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Family Friendly Venues in Oklahoma City

August 8, 2016 By: bethany1980comment

Summer is coming to an end so with one more weekend before our normal lives return we decided to go on one last summer vacation to explore the great city of Oklahoma City. We had a blast and really enjoyed our trip.

One thing to note is that we have kiddos that are really spread out in ages. Our children range from age 7 all the way up to age 19, so we need to entertain a wide range of ages. Finding things that a seven year old will enjoy and at the same time will be enjoyed by a 15 and 19 year old can be a tough order. Luckily for us OKC had a lot to offer that fit the bill.

We were very impressed with the amount of family friendly activities and venues we found in OKC. We spent four fun filled days in OKC. Not only did we find enough fun places to go for our four day trip we also found some great places we would like to check out on future trips. OKC has a huge variety of family-orientated venues that are sure to entertain you.

Venues:

The Main Event: The Main Event is a great arcade. Features tons of fun arcade games, laser tag, bowling, pool tables and more. We really enjoyed our visit. Check out my review HERE!

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Build-A-Bear (Penn Square Mall): Since we are Care Bear Ambassadors we had to go by the Build-A-Bear and see the new Care Bears available. The Seven year old had a blast checking out their new renovated store and made herself a pink bear (not a Care Bear but still super cute). Check out our review HERE!

Frontier City: Frontier City is a great amusement park set in the days of the wild west. We had a blast riding all the rides, watching the fun shows, and even splashing around in the new water park. Check out our review HERE!

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White Water Bay: During our visit it was in the high nineties everyday (one day it was even 104). So we took some time to visit White Water Bay, a great water park. We had a blast enjoying the slides and splashing in Barefootin Bay! Check out our review HERE!

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Celebration Station: After spending the day splashing around we decided to have some pizza at Celebration Station. The pizza was great! We also had a blast playing the arcade games, riding go karts, bumper boats, and playing mini golf. Check out our review HERE!

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The Oklahoma City Zoo: Our final day we had a grand adventure learning all about the great animals at The Oklahoma City Zoo. We had so much fun checking out all the animals, our favorites were the gorillas and elephants! Check out our review HERE!

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Accommodations: We stayed at a local chain motel (Quality Inn & Suites) that was within our budget. We found that there is a huge variety of lodging options available in Oklahoma City and in every price range. We booked through a site called Trivago and found a great price on our room. It was located right off of I40 near the airport and was very centrally located. In fact two of our venues (White Water Bay & Celebration Station) were within a few blocks of where we were staying. The other venues we visited were all on the north side of Oklahoma City but only took us about 15-20 minutes to drive to from our motel. It really worked out great.

Food: There is a huge variety of places to eat while visiting OKC. We tried to reduce costs and ate some meals in our motel room. We also tried to choose venues that had some food options like Celebration Station.

We did visit Applebees off of I40 on MacArthur. They were super friendly (our waiter was a very nice young man that made our dining experience fun and enjoyable). The food was great and atmosphere was family friendly.

OKC is one of our favorite places to hang out. There are a ton of options that are family friendly that are sure to keep the kids entertained. We only visited a few on this trip but there are many more that are worth checking out. Keep an eye out here on Parenting In Progress for more reviews in the future.

Some helpful links for planning your trip:

Oklahoma City Visitors Guide

TravelOK

At some venues we received promotional tickets or balances in exchange for an honest review. However, my opinions are solely my own.

Oklahoma City Zoo

August 8, 2016 By: bethany1980comment

On our last day in Oklahoma City we just had to stop by The Oklahoma City Zoo! We are animal loving people in this family so any chance we get to go see some animals we are always game. We have actually been to the zoo a few times. Living in Oklahoma and as I mentioned animal lovers it has been a place that we have visited in the past for family outings. However, they have done a ton of updating since we visited last and we were super impressed with how great everything looked. With over 19,000 species located in the zoo this is a great place to see a variety of animals.

We had a blast visiting the different exhibits. There is a ton to see at The Oklahoma City Zoo. We spent about five hours there and still only saw about half of the exhibits. To really enjoy it I would schedule more then one day for sure. Our favorite exhibits were the gorillas and the elephants. We found us a buddy in the gorilla exhibit that was hanging out right by the window and it almost seemed like he could hear what the girls were saying. His facial expressions were so funny. The girls spent a long time talking to him. We also loved the elephants, I personally have always been an elephant lover, we found one that was a performer at heart. She was in her exhibit swaying back and forth to her own little beat and even threw in some step touches every once in awhile. The girls thought it was so cute that she was dancing for them.

We also really enjoyed the fun interactive events throughout the park. They have a lot of things set up during the day. We only made it to a few but really enjoyed them. The seven year old loved the explorikeet adventure where you can feed the parakeets nectar and they will actually land on you. It’s really neat. They had a great bridge where you could feed the ducks and fish, the seven year old spent a good deal of time throwing them some lunch (bird food). They also really enjoyed the Zookeeper talks, we caught one in the Cat Forrest that was really interesting and we learned all about the big cats. There are ton of fun encounters though. They are all listed on the website and there are signs displayed throughout the zoo that list the times and locations.

Not only is there great animals at The Oklahoma City Zoo but they are also a botanical garden. The vegetation in the zoo is beautiful throughout the entire zoo. Each exhibit has plants and vegetation that go with the theme of that exhibit. For example we found tons of bamboo in the Cat Forrest. The plants are just as fun to look at as the animals. They have really done a great job making the scenery enjoyable.

We also really loved the statues they had scattered throughout the zoo. It let you know what was coming up which was great. The kids loved climbing on them and posing with them for pictures.

There is a ton of educational opportunities and programs set up throughout the zoo. Zookeeper talks, educational programs, and we even found a small museum about the history of the zoo. There is so much to learn while you are visiting.

We have a ton of pictures on our camera that we need to go through and edit. I will ad a slide show to this once we get them edited. These are just some fun pictures I took on my phone.

Our Review:

Location: The Oklahoma City Zoo is conveniently located off of I-35 on the north side of Oklahoma City. Very easy to get to. Since I-35 goes right through Oklahoma City it’s easy to access and to get to the zoo just take the exit and follow the road to the entrance. It is also right next to the science museum so you could easily visit both in one trip. Also very close to Remington Park.

Entertainment Value: Oh there is so much to see and learn. As I mentioned we were there for five hours and didn’t even see half of the exhibits. You could spend several days here and not get bored. With the special events and educational programs they really add to your experience and even if you have seen it before give you a new and interesting look at the exhibits.

Price: The Oklahoma City Zoo is very affordable. It is one of our favorite things to do when we don’t have a lot to spend but want to have lots to do. Adults are only $8 and kids are only $5. They often have special days where they offer cheaper tickets, if you checkout their website and social media you can sometimes find a cheaper deal. I know we have gone in the past for only $1. There are a bunch of interactive attractions that cost a little extra. Usually around $3 per person. You can check on the site which attractions cost extra. Since we were trying to be frugal (since it was the end of our trip) we avoided a few exhibits that we knew would cost extra so we didn’t have any melt downs. So you can really plan your trip around your price range too. They have some rentals that cost extra if needed, we usually just bring our own wagon though to save a little. They allow you to bring in outside food and drinks. So we load up an ice chest full of drinks and snacks and put it in the wagon as well. It really is one of our favorite places for a budget friendly outing.

Food: There are a few different restaurants and vendors throughout the park. You can find just about anything you would like. Lots of snack type foods and quick and convenient meals. Of course ice cream and cold drinks. If you have a big family like ours it can get expensive so we usually skip the concessions. As I mentioned they allow you to bring in coolers so that’s what we do. Kids never really mind and don’t even ask for the concession stands. Of course if it’s in your budget the concessions are a great convenient option if you don’t want to bother with a cooler.

Customer Service: We are always so impressed with the staff at The Oklahoma City Zoo. They are all so knowledgeable. Very friendly and also willing to answer questions and offer assistance. Every staff member we encountered was helpful, asked if we needed anything, and answered any questions my kiddos threw at them. Great customer service.

Overall we were super happy with The Oklahoma City Zoo. Tons to do at a budget friendly price. The only complaints we had was the heat. It was 104 the day we went and super super humid. Luckily they had some great big fans with misters available in several locations that really helped to cool us off and we also found a few exhibits with air conditioned buildings that gave us a nice break from the heat. I would definitely plan to go when it is cooler though.

Located at 2101 NE 50th street Oklahoma City, OK. 73111

Hours: Open everyday from 9am-5pm, open year round (only closed for a few holidays).

Tips From A Mom: Go on the website, look over the map. It is a huge place so plan you trip around what you think will work best for your family. Like I knew we had to see elephants and gorillas so I made that section our main priority (luckily they were close together). Also check out their list of the attractions and pick the ones you would like to attend, note the times to plan ahead so you don’t miss them. Again it is a huge place, so bring a wagon. Even if your kiddo is a little older, my seven year old was having a hard time by the end of this trip with the walking (especially in the heat). Bring a cooler or at least a bag packed with lots of water and your favorite snacks. They don’t mind if you bring it and it will save you a little money. Depending on what your budget is, the Elephant Express is a great way to get around the park. They have stops throughout the Zoo that you can get off and on. So ride it to the exhibit you want to go to get off, go explore, then come back and catch another shuttle to the next place you would like to go. It really save yous time and saves your feet from all the walking between exhibits. It’s $6 a person. Lastly go on a day with cooler temps, we had a blast but the heat was a little much for the seven year old. If you have little ones I would suggest a spring or fall visit.

White Water Bay-Oklahoma City

August 7, 2016 By: bethany1980comment

We just recently visited White Water Bay in Oklahoma City. White Water is a great traditional water park full of really fun water slides and attractions. Including a wave pool, lazy river, large water slides, splash pools, and more. A great fun way to stay cool on a really hot summer day!

We went on a Saturday which I think was not a good choice. It’s really the only day that fit in our travel plans so we choose to go that day but Saturday is super busy for them we learned. It was VERY crowded while we were there. We had a great time though. However if you are looking for a less busier time I would try going during the week. We did our best to not let the crowds bother us.

The kids had a great time playing in the new Barfootin Bay, a new attraction for the 2016 season. There is a fun lazy river that circles around the splash pad that is full of fun features. It has over 35 interactive features. Features mini slides, water sprayers, and even a tipping bucket. My seven year spent most of her day here.

For my teenagers they had some great water slides that cooled them off but also were fun and fast paced. The slides include Acapulco Cliff Dive, Bermuda Triangle, Cannonball Falls, Mega-Wedgie, Pipeline Wave, Pirate’s Plunge, RipQurl, The Big Kahuna, and Swashbuckler Flumes.

The park featured some great lounge type areas that were full of lounging chairs and picnic tables. Since it was so busy the day we visited it was a little hard to find an empty one but if you get there early you can stake your claim on a great spot. They also have cabana rentals if you want your very own area secluded from other park goers.

We really had a great time while we were there. It was a really hot day so it was a great way to keep cool and have fun all at the same time.

Our Review:

Location: White Water is located right off of I40. It can actually be seen from the interstate. It’s super easy to find and get to. On the west side of Oklahoma City. In a nicely developed area that has lots of restaurants and other venues. Close to both downtown area and the airport.

Entertainment Value: We had a blast while at the park. There is a ton to do. Lots of slides, lots of different interactive attractions. We were there for about five hours and I had to drag them away. I liked that there is a variety of attractions for all ages. It’s hard when you are like our family and have a wide range of ages. White Water offered attractions for all age ranges.

Price: It is comparable to other water parks that we have attended. It can be pricey but they actually have some great deals going on to make it more affordable. There are season pass options, day passes, and even double park passes where you can get admission into both White Water & Frontier City (see our review here). We went online and found a special that featured day passes for only $19.99. The food and drinks were high (as you would expect). They do allow for coolers but only in the designated area (which is outside of the park but is accessible from the park). You can only have outside food and drink in certain areas. We brought water with us and I’m glad we did. It helped to save us some money and made our visit more affordable. You can also leave the park and come back as long as you get your hand stamped so you could also leave your cooler in your vehicle, go out and have a snack, and come back in. They also charge for parking and they charge if you would like to rent an inner tube. So be aware of those little things, they are not expensive but are required.

Food: There are several options in the park for food. I can’t review it because we did not eat at any of the establishments. As I mentioned you can have a cooler in the designated areas which is nice.

Customer Service: Everyone we encountered was very friendly and helpful. I did notice they have a lot of younger employees however they all seemed to have a friendly smile on their face, and a good knowledge of the park. I noticed all employees were very safety focused. Even though it was crowded I noticed several times life guards taking the time to remind children of rules for their safety and even saw one perform some first aid on a child who had a bee sting.

Overall we were very happy with our trip to White Water Bay. The attractions and pools were full of fun interactive features. The only thing we didn’t enjoy were the crowds. However again mostly our fault for choosing a very busy day to go.

Located at 3908 West Reno Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Hours: Saturdays 10:30am-8pm Sunday-Friday 10:30am-7pm. The 15th-17th of August will be 10:30am-6pm and then after the 17th they will only be open on the weekends. They have a calendar on their website that lists their hours.

Helpful Hints From a Mom: Go during the week, skip the super busy Saturday. I usually can handle a crowd pretty easily but for some reason this crowd seemed big (maybe because of the confined space). Spend the money to rent a locker, it is a easier then trying to keep track of your items throughout the day or worrying that things are getting lost of stolen. Get there early is you want to get some chairs. Wear some water shoes, the kids had a hard time walking on the hot sidewalk so the water shoes protected their feet and gave them traction so they didn’t slip when walking on the wet cement. Bring a cooler with some snacks and drinks, will save you some money. Most of the park is in direct sunlight, so don’t forget the sunscreen but if you do they sale some there!

We received promotional tickets in exchange for an honest review. However, my opinions are solely my own.

Celebration Station-Oklahoma City

August 7, 2016 By: bethany1980comment

While in Oklahoma City we stayed in a hotel off of I40 and right on the corner of where we were staying was this great little arcade attraction called Celebration Station. Very easy to get to and full of fun and adventure. Celebration Station actually has locations in not only Oklahoma but also Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, & Texas. Celebration Station features a great arcade as well as some really fun attractions like batting cages, go carts, bumper boats, and mini golf.

All the attractions are featured outside on their fun campus. They have really taken some time to make the outside look really nice. My seven year old loved the waterfalls in the decor!

Inside they have food, an arcade, and even some pool tables. The kids had a blast playing the arcade games to earn points they cashed in for prizes. The games were fun, lots of noise and lights. They would have spent hours probably but the attractions were calling their names!

They also have a great food bar. We actually went in the evening and had a pizza and played some games. They had a great deal that included a large pizza, a pitcher of soda, $15 in arcade game plays, and 4 all day passes for unlimited attractions. The pizza was great, however it was hard to tear them away from the fun long enough to eat some.

Our Review:

Location: It is conveniently located right off of I40 on the west side of Oklahoma City. As I mentioned we were staying in a hotel on that side of OKC so it was right there next to our hotel. Actually I noticed there were a ton of hotels all around it as well as other establishments like restaurants and it is even really close to the airport.

Entertainment Value: There is a ton of stuff to do at Celebration Station. As I mentioned above there is an arcade and several different attractions. Our family is really spread out in ages, going from age 7 to 19 so it is often hard to find a venue that they will all like. However they all had fun here. They even had different levels of go carts so my seven year old cold do the smaller ones geared toward younger children and my teenagers and my biggest child (my husband) could go do the faster ones. They all had a great time and there were no moments of boredom the entire night. We were there around four hours, and only left because they were closing.

Price: Depending on what you would like to do, it can add up quickly. The arcade is probably the area I would say costs the most because the games are quick and they quickly go through the money. The attractions you can pay for one play or you can get a day pass that allows you to do them as much as you like (which in my opinion is the best deal). The only thing the passes do not include is the batting cages. We got the $15 game play for the arcade which I let them use while we waited for our pizza and they used it up in about 20 minutes or so. The attractions though they did all night for about four hours and had a blast. They have lots of specials on their website that makes it a little bit more affordable. As I mentioned we did The Best Family Plan and it worked out great for us. The food is reasonable and many of the plans include food which is nice.

Food: They have a snack bar. The main thing they sale is pizza, which is actually pretty good. The kids really liked it and we had no left overs. One large pizza fed our family of five. They also have some other options like fries, chicken strips, and fair type foods like funnel cakes. We also got a funnel cake which was super yummy. It is a self-serve style, so you order then wait till it’s ready (they give you a buzzer which is nice so you know when to go pick it up), and they have a dining area you can sit in while eating.

Customer Service: Everyone we encountered was very friendly and helpful. The young ladies at the ticket counter spent some time explaining the deals to us and answered all of our questions. Spoke to several employees in the dining area as well that were very helpful helping us find things we needed like napkins and straws. The employees running the rides were very nice and very focused on safety.

Overall we were very happy with Celebration Station. It was a great place to stop by and have a meal and let the kids play for a few hours.

Located at 509 Westline Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am – 11pm Fri & Sat 11am-12am

Helpful Hints From a Mom: Look into the the day passes they have some great deals on those. If you will be there for the day I would suggest packing some water so you don’t have to pay the higher prices. The attractions are all out doors so in the summer it can be pretty hot. We actually waited till night, they had a unlimited attraction discount for $15.99 from 8 until midnight. It was cooler and the kids were able to ride a lot during the four hours.

Frontier City-Oklahoma City

August 6, 2016 By: bethany1980comment

We just spent the day riding rides and enjoying some great shows at Frontier City in Oklahoma City. A great theme park set in the old wild west, Frontier City has a ton of family fun to offer. With tons of rides, daily shows, and a splash zone Frontier City really has it all! Of course the rides were a huge hit with our family.

The new ride for 2016 is called the Gunslinger. It’s the wildest thrill ride in the West will flip, twist, and spin riders in a dizzying 60-foot rise and descent. With two motor controlled rotations and a third driven only by gravity, it’s an experience unlike any other!

Frontier City is a great place to go if you have a wide range of ages in your family. My kids are spread out from age 7-adulthood so it is hard sometimes to find an event that will entertain them all. Frontier city has some great fast-paced thrill rides but they also have some great rides for the little ones that are a little more relaxed but still tons of fun!

The rides are super fun but that is not all they have to offer. Frontier City also has a bunch of shows throughout the park. Including a great Magic Show. It was really good, the tricks were theatrical and the assistants were so much fun to watch dance. My seven year old really loved the show. They also featured an old west gun show. They explain the ins and outs of the show and stunt work. Plus they blow up a well and everyone gets drenched! We didn’t catch the Industrial Movement show but it features some great non-traditional drumming and music. There is also a circus show and a show in one of the saloons. For us it was a great way to get indoors in the middle of the day in the air conditioning and see a great fun show.

The entire park features some great scenery from the wild west, you really start to feel like you are in an old west movie after awhile. My seven year old had a great time playing inside some of the buildings along the way. They were all open so they could go inside and explore.

So here is our Review:

Location: Located right off of I-35. It’s on the north side of Oklahoma City so depending on which area you are coming from you may have to come across town but it’s really easy to get to. Just an exit right off the interstate.

Entertainment Value: Frontier City is full of entertainment. It really has something for everyone. We love that they had a kid section and it was secluded away from the main park. My seven year old spent a lot of time in there. My teens had a blast on the roller coasters, water rides, and more fast paced thrill rides. They also have a great little water splash pad that they can play in to cool off. All of the shows offer some nice breaks throughout the day. They even have concerts scheduled throughout the summer. Tons of fun!

Price:

Any Day Admission:

$38.99 General Admission Guest 48″ & Taller
$30.99 Junior Admission – Guest Under 48″
Children 2 and under are FREE
$30.99 Senior Admission – Guests 62 and Older
$26.99 Military Admission (valid for Military ID holder only)
$47.00 Two Park Ticket (One day admission to Frontier City and White Water Bay)
$8.00 One Day Parking
Children 2 and under are Free

Monday thru Friday Admission:

$36.99 General Admission Guests 48” & Taller
$28.99 Junior Admission Guest Under 48″
Children 2 and under are FREE
$28.99 Senior Admission – Guests 62 and Older
$24.99 Military Admission (valid for Military ID holder only)
$47.00 Two Park Ticket (One day admission to Frontier City and White Water Bay)
$8.00 One Day Parking
Children 2 and under are Free

They also have some deals going on. We got a daily admission for $19.99 by ordering online and going during the week. They also offer deals on season passes and since they are partners with White Water Bay (a water park) you can get discount tickets for both venues. Everything is included in the price of your admission, so unlimited rides and all the shows and attractions.

When it comes to food and drinks as always I feel like they are very pricey. I’m always trying to be frugal so we packed some things and left them in the car, the kids went out and had a snack mid day. They allow you to bring water in the park so I packed about six bottles in my bag and brought them with us. They do offer free ice and ice water at all the stands as well. Since it was so hot I really wanted the kids to drink water anyways.

Food: The have a ton of food options. Check them all out HERE! There are lots of stands throughout the park and a few restaurants as well. You can eat an entire meal or just have snacks and a drink. They offer a huge variety. They also offer meal plans we noticed some signs up in the park. They have a special deal on cups as well that allow you to get $.99 refills.

Customer Service: I noticed they really do a great job hiring their staff. There is a huge presence of staff throughout the park. Every staff member we encountered was very friendly and helpful.

Overall we were very happy with Frontier City. We really enjoyed our day. The kids didn’t want to leave when it was time to go either. The day we went the lines were short which made the day very enjoyable, the kids pretty much got to ride every ride immediately when they got in line. Really helped keep them from getting cranky. It was a great family fun day. Everyone found things they enjoyed.

Located at 11501 N I-35 Service Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73131

Hours: It’s best to check the website, they have a calendar with listed hours.

Weekdays 10:30am-7pm up until August 12th then it is 10:30am-6pm. On Weekends it is 10:30am-11pm on Saturdays & 10:30am-8pm on Sundays. After August 17th they are closed during the week and only open on Weekends. The park closes for the season on October 30th after their Halloween event.

Helpful Hints from a Mom: Bring a large bag to put things in (like stuffed animals won at the games). Pack some water (don’t pay a bunch for it just bring with you), if it gets hot they give out free ice at the vendors. You can leave the park and come back in, just get your hand stamped. So put an ice chest in the car and plan a snack time. Bring towels and have your kiddos wear their bathing suits under their clothing. Pack some flip flops for when they go on the water rides or in the water park portion. That way their tennis shoes and socks don’t get wet and give them blisters. Go to the shows in the middle of the afternoon when it’s really hot and you need a break, the buildings are air conditioned.

We received promotional tickets in exchange for an honest review. However, my opinions are solely my own.

Build-A-Bear Oklahoma City

August 5, 2016 By: bethany1980comment

As a Care Bear Ambassador we were invited to Build-A-Bear to check out their fun new Care Bear characters. We are a huge fan of Build-A-Bear already in our family and we were super excited to see the new Care Bears!!

We decided to visit the Build-A-Bear in Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City. We have been to this Build-A-Bear in the past so we were super impressed with their newly remolded store. Especially the new fluff machine!! Before they had the large square one along the wall now it’s a giant tornado of fluff right in the middle of the store.

Of course our favorite part though is making those fun little characters come to life! Build-A-Bear is so wonderful the way they stir the imagination of children. My daughter loves the Build-A-Bear ceremony no matter how many times she does it.

Review:

Location: Located in Penn Square Mall. A great location when traveling with the family because you can visit other stores, there are plenty of food locations, and even a movie theater. Penn Square is in a very central part of Oklahoma City on Northwest Expressway. Very easy to get to and right in the heart of the city. A very developed area with lots of food and retail options around.

Entertainment Value: My seven year old loves Build-A-Bear. It’s a fun little project that doesn’t take a ton of time. It is an event though, from picking the bear, to filling it, and then picking out clothing and finally dressing it. The Build-A-Bear experience is a lot of fun. I will say though as a family with a wide range of ages this is more fun for my younger child, however my fifteen year old does get excited about making them as well.

Price: The good thing about Build-A-Bear is that they have included a range of products that can fit a variety of budgets. We spent $30 while we were at Build-A-Bear that included the bear, an outfit, and a pair of shoes. Of course if you get carried away (which can be easy to do because everything is adorable) then your experience may be very different. We did notice though while we were there that they had a sale for buy 1 get one free on certain characters if you have more then one child this could be a great option.

Customer Service: We really enjoyed our trip. There were two staff members present during our visit. Both very friendly and helpful. The young lady that helped us build our bear was very nice and you could tell she enjoyed doing her job.

Overall we had a great time and experience at Build-A-Bear in Oklahoma City.

While we didn’t make a Care Bear we did see them while they were there and they were adorable. Really brought me back to my childhood of watching Care Bears on TV every Saturday morning.

Location Address: Penn Square Mall 1901 NW Expressway Oklahoma City, Ok.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm Sunday 10am-6pm

I received a free promotional card in exchange for my review and participation in the Care Bear Ambassador program. My opinions though are solely my own.

The Main Event-Oklahoma City

August 5, 2016 By: bethany1980comment

We recently visited a new family friendly venue in Oklahoma City called The Main Event. Founded in Texas in 1998, The Main Event is a well established entertainment venue but relatively new to Oklahoma City. The Main Event has branches in several states now including Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma & Tennessee.

The Main Event is a bowling-anchored entertainment center but also includes arcade games, laser tag, a ropes course, and more. The Oklahoma City location is full of really fun and entertaining arcade games, laser tag, bowling, pool tables, and a ropes course that runs across the ceiling of the building. It looks kinda scary but is completely safe using safety harnesses to keep you safe while walking across the different ladders and bridges.

During our visit we had a great time playing arcade games. The kids played using a little gift card that they swipe to redeem for plays. If they win tickets they are automatically attached to the card (great idea because I know I always end up holding the tickets when we have visited other arcade venues).

So here is our review:

Location: It is located in the north part of Oklahoma City. It’s pretty easy to and quick to get to depending on which area you are coming from. There is a toll road between I35 and where it is located so you will need to bring some change with you to use on your way there. This area of OKC is an up and coming area, there are a ton of shopping & eating establishments near by.

Entertainment Value: There is a ton to do. We could be busy for hours and hours at this place. From bowling, to pool tables, to video games, they have it all covered. It’s also great if your family is like ours and has a wide range of ages. My 19 year old loved it and spent tons of time playing basketball games and laser tag. My 7 year old loved it too and they have a huge variety of games and attractions to fit all ages (even adults).

Price: This is a tough one. I find a lot of times that these place are overpriced in general so I try to compare it to places we have been that are very similar to offer a comparison. I find that The Main Event tends to be higher in general compared to other venues. The bowling was about $45 for a family of five for one hour. Video games ranged from $1.25-$1.75 per play. We had a $25 gift card and the kids used it up in about a 25 minute period of time mostly playing video games.

If you are a frugal family though I would suggest going on Monday nights during the summer they have some specials where you can play unlimited games for $9.95 and they have another special for unlimited attractions for $9.95. With these deals you can spend an entire afternoon or night easily and not break the bank. Also we discovered that they do not charge for pool tables so if you love to play pool this is the place for you! You can play all day for free! Check out the Monday Night Specials Here!

Food: I can’t really review the food because we did not eat while we were there but I thought it was worth mentioning that they have a couple of options for food while you are there. Including a pizza place called La Bella’s with a great variety on the menu and they even have a full bar.

Customer Service: We found the staff to be very pleasant. We were greeted with a very happy hello and a friendly staff member who spent some time explaining for us how everything worked since we had never been there. I also was impressed with the bar tender who came to check on me and see if I needed anything when I sat down at a table clear across the bar area. I was just resting but he was very friendly and we had a good chat about our days. Everyone we encountered was very helpful and focused on our comfort as customers.

Overall we were very happy with The Main Event. We hope to return soon. We definitely liked that they have options for the more frugal families (like us with our large family of five).

Located at: 1441 W. Memorial Road Oklahoma City, OK 73114

Hours: Monday 9am-2am, Tues-Thursday 9am-12am, Fri & Sat 9am-2am, Sunday 9am-12am

Helpful Hint: Check out their website. You can see if they are closed for events ahead of time so you don’t get there and find out they are closed and you can also reserve lanes for bowling in advance so you don’t have to wait for an open lane.

We received a promotional balance in exchange for an honest review. However, my opinions are solely my own.

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timi & leslie Giveaway

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Frontier City In OKC

June 20, 2016 By: bethany1980comment

Frontier City is Oklahoma’s oldest and largest theme park, offering over 40 acres of fun for the entire family! Great rides, entertaining shows, live concerts, and more! New in 2016 – The Gunslinger! It’s the wildest ride in the West! Flip, twist, and spin in a dizzying 60-foot up and down adventure on Gunslinger… And don’t miss the Summer Concert Series at the Starlight Amphitheater, presented by Subway, featuring Kellie Pickler, Canaan Smith, Bret Michaels, American Authors and more. For more information please visit: https://www.frontiercity.com/ to schedule your visit today!

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