Upon moving back to my hometown of Louisville last year, one of the first things my kids noticed about life in Louisville was Derby Fever. Of course adults get it, but JCPS and the private schools certainly encourage Derby Fever in the school-age set as well. Primary evidence: the annual Oaks Day holiday.
If you haven't already made plans for a babysitter so you can enjoy a day at the track, have no fear. There are still plenty of fun activities for your children.
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft is hosting one of their convenient "school's out, drop-in"kids' camps at their third floor education studio. Drop in anytime between noon and 3:00 pm and your kiddos will make paper roses or design their own jockey silks. The cost is $6 per participant and free for all KMAC members. All ages are welcome.
If you're looking for an all-day activity, check out The Louisville Sports Academy's Oaks Day Camp at The Tennis Club at Springhurst. From 10:30 am-7:30 pm, children ages 5-13 can play tennis, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, football and ping pong, as well as enjoy movies, lunch and snacks. The cost is $49 at http://www.sportslashers.com/deal/oaks-day-kids-sports-camp.
Or you can just grab yesterday's paper, a wrapping paper roll, and a brown paper sack and create some memorable Derby attire for your kids. Follow these instructions to make an adorably fun, big, colorful recycled Derby hat. Your end result will look something like the hats that are all the rage at the annual Cherokee Triangle Art Fair. You really can't mess up--just fashion some tape around your child's crown and leave the newspaper brim nice and floppy. Feathers and flowers add extra flourish. Your little lass will be the belle of the ball!
Another fun craft is making a paper bag stick horse. You will need--you guessed it--a paper lunch bag, newspaper, gift wrap tube, some extra construction paper for your horse's ears, mane, and eyes, and a marker to add nostrils. Just stuff that newspaper into the bag to make the head, then tape the bag head to the end of the gift wrap tube. Add ears, eyes, and nostrils. Or take a garland of your paper roses from KMAC Oaks Day drop-in camp to crown your horse the Derby winner!
Enjoy your Oaks Day holiday!
Photos: courtesy of KMAC and Anna Frye
