Family Fun, Just a Short Drive From Home!

With the economy the way it has been, there are many of us who simply are not taking a typical summer vacation. Some families are looking for fun things to do that are close by home. Oklahoma has many fun and interesting things to do for people of all ages. One of the most fun for parents and kids, however, would have to be The Jasmine Moran Children's Museum.

The Jasmine Moran Children's Museum was started by Melvin and Jasmine Moran. Although the museum is located in Seminole, Oklahoma, a town of only 7000 residents, it brings in upwards of 60,000 visitors each year. The museum started small but has grown to a 37,000 square foot facility and 10 acres of outside fun with the help of many donors including Henry Zarrow and The George Kaiser Family Foundation. In fact, the museum has become one of the largest children's museums in the country. Okay, I know you are probably saying, "Enough now, tell me what makes this museum so fun!"

When visiting the museum you will find that things are a lot different than at most museum. This museum is hands-on and educational. Parents and kids can learn and experience lots of different things including:

• miniature town (where kids learn safety)
• kid friendly train (kids ride over half-mile around museum grounds)
  
• 12,000 square foot maize
  
• large pond
• nature park
• mini grocery store (where kids learn about handling money)
• mock TV station/weather center (kids learn about video, TV, and weather)
  
• dinosaur bone digs (kids learn about archaeology)
  
• medical center (kids can also watch a video to learn what entering the medical field entails)
  
• school room
• courtroom
• WaterWorks exhibit (if you're not afraid to get wet)
  
• Mayan Exhibit
• much, much, more

There are so many fun things to do, learn and explore at the museum, I couldn't name them all. You have to just come see for yourself.

Museum Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 1PM-5PM.
Admission Costs (not including tax) are $8 for ages 3-60, $7 for those over 60, kids under 3 are free with an adult.

For more information about The Jasmine Moran Children's Museum in Seminole, Oklahoma, visit their website at www.jasminemoran.com.

To read the original article in The Tulsa World, "Hands On" visit this link.

To buy or sell a home in Broken Arrow, OK and surrounding areas, call Kelly Howard of McGraw Realtors at 918-230-6341 or www.kellyhowardhomes.com