Outdoor activities are a given for summer time fun, however, sometimes it just gets too hot to be outside! There is nothing like the cool, crisp, air of an air conditioned building on a 90+degree summer day! If you’re sporting a new sunburn or simply want a break from the heat of the day, guess what? There are still fun places to take your kids to get out of the sun for a change.
Take a visit to the Museum
The Museum of North Idaho collects, preserves and interprets the history of the Coeur d’Alene Region heritage. The Museum is located downtown CDA and remains open Tuesday through Saturday 11-5, April 1 to October 31. The Museum Store features a wide selection local history books, locally made silver jewelry, souvenirs and gifts. Along with the museum tours and open visits, tours are also available of the old Fort Sherman near the North Idaho College. If you love history and would like to know about the fascinating history of Coeur d’Alene Idaho, this is the place to go!
Enjoy the show at Christian Youth Theater
If your child loves the stage and appreciates the performing arts, Christian Youth Theater North Idaho is a wonderful place for them to participate. The theater is not a church, but a non-profit, educational children’s theater arts program for children ages 6-18. They offer theater summer camps, theater classes, acting classes, voice classes, dance classes, improv and theater specialties. They also offer the Christian Community Theater (CCT) which is a summer production program for both youth and adults. There are no accompanying classes in this program and all ages are welcome to audition.
Visit your local community center
For those of you in Spokane, the YMCA is a not just a gym and a pool, it has many activities to accommodate everyone in your family! Some of these activities for infants, children and teens; include: swim lessons and water acclimation starting at 6 months old, tumbling, sports, teen programs, and day camps.
For those of you in Coeur d’Alene, The Ray and Joan Kroc Center provides community programs, classes, events, aquatic and fitness/recreation center, acafé, chapel and performing arts. Each of these facilities include childcare while you work out in the gym and hold special family events.
Participate in your local Library events
If you have younger kids , make a visit to your local library such as the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, Post Falls Library, Hayden Library, or any of the Spokane Public library branches located throughout the area. This is a great way to instill the love of reading into your child and even take some time to read a book yourself. The best part is its free to the public. The Spokane County Libraries tend to do more with the kids and include a play time afterwards with educational toys!
See a free or reduced price movie
The Garland Theater as well as the Riverstone Stadium Theater in Coeur d’Alene offer free or reduced movies one a week to kids and families. Call ahead or check their websites for movies listings and times.
Some parks also offer free movie nights in the park for a family-friendly movie. Fort Sherman Park in CDA, Mirabeau Park, and Riverfront park in Spokane, just to name a few, all offer these events. These are free and open to the public, just bring a chair or a blanket to lounge on the grass!
Bowl the night away
Bowling is a fun family activity that even young children can participate in. River City Lanes in Post Falls, Triple Play in Hayden, North Bowl and Valley Bowl in Spokane (just to name a few) are great places to take your kids on a summer evening. Bowling alleys have family lanes with bumpers and a roll rack for young kids to participate in the fun also. Triple play also includes the Raptor Reef swim park, laser tag, mini golf, bumper boats, arcade, climbing wall, and more.
There are many things you can do with your family during the summer that don’t include further sizzle to your sunburn. Some days, or just certain times of the day, can be just too hot to participate in outdoor activities. We hope these suggestions can help in your hunt to make weekend family plans, but search around! Check park websites and local listings for upcoming activities around your area, there is plenty to do and often times, there are many free events in the summertime months!
