Summer has finally come to the Sioux Falls Area! It’s time to put the school backpack away and break out the summer fun! One of the reasons we here at The ‘hood Magazine love living in the Sioux Falls Area is because of all the great family activities and locations there are to enjoy.
In this article, we will let you know all about Summer in the Sioux Falls Area! What to check out, enjoy, and do with your family this summer.
Swimming Pools and Splash Pads
Spending time in the water and summertime go hand-in-hand! Here in the Sioux Falls Area most area pools and splash pads will open Memorial Day Weekend. There are a lot of great outdoor and indoor options for swimming in the Sioux Falls Area. From Sioux Falls Parks and Rec pools, to the splash pad at the Great Plains Zoo, and even looking forward to the Splash Pad that is slated to open this summer at Jacobson’s Plaza!
Check out our full Sioux Falls Swimming Pool and Splash Pad Guide at the link!
Outdoor Fun
Speaking of swimming, check out our Sioux Falls Area Lake Swimming Guide! We let you know about the different lakes that have swimming beaches within an hour or two radius around Sioux Falls.
Summer is a perfect time to check out all of the different parks in the Sioux Falls Area. Check out our list of Favorite Parks for Toddlers to find one just right for your little one.
Summertime camping and hiking is also right around the corner. There are plenty of great parks near and around Sioux Falls.
Check Out the Following Area guides:
Never gone camping before, or nervous about camping with Kids? Check out our Camping 101 Guide and our Top Tips for Camping with Kids.
If you are looking for more outdoor fun this summer make sure to check out the programming offered by both Sioux Falls Parks and Rec and with The Outdoor Campus. Parks and Rec will have programming all over Sioux Falls this summer and The Outdoor Campus offers FREE outdoor fun with classes in Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Hunting, Archery, and more.
Sometimes, summer weather is not quite what we like. Our guide to Indoor Play in Sioux Falls is here to help fill the gaps of days that are too hot or raining!
Sioux Falls Area Summer Programs, Education, and Activities
The Levitt
The Levitt at the Falls is an amazing part of a Sioux Falls Summer! They offer 50 concerts for FREE over the summer months downtown. Check out their summer schedule for 2025 and pick out some dates to enjoy a family night or date night at the Levitt.
Here at ‘hood we especially love the Family/Kids concerts that they have on select Saturday mornings! It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to live music, dance, and enjoy some time outside!
Kids Bowl Free
The Kids Bowl Free Program is amazing! If you have never heard of it, it’s a national program that offers free bowling to kids during the summer months. This program can help get your child out of the home doing a great activity, it’s screen-free fun, and something to encourage fun with family and friends!
There are three different bowling locations in the Sioux Falls Area that participate in the Kids Bowl Free Program.
- Eastway Bowl
- Empire Bowl
- Sport Bowl
When you sign up for this program you do have to pick your bowling location and the two free games a day are only valid at that location. Shoe rental fee’s do still apply (though most locations offer a summer shoe rental rate!).
We asked our friends at Eastway Bowl more about the program and their top tips. Check out that information at the link!
Fair Time
For end of summer fun, a fair is hard to beat! We have plenty of County Fairs in the area to enjoy during the months of July and August. Here in Sioux Falls we look forward to the Sioux Empire Fair each year, and we can’t forget about the South Dakota State Fair that wraps up fair season each year!
We have a Sioux Falls Area Fair Guide to help you learn about all the late summer fun there is to find this summer!
Summer Camps
Summer Camps are a huge part of the summer for many kids growing up! We have a huge guide of area Summer Camps that we run in our March issue of ‘hood each year. Check out our 2025 Summer Camps Guide to see if there is anything else to add to your summer fun.
Whatever you get into this summer, we hope you have a great one!
