If you're looking for something to do with the kids tomorrow and Friday while they're off for rodeo break, we've got you covered, from a couple of full-day camps to fun outings you can take together.
Thursday
Pan for garnets at Sabino Canyon. The kids will enjoy sifting for pretty rocks in the Sabino Creek, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road. Equipment and instruction is provided. Bring a lunch and make a day of it. It's from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It's free to participate, but there is a $5 fee to park. Call 749-8700 for more info.
Panning for garnets at Sabino Canyon is a free activity parents can do with their kids. The cost is $5 for parking.
Preschool Storytime at Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Public Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive. This session is designed for kiddos ages 3 to 5 and their parents or caregivers. It's at 10:30 a.m. and free.
Cat Strong, senior childrenβs librarian at Nanini Library, says story time events employ a variety of activities geared toward laying the foundation for children to be future readers.
Puzzles Proofs and Patterns is a new hands-on exhibit at Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium at 1601 E. University. It's a fun way for the kids to learn how math works outside of the classroom. Plus, if they're into rocks, the mineral room has tons of beautiful specimens to look at. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $10 for children ages 4 to 17; $14 for adults and free for children 3 and younger. Admission includes the mineral museum, all of the exhibits and one planetarium/laser show. Click here for info.
Friday
Spend the day at the Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave. There are a couple fun things going on, aside from the regular hands-on exhibits. At 11:30 a.m., the kids can make their own star badge in honor of the rodeo. At 3 p.m. there's a science activity called Color Changing Insta-Worms. For the little kids, storytime will be at 9:30 a.m. This week's book is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and children over the age of one. Click here for more info.
Gaige Rose, 4, hangs on to a weighted wheel, part of a new exhibit at the museum.
Family Fun Day: Rodeo Edition takes place at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. The whole family will enjoy making arts and crafts projects, playing games and doing hands-on activities that focus on Tucson's rodeo heritage. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon and is included with admission, which is $13 for adults and $7.50 for children ages four to 17. Kids ages 3 and under get in free. Click here for info.
Rodeo Night at Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road. There will be a petting zoo, horse rides, food and drink specials, Wild West stunt shows, rides, music and more to celebrate the rodeo and support Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids, aka TRAK. The event is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. It's free to go and wander, but you'll need money of you want go on rides, watch the stunt show or get food. Call 296-4551 for more info.
Early arrivals explore Trail Dust Town. Trail Dust offers a variety of restaurants and attractions, including a magic store.
Camps
Rodeo Holiday Circus Camp at The Circus Academy, 400 W. Speedway. The kids will be able to play with silks, trapeze, lyra, sling, walking globe, tightwire, rola bola, juggling, spinning plates and more. Classes are for all skill levels. Camp is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The cost is $40 for one day or $75 for both. Click here to register.
Teacher Katherine Tesch watches at right while students warm up during an Advanced Kids Silks class at The Circus Academy of Tucson. βThe kids are really confident up there,β one mother said. βIt makes you feel secure to see that confidence.β For kids who aren't experienced or want to try a variety of circus arts classes, the academy recommends Beginning Kids Circus.
Rodeo Camp at Playformance, 119 E. Toole Ave. Children in kindergarten through eighth grade can connect and grow through active and engaging activities including games, sports and creative play. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It costs $65 per full day or $45 per half day. Click here to register.
If you have a budding Katniss Everdeen in your family, take her or him to Archery Camp. It's happening at the International Wildlife Museum, which is at 4800 W. Gates Pass Road. It's for kids ages 10 to 15 and taught by trained instructors from the National Archery in the Schools Program. The kids will learn the basics of archery and bow maintenance. They'll practice shooting compound bows at Olympic-style and 3D targets. Camp is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $25. For info, call 629-0100, ext. 311.
