I know some of you are trying to figure out how to keep your little ones occupied during the hot summer months. We have gathered a sort of Summer Bucket List of places and things to do in the Raleigh area this summer!
1. Visit a splash pad!
One cannot think of summer without thinking of water. Splash pads, pools and lakes are iconic summer activities that, with any luck, tire out your kiddo so they nap and you can escape. Check out this assortment of splash pads, with my favorite being Holding aquatic center in wake forest or Millbrook pool for the toddler crowd. It has both a wading pool (18 inches) and a splash pad and is perfect for little ones just getting used to the water.
2. Cool off at the pool!
Looking for an indoor pool good for little ones and big kids alike? Leave the sunscreen at home and check out Buffaloe Aquatic Center.
Our favorite outdoor pool is Holding Park Aquatic Center in Wake Forest, complete with a splash pad, two water slides, and diving boards in the 12ft depth.
3. Try a shaded playground
Even if we have to wait until late afternoon or go early morning, we still hit the playground to burn off some energy. Try our list of shaded playgrounds!
4. Beat the heat at an indoor playground
But sometimes the head is SO bad that outdoor options are not an option. So you need indoor summer activities for children in Raleigh. Our favorite indoor options are rainbow room and open play at tumble gym. Find more indoor play spaces here.
No summer is complete without a trip downtown to Marbles kids museum and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Check out Read with ME, just a block or so from Marbles while you are there. They have story times too!
Check out our full list of indoor play areas here.
5. Keep it educational at the Wake County Library Story time
Speaking of story times, wake county library story times are filled with stories (of course), bubbles, music and dancing. Great indoor fun on a hot day. Check out the library event page here.
6. Take a day trip
One of my favorite things to do with the kids is a day trip, and we try to do 2 or 3 over the summer. Drive a short distance to Durham for the Museum of Life and Sciences. Drive a bit further for zoos, aquariums, out of town kids museums, and more! There’s plenty to do within a couple of hours. Check out the full tot spot map here.
What are you looking to do this summer?