Charlotte Parent Charlotte June 2019

Summer 2019 • Free

SUMMER SPLASH!

POOL RULES AND SWIM BASICS

Where to swim, dive and get soaked

Fourth Of July

FIREWORKS

GLAMPING: Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Cup or Cone?

10 best bets for ice cream

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2019

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or f y l ive Readers s u l Exc Parent otte l r a Ch

FREE KIDS PROTECTION PLAN® Advanced Guardianship Planning Package When Added to Any “Standard Plan” or “Premium Plan” Comprehensive Estate Planning Package

CONTENT › SUMMER 2019

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Go Glamping Take camping up a notch with a North Carolina glamping adventure

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We All Scream for Ice Cream The scoop on where to get a creamy, cold treat this summer

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17 Places to Make a Summer Splash Where to swim, slide, dive in and get soaked

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Digital Designers Summer projects for the technically savvy

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Beach Bag Swag Pack these things for a fun day by the sea or pool

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IN EVERY ISSUE 4

Editor’s Letter

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FYI

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Growing Up

10 Thrive 11 Families Managing Media 24 Excursion 32 Daddy Derek

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CALENDAR 25 Our Picks 26 Daily Calendar 28 On Stage 30 Fourth of July Celebrations

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Summer Bucket List Inspiration

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morrismedianetwork.com

co-worker recently told me about a Day of Yes she scheduled for her kids. On

the Day of Yes, the kids get to pick what they want to do to fill the day, and she says yes to their requests.

Her kids are 3 and 5, so the requests are manageable and include things like a trip to the splash pad, ride the Lynx Blue Line, frozen yogurt before dinner and a trip to see the new Mr. Potato Head exhibit at ImaginOn. Her Day of Yes inspired me. What a great way to let the kids be heard for a day, and free the parent from schedule constraints and putting limits on things. (I’m thinking a personal Day of Yes is a good idea for everyone now and then).

I’ve also seen social media posts with neatly crafted summer bucket lists created by moms and kids. The lists typically are a mix of water exploration, bike rides, adventure, travel, a little bit of reading, educational excursions and a whole lot of activity. With the Day of Yes inspiration and summertime schedule wide open, I’m working on a summer bucket list for my family. A few day camps are on the summer agenda, but I want to make this summer one that’s not overscheduled, leaving more room to say yes to ideas as they come up. There are so many places to play and explore in the area that I’m confident we can keep busy, but at a smooth summertime pace.

If you are still working on your family’s summer bucket list, this issue is filled with ideas. Keep cool visiting one or all of the 17 places we recommend

EDITOR Michele Huggins

ART DIRECTOR Melissa Stutts

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Andy Smith • andy.smith@morris.com

MEDIA CONSULTANTS Fawn Anderson • fawn.anderson@morris.com Kathy Thompson • kathy.thompson@morris.com

MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING Donald Horton

DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING SERVICES Karen Fralick

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Cher Wheeler

CONTACT US charlotteparent.com 214 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 302, Charlotte, NC 28203 phone: 704-344-1980 • fax: 704-344-1983 email: info@charlotteparent.com advertising@charlotteparent.com Circulation 35,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Charlotte Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

in the feature on page 18 to get soaked. Lego lovers must visit Discovery Place Science’s latest exhibition Towers of Tomorrow, and go on a search for one of the missing golden bricks (turn the page to learn more). When you are ready for an adventure out of town, consider glamping. There are several glamping resorts in North Carolina that offer different amenities, each with a central theme of spending time outdoors without sleeping on the ground. Stargazing from an airconditioned dome anyone? Read more on page 12. If you love ice cream or other cold, icy treats, we share 10 best bets for where to try a new flavor, on page 16.

Settle in, it’s summertime!

HAVE IDEAS TO SHARE? Email editor@charlotteparent.com.

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SUMMER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

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Go on a Search for Golden Lego Bricks from the Towers of Tomorrow Exhibit

Students from El Alma de la Luna Dance Academy.

Photo by Jon Strayhorn

Sample ASC Culture Bites The Arts and Science Council is taking a bit of cultural spice from local arts and culture programs to communities north and south of center city this summer. Described by ASC as appetizers to its Culture Feast festival that is held uptown in October, Culture Bites features pop-up theatre, dance, visual art, interactive experiences, science and music of all varieties, plus tasty food to sample from diverse local restaurants.

Two Culture Bites events are scheduled in August. The first event takes place Aug. 1 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Veterans Park in Huntersville. The second event happens Aug. 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Morrison Family YMCA in Ballantyne. The events are free and there are giveaways for attendees, including passes to Culture Feast. Learn more at artsandscience.org.

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SUMMER 2019

Discovery Place Science is looking for help this summer to find 10 extra-large golden Lego bricks scattered throughout the Charlotte region. The 10 golden Lego bricks are part of the Towers of Tomorrow Lego Bricks exhibit Follow Discovery Place on that officially opened at Discovery Instagram for clues to find the lost golden bricks.

Place Science on June. 1. The golden Lego bricks need to be collected before the exhibit leaves in September.

On Fridays throughout the summer, one golden Lego will be hidden in a public, open space. Find the golden brick and return it to Discovery Place Science to receive four Discovery Place Science tickets and admission to the Towers of Tomorrow exhibit. Follow Discovery Place on Instagram (@DiscoveryPlace) to find clues to locate each lost golden Lego brick.

The Towers of Tomorrow with Lego Bricks, a traveling exhibition from Australia, includes 20 of the world’s most astonishing skyscrapers built out of Lego bricks. Using 577,000 Lego bricks, the buildings are constructed with intricate architectural detail and accuracy by Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught, one of just 14 certified Lego professionals in the world. There also are 200,000 Lego bricks for visitors to create their own inspired buildings and more. Learn more about the Towers of Tomorrow exhibit at science.discoveryplace.org.

Sweet Summer Movie Deals When summer gets too hot, dip inside a cool movie theater for relief and entertainment. Many local theaters are offering summer movie deals for children — some as low as $1 to see 2018 blockbusters. Select theaters also are offering deals on new releases at certain times and certain days. Be sure to mark your calendar for 2019 summer releases: “Toy Story 4” in theaters June 21 and the the live-action “Lion King” on the big screen July 19.

See kid-favorite movies at Ayrsley Grand Cinemas on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. for $3.70 plus tax. Tickets include a Kiddie Combo snack box. If you’re wanting to see the latest releases, tickets to matinee showings (any show before 4 p.m.) are just $5.

Cinemark Movies 10 in Matthews offers $1 movies on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. as part of the Summer Movie Clubhouse. The deal starts June 19 and lasts until Aug. 21. To save even more money, buy the 10-week bundle of movies for just $5.

Regal Entertainment Cinemas, which includes Regal Phillips Place Stadium 10, Regal Starlight Stadium 14 - Charlotte, Regal Stonecrest At Piper Glen Stadium 22, Regal Franklin Square Stadium 14, Gastonia, and Regal Birkdale Stadium 16, Huntersville, offers $1 movies each Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. for 10 weeks beginning in June as part of its Summer Movie Express.

Tickets are available at the theater box office on the day of the show.

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FYI

3 Misconceptions About Tick Bites and Lyme Dr. Bill Rawls, the medical director of rawlsmd.com, an online holistic health company, and author of the best-selling book “Unlocking Lyme” sheds light on common misunderstandings about tick bites.

Misconception No. 1: All ticks carry Lyme disease. Only a few species of ticks pass along the bacteria associated with Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, the biggest offender being the blacklegged deer tick. Only a fraction of those ticks actually carry Borrelia, but all ticks carry microbes, some of which can result in other illnesses like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Keep a close eye out for tell-tale symptoms, including fever, headache and rash.

Misconception No. 2: The best way to remove a tick is by burning it. The proper way to remove a tick is to use a pair of finepointed tweezers — place them as close the skin as possible and grasp the tick’s mouth. Firmly pull the tick straight out of the skin.

Wash the bite with soap and water.

Misconception No. 3: You know your child has Lyme if you see a bull’s-eye rash. Only one third of people with Lyme disease develop a bull’s-eye rash, and some of those go unnoticed because they’re hidden under hair on the scalp. Watch for early symptoms of an acute Lyme infection, which include lowgrade fever, occasional chills, fatigue, stiff neck, rash around the bite and transient muscle aches.

Talking About Measles The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that the U.S. is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in nearly 20 years. A child can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left, says Dr. Laura Netzley, pediatrician, Novant Health Pediatrics Blakeney. Many parents choosing not to vaccinate worry about overloading their child’s immune system with the vaccine, but the amount of antigen in a vaccine is a tiny fraction of the amount of germs that a child’s immune system is exposed to on a daily basis “and the chemicals in vaccines are not toxic,” Netzley says. Children should receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. The first dose provides 93% immunity against the measles and increases to 97% after the second dose. Read more from Dr. Netzley about measles vaccines at charlotteparent.com. charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2019

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FYI | people Matt and Sarah Olin with their daughter Mirabelle Olin.

education or the people driving our city’s work around economic mobility. The challenges are learning when to say no (or not yet), when to stop and recharge, and (yes) when to work out.

What’s the hardest part of juggling family and work life?

If you’re lucky enough to do work that feels like a calling, you soon find yourself balancing on a double-edged sword. On one side, I’m deeply grateful that my work and my life are one and the same.

There is no line of delineation.

The flipside of that is where it can get tricky: learning how to establish clear boundaries, get out of work mode, and give your family your undivided attention. I am still learning, and my wife is an incredible support to me.

Get to Know: Matt Olin

BY MICHELE HUGGINS

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att Olin is the co-founder of Charlotte Is Creative. He is married to Sarah Olin and they have one daughter Mirabelle Olin, who is 7.

Where in Charlotte do you live?

Where did you grow up? We are new homeowners near Frazier Park. I moved here with my family in the mid-1980s, so Charlotte was home for me during the majority of my upbringing.

Tell us about your job. What do you like and what are the challenges? Charlotte Is Creative develops programs and initiatives designed to break the Charlotte mold and re-make it with creativity into a city that

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draws people in and inspires them to invest their financial, social and creative capital. No two work days are the same for me — a reality that I love. One day I’m hosting CreativeMornings/Charlotte or emceeing another community event. The next day I’m working with co-founder Tim Miner, and our growing team of collaborators, to create compelling content for The Biscuit — the media channel for Charlotte Is Creative. The next day we’re brainstorming with leaders in government, religion,

SUMMER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Best advice ever received: It wasn’t so much a piece of advice as it was an experience. When I enrolled in The Good Life Project in 2014, I was seeking clarity in my life. After years of developing and producing theater on Broadway, I was having trouble figuring out what I was being called to do next. Jonathan Fields, and the community he created in his program The Good Life Project, led me to the answers I was seeking. At its core, it involved shifting my focus from “What’s a good business for me?” to “What’s a good life for me?” That led me to my desire to build community and celebrate creativity, which led to establishing CreativeMornings/ Charlotte and eventually led to the formation of Charlotte Is Creative.

Proudest parenting moment: For years, Mirabelle was scared to go underwater until a gifted swim teacher inspired her. From

that point forward, we’ve barely been able to keep her above water.

Mirabelle found the courage, and then experienced the magic of going beneath the surface, of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. I think we can all learn something from that, because that’s where the really exciting stuff is waiting for us — just below the surface. I was so proud of her.

Lowest parenting moment: I’ve had a lot of guilt around cavities lately, and I still haven’t taught Mirabelle how to ride a bike without training wheels, which feels a bit like a daddy fail.

What is your favorite thing about raising a family in Charlotte? We love that Charlotte is teeming with creativity. There’s so much great programming here for kids, alongside creative energy of many other kinds. This is a vital element in a city being a source of vibrancy, inspiration and diversity, and we want our daughter to get a daily dose of all of it.

What are three things you can’t live without? Coffee, community and the occasional exotic escape with my wife.

Favorite Instagram account: @saraholincoaching Last book read: “From Diapers to Dating: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children”

by Debra Haffner.

What inspires you? My wife’s commitment to our family and her craft of coaching; my daughter’s commitment to kindness, fairness and justice in her classroom; and the immense creativity that is alive and growing in Charlotte.

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Swim School Basics

The lifetime benefits of swim lessons

BY MALIA JACOBSON

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rom soccer to gymnastics and track, lots of sports help kids build skills and burn off energy.

One sport, however, offers a unique boost to lifelong fitness. Unlike many childhood pastimes, swimming lessons build skills that can translate into a lifetime of safe, effective exercise long after the cleats, ballet slippers and track shoes are put away. Regular swimming builds core strength, breath control and stamina that can enhance performance in other sports, says Jenny and Chris McCuiston, parents and founders of Goldfish Swim School, a nationwide provider of swim lessons for children with locations in Cary, Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. Here’s how to help kids make a splash, safely, whether they’re in the tot pool or the deep end.

EARLY YEARS

Pool Rules Although a small study found that formal swim lessons can reduce drowning risk in children ages 1 to 4, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that preschool-age children should never be considered water safe. Before age 4, children don’t have the motor skills needed to swim independently and still need constant adult supervision in and around the water, even if they have some swimming ability.

Swim lessons, however, still benefit young kids. A study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that in addition to building physical skills, swim lessons gave kids a boost in cognitive and social development. Swim lessons at this age should focus on building basic skills, such

as getting in and out of the water safely and comfortably going underwater.

Parents can help by emphasizing water safety rules, Jenny McCuiston says. “Rules are there for a reason, especially when it comes to rules for the pool. Walk, don’t run; make sure an adult is watching; no horse play. Reviewing rules together as a family before you swim helps everyone enjoy the water.”

ELEMENTARY YEARS

Just Keep Swimming By grade school, kids may have the strength, stamina and control needed to master more complex swimming skills, from freestyle breathing to flip turns. With regular swim lessons and practice, a school-age child likely feels more confident in and around the water,

GROWING UP

and may have passed a swim test or two. At this point, families may be tempted to quit lessons and devote time and energy to other pursuits — after all, the kids already know how to swim, right? Not so fast. There’s good reason to continue with lessons and practice into the tween and teen years, says Matti Svoboda, owner of Blue Dolphins Aquatics in Chapel Hill.

“Every spring when parents come for refresher lessons, they’re surprised at how much their child has forgotten since last summer,” she says. “Just like any other physical activity, kids should keep swimming multiple times throughout the year, whether it be in lessons or free swim, so they don’t lose the muscle memory, endurance and stamina they’ve gained.”

TEEN YEARS

Life Guard Summertime pools and beaches brim with opportunities for teens to socialize, exercise and relax, but drowning risk doesn’t evaporate once kids outgrow the kiddie pool. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 19, with teenage boys and toddlers most at risk. To protect kids from drowning, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children learn to swim, including teenagers. Even if your child learned to swim years ago, periodic refresher lessons can help build and maintain swimming ability.

Prioritize water safety by talking to teens about drowning risks, including the risks of drinking and swimming. Make sure teens understand the risks of unsafe jumping and diving, which can cause severe head injuries and paralysis. Teach teens to dive safely. Never dive headfirst into an unknown body of water or anywhere diving isn’t allowed. Insist on life vests when teens use watercrafts or boats, including paddleboards. Finally, when it comes to pool safety, trust, but verify: Ask about adult supervision before your teen attends a pool party, and confirm that parents are present during any swimming activity.

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published health journalist and mom. charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2019

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THRIVE Talisman Camp in Zirconia, North Carolina, has programs for children as young as 6 years old who are on the autism spectrum and with ADHD. With camp activities ranging from tree climbing to archery and hiking, it’s a challenging, fun experience for participants.

Staying Home If you choose to skip summer camp, invest in creating a structured home environment. Start with an introduction of the rules and how it is different from the school year. Communication is key to any successful implementation. As a Abigail and Jacob Moise enjoy a summer day at ImaginOn uptown.

Set the Summer Schedule

Less structure opens opportunities to grow independent living skills

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SUMMER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Short and sweet should be to the motto, and activities should be kept to less than 45 minutes to discourage boredom, but also to help with independence.

Children need consistency to be successful. If the rules and expectations are continually changing, it is hard to maintain achieved. As a parent, use this time as an

he school year has the great benefit of offering a child a structured day, however, trying to create a similar structure within the home environment during the summer months can be hard, but it is well worth the effort. Summer months present the perfect opportunity to help a child grow daily independent living skills at home or camp, and also to work on other skills that may not be available during the school year.

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instructions in regards to what you want.

and determine how much progress is being

BY BEA MOISE

Day Camp Choices While it may be difficult, and sometimes feels impossible, to find camps that can accommodate a child with special needs, there are some good local options, including iCanBike Camp for children with autism.

Before committing to a camp, ask around and do some initial research to determine if you think camp is a good match for your child. Most camps for children with special needs are not just a social outlet, but also offer additional programs to help develop life skills that a child can benefit from long after camp ends.

parent, you have to give clear and specific

Safety is always a huge concern.

Enrolling in a summer swim camp is a great way to get your child acquainted with water safety. Charlotte’s Swim Academy offers a fast track and one-onone lessons with a swim instructor. My son, who is on the autism spectrum, loves swimming, and I’ve found one-on-one instruction to be the best.

If you have a physically able child, Autism Charlotte’s ICanBike Camp is great for its inclusion with neurotypical developing peers serving as buddies with the goal of teaching children to learn how to ride a two-wheeler bike.

opportunity to work on other skills that your child may be lacking.

While staying home, plan day trips. Discovery Place and ImaginOn in uptown Charlotte offer loads of sensory exploration. Park in South End or at another location on the Lynx Blue Line and ride the train to uptown. Or take the train from uptown to UNC Charlotte and explore at the UNCC Botanical Gardens.

Whatever choice you make, don’t forget the most important thing this summer is to enjoy spending some additional time with your uniquely wired child while they are out of school.

Bea Moise is a board-certified cognitive specialist, parenting coach and founder of the company A Child Like Mine. She and her husband have two children, Jacob who is on the autism spectrum, and Abigail.

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FAMILIES MANAGING MEDIA

Should You Track Your Child’s Every Move?

All-knowing GPS technology may seem like a good idea, but there are drawbacks

BY MELANIE HEMPE

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hen you were growing up, did your parents always know where you were? Every minute? Mine didn’t. Maybe that’s a good thing. If your child has a phone, GPS technology makes it possible to actually see where your children are all the time. Just because we can do something with technology, doesn’t mean we should.

Young Kids The obvious benefit to tracking your children is that you know where they are. This comforting knowledge may feel like a good danger prevention measure, especially for

WHEN TO USE TRACKING Consider these tips for making GPS tracking useful.

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Use tracking on an as-needed basis only for an extenuating circumstance.

families with younger kids. If you have young kids, chances are that when they are not with you, they are with another trusted adult.

Tracking kids when they are with trusted adults may cause unnecessary feelings of mistrust with the adults in charge, who may feel like you are checking up on them rather than the kids.

Tracking children also creates unnecessary stress for you, as it makes you feel compelled to check your phone to see if the little green dots are still at after-school care or piano lessons. This stress comes with a cost as our kids follow our emotional lead, becoming more stressed when we’re stressed.

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Never use tracking to spy on your kids.

Replace that urge with open, in-person communication.

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Tweens and Teens While some parents say that they intend to build trust, tracking tweens and teens may cause problems in the parent-child relationship. Kids often feel that their parents are trying to control them by watching every move and not trusting them to make decisions. Secretly tracking them can easily weaken a relationship and, in some cases, cause a division that can last for many years.

Tracking can be used as a way to gather information so parents don’t have to check in with their kids to adjust schedules. While this seems like a good policy up front, it can further reduce communication with your child. Science supports the idea that to build attachment and connection with our kids, they need to hear our voice more than receiving a text. Tracking can also fuel your child’s desire to outsmart the system by simply trading phones with a friend to throw off their parents.

As with all technology, the use of GPS for tracking children is not bad in itself. But the questions are: How are you using it and what is it replacing? Conversation? Personal responsibility and accountability? When GPS tracking becomes how you do life, it may be time to take a vacation from the technology — remove it from your phone and talk more with your teens. Consider replacing the smartphone with a basic phone to foster more independence. Discuss daily plans with your kids, stay in touch during the day when needed, and raise your expectations for their behavior when they’re not with you.

Melanie Hempe is the founder of Families Managing Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families reduce screen overuse. She also has a nursing degree, and is Mom to four children. Find more resources at familiesmanagingmedia.com.

Be diligent about teaching safety skills, so they don’t become dependent on you using tracking skills.

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Don’t use it for convenience when a phone call will do.

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ADVENTURE TIME:

Glamping in

Stargaze from one of the domes at Asheville Glamping. Photo by Stephen Walasavage

NORTH CAROLINA

Take camping up a notch on your next big outdoor vacation

BY SARA KENDALL | EDITED BY MICHELE HUGGINS Skipping a resort for an adventure in the wilderness doesn’t mean you have to do without all the comforts of home — just go glamping. Glamping, a word coined for glamorous camping, is a growing vacation trend that combines camping and modern amenities to provide an enjoyable, more comfortable vacation surrounded by nature.

According to the latest North American Camping Report, more than 7.2 million households in the U.S. have started camping throughout the past five years, bringing the total number of camping households in the U.S. to a new high of more than 78 million.

A vacation in nature, however, is a lot easier when you have a bathroom, kitchen and comfy beds. The blending of the best of camping and basic amenities provides a great way to experience the great outdoors, and that’s what glamping is all about.

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THE ACCOMMODATIONS Tent camping requires a lot of planning, packing, setup and takedown, not to mention sleeping on the ground. Glamping adds a touch of comfort with the relaxation of being in the great outdoors, without as much on-site preparation. Types of glamping accommodations include yurts, geodomes, glamping tents, treehouses and travel trailers.

(Not sure what a yurt is? It’s a circular tent with a framework used by nomads in Mongolia elevated with modern amenities at glamping sites).

“We think of it as easy camping,” says Tim Murphy, owner of Emberglow, a 72-acre glamping retreat in Mill Spring, North Carolina that is on track to open in September 2019.

“Accommodations are comfortable for sleeping, but are designed to get people outside.”

Inspired by the Swiss Family Robinson novel, the big treehouse at Emberglow sleeps eight to 10, has a living room, a cargo net on the backside and lookouts. For smaller groups, vintage trailers, geodomes, yurts and tent camping are available. Each of the accommodations at Emberglow, which is open year-round, has running water, air conditioning, a microwave, coffee maker, small refrigerator and outdoor grill. Rentals, except for tree lofts, have private bathrooms. There also is a family bathhouse that gives parents the space to bring the whole tribe to get cleaned up without worrying about boys being in the girls’ room or vice versa, Murphy says.

Next to the Nantahala Gorge in Bryson City, North Carolina, Falling Waters Resort is a 22-acre outdoor oasis with two ponds and a waterfall located on the property. The resort has eight yurts. Each yurt features a queen-size bed and futon that sleeps two to four people. French doors, three large windows and a wooden deck are nice additions. Each yurt has weatherproof canvas along with a ceiling fan (no air conditioning) and a space heater. While each yurt provides privacy, guests share lockable bathrooms with other guests.

Television and Wi-Fi are not offered, limiting distractions while providing more opportunity to enjoy nature.

Asheville Glamping, located 10 miles outside of downtown Asheville, North

Carolina, and nearby the French Broad River, rents yurts, vintage trailers, geodomes and treehouses that range in cost from $125 to $350 per night and stay booked a year in advance.

The 1,300-square-foot Dome 3 at Asheville Glamping sleeps eight and has a loft bed with a slide. The sites have electricity and air conditioning, a fire pit, and some have Wi-Fi. The domes also offer stargazing from inside.

On the site of a former Girl Scout camp, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Golden Valley in Bostic, North Carolina has two glamping options — luxury glamping tents and treetop cabins. Steps from a scenic lake, the glamping tents sleep five and feature air conditioning and heating, a microwave, a mini refrigerator and coffee pot.

Perched up in the trees, the treetop cabins sleep four and feature air conditioning and heat, television and outdoor kitchenette with

a lake or mountain view. Both lodging choices include access to a nearby private, detached bathroom. Linens are provided.

IS GLAMPING RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY? “Glamping is a great intro to camping for families,” says Trey Barnett with Falling Waters Resort. “Glamping is great for folks of all ages.

It is more about a desire for something more adventurous than staying in a hotel.”

Glamping, however, is still a form of camping. Though glamorous makes up part of the word glamping, Asheville Glamping wants to be sure guests understand it isn’t a five-star resort. Joanna Cahill, who co-owns Asheville Glamping with her fiancé Patrick Lovell, says that glamping is an outdoor experience, and folks who aren’t interested in spending time outdoors aren’t going to have as good of a time.

Kids love the indoor, loft slide in Dome 3 at Asheville Glamping.

Photo by Taylor McDonald charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2019

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A treetop cabin at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Golden Valley sleeps four and is air conditioned. Photo by Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort

As stated on the Asheville Glamping website: Though our spaces are clean, we guarantee that you are going to see bugs at some point during your stay.

“We have learned to make sure to give people extremely accurate expectations,” Cahill says. “We like to have folks arrive with lower expectations and exceed them.”

GET PACKING “Families need to prepare much like they would for a camping trip, Barnett says. “Pack clothes with the mindset of being outside.”

When it comes to food, Barnett recommends preparing as much beforehand as possible. “Campfire dinners (hamburger and veggies in foil) are popular, or plan to grill meats and veggies. Some families even choose to bring a camping cook-set to make cooking easier.” Bring the necessary tools for grilling, and plenty of snacks and drinks to have on hand.

At Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Golden Valley, how much food preparation depends on how much you want to do. Glamping tents and cabins are equipped with a charcoal grill, but there are dining options to give the cooks in the family a break.

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Meals and snacks can be enjoyed at Campfire Café, Snack Shack and The Lodge. At the camp store, guests can stock up on groceries, ice, wood, propane, beer and wine.

THE ADVENTURES Another benefit of glamping is access to outdoor activities ranging from zip lining to water slides, which may be included in the accommodation rate or available at a discounted rate to guests. Since Falling Waters Resort is a part of Wildwater Adventures, families can participate in rafting, zip lining (including a Kid Zip) and Jeep tours on the resort’s property.

Not far from Falling Waters Resort is Bryson City, North Carolina. Board a one-way train ride from the Bryson City train depot into the Nantahala Gorge, then hop on a Jeep for a scenic back-roads tour. Afterwards get back on the train for a boxed lunch and a return trip.

Emberglow is created as a place that gives children the autonomy to roam and explore, says Murphy, who is a dad to three children under age 5 with a baby on the way. There is a pool with a sitting shelf, plus a playground, as well as an “unscripted” play area that allows

children to use natural materials and their imaginations to build forts and create their own stories.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Golden Valley has Yogi Bear’s Water Zone that feature water slides, blasters, cannons and a dump bucket. There’s also the Ranger Smith Pool with a swim-up pool bar, basketball courts, horseshoes, mini-golf, a playground and volleyball courts. Enhance your family’s experience for a few extra dollars with golf cart and hot tub rentals.

Hit the lake in a canoe, kayak, paddleboat or stand-up paddleboard. An outdoor laser tag course is open day and evenings with games lasting 30 minutes.

“Families can expect a welcoming environment filled with fun activities, tons of brand new amenities, great food and the opportunity to reconnect with nature while making long-lasting memories,” says Nicole Powell, reservations manager at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Golden Valley.

Sara Kendall is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, North Carolina who also loves to explore new places with her family.

LOOKING FOR SUMMER CAMPS? Summer is here.

If you still have gaps to fill in the summer calendar, check out our summer camps directory for day camp ideas that suit all interests, from artist to athlete.

charlotteparent.com /camps

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GOLDEN COW CREAMERY Started by native North Carolinians and proud Charlotte residents, Liz and Alex Hannah, this quaint little ice cream shop with locations in he Gold District near South End and Morrison Shopping Center in South Park offers homemade ice cream made using only fresh milk, cream, sugar, real fruit and real spices.

Plus you can feel good as you woof down your cone as a portion of the proceeds from every sale goes to a local charity.

Golden Cow Creamery always has the same six flavors on the ready, and three to four small-batch creations ready to blow your mind. You can also choose from at least one non-dairy, vegan option for those with food restrictions. goldencowcreamery.com.

THE SCOOP ON WHERE TO GET A CREAMY, COOL TREAT THIS SUMMER

BY COURTNEY MCLAUGHLIN With National Ice Cream Month in July, it's time to get the family involved in some serious hands-on research. We serve up 10 places — six in the heart of Charlotte and four on the outskirts — that offer cool treats on a hot summer day whenever you get a hankering for something sweet.

JENI’S SPLENDID ICE CREAMS If you want to experience true artisan ice cream, Jeni's is the place to go. There's some for chocolate and vanilla lovers too but you'll go from “what?” to “delicious” with your first taste of Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, Sweet Cream Biscuits with Peach Jam, Coffee with Cream and Sugar and so many more. Made with all-natural ingredients by a James Beard awardwinning author, Jeni's is on the cutting edge of ice cream. Jeni's also offers frozen yogurt, sorbet and dairy-free options. You know you have found what you are looking for when you see the line. Don't worry, it's

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bubble gum and Smurf marshmallow.

What can be better than Instagram-worthy scoops of goodness heaped in a cone or cup? How about taking pictures of your kids with their favorite flavor in front of the hand-painted murals. Locations in Plaza-Midwood, inside Sabor on Camden Avenue in South End and in Mooresville, North Carolina. twoscoopscreamery.com.

totally worth it. Find a Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on Camden Road South End, and another opening at Park Road Shopping Center (opening date to be determined). jenis.com.

TWO SCOOPS CREAMERY Remember the ice cream spot you went to as a kid that served creamy goodness you dream about on hot days? This is that place. Three best friends, who deliver some of the best ice cream in town, run Two Scoops Creamery. Choose from 32 flavors ranging from classics like strawberry and vanilla to more creative flavors like

POPBAR This NoDa store offers customizable popsicles made daily from gelato, sorbet and yogurt. The popSorbettos are all less than 80 calories, and are lactoseand vegan-friendly. The popGelatos are a source of calcium and protein, and are always less than 200 calories. The yogurtPops at 100 calories are low-fat and cholesterol-free. All of the treats are gluten free, kosher certified, and contain no artificial coloring or preservatives. It’s a gluten-free, lactose-intolerant, vegan heaven, but you don’t have to have a food restriction to enjoy these frozen treats. pop-bar.com.

PELICAN’S SNOBALLS One glimpse of the more than 100 flavors is indication that this is not your average sno-cone store. Pelican's started in New

Orleans and has become popular for its huge servings of shaved ice with just about any flavor combination you can imagine.

Try the Birthday Cake, Butterscotch, Root Beer, Sweet Tart or Dill Pickle. Sugar-free options are available, as well as kosher options. There are four locations in Charlotte, including North Tryon Street, Statesville Road, South Boulevard and North Davidson Street, plus locations in Cornelius, Concord, Gastonia, Harrisburg, Mooresville, Monroe and Waxhaw.

Each store is independently owned. pelicanssnoballs.com.

NINETY’S ICE CREAM AND SANDWICHES The macaroon ice-cream sandwiches are as artful as they are delicious. The menu also includes some wacky milkshake combinations, including some topped with Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, Cracker Jacks and an assortment of sugary snacks. ninetys-sandwiches-ice-cream.business.site.

CAROLINA CONES Carolina Cones opened in Cornelius in 1983 and has been serving scoops ever since. Train fans can enjoy the train zooming around the tracks overhead, and kids of all ages get excited about the vending machines in the back of the store filled with fun trinkets. There is a playground, as well as a garden center next door if you want to shop for flowers while you enjoy your cone. Located at 20801 N. Main St., Cornelius.

TONY’S ICE CREAM COMPANY Tony's is a Gaston County landmark. It makes its product in house one halfgallon at a time, and sells to other local shops and stores throughout the state.

Located in downtown Gastonia, Tony's offers affordable lunch options along with its 28 flavors of ice cream/milkshakes, banana splits and sundaes. Located at 604 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, North Carolina. tonysicecream.com.

DELUXE ICE CREAM DeLuxe Ice Cream, started in 1924 in Mooresville, has served generations of ice cream aficionados. It continues to serve scoops of creamy ice cream at its downtown Mooresville store. With flavors like Lemony Sunshine, Sassy Strawberry and Dreamy Vanilla Cream, it’s a favorite family outing any time of year. Located at 172 N. Broad St., Mooresville, North Carolina. deluxe1924.com.

CAROLINA CREAMERY This spot is very popular on warm, summer evenings. People patiently wait in line for a scoop of the homemade creamy ice cream and freshly made waffle cones. Whatever flavor your choose, you are headed for sweet-tooth satisfaction. Located at 11300 Lawyers Road in Mint Hill, North Carolina.

Courtney McLaughlin is a freelance writer in Charlotte, NC who enjoys testing all cool treats with her 13-year-old daughter.

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Have a day of big waterpark fun at Carowinds' Carolina Harbor Waterpark.

Photo courtesy of Carowinds

OUTDOOR POOLS Cordelia Park 2100 N. Davidson St., Charlotte | parkandrec.com Not far from NoDa, nestled into the Villa Heights neighborhood, is Cordelia Park. Play a game of basketball on the newly painted basketball court, then cool off in the outdoor swimming pool and sprayground. Free summer swim leagues and swim lessons are also offered at Cordelia Park for children ages 3-12. Registration for lessons is available onsite on a week-by-week basis each Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. Child being registered must be present at time of registration.

Hours: Open through Sept. 1, noon-7 p.m. Cost: $1 per person.

Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center 2014 Statesville Ave., Charlotte | parksandrec.com This seasonal outdoor pool features a slide, lap swimming and a deeper swimming area for adults and older kids. The aquatic center has shade umbrellas, a small spray area and zero-depth entry. Free swim lessons are offered for children. Registration for lessons is done week-by-week and must be done in person with registered child present. Lessons are for children ages 3-12 years old.

Hours: Open through Sept. 1, noon-7 p.m. Cost: Admission is $1.

17 Places to Make a Splash in Charlotte THE SUN IS HOT, BUT THE WATER FEELS FINE

BY TIFFANY WOLFF Summer in the Queen City is hot, which makes it hard to want to play outside, unless there’s water. Stop in for a quick splash, or pack a picnic to make a day of it at one of these pools, spraygrounds or natural watering holes. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.

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The Y Various locations | ymcacharlotte.org The Y has many locations with outdoor swimming pools and miniwaterparks. Not a member, not to worry. The Y welcomes guests with members, or if you aren’t a member, you may purchase a day pass for $20 for an adult and $10 for children under age 16 except on Sundays, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

SPRAYGROUNDS Birkdale Village 16805 Birkdale Commons Pkwy., Huntersville | birkdalevillage.net Not only does Birkdale Village offer family-friendly shopping and dining, it has an outdoor summer concert series and a sprayground for kids. Take a shopping break for some summer splashing. If that does not cool you off, a stop at TCBY or Kilwins might do the trick.

Hours: Open daily through summer, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Call to confirm opening and closing dates.

Cost: Free.

Blakeney Shopping Center Ardrey Kell Road and Rea Road, Charlotte | shopblakeney.com Let the kids splash a bit after strolling through the shops or dining at the restaurants of Blakeney Shopping Center.

Young children can get soaked at the small splash pad near the fountains between Brixx Wood Fired Pizza and Shake Shack. The shopping center has also replaced its existing play area with a new playground structure that opened mid-May. Open through Sept. 2, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Cost: Free.

Crooked Creek Park 5900 Oakwood Lane, Indian Trail | indiantrail.org The 2,464 square-foot, naturethemed sprayground features eight above-ground water features and seven in-ground sprayers, including spraying flowers and animal sculptures that dump buckets of water. Look for it near the shaded playground zip-line.

Waterproof Wheelchairs are free to rent. Call 704-821-8114, or email recreation@indiantrail. org the day before you come to

UPTOWN SPRAYGROUNDS First Ward Park 301 E. Seventh St., Charlotte | uptowncharlotteparks.com Kids love running through this stretch of splash pad under the uptown skyline. It’s conveniently located across the street from ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, making it easy to make a day of story time fun in the morning and water play in the afternoon with lunch wedged in at 7th Street Market, also just a block away from the park. Open through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Green 435 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | uptowncharlotteparks.com Located across from The Levine Center for the Arts on South Tryon Street, the big fish sculptures periodically spray water from their mouths and are a highlight of an uptown visit on a summer afternoon. Dry off and visit the Mint Museum or Bechtler Museum of Modern Art located just across the street from The Green. Open daily through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Romare Bearden Park 300 S. Church St., Charlotte | parkandrec.com The kids have had their eyes on those waterfalls all year, and now they can finally splash their way through them. Children play in the fountains or the cooling misters in the Childhood Muse Plaza. The misters are a great way to beat the heat during a Party in the Park or Bearden Music Series concert. Open daily through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

From top places to ride bikes to best fishing spots, our editors dive into the best of the best in the city. charlotteparent.com/blogs

Bets

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NATURAL WATERING HOLES Cane Creek Park 5213 Harkey Road, Waxhaw | unioncountync.gov There’s a lot to love about Cane Creek Park. You can fish, boat, hike, picnic, canoe, play ball, swing, play a round or disc golf, hike the trails, rent a pedal boat, play miniature golf and swim. The swimming area is at a small lake beach not far from the parking area. Hours: Open through Sept. 2. Swim areas are open on weekends 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Swim areas are also open Wednesday through Sunday when Union County schools are on summer break and lifeguards are available. Call to confirm. Most park areas are open year-round with varying hours of operation. Cost: Admission to day-use area is $4 per car. Swimming, mini-golf and pedal boats cost an additional $2 per person.

The Quarry at Carrigan Farms 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville | carriganfarms.com Cannonball at Carrigan! Jump right into this deep, water-filled quarry. Pack snacks or a picnic, but leave alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, grills, large rafts and paddleboards at home. Open-swim customers can bring fishing gear to try their luck at catch-andrelease fishing at the farm ponds. There is no fishing in the quarry. Because the quarry is 25-feet deep throughout, ages 11 and younger must wear a life jacket and all other swimmers must either pass an on-site swim test or wear a life jacket. All swim test participants must sign a waiver.

Hours: Open most days throughout the summer, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Check the Carrigan Farms website to confirm dates. Cost: $15 per person, cash or check only.

Ramsey Creek Park at Lake Norman 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius | parkandrec.com Feel the sand between your toes without driving all the way to the coast. Ramsey Creek Park offers a lake beach access from Memorial Day through Labor Day with a lifeguard on site. Bring the kids and a picnic, but leave bicycles, pets, inflatable toys, surfboards and personal watercrafts at home.

Hours: Open daily through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Cost: Monday through Thursday, $5 per vehicle for Mecklenburg County residents, $10 per vehicle for non-county residents; Friday through Sunday and county-observed holidays, $10 for Mecklenburg County residents and $15 for non-county residents.

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Shop or get a bite to eat before cooling off at the splash pad at Blakeney Shopping Center.

reserve. Open through Sept. 21, 9 a.m.7:30 p.m. The splashpad is closed the second and fourth Tuesday of each month until 3 p.m. for maintenance. Cost: Free.

Latta Park 601 E. Park Ave., Charlotte | parkandrec.com Let the kids wear themselves out at Latta Park in Dilworth walking trails, playing on the playground and dashing in and out of the sprayground. Open daily through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Cost: Free.

Veterans Park 2136 Central Ave., Charlotte | parkandrec.com This covered splash pad offers shade, numerous sprays and a community vibe.

Splash, shoot hoops and play on the covered playground. Open daily through Labor Day, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Cost: Free.

Waverly Charlotte Corner of Providence and Ardrey Kell roads, Charlotte | waverlyclt.com Shop, dine and splash a while at Waverly in South Charlotte. The splash pad is conveniently located near the HaagenDazs ice cream shop. Check out the Tunes on the Terrace concert series after an afternoon of water play. Open daily from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Cost: Free.

WATERPARKS Carolina Harbor Waterpark at Carowinds 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte |

carowinds.com Thrill seekers can get their share of excitement on the tall water slides, and anyone who is looking to relax can enjoy floating in the Coastal Currents lazy river. The youngest water seekers can enjoy Kiddy Hawk Cove, Pirate’s Landing and Seaside Splashworks. Open through Sept. 8. Hours vary by week. Consult website prior to visit. Cost: Waterpark admission is included with general admission to the theme park and starts at $45. Sign up for the free Pre-K pass that gets kids age 3-5 in free.

Lineberger Mini-Waterpark Pool 632 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia | cityofgastonia.com Lineberger Park Pool in Gastonia features a zero-depth entry with fountain geysers, a lazy river, a two-story waterslide, three lanes for lap swimming and colorful splash features. For capacity reasons, sessions are limited to 2.5 hours in length.

Stay and play the entire time by making use of the basket service, concessions stand and lounge chairs that are available for rent. The park also offers visitors a sprayground and miniature train amusement ride. Open daily through Aug. 18. Open for post-season swim Aug. 24, 25 and 31 and Sept. 1 and 2. Sessions are from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Cost: $3 per 2.5-hour session for children age 1 and older.

Tiffany Wolff is the calendar editor for Charlotte Parent magazine.

Digi-Bridge offers 90 minutes of Lego Robotics and coding at its #STEAMSaturdays.

Photo by Mandy French Photoraphy

Digital Designers

CREATIVE WAYS TECHY KIDS CAN EXPRESS THEMSELVES

BY CHRISTA MELNYK HINES Sick of the amount of time your kids are spending on video games this summer? When boredom strikes, give your digitally charmed youngster a summertime project that enhances their technical skills while also fostering creativity.

» Write a digital storybook. Introduce your young storyteller to storybird.com that features illustrations that kids can use for story inspiration. Subscription-based monthly writing challenges can help boost a child's literacy skills. Young authors can choose to keep their work private, publish it to Storybird's public library, share it on social media, email it to friends and family, or print off the books for special keepsakes or gifts. Other sites include inkspire.org, which encourages youth ages 14 and older to share their stories, thoughts and ideas with others, and bookcreator.com. » Draw comic strips. The StripDesigner app enables kids to take pictures of their artwork or upload photos to create their own comic strips using the site's comic book template. They can play with fonts and filters and write dialogue in speech balloons. Makebeliefscomix.com, created

by Bill Zimmerman, provides writing prompts for kids, comic strip templates and suggestions for family activities. Younger children might like Superhero Comic Book Maker and Princess Fairy Tale Maker available at duckduckmoose.com, which are designed for kids who aren't writing yet.

When they're finished creating their story, they can record it and play it back.

» Play with music. From Garage Band on Mac for older kids to creatingmusic.com for younger ones, turn kids on to playing around with pitch, tone and rhythm. Also, check out Incredibox and Fun2Think. » Direct a movie. Kids love to play with video.

Show them applications like iMovie (Mac), which gives them an opportunity to choose templates, edit, add audio and share their short

films. Slo-mo and Timelapse are also fun video features on many smartphones.

» Record an interview. Interview a grandparent, parent, sibling or another relative using the audio record function on your phone, computer or iPad. Not sure what to ask? Check out storycorps.org that offers an app with suggested interview questions.

» Create a digital slide show. On your next family field trip or vacation, provide your child with an inexpensive digital camera or smartphone. Have them upload their photos to your computer and create a digital slideshow with music, transitions and creative fonts. Check out smilebox. com, iPhoto or Movavi.

» Snap a photo a day. Using apps like Photo 365 or Everyday app, have your child take a photo a day throughout the summer. Choose a specific subject like a tree, a seed that they plant, their puppy or kitten, a sibling or take daily selfies. At the end of the summer, watch the subject in a quick time lapse. How does the subject matter change over the course of the season?

As always, ensure that your kids are taking appropriate personal safety precautions to protect their identity and location while online. Unsure about an app or online platform? Check out commonsensemedia.org.

As the mom of two sons, ages 11 and 13, freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines is in thick of navigating technology use in her home. She is the author of “Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.”

Digi-Bridge #STEAMSummer Through #STEAMSaturdays and the newly introduced #STEAMSummer intensive programs, Digi-Bridge is equipping 21stcentury learners with the tools and skills they need to succeed in a digital world. #STEAMSaturdays are 90 minutes of hands-on Lego Robotics where participants are taught basics of block coding, while building with Legos. Each week, participants build robots with motion sensors, tilt sensors and other accessories. Courses are held in Ballantyne, Davidson, South Park and uptown Charlotte.

Digi-Bridge offers #STEAMSummer Intensives that are week-long, half-day camps that follow the #STEAMSaturday model and are lead by K-8 educators. Three #STEAMSummer sessions are scheduled beginning the week of July 22 in South Park, the week of July 29 in Davidson, and the week of Aug. 9 in Ballantyne. Digi-Bridge also offers special events, such as Daddy/Daughter Code-Ins at Google Fiber uptown. Learn more at digi-bridge.org.

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SUMMER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

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BABIATORS Let the little ones look stylish and protect their eyes with Babiators. Colorful frames in fun shapes, and lenses with 100% UV protection, encourage toddlers to wear their sunglasses, just like mom and dad. The frames are also made of a soft, flexible rubber that makes them nearly indestructible. If lost or broken within one year of purchase, Babiators guarantees free replacement. Just register online. $20-$35. babiators.com.

SNAPPER ROCK Sunscreen is fun to put on, said no child or parent ever! Reduce the need for all-over sunscreen and re-application with Snapper Rock’s UPF50+ swimwear, including various bikinis, sunsuits, rashguards and boardshorts. Available in countless styles, colors and prints for the whole family. $44-$55. snapperrock.com.

BEACH BAG SWAG Pack these summer goods for a splashing good time by the water’s edge

BY MICHELE HUGGINS GIGGLY GOGGLES Another genius product created by a mom. Giggly Goggles are made from neoprene and rubber, which means they stay in place without pulling hair or pressing too hard on kids’ eyes and noses. They also can be personalized with name or initials, so no more searching in the lostand-found at the pool for that lost pair of goggles. Comes in three sizes: toddlers, kids and young adults. Starts at $25. daphdaph.com.

TOGGLES FOR GOGGLES No more confusing whose goggles are whose. Toggles for Goggles are unique and personal, button-like accessories that easily pop on and off goggle straps. From flowers and unicorns to emojis and letters of the alphabet, the choices run wild. Simply pop them on and off goggle straps. $3.49 each. togglesforgoggles.com.

EARTH MAMA ORGANICS MINERAL SUNSCREEN What’s not in your sunscreen is as important as what is. Ban the bad sunscreen from your beach bag and trade up for one of the six products in the Earth Mama Organics lineup. The water-resistant sunscreen provides protection with its mineral zinc oxide base. What’s not in them?

Chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens or other chemical sunscreens.

Starting at $9.99. earthmamaorganics.com.

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EXCURSION

Low-Key Living Awaits on Hilton Head Island

BY MICHELE HUGGINS

H

ilton Head Island, located four hours from Charlotte in the South Carolina lowcountry, offers families opportunities to relax seaside along with fun excursions to keep all ages busy on and off the sand. Wide, flat swaths of sand that meet gentle waves and tide pools make it the perfect family beach for relaxing, running, playing games, flying kites and swimming.

Resorts are plentiful on the island, as are house and condo rentals, tucked under oaks dripping in Spanish moss. The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island was ideal for my family of four. Located in Shipyard Plantation, its oceanfront location makes it easy to dash from the well-appointed room to the beach and then back for a quick dip in the zero-entry pool — a great thing for parents with preschoolers. On cool days the hot tub, which is located by a second smaller pool, is inviting as well.

The resort’s lush layout made for nice early-morning walks to the beach with my 3-year-old where we watched yoga classes hosted by the resort at no cost to guests. The leisure activity rentals made it convenient to keep my 9-year-old son happy. Bicycles can be rented to ride on the wide, flat beaches or more than 60 miles of paved bike trails throughout Hilton Head. On the walk to the beach, kids love stopping at Turtle Beach to see turtles sunning. Join the turtle feeding at Turtle Beach at 12:30 p.m. each day. Children ages 3-5 can enjoy half-day programs or ages 6-12 can enjoy full- or half-day activities at the Just Us Kids Club, just be sure to book 24 hours or more in advance.

While the kids play, the Arum Spa at Sonesta is open for mom and dad. Services include signature massages, facials, body treatments and nail services. My 50-minute spa was topped off with a foot soak and glass of champagne.

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Feeding turtles is a highlight of staying at The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. Photo

by Michele Huggins Poolside food and beverage service from Sweet Cane Bar and Grill allows everyone in the family to stay suited up for lunch without having to find shoes or shirts, and happy hour from 5-7 p.m. is a nice way to wind down before dinner. No need to leave for dinner. Dine at Heyward’s Restaurant or Seacrest Terrace and Patio. During summer months, there is a Friday Night Seafood Buffet from 5:30-9 p.m. Check out the kids menu at Seacrest Terrace and Patio that serves kid-friendly meals. Heyward’s Restaurant also offers an all-you can eat breakfast buffet, waffle bar and made-to-order omelets. If you have scheduled early excursions, get a quick coffee and a chocolate croissant, yogurt or cereal at Bayley’s Bar and Terrace adjacent to the lobby.

Island Adventures A visit to Sea Pines Resort Plantation gets you access to the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Lawton Stables. There is a per car entry fee of $8 (cash only). Climb 100 steps to the top of the Harbour Town Lighthouse for views across the coastal plains. Play at the nature-inspired Gregg Russell Playground, which features a huge tree house around a live oak and plenty of play areas. The more adventurous can go parasailing or ride a Banana Boat in Calibogue Sound by booking with H2O Sports.

Lawton Stables is a great stop for animal lovers. Spend a $1 on a cup of animal

feed and enjoy a self-guided stroll through the small animal farm that houses cows, miniature donkeys, pot-bellied pigs, alpaca llamas, goats and chickens. Hand-lead pony rides are available for ages 7 and younger on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $15. Guided, one-hour Westernstyle horseback trail rides suitable for ages 8 and older also are available with prices varying by season. Reservations are required by phone or at lawtonstables.com.

Coligny Plaza is outfitted with an array of retail boutiques, beach stores and eateries.

For a quick lunch bite, Stu’s Surfside Subs and Suds is a go-to for hoagies, hot dogs and sandwiches. Stroll through Coligny Plaza for ice cream, window shopping, and a visit to the pirate playground that has a small pirate ship for climbing and and imagination building. Stop by Coligny Beach Park, located at the end of Pope Avenue off Coligny Circle, to cool off in the splash pad or a stroll down the boardwalk to the beach.

While Hilton Head is known for its 18-hole golf courses, two mini-golf courses at Adventure Cove provide non-sandy entertainment. There’s also an indoor arcade.

Off-shore exploring on the intercoastal waterway in search of dolphins can be booked through various outfitters on the island.

Michele Huggins is the editor of Charlotte Parent magazine, who savors a good day at the beach with her boys.

SUMMER 2019 OUR PICKS

COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure | July 3-13 If you have kids who “like to move it, move it,” let them go on an on-stage journey with Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman, and the other crack-a-lackin’ friends as they break out of the Central Park Zoo into the wilds of Madagascar and the land of King Julian’s wacky lemurs. Tickets start at $8. Dale F. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., Shows begin at 10 a.m. No performance on July 4. tix.cpcc.edu.

The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head | Through Sept. 8

More than 577,000 Legos were used to build the iconic towers at the Towers of Tomorrow exhibit.

Have a silly play date at the latest exhibit at ImaginOn. Designed to develop school readiness and academic skills for young children, Mr. Potato Head leads visitors on adventures ranging from jungle safaris to archeological digs. The exhibit is recommended for children ages 3-8.

FREE. Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ImaginOn, 300 E. 7th St. imaginon.org.

Towers of Tomorrow at Discovery Place | Through Sept. 2 Discover what happens when Lego bricks collide with the world’s most incredible architecture at the Towers of Tomorrow exhibit at Discovery Place Science. The exhibition includes some of the most iconic towers from across North America, including Los Angeles’ Wilshire Grand Center, Chicago’s Willis Tower and the Empire State Building. After viewing the towers, children can engineer Lego creations of their very own with the 200,000 Lego bricks available for play. $18-$22, free for children younger than 2. Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St. science.discoveryplace.org.

Marvel Super Hero Day | July 14 Little superheroes unite for Marvel Super Hero Day. Baseball is a bonus to visits from Spider-Man and Black Panther. After the Charlotte Knights take on the Gwinnett Stripers, kids can have a turn running the bases. Be sure to come in your favorite superhero costumes. Seat tickets start at $12. First pitch at 5:05 p.m. Gates open one hour before game. BB&T Stadium, 324 S. Mint St. charlotteknights.com.

See favorite superheroes at Marvel Superhero Day, July 14. Photo

by Laura Wolff

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CALENDAR

JUNE Comedy Under the Stars. Crossing Paths Park, 120 Blythe Drive, Indian Trail. 7pm. FREE. Come enjoy the bounce house, face painting, yard games and comedy. indiantrail.org.

Fine Art Fridays: Family Friendly Workshops.

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Art and Culture, 551 S. Tryon St. 11am-2pm. $5. Ages 6 to 18 are invited to the 11am art workshops, and all ages are welcome at the 2pm art workshops. ganttcenter.org.

Just Kidding Around. Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville.

10-11am. FREE. Sing, dance, play instruments and listen to stories with Bach 2 Rock of Huntersville. huntersville.org.

Rockin’ and Reelin’ Movie and Concert Series. Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. FREE. Rivermist performs live. 7pm. pinevillenc.gov.

by the Charlotte Symphony Pops Orchestra. charlottesymphony.org.

Father’s Day Weekend at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont.

11am-3pm. $7-$13; fathers and children under 2 admitted free. Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with family crafts, activities and live music. Craft beer available for purchase. dsbg.org.

Heroes Convention. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. $20+, kids 12 and younger admitted free. Hosting more than 600 artists and creators from the comic-book industry, as well as more than 200 comic-book, toy, apparel and collectible dealers, this event is a family-friendly destination for comic fans. heroesonline.com NASCAR Hall of Fame Father’s Day Brunch.

NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center , 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 10am. $35-$45 adults, free children ages 2 and younger.

Race over to the NASCAR Hall of Fame for brunch, museum admission, a family photo and a special activity. nascarhall.com.

15 SATURDAY

17 MONDAY

On Stage: Tosco Music Beatles Tribute.

See page 28.

Belmont Juneteenth Celebration. Stowe Park, 24 S. Main St., Belmont. 2-9:30pm. FREE. A cultural festival of arts, crafts, music, food and more. cityofbelmont.org.

Clash of the ‘Bots. The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia.

9am-5pm. $3 in addition to museum admission, $6-$7, children 3 and younger FREE. Interact with teams of robot builders. Dissect electronics, see a 3D printer in action and talk to experts. schielemuseum.org.

Junior Naturalist Society: Butterflies. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville.

Ages 8-12. 10-11:30am. $5. Create your own field journal while exploring plants, animals and fungi. parkandrec.com.

Queen City Father’s Day Festival. The Carole Hoefener Center, 615 E. 6th St. 1-5pm. FREE. Event features 50 vendors, sports, barbecue, crafts, games, displays and a bounce house for the kids.

Open Swim at Carrigan Farms. The Quarry at Carrigan Farms, 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville. 10am-3pm. $15 per person, cash or check only. Swim in the cool, deep water at the quarry. Ages 11 and younger must wear a life jacket at all times in the water. Anyone ages 12 and older are eligible to take the swim test. Monday-Thursday, 10am-3pm; Sunday, 11am-4pm. carriganfarms.com.

CM Library Presents: Carolina Raptor Center. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Ages 3 and older. 11am-noon.

FREE. Register online to learn all about raptors. cmlibrary.org.

14 FRIDAY

16 SUNDAY FATHER’S DAY Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops.

Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road. 8:15pm. $5-$14, children 12 and younger FREE. Listen to the sounds of “Star Wars: The Music” performed

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18 TUESDAY Story Time and More. Children’s Garden at Wing Haven, 260 Ridgewood Ave. Recommended for children younger than 10. 10-11am. $10 per family, free for members. Enjoy a story and craft activity in the Children’s Garden. Children can water vegetable plants, dig for worms and explore the gardens. winghavengardens.org.

Terrific Tuesday: The Balloon Lady. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 1-2pm. FREE. See what The Balloon Lady can create with balloons and a bit of imagination.

Performances are free, but tickets are required. cmlibrary.org.

SUMMER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

19 WEDNESDAY CM Library Presents: Discovery Place Dino Time. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. Ages 5-11. 3-4pm. FREE. Explore the age of dinosaurs with guest presenters from Discovery Place. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

Juneteenth at Levine Museum of the New South. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. Noon-5pm. FREE. This educational family day celebrates the day that enslaved people received word of the abolishment of slavery. museumofthenewsouth.org.

20 THURSDAY On Stage: JoJo Siwa. See page 28.

ASC Culture Blocks and CM Library Present: Clayworks. Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. 5-7pm. FREE. Learn how to texturize and manipulate clay to create art. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

CM Library Presents: Frontline Puppeteers.

Sugar Creek Library, 4045 N. Tryon St., 9am. FREE. A 45-minute puppet show based on stories from children’s picture books. cmlibrary.org.

CM Library Presents: Soap Bubble Circus.

Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Ages 5-11. 2-3pm. FREE. Join Guinness World Record holder, Steve Langley, for a joy filled educational and magical experience with bubbles. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson. Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center, 2014 Statesville Ave. 9am-noon. FREE. Children are invited to participate in a free swim lesson at the Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center. Register at 9am for lessons that begin at 10 and 11am. mecknc.gov.

21 FRIDAY Fairies in the Forest: Summer Solstice Evening Fun. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, 9090 Craver Road. 6-9pm. Free, $10 donation suggested. Register to have a professional photo taken by the pond for $25 before listening to fairytales in Harwood Garden. See website for event schedule. gardens.uncc.edu.

Movie Night on the Green: “Despicable Me 3.”The Green at Promenade on Providence, corner of Providence Road and Interstate 485.

7pm. FREE. Enjoy an outdoor family movie night. promenadeonprovidence.com.

Now Showing: “The Lego Movie 2 The Second Part.” Cornelius Library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. 2-4pm. FREE. Bring

your lunch and a blanket to watch a movie at the library. cmlibrary.org.

22 SATURDAY Family Day at Cabarrus Arts Council. Cabarrus Arts Council, 65 Union Street S., Concord. 1-4pm.

FREE. Create your own art at creation stations throughout The Galleries. cabarrusartscouncil.org.

Great American Campout. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 195 Adventure Road, Fort Mill.

3pm. Call for pricing. Bring a sleeping bag, and enjoy fishing, kayaking, archery, a scavenger hunt, a night hike, hot dogs and s’mores. ascgreenway.org.

Movie Nights at Seventh and Tryon. Uptown Charlotte, 406 N. Tryon St. 8:45pm. FREE. Watch “The Goonies.” blumenthalarts.org.

Queen City Cupcake Festival. Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte North, 9315 Statesville Road.

Noon-4pm. $5-$10. Shop local vendors and enjoy delicious cupcakes. queencitycupcakefest.com.

Rock Hill Rides. Rock Hill SC BMX Track Parking Lot, 1307 Riverwalk Pkwy., Rock Hill. 9am-noon.

FREE. New riders can learn how to ride. Borrow or bring your own bike and helmet. No registration necessary. cityofrockhill.com.

Symphony in the Park. Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius. 6-10pm. FREE. Watch a performance by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at the Bailey Road Park band shell.

Enjoy the kids’ zone and fireworks. cornelius.org.

23 SUNDAY CamouHunt. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. 1-4pm. FREE. Investigate the different types of camouflage in this drop-in scavenger hunt. parkandrec.com.

CONCACAF Soccer Doubleheader. Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St. 1-5:30pm. $30+. Come watch teams battle it out at Bank of America Stadium. goldcup.org.

Reptile Encounters. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 2-2:30pm. FREE. Meet some of the nature center’s resident reptiles. parkandrec.com.

24 MONDAY CM Library Presents: Soap Bubble Circus.

Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 11am-noon. FREE. Join Guinness World Record holder Steve Langley for a magical experience with bubbles. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

Rookie Science: It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane!

Science of Flight. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 5-11.

› 1-2:30pm. FREE. Try an assortment of flight experiments from hovering ping-pong balls to twirly helicopters. cmlibrary.org.

25 TUESDAY CM Library Presents: Discovery Place Dino Time. University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. Grades K-2. 2-3pm. FREE. Explore dinosaurs with hands-on activities and fossil investigations. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

Terrific Tuesdays: Carolina Raptor Center’s Raptors Inspire. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 3-4pm. FREE. Learn all about raptors. Tickets are free, but required. cmlibrary.org.

26 WEDNESDAY African Dance Class. Sugar Creek Recreation Center, 943 W. Sugar Creek Road. 7-8pm. FREE. Charlotte Ballet’s Cultural Dance Program presents African Dance classes. Classes are drop-in format and open to all ages. charlottecultureguide.com.

CMLibrary Presents: Frontline Puppeteers.

Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road.

Ages 5-11. 11am-noon. FREE. The puppet show will include literacy, hilarity and hijinks. cmlibrary.org.

CM Library Presents: Soap Bubble Circus.

South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road.

Ages 5-11. 3-4pm. FREE. The performance is part science, part magic, part math and part entertainment. cmlibrary.org.

27 THURSDAY On Stage: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. See page 28.

CM Library Presents: Frontline Puppeteers.

Morrison Regional Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd. Grades PreK-2. 2-3pm. FREE. This puppet show is based on stories from children’s books. cmlibrary.org.

CM Library Presents: The Jolly Lollies.

Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. 2-3pm. FREE. Join in for a fun, interactive musical performance. cmlibrary.org.

Firefly Hike. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 6 and older. 7-8:30pm. FREE. Witness Latta’s nightlife take flight while searching for fireflies. Firefly safe headlamps provided. parkandrec.com.

28 FRIDAY On Stage: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, and Video Games Live.

See page 28.

Now Showing: “Mary Poppins Returns.”

Davidson Library, 119 S. Main St., Davidson. Noon2:30pm. FREE. Bring your lunch and a blanket to watch a movie at the library. cmlibrary.org.

Yoga Story Time. Barnes and Noble Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Road, Huntersville. 10:30am. FREE. Kids can learn some basic yoga positions that go along with the story. barnesandnoble.com.

29 SATURDAY On Stage: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. See page 28.

Mud Day. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 2-11. 9:30am-nooon. $6. Dress to get messy while creating nature-inspired art.

Programs from 9:30am-noon and 1-3:30pm. parkandrec.com.

free. family. fun. artsandscience.org/cultureblocks

ASC_CB_CltPar.indd 1

30 SUNDAY

CALENDAR

and the Japanese language, history and culture. cmlibrary.org.

On Stage: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. See page 28.

Rockin’ and Reelin’ Movie and Concert Series. Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. FREE. 7pm. The Charlotte Symphony performs at 8:15pm. pinevillenc.gov.

Teatime with American Girl’s 2019 Girl of the Year, Blaire Wilson. American Girl Southpark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. Ages 5 and older. 3-5pm. $13.50. Enjoy savory delights, sweet treats, tea and time together. americangirl.com.

JULY 1 MONDAY Rookie Science: Colorful Chemistry.

ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 5-11. 1-2:30pm. FREE. Explore acid-base indicators, chromatography and more. cmlibrary.org.

2 TUESDAY 4th of July Story Time and Craft. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Suite C. 10:30am. $6. Kids can frost cupcakes and enjoy a Fourth of July-themed story time. sascupcakes.com.

Library Presents: Discovery Place: Towers of Tomorrow. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 3-8. 11am-1pm. FREE. Drop in for an interactive building challenge and coloring sheets. cmlibrary.org.

WBL Anime Club. West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd. Ages 10 and older. 4-5pm. FREE. Participate in a discussion about anime, manga

3 WEDNESDAY On Stage: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.; and Madagascar: A Musical Adventure.

See page 28.

CM Library Presents: Master Storyteller Jo Ann Rodgers. West Boulevard Library, 2157 West Blvd. Ages 5-11. 10-10:45am. FREE. Experience many cultures brought to life through poetry, jump tales and folk tales. cmlibrary.org.

Music on Main. Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe Knox Ave., Mooresville. 6pm. FREE. Jam at the Lowe’s YMCA. mooresvillenc.gov/260/Parks-Recreation.

4 THURSDAY FOURTH OF JULY See page 30 for Fourth of July Celebrations

5 FRIDAY On Stage: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.; and Madagascar: A Musical Adventure.

See page 28.

ImagiCon Presents Story Explorers: You’re a Hero. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 5-11. 1-2:30pm. FREE. Create a superhero persona and test your super-human abilities. Participants are encouraged to come in costume. cmlibrary.org.

Rockin’ and Reelin’ Movie and Concert Series. Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. FREE. Concerts start at 7pm. See New Kids 90’s Superfly Tribute perform. pinevillenc.gov.

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› CALENDAR 6 SATURDAY On Stage: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.,Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, and The Gift Way Up in the Closet: The Musical. See page 28.

Creek Stomp. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville.

Ages 7-14. 1-2:30pm. FREE. Wade in shallow water in search of salamanders, crawfish and creek dwellers. Registration and parent attendance required. parkandrec.com.

Keeper Talks at Carolina Raptor Center. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. $8-$12, children 3 and younger FREE. Meet a resident bird and an expert keeper in these half-hour sessions along the Raptor Trail. Sat. ,11am and 2pm, and Sun., 1 and 3pm. carolinaraptorcenter.org.

See JoJo Siwa perform live June 20 at Ovens Auditorium as part of her D.R.E.A.M. The Tour. Photo by Noam Galai, Getty Images for Nickelodeon

ON STAGE Tosco Music Beatles Tribute. (June 15). Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $20-$45. 704-5689685. Its Beatles mania with each performance by approximately 15 scheduled acts singing a Beatles tune, plus plenty of singalongs. toscomusic.org.

JoJo Siwa. (June 20). Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 6:30pm. $39.50+. 800-7453000. See Nickelodeon star and YouTube sensation JoJo Siwa on her first-ever U.S. concert tour. ovensauditorium.com.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. (June 27-30). The Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main, Mooresville. $10-$15, lap children FREE. 704-662-3334.

Bring the kids to watch the family musical! See website for showtimes. mooresvillechildrenstheatre.org.

Video Games Live. (June 28). Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. Ages 6 and older. 7-9:30pm. $19+. 704-9722000. Music from the greatest video games of all time performed live. charlottesymphony.org.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr. (July 3-7). Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road. $10-$15. 704-372-1000. The animated film and stage play comes to life in this romantic and beloved take on the classic fairytale, presented

by Theatre Charlotte’s TCjr program. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. features both popular and new songs. See website for showtimes. theatrecharlotte.org.

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. (July 3-13).

Dale F. Halton Theater, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. 10am. $8+.

704-330-6534. Take a journey out of the zoo and onto the stage with your favorite crack-a-lackin’ animal friends. All shows begin at 10am. There is no performance on July 4. tix.cpcc.edu.

The Gift Way Up in the Closet: The Musical. (July 6). Fullwood Theater, 100 W. McDowell St., Matthews.

Recommended for ages 5 and older. $15. 704-8468343. Young Melody loves to sing. Follow Melody on a hilarious, musical journey to locate a special gift from her grandmother. Shows at 11am and 3pm. thegiftmusical.com.

Bring It! Live: The Dance Battle Tour. (July 7).

Ovens Auditorium, 2900 E. Independence Blvd. 8pm. $35+. 800-745-3000. After three acclaimed touring seasons, the hit Lifetime TV series “Bring It!” returns.

The 2019 summer tour features a new interactive show with hotter-than-ever performances inspiring fans of all ages. ovensauditorium.com.

Cirque du Soleil presents CRYSTAL. (July 17-21).

Spectrum Center, 333 E. Trade St. $52+. 800-745-3000.

Circus arts and the world of ice skating take the audience on a journey into a whimsical frozen playground. See website for showtimes. cirquedusoleil.com/crystal.

Beauty and the Beast. (July 25-28). The Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main, Mooresville. $10-$15. 704-662-3334. See the Broadway musical of Disney’s classic, “The Beauty and the Beast.” Visit website for showtimes. mooresvillechildrenstheatre.org.

SEE MORE PERFORMANCES ONLINE AT CHARLOTTEPARENT.COM/CALENDAR

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SUMMER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

7 SUNDAY On Stage: Bring It! Live: The Dance Battle Tour; and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr. See page 28.

Bank of America’s Museums on Us Day. Locations vary. FREE. Present your Bank of America credit or debit card and a photo identification for one free general admission to The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts and Culture, Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum Randolph and Mint Museum Uptown. museums. bankofamerica.com.

Hemby Family Fun Days. Brace Y Hemby Program Center, 9760 Happy Valley Drive. 1-5pm. $10 per family. Enjoy a 50-foot Alpine climbing tower, a 40-foot challenge tower and zip-line, fishing pond, archery and wooded hiking trails. Try activities like dodgeball, gagaball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and field games. ymcacharlotte.org/events.

Teatime with American Girl’s 2019 Girl of the Year, Blaire Wilson. American Girl Southpark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. Ages 5 and older. 3-5pm. $13.50. Enjoy savory delights, sweet treats, tea and time together. americangirl.com.

8 MONDAY On Stage: Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. See page 28.

Life in Space. Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 2nd Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill. Ages 9-11. 10-11:30am. FREE. Find out what life is like on the International Space Station. Registration is required. yclibrary.org.

9 TUESDAY On Stage: Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. See page 28.

CM Library Presents: Carolina Raptor Center: Raptors Inspire.

University City Regional Library, 301 E.W.T. Harris Blvd. Ages 5-11.

2-2:45pm. FREE. Learn all about raptors. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Rookie Science: No-Bake Cookies. Cornelius Library, 21105 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. Ages 5-11. 2-3pm. FREE. Discover the world of cooking science through books, activities and experiments. cmlibrary.org.

Victory Bounce Sessions at BounceU Charlotte. BounceU of Charlotte, 10624 Metromont Pkwy., Suite 300. Ages 2 and older. FREE. Children with special needs and their siblings can bounce at Bounce U at no charge the second Tuesday of each month. Call or check website for times. bounceu.com.

› 10 WEDNESDAY On Stage: Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. See page 28.

Goldilicious Unicorn Story Time. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Ste. C. 10:3011:15am. $6 per child; parents FREE. Hear a story before frosting your own gold sprinkle cupcake. sascupcakes.com.

Summer Break Special: Frontline Puppeteers. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Grades K-5. 3-4pm. FREE. Puppet show includes literacy, hilarity and hijinks as well as a 15-minute activity. Registrationrequired. cmlibrary.org.

11 THURSDAY On Stage: Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. See page 28.

CM Library Presents: Balloon Pop Art. Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Ages 5-11. 2-3pm. FREE. Special guest, Donna Pruett performs with music, magic and balloons. cmlibrary.org.

LaLaCaboosa Downtown Music Series.

Veterans Park, corner of Main and Maxwell streets, Huntersville. 6-9pm. FREE. Enjoy live music, food trucks and fun. huntersville.org.

12 FRIDAY On Stage: Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. See page 28.

Matthews Food Truck Fridays. Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews. 5-9pm. FREE. Enjoy food trucks, kids’ activities, craft beer and wine, and live music. matthewsnc.gov.

Mount Holly Summer Concert Series.

Downtown Mount Holly. 6-10pm. FREE. Come down to historic downtown Mount Holly for live music. mtholly.us.

13 SATURDAY On Stage: Madagascar: A Musical Adventure. See page 28. #STEAMSaturdays by Digi-Bridge. Aloft Charlotte Ballantyne, 13139 Ballantyne Corporate Pl., 2032 Sablewood Drive. Ages 4-12. 9-10:30am. $35. Register for 90 minutes of hands-on Lego Robotics with a certified K-8 public educator. digi-bridge.org.

Family Fun Night: Hot Summer Night with Steven Metz Band. Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane, Mint Hill. 6-9:30pm. FREE. Kids can enjoy bounce houses, face painting, corn hole, giant Jenga, and lots of dancing in the streets. minthill.com.

Movies in the Park. Stowe Park, 24 S. Main St., Belmont. 9pm. FREE. Bring chairs and blankets to watch a movie. Concessions available. cityofbelmont.org.

14 SUNDAY Charlotte French Festival. Nevin Community Park, 6000 Statesville Road. 10:30am-5:30pm. $5, children younger than 3 FREE. Enjoy French food, wine, music, dance and the pétanque initiation and tournament. Bring leashed dogs for the canine costume contest. charlottefrenchfestival.com.

Minefaire: Official MINECRAFT Community Event. The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road. 10am-5pm. Tickets start at $40. Meet YouTube celebrities and compete in tournaments. Participate in the costume contest, shop merchandise, watch stage shows and build with LEGOs. Try the MINECRAFT escape room and Acer VR mixed reality headsets. parkexponc.com.

The Battle of Huck’s Defeat. Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, S.C. $5-$8, free for children 3 and younger. 803-684-2327. See a re-enactment of the 1780 battle between the local Patriot militia and Loyalist troops commanded by the loathed British commander Capt. Christian Huck. Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., 10am-3pm. chmuseums.org.

15 MONDAY CM Library Presents: Discovery Place Dino Time. Plaza Midwood Library, 1623 Central Ave. Grades K-3. 2-3pm. FREE. Journey into the past and explore the time of the dinosaurs with hands-on activities and fossil investigations.

Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

Listen to Your Heart! A Plush Toy Making Workshop. Main Library Rock Hill, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill. Ages 11-17. 2-4pm.

FREE. Learn about increasing confidence and reducing anxiety, and sew a heart to take home. yclibrary.org.

16 TUESDAY 50th Anniversary Apollo 11 Blast Off: Chasing the Moon. The Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill.

10:15am-noon. $6-$10, free for children 3 and younger, included with admission. Launch minirockets, watch a preview of the documentary “Chasing the Moon” and find out how the astronauts learned how to navigate by the stars. chmuseums.org.

Terrific Tuesdays: InReach Troupe 801 Puppeteers. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan

Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 3-4pm. FREE. Troupe 801 is a professional touring puppet troupe comprised of individuals with special needs. Free tickets available through Children’s Theatre of Charlotte box office. cmlibrary.org.

CALENDAR

Belmont. 10am-2pm. $8-$15, children younger than 2 free, includes garden admission. Learn more about the busy lives of bees and talk with local beekeepers. Investigate “bee art” in the DSBG Art Factory.dsbg.org.

17 WEDNESDAY

21 SUNDAY

On Stage: Cirque du Soleil: CRYSTAL. See page 28.

CM Library Presents: Soap Bubble Circus.

Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road.

Ages 5-11. 11am-noon. FREE. The performance is part science, part math, part magic and part entertainment. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

Summer Break Special: Moon Shot. South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road. Grades K-5. 3-4pm. FREE. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of man landing on the moon with history and activities. cmlibrary.org.

On Stage: Cirque du Soleil: CRYSTAL. See page 28.

Cars and Cappuccino. SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. 8-10am. FREE. See a variety of European sports cars. carsandcappuccino.com.

Charlotte Peruvian Festival 2019. Boileryard at Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Ave. Noon-8pm. $5, ages 10 and younger admitted FREE. Celebrate the Independence Day of Peru with live music by local artists, crafts, food and live entertainment for kids. facebook.com/ campnorthend.

18 THURSDAY

22 MONDAY

On Stage: Cirque du Soleil: CRYSTAL. See page 28.

Northlake Mall’s Summer Fun Thursday.

Northlake Mall, 6801 Northlake Mall Drive. 11am.

FREE. Ventriloquist Steve Brogan performs. shopnorthlake.com.

CM Library Presents: Frontline Puppeteers. Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Ages 3-5. 10:30-11:15am. FREE. See a puppet show based on children’s picture books. cmlibrary.org.

Intro to Kayaking. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. 6:30pm. $25. Learn about kayaking, then try basic paddling technique. Registration is required. ascgreenway.org.

19 FRIDAY On Stage: Cirque du Soleil: CRYSTAL. See page 28.

Diagon Alley Afternoon Adventure. Main Library Rock Hill, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill. Ages 11-17. 3-4:30pm. FREE. Visit Diagon Alley to pot succulents, create a wand and more. yclibrary.org.

Movie on Lawn Summer Series. Johnston YMCA, 3025 N. Davidson St. 7-9:30pm. FREE. Bring your blankets or chairs, and enjoy “The Little Rascals.” ymcacharlotte.org/events.

20 SATURDAY On Stage: Cirque du Soleil: CRYSTAL. See page 28.

ImagiCon. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 18 and younger with their families. 10am-4pm. FREE. Celebrate the culture that surrounds comic books, graphic novels, manga, anime, fandoms and gaming. imaginon.org.

International Champions Cup. Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St. 6pm. $35+. Arsenal of the English Premier League and Roma of Italy face off at Bank of America Stadium. internationalchampionscup.com.

Wild About Summer: Bee Wild. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road,

23 TUESDAY CM Library Presents: Fiddlestix-Rock-it Science. University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. Ages 5-11. 2-3pm. FREE. Unique building materials allow children to configure robots, vehicles, pyramids, towers and roller coasters. Registration is required. cmlibrary.org.

Terrific Tuesdays: Charlotte Country Day Upper School Theatre Group. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. 3-4pm. FREE. The Upper School Theatre Group will present “Dr. Seuss’s “The Cat in the Hat.” Free tickets available July 10 through Children’s Theatre of Charlotte box office. cmlibrary.org.

24 WEDNESDAY CM Library Presents: Dakota and Friends.

South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road.

Ages 5-11. 3-4pm. FREE. Meet and interact with Dakota, pet a baby T-Rex anwd watch a dinosaur egg being hatched. cmlibrary.org. CM Library Presents: Frontline Storytellers. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. Ages 5-11.

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Be amazed by the sounds of the Charlotte Symphony Pops and the sights of the dazzling fireworks show. Photo courtesy of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS JUNE 14-23 Gaston All American Fair | Gastonia Enjoy rides, live music, food, crafts, games, art, entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show on June 22. FREE. See website for schedule of events. Eastridge Mall, 246 N. New Hope Road, Gastonia. gastonallamericanfair.com.

JUNE 23 Symphony in the Park | Cornelius Watch a performance by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at the Bailey Road Park band shell. Kids can play in the kids’ zone while listening to patriotic songs. Fireworks following the performance. FREE. 6-10pm. Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius. charlottesymphony.org.

JUNE 27 Annual Fireworks Celebration | Mount Holly Come for a kids’ zone, food trucks and live music from Coming up Brass and DJ Brian Wilson.

FREE. 6-10pm. South Main Street, Mount Holly. mtholly.us.

JUNE 29 Cramerton Independence Day Celebration | Cramerton Enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, lawn games and a kids’ craft area. Fireworks light the sky at approximately 9:15pm. FREE. 5-9:15pm.

Cramerton Centennial Center, Cramerton. cramerton.org.

Fireworks and Music Spectacular | Denver See Parmalee perform, followed by the largest fireworks display in the event’s history. Music starts at 5pm. FREE. 4-11pm. East Lincoln High School, 6471 NC Highway 73, Denver. dabanc. org/2019-fireworks.

JULY 3 Celebrate America! with Fireworks | Charlotte The Charlotte Symphony performs patriotic favorites followed by fireworks. $5-$20; children 12 and under admitted FREE. 8:15pm. Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road. charlottesymphony.org.

Charlotte Firecracker 5k | Charlotte Run the 5k through the Olde Providence neighborhood or complete the Family Fun Run. Enjoy the post-race party at the Windyrush pool. $15-$45. 7 p.m. Olde Providence Elementary School, 3800 Rea Road. charlottefirecracker5k. racesonline.com.

Gastonia Grizzlies Independence Day Game | Gastonia Join the Grizzlies for their Independence Day fireworks extravaganza. $8-$10, children 3 and younger admitted free. 7pm. Sims Park, 1001 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Gastonia. gastoniagrizzlies.com.

Independence Day Celebration | Kannapolis The Kannapolis Intimidators take on the Rome Braves, followed by a post-game fireworks show.

$7. 7pm. Intimidators Stadium, 2888 Moose Road, Kannapolis. kannapolisintimidators.com.

Red, White and BOOM | Rock Hill, S.C. Celebrate Independence Day with inflatables, rides, live music, food trucks, an ice-cream eating contest and fireworks. Fireworks begin at 9:45pm. FREE. Festivities begin at 5:30pm.

Downtown Rock Hill, 144 E. Black St., Rock Hill. onlyinoldtown.com/boom.

Summer Celebration | Mooresville Enjoy local entertainment, food, kid-friendly activities and fireworks. Bring a blanket and chairs, and arrive early. FREE. 6-10pm. Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe V. Knox Ave., Mooresville. ymcacharlotte.org/events.

JULY 3-4 Harrisburg July 4th Celebration | Harrisburg This two-day festival honors military members and their families with a parade, crafts, amusements, entertainment and fireworks. See website for full event schedule.

Wed., 6-10pm; Thurs., 6-11pm. Come out early on Thursday for the parade on Highway 49 in Harrisburg, which begins at 9am.

Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Pkwy., Harrisburg. harrisburgnc.org/425/Event-Schedule.

USNWC Fourth of July Celebration | Charlotte The U.S. National Whitewater Center’s Fourth of July Celebration is a two-day festival that features outdoor adventure, yoga, live music

and spectacular fireworks displays. Musical performances take place each evening, followed by fireworks. $6 parking fee. 9am-10pm. U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. usnwc.org/relax.

JULY 4 4th of July Firecracker Run | Village of Lake Park Run to raise money to feed local families. Races include a Firecracker Dash for kids, 1k, 5k and 10k. Dress your most patriotic for the “most festively dressed” contest. A community festival, picnic and old-fashioned races follow, which include a wheel-barrel race, three-legged race and egg races. $10-$45. Races begin at 7:30am.

Village of Lake Park in Union County, 1010 Creft Circle, Lake Park. commonheartfirecracker. racesonline.com.

4th of July Celebration at Birkdale Village | Huntersville Enjoy bike decorating and parade, DJ, lawn games, face painting and a bounce house. FREE. 10am-1pm. Birkdale Village, 8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville.

4th of July in Davidson | Davidson Stroll along South Street to the Town Green for a concert. The parade includes a color guard, fire engine and lots of patriotic residents. FREE. 5:15pm. McEver Field, 626 South St., Davidson. townofdavidson.org.

CALENDAR The Charlotte Parent calendar lists free and low-cost localstand regional events for children and families. To submit an event for consideration, go to charlotteparent.com/calendar, then click 30 SUMMERon2019 charlotteparent.com Submission deadline for print is the 1 of the month prior to the next month’s publication. Time, dates and details of events are subject to change. Call venue to confirm.

POLICY Submit an| Event.

› American 4-Miler | Charlotte Kick off Independence Day with a 4-mile race and 1-mile kids’ run. No race-day registration. $10-$35. 7:30am; kids’ run at 8:30am. Metropolitan, 1111 Metropolitan Ave. runforyourlife.com/race.

Baxter Village Fourth of July Parade | Fort Mill, S.C. The annual parade features more than 125 units, including bands, entertainers, floats, Carolina Panthers’ mascot Sir Purr and Panthers’ Percussion Band, stilt walkers, decorated golf carts and more. FREE. 9:30am. Baxter Village Town Center, 940 Market St., Fort Mill.

Carowinds Celebrate America Fireworks Show | Charlotte Celebrate the fourth of July at the annual fireworks show. 9:30pm. $45+, children 3-5 receive free admission with Pre-K Pass.

9:30pm. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. carowinds.com.

Fun Family 4th of July | Matthews Decorate bikes, scooters and wagons for the People’s Parade, a non-motorized/ non-commercial parade from Matthews Station St. Parade begins at 5:30pm. Live music by Too Much Sylvia begins at 7pm.

FREE. Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews. matthewsfun.com.

Independence Day at Historic Brattonsville | McConnells, S.C. Enjoy a 19th century-style backyard family celebration. Make a 1850s-style toast after the reading of the Declaration of Independence at 3:30pm. $5-$8; children 3 and younger FREE. 10am-4pm.

Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, S.C. chmuseums.org.

Independence Day Celebration | Waxhaw Watch the “Happy 130th Birthday Waxhaw!

Happy Birthday USA!” parade. FREE. 10am.

Downtown Waxhaw. waxhaw.com.

Indian Trail July 4th Parade | Indian Trail Come see the parade full of fun floats, walking groups, horses and fire trucks.

FREE. 11am-1pm. Downtown Indian Trail. indiantrail.org.

Lake Wylie Annual Fireworks Display | Lake Wylie Enjoy this community fireworks display at the lake. Viewing locations include Buster Boyd Bridge Boat Landing, Papa Doc’s outside deck, Rey Azteca deck at Lake Wylie Plaza, Lake Wylie Italian and Pizza on patio at Lake Wylie Plaza, and Bagel Boat and Long Cove Resort. FREE. 9:30pm. The Buster Boyd Bridge Boat Landing, 185 Blucher Cir., Clover. business.lakewyliesc.com.

Naturalization Ceremony and Independence Day Celebration | Charlotte Welcome new citizens to the Charlotte community at a U.S. Oath and Naturalization Ceremony. Learn more about the meaning of citizenship, democracy, immigration and freedom, and make firework-themed crafts. FREE. 10am-2pm. The Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive. charlottemuseum.org.

Red, White and Belmont | Belmont Celebrate Independence Day with a festival and live music. FREE. 6-10pm.

Stowe Park, 24 S. Main Street, Belmont. cityofbelmont.org.

Tega Cay Fourth of July | Tega Cay Watch the annual land parade before catching one of the trolleys to Windjammer for the Canoe Joust and Log Rolling, followed by the boat parade and Carolina Ski Show team’s performance. Following the activities on the lake, bring the kids by the pavilion at the Tega Cay Golf Club for the Splish-N-Splash Summer Bash.

The evening ends with fireworks. FREE. 9am-11pm. Runde Park, 5110 Windward Drive, Tega Cay. tegacaysc.org.

WBT 2019 SkyShow Street Party | Charlotte Baseball and Independence Day combine for a fun festival that includes the SkyShow Street Party. The party features rides, food trucks, vendors and live music from 2-10pm.

The Charlotte Knights play at 6:05pm.

Fireworks after the game. Game tickets start at $13. The street party is free to attend.

Mint Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. skyshowcharlotte.com.

3-4pm. FREE. Learn traditional storytelling and listen to oral folktales. Register online. cmlibrary.org.

25 THURSDAY On Stage: Beauty and the Beast. See page 28.

CM Library Presents: Discovery Place Dino Time. Independence Regional Library, 6000 Conference Drive. Grades K-3. 2-3pm. FREE. Journey into the past and explore the time of the dinosaurs with hands-on activities and fossil investigations. cmlibrary.org.

26 FRIDAY On Stage: Beauty and the Beast. See page 28.

Mermaid Story Time and Craft. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Suite C. 10:30am. $6 per child.

Kids can listen to a story and frost their own cupcake. sascupcakes.com.

Rockin’ and Reelin’ Movie and Concert Series. Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville. 7pm, movie begins at dusk. FREE. Watch “Mary Poppins Returns.” pinevillenc.gov.

27 SATURDAY On Stage: Beauty and the Beast. See page 28.

Community Service Saturday. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews.

Ages 10 and older. 2-4pm. FREE. Create cards for the community. One hour of volunteer credit can be earned. Enjoy light snacks during break. cmlibrary.org.

Festival Colombiano de Charlotte 2019.

Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road. Noon-8pm. $10-$20, children younger than age 8 admitted FREE. Enjoy music, dance, art, food and a children’s area. colombia704.com.

Movie Nights at Seventh and Tryon. Uptown Charlotte, 406 N. Tryon St. 8:45pm. FREE. Watch “Jurassic Park” outdoors on the big screen. blumenthalarts.org.

Stream Stomping. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. Ages 8 and older. 10am. $10-$15. Explore the greenway’s waterways. Wear closed-toe shoes that can get muddy. Registration required. ascgreenway.org.

28 SUNDAY On Stage: Beauty and the Beast. See page 28.

All Ages at Abari Game Bar. Abari Game Bar, 1721 N. Davidson St. Noon-5pm. Cost for games.

On Saturdays and Sundays from noon-5pm, the arcade bar opens to all ages with a parent or guardian present. abarigamebar.com.

CALENDAR

Princess Day at Knights Game. BB&T Stadium, 324 S. Mint St. 5pm. $12+. Sunbelt Sunday presented by Sunbelt Rentals features Princess Day and Girl Scouts Day with Kids Run the Bases. charlotteknights.com.

29 MONDAY Small Stalks. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Ages 2-5.

10-11am. $10 per parent/child; $6 for each additional participant. Explore nature through stories, song, plantings, crafts and play in the Lost Hollow Children’s Garden. dsbg.org.

Traditional Storytelling: Campfire Tales.

ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 5-11. 11am-noon. FREE. Pretend you’re sitting around the campfire to enjoy a mix of tales and songs. cmlibrary.org.

30 TUESDAY CM Library Presents: Discover Capoeira.

Steele Creek Library, 4045 N. Tryon St., Ste. A. Ages 5-11. 2-3pm. FREE. Enjoy a live performance of the Afro-Brazilian art form combining acrobatics, music, dance and martial arts delivered by Charlotte Capoeira. cmlibrary.org.

Dragon Story Time and Craft. SAS Cupcakes, 9941 Rea Road, Suite C. 10:30am. $6 per child.

Come decorate cupcakes and hear a story. sascupcakes.com.

31 WEDNESDAY Free Wednesday Evenings at the Mint Museum. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. 5-9pm. FREE. Explore the Mint Museum’s exhibitions. mintmuseum.org.

Harry Potter Festival. University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. Ages 10 and older. 2-4pm. FREE. Muggles get sorted into Houses, enjoy extension activities, educational activities and trivia. Costumes welcome. cmlibrary.org.

Movie Nights with The Jolly Lollies. Suffolk Punch, 2911 Griffith St. Ages 3 and older. 5-8pm. $45, $20 for additional sibling. Drop off the kids for an evening of creative play, sing-alongs, dance parties, pizza and a movie with The Jolly Lollies. thejollylollies.com/movie-nights.

Muddy Boots. Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 1-3pm. $4.

Ages 10-13. Snap photos, draw pictures and take notes while creating a living record of the park as it changes throughout the year. parkandrec.com.

charlotteparent.com | SUMMER 2019

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›

DADDY DEREK

Vote Yes to a Washington, D.C., Vacation

BY DEREK JAMES

A

few months back, my wife and I took our kids to Washington, D.C. for three days. It was a wonderful whirlwind of history, learning and fun. Here are a few things we learned about visiting our nation’s capital with a 10- and 8-year-old.

Find a Kid-Friendly Place to Stay After multiple online searches, we found a great deal at the Omni Shoreham.

Advantages included close proximity to a Metro subway station and it was a short walk from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. The kids were greeted with free welcome packs at check-in that included cards and games, and complimentary milk and cookies delivered to the room before bed on our first night’s stay. Wherever you choose to stay, make sure you are close to the Metro. SmartTrip cards make getting around easy.

Wear Your Best Walking Shoes Even with the convenience of the Metro, be prepared to walk a lot. On average, we covered 8 to 11 miles each day. We took plenty of breaks, but everyone had either sore feet or shin splints. At one point, my 8-year-old could take no more, so we rented one of those electric scooters. I wouldn’t recommend those, though. While they did navigate pretty well around the National Mall and more open areas, people on sidewalks refused to move out of the way no matter how many times we rang the little bell.

Better Yet, Bike Change things up with a bike tour. We did a three-hour tour with Fat Tire Bike Tours and it was our boys favorite part of

32

SUMMER 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Derek James with his family in front of the White House. Photo courtesy of Derek James

the whole visit. We saw the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the Capitol, along with several other incredible sites. Our guide had a lot of great information and stories we hadn’t heard, and let us briefly stop to give our legs a break, find a bathroom, explore and take pictures along the way. On our tour, we even saw Japan’s Economic Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

So Many Smithsonians Unless you’re spending two weeks in D.C., there’s no chance you can see everything in the wonderful, free Smithsonian Institution Museums. There are 19 of them in total – 11 of them on the National Mall.

Along with the zoo, we visited the Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, and the American History Museum. My wife did some stellar research ahead of time to help make sure we took in only the best parts of each.

Make sure you talk to your kids about what they most want to see. We also wanted to go to the non-Smithsonian International

Spy Museum, but it was closed as it’s moving to a new location.

Catch a Washington Nationals Game One night, after a long day of sightseeing, we made a last-minute decision to take in a Washington Nationals game. The Metro drops you about a block away from the park. We got there early, walked up to a ticket window and got good seats on the right field baseline. You can bring in your own food, but no backpacks. We had to rent a digital locker outside the stadium, but it only cost $6. The kids got to see some major leaguers and even got to meet Screech, the Nationals’ mascot.

Remember, the best part of family vacations is the family part. Plan, pace yourselves and enjoy. No matter how long your stay, the memories last a lifetime.

Derek James is a host of WCCB News Rising.

He and his wife live in Charlotte with their sons who are ages 8 and 10.

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