FREE STUFF TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS! - Cannon School

PET STORES. Take the kids to a local pet store for some easy free fun.
STORY TIME AND MUSIC AT LOCAL BOOKSTORES. Author Squad, Joseph-Beth Booksellers,
Barnes & Noble and Borders often have free story times, crafts and music hours for children. Check out
their websites at: www.authorsquad.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.borders.com, and
www.josephbeth.com.
THE ENERGY EXPLORIUM AT LAKE NORMAN. Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium
features hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce kids to the wonders of electricity
and nuclear power. They can even use the power of a treadmill to operate a TV. The explorium also
offers a mile-long nature trail, a picnic area, and a large deck that overlooks Lake Norman, the Cowans
Ford dam and two nuclear silos. No admission fee. 13339 Hagers Ferry Road in Huntersville. 704-875-
5600. www.duke-energy.com
KANNAPOLIS VILLAGE PARK SUMMER EVENTS. Each weekend throughout the summer, the park
comes alive with the Kannapolis Summer Events Series, free, family-friendly events that include live arts,
concerts, movies and storytelling. www.cityofkannapolis.com/dept_pr_village_park.asp
NORTHLAKE MALL. At Northlake Mall’s Warner Bros. Looney Tunes Play Area (across from Dick’s
Sporting Goods on the lower level), kids can climb, crawl and jump on their favorite Looney Tunes
characters. The mall also has a kids’ activity area in the middle of its food court. They’ll have fun with
distorted mirrors, tic-tac-toe and tabletop sand art while you relax at a nearby table. 6801 Northlake Mall
Drive. 704-921-2005. www.shopnorthlake.com
STORYTIME AT AREA LIBRARIES. Each branch of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library has dozens of
local programs, including weekly story times for different age groups and themed special events such as
cooking with books programs, “Fancy Nancy” parties and more. www.plcmc.org/programs (Many libraries
outside Mecklenburg have similar programming.)
MECKLENBURG PARKS AND RECS SPECIAL EVENTS. From fishing to birding, kayaking to outdoor
movies, Mecklenburg’s Park and Recreation department has dozens of fun, free programs and festivals
for kids and adults alike. www.parkandrec.com. Click on the “Get Going Guide.”
CHARLOTTE’S ASIAN CORNER. You could hop on a plane and 16 hours later land in China, or you
could hop in a car and head ten minutes northeast of uptown to The Asian Corner Mall and New Century
Grocery Store. Your kids will love the fish, frogs and shellfish in the aquarium, trying the koala bear and
“intellect” cookies, and other new sights and tastes.
CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG FIRE EDUCATION CENTER AND MUSEUM. Take the kids to see old
and new fire trucks at this museum at 420 West 5th Street uptown. Open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 704-338-SAFE.
www.charmeck.org/Departments/Fire/History/Char-Meck+fire+Museum.htm
KID’S WORKSHOPS AT HOME DEPOT. Offered the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and
noon at most stores, kids will learn to hammer nails, turning screws and sanding wood while they build
things such as bird houses and catamarans. Designed to teach kids do-it-yourself skills and tool safety,
while instilling a sense of accomplishment. No registration required. www.homedepotclinics.com
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