The best summer awaits! Use our ABC’s of Summer list for endless fun.
ABC’s of Summer: Your 2024 Summer Fun Guide
Arboretums and Garden Tour
Visit one of the many gardens in the Sioux Falls area. Check out the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum, McKennan Park, or the Japanese Gardens at Terrace Park! All are great places to see nature in full bloom.
Bounce Around Inflatables
With over 300 inflatables to choose from starting at just $99, there is something fun for any event! Most inflatables qualify to pay 1 day, get up to 3 days FREE!
Cool down with a waterslide, or challenge your friends with an obstacle course!
Call Today! (605) 310-9529
BritZa Performing Arts Studio
Join us for a summer full of performing arts.
Our summer camps are the perfect opportunity for students to try out acting, singing, or dancing before the fall semester starts.
We even have private lessons and master classes available!
Bowling, Movies, and More!
We all love to enjoy the outdoors in the summer, but sometimes it rains. Thankfully, there are many indoor activity places to visit to keep your family busy, like 605 Ninja, Bowling, Butterfly House & Aquarium, Frontier Climbing, Midco Aquatic Center, Scheels, Sky Zone, West Mall 7, or Wings Gymnastics… to name a few.
Children's Museum of South Dakota
Did someone say road trip?
Greet life-size Mama T. Rex and climb the clouds. Cruise on down KidStreet where you can change a tire, deliver the mail, splash in a water room, and more!
Coming soon: Lunar Life space exhibit. Stay tuned to prairieplay.org to learn more!
Camping Adventure
Pack up the tent and go on a camping adventure! Check out one of the area State Parks like Palisades, Newton Hills, or Lewis and Clark Recreation Area for an adventure a bit closer to home.
Chalk the Sidewalk
When families are out for walks, it’s hard to NOT participate in a course or hopscotch activity! Make a walk fun for your neighbors by drawing one out on your sidewalk.
Day Trip
Take a day trip! Get the whole family in the car to explore a new town. Pick a nearby town you have never been to and learn what it has to offer!
Dig in the Sand
Spend some time digging in the sand at an area lake this summer. Check out Lake Vermillion, Lake Alvin, or Wall Lake for some fun in the sand.
Eastway Bowl
Check out the Kids Bowl Free program at Eastway Bowl.
Once your child is signed up, they can bowl two free games each day during the summer program.
Shoe rental not included. Check out the family pass as well.
Evening Picnics or BBQ’s
Finish off your summer days with a picnic or BBQ outside! Invite over friends or family to enjoy the cooler summer weather in the evenings. Or start a neighborhood tradition of weekly neighborhood BBQ’s!
Familyfest Fun Cruise
Get ready for a day full of FREE family fun! Cruise around town from 9am-2pm on June 1st to check out area business and participate in tons of amazing activities. Learn what the Sioux Empire has to offer your family!
First Fridays
Take a stroll Downtown and check out all the deals and events that happen during their First Fridays all summer long. Make sure to check out the Washington Pavilion’s Free First Fridays event each month!
Falls Park Fun
Start your Saturday morning with a visit to the Falls Park Farmer’s Market, venture across the street to the Stockyards Ag Experience, and end it with lunch or ice cream from Falls Overlook Café.
Game, Fish and Parks Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls
The Outdoor Campus is your connection to the outdoors! Make this summer one to remember with FREE outdoor programming offered by our expert instructors and volunteers. Registration for summer programs opens May 8 for June Classes, June 5 for July Classes, and July 3 for August classes. Free Family Fun!
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Good Shepherd Lutheran School is a state-accredited Christian school that prepares students to succeed both spiritually and intellectually long after they leave campus. Join us for Preschool & Kindergarten Open House on May 21 and watch the GSL Facebook page for affordable Pop-Up Camps in June and July!
Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium
Go wild this summer! From corals, jellyfish, and butterflies to rhinos, penguins, and tigers – two locations to embark, engage, and explore. New this summer – splash pad, African lions, and touch pool! Enjoy unlimited year-round visits with a Monarch membership – plus members-only discounts and free admission to events.
Host a Summer Fun Day
Host a summer fun day for your friends and family! Focus on all things summer. Think water activities, ice cream, and time outside. Check out one of the area splash pads for a fantastic morning of play.
‘hood Calendar
Looking for fun events for your family? The ‘hood calendar is the perfect place to find out what is going on in the Sioux Empire. Discover events and programs that are perfect for your family all summer long.
Ice Cream Tour
Make your way around town this summer to all the area Ice Cream spots! Try something new each time you go to see if you can discover a new favorite treat!
Jump in the Pool
Take the edge off the summer heat by jumping in the pool! Check out Wild Water West, Siouxnami, Midco, or the Sioux Falls Parks and Rec Pools for places to swim all summer long.
Journal Summer Memories
Keep a simple summer journal where you write down 1-3 sentences of what you did that day. Someday you will love getting to look back at your summer of fun!
Kumon Math and Reading Center
Kumon is an individualized learning method that focuses on mathematics and reading. Students begin at their own level of understanding and progress incrementally through personalized worksheets. The program cultivates problem-solving skills, building a strong foundation for advanced learning and knowledge. Kumon caters to each individual’s learning journey.
Kayak on the Water
The Sioux Falls Area has a few different spots that you can kayak at this summer! Enjoy free classes at the Outdoor Campus, kayak on the Big Sioux, or head over to Lake Vermillion for some time out on the water.
Levitt at the Falls
Levitt at the Falls is a family-friendly outdoor concert venue.
May 31 – September 14, enjoy free concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, with family shows on select Saturday mornings. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a variety of live, professional music in downtown Sioux Falls. All ages welcome!
LaunchPAD Children's Museum
Blast off into summer with LaunchPAD! LaunchPAD Children’s Museum hosts daily activities Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. There are also a variety of summer camps all summer long for kids ages 5 and older. Registration is available on our website.
Mud Kitchen
Let your kid’s creative dreams soar with a mud kitchen! They can finally make all the mess they want cooking outside. Give them old pots, pans, measuring spoons, and spatulas to use outside. Challenge them to find fallen seeds, leaves, or pinecones to add some fun touches to their cooking creations.
Music Moments
Take in the music this summer! Sign your child up for summer music lessons, go to a show at the Pavilion, or check out all the performers coming to the Levitt this summer.
Nature Walk and Scavenger Hunt
Add some extra fun to your walk. Print off a nature scavenger hunt and see how many things you can find as a family. Or go to the Outdoor Campus and pick up a scavenger hunt to enjoy while walking their trails.
Outdoor Games
Take game time outside! Draw an epic chalk challenge course, play some cornhole, or play a driveway basketball game. Not only will your kids burn off a lot of energy, but they will have fun while doing so.
Obstacle Course
Use all sorts of things around your house to allow kids to climb, crawl, or jump around in the yard. Chairs, hula hoops, pool noodles, laundry baskets…the possibilities are endless. Get creative!
Pizza Ranch & Fun Zone Arcade
Pizza Ranch & FunZone Arcade offers a pizza and chicken buffet along with fun games and prizes. Awards Won: Best Buffet (Local Best), Best Chicken (Local Best), Best Food Delivery (Local Best), Best Pizza (Local Best), Voted Best Pizza In Sioux Falls (Hot 104.7 FM), and the SD Community Service Award (SDRA)
Plant a Garden
Plant a flower or vegetable garden this summer! Head to one of the local nurseries to pick up the perfect plants for your family. Enjoy fresh garden tomatoes before the summer ends!
Park Parade
Make it a goal to visit as many area parks this summer as possible! Find hidden gems, explore new areas of town, and enjoy being outside.
Question Explored
Have each person in your family pick out a question they want to explore this summer. Maybe they want to know more about how airplanes fly or they have questions about bears. Take the time this summer to explore local resources to help answer their questions!
Read Something New
Join an area book club or pick up a new book you would normally pass over this summer. Challenge your kids to read this summer by creating fun challenges! Head over to a local library if you need help finding the perfect book.
Rides at Area Fairs
Check out the area fairs this summer and ride some carnival rides! Enjoy the fun at the Sioux Empire Fair or any of the local county fairs as well.
Sioux Falls Canaries
ballpark? Dive into the fun of chasing foul balls, capturing memories with Cagey, and letting ketchup drip from your hotdog onto your shirt! Tell your parents to “Take you out to a ballgame!”
Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation
Summer Fun Starts with Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation! Enjoy outdoor pools, sports leagues, camps, yoga in the park, and hydrant parties. Explore hundreds of activities for all ages and interests. Find your fun!
Siouxland Libraries
Enjoy free fun this summer at Siouxland Libraries! Unleash your imagination in our dedicated play spaces. Enjoy Storytimes, crafts, and STEM activities to keep young minds engaged all summer long. Check our calendar for events.
23rd Annual Siouxland Renaissance Festival
Welcome to the Siouxland Renaissance Festival, celebrating the season in Shrewsbury, England, 1575. Enjoy historical reenactments, jousting, and entertainment on eight stages. Explore vendors offering goods and food, and a children’s realm. Open Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets at www.siouxlandrenfest.com.
Siouxnami Waterpark
Join us this summer for indoor and outdoor fun! Featuring waterslides, Iowa’s only aquatic zipline, a 16-foot climbing wall, lazy river and more! Evening weekday specials all summer long. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa. Call us at (712) 722-4386
Sweet Amber Lynn’s
What’s your favorite nostalgic candy? Chances are, you can find it (and more) at Sweet Amber Lynn’s, located on South Louise Ave next to Juice Stop. Stay awhile at our custom counter created by Brian’s Custom Creations. Our bulk and soda displays will wow you. We hope to serve you!
Sanford fit
fit is the Children’s Health Initiative from Sanford Health, developed to engage and empower children, families, and communities to make healthy lifestyle choices. fit provides free online resources to support that goal. Discover printables, videos, lessons, games, and more online!
Take in a Show
Go to Mckennan Park for their free Children’s Theater Shows this summer! These shows are perfect for toddlers and elementary age children. Or check out what shows are playing at other theaters around town!
Thunder Road Entertainment
Come make memories with us! Time with our kids is limited, but not the fun at Thunder Road! With Go-Karts, Mini-Golf, Tilt-a-Whirl, Batting Cages, Hyper Bowling, 7D-Theater, Mini Bowling, 2-Story Laser Tag, Omni-Arena VR, awesome food, and a huge arcade, you choose your fun. Find your happy place here!
Unplugged and Outside
We all know the importance of spending intentional time unplugged from our phones, computers, or TV’s. Make it a family goal this summer to spend a portion of each day unplugged and outside!
Under the Stars
Upgrade your movie nights by setting up an outdoor projector and bedsheet and enjoy a movie outside after dusk. Check out the outdoor family movie nights offered by DTSF as well.
Volunteer in the Sioux Empire
Give back to your community this summer by volunteering! Your family might be shocked at how much fun volunteering can really be. Check out the Helpline Center for places your family can serve.
Vacation to the Twin Cities
Enjoy a bigger city this summer with a vacation to the Twin Cities! With plenty of parks, museums, attractions, and events the Twin Cities has something for everyone. Read our full weekend guide to the Twin Cities!
Washington Pavilion
Spend your day at the Washington Pavilion! Enjoy all of the new exhibits, activities and programs at the Kirby Science Discovery Center and Visual Arts Center. Plus don’t forget to order some delicious ice cream at Parlour or a yummy lunch at The WP cafe. See you soon!
Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor
At the parlor we celebrate everything ice cream! With 40 flavors to choose from, there are endless combinations. We have interactive experiences including a virtual production line, racing our freezer robots, photo ops, Wells history wall, and 2 free movies that showcase our history and how ice cream is made.
Wild Water West
ESCAPE TO THE TROPICS! Wild Water West is YOUR summer vacation! Enjoy the greatest slides and rides and entertainment! We’ve provided safe family fun for 30+ years! For the young and the young at heart, your destination is here! Come enjoy Wild Water West, you won’t regret it!
Xmas in the Summer
Bring a little Christmas cheer to your summer! Have fun celebrating Christmas in July and dive into all things Christmas, minus the cold weather.
Yard Games
Visit Game Chest, Kidtopia, or Child’s Play Toy stores and pick up a fun game to play outdoors. Frisbee, Ladder Ball, and Lawn Dart are all fun activities. Or get even more creative and create your own Yard Yahtzee or Farkle set with a few blocks of wood and some dots of paint.
Zzzzz’s Outdoors
If you’re not able to enjoy a getaway at a campground this summer, you can still make use of your tent by setting it up in the backyard! The bonus is you’ll have the comfort of your own bathroom nearby and no need for shower shoes.
