NEA Kids' Directory

FREE! MARCH 2016

www.kidsdirectory.com/nea

IN EVERY ISSUE:

Fun Events page 8 Dine on a Dime page 11

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A NOTE from the Publisher Welcome to the March issue of NEA Kids’ Directory, the newest addition to the Occasions Publishing Group family of publications.

NEA Kids’ Directory has many features that make it a valuable resource for parents, teachers, grandparents, and childcare professionals – anyone who is involved with children. It is compact in size, making it a handy resource to keep in your purse or car. In addition, it offers valuable coupons for use at kid-friendly businesses and includes a calendar of events so you know what’s going on across Northeast Arkansas each month. You’ll even find a convenient dining guide inside that lists restaurants offering free or discounted kids meals!

Our goal each month is to help inform our readers of the many opportunities, events, products and services available for families in Northeast Arkansas.

Please remember to support the businesses that advertise in this publication each month and tell them that you saw their ad in NEA Kids’ Directory. If you are interested in advertising in NEA Kids’ Directory, please call us at 931-0012.

Audrey Poff, Publisher & Editor

Meet Our Cover Kid! Bethany Gibson

Parents: John and Holly Gibson of Jonesboro photo by Melissa Donner

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Fun Events

March

March 5

March 1 – March 31

The Learning Center will be remembering the children they’ve lost through the years and raising money to send therapists for further training during the first TLC Memorial 5K. Walk through Downtown Jonesboro leaving from Union and Washington avenues, registration 8 a.m, walk at 9 a.m. Preregister at neatlc.com. Info: Cindy Van Horn, 932-4245, cvanhorn@suddenlink.net; Lindsey Woodard, 901359-0146, lindseywoodard11@gmail.com.

Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center invites you to Feeding Frenzy every Tuesday through Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Learn more about the center’s residents and their feeding habits. Info: crowleysridge.org.

Mindbender Mansion is a quirky place full of puzzles, brainteasers, and interactive challenges that will test brain power and problem solving skills, ASU Museum located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library, through March 13. Info: astate.edu/museum or 972-2074.

“Zootopia” will be the feature at Sensory Saturday hosted by The Center for Exceptional Families where the lights are up and children are allowed to move about as needed, tickets are $5.50 per person, Jonesboro Hollywood Malco, 9:30 a.m. Info: 336-2786 or thecenterforexceptionalfamilies.org.

March 1

Open Arms Support Group, for families with Autism, meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at Grandslam Entertainment, 50 CR 792, Brookland, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Info: Jennifer Covert, 3362786.

Join a guest reader for Stories in the Forest in the St. Bernards Fun Forest inside The Mall at Turtle Creek at 3 p.m. Info: 207-7300.

March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

Join Barnes & Noble for Storytime Adventures in the kids’ department each Wednesday to read both new and classic stories plus sing fun-filled songs, 10:30 a.m. Info: 336-2543. www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA

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March 23

March 5, 12, 19 and 26

A Fishing Derby will be hosted by Crowley’s Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center introduces one of its resident creatures every Saturday Ridge Nature Center at Craighead Forest Park Access 5.

Info: crowleysridge.org. at 10 a.m. during Creature Feature. Info: crowleysridge.org.

The Nature Center celebrates spring break with a Fishing Clinic & Fishing Lure make and March 8 and 22 take activity, 12:30-2 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. Info: Science and engineering go hand-in-hand during crowleysridge.org.

Tink Tank, held every other Tuesday at the ASU Museum, located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Info: astate.edu/museum or 972-2074. March 24 The Nature Center celebrates spring break with Outdoor Activities including BB gun range, March 11 Complete a 100-meter swim, 3-mile bike and 1-mile archery, backyard bass and wild sports games, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Turkey Hunting Program and make run in this first ever Kids Indoor Triathlon, two age divisions, 6-10 and 11-14, register online at and take activity, 12:30-2 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. Info: crowleysridge.org. raceroster.com, St. Bernards Health and Wellness, 5 p.m. Info: 207-7700.

March 25

March 12

The Nature Center celebrates spring break with Creature Feature at the top of every hour, 9-11 a.m. and Snake Program and make and take activity, 12:30-2 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. Info: crowleysridge.org.

Race for the Beat, hosted by the Jonesboro High School FCCLA to benefit St. Bernards Hospital Emergency Department, professionally timed 5k or join in a friendly run/walk around the city, children 12 and under can kick it in the Kids 1-mile-run. Other activities will include bouncy houses, face painting and music, sponsored by Medic One. Register at racesonline.com. St. Bernards Auditorium, 8 a.m. Info: St. Bernards Healthline, 207-73 00.

March 26

Easter Extravaganza will feature 50,000 eggs, inflatables, games and a petting zoo, free for the community, Trinity Church, 701 E. Highland Drive, 12-2 p.m. Info: 935-7705.

March 19

Create one of a kind GOURDeous Birdhouses for your fine feathered friends at The Nature Center, 1:30-3 p.m. Info: crowleysridge.org.

Celebrate Arkansas Archeology Month with activities and artifact identification, ASU Museum, located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Info: astate.edu/museum or 9722074.

March 22

The Nature Center celebrates spring break with Creature Crazy Tuesday at the top of every hour, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and self-guided nature craft in the Discovery Room, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Info: crowleysridge.org.

If you would like your event included in our monthly calendar, email the details to shaila@jonesborooccasions.com

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Dine on a Dime

Your Guide to Where Kids Eat F REE!

Let’s Go Out to Eat!

Monday Bliss Cupcakes Kids 10 and under get a free mini cupcake or frosting shot with the purchase of a regular cupcake. (10 a.m.-9 p.m.)

Thursday Front Page Café 1 free kid’s meal with purchase of adult meal after 4 p.m.

Ryan’s Kids eat for $.99 with purchase of adult meal from 5-8 p.m.

TaMolly’s Kids eat for $1.99 from the kids’ menu (nights only).

Tuesday Pizza Hut Free kid’s buffet with adult buffet purchase.

Friday Schlotzsky’s Deli Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal from 4 p.m. until close.

Fazoli’s Kids 12 and under eat for $.99 with adult meal from 5-8 p.m.

Saturday Dixie Café Kids eat for $1.99 plus get a free sundae with adult meal purchase from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Pizza Inn Free kids’ buffet with adult buffet purchase (nights only).

Sunday Slim Chickens 1 free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchase.

Wednesday IHOP Kids eat free with purchase of adult entrée from 4-10 p.m.

To have YOUR restaurant featured in this listing, email shaila@jonesborooccasions.com

Zaxby’s Two kids eat free with each adult purchase from 4-9 p.m.

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W

e recently asked our readers to weigh in on the best that Northeast Arkansas has to offer for kids, parents and families. From their favorite family-friendly restaurant to the best place for after-school care, our readers have made their favorites known and the votes have been counted.

Congratulations to the winners of our inaugural NEA Kids’ Directory Best Choice Awards for Kids and Families. It is an honor to showcase these individuals, businesses, events and venues that are favorites among families in Northeast Arkansas.

And the Winners Are… Best Frozen Yogurt

Winner: Local Culture Best Cupcakes

Winner: Gigi’s Cupcakes

Food/Dining

Best Birthday Cakes

Winner: Jeny’s Cakery

Family Friendly Restaurant

Winner: Chick-fil-A

Best Cookies

Winner: Cookies & More

Best Burger

Winner: Skinny J’s Best Breakfast

Winner: Cracker Barrel Best Fast Food

Winner: Chick-Fil-A Best Pizza

Childcare/ Education

Winner: Upper Crust Pizza Co.

Best Daycare Center

Best Ice Cream/Frozen Custard

Winner: Look What I Can Do Learning Center (Brookland)

Winner: Andy’s Frozen Custard 13

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Best Mother’s Day Out Program

Winner: Central Baptist Church Best Private School

Winner: Blessed Sacrament Catholic School Best Public School District

Winner: Jonesboro Public Schools Best Preschool Center

Winner: Look What I Can Do Learning Center (Brookland)

Entertainment/ Recreation

Best Kindergarten

Best Movie Theater

Winner: Brookland Public Schools

Winner: Malco Hollywood Cinema

Best Elementary School

Best Kids’ Party Venue

Winner: Brookland Elementary School

Winner: RPM Athletics Best Kids’ Party Rentals

Best Afterschool Program

Winner: R&R Amusements

Winner: Camp Raider (Nettleton Public Schools)

Best Public Park

Winner: Craighead Forest Park

Best Summer Care Program

Winner: Camp Raider (Nettleton Public Schools)

Best Public Swimming Pool

Best Tutoring Service

HEalthcare Providers

Winner: Jonesboro City Pool

Winner: The Learning Center of Jonesboro

Best Family Practice Clinic

Winner: NEA Baptist - Woodsprings

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Best OB/GYN Clinic

Winner: NEA Baptist Women’s Clinic Best Pediatric Clinic

Winner: The Children’s Clinic Best Children’s Therapy Provider

Winner: CME, Inc.

Professional Services

Best Dental Clinic

Best Counseling Center

Winner: Hilltop Family Dental

Winner: Families Inc.

Best Orthodontic Clinic

Best Family Law Practice

Winner: Fergus Orthodontics

Winner: Lily Law Firm

Best Eye Care for Kids

Best Hair Care for Kids

Winner: Elite Eye Care

Winner: Great Clips

Best After-Hours Emergency Clinic

Best Infant/Child Photographer

Winner: NEA Baptist Urgent Care

Winner: Melissa Donner Photography

Best Hospital

Winner: NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital

Best Family Photographer

Winner: Melissa Donner Photography

Best Pharmacy

Winner: Soo’s Pharmacy

SHopping Best Bookstore for Kids

Winner: Barnes & Noble Best Music Store (instruments)

Winner: Back Beat Music

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Extracurricular Activities

Best Children’s Clothing

Winner: Dillard’s Best Children’s Consignment Store

Best Art School

Winner: The Foundation of Arts

Winner: Little Bo Peep’s

Best Cheerleading Facility

Best Children’s Consignment Sale

Winner: RPM Athletics

Winner: Rhea Lana’s

Best Dance Studio

Best Children’s Shoes

Winner: Christie McNeill Dance Studio

Winner: Kiddly Toes

Best Gymnastics Facility

Best Children’s Costumes

Winner: Golden Grotto

Winner: Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy

Best Party Supply Store for Kids

Best Karate/Martial Arts Program

Winner: Golden Grotto

Winner: Joey Perry Martial Arts Academy

Best Sporting Goods Store for Kids

Best Music Instruction for Kids

Winner: Academy

Winner: Back Beat Music

Best Toy Store

Winner: The Sensory Shop

Best Sports Training Program for Kids

Winner: RPM Athletics Best Swim Instruction Program for Kids

Winner: St. Bernards Health & Wellness Center

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