April 25 Rock and Romp Review

The April 25th Rock and Romp show was a blast! Rock and Romps are held at private homes in backyards and at various venues around town. This show was held in a very awesome midtown backyard. The location was perfect: spacious, it had an excellent playset, and lots of sand. There was a setup for children to make their own music. There were delicious beverages and treats. Best of all, the music was great. If you have a kid, you must take them to a Rock and Romp! You and your children will have fun listening to music that you and they both will like. A great time is had by all. The weather was perfect for the show this past weekend. Three musical acts performed that afternoon. One was my friend, David Brookings.


The next Rock and Romp will be Saturday June 6. I wish they had them every weekend. Go to the Memphis Rock and Romp website for more information and to get on their mailing list so you can receive information about upcoming shows!

Lichterman Nature Center

Today my daughter and I checked out Memphis' Lichterman Nature Center. There were trails to walk down and a big meadow where you can run around and play.

Canada Geese enjoying the weather





The meadow


Lake views



Inside the Visitor's Center, there were a bunch of stuffed animals (taxodermy-style) and areas with facts about nature. Check out the awesome Bison we saw



On Tuesdays from 1 until close (4pm), Lichterman has free admission. Otherwise, their cost for admission is:
Adults-$6.00
Seniors-$5.50
Children ages 3-12-$4.50
Children 2 and under-Free

There was so much more to see there than what we saw today. I recommend this place highly as it was a very nice way to spend a sunny afternoon.
Read my previous post about the upcoming Earthfest Lichterman is having on Saturday April 25.
Check out the website for Lichterman Nature Centerfor more information and upcoming programs.

April 25 and 26

This year is the thirtieth year for the mineral, fossil, and jewelry show called The Earth Wide Open. The show will be held at the Agricenter at 7777 Walnut Grove Rd. on Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26

Admission is $2 for children under 12 and $5 for adults. A portion of the proceeds from admission will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Doors are open 9am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-5pm on Sunday.

There is a special children's activity area called RockZone. Children can pan for crystals in a Gem Flume, paint a pet rock, dig for fossils, minerals, and crystals, and spin a wheel to win prizes. There are also door prizes every hour including jewelry, fossils, and minerals.

A very interesting item you can win is a genuine egg fossil from a Hadrosaur. This is not a door prize and the deadline to enter is April 22. To enter this contest, go to this website and submit your name for the egg via email. The names for the dinosaur egg will be voted on at the show this weekend. Surely, a lot of children will be entering, but how much would your little one love you if you won them a real dinosaur egg with your creative name?

Go to The Earth Wide Open website for more information about this show.

Saturday April 25

From 10 am until 2pm, Lichterman Nature Center will be hosting EarthFest. From their website:

"EarthFest is a family-friendly celebration of Earth Day that includes musical entertainment, an Earth Day Parade, games, canoeing demonstrations, environmental information, earth art activities, animal presentations and fun for the whole family. Picnic and relax by the lake or follow walking trails winding through forest, lake and meadow habitats. Explore new exhibits in the Visitor Center and view animals native to the Mid-South in the Backyard Wildlife Center building."

Chef Rick Farmer of Jarrett's Restaurant will be grilling food for this event.

If you arrive between 10am-noon, admission will be free.

Go to the Lichterman Nature Center's website for more information


A Rock and Romp will also be held from 3pm-6pm--my friend David Brookings is playing along with Unstoppable Juggernaut and King Louie & Loose Diamonds. Rock and Romps are concerts held in backyards and inside venues such as the Ornamental Metal Museum. The cost is only $5 per parent and free for youth. Beer is provided for the grownups and be sure to pack a snack and a blanket to sit on for outdoor events.

If you have not signed up to receive emails from the organizers of Rock and Romp, be sure to do so in order to receive updates on new shows and where they will be located. Here is the website to get signed up.

Monday April 20

The Memphis Zoo has Stroller Cubs on Monday April 20th from 10:00am-10:45am. These are designed for children from 18 months to 4 years old. The cost is $5 for adult members and $15 for adult non-members. The cost of admission does not increase for children attending the program. This month's story is Old Mother Bear by Victoria Miles. Go to Memphis Zoo's site for more details.

Saturday April 18

Memphis Tigers' football team is hosting a special scrimmage game for the fans at CBHS. The reason it is located elsewhere is because the Liberty Bowl is being renovated. The game is free for all and will be on Saturday April 18th at 1pm.

Family-Friendly and Free things to do in Memphis this Spring!

**Go see the Peabody ducks downtown--we still have yet to do this--maybe we'll go this week. 11am and 5pm are the times to see the ducks march to and from the lobby. For location and more info click here.

**National Civil Rights Museum is free on Mondays from 3pm-close (5 or 6 pm depending on time of year) and it is always free for children ages 3 and younger. For location and more info click here.

**Lichterman Nature Center is free on Tuesdays from 1pm until close and is always free to children ages 2 and younger (thanks for this tip, Shelby!) For location and more information click here.

**Memphis Zoo is free for TN residents on Tuesdays from 2pm-5pm and is always free for children ages 2 and younger. For location and more info click here.

**Memphis Botanic Gardens have free admission on Wednesdays from noon until closing and admission is always free for children 2 years old and younger. For location and more info click here.

**Dixon Gallery and Gardens has free admission on Saturdays from 10a-noon--note that admission for children 6 years and younger is always free. For location and more info click here.

If you guys know of any other free or inexpensive family friendly things to attend in Memphis, please let me know! :)