5 Reasons To Visit the OBX In The Off Season

01. No Crowds: Visiting during the summer is great, but it can get so crowded. Take advantage of the off season to try some of the restaurants you eyed this summer, but your kids couldn't wait two hours to get into. Go play minigolf without the line of ten other families stacking up behind you. 

02. The sun views: If you love watching the sunrise and sunset, this is the time to do it. Since the sun doesn't rise as early, you can get up in time to have a cup of coffee on the beach while you watch it. Or, watch the sunset earlier in the day with your whole family without ruining the bedtime routine. Plus, take advantage of the earlier sunsets and watch ghost crabs or stargaze. 

03. Fly a kite: This is prime time to fly a kite on the beach, where your string won't get caught on everyone else's. Take advantage of the wide open beaches and breezes. 

04. Museums: Checkout the OBX Aquarium, Roanoke Island, Wright Brothers Memorial and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. Watch a demonstration from the Chicamacomico Life- Saving Station, or visit the many light houses. 

05. The prices: A beach house in the OBX in the middle of summer can run you a pretty penny. But visiting in the off season allows you to stay at the same house for a fraction of the cost! 

Jurassic Quest

Dinosaurs have taken over the Hampton Roads Convention Center this weekend in Hampton. Travel back in time and visit these dinosaurs this weekend only. A warning, prep your kids because these dinosaurs move and make noise, something I hadn't warned my youngest about and he jumped about a foot. Grab an activity hunt on the way in, and stop at each location listed to do a family activity and snap a photo. Once you're done, you can trade this in for a dino tattoo as you exit. 

After going through the exhibit, stop at the fossil table and kids can ask their expert tons of questions. Then head to the dino training show. It runs for about 15 minutes at the bottom of the hour. Last show is usually at 6:30. 

For an additional $15, you can purchase a wristband for kids to enjoy a variety of activities including several bounce houses, play areas, and driving mini jeeps, riding on moving dinosaurs, doing a craft, or playing at the sports station. There are two bounce houses and a play area just for ages 3 and under, and the jeep riders must be under the age of 6. Otherwise, parents can purchase tickets for $5 each. Keep in mind that the activities are on a timer in order to make sure that everyone gets a turn, so those tickets will run through quickly if you go that route! Save 10% off the ticket price with code Dino10! 

5 Reasons to Try Fit4Mom Southwest Chesapeake

I love Fit4mom. I found this group about a year after having my first child, and I always say that my first summer would have been so different if I had known about Strides then. It's an organization created by moms, for moms, to provide Strength In Motherhood. Within the organization, Fit4mom offers a variety of workouts, ranging from prenatal to postnatal, but here are some of my favorite reasons why you should try out a class.  

01. Meet other moms: Fit4mom offers moms a village. Personally, I've had a meal train created from this village when my dad died and when I had my second baby. I frantically found a see-through backpack when I needed one, gotten a variety of hand me down baby items, and found solace in venting to friends. 

02. Moms' Night Out: Part of being in the tribe is taking care of yourself and getting some time away. Fit4mom has monthly moms' night out, either at someone's house or around town. Fit4Mom Southwest Chesapeake has done things like meeting at Big Ugly Brewery, coming to a comedy show together, and we are about to brave canoeing and kayaking together at Northwest River Park. Next month they are visiting the Haunting at Greenbrier Farms, and you can join! 

03. Playgroups: Three days a week there are free playgroups after Strides class. These range from make and take crafts, sensory bins, games, and more. Let them do the work planning the activity, and bring your kiddo for some social fun. 

04. First Class Free: While the first class is always free, right now Fit4mom of Southwest Chesapeake is offering an entire free week of Stroller Strides. They are launching at new locations, and each Stroller Strides class has a playgroup after. 

05. A Great Workout: It doesn't matter if you're attending Stroller Strides or Stroller Barre with your kiddo, or Body Boost without your kid, you'll be getting a great workout with Fit4mom. All classes focus on strength, cardio, and core and will challenge, push, and empower you. Your new friends will help hold you accountable. 

Exciting news - This week Fit4mom is giving away a free whole week of Stroller Strides, with a daily playgroup. Stroller Strides is a mom and child workout, with a focus on strength, cardio, and core. Instructors will help engage the kiddos while you work out in between your strolls. 

September 23: Chesapeake City Park with a handprint fall playgroup-9:30

September 26: Mount Trashmore park with Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin Playgroup-9:30

September 27: City View Park with Apple Painting Playgroup-9:30

September 28: Western Branch Park with Bubbles Bonanza Playgroup-9:30

September 29: Deep Creek Park with Parachute Playgroup-9:30

September 30: Northwest River Park with Ring Toss Game Playgroup-9:30

Apple Picking at Cullipher Farms

Located in Pungo, Cullipher Farms is a family farm that is run by seventh generation farmers. In addition to the store, there is a play area and options for Upick fruits and vegetables. Right now you can pick apples, with no admission fee, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there is an admission fee of $5 per person to visit the farm. To pick apples it is $2.99 a pound. Throughout the farm they have several varieties of apples. Right now Enterprise, Evercrisp, Pink Lady, and Gold Rush are ready. The apple trees are smaller, which makes them a great height for kids to pick. Also ready on the property are grapes. 

At other times in the year, you can pick strawberries, blueberries, sunflowers, peaches, grapes, and pumpkins. The market is open everyday but Monday from 9:00-6:00. There is a free play area located behind the market and some animals to visit with. 

Higher Vision Studios

Located in the KempsRiver Shopping Center, Higher Vision Studios offers Ninja Warrior obstacle courses, martial arts, gymnastics, summer and schools out day camps, and birthday parties. Party options include glow in the dark Nerf wars/ snowball fights, and bounce house and obstacle course. The facility is 4,000 square feet and holds lots of kids, but their calendar does fill quickly. 

Higher Vision Studios is a local and family business, named in honor of their son's miraculous cancer survival. They run a foundation, Shine Time, which offers scholarships to Higher Vision Studios as well.

Classes begin at age 3 with Little Ninjas and range to teen and adult kickboxing.