Southport Magazine

Life for parents with young children can be hectic, juggling work, school, sports, and the seemingly endless responsibilities of home and family. Sometimes you just need a few hours without the kids in tow, whether it’s for a much-needed date night, a night to catch up with friends, or some time to get started on your holiday shopping. But babysitters can be tough to find these days and they usually don’t come cheap! Fortunately, Oak Island’s Recreation Department has developed a fun, and reasonably priced, alternative. It’s called “Parents Night Out,” but the kids are probably going to love it just as much as the parents do!

Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 1, and continuing one Saturday a month through April, 2023, the Rec Center will sponsor “Parents Night Out” from 5-8 pm at the Oak Island Ocean Education Center (OEC), 4700 Oak Island Drive (across from Town Hall). Kids between the ages of 6-12 will be able to hang out at the OEC, without their parents, where they can explore the displays and take turns using the new virtual reality goggles, “Occulus: Oceans 360.”  Kids can participate in holiday themed crafts and games – think pumpkins for October, turkeys for November –  pig out on pizza, and watch movies!  The fee for all of this is just $13 per child for Oak Island residents ($18 for non-residents), which basically covers the Town’s cost. Staff at the Rec Center will work with flex time in order to schedule shifts for Parents Night Out, said Rec Center Supervisor Carrie Winkler.

“All of us at the Rec Center have been brainstorming ways to provide more services for our local residents year-round, rather than just activities for summer visitors to the island,” Winkler said.  

“We tested out the concept for Parent’s Night Out in February, and it was a big hit! We gathered feedback from parents and made a few improvements for the program that we put together this fall,” she said. 

The program will vary somewhat in December and will be called “Holiday Drop & Shop” that month. On Saturday, Dec. 10, kids can come to the OEC from 9 am to 2 pm for a fee of $18 ($23 for non-residents). Parents will be able to spend the day shopping, or baking, or socializing, or even napping (don’t laugh – Winkler said that one mom confessed to doing just that in February!) while kids celebrate the season making festive decorations, writing letters to Santa, playing holiday games and watching the classic holiday movie “Home Alone.”

Dates are the following Saturdays, from 5-8 pm: Oct. 1, Nov. 5, Feb. 4, March 4, and April 1; and on Saturday Dec. 10 from 9 am to 2 pm. There is not a program scheduled for January. There is a limit of 15 children and registration is required to ensure adequate adult supervision.  

For questions or more information, call Rec Center Supervisor Carrie Winkler at (910) 278-5518.

To register your child, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/RecDesk. For the Holiday Drop & Shop in December, be sure to sign up early, as rates increase by $5 one week prior to that program.