Get Out: It's Springtime

What a pleasant treat to walk out into a warm, sunny day. Shake off those winter blahs and those heavy coats and explore the outside activities that our community has to offer. Are you wondering exactly how to spend these bright, beautiful afternoons? Well, here is a list of several interesting, family-oriented activities to get the spring season rolling.

Paint a Brick

The Georgia Children’s Museum has an exciting program that allows you and your child to enjoy basking in the sun while testing your art abilities. Your child will receive a wet red brick to mold to his or her heart’s delight. The museum provides all of the tools and the paint. The possibilities are endless as they form their own personal creation while you can take in the sunshine. The special part of this activity is that your child’s brick will be forever displayed in the atrium or the sidewalk of the museum. So, you will have a wonderful souvenir of your spring afternoon! Each brick costs $25. For more information, contact the Georgia Children’s Museum at 478-755-9539. 

Light the Way

The Ocmulgee National Monument is set for spring exploration. They will be hosting their annual "Lantern Light Tours" in March, and the whole family can get involved! The tours start just as the day is fading into evening, and a cool breeze is beginning to blow. Each family is given a lantern to light their way on the tour of the mounds. The trek starts with a bonfire as the ranger explains what you are about to experience. There are around four stops and each is full of exciting information about the remarkable era in social development and culture evolution (Did you know that the first Ice Age"Clovis" spearhead found in the southern U.S was found on the Macon Plateau?) The tour concludes high atop the temple mound overlooking the bright lights of Macon. There is no better treat than enjoying a spring evening with your family while learning something new. The Lantern Tours will be held on March 21,22, 23, 27, 28, and 30. The times of each trip are 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on each date listed above. The cost for people age 12 and over is $4, and it’s FREE for children under 12. For more information contact The Ocmulgee National Monument at 478-752-8257.

Flying High

Have you ever wondered exactly what the planes flying high above our heads look like? Well, here is your chance to see and even touch these mysterious machines. The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins has an amazing outdoor display of over 90 aircraft. They are all positioned in a beautiful sunny field. Your child can enjoy running in and out of the planes while learning a bit about our flight history. There is an outside amphitheater that is surrounded by all of the state flags. It’s a perfect place for a picnic! They even have an observation deck if you want to take your snacks up high to observe the view. As a special treat, the museum has an SR71 plane on display (only nine are currently on display in the United States). The admission is free for everyone and the museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information about how to get this adventure started, call 478-926-6870. 

A Native Experience

Want to rope a horse? Interested in Native American storytelling and crafts? Then you are in luck! The Museum of Arts and Sciences will be hosting a Native American exhibit, "Legends of Our Time," with all kinds of exciting outdoor activities to accompany it. On Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. there is a Rodeo Day scheduled. The afternoon will include the roping of actual horses. Your child can enjoy the sun and the wild adventures of a rodeo! The following Saturday, March 8 the Museum is holding a Native American Story-weaving time. The children will tour the exhibit and then have a chance to weave their own story or poem. Call for times appropriate for your child’s age. Finally, on Saturday, March 15, crafts, drumming and dancing will fill the air! Your family will be entertained by the demonstrations, and kids can even make their own Native American craft. This will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Springtime will truly get under way with these educational and enjoyable activities. Call the Museum of Arts and Sciences for the cost of each activity and more information at 478-477-3232.

Take in a New Park

One of my family’s favorite activities is going to the park. When the temperatures are getting warmer, a park is the best place for a child to run off some extra energy. However, it is easy to tire of the same play equipment. A fun idea for your family might be to seek out a new park in a completely different neighborhood than your own. Explore new and interesting play equipment. Are there higher swings and steeper slides? Are there good benches nearby so that parents can watch playtime closely? There will also probably be different and exciting new friends to make. Swinging high in the breeze is one of the true delights of springtime weather! Take advantage of all of the different parks available to everyone in neighborhoods and even at schools in your area before it gets too hot to bear the air. 

Beautiful Blooms

Finally and certainly not least important, is the Cherry Blossom Festival. The dates this year for the festival are March 21-30. Many outdoor activities accompany this annual event, that we can not list them all. However, I will point out a few. New this year is "The Sea Lion Splash" that will be held in Central City Park with three shows daily (call for times). Best of all, this activity is absolutely free! Monday through Friday at Third Street Park from 11:30a.m. -1:30p.m. there will be cherry ice cream, sodas, and horse drawn carriage rides. Of course, the Balloon Glow will be on Friday, March 21, in the evening at Wesleyan College and the ascension will be the next morning. The week of festivities concludes with a fireworks display in Downtown Macon. Wow! What an exciting week of enjoying our city, the sunshine, and cherry blossoms. For more information contact the Cherry Blossom headquarters at 478-751-7429.

Hopefully one or even all of these ideas will fit into your schedule sometime this spring. Family time spent outside learning, playing and talking is some of the best quality time your crew will ever stir up! v