Have kids that are out of school for the summer? Are they already coming to you constantly saying, “I’m bored. I don’t know what to do!”
Well, I can speak from experience… it’s NO FUN!
So, I was fortunate enough to come across this little gem of a resource in the Charlotte Observer’s MomsCharlotte.com recently. It lists 20 different activities you can do with your kids that are in the Charlotte NC, Fort Mill SC, and Rock Hill SC area.
Here are the ones that I think my kids, almost 9 and almost 7, would enjoy:
- The Mint Museum of Craft + Design. It’s free on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pick up the family guides and scavenger hunts at the front desk, and don’t miss the kid-friendly, hands-on activities on the mezzanine level. Also, from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Tuesday of the month, parents and children ages 1 to 4 can drop in for a free art-making experience. 220 North Tryon Street, 704-337-2000, www.mintmuseums.org.
- Airport Overlook Park. Pack a lunch and come here to watch the planes take off and land at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Off Old Dowd Road near the intersection with Besser Drive.
- Public spraygrounds. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s five spraygrounds feature sprays, nozzles and spouts that spray water for children to run through and frolic under. Open seven days a week in the summer, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Several have playgrounds next door, making them a perfect place to spend hours. Locations: Nevin Park, 6000 Statesville Road; Cordelia Park, 2100 North Davidson Street; Latta Park, 601 East Park Avenue; Veterans Park , 2136 Central Avenue; and West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2400 Kendall Drive. (704) 336-3854. www.parkandrec.com.
- ImaginOn. This uptown magnet of family fun is part children’s theatre, part library, and it’s always free. While Children’s Theatre productions require tickets, in other areas kids can put on a puppet show, play with trains, try on costumes, play computer games and, of course, check out books. The facility has lots of free storytimes each week, as well as rotating exhibits in its lobby. 300 E 7th St. 704-973-2780. www.imaginon.org.
- The Energy Explorium at Lake Norman. Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium features hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce kids to the wonders of electricity and nuclear power. They can even use the power of a treadmill to operate a TV. The explorium also offers a mile-long nature trail, a picnic area, and a large deck that overlooks Lake Norman, the Cowans Ford dam and two nuclear silos. No admission fee. 13339 Hagers Ferry Road in Huntersville. 704-875-5600. www.duke-energy.com/visitor-centers/energyexplorium.asp
- Charlotte’s Asian Corner. You could hop on a plane and 16 hours later land in China, or you could hop in a car and head ten minutes northeast of uptown to The Asian Corner Mall and New Century Grocery Store. Your kids will love the fish, frogs and shellfish in the aquarium, trying the koala bear and “intellect†cookies, and other new sights and tastes.
- See a free movie. Some are outside on the big screen; others play weekdays in commercial theaters. Check out MomsCharlotte’s comprehensive list of free movies playing this summer.
- Kids’ Workshops at Home Depot. Offered the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and noon at most stores, kids will learn to hammer nails, turning screws and sanding wood while they build things such as bird houses and catamarans. Designed to teach kids do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while instilling a sense of accomplishment. No registration required. www.homedepotclinics.com
- Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics. Held twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., kids will build things such as a dune buggy, a picture frame and more. Different clinics target children of different ages. Registration is required but can be done online. www.lowesbuildandgrow.com
There are quite a few more so be sure to check them out at MomsCharlotte.com.
