Kids' Fun
Snow Creation Contest - December to April
Show off your creativity this winter! Build your best snow creation — snowman, dragon, or any imaginative design — and email a photo to Tiffany Miller at tmiller@emporiarec.org by April 1 to enter. The most creative entry wins a prize!
Dates: Wednesday, December 17 - Wednesday, April 1
Contest Deadline: Wednesday, April 1
(Email a photo of your creation to Tiffany Miller, tmiller@emporiarec.org)
Ages: All ages
Fee: Free
Kids Craft - January, February, March
Keep your kids active and creative with our monthly Kids Craft series! Each session features a fun new theme, from snowmen and Valentine crafts to flowers and fairy doors. Kids will create a project to take home and enjoy quality time with family.
Date: Saturday, January 10 – Snowman Making
Registration Closes: Wednesday, January 7
Click for Kids Craft - Jan 10
Date: Saturday, February 7 – I Heart You
Registration Closes: Wednesday, February 4
Click for Kids Craft - Feb 7
Date: Saturday, March 28 – Flower Power
Registration Closes: Wednesday, March 25
Click for Kids Craft - Mar 28
Time: 10:00am – Noon
Location: ERC Community Room
Ages: All ages and skill levels welcome (beginners encouraged)
Fee: $15 per person (includes supplies and snack)
Min/Max: 5/25
Beyond the Bell - January, February, March, April
School’s out—let the fun begin! Join us for a day packed with games, crafts, swimming, and tons of energy-burning activities. Kids will laugh, play, and stay active while making new friends and great memories. Each day brings something new, from creative projects to exciting sports and splash time in our indoor pool. Bring a sack lunch and your ready-to-play attitude!
Date: Monday, January 19
Registration Closes: Monday, January 12
Click to register for January
Date: Monday, February 16
Registration Closes: Monday, February 9
Click to register for February
Date: Friday March 6
Registration Closes: Monday, February 23
Click to register for March
Date: Monday, April 3
Registration Closes: Monday, March 23
Click to register for April
Time: 7:45am – 5:15pm
Location: ERC
Ages/Grades: Kindergarten – 5th grade
Fee: $25 per day per camper (includes snack and drinks)
Min/Max: 10 / 20
Flip, Grind, & Roll: Finger boarding at the ERC! - January
Want to try finger boarding but don’t know how to get started? Join us for a fun jam session featuring ramps, rails, and good vibes. Participants will make their own fingerboard and learn tricks from local enthusiasts. Bring your creativity and come roll with us!
Date: Saturday, January 24
Registration Closes: Thursday, January 22
Click to register for Finger Boarding
Time: 10:00am – Noon
Location: ERC Community Room
Ages: All ages and skill levels welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Fee: $10 (includes a new fingerboard)
Min/Max: 7/15
Kids Craft
Keep your kids active and creative with our monthly Kids Craft series! Each session features a fun new theme, from snowmen and Valentine crafts to flowers and fairy doors. Kids will create a project to take home and enjoy quality time with family.
Date: Saturday, February 7 – I Heart You
Registration Closes: Wednesday, February 4
Click for Kids Craft - Feb 7
Date: Saturday, March 28 – Flower Power
Registration Closes: Wednesday, March 25
Click for Kids Craft - Mar 28
Time: 10:00am – Noon
Location: ERC Community Room
Ages: All ages and skill levels welcome (beginners encouraged)
Fee: $15 per person (includes supplies and snack)
Min/Max: 5/25
Beyond the Bell
School’s out—let the fun begin! Join us for a day packed with games, crafts, swimming, and tons of energy-burning activities. Kids will laugh, play, and stay active while making new friends and great memories. Each day brings something new, from creative projects to exciting sports and splash time in our indoor pool. Bring a sack lunch and your ready-to-play attitude!
Date: Monday, February 16
Registration Closes: Monday, February 9
Click to register for February
Date: Friday March 6
Registration Closes: Monday, February 23
Date: Monday, April 3
Registration Closes: Monday, March 23
Time: 7:45am – 5:15pm
Location: ERC
Ages/Grades: Kindergarten – 5th grade
Fee: $25 per day per camper (includes snack and drinks)
Min/Max: 10 / 20
Kids Craft
Keep your kids active and creative with our monthly Kids Craft series! Each session features a fun new theme, from snowmen and Valentine crafts to flowers and fairy doors. Kids will create a project to take home and enjoy quality time with family.
Date: Saturday, March 28 – Flower Power
Registration Closes: Wednesday, March 25
Click for Kids Craft - Mar 28
Time: 10:00am – Noon
Location: ERC Community Room
Ages: All ages and skill levels welcome (beginners encouraged)
Fee: $15 per person (includes supplies and snack)
Min/Max: 5/25
Beyond the Bell
School’s out—let the fun begin! Join us for a day packed with games, crafts, swimming, and tons of energy-burning activities. Kids will laugh, play, and stay active while making new friends and great memories. Each day brings something new, from creative projects to exciting sports and splash time in our indoor pool. Bring a sack lunch and your ready-to-play attitude!
Date: Friday March 6
Registration Closes: Monday, February 23
Date: Monday, April 3
Registration Closes: Monday, March 23
Time: 7:45am – 5:15pm
Location: ERC
Ages/Grades: Kindergarten – 5th grade
Fee: $25 per day per camper (includes snack and drinks)
Min/Max: 10 / 20
Spring Break Camp - March
School’s out—let the adventure begin! Join us for a week packed with games, crafts, swimming, and non-stop fun. Kids will laugh, create, and stay active while spending time with their favorite ERC counselors and friends. Each day brings something new to explore, from exciting activities to unforgettable memories. Bring a sack lunch—come play, create, and make this break the best one yet!
Date: Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 20
Registration Close Date: Monday, March 9
Time: 7:45am – 5:15pm
Location: ERC
Ages/Grades: Kindergarten – 5th grade
Fee: $25 per day/$75 per week (includes snack and drinks)
Min/Max: 10/25
Beyond the Bell
School’s out—let the fun begin! Join us for a day packed with games, crafts, swimming, and tons of energy-burning activities. Kids will laugh, play, and stay active while making new friends and great memories. Each day brings something new, from creative projects to exciting sports and splash time in our indoor pool. Bring a sack lunch and your ready-to-play attitude!
Date: Monday, April 3
Registration Closes: Monday, March 23
Time: 7:45am – 5:15pm
Location: ERC
Ages/Grades: Kindergarten – 5th grade
Fee: $25 per day per camper (includes snack and drinks)
Min/Max: 10 / 20
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny - April
Hop on over for a morning full of fun and smiles! Enjoy a tasty breakfast, meet the Easter Bunny, and join in the excitement of our egg hunt adventure. Bring your camera for sweet photo moments and make memories that will have everyone hopping with joy. It’s the perfect way to celebrate spring with family and friends—don’t miss the fun!
Date: Saturday, April 4
Registration Close Date: Wednesday, March 25
Click to register for the Easter Bunny
Time: 10:00am – Noon
Location: ERC Community Room
Ages: Breakfast - All Ages, Egg Hunt - Infant – 5th grade
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Fee: $7 per person (all in attendance must register)
Min/Max: 10/35
Safe Sitter® Babysitting Classes - April
Prepare your child to babysit safely and confidently! The ERC will host a Safe Sitter® class to teach vital safety, first aid, and childcare skills following American Academy of Pediatrics and AHA guidelines. Classes are taught live via Zoom by certified instructors, and all materials are shipped to ERC before class. We will have a staff member on site to assist students with completing materials as needed.
Dates: Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19
Registration Close Date: Friday, March 27
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Location: ERC Community Room
Ages: Grades 4–6 (Safe@Home) and Grades 6–8 (Safe Sitter® Essentials)
Fee: Grades 4–6: $40; Grades 6–8: $80 (includes materials and certificate of completion)
Min/Max: NA/ 20
Emporia Princess & Hero Party
Join our Emporia Princess & Hero Party, where little ones become part of a truly magical and memorable community event! This enchanting celebration brings together beloved fairytale princesses and courageous storybook heroes for an interactive experience the whole family will treasure.
From stories and songs to dancing, crafts, and photos, this unforgettable event is filled with imagination, wonder, and fun—plus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Emporia Rec Center!
Event Highlights:
- Meet & Greet with Princesses & Heroes
- Take photos, receive autographs, and enjoy magical moments (and hugs!) with each royal and heroic guest.
- Interactive Storytime
- Gather around as princesses and heroes bring classic fairytales and legendary adventures to life through engaging storytelling.
- Sing-Along Sessions
- Sing favorite fairytale songs alongside the characters, creating a joyful and magical chorus.
- Songs & Dance Performances
- Enjoy graceful princess dances and heroic moments—then jump in for interactive fun, including our crowd-favorite ribbon dance!
- Craft Stations
- Create your own royal or heroic keepsake with themed crafts designed to inspire creativity and imagination.
- Games & Activities
- Participate in fun, movement-based games inspired by both royal kingdoms and heroic quests—perfect for keeping little ones engaged.
- Ribbon Dance Experience
- Twirl, spin, and celebrate with princesses and heroes in a whimsical ribbon dance activity everyone can enjoy.
- Photo & Autograph Opportunities
- Capture memories that last a lifetime with photos and autographs from your favorite characters.
This magical celebration is the perfect opportunity for families to connect, play, and experience the joy of storytelling together.
FAQs:
- The event is approximately 90 minutes in length.
- Little ones are encouraged to dress up as their favorite princess or hero.
- All guests must have a ticket (child and adult). Babies 12 months and under may attend free with a paid adult.
- Tickets are non-refundable.
- Characters and activities may vary by city. We will do our best to ensure a full cast lineup for your magical experience.
- Pretty Princess Parties is not responsible for personal belongings. Please keep all items with you at all times.
- No food or beverages are served at Pretty Princess Parties events.
- Staff and performers are not caretakers. Parents and guardians must remain with their children at all times. We reserve the right to refuse entry or remove a guest for any reason.
- Attendance constitutes consent to be photographed, filmed, or recorded.
- Guest health and safety are a top priority. Event details, policies, and safety protocols are subject to change. We reserve the right to reschedule or adjust the event due to unforeseen circumstances (including weather, low ticket sales, or acts of God).
- If the event is canceled, guests will receive a full refund. If postponed, tickets may be used as credit toward a future event.
Pretty Princess Parties does not offer copyrighted characters. Our fairytale characters are inspired by public-domain stories and are not affiliated with any theme park or company. All characters are unique to Pretty Princess Parties. Any resemblance is incidental. We kindly ask all guests to respect this notice.
Date: Sunday, April 26
Available Times: 10:00am, Noon
Fee & Registration: $30.52 - $35.06
(Registration is through Pretty Princess Parties not the Emporia Recreation Commission.)
Ages: All guests must have a ticket to attend [child/adult], Babies 12 months and under are allowed entry for free with paid adult.
Click to register for the Emporia Pretty Princess & Heroes Party
Location: ERC Community Room