School is finally out, and your kids are undoubtedly looking forward to all the awesome summer fun there is to be had over the next few months.
Here are 5 fun ideas to get YOUR family’s summer bucket list started. I’ll bet there’s at least one thing on this list you haven’t tried before…
1. Otsego Splash Pad
This is a favorite local place to cool down when the temps get high. The splash pad at Otsego’s Prairie Park is free and open all summer long. The splash area is probably best suited for kids ages 2–8. The park also has a nice playground, two picnic shelters, paths for walking/biking, and lots of green space for your kids to run around. (Click here for my full review of Prairie Park & Splash Pad)
2. Beebe Lake Swimming Beach
Located in St. Michael, Beebe Lake Regional Park offers a great place for your kids to swim and play in the sand. You’ll also find a playground, picnic area, fishing pier, and hiking trails, and if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even plan a family camping trip here! (more info)
Earlier this week I shared a list of the family and kid-friendly events at Albertville Friendly City Days.
One of the events that my family is looking forward to is the HealthSource Kids Day, coming up on Friday, June 9.
Bring your kids out that day to enjoy games, a bounce house, face painting, crazy hair, food, and more! In addition, Crossfit STMA will be there providing fun exercise classes for the kids.
Kids Day takes on place Friday, June 9, at 10am–1pm at HealthSource in Albertville. (near Coborn’s) >>
(Click to view this event on Facebook)
The event is sponsored by HealthSource, Coborn’s, Tree of Life Wellness Center, and Crossfit STMA.
The carnival is coming to town! My family always gets excited when the carnival trucks start rolling into town in June because it means that Albertville Friendly City Days is just around the corner. This year, Albertville’s annual festival is celebrating its 30th year and taking place June 7–11.
Friendly City Days is a great way to celebrate the start of summer. My husband frequently takes time off from work, and we create a mini-staycation around all of the family-friendly events the festival has to offer.
You can view the full event schedule here, but I’ve compiled a list below of the events that are especially suited to families with kids.
Schedule highlights for families with kids:
Ongoing Events
City-Wide Garage Sales
Wednesday–Saturday (more info)
Carnival Rides & Games
Thursday–Sunday (more info)
Friday
HealthSource Kids Day
Games, bounce house, face painting, crazy hair, food, and more!
10am–1pm at HealthSource (more info)
REMAX Tethered Balloon Rides
7pm Central Park baseball field (weather permitting)
Fireworks Display
10pm Central Park
Saturday
5K Race and 1K Kids Race
8:30am STMA Middle School West (more info)
Fire Department Open House
Fire trucks, Buster the Clown, canine demo, and more
9am Albertville Fire Station (more info)
Kids Parade
10am Fire Department parking lot
Classic Car Show
10am Lachman Avenue near STMA Hockey Arena
Toddler Town
Filled with toys, a diaper changing station, and Fair Hair
11am Central Park Lions Shelter
Root Beer Floats with the Albertville Royalty Candidates
11am Central Park Lions Shelter
Barta Kids Pedal Tractor Pull
11am Main Avenue
RC Car Demo Derby
1pm Main Avenue
Spaghetti Dinner served by Albertville Royalty
4:30–6:30pm St Albert Parish Center
Baseball Game – Albertville Villains vs. St. Michael Saints
7:30pm Central Park Baseball Field
Sunday
Carnival Wristband Day (more info)
Grande Day Parade
12:30pm Main Avenue
Albertville Royalty Coronation
3:30pm STMA High School Auditorium
>> Click here to view the full AFCD schedule
A note about food: In addition to the scheduled events and the food available at the carnival, the Girl Scouts, Youth Hockey, and the STMA Cheer Squad will be offering things to eat like pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, and snacks.
Remember when you were a kid, and you played that game where the floor was lava, and the only way to cross the room was by jumping between the couch cushions you’d thrown on the floor? Or maybe you played it on the playground and had to cross the entire playground without touching the ground? We did both, so I have lots of fun memories of that type of game.
It’s no surprise that the TV show American Ninja Warrior has caught on so well with today’s kids. It’s totally the “ground is lava” game, super-sized! 🙂
If you have a little “ninja warrior” in your house, make sure to check out these THREE awesome camps and classes being hosted in our area this summer. Boys and girls as young as 4 or as old as 15 may participate, so there’s a little something for everyone here…