SPECIAL SECTION Kids & Family Fun

Always Something New at

Inner Space Cavern has been a staple of local and regional tourism for many years. First discovered in 1963 by surveyors boring into bedrock at the future site of IH-35, the caves have become a place of escape to a time long forgotten. Even the name inspires visions of a new world just waiting to be discovered, from the classic large rooms to dark passages. Visitors, travelers, and students of all ages enjoy the famed cavern yearround and, although Inner Space has been a popular destination for decades, those who make the beloved cavern what it is always make sure there is something new to discover.

The Adventure Tour is a wonderful introduction to the cavern and is open every day. This guided tour winds through the cavern’s larger rooms on a paved and lighted path and is great for all ages.

For those who prefer “a little bit more exploring”, as manager Taunya Vessels says, the Hidden Passage Tour is the perfect fit. It is much different from the Adventure Tour—it has no paved paths or lights. Each adventurer is provided a flashlight and follows the tour guide into and through smaller cavern rooms, allowing for up-close looks at the cavern’s features. This tour is also open every day and is appropriate for visitors seven years and older.

For passionate adventurers, it might be fun to book a Wild Cave Tour ahead of time. This tour takes visitors through the smaller spaces of the cave and provides the most raw and authentic subterranean experience this Georgetown attraction has to offer. Taunya adds, “Even if you have visited Inner Space in the past, there is always something new to discover, whether it’s a new formation in a familiar room, or a new program we have added to our already diverse offerings.”

FOR YOU IN 2022

The newest and most exciting addition to the cavern celebrates the world above the Texas Hill Country. The Saber Tooth is a two-seat zip ride located on the property. Similar to a ski lift, the ride begins on the south end of the property, lifts two passengers 130 feet into the air—facing south, for spectacular views of the hill country, quarry, and other fantastic sites around Inner Space—then slopes them gently to the ground at 30mph. The Saber Tooth opened in May and with spring fast approaching the time to try out this new attraction is upon us again.

The team at the cavern are excited to welcome you, share all the tours you love and remember, and introduce you to exciting new additions sure to bring you back. Scan the code for tickets and information.

VISIT INNER SPACE AT 4200 S. I-35 FRONTAGE RD INNERSPACECAVERN.COM 512-931-2283

Twice a Day Keeps the Yellow Away

compiled by Ann Marie Kennon

Parents, rejoice. We've canvassed the experts for some proven (and sometimes sneaky) hacks to help keep smiles cavity-free. �Keep xylitol wipes handy for late-night cleanings.

If your little one requires nighttime feedings and/or medications, wipe down the teeth afterwards to reduce exposure to harmful sugar or acid overnight. Most varieties use xylitol, a safe, natural sweetener that inhibits the growth of plaque. Check that wipes are free of paraben and formaldehyde and, remember, they are an aid, and not a substitute for brushing and flossing. �Encourage a drink of water after a sweet treat. A little

H2O right after dessert helps minimize sugar-to-teeth contact and can dislodge tough food particles to help restore the mouth’s pH balance. Cleansing the palate by drinking water (and brushing, if possible) can also diminish an incessant sweet tooth.

�Speaking of pH, for a healthy mouth we want to maintain a neutral pH between 5.6 and 7.9. Once the pH hits 5.5 or lower, teeth begin to demineralize and risk cavity development. Try incorporating foods that balance the alkalinity of saliva. Some great foods on the high end of the pH spectrum include spinach, broccoli, cucumbers, onions, sweet potatoes, green beans, blueberries, mangoes, avocados, and peas. Other options for picky eaters include lemons and limes, which taste acidic but, once metabolized, produce alkaline byproducts. Some foods that have a lower pH include: soda, beef, bread, artificial sweeteners, pasta, pork, and coffee.

�Before your child heads to a party and is faced with all sorts of food temptations, have him or her eat just beforehand. Offering a plate of nutritious food can help fill the stomach and make a cavity-causing cake and dessert binge less likely.

NOTHING BEATS BRUSHING AND FLOSSING

With all the clever products and advanced science out there, good mouth wellness still comes down to the basics. But we all know kids have many things to do that are—in their minds—way more fun. If you want to take a creative approach to motivating your kids: �Take kids with you to the store and let them have their choice of toothbrushes and toothpaste. Better yet, share the activity with them; they will likely mimic your motions and the time you spend brushing. �Play their favorite song.

Dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes. To motivate your child to brush for those full two minutes, play a favorite song or video that lasts at least two minutes. Playing an upbeat song can make the time fly and your child will be having fun as he or she brushes.

�Download an app. Yes, there are apps for toothbrushing. There are many free and low-cost apps available that use the camera to create avatars of the users and children may be likely to watch their cartoon selves longer. Plus, they get rewarded with stickers and badges if they follow along and brush the places they might normally miss.

It may seem like children don’t have much agency in reducing consumption in the home, but even the smallest members of the family can play a role. Bearing mind that 'consumption' is not always about food but also includes accumulation of material things and the waste we create. Addressing consumption habits early can help children create habits that will maintain later in life, lead to better money management, and create less waste.

Culture fight

New Dream, a national organization that addresses issues related to material consumption says, on average, American children can recognize 100 brand logos by age 3. Marketers and advertisers are increasingly targeting young children in their efforts, not for their own spending but for what they might ask their families to spend on them. Parents can soften kids' impulses to ask, and their own impulse to buy with less screen time, and modeling behaviors. Experts and educators suggest talking about advertisements with

children and teaching them to think critically about the advertisements they do see.

Be especially aware of Internet and social media advertising. More and more, advertising doesn’t look like a Saturday morning commercial. They are branded or free games that have in-app purchases; ringtones, and backgrounds. Be aware of what is on your children’s devices and how much time they spend on them.

Using their own money

The best way to teach kids the value of a dollar is to have them spend—and possibly also earn— their own money. Knowing the price of things goes a long way toward teaching kids the difference between cost and value. When the child is the one paying the bill, sometimes the cost of buying all the items in the latest collection of branded toys feels much higher than their actual value.

In the kitchen

Paper towels and napkins are an easy target for reducing paper goods in the home. Encourage kids to use reusable cloth towels and napkins. Ditch paper plates and disposable cutlery for the real thing. And that notepad everyone uses to make lists and reminders can be replaced with digital apps the whole family can share.

At the table

It is also recommended families green up the menu to reduce waste of food products and packaging. Eating more fruits and vegetables, especially locally grown ones, can help reduce your family’s environmental impact in a big way. Look for local farmers who use sustainable practices at local grocer or farmers markets. There are several local butchers and ranchers who provide raised and harvested animals, and also use all cuts of the animal. Most will even give you cooking tips.

Plus, when dinner is finished, most produce and non-meat leftovers can be used as compost. Scan the code for the Environmental Protection Agency's guide to beginner composting.

by Ann Marie Kennon

images courtesy Monster Makers

It is common knowledge that playing is great for children, but gone are the days when kids could explore or ride their bikes around the neighborhood—or the whole town—all day until the streetlights come on. Parents may also be at a loss when Texas weather feels like the Inferno's front porch. Both of these paradigms mean commercial play has greater appeal for after school, weekends, and birthday parties. The $658 million in domestic revenue at indoor play parks, even in pandemic-stricken 2021, seems to confirm their growing popularity. Industry trends indicate that number will continue to grow as the economy continues to open and families have discretionary income again.

Indoor play areas allow children to stay active and entertained in safety and air conditioning, plus many supply snacks and drinks in-house, all of which are a bonus for parents as well.

BENEFITS

In a time when indoor electronics are so attractive to most kids, indoor play parks have great diversity in type and style of activity. Multiple trampolines, zip lines, and rock walls are not practical in a typical suburban home, but large converted commercial buildings allow for all of these things in one place, at one price. Additionally, business establishments are legally required to provide supervision and a superlative level of safety. Children are free to experiment and attempt to master new skills without fear of injury.

Socially, children are faced with situations and challenges when they bond and interact with other children, which helps them develop imagination. With a play area, they have the freedom to explore and develop their creativity while interacting with friends they might not otherwise have met in their school or neighborhood. Play also encourages children to socialize and understand particular social behaviors, but with supervisory staff or coaches who are actively watching. With parents also nearby, indoor play enables many layers of safety for children to learn new things via trial and error.

Crawling, climbing, balancing, stepping, running, and swinging provide support for gross and fine motor development, and experts agree that children who engage with physical activity regularly are healthier both mentally and physically. For neuro-atypical children, medical experts add that swinging, spinning, and pushing are a great way for your child to 're-boot' the brain and provide focus. As a result, all of our children are more likely to want to face tasks and challenges head on, which is a great attitude for indoor soft play.

MONSTER MAKERS

�Kids kickboxing and kids boxing classes 200 County Road 306 • MonsterMakersMuayThai.com

ITUMBLE GYMNASTICS

�Toddler Open Gym, Birthday parties and Summer Camps 180 Town Center Blvd Suite 900 (see their ad p.21)

HEALTHY KIDS RUNNING SERIES

�Engages the community and families by providing an inclusive youth running experience, inspiring kids to believe in themselves and lead an active healthy lifestyle.

JarrellTX@HealthyKidsRS.org KIDS & FAMILY FUN

ALL THINGS KIDS is a favorite for kids of all ages who visit Georgetown. Founded in 2011, the battery-free store is run by Karen and Christian Soeffker and their son Carl. Their selection of toys and activity sets represent the best in imaginative play and are a perfect complement to snow cones, a decadent selection of 400 kinds of candy, an old-fashioned soda fountain, and 48 flavors of premium hand-scooped ice cream. Relax and indulge in their cozy book niche with your choice of sweets and all your favorite children's classics.

The store is open seven days a week, but you don’t have to go to the Georgetown to enjoy the fun. The SCOOPS ICE CREAM TRUCK is available to rent for events.

703 S MAIN ST • GEORGETOWN • 512-868-2659

With a heart for kids, KIDS’ ZONE LEARNING CENTER is committed to offering Christ-centered education for children 0-12 years at four locations across Jarrell and Georgetown. Kids’ Zone is Texas Rising Star certified and teaches FrogStreet, ABC Jesus Loves Me, and ABEKA curricula. Children enjoy a family atmosphere, Christian character building; and experienced, award-winning teachers along with a low student-teacher ratio. Private school classes include Gifted & Talented, ESL certification, Phonics, and STEM, which are designed to meet all TEKS so students easily integrate into public school.

Kids’ Zone offers private schooling from Kindergarten through 3rd grade as well as an after-school program and child care at the following locations: �Jarrell: 104 Copper Lane, 512-746-2333 �Jarrell West: 105 Western Sky Trail, 512-598-3900 �Jarrell Downtown: 107 S. 7th Street, 512-746-4144 �Georgetown: 4802 Moreland Drive, 512-868-8300