MetroFamily Magazine March April 2023

MetroFamily Magazine. OKC Family Fun & Resources. Local events calendar.

MAR/APR 2023

Road Trip Remix! Top 4 children’s museums around the state

Break it Down 5 things you didn’t know about your local library

METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM PRESENTS

in March

Visit your local Metro Library for one of these upcoming Gardening Programs, or to check out a set of gardening tools today. For more information, visit metrolibrary.org/metrogrows

Raising Your Own Backyard Chickens

Spring Gardening for Beginners

Sunday, March 12, 2-3pm @ Capitol Hill Library Weds., March 15, 11-Noon @ Downtown Library Sat., March 18, 10-11am @ Village Library Tues., March 21, 5:30-6:30pm @ Ralph Ellison Library Thurs., March 23, 6:30-7:30pm @ Belle Isle Library Fri., March 24, 10-11:30am @ Southern Oaks Library Sun., March 26, 2-3pm @ Warr Acres Library Tues., March 28, 6-7pm @ Almonte Library

Sun., March 5, 2-3pm @ Warr Acres Library Tues., March 7, 6-7pm @ Almonte Library Fri., March 10, 10-11am @ Southern Oaks Library Weds., March 15, 11-Noon @ Ralph Ellison Library Sat., March 18, 10-11am @ Belle Isle Library Sat., March 25, 1-2pm @ Downtown Library Sun., March 26, 1-2pm @ Capitol Hill Library

(405)231-8650 | metrolibrary.org

SUMMER CAMPS hosted by OKC Parks!

LEARN NEW SKILLS

EXPLORE NATURE

MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Held at and through various OKC Parks recreation centers from late May to early August. Ages 6 to 17. Register by the class, for a week or for the whole summer. Check out the options and register at okc.gov/parksignup

Features 12 BEYOND BOOKS

5 surprising offerings from your local library

14 A DREAM DECADES IN THE MAKING

Willa D. Johnson Recreation Center opens in NE OKC

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Spark learning, creativity, friendships & fun with dozens of close-to-home options

Departments 10 NEW & NOW

OKC PARKS

4 things families need to know this spring 16 FAMILY MENTAL WELLNESS Introducing 988: Oklahoma’s Mental Health Lifeline 18 LOCAL FAMILY FUN Active adventures around the metro to get your family moving EXPLORING OKLAHOMA WITH CHILDREN Road trip! Visit 4 children’s museums around the state 26 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Spring Break activities, outdoor festivals and frugal family fun

SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA

62 LAST LOOK

Then & now: Warren The Cowboy

From the Cover 42 AMPED UP SUMMER CAMPS 22 ROAD TRIP REMIX! 12 BREAK IT DOWN

18 SCISSORTAIL PARK

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

When you think of the phrase “healthy family,” what comes to mind? Once upon a time, my earnest answer for my family would have been: eating more vegetables, playing high-intensity sports together, spending time outdoors. I’ve been forced to redefine health over the past year as a difficult heart condition diagnosis placed me on an unexpected physical and mental health journey. I’ve had to alter my lifestyle to become quieter, less stressful and less physically taxing. I’ve had to learn to lean in to gentler exercise, journaling, more therapy and medication for both physical ailments and anxiety. I’ve learned that prioritizing my kids’ mental health isn’t nearly as effective if I’m not also prioritizing mine. Healthy for my family looks much different in 2023: focusing on rest, joy and time together. We’re still eating vegetables, playing sports and getting outdoors. And we’ll continue to place our mental health first with both the support of professionals and each other. In the midst of my own journey, I’m excited to help offer other families the opportunity to consider what healthy means for you this year, too. I hope you’ll join MetroFamily for our brand new event this spring, OKC Thrive Fest on Saturday, March 25 at RIVERSPORT OKC . Enjoy a day of fun activities with your family, and check out all the vendors providing resources related to family mental wellness and physical health. Find the details on page 6. I’m looking forward to seeing you there and hearing how MetroFamily can support your family this year. With hope,

2022

Publisher Sarah Taylor Managing Editor Erin Page

MetroFamily Magazine is published bimonthly. Copyright 2023 by MetroFamily HoldCo, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or MetroFamily HoldCo, LLC. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Assistant Editor Lindsay Cuomo Art Director Stacy Noakes Senior Project Manager Kirsten Holder Director of Events Casey Shupe Editorial Assistant Emiley Bainbridge Account Executive Dana Price Contributing Writers Toni Allen Christina Mushi-Brunt Contributing Photographer Bridget Pipkin Contact us Mailing address: 6608 N. Western Ave., #458 Oklahoma City, OK 73116 Phone: 405-601-2081 tips@metrofamilymagazine.com www.metrofamilymagazine.com

A HEART CONDITION DIAGNOSIS IN 2022, AT THE AGE OF 39, NECESSITATED SURGICAL PLACEMENT OF A PACEMAKER/ DEFIBRILLATOR – AND REDEFINED WHAT HEALTHY MEANS FOR ME.

Erin Page Managing Editor

ON THE COVER Rex is the winner of MetroFamily’s 2023 Cover Kids Search in the 6-7 age category! Rex is an active second grader from Edmond who loves to tell jokes, dance, swim and play flag football and baseball. He enjoys rock climbing at Threshold and attending art camp at Edmond Fine Arts Institute. A seasoned traveler, Rex has been to 15 states and Canada. By his own rule, he will try any food at least once, with his favorites being broccoli, apples, fish and mac and cheese. Rex is the son of Kay, and together their family has fostered four children after being inspired by a MetroFamily series on the need for foster families in our state. Rex and Kay’s favorite place to visit in OKC is Scissortail Park. Special thanks to Oklahoma Contemporary for hosting Rex’s photoshoot and providing their popular DJ camp set up — see page 43 for more info on this unique camp opportunity!

Proud member of

Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce & Edmond Chamber of Commerce

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2023 5

Ready for a wellness boost and loads of family fun?

Join us us Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at RIVERSPORT OKC near downtown for a local celebration of family health and wellness. We all want our kids and families to thrive—inside and out— and this event will provide what you need to boost your family’s wellness factor! Ready for a wellness boost and loads of family fun?

Admission is FREE! (parking is $5) Preregistration highly recommended VIP Activity Wristbands available for purchase

FREE Activities Include:

Youth Zone Pump track Yard games

Cloud bounce

Raft paddling

Nerf Battle Arena

Kids zipline

AND SO MUCH MORE! Race rollers

Interactive play stations

Learn more and preregister at: metrofamilymagazine.com/okcthrivefest

Preregister today & join us March 25 for OKC Thrive Fest! More than 30 vendors will provide hands-on fun • dance & exercise mini-classes • CPR demonstrations • soccer drills • prize wheels • agility skill tests • information about mental health coping skills for kids—and much more! metrofamilymagazine.com/okcthrivefest

Presenting Sponsor:

Engagement Sponsor:

Community Sponsors:

Dr. Kim Hefner specializes in helping kids with progressive nearsightedness. Call her to find out about MiSight. 405-728-8853 5757 NW 132nd St hefnereyecare.com

Helping Kids Trailblaze Life

Learn CPR & First Aid

Heartland CPR, llc

SimonGreiner.FieldsandFutures.org FIELDS & FUTURES OKCPS ATHLETICS

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2023 7

OFF THE PAGES

It’s that time of year again! We need your help to crown the best of family- friendly businesses and organizations in OKC. From dance studios and splash pads to restaurants and attractions, our reader-voted Family Favorites awards make it easy for OKC parents to find the top local resources. Nominate your favorites between March 22 and April 12 at metrofamilymagazine.com/vote. Then, vote to determine the winners May 3 through 17. The winners and finalists will be highlighted in our July/August issue. SHOUT OUT YOUR FAVORITES FOR A CHANCE TO WIN BIG!

3 Locations to Serve You! Edmond • Yukon • OKC

THE BEST PART? When you nominate and vote in our Family Favorites contest, you’ll be entered for a chance to WIN two fabulous prize packages, each including a 2-night stay at the brand new Brut Hotel in Tulsa, which is walking distance from The Gathering Place, Tulsa’s award-winning park.

Hello Spring!

Take advantage of warmer weather and longer days with our lists of family-friendly festivals around the state, 50 Things to Do for Under $5, farmers markets, Spring Break camps and family fun, ways to celebrate Earth Day, Easter egg-stravaganzas and much more at metrofamilymagazine.com/spring.

Oh, Baby!

The team at MetroFamily got to “meet” more than 100 of the cutest babies in OKC through our 2022 Cutest Baby Photo Contest! Every single one captured our hearts and it was next to impossible to select 10 winners. Meet our final 2022 winner here, and stay tuned for our May/June issue to meet our 2023 Cutest Baby Photo Contest winners! Adeline 18 months Adeline loves playing with her older brother and showing off her outgoing personality by waving and talking to everyone she meets!

Call 405-840-1686 to schedule an evaluation!

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2023 9

NEW & NOW

BY METROFAMILY’S EDITORIAL TEAM. PHOTOS PROVIDED.

40th Redbud Classic to benefit Wings Special Needs Community

The annual Redbud Classic celebrates its 40th year of fun, fitness and philanthropy in the OKC metro the weekend of April 15 and

Each year, proceeds from the Redbud events benefit a local nonprofit

organization. The 2023 beneficiary is Wings, which enhances the lives of adults with

16. Events include bike tours, 5k and 10k timed runs, a 5k wheelchair and push chair event and a 2-mile walk, in addition to a 1-mile kids’ fun run, a 1-mile Woof Walk and a 2-mile Baby Stroller Derby.

developmental disabilities through social, vocational and residential programs. Program participants develop productive job skills; learn art, culinary and life skills; and have opportunities to serve the community together.

WOOF WALK!

Sunday also includes the popular finish line Redbud Bash with food trucks, free family-friendly games and activities, music and other entertainment.

For complete Redbud details and to register for events, visit redbud.org. For more information

THE REDBUD CLASSIC INCLUDES SEVERAL FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS, LIKE THE 2-MILE BABY STROLLER DERBY. PHOTOS BY CAROLYN TAYLOR, JONES PR.

about Wings, visit wingsok.org.

RIVERSPORT OKC bike park expansion opens this spring

The Oklahoma Trailhead and Bike Park expansion at RIVERSPORT OKC includes a new bike plaza, an outdoor classroom, a community garden, play area and paved parking. Shipping containers provide a unique gathering place that includes a welcome center, a nature center and ADA restrooms. Plus, an elevated portion of the trail will travel across the rooftops of the shipping containers! The $1.4 million trailhead and bike park will function as a hub of the city’s trail system, which will run through RIVERSPORT Boathouse District and will soon connect to the Katy Trail to the east. Cyclists will be able to make a complete 5-mile loop around Oklahoma City on paved trails as well as access revamped mountain bike trails and jump lines. The bike park is located at the intersection of I-35 and I-40.

“Biking is one of the most accessible ways for people to enjoy the outdoors,” said Mike Knopp, executive director of RIVERSPORT. “With this expansion, we’re able to provide the amenities that really make the trails work, such as accessible restrooms, drinking fountains and refillable water bottle stations, plenty of shade and seating for rest stops, and a place where you can do minor bike repairs.”

AN ELEVATED PORTION OF THE NEW OKLAHOMA TRAILHEAD AND BIKE PARK EXPANSION AT RIVERSPORT OKC WILL TRAVEL OVER THE ROOFTOPS OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS.

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NEW & NOW

Science Museum Oklahoma breaks ground on mind-blowing planetarium

Construction officially began on Science Museum Oklahoma’s new Love’s Planetarium in late 2022. The dream to provide a higher-tech, world-class planetarium at the museum has been in the works since before the pandemic; a recent $3.5 million donation from Love’s Travel Stops reinvigorated the campaign. The Love’s Planetarium will utilize cutting-edge technology available in only a handful of planetariums in the world and will feature both an optical and digital projector creating a realistic night sky of 9,500 bright stars, 56 nebulae and clusters of stars for binocular viewing. The new dome will present high- resolution images in striking detail and provide audiences with a night

sky free of light pollution – something many people never experience outside a planetarium. Audiences will have unobstructed views of the presentation from seats individually calibrated for optimum viewing. The Love’s Planetarium will also include space for featured presenters, early childhood programming, special events and more. The $8 million project, including supplemental astronomy exhibits, is slated for completion in fall 2024. The Kirkpatrick Planetarium will remain open until the new planetarium is completed.

DONORS AND SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA REPRESENTATIVES CELEBRATE THE LOVE’S PLANETARIUM GROUNDBREAKING.

Smart Start offers free parenting classes

Local nonprofit organization Smart Start Central Oklahoma offers Early Birds classes for any Oklahoma caregiver with a child under the age of 5. The school readiness program provides caregivers with information and parenting resources, activity ideas and free educational toys and books to stimulate children’s development and learning at home. The 60 to 90 minute classes are led by trained professionals and cover topics like child development, everyday learning opportunities, activities that promote school readiness, parenting

is born. In addition to free toys and materials, participants also receive free access to the Early Birds eBook with additional resources, tips and support. Early Birds is a 16-class program beginning with a prenatal class. The classes are offered three times per year throughout the state, both virtually and in person. Caregivers can join the program at any time before a child turns 5. In addition to parents and caregivers, grandparents, relatives, foster families, childcare providers, teachers and others who spend time caring for children are welcome to attend. Learn more and register for a class near you by visiting smartstartcentraloklahoma.org/ early-birds.

FREE PARENTING CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE TO ANY OKLAHOMA CAREGIVER WITH A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 5.

techniques and health and safety. Caregivers learn purposeful play techniques to help develop school readiness skills from the moment their child

EARLY BIRDS CLASS PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE FREE TOYS AND BOOKS TO STIMULATE CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING AT HOME.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2023 11

5 Surprising Offerings From Your Local Library BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS PROVIDED.

SPONSORED BY

WILLA D. JOHNSON, THE CENTER’S NAMESAKE

The endowment will help fund youth programming at the facility and subsidize youth who need financial support to participate in the programs, said Mason Williams, OKC Parks unit operations supervisor for aquatics, athletics and fitness. Staff hope the community will continue to contribute to the endowment fund, housed through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, to increase accessibility for youth programs. “We were fortunate,” said Nice. “The endowment had been established and Ms. Johnson was able to see the endowment match fulfilled before she passed away.” Johnson died in May 2022, but her dream for this recreation center will come to fruition when it opens this summer. Ways your family can enjoy the new Willa D. Johnson Recreation Center: Explore multigenerational recreation. The community-focused facility promoting health, wellness and quality of life spans 22,000 square feet. The center will offer recreational and social opportunities for community members of all ages, from children to seniors. “We really see the Willa D. Johnson Recreation Center as a multigenerational center,” said Williams. “It’s the first of its kind in OKC that is city owned and city based and will serve a greater area with a broader reach.” Historically, OKC Parks recreation centers have served their individual neighborhoods within a 1 to 3 mile radius. But Williams expects this new center to have a much broader reach, serving up to a 5 mile radius, thanks to the focus on providing opportunities for the whole community. “Best practices show that different ages and generations work well together and benefit from recreational opportunities together,” said Williams.

Over the years, the metro has experienced new developments and growth — a renaissance — that have led to hyperlocal community transformations, including in historic Northeast OKC. The EastPoint Project, for example, reengaged and revitalized NE 23rd Street. With an outdoor mall including retail shops, restaurants and a gym, plus a grocer and health center nearby, the development has brought new energy to the area. Adding to this excitement is the June 2023 opening of the new Willa D. Johnson Recreation Center – a modern, state-of-the-art OKC Parks facility located off I-35 and NE 10th Street. The center’s namesake, Willa D. Johnson, was elected and served as city councilperson for Oklahoma City’s Ward 7, in which the new center is located, from 1993 to 2007. Johnson was the first Black woman elected to the council and then served another decade as Oklahoma County commissioner, retiring from public office in 2017. During her time in office, Johnson was a champion for parks and recreation projects, including advocating for a new recreation center at Douglass Park. She was also involved in supporting the original MAPS and MAPS for Kids projects and successfully secured bond funds to refresh the NE 23rd Street corridor between Broadway Avenue and I-35, among many other ventures. The city council adopted a resolution naming the center after Johnson in December 2019 and OKC Parks broke ground in the fall of 2020. The $18 million project has been funded by a bond package included in the Better City, Safer Streets program. Current Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice has been instrumental in bringing the new community development to fruition, further continuing Johnson’s legacy with the idea of establishing an endowment fund.

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Check out the family-friendly features, programming and pool! The new recreation center replaces the current Douglass Community Center built in 1926. It’s the first modern multi-purpose recreation center built within OKC Parks in more than 40 years. The new center will provide active recreation space, fitness areas and classes, basketball courts, pickleball courts, a teaching kitchen for cooking classes, classrooms, multi-use rooms and an indoor pool complete with a lazy river and water slide. Swim lessons will be offered as well. A child watch area will be available for children ages 3 to 6 while their parents or guardians make use of the facility, and a teen lounge will include an e-sports and gaming area, large TVs and desktop computers. The pool and a community room will be available to rent for parties. Councilwoman Nice says the center will provide programming the community had not previously been able to access. “We’re looking at leagues, tournaments [and] maybe swim meets,” said Nice, who added this is all in an area that once had no public pools. Memberships will be available for a monthly fee with more information available at okc.gov/parks.

Enjoy colorful public art. One hallway in the new center will be dedicated to showcasing art from local students and artists. Some of the first pieces that will be on display were created by students from Douglass High School. Councilwoman Nice also plans to engage local artists to help decorate the interior of the facility. Connect to the community. Physically, new pathways will connect the center to the nearby Douglass Park and its soon-to-be-renovated baseball field. The park and field are just steps away from the James E. Stewart Golf Course, which Johnson was involved in reopening during her time on city council. Community connections will also be built inside the center. “We have dedicated staff who love working with youth of all ages and can mentor them on their path progressing toward college or career,” said Williams. “And youth can interact with professional people in the community who can help mentor and guide them in their path.” For more information about the Willa D. Johnson Recreation Center, grand opening events or supporting the center through the endowment, visit okc.gov/parks.

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2023 15

FAMILY MENTAL WELLNESS

“When parents don’t have the range or resources to support a mental health crisis or they are seeing persistent or alarming behaviors, we are here to respond and provide stabilization,” said Sheamekah Williams, director of children, youth and family services for ODMHSAS. “We also believe in prevention and intervention. We don’t want kids to have to wait until they are in a crisis state to get help.” What is 988? When individuals call or text 988, they are connected with trained behavioral health professionals who can help with mental health emergencies, provide guidance for a mental health situation, connect callers with local resources or provide insight on how to navigate concerns for a friend or loved one. The free, confidential, nationwide service is available 24/7/365 to people of all ages. The number replaces the 11-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number after mental health and suicide prevention advocates asked Congress for an easier-to-remember number for individuals in crisis. About 80 percent of individuals across the nation who call or text 988 get the help they need over the phone (and here in Oklahoma, more than 90 percent of individuals get the help they need over the phone, according to ODMHSAS). But for those who need additional professional help, dispatchers or mobile crisis teams can set up appointments and arrange transportation to nearby Urgent Care and Crisis Centers for rehabilitation services, counseling, medically supervised detox, psychiatric emergency intervention and inpatient care. While some safety and health issues may warrant a response from law enforcement and/or Emergency Medical Services (namely when a suicide attempt is in progress), the 988 coordinated response is meant to promote stabilization and care in the least restrictive or invasive manner.

IS HERE

Parents today are more focused on their family’s mental wellness than ever before, embracing the mindset that seeking help for mental health should be just as normalized as going to the doctor when our bodies are ill or hurt. And just as parents teach our kids to call 911 in an emergency, families now have another three-digit number to call when they need mental health support. 988 is Oklahoma’s new mental health lifeline, providing resources and aid in the midst of mental health crises or to help to prevent them. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services oversees 988 as part of its comprehensive crisis response system. OKLAHOMA’S LIFELINE FOR MENTAL HEALTH BY ERIN PAGE

How can 988 help my family?

While 988 does field a large number of calls related to self-harm or suicide, resources and services extend beyond these types of crises. Callers can discuss their own mental health struggles or those of someone they know or love. Parents can call or text to get help with a wide range of situations for themselves, their children and other loved ones including: depression, anxiety, substance abuse, domestic violence, relationship and family problems, self harm, suicidal thoughts, paranoia and psychosis, emotional distress, financial stress, stress surrounding sexual orientation, loneliness and more. Some examples of why local parents could call 988 include, but are not limited to: • Your child is refusing to go to school or come out of their room and/or showing signs of depression. • Your child is displaying behaviors that are alarming, has had a run-in with law enforcement or is hanging out with others who are a negative influence on their behavior or self-esteem.

• Your child is exhibiting self-harm behaviors or you find disturbing information or evidence that they may be engaged in self harm. • You or your child needs self-care resources or coping strategies to help with anxiety, depression or any other mental health condition. • You’d like to set up a same-day or next-day appointment with your closest mental health provider, for you or your child. • You are witnessing a loved one or community member experiencing a mental health crisis. • You or a loved one needs an appointment at and/or transportation to a nearby Urgent Care and Crisis Center that can provide rehabilitation services, counseling, medically supervised detox, psychiatric emergency intervention and inpatient care. • Any situation you deem as a mental health crisis for yourself, a loved one or a community member OR for which you need resources or support to keep the situation from becoming a crisis.

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FAMILY MENTAL WELLNESS

Know the signs One in 10 Oklahoma students attempted suicide in the past 12 months, according to ODMHSAS. Know these important warning signs that suggest an individual is at risk for suicide: • Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves • Researching ways to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live • Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain • Talking about being a burden to others • Increased use of alcohol or drugs • Acting anxious or agitated or behaving recklessly • Sleeping too little or too much • Withdrawing or isolating themselves • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge • Extreme mood swings

If you are concerned someone you know or love is considering ending their life, call or text 988 and a local operator will guide you in how to safely help. If you or someone you know needs urgent help, call 911.

The 988 Mental Health Lifeline launched in Oklahoma in July 2022. When individuals with an Oklahoma-based area code call or text, they are connected with mental health professionals here in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma operators have fielded more than 22,000 calls since the lifeline went live six months ago, according to Solari Crisis and Human Services, the operator of the local 988 call center. January 2023 saw the largest number of calls in a month to date, with 3,466 calls received. A little more than a fourth of calls related to self-harm or suicide, 16 percent to coordination of care and 16 percent to depression. Metro parents can take extra comfort in knowing when they call they will be connected with local, trained behavioral health therapists experienced in helping children and youth. If families need more help than can be provided over the phone, a mobile crisis team, also experienced in working with children and youth, can be deployed to the home so trained professionals can help deescalate, stabilize and provide resources to support the situation and family. While 988 is new, Oklahoma’s statewide mobile crisis teams 988 in Oklahoma

available for children and youth through ODMHSAS have been providing critical services for the past five years. “Our model is a gold standard for other states in terms of mobilizing crisis teams for children and youth,” said Heath Holt Hayes, chief communications officer for ODMHSAS. “When parents don’t know what to do or how to cope, these treatment providers not only stabilize the situation in that moment, they also help set up longer term care.” Editor’s note: This article is the first in a 10-month series of articles and podcasts with ODMHSAS. Find the full series at metrofamilymagazine.com/mental-health. The 988 Mental Health Lifeline is designated as a three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Mental Health Lifeline operates 24/7 and offers services for mental health crisis calls. Operators are licensed and certified health crisis specialists who answer calls, connect to and dispatch local services and mobile crisis teams. For more information, visit 988Oklahoma.com.

SPONSORED BY

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2023 17

LOCAL FAMILY FUN

Take the Family Wellness Challenge as you explore the metro this spring PHOTOS AND ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA MUSHI-BRUNT Healthy OKC

EXPLORE OKC’S STREET ART – INCLUDING OUR FAVORITE BRICKTOWN OKCTOPUS CREATED BY JACK FOWLER!

Community Parks and Recreation Centers

Local community parks and recreation departments are a wellness treasure trove. From one-time events to ongoing programs, you are sure to find something for the whole family. OKC Parks and Edmond Parks Both OKC Parks and Edmond Parks offer many programs at their recreation centers for free or at minimal cost. • Challenge: Work out at one of the recreation centers that has a fitness center complete with free weights and cardio equipment. The cost to you is as little as $2 per day or $10 per month to enjoy single facilities, or purchase a ParksFitPass for access to Foster, Schilling and Pete White Health and Wellness centers’ fitness room equipment. • Challenge: Adult family members ages 50 and over can enjoy the health and wellness benefits of free classes such as gentle yoga, seated hula or Tai Chi at OKC Parks’ Will Rogers Senior Center. • Challenge: For your athletic child, Pitt Recreation Center offers free weekly clinics in a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. These clinics can help your child improve their skills regardless of whether they are on an organized or school sports team; they’re also great if you are simply looking for a way to get your child moving more. Added bonuses: making new friends and having fun are great for kids’ mental health!

TAKE A FREE YOGA IN THE PARK CLASS AT OKC’S SCISSORTAIL PARK.

Like countless others coming out of the height of the global pandemic, I found myself in poorer physical health, plus my mental wellness needed to become more of a priority. A pre-diabetes diagnosis last year nudged me to make some personal and family health changes. I started with changing my eating habits, practicing mindfulness and simply moving more. By the end of the year, I could see and feel the impact these changes had on our family’s physical health and mental wellness. As a family, we have become more intentional about taking care of our health. I am now nearly 40 pounds lighter and enjoy better mental health. I am also a more active, engaged and emotionally well mama and wife. As parents, we can serve as role models for our kids by prioritizing our own health and well-being. The OKC metro is loaded with opportunities that are not only fun for the family but that also promote health. Let’s look at some places your family can visit with wellness in mind. How many of these Family Wellness Challenges can your family complete? Take some photos, share and tag us at #mfmwellnesschallenge!

ENJOY THE SPORTS COURTS IN THE NEWLY OPENED SOUTHERN SECTION OF SCISSORTAIL PARK.

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LOCAL FAMILY FUN

• Challenge: New to hiking? Register your family for the free Day Hiking class in Edmond Parks’ Trail 13 series. The whole family can learn the basics of hiking and end the program with a short, guided hike into the woods. Classes are held monthly at Edmond Park; preregister at edmondparks.com. Curious about accessibility at local parks? Find five parks that are the perfect destinations for inclusive, active play for children of all abilities at metrofamilymagazine.com/equal-play-5-okc-playgrounds- for-all-abilities. Public Libraries Have you heard of bibliotherapy ? Also known as book therapy, the practice involves using reading materials to work through problems, reduce stress and promote mental health. Reading can help give insight into your emotions and can even serve as a source of comfort when you are going through difficult times. The Metropolitan Library System and Pioneer Library System Both local library systems are filled with thousands of reading materials for your family to engage in some bibliotherapy, plus they offer free classes focused on health, fitness and wellness. • Challenge: Help your child find a fictional book about an emotion they are feeling. Talk about how the main character worked through those emotions.

• Challenge: Take your child to a weekly library story time. Teens and adults in the family can join a monthly book club. The social interaction that comes with participating in these activities can benefit mental health. • Challenge: Register to participate in a free Brain Health Program through the Pioneer Library System. This interactive program shows how art activities can improve mental health. • Challenge: Attend a free wellness-focused class at your local library. Programs are available for all ages and include strength training, Pilates, yoga and even line dancing. Ideas include: • For adults: register for an eight-week interactive Total Wellness Program or take a Tai Chi class through the Metropolitan Library System. • For kids PreK and under: enjoy a weekly session of Read & Romp or Wiggly Wednesdays for some natural active play at Metropolitan Library System locations. • For school-aged kids: sign up for a weekly hip hop, breaking and street dance series, a Just Dance Tournament with prizes and even a Social Media Dance Challenge and Dance Party through the Metropolitan Library System. • For the whole family: Practice yoga together at a weekly Get Moving Family Yoga class through the Pioneer Library System. • For ages 5 and up: register to participate in an interactive and hands-on healthy eating series like Eat Smart through PLS or the After School Snack series through MLS. These classes are grouped into age ranges with some specifically for children 5 to 11 years old, some for teens only and a few that the whole family can enjoy together.

Often behind behavioral and emotional issues are undiagnosed learning disabilities, developmental and neurological conditions . Using evidence-based diagnostic and assessment tools, we gather meaningful information about all areas of development, we will help determine the "why" behind the behaviors. We have highly trained multi-disciplinary intake and assessment clinicians that look across multiple areas of developmental, emotional, and neurological functioning to determine best treatment options. The IBH Dierence! At IBH, we start with the "why?"

Integrated Brain Health

Call us at (405) 702-9032 or visit our website at IBHealth.co

Occupational Therapy Applied Behavior Analysis, ABA Individual and Family Therapy We accept most major insurances! 3838 NW 36th St, STE 200, OKC 73112 @integratedbrainhealth

METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2023 19

Museums When you think about visiting museums, you usually think of it as an educational leisure activity. However, research suggests museums can have beneficial effects on physical and mental health by reducing stress, anxiety and even blood pressure. On those days when the family stress level is high, get out and visit one of these local attractions. Science Museum Oklahoma This attraction is a family favorite for education and fun. Walking around the museum is also a great way to get some steps for the day. • Challenge: Check out the

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Located in Norman on the campus of the University of Oklahoma, the Fred is home to a collection of more than 20,000 objects, plus the museum showcases temporary exhibits throughout the year. • Challenge: Explore SYNESTHESIA , an immersive special exhibit by Factory Obscura. Make connections between art and the mind by talking about which pieces made each of you feel the calmest or the happiest and why. Admission is free .

SYNESTHESIA IS AN IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCE AT THE FRED JONES JR. MUSEUM OF ART, WHERE ADMISSION IS ALWAYS FREE.

fun fitness challenges in the Power Play exhibit. Which family member has the highest vertical jump? Who has the best balance? Who can reach the top of the climbing wall?

Oklahoma Contemporary

Looking at and creating art is great for the mind. It can change your mood, make you think or simply calm you. Oklahoma Contemporary offers guests the opportunity to view and create artwork that engages the senses and sparks creativity.

Outdoor Fitness RIVERSPORT OKC

• Challenge: Walk around the indoor

exhibits and then create your own works of art in the Learning Gallery. Next, go outside to get some steps in by strolling around the museum grounds to view the Art Garden and Campbell Art Park exhibits. These indoor and outdoor activities can enhance your family’s mental and physical well-being. Discuss how each of you feels afterward.

This downtown OKC destination is filled with plenty of opportunities for your family to play and try out activities that push comfort zones! • Challenge: Bring the family to MetroFamily’s OKC Thrive Fest at RIVERSPORT OKC on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day filled with health and wellness education, adventure and fun! The variety of activities for all ages will inspire your family to get moving toward fitness and wellness. Admission to this event is free . • Challenge: Take your family fitness to new heights in the Riversport Youth Zone. The Sky Tykes adventure ropes course gives kids a safe and controlled environment to climb, balance and navigate obstacles. And for those who want to stay closer to the ground, there is plenty of adventure to be had at the Youth Zone playground, which is always free to use. Admission to the Riversport Youth Zone attractions is $9.99.

Admission to all exhibits is free.

DON’T MISS THE OUTDOOR EXHIBITS AT OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY TO ENJOY THE UNIQUE ART AND GET SOME STEPS IN.

JOIN METROFAMILY FOR OKC THRIVE FEST AT RIVERSPORT OKC ON SATURDAY, MARCH 25 FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

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Scissortail Park With 70 acres of trails, sports courts, playgrounds and even a roller skating rink, your family is sure to find opportunities to be active here. • Challenge: Grab another family or two, a ball and some healthy snacks and then swing by to enjoy some friendly competition on the basketball court, futsal field or a few rounds of pickleball. • Challenge: Check out the park’s free weekly wellness programs such as Yoga in the Park to engage your body and mind.

Street Art Did you know USA Today listed Oklahoma City as the No. 1 city for street art in 2022? Walking around the city to see murals is a great way to get some exercise as well as enjoy some cool art! • Challenge: Explore some of the city’s most

well-known public art by downloading MetroFamily’s Street Art Scavenger Hunt at metrofamilymagazine. com/street-art-scavenger-hunt.

FIND THE HIDDEN OBJECTS IN BRICKTOWN OKCTOPUS BY JACK FOWLER.

• Challenge: Put on some walking shoes and hit the pavement to find your favorite street art. One of our family favorites is the 200 foot by 25 foot Bricktown OKCtopus created by Jack Fowler located behind the Chevy Events Center at 429 E. California Ave. in Oklahoma City. How many of the 88 hidden objects in the octopus can your family find? YOUR Family Wellness Journey Use these challenges to start your own family wellness journey or create your own list. We’d love to see what you come up with! Take some photos, share and tag us at #mfmwellnesschallenge.

THE VARIETY OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT ENGAGES ALL AGES AT SCISSORTAIL PARK.

Trashy pick-up line #34

“You look a little tire-d, can I give you a lift?”

Arcadia Lake Sweep Join Us and Help Keep Arcadia Lake Clean. Saturday | April 1 | 8 to 11am Free T-shirt & Brunch | ArcadiaLakeOK.com 405.216.7470

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EXPLORING OKLAHOMA WITH CHILDREN

Play is fundamental for kids of all ages — and for parents, too! According to Nicole Kanelakos, director of education services at Sunbeam Family Services, “Play is the work of childhood and the key to overall healthy development.” Kanelakos’ colleague Amy Chlouber, director for mental health services, adds that play is how kids learn about themselves and the world around them. “They are developing the skills necessary for how they are going to navigate the world into adulthood,” explained Chlouber. Children’s museums are an amped up way to engage the whole family in a day of play, so check out these four close-to-home options. Let’s Play! BY LINDSAY CUOMO . PHOTOS PROVIDED. 4 children’s museums to explore close to home and around the state

SPARK PARK PHYSICS CIRCUS AT SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA

WUNDERGROUND CAVE AT SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA

CurioCity Science Museum Oklahoma is full of unexpected surprises and one of the biggest just might be the whimsical children’s museum inside! CurioCity is a unique “village” where families can explore the wonderful world of science within eight over-the-top “neighborhoods,” each with its own personality. From a kid-sized theater and a neighborhood garage to a circus with a human-powered carousel and an elaborate cave that is home to a dinosaur dig, families can explore complex scientific concepts in this hands-on, fanciful world. A play on words, Odd-A-See Tower is a two-story climber that cultivates the processes of perception, wayfinding and risk-taking inside a climbable playground. A music studio called Riff & Rhythms offers repurposed materials for visitors to investigate sound, pitch and rhythm. There is even a huge space for water play (warning – prepare to get very wet!). All of these hands-on, interactive features prove that learning should be all about having fun — and a lot of it. While CurioCity was designed for ages 8 and under, the ample engaging activities and creative touches delight all ages. Science Museum Oklahoma is open daily and CurioCity is included with the price of admission. Regular single-day admission is $20.95 for ages 13 to 64 and $15.95 for seniors 65 and up and kids ages 3 to 12. Kids 2 and under are free. at Science Museum Oklahoma OKLAHOMA CITY

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EXPLORING OKLAHOMA WITH CHILDREN

THE NEWLY UPDATED GROCERY STORE IN MABEE’S KID TOWN ALSO INCLUDE A PIZZARIA (BELOW).

Children’s Museum SEMINOLE PHOTOS BY JEREMY CAUSEY AND JASMINE MORAN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM STAFF WATER WORKS IN ROESLER FAMILY EXHIBIT HALL

Jasmine Moran In the late 1980s, Melvin and Jasmine Moran took their kids to visit a children’s museum on a family vacation. The couple decided to bring that magic back to their hometown of Seminole, Okla. With the help of several others in the community, the Morans opened Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in 1993. The museum has since welcomed families with interactive, career-focused exhibits that encourage kids to step into a variety of professions. “The core of our museum is focused on open-ended play and career- centered exhibits,” said Eileen Castle, the museum’s executive director. Kids can “work” in a courtroom, construction site, fire station, Renovations are underway outside as well to add a children’s garden, petting zoo, climbing structures, a zipline and a water and sand area, all of which are expected to open this summer. The SuperSONIC Express, a rideable train, will continue to run during construction, weather permitting, making its half-mile loop around the museum’s outdoor play areas. Within the new additions are opportunities that encourage parents to play, too. “It enriches the parent-child relationship when a parent is willing to engage in child-led activities, but sometimes parents have forgotten how to play,” said Castle. “We want parents to know it is not only OK but encouraged for them to join in. We put prompts around the museum to help guide and encourage parents.” hospital, news station and much more. They recently renovated several areas, including one of their most popular attractions – a grocery store exhibit that now also includes a pizzeria. Other new additions include a veterinary hospital and performing arts theater complete with props, light and sound booths, backstage areas and even a ticket booth. Jasmine Moran is open Tuesday through Sunday and admission is $10 for ages 3 to 59, $9 for 60 and older and free for kids 2 and under. Tickets to ride the SuperSONIC Express are $2.

SUPER SERVICE CENTER

WORK IN THE NEWLY ADDED VETERINARY CLINIC (ABOVE) OR CONSTRUCTION SITE IN MABEE’S KID TOWN (BELOW).

PETTING ZOO

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