Holiday happenings

BY NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer
Monday, December 10, 2012
12/10/12 at 3:42 AM

Christmas is fast approaching, which also means school is about to let out for winter break.

Although the kids are probably eagerly awaiting their time off, parents may be wondering how to keep them occupied during this time.

"Around the holidays, usually a lot of parents can't take a lot of time off," said Nicole Thompson, senior program director at Tulsa's West Side YMCA.

Several branches of the YMCA have winter break camps that run all day for parents who need somewhere to take the kids while they work. The camps include sports and art activities and field trips.

"We really make sure that even though those kids are out of school that we're still giving them time to be active and engage with other kids," Thompson said.

Accompanying this article is more information on these camps, as well as a list of other ways to keep the kids active and occupied this winter break. Whether you're looking for an all-day, drop-off activity for your children or something you can enjoy with them on your time off, you'll find an option that works for you.

DAY CAMPS

YMCA: Four YMCA branches are offering winter-break camps this year. General hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the cost is $145 per week for members and $175 for nonmembers.

Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, sports and games, and a weekly field trip.

The camps run from Dec. 24 to Jan. 4, except Christmas Day.

The branches offering the camps are Thornton, Westside, Owasso and Bixby.

To register, or for more information about specific activities, visit tulsaworld.com/ymca or call the branch in which you'd like to enroll your children: Thornton, 918-280-9622; Westside, 918-446-1424; Owasso, 918-272-9622; Bixby, 918-369-9622.

Tulsa Parks: Several Tulsa community centers are also hosting day camps for kids during winter break. Games, arts and crafts are part of these camps, and kids should bring a sack lunch. To register, or for more information, visit tulsaworld.com/tulsaparks or call the phone numbers below.

The following parks have day camps:

Lacy Park, 2134 N. Madison Place, 918-596-1470. 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 26-28 for kids ages 6 to 12. $36. RSVP by Dec. 17.

Whiteside Park, 4009 S. Pittsburg Ave., 918-746-5040. 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 26-28, for ages 6 to 14. $75. RSVP by Monday.

Reed Park, 4233 S. Yukon Ave., 918-591-4307. 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 31-Jan. 4, except New Year's Day, for ages 6 to 14. $75. RSVP by Monday.

ART WORKSHOPS

Henry Zarrow Center for Art and Education, 124 E Brady St., 918-631-4400

The Zarrow Center is hosting a Winter Break Children's Workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 27-28. The workshops are for kids ages 5 to 12. Children will explore the photography show on display at the center for inspiration in creating their own artwork with professional instructors. There will be space for family members to wait for their artists.

Cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers.

The center is also holding art camp sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 2-4 for kids ages 5 to 12. Cost is $25 per session for members, $30 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is required.

Contact Cindy Williams at 918-631-4402 or cindy-williams@utulsa.edu.

Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road, 918-596-2700

Gilcrease Museum is also hosting a Winter Workshop for families with kids ages 4-12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 27-28. Attendees can enjoy the museum galleries and create art pieces at several stations set up throughout the museums. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

For reservations or more information, call 918-596-2774 or email sarah-wright@utulsa.edu. $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers.

LIBRARY EVENTS

Various library branches are holding events now through the New Year. Below are some of the holiday-themed activities. For more, visit tulsaworld.com/library

Santa Visits Storytime: 11-11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. Kids ages 3-5 can listen to holiday stories and tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. Bilingual storytime with Santa in English and Spanish.

Both events at Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road, 918-549-7590.

Make It, Take It, Shake It: 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27. Kids ages 5-12 can create a noisemaker to help celebrate the New Year. Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road, 918-549-7590.

Family Fun Night: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. Spend quality time with the family while listening to stories and making an origami Christmas ornament. For families with kids ages 5-10. Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St., 918-549-7683.

What Can You Make?: 4-4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. Kids ages 5-12 can bring a clean, used soup can to make a one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one. Broken Arrow Library, 300 W. Broadway Ave., 918-549-7500.

A Very Sperry Holiday: 3-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. Reindeer games, crafts and snacks will be part of this holiday celebration for kids ages 5-12. Judy Z. Kishner Library, 10150 N. Cincinnati Ave., 918-549-7577.

Holiday Party With Santa: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Christmas tree crafts, stories and refreshments are part of this party. All ages. Broken Arrow Library, 300 W. Broadway Ave., 918-549-7500. Broken Arrow Library, 300 W. Broadway Ave., 918-549-7500

Short Movies and Crafts: 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27. Kids ages 5-12 can drop in to enjoy short, holiday-themed movies and create a craft. Central Library, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue, 918-549-7323.

Kwanzaa Community Celebration: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26. Students and poets will perform at this Kwanza celebration, and attendees will get to show off their talents during the event's "Mamanem" segment. Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford Ave., 918-549-7645.

Brain Yoga: Winter Doodles: 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27. Make a card, enjoy some art doodling and play board games. For ages 10-13. Helmerich Library, 5131 E. 91st St., 918-549-7631.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Oxley Nature Center: Enjoy one of several nature walks at the Oxley Nature Center, 6700 Mohawk Blvd. Preregistration required; call 918-669-6644.

Winter Solstice Walk 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 21. All ages. $2.

Botany Walk 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Dec. 22. All ages. Free.

Full Cold Moon Walk 7-8:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28. All ages. $2.

Holiday Gymnastics Night Out: Drop the kids off at Whiteside Park, 4009 S. Pittsburg Ave., to get some last minute shopping done. Boys and girls ages 6-11 will enjoy open gym time with experienced coaches and staff. Pizza and drinks will be served. 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. $15. RSVP at 918-746-5040 by Wednesday.

Candy Cane Hunt: Kids ages 4-11 can head to Whiteside on Dec. 22 for a candy can hunt from 10-10:45 a.m. Santa will also be in the park for pictures. Free.

Christmas Crafts: Take the kids to the Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive in Jenks, to make ocean-themed ornaments and other holiday crafts. 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 16 and 21-23. Aquarium admission is $9.95-$13.95. 918-296-3474.

Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Brandi Ingle (left), 14, Sherry Epley, 12, Odella Allison, 12, and William Brock, 12, place beads on a sheet to make a design they will then melt together with an iron to make a Christmas ornament, during the crafts class at the Zarrow Library in Tulsa on Thursday. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World

Youth librarian Mike Weibel explains to kids how to create a design with beads that they will then melt together with an iron to make a Christmas ornament, during the crafts class at the Zarrow Library in Tulsa last week. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World