll have links below! 

That's Not a Hat

That's Not a Hat was truly fun, even through it's challenging play. We had to read through the instructions a couple times, but overall we loved the laughter! It is about having the ability to remember all your "gifts" or be able to bluff when you forget. For us older ones... we forgot, but we dusted off those bluffing skills like champs! 

I highly suggest watching this how-to-play video before you try playing. Makes it a lot easier! 

The official information on the game is:
That's Not a Hat - Wrap and regift objects in this deceptively simple card game of having the world’s best memory... or convincing everyone you do! Was that gift a hat, a bucket, or a traffic cone?! Play this “unforgettable” bluffing game with friends and family for fun, laughter, and a dash of madcap mayhem. As cards or gifts are flipped face down and passed around the table, players must memorize the object on each card or bluff their confidence as they pass the unwanted gift to someone else. Avoid getting caught declaring the wrong object or gain penalty points. The player with the least points at the end wins!

Recommended Age: 8+ 

Great for parties!

Number of Players: 3 - 8

15 minutes playtime

Includes: A rule book and 110 cards with simple illustrations for maximum
memorization chaos.

I've done a few of their puzzles over the years. But want to know a game I loved that they put out? My mom sent me this one before... Under their ThinkFun products, you can find the Cold Case Files. I have done A Pinch of Murder with my husband. It was so much fun!

Where can you find these games for yourself?

So glad you asked! As I mentioned above, you can go directly to the Ravensburger website. But there are other options of places you can look for the games at.

That's Not a Hat: 

Ravensburger has it for $10.99.

Barnes & Noble had it too for the same price. 

Amazon was the same price.

Strike: 

Ravensburger has it for $24.99. 

Walmart has them for the same price. 

Amazon was the same price. 

What do you think? Was this a great game option? I'll be looking forward to hearing from you in the comments below!

A Time Out for the Midland County Fair

Our family has had a lot going on. But we still try to take out a moment for fun as a unit. Our most recent adventure? Going to the Midland County Fair! 

This is the first time we have been able to do so. We were pretty new in town last year. Going to and from work, my husband was able to watch the transformation of the Midland County Horseshoe as the rides for the carnival went up.  

In case you are interested in what they offer, here is the official website. You know me, I'm a planner. So I check into an event as much as I possibly can before we go. These are the posted rules:

Things to know:

You can't bring in food and drinks. They have vendors there for that. More on those options below.

You can purchase a VIP Pass for unlimited carnival rides. These are bought on site, or just buy tickets for a few rides. The VIP pass is $35. Individual tickets are $1 each. Rides are about 3-5 tickets each. My husband couldn't wait for us all to try out the centrifuge ride called Starship 4000. 

He had been on one a long while back. You all stand against the wall of this round ride and it spins around, pinning you in place! This ride cost 5 tickets per person. So it turned out to be the only one we rode this time. This was the enclosed version. They had an open air one too. It was quite warm in here. And I definitely had to close my eyes a couple times.

Foods were plentiful! There were food trucks and then, in the carnival, you had the types of foods you would expect to see. We preferred trying the food trucks this time. There were so many options! So let's break it down... We tried some amazing juices and lemonades. My husband and I loved the mango one. My oldest son says the cherry lemonade was divine. My oldest daughter got a Root Beer Float from the Hawaiian Shaved Ice truck.

We tried fried Oreos and Twix bars. 4 fried Oreos or 2 Twix bars were $10 each.  I told my husband I can officially knock that off my bucket list. One son had curly fries. He wasn't as thrilled with those as they were made straight up from potatoes cut in a curling pattern. But they were quite the serving for $10. The Mini Donuts truck had some delicious tiny donuts that my youngest enjoyed. She got the Banana Cream Pie ones. You get 12 for $9. The nachos my other girl got were also $10 for a decent serving. My favorite? Steak on a Stick! $10 got us a delicious ribeye steak that was cut into chunks and grilled to perfection. My husband and I shared one.

Bringing cash is better. Using the card means you will pay additional fees or even just $1 more per item.

They have vendors inside. This is also where they had the Pet Parade and information on the various shows you could check out. Or the contests that were being held. We didn't spend much time in here, but it was still pretty interesting to see various types of things that were being sold. 

Overall, it was a fantastic experience that the whole family enjoyed. We were a little fried by the end of our time there. After all it was 104 degrees out there. But it was worth it. The kids are even asking to go back next year! 

What Words Were Created the Year You Were Born?

I've been learning a lot of new words lately. I have penpals in New Zealand that have been showing some of their words and phrases. I've learned a lot about the differences between the Queen's English and American English from a dear friend in the United Kingdom. But I'm also learning American words and terms that are new, or just new to me. I have found a word that describes my love of learning these words. Ready for it? I am a logophile. Where do I mostly find words to learn about? Well, since I'm also a bibliophile, I find them in books. 

Logophile - A lover of words.

Bibliophile - A person who loves or collects books, especially as examples of fine or unusual printing, binding, or the like. 

I have also come to enjoy getting the Word of the Day from Dictionary.com. I learn words for myself. Or I find words that I think the kids should know and create spelling lists in our homeschool curriculum from them. Here is a new word for the generation of today...

Nomophobia! Can you guess its meaning? I had a pretty good laugh when I first saw it. After all, it is a running joke in our house these days. 

Nomophobia - Anxiety caused by being without access to a functioning mobile phone. 

I recently learned there was even a thing as finding words and phrases that were created the year you were born! If you are curious about your own year, just go HERE. For example, my year is 1988. Yes, I'm quite old in the eyes of my children and siblings. In that year, I have found some interesting new words that also give insight to what was going on during that time.

Some of these, I wasn't familiar with. Like d4T, heteroglossia, himbo, and mommy track. Others, I grew up hearing regularly or even used myself. Like swole, pimped-out, defrag, unibrow - these were things that were pretty common as I was growing up. One of my favorites was gangsta. We used to make jokes with this one all the time. 

We didn't use it correctly, of course, but then who ever does?? Mommy-track is about moms who chose to work and raise kids. They resigned themselves to making money, probably to make ends meet, but knew they probably wouldn't grow in their careers because of the kid side to life. I've witnessed that firsthand. A job I applied for was very interested in me until they found out I had kids. They told me flat-out that having kids made me a liability. I would most likely miss work they thought. Who knew that began in 1988? 

And e-book?! I'm not a fan of those. But I didn't realize they started that early. Just took them a while to gain popularity I suppose. I still prefer holding a book in my hands, flipping each page, and indulging my imagination with pictureless descriptions. Even the smell of a book can be alluring. I will happily spend time wandering through book stores - used ones, not so much new ones.  

The first place I heard the term killer app was in a song. Took me this long to realize just what it really meant!

And in case you missed it, Al Yankovic's favorite MC is M.C. Escher. My dad's favorite too. This guy was amazing with his art. Mathematically and artistically inclined. But that is just a side note. 

So humor me here. What word(s) came out the year you were born that you had no idea of? What word have you learned recently? Or what is your favorite word? I'd love to know. Who knows if I might learn a new one from you. Leave me a comment below!

May the 4th Be With You!

We are almost all Star Wars fans in our home. My oldest daughter is decidedly not and the younger daughter hasn't seen much lately to make up her mind. But the rest of love the movies and some of the characters. 

So, yes, I do love being able to celebrate the holiday devoted to fans - Star Wars Day. May 4th for you non-fans. This year, I decided to take up the fun challenge of doing something cool. I printed out these cool bookmarks that you can find by 123homeschool4me. She has a HUGE database of free printable resources. This time though, I was only interested in the bookmarks. I printed off 2 copies of those. But then I found some others too... Figured I would let the kids choose any they wanted. The rest though.... I had a plan for! I also decided to go ahead and laminate them. They last longer that way.

I had been wanting to make a sweet treat for my family to enjoy. We have been under so much stress and so strapped in the financial department, that treats weren't so common for us. And I wanted to make it really special! I found these two ideas. But in the end, we created our own.

The craziest option is the BB8 Freakshake. I had never heard of a freak shake before. I was thinking that might be too much sugar, but I thought maybe I could make some of the attachments for fun.

The one my husband really wanted was the Wookie Chocolate Milkshake. Much simpler. He was most excited by the waffle cookie being included. It doesn't require much. We weren't going to waste the time and effort to make the belt across a jar, but with some icecream, chocolate syrup, and these wafer cookies - I think I made it close enough! 

I made some little chocolates using my Star Wars molds. We had these the weekend before Star Wars Day because the boys would be out of town. This way they didn't fully miss out on the fun. The X-Wings weren't as strong as I usually have them... maybe next time.

For the actual day, my daughter made some Twix cookies that we put the chocolate ships on top of. It was delicious!  

I had taken time out to play dress up with the girls. I pulled my costume bin out and let them create their own characters, both rebel and empire sides. While I can't share their photos (for safety reasons), I will show you what outfits they came up with for me! They also chose my makeup colors and we all played with my Star Wars palette from ColorPop.

The blonde is my Jedi costume, while the redhead is the Sith. They were pretending to be Vader's daughters, taking turns being Light and Dark. So of course they decided I had to be both as well.

We had a fantastic time! Even my non-fan daughter was getting into the cosplay aspect with great vigor. It made me proud. We had some mermaid photos afterwards for Mer-May. And they can't wait to come up with the next idea! Until next May, may the force be with you!

Jurassic Quest is Coming to Town! (Discount Included!)

My 6 year old LOVES dinosaurs. I'm not sure if it has something to do with Chris Pratt, but the Jurassic movies are top on her list. She'd take those over Disney princess movies any day. So, of course, I was thrilled when I saw this new promotion through U. S. Family Guide. They are working with Jurassic Quest to promote the show that may just be coming to your town! 

There is quite the lineup already for the locations available. They even have shows in Canada! Texas has Abilene on March 3-5. I can imagine that my youngest will be wearing her new Chris Pratt shirt if we are able to make it. She will enjoy seeing the animatronic dinosaurs that rule the show there! As I'm typing this, I have her running around talking about riding dinosaurs, digging up fossils and watching the "live" dinosaurs! This is perhaps the closest thing to her going to a real Jurassic World. 

FAQ's

I like to plan out trips like this as much as possible in advance. So the FAQ section is typically my go-to. I'm happy to say I got a lot of helpful knowledge from doing so. 

First off - children under 2 are free, however will need activity tickets to participate in some of the events inside. Kids tickets are for 2-10 year olds. 

Tickets can be purchased at the door. It will cost you the same online as in person. However, subject to availability. They have safety restrictions on how many may be allowed to enter at once. Ticket prices are $19 - $36.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons - evenings are the least busy. I think this is one of the most helpful things for us. We aren't big on large crowds. 

Wear socks! Unless you want to purchase socks there. The inflatables and soft play areas require socks. 

My teen boys are going to be a bit bored. This is mostly geared for 2-10 year olds. Especially the rides and activities. 

Check ahead about parking! Since they are using venues from third parties, you could have to pay parking. Once you figure out where the venue is for your town, you can contact them to find out if you need money for parking.

Bring your cameras! And share your rawr-some moments with them! @jurassicquest #jurassicquest  I know I plan to do this. After all, my little one will be losing her mind from the fun. 

Cash and cards are accepted. They have activity tickets as well as souvenirs.  

And the most important for our family - food! Seems like food options and rules are run by the venue. Jurassic Quest does not provide food. So check out what your venue allows. Being that the event is usually about 2 hours to get through the whole thing, you might not even plan to eat there. Just plan your trip around meal times. 

Activities include....

Dino rides! These are just for kids. There are stationary dinosaurs that walk in place as well as those that walk slowly forward.  

Bounce houses! My little one tends to be afraid of these. Not really sure why, but she's afraid of others bouncing her. So we might not even bother with them. 

Dino crafts! You can do a quick craft to create your own dinosaur. My daughters might enjoy this. Looks like paper crafts. 

Dig for fossils! My little one recently learned to say paleontologist. As well as what that is. And she is excited to dig up dinos.  

Meet the baby dinos! When I was telling my kids that we might go to Jurassic Quest, they wanted to know what kinds of things were included. My oldest 3 were meh about it. But the youngest has been squealing about the possibilities since. Meeting baby dinosaurs has to be on the list or she won't be satisfied. If she could have her own baby dino, she would. That and a unicorn....

While you are walking around, look out for the walking dinosaurs! They are playful and like to run and walk around the guests. So be ready and snap a cool pic while you are at it! 

Lastly, discover the ancient oceans! I'm a skeptic on this front. Then again, dinosaurs trigger my skepticism too. However, it could still be a lot of fun to see the ancient ocean creatures moving around.  

Want to go and save money?

I can't wait to possibly make the trip! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Is anyone you know a dinosaur fan? Would you enjoy taking your family somewhere like this? Let me know all about it!  

Don't forget to use this code at checkout to save 20%! 

My readers get an exclusive offer of 20% off by using the code USFAM at checkout!  Get your tickets before they go extinct! https://www.jurassicquest.com/