Summer Fun Guide

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.