Family Weekend Events {May 18th-20th}

May 17, 2012 by

Welp. Just a few days left of school, huh? And for lots of us, school ended this week. It will be okay, I promise. Stayed tuned for a new series on Mondays with ideas of ways to keep the kids entertained during the summer. If only I could think of a catchy name…any ideas?

For now, here’s some fun stuff happening in Knoxville this weekend! Have a great one, y’all!

Ijams Nature Center is truly such a wonderful place to visit in Knoxville. They have several fun events planned for this weekend. On Friday night, May 18th beginning at 7 pm, they will host a Nightlife Symphony for the whole family. Listen to all the night sounds of nocturnal animals like frogs, birds, and insects as you explore the park. This program is free for members and $5 for non-members. To register, please call 577-4717, ext. 110.

Saturday, May 19th will also be a super fun day at Ijams Nature Center as they host Moving Into Nature from 1 pm – 4 pm. Read all about it this free day of fun, including the Fairy House and Gnome Home Building Competition HERE!

The Smoky Mountain Highland Games begin this weekend at Maryville College. A parade to kickoff the festivities will be on Friday night, May 18th beginning at 6:30 pm in downtown Maryville. Entertainment continues through Sunday, May 20th and includes Country Dancing, a Dog Show, athletic competitions, Clan Competitions, Stage Performing Bands, Balladeers, a Comedian, and a Kid’s Playground. For more information visit smokymountaingames.org.

You like biscuits, right? Well head on down to Market Square this Saturday, May 19th for the International Biscuit Festival beginning at 8:30 am with a Biscuit Breakfast. The days festivities all include biscuits, biscuits, and more biscuits. For the full schedule, visit their website.

Historic Cherokee Caverns is a great place to beat the heat this weekend as they present their Old Fashioned Lantern Tours on Saturday, May 19th from 10 am – 4 pm. These tours of the cave will mimic the tours that were conducted in 1929 when the cave first opened to the public. Guests will enjoy 1,000 feet of the trails and are encouraged to bring a flashlight and a camera. Cherokee Caverns is wheelchair and baby stroller accessible.

The Children’s Festival of Reading will be this Saturday, May 19th at World’s Fair Park from 10 am – 3 pm. For more information, read our article from Tuesday with scheduled authors, and other important information to know before you go!

There are some many more fun things going on this weekend including Princess and Pirate Day at the Knoxville Zoo, a free storytime event at Barnes and Noble featuring There’s a Dragon in the Library, the CuddleBugs Baby and Family Fair at Turkey Creek Medical Center.

Still looking for more? Check out our Knoxville Events Calendar!

(photo credit: Joelk75)

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Activities, Fun for All Ages

Parent and Child Reading Enrichment Class to Be Offered Again This Summer at Smart Toys and Books

May 16, 2012 by

Smart Toys and Books is a fantastic source for classes from everything to potty training to reading. This summer, they’ll again offer the Parent and Child Reading Enrichment Class taught by Reading and Learning Specialist, Julie Haden.

This class, set to begin in July, is for children ages 4 and 5 and is designed for a variety of ability levels. Haden uses a proven, research-based approach to help unlock your child’s reading potential. Learning is fun as parents and their child work together to follow the reading roadmap that leads to kindergarten readiness. With the parent’s help completing hands on activities that engage all senses, like the Mystery Box, Letter in the House and Sound Book, children will learn how to recognize letters and their sounds, sound out and spell words, and write letters.

For more information, click here to read our March feature article about Haden and her reading class.

The cost is just $90 for the summer semester.  There will be two sessions of six classes offered at Smart Toys and Books, 9700 Kingston Pike, one on Monday and another on Tuesday.

Monday Classes – July 9th -  August 20th; every Monday except first of the month from 10-10:45 am.
Tuesday Classes – July 3rd – August 7th, every Tuesday, 10-10:45 am.

Tutoring for younger children is also available.

To register, call Julie Haden at 584-4616 or email her at juleshaden@comcast.net.

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Activities, Education and Learning, Preschooler, West Knoxville

2nd Presbyterian Church is Gearing Up for Vacation Bible School

May 16, 2012 by

It’s that time of year when many people start thinking about Vacation Bible School for the kids. This summer, 2nd Presbyterian Church will be hosting Adventures on Promise Island from June 18th-23rd.

Registration is going on now.  You may pick up registration forms at the church or download them here from the church’s website.  Forms can be dropped off at the church through June 1st.

2nd Presbyterian Church is located at 2829 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. For questions about VBS, please contact Andrea Hudson at 523-2189.
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If you would like to have your church’s VBS featured on Family Friendly Knoxville, please email Jennifer at familyfriendlyknoxville@gmail.com.
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Faith, Summer Camp

Annual Children’s Festival of Reading Coming to World’s Fair Park on Saturday

May 15, 2012 by

Every May, my kids get so excited for the annual Children’s Festival of Reading, presented by Knox County Library. This year’s event to kick off their summer reading program will be held on Saturday, May 19th at World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville from 10 am – 3 pm.

With children’s book authors and illustrators, storytellers, musicians, including many local vendors on site, like Family Friendly Knoxville sponsor, Little Red Hen Consignment Tagging Service, there will be activities galore for kids of all ages to enjoy at this FREE event. Dollywood’s Imagination Playhouse will perform OTIS! There will be storytelling and performances by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. Check out Knox County Library’s website for a full schedule of events!

Featured authors scheduled to attend include Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm, creators of Babymouse; Alyssa Capucilli; Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted; David Ezra Stein, and Dan Yaccarino, creator of the TV cartoon, Oswald.

New for this year, the Children’s Festival of Reading will have a Science Village. Robots, science projects, and mind-blowing experiments will be seen in this fun science area.

Food vendors will be onsite, with all sorts of variety including vegetarian options.  Bathrooms will be available.

Parking is free for the event in most downtown parking garages including World’s Fair Park, Market Square, and the Locust Street Garage.  This is a rain or shine event, so pack an umbrella if it looks rainy!

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Activities, Downtown Knoxville, Education and Learning, Festivals, Free Activities, Fun for All Ages

Fairy House & Gnome Home Building Competition This Weekend at Ijams

May 15, 2012 by

Wee fairies need a place to rest their weary wings and store their magical pixie dust! This weekend there will be Fairy House and Gnome Home competition on Saturday, May 19th at Ijams Nature Center. This 2nd Annual event will be held in Jo’s Grove Nature Play Area.

Ten dollars covers the construction fee for each building site. Building begins at 1 pm with judging to follow at 3 pm. Children of all ages will be mesmerized by these homes build just for fairies and gnomes.

This fun event is part of Ijams Moving Into Nature celebration to be held from 1 pm – 4 pm. This is a FREE event for families to discover all that Ijams has to offer. This outdoor event will be full of surprises. Bike and canoe rentals will be available, as they are each Friday-Sunday, as well as hiking, and musical entertainment with The Real McCoys, LoneTones, and more.

Ijams Nature Center is located at 2915 Island Home Avenue.

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Activities, Festivals, Free Activities, Fun for All Ages, Local Highlights, South Knoxville

Rain Barrels Painted By Local Artists are Now Up for Bid

May 15, 2012 by

Every kid would love a rain barrel. Trust me. I’ve seen them in action. In our own backyard and on the playground of the Montessori school my daughters attend.

It’s the perfect solution for getting quick water for backyard projects, mud pies, sand castles, watering plants and cleaning muddy toes.

Besides saving water, the bonus to rain barrels for children is they can easily reach and turn the spout, to get water independently. Plus parents don’t worry if someone remembered to turn off the hose!

There are many options out there for buying or building your own rain barrel. But one great way to get one is happening in Knoxville right now.

It’s The Rainy Day Brush Off 2012 sponsored by the Water Quality Forum. It’s the fifth year for the event. Where local artist have graciously volunteered to create beautiful works of art on 55-gallon rain barrels to help raise awareness about water conservation and water pollution.

My family bought one of these rain barrels the first year they were offered. It’s still being enjoyed and used at our house. And it looks and works as good as new.

The artists painted rain barrels are on display at various hosts and venders throughout the city. Online bidding happens on eBay, with a link here to all the barrels to choose from. Bidding continues through May 22. Barrels start at $99.

If you would rather go for a DIY route, there will be a $35 how-to workshop held on May 19 in the Town of Farragut, in the Community Room at Town Hall from 10:00 a.m.-noon.  Fees include the rain barrel and supplies.

Here are more details, with registration information, and a listing for an additional workshop happening June 23 at New Harvest Park.

There are also detailed tutorials and videos for making and painting rain barrels that can be found on Pinterest. I wrote about it on my blog Simply Natural Mom, included in a post of DIY ideas to celebrate Earth Day at home. I think it would be great fun to get kids involved in painting a backyard rain barrel!

Whichever way you go, the important thing is that you’ll be teaching your children about saving water. And having fun in the process.

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Rebecca Simmons is a mom to three girls under age seven. She writes the blog Simply Natural Mom.

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Green Living, Shopping

Choose Your Summer Camp Schedule at The Little Gym with a Flex Pass

May 14, 2012 by

With just over a week until summer vacation begins for many of us, both The Little Gym locations in Knoxville and Farragut, offer all sorts of fun themed-based summer camp activities to keep the kids busy and active.

Through May 15th only (TOMORROW!), purchase a Flex Pass that allows anyone in the family to attend selected summer camp sessions! With 5, 10, 15, and 20 day flex pass options, children and their siblings can share days throughout the summer at TLG camps. Choose one day of camp, three days, or a whole week, with a flex pass, it’s up to you!

Both locations of TLG have age-appropriate activities planned all summer long. From cheer and dance, to superhero camp and hip hop karate, kids from 3-10 will have a blast! Earlier this spring, we showcased TLG in our weekly summer camp feature. Click here for a full list of their camp offerings.

To sign up for their summer camps, call or visit your choice of The Little Gym locations. The Little Gym Knoxville is located at 7240 Kingston Pike, Unit 212 and their phone number is 583-1166. The Little Gym Farragut is located at 215 Brooklawn Street, next to Kroger.

(photo credit: limaoscarjuliet)

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The Little Gym is a sponsor of Family Friendly Knoxville.

 

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Activities, Elementary Age, Preschooler, Summer Camp, West Knoxville

Sequoyah Grille Offers Family Friendly, Affordable, Upscale Dining

May 14, 2012 by

For Mother’s Day, I really wanted nothing more than to be off duty in the kitchen. I didn’t want to spread any peanut butter, pour any milk, or make any decisions about what to cook for dinner. We made reservations to enjoy brunch at Sequoyah Grille on Mother’s Day after church.

I’d heard about Sequoyah Grille from the Executive Chef himself, Kirk Emery. Our sons attend the same school and when I learned where he worked, he said, “You should come in!”

The first question I asked was, “But is it kid-friendly?”

With a dedicated kid’s menu, it is indeed kid-friendly.  The kid’s brunch menu included Belgian Waffles and several options including scrambled eggs, served with fruit and choice of bacon or sausage for $5.

In addition to their full brunch menu, they also offered several specials all for under $10. My husband and I had a hard time deciding between the Cholula Fried Chicken and Waffles, one of their $10 specials, and Crab Cake Benedict on their regular brunch menu. Eventually we both settled on the Crab Cake Benedict, with blue lump crab cake, English muffins, hollandaise sauce, served with fruit and hashbrown casserole. All brunch entrees are served with a complimentary glass of champagne or a mimosa.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Crab Cake Benedict. The crab cake was full of crab and was wonderfully flavorful and the egg on top was perfectly poached and not watery. I’m a sucker for a good hashbrown casserole and theirs didn’t disappoint. With a crispy layer on top, the casserole was also creamy and delicious. The portions were good sized, not so much that we needed to be rolled out in wheelbarrows, but just enough that we felt satisfied. I was so excited about my mimosa that I completely forgot to take a picture of the food! Our experience here was a perfect Mother’s Day treat.

While they are open for brunch on Sundays, they are open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Serving a mix of soups and salads, and entrees, their flavors feature a southwestern flair. I’d love to go back and try their Panko Crusted Fish Tacos or their South of the Border Baby Back Ribs.  Many vegetarian options are available, as well.

Sequoyah Grille is located in the Shops at Western Plaza, 4429 Kingston Pike. They accept reservations, call 766-5331.

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Restaurants, West Knoxville

Family Friendly Weekend Events {May 11th-13th}

May 10, 2012 by

Children's Art Area at last Year's Vestival in South Knoxville

Big weekend coming up, folks! For those of you that may be reading and need a reminder: Mother’s Day is THIS SUNDAY. AHEM. I, for one, am looking forward to one day that I refuse to make even one meal. That’s not too much to ask, is it?

Here are a few fun things to do with the whole family…or for mom to send the family out to enjoy while she enjoys the house blissfully alone.

Take ‘em out to the ballgame on Friday night, May 11th, as the Tennessee Smokies take on the Jackson Generals at 7:15 pm. Don your groovy duds since it’s 70′s night! Every Friday night, stay for the fireworks after the game! Smokies Stadium is located at 3540 Line Drive in Kodak, off I-40 at exit 407.

UT Gardens will host the 10th Annual Bloom Days this Saturday and Sunday, May 12th and 13th from 9 am – 5 pm. There will be festivities for the whole family including live entertainment, kids crafts, a garden marketplace, lunch, and self-guided garden tours. Admission to this event is $6, or $10 for both days. Children 12 and under are admitted for FREE. UT Gardens is located at 2431 Joe Johnson Drive.

There will be a FREE lawnmower safety clinic this Saturday, May 12th from 9:30 am until 12:00 pm at Farragut Town Hall. Kids in grades 5-8, along with an adult, are invited to learn about lawn mower safety and basic maintenance. Lunch and safety gear will be provided. For more information call 215-2933. You can pre-register, but can also register that morning beginning at 9 am. Farragut Town Hall is located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive.

The Three Rivers Rambler, located off of Neyland Drive, will be having special Mother’s Day train rides this Saturday, May 12th at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm. Enjoy a leisurely 90 minute trip along the Tennessee River. For reservations call 524-9411. Ticket prices are: $26.50 for adults, $15.50 for children ages 3-12, $7.50 for children ages 2-3. Children 1 year and younger are FREE.

The 12th Annual Vestival, a South Knoxville Arts & Heritage Festival, will be held at Candor Marble Company, 4455 Candoro Avenue, on Saturday, May 12th from 11 am – 7 pm. The entire family will be entertained with all sorts of unique events, local food, music, and more. This event is FREE, but donations are appreciated and benefits South Knoxville.

There are all sorts of opportunities for kids to make Mother’s Day crafts around town on Saturday, May 12th.

  • Knoxville area Lowe’s at 10 am, Picture Frame Planter
  • Smart Toys and Books, from 10 am – 3 pm, Mother’s Day Cards
  • Carter Branch Library at 11 am, gift crafts for Mom with materials appropriate for kids of all ages

Visit our Knoxville Events Calendar for even more fun, family activities! Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

Don’t forget to enter to win tickets to Sesame Street Live: “1-2-3 Imagine! with Elmo & Friends!!!”

(photo credit: Joelk75)

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Activities, Festivals, Fun for All Ages

Farragut to Offer “Sciensational” Camp for Kids Ages 7-12 This June!

May 9, 2012 by

In June, the Town of Farragut is offering an educational summer camp for youth ages seven to 12, hosted by Sciensational Workshops for Kids, a company that has been in operation for 30 years and offers hands-on science enrichment programs for children. The camp will be taught by certified science teachers.                                                                                                               

Engino Building – Engineer/Architect Creativity Workshop (Ages 7 – 12)

Students will build and design their own creations with an advanced, three dimensional construction kit that is theirs to keep and take home. Students will also get their own 3-volt geared motor and use it to power up a moveable radar surveyor, as well as explore other ways to make the motor work. Students will get to build a vehicle, chopper, robot, buildings and much more during this fun, hands-on camp! 

This camp will be held Monday, June 4 and continue through Friday, June 8 from 9 am – 12 pm.  The cost for this camp is $145 per child and includes all supplies, snacks and beverages.

The registration and payment deadline is Friday, May 25th.

The camp is sponsored by the Town of Farragut and will be held in the Community Room of the Farragut Town Hall located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive across from the Farragut Branch Post Office. To register and receive more information, call 966-7057.

 

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Activities, Elementary Age, Summer Camp, West Knoxville
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