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AmusementsThis section is designed for children who
enjoy spending their free time engaging in a favorite hobby. From comics or
baseball card collecting, video game playing, airplane building to toy
shopping, you've come to the right place. Adam's Memory Lane Comics Stocking one of the area's largest inventories of comic
books (new and old), collections and supplies, Adam's Memory Lane is an
essential stopover for comics fans. Adam's claims to have one of the best
collections of vintage comics in southeastern North Carolina. Also stocked
are Comic Shop exclusive action figures, old toys and other oddities.
You'll find the shop in the Phillips' Azalea Plaza, a short distance west
of the Greenville Loop Road intersection. Adam's Memory Lane is open
Monday through Saturday noon to 6 PM and Sunday from 1 to 4 PM. Firebird Ceramic Studio
Firebird is a full-service, paint-your-own pottery
studio in a delightfully cheerful atmosphere. They provide a large
selection of bisque ware with a wide variety of colors and effects. All
you need to provide is your creativity. Studio assistants will glaze and
fire your piece for you. Just visiting Wilmington? Firebird will ship the
finished pottery to your home. You can also try your hand at mosaics and
glass painting with their qualified staff to assist you. This is a great
activity for birthday parties, ladies' nights out, couples nights, bridal
showers, kids-only hours or just an afternoon out. Come and experience the
fun of painting your own pottery. Art supplies and kits are also
conveniently available. The Game Giant Specializing in used video games and game systems, The
Game Giant buys games for cash and accepts trade-ins for store credit, the
amount of which varies according to the condition of, and demand for, the
individual game. They carry everything from Atari to the newest PS3 games.
The Game Giant is in University Landing, across from Rock-ola Cafe on S.
College Road (north of Oleander Drive). Hours are Monday through Saturday
noon to 7 PM and they are closed on Sunday.
Hungate's Arts, Crafts & Hobbies In addition to a huge assortment of model trains, planes and
automobiles, the store carries rockets, toys, puzzles, novelties,
miniature collectibles and books. This is a store for kids of all ages who
enjoy a variety of hobbies. |
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Learning Express Toys |
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Learning Express Toys is among those rare places that capture kids'
imaginations with high-quality alternatives to the run-of-the-mill products.
Interactive and entertaining, the stores succeed in making learning fun for
kids from infancy through early adolescence. The staff includes toy experts
with broad knowledge of the products, which translates into excellent
service. Learning Express Toys is organized in sections geared to particular
interests, such as Science & Nature (including electronics and nature
projects), Let's Pretend (fantasy dress-up, Playmobil and Webkinz), Great
Beginnings (for infants and toddlers) and Transit (including Thomas and
Darda race tracks). This is the place to find that volcano your child needs
for the diorama. You can find Learning Express Toys in two locations: the
Hanover Center store on Oleander Drive is a "come out and play" space with
an I Spy In The Sky ceiling, festooned with cloud shapes and other
imaginative objects. Their original location on Military Cutoff Road offers
a medieval theme with a giant castle mural for kids with a predilection for
fantasy play. Ask about professional discounts, free personalizing, free
gift wrapping and Birthday Wish Buckets. Both Learning Express stores also
feature a Grandparents' Club and daily UPS shipping. Their mission is to
help you find the perfect toy. |
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Monkey Joe's |
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This fun-filled indoor
playground is a perfect spot for kids up to age 12, rain or shine. Filled
with eight inflatable "moonwalk" type structures, slides and bounce
houses, kids can climb, slide and bounce to their heart's
content. Guaranteed to burn off excess energy and result in a solid
afternoon nap, Monkey Joe's is a safe and healthy way to provide your child
with a full day's exercise in an hour or so. Parents can also get in on the
fun and get a great workout themselves or relax in a comfortable chair and
watch. The adult area has flat-screen TVs, complimentary computer
workstations and free WiFi. An ideal place for a play date, a group outing
or just some fun with your kids, Monkey Joe's is one place your kid won't
forget. Monkey Joe's is not a "drop off" place. Drinks, pizza, popcorn, ice
cream and general concessions are available for purchase. No food or drink
from outside is allowed. The facility is open 10 AM until 6 PM Monday though
Thursday and Saturday and Sunday while Friday hours are 10 AM until 8 PM.
The cost is $5 plus tax for children 2 and younger. Monday through Thursday
the cost is $7.99 plus tax for children older than 2. Friday through Sunday
it's $8.99 for children older than 2. Adults get in free unless they want to
play, in which case it costs $5. Dine at Mama Fu's at Mayfaire and receive a
coupon for $5 admission. Alternately, receive a free Kids' Meal at Mama Fu's
when you play at Monkey Joe's! |
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Ten Pin Alley |
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This 24-lane bowling alley has plenty of fun
opportunities for kids. There's a youth/adult league that bowls every
Thursday evening at 7 PM. Ten Pin Alley is filled with arcade games to add
to the fun. Call for more information about joining their leagues. |
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Toys `R' Us The inevitable hunt for a child's toy may
well lead you to this gargantuan chain toy store near the intersection of S.
College Road. U.S. Trolls Children of all ages will enjoy troll dolls handmade by
Helena, Minna and Johannes Kuuskoski. The trolls are really cute; some are
furry, and all are for sale. Hear troll stories as you shop. Written
description simply doesn't do this place justice. Make sure to check out
this store that has many unique and exciting things to see. There's parking
in the rear of the building, with an easy exit to 23rd Street.
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AnimalsDespite the growing population of this region, it's not so
hard to spot glimpses of nature here and there. In fact, it is not uncommon
to witness hawks, ospreys and turkey vultures taking lunch breaks within
Wilmington city limits. Deer are frequently sighted in outlying areas at
dusk. And watching dolphins cavort mere yards offshore can be endlessly
entertaining. To be truly among animals, especially of the petting or
feeding-by-hand variety, also check Ashton Farm, listed in the Summer Camps
section of this chapter, and Greenfield Lake, listed in our
Attractions chapter. Hugh MacRae Park Hugh MacRae Park is a quiet respite nestled between
acres of trees right in the middle of busy Wilmington. Children love
this park for the picnics, walks and many sights to see. The resident
wildlife at the duck pond provides wonderful educational entertainment
for children year round. Ducks march around the pond frequently,
quacking as they go, especially when the park employees put out their
weekly feed or when visitors offer bread. You'll often find ducks
sleeping in the shade on warm afternoons. From the footbridge traversing
the pond you get an excellent view of the many frogs, snapping turtles —
from newborns to moss-backed elders — and fish that live beneath the
water lilies. Some of the carp are of astounding size. Frogs are easiest
to spot on the ground on damp mornings. Also look for spider webs, often
quite large, among the bushes, but stay on the paths to avoid poison
ivy. Plenty of shade trees and a gazebo invite picnicking. Additions to
the walking path surrounding the park allow for short, mellow strolls as
well as longer, more exercise-oriented power walks. Be sure to bring
your own beverages as there is no drinking water available at the park.
Restrooms and playgrounds are on the premises.
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is
located on the ocean, along U.S. 421 just south of Kure Beach (about 15
miles south of Wilmington). The aquarium continues to add fascinating
exhibits on a regular basis. A new Exotic Aquatics gallery includes
non-native creatures, such as cuttlefish, lionfish and Pacific coral reef
fishes. The Aquarium now exhibits four of the state's six venomous snake
species: copperheads, cottonmouths, and diamondback and timber rattlers.
Also, 2008 is the International Year of the Frog, and the museum will add a
number of exhibits devoted to these reptiles that will include colorful
poisonous dart frogs from Central America. All three North Carolina Aquariums offer
behind-the-scenes tours and other programs for people of all ages to learn
more about aquatic life. The variety at the Fort Fisher facility includes
everything from quickie "creature features" to half-day camps and workshops.
Many activities require reservations and a nominal fee, but others are free
with Aquarium admission. Everyday visitors may encounter impromptu learning
opportunities such as "smart-cart" presentations or "creature features"
around the touch-pool, the alligator exhibit or the moray eel cave. Videos
about everything from sharks to shrimp are shown daily in the auditorium.
Divers, using underwater sound equipment inside the Cape Fear Shoals tank,
answer questions on a wide range of topics twice a day. At 11 AM at 3 PM
daily you can watch aquarium staff feed some of the animals. Educators are
on hand to field questions. |
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Tregembo Animal Park |
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Tregembo Animal Park will delight and amaze kids
of all ages. Carrying on a family tradition that goes back more than 50
years, the Tregembos have expanded and updated the zoo to create habitats
for their animals from around the world. Zoo favorites include Jashan the
white tiger, Simba the lion and Ben the bear, along with some exotic new
additions, including a giraffe, a zebra, a black leopard, a Syrian grizzly
bear and a group of ring-tailed lemurs that reside on their very own Lemur
Island. Kids will have a great time exploring the park, feeding the ducks
and goats, and watching the amusing primate antics of the monkeys. Tregembo
Animal Park is a fun place to spend an afternoon with the kids (or
grandkids). The large gift shop is filled with seashells, nautical items,
T-shirts, toys and souvenirs. Tregembo Animal Park is open from 10 AM to 5
PM daily and closes during the winter season. Ticket prices are $8 for
adults, $7 for seniors 55 and older and $6 for kids ages 2 to 12. Group
rates are available for school groups, but please call in advance. |
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ArtsThere's no better way to open a child's eyes to all the
hidden beauty of the world than through the arts. Engaging in painting,
music, dance and drama is also a terrific way to build a child's self-esteem
and sense of community. Checking with the various parks and recreation
departments in your area can be rewarding, since many of them offer art
classes. Facilities hosting such activities are the Community Arts
Center (see later entry), the Martin Luther King Jr. Center,
401 S. Eighth Street, (910) 341-7866, and the Derrick G. S. Davis
Center in Maides Park, 1101 Manly Avenue (north of Princess Place
Drive), (910) 341-7867. The latter two are administered by the
Wilmington Recreation Intervention Division and offer free
after-school activities that include arts and crafts. Wilmington also has an
abundance of dance schools catering to young children. Brunswick School of Dance Housed in a remodeled country store and operating since
1982, Brunswick School of Dance specializes in teaching children age 3 and
older the basics of movement and strives to build self-esteem and
confidence. Class size averages 12 to 14 students. Most classes take place
in the afternoon Monday through Thursday, but there are morning classes for
preschoolers. Round-trip van pickup service is available. Styles taught to
older students include ballet, tap, jazz, pointe and lyrical. Adult classes
include tap and jazz. Ask about the Liturgical Dance Group, which performs
to Christian music at worship services in the area. The school is convenient
to most of the South Brunswick Islands. In May of each year all students
participate in a recital in Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick
Community College. The Children's Museum of Wilmington The Children's Museum's mission is to stimulate children's
imagination, curiosity and innate love of learning. Each visit here is an
opportunity to explore, discover, create and imagine. Climb aboard the
pirate ship, experiment in the science lab or make a special souvenir in the
art room. You can count on The Children's Museum for fun, affordable,
educational, play-centered programs both children and their adult friends
are sure to enjoy! Art and science programming are offered all day, every
day. Toddler Time on is held Fridays from 10 until 11:30 AM. Community Arts Center This city-owned facility offers an annual
July Arts Camp for school-age children. It includes four one-week sessions
of hands-on creative fun in practically every medium imaginable, such as
painting, music, dance, acting and writing. Offerings change, so call for
current information and register early. In addition to the Arts Camp, the
Community Arts Center offers classes for children in dance, music and
acting during the school year. Some adult classes are open to young adults
ages 13 through 17 with permission of the instructor. The Thalian
Association, (910) 251-1788, the nation's oldest theatre tradition,
manages the center. The Thalian Association Children's Theatre stages
performances by young casts during the school year. Studio and theater
space is also available for rental. The Community Arts Center will undergo
significant renovations during the 2007 calendar year so call ahead
regarding classes and programs.
Cucalorus Film Festival The Cucalorus Film Foundation offers educational,
instructional and fun events for aspiring filmmakers through their Cucalorus
Kids Film Festival. In addition to screening tons of great films for youth,
the program offers tours of Screen Gems Studios and workshops on how to
create your own film. Add in the Super Hero Brunch and you've got a
family-friendly weekend of celluloid celebration.
Dreams Center for
Arts Education The DREAMS Center for Arts Education builds creative,
committed citizens — one child at a time — through providing a high-quality,
free-of-charge arts education to children in need. DREAMS provides a core
after-school program in which participants study visual arts, drama, music,
dance, creative writing, photography and film. In addition, the program
features a three-week summer arts intensive. DREAMS serves youth ages 8 to
17 at its center in inner-city Wilmington, and the organization offers
programming to a wider age range at its outreach sites, which include city
recreation centers, public housing sites and schools. Serving more than 600
children each year at more than 20 locations, DREAMS helps kids focus on
their creative side and provides a safe environment for self-expression. |
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The Field Studio |
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The Field Studio offers private vocal
instruction by Liz Field and private piano instruction by Steve Field. Both
are classically trained, professional musicians with master's degrees in
their respective areas. Steve has more than 15 years of experience teaching
piano privately. He has been on faculty at the University of Connecticut and
the University of Memphis. He maintains a performing career doing recitals,
accompanying and conducting throughout the country. Steve has a passion for
passing on his knowledge, experience and love of the piano to anyone who has
a desire to learn. Steve offers private piano lessons for kids ages 6 and
older. Liz has been teaching voice since 1987 to students at all levels. A
Lyric Coloratura Soprano, Liz is in demand as a soloist and as a leader of
her Vocal Enrichment Seminars for Choral Singers. She truly loves helping
children find their true voice and experience the joy of singing. Liz offers
singing lessons for girls ages 11 and older and boys ages 15 and older. At
the Field Studio, they make music seriously fun! |
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The Gallery at Racine |
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A great place to enjoy the arts with your family, the
Racine Center welcomes folks of all ages to visit this multi-faceted
facility. Classes and camps offer opportunities to learn pottery making,
painting, print making, drawing and other fine arts. All teachers are
professional artists who love to teach within this warm, inviting
atmosphere. Check out the wonderful galleries full of truly unique pieces at
all price levels. Dine in the center's peaceful sculpture garden or check
out items you'll find once in a Blue Moon. Girls Choir of Wilmington Formed in 1997, this community-based choral
ensemble has approximately 100 girls enrolled. Girls ages 9 and older
perform a variety of classical, folk, sacred, secular and popular music.
The members learn teamwork, discipline, musicianship and community service
through the concerts and activities.
Kids Making It Woodworking Program Many youth find themselves with too much time on their
hands. That's why this nonprofit tries to teach them to use those hands
to build things, including a future. Typically for ages 8 through 15 and
mostly benefiting at-risk youth, the program instructs young people in
the art of woodworking and carpentry, teaching them new skills and
providing them with a sense of pride about their work. Not only do they
build gorgeous items for themselves, but they create pieces that are
sold to fund the organization's efforts. In typically selfless fashion,
program director Jimmy Pierce also enlists his students in
community-oriented projects, instilling the program's "do for others"
ethic. |
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SOLA – School of Learning and Art SOLA offers something for creative children of all ages and abilities. Among the many wonderful programs are the following: SOLA's Pre-School is a program for 3- to 5-year-olds, offering a curriculum balanced with school preparatory academics, fine arts and developmental skills. Morning Half Day is from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM. Space is limited, so call for wait list information. SOLA's After Pre-School Art Program is held from 1 to 3 PM or from 1 to 5 PM. Drop-ins are welcome on a daily or weekly basis. This class is for 3- to 5-year-olds not registered for SOLA's morning pre-school. Students will experience a very relaxed class, plenty of fun and exploration with pottery, paint, glue and more. Think of it as a very artsy midday pre-school. SOLA's After-School program offers classes in drawing, painting, mixed media, pottery and music. Also available is a non-traditional after-school program for young artists ages kindergarten through fifth grade from 2:30 to 6 PM. SOLA's Home School program can take care of the art and music instruction for your curriculum. Classes are designed to meet all media and cultural exposure across grade levels in a child-friendly art studio. Students are thoroughly immersed in the creative process. Parents are welcome to stay and play, too! SOLA's Summer Camp
for boys and girls puts the fun in summer camp; it features week-long
sessions with age-appropriate groups and activities. Choose either Half Day
Camp from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM or Full Day Camp from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Kids
enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities. Messy, fabulous arts and crafts
are an integral part of every day. Students create pottery on the wheel and
by hand, make their own T-shirts and experience paint and glue in ways they
never have before while building a variety of theme-based projects. Campers
play with new and old friends in a home-like workshop and backyard
environment. Teachers at SOLA don't just baby-sit, they rock the house.
Westermark Voice Studio Sara Graham Westermark, a
classically trained singer with a master's degree in Voice Performance from
the University of Missouri-Columbia, offers affordable voice lessons for
children of all ages. Lessons can be recorded on a CD, which is a wonderful
tool for practice sessions at home. Sara is an active singer in this region,
appearing as a soloist with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, Southeastern
Oratorio Society, Wilmington Oratorio Society, UNCW Concert Choir, UNCW
Opera Scenes and other area organizations. Sara has taught private voice
lessons for more than ten years in addition to working with elementary
singing groups. She also teaches music and voice at Cape Fear Community
College. Give your child the gift of Sara's instruction and the benefit of
her years of experience. Wilmington
Academy of Music The academy is a private school, founded in 1987, that
offers a full range of music instruction in voice, piano, guitar, harp,
violin, viola, cello, percussion, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone,
flute, tuba, oboe, bagpipe and more for students of all ages. Theory,
orchestration, arranging and other classes are available. Traditional,
Suzuki and jazz techniques are the methods of choice. Weekly private lessons
and monthly group lessons, recitals and master classes are offered. The
academy offers a variety of ensembles for weddings, receptions and special
events, featuring the combined talents of faculty members and experienced
local musicians. |
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The Wilmington School of Ballet and
Creative Art Center This is Wilmington's only school dedicated to classical ballet. It
emphasizes the fundamental basics of being a disciplined ballerina.
Ballet and modern dance classes are available for ages 3 to adult. Their
innovative program for preschoolers (ages 3 through 5) utilizes
movement, props, music and imagery games to encourage learning the joy
of dance; they don't focus on the discipline of ballet until the child
is mature enough. Beginning at age 6, training begins to take on more of
the academic structure of a ballet class. Levels progress in a planned,
sequential manner, each building on the previous level. Pre-professional
training offers students the opportunity to study daily, preparing them
for professional dance careers. The school offers a Broadway-based tap
and jazz program for ages 3 and older. Children from infant to 4 years
old can participate in the parent/child music classes, which feature
both Kindermusik and music together. Serious students who take four or
more dance classes a week can audition for The Wilmington Ballet
Company, a nonprofit, in-house youth ballet company. Also, the program
offers the Wilmington Broadway Company, which allows students age 8 and
older additional performance opportunities in the tap and jazz
disciplines. The Wilmington School of Ballet participates in many
outreach programs, including scholarships and summer camps for
underprivileged youths. |
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