Free and Cheap Activities for Your Children in Huntington, West Virginia This Summer

School will soon be out and the kids will be looking for some fun. If you live in the Huntington, West Virginia tri-state area, there are plenty of wonderful options this summer that will not break the bank. So mark your calendars and get ready for some free summer excitement!

MOVIES

Kids love to go to the movies and it's a nice reprieve from the summer heat. However, the movie selections can be scarce and the price can be hefty for a large family. The solution? Frank Theaters 2007 Kids Summer Movie Camp fits the bill. Located in Teays Valley, WV and only a short drive by interstate from Huntington, this event goes on weekly from mid June through the beginning of August. All movies start at 9:30 a.m. (which works nicely around nap time!) and admission is absolutely free. This summer they will be showing Arthur and the Invisibles, Barnyard, Charlotte's Web, Flicka, Flushed Away, Over the Hedge, Ice Age II, and Night at the Museum. For more information and schedules, go to All Star Cinemas (www.allstarcinemas.com/Kids_Summer_Camp.asp).

If you would rather stay in, there are many free movies that may be checked out for from the various public libraries. These always make for a nice rainy day activity or family movie night.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

What child doesn't love to make an art project? If this sounds intriguing check out the Huntington Museum of Art's Saturday KidsArt (www.hmoa.org/pages/sat_kidsart.htm). This wonderful class is free to children from Kindergarten through 5th grade and is paid for by Heiner's Bakery. It meets every Saturday from 1 pm to 3 pm at the museum and does not require that the parent stay (however, you can if you would like). It is taught by a group of educators and artists who assist the children with various wonderful art projects. It is not only a summer affair, but runs year-round!

Michael's by the Huntington Mall in Barboursville offers some nice craft project classes that are shorter and simpler for the younger or more easily-distracted child. Imagination Saturdays (www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=kids_events) meets at the store every half hour from 10 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The classes are low-cost to free and are available for ages 5 to 12 years of age.

Home Depot, located off of the Merritt's Creek exit of I-64, offers free classes for children ages 5 to 12 on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. till noon. These classes teach tool safety and do-it-yourself skills. July's project will be a memory box. You can find more information on the Home Depot Clinics website (www.homedepotclinics.com/instore/default.aspx?zip=25701).

Lowe's also has a few children's Build and Grow Clinics (www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howToClinicsSchedule) available at their Burlington, OH; Russell, KY; and Barboursville, WV locations. Saturday, June 9, 2007 will be a class on making a picture frame. Saturday, June 23, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. they will be helping the children make a door hanger. These clinics are perfect for the budding carpenter in your family!

READING AND EDUCATION

The Cabell County Public Library (cabell.lib.wv.us/pages/events.htm) offers story hours at many of their branches throughout Cabell county. If you live more towards the Wayne county, WV area then do not miss Wayne County Public Library's six-week summer children's program, "Get A Clue" ( www.wcpl.lib.wv.us/children.html). Their children's programs during the summer receive rave reviews from parents and the people who run it are wonderful. It will be in June and July and they will have programs, activities, prizes, and reading incentives. It is for pre-school through 5th grade. Call the library at 304-272-3756 for more information.

The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center (www.highlandsmuseum.com/index.html) in Ashland, KY will be sponsoring "Somewhere In Time," which is free for individuals with regular admission. Your children will love this local treasure trove and learn at the same time.

Don't forget the many free Bible schools available this summer in the tri-state area. If you do not have a home church that offers one, check out the Herald Dispath's list of churches for phone numbers and announcements (localsearch.herald-dispatch.com/sp?aff=103&keywords=bible+school).

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

One thing the tri-state area is loaded with is fairs and festivals. From the Hilltop Festival at the Huntington Museum of Art to the West Virginia Day Celebration in Ritter Park, you can be sure to find a festival that meets your family's interests for little or no cost. To see a full list of events in the area at the WVVisit website.

Huntington, West Virginia is the home of a historic amusement park that children of all ages love. Camden Park has rides, attractions, entertainment, and food and is much cheaper than going out of town to the larger amusement parks. Check out the link for special savings opportunities and events (www.camdenpark.com/events.html). For example, Coca Cola Day offers a 25% discount on admission and free coke all day long! Father's Day has dad entering for $1 with a regular admission. And every evening after 5 p.m. you can take advantage of the starlight admissions which are over half off. Don't let your summer pass by without visiting Camden Park!

SWIMMING AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

Beech Fork State Park offers extremely reasonable prices on swimming, camping, fishing, and they even have a beach! It is a huge park that encompasses parts of Cabell and Wayne counties and is very well-maintained. Their playground and picnic areas are free to use during their operating hours and offer a great change of pace on a boring summer day (www.beechforksp.com/general.html).

Lake Vesuvius in Ironton, OH is a short drive from Huntington, WV and a lovely area to take your family on a camping trip. Picnic areas, a beach, and playgrounds are available, as well, for a short day trip. There are plenty of opportunities to go fishing and the hiking trails are awesome. Check it out! (www.recreation.gov/nrrs/Iron_Ridge_Lake_Vesuvius/Campground/r/campgroundDetails)

Don't let summer leave you frazzled, take advantage of the vast resources our community has available in the Huntington, West Virginia tri-state area this summer with your family!