fun – Lubbocks Home and Family Magazine

Local Christmas Fun

Courtney Dietz — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:52:00 +0000

Local Christmas Fun

Kara Hyden

The Christmas season is quickly approaching, and families will be looking for fun things to do; places to see lights, Santa, and family-friendly events. We’ve curated a list of exciting and unique opportunities for all things Christmas in the Lubbock area.

Carol of Lights at Texas Tech University

Saturday, December 2 at 7:00 PM

This year, Texas Tech has been celebrating their centennial year, and the Carol of Lights is included in the celebration. Although this will be the 65th annual event, it’s bigger than ever before. This year includes live entertainment, new staging, lighting and sound, along with a big fireworks display. The event is held at Memorial Circle and the Science Quad campus.

The Carol of Lights is one of Texas Tech’s oldest and largest traditions. If you have a Christmas bucket list, this event should be on it. It’s free, but be sure to arrive early to get a good spot.

Ranching Heritage Center’s Candlelight at the Ranch

December 8 & 9, 6:30-9:00 PM

This year, the Ranching Heritage Center celebrates its 45th event. Although it’s free, they ask for a $5 per family donation.

Holiday scenes will be recreated in 15 historic structures, and visitors are provided maps. All pathways are lit to help with strollers and wheelchairs so everyone can enjoy the historic ranch. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Take your family and enjoy a throwback Christmas experience.

Adventure Park

Dinner with Santa: December 8th & 15th, 5:00-7:00 PM

Christmas in the Park: December 8/9, 15/16 & 22/23, 5:00-8:00 PM

Ice Skating in the Park: November 24–January 1

Whether you want to go ice skating, have dinner with Santa, or see some spectacular lights, Adventure Park is the place to be this holiday season.

Ice Skating opens Friday, November 24 and ends Monday, January 1. Ice skating is available Fridays-Sundays, and the whole week of Christmas, except Christmas Day. Cost is $10 per person and rentals are $5.49.

If ice skating isn’t your cup of tea, take your kids and have Dinner with Santa. The magical evening includes a slice of pizza, drink and a s’mores kit, a train ride around the park, and a photo with Santa. Prices are $12 for adults (13+), $7 for children (3-12) and toddlers (2 & under) are free.

And for those that just want to enjoy a low-key, but beautiful night, reserve your space for Christmas in the Park. This package includes a train ride through the park, hot cocoa, and a s’mores kit by the campfire, and includes the Adventure Tower to view over 500,000 lights along with great views of the city.

Regardless of which package you enjoy with your family, you’re guaranteed a great and unique experience. Reservations are required for all activities. So, visit their website at https://adventureparkfun.com to secure your spot.

Santa Land at Mackenzie Park

December 9-21, 6:00-10:00 PM

The City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation will host the 67th annual Santa Land. Approximately 50,000 people visit each year to see the huge lighted Christmas tree, animated displays, holiday light displays in various villages, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children come from Lubbock and surrounding areas to tell Santa their Christmas wishes. They can also take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There is live entertainment on most evenings, and hot chocolate and other refreshments are available for purchase at the concession stand. Entry into Santa land is free for everyone.

Whether you’ve gone to these places for years or are ready to make new memories, Lubbock has plenty of holiday activities for families to enjoy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

Courtney Dietz — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:21:00 +0000

Thanksgiving

Harper Johnson

Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to come together, express gratitude, and enjoy a festive meal. Here are some common Thanksgiving traditions that people often partake in:

Feast: The centerpiece of Thanksgiving is a large, hearty meal that typically includes a roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, and various side dishes. Pumpkin pie and other desserts are often enjoyed as well.
Turkey Pardon: In the United States, it has become a tradition for the President to pardon a live turkey, sparing it from being part of the Thanksgiving meal. This lighthearted gesture is followed by the presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the President.
Family Gathering: Many people travel to spend Thanksgiving with family members. It’s a time to reconnect, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company.

Thanksgiving Parade: Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is a longstanding tradition for many families. The parade features floats, giant balloons, marching bands, and performances.
Gratitude: Before the meal, it’s common for everyone to go around the table and share something they are thankful for. This is a moment of reflection and appreciation.
Volunteer Work: Some families and individuals choose to spend part of their Thanksgiving volunteering at soup kitchens, shelters, or other community service activities to help those in need.

Football: Watching football games, whether at home or in person, is a cherished tradition for many on Thanksgiving Day.
Black Friday Shopping: The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, has become synonymous with shopping deals and discounts, prompting some people to participate in early-morning or late-night shopping trips.
Cooking and Baking: Preparing traditional family recipes and sharing the responsibility of cooking and baking with loved ones is a cherished Thanksgiving tradition.

Friendsgiving: In addition to celebrating with family, some individuals also host “Friendsgiving” gatherings with their close friends. These gatherings often involve a potluck-style meal.
Decorations: Decorating the house with autumn-themed decor, such as pumpkins, leaves, and candles, adds to the festive atmosphere.
Outdoor Activities: Depending on the weather, some families might engage in outdoor activities like hikes, nature walks, or touch football games.

Thanksgiving Crafts: Children and adults alike might participate in Thanksgiving-themed crafts and activities, creating place cards, centerpieces, or other decorations.
Watching Movies: After the meal, some families enjoy watching movies together, either classic Thanksgiving-themed films or other family favorites.
Leftovers: After the feast, leftovers are often enjoyed for days. Some people even look forward to the creative meals they can make from the leftovers.

These traditions vary from family to family and region to region, but they all contribute to the warm and festive spirit of Thanksgiving.

Re-imagine those Snow Days

Courtney Dietz — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Re-imagine those Snow Days

Coco Dietz

Having your kids home for a snow day can seem like a migraine waiting to happen but with these fun indoor activities the snow will turn into a family-wide party that will get everyone excited and involved!

Indoor Snowball Fight

Now before you think about your great grandmother’s lamp getting knocked over into a thousand pieces, hear me out. Rolling up some plastic wrap into balls with a little tape to keep them together will keep them light enough that they will not cause as much damage as an actual snow ball fight might. This way you can have a safe snowball fight that will have your kids burning energy while having a blast in the process. Especially if you tell them to throw something while still in the house if that is not usually allowed–letting them “break” the rules can add another layer of fun that will exhilarate them to no end.

Science Experiments

Imagine this, your childhood self is donning a white button up shirt as a ‘lab coat’ and putting on goggles to go into their ‘laboratory’ to conduct a world changing experiment as a professional scientist. With the excitement bursting through your chest you open the door to what was formerly your kitchen–now turned laboratory–your mission? To mix two ingredients together to learn what might happen. It could be dangerous but you are brave, you are a scientist after all. With a vial of vinegar in your shaking hand, you pour it over the large bowl where a small pile of baking soda waits for the foul smelling liquid to make contact. What will happen next? You may know what is happening next as an adult, having seen this experiment before, but with a good dose of imagination and a dash of creativity it can seem like the coolest moment to your child.