Lima Mall's KidX Club takes New Year's to Noon
Jan. 23—LIMA — The KidX Club at the Lima Mall celebrated the New Year on Saturday with the kids who probably weren't able to stay awake long enough to see the ball drop.
No ball. No problem, seemed to be the mantra as they gladly tossed the ball and midnight, opting to instead count down the seconds for the big balloon drop at noon. The day's itinerary combined fun and learning with activity booths. Children could learn to make crafts, get airbrushed tattoos, and dress up in tiaras, 2022 sunglasses and all the traditional NYE party garb. The YWCA Child Care Resource & Referral of Lima, WOCAP of Lima and Family Resource Center manned booths with information pamphlets for parents to peruse while the kids had fun.
"KidX Club has always celebrated New Year's Day on a different day so more youth can make it out for some fun and only have to stay awake until noon," said marketing director Betsy Billingsley.
The kids weren't the only ones making new friends and having fun Saturday. The parents had a good time watching them as they chatted with one another. After watching their kids play so well together, a pair of moms started talking and learned they a lot in common and decided to schedule a few more playdates.
Lima resident Krista Corbin brought her two sons, Tyrann 3, and Kyran 5, was excited to find an activity she could take them to where they could play with other kids around their ages.
"With the pandemic, it is really difficult to find things to let them be around other kids," Corbin remarked. "I love my The Lima News and trust me it paid off in a big way — I buy my copy every single day — I found this event there, on the calendar. I saw it as a great chance to take them to be around other kids. Neither of them are in school and I can't afford to pay for daycare and most public play date opportunities from before the pandemic are not around anymore."
Miller City resident Sarah Elwell met Corbin at the event and the two appeared to hit it off. Elwell, who brought her 2-year-old son Greyson, joined her newfound friend and the two moms exchanged numbers and planned to get the kids together every now and then to help prepare them for school.
"I have real concerns for how he will adjust if this continues. How can we expect them to do well if we just throw them in school having never been around other kids," Elwell asked. "So, yeah I think today was a success; the three seem to be playing well together. I hope we follow through."
The Lima Mall will host next month's KidX Club event on Feb. 12 in the spirit of St. Valentine's Day by celebrating love and friendship. Billingsley says it will be a good time for kids to bring their best friends to the Lima Mall's KidX Club Bestie Bash! We'll be crafting, making Valentines, and enjoying goodies together! Show love and enjoy a morning of fun.
KidX club hosts at least one event a month at the mall and tries to educate the kids while still putting fun as a priority. This event featured informational posters that explained New Year's traditions and customs from around the world. Be on the lookout for the next KidX Club event on the Lima Mall website.
