And I noticed that I can't see the full calendar on my phone - please try accessing this website with a computer and you should be able to see & navigate through the full calendar of events - I will try to figure out a fix for phones...
SUMMER CAMPS/DAY CAMPS:
Blank Park Zoo (Des Moines)
https://www.blankparkzoo.com/education/safari-camps/summer-safari-camp/
Camp Hantesa (Ames)
https://www.campfireiowa.org/programs/day-camp/
ISU Engineering Camps
https://www.isek.iastate.edu/camp/camps-summer/
https://www.isek.iastate.edu/camp/camps-summer/
McFarland Park (near Ames/Gilbert)
https://www.storycountyiowa.gov/1002/Youth-Nature-Camps
Octagon Center for the Arts (Ames)
https://www.octagonarts.org/en/classes/2018_summer_art_camps/
Parks & Rec - City of Ames (click on following link and scroll to page 19)
http://www.cityofames.org/home/showdocument?id=1034
Riverside Bible Camp (near Story City)
http://www.riversidelbc.org/summer-camp
Robert Thomas Dance (319 South 17th St, Ames)
Beauty & the Beast Dance Camp & crafts
June 25-28, 5-6:30pm, ages 3-7, $57.42+tax (includes snack & craft fee)
Science Center of Iowa (Des Moines)
http://www.sciowa.org/learn/camps/directory/
Succes Gymnastics (Ames)
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/8306ee_812b5d54a0994628813f6c3dfdbec0ed.pdf
Sylvan Learning Center Summer Camps
https://cities.sylvanlearning.com/us/iowa/summer-camps-in-ames
https://cities.sylvanlearning.com/us/iowa/summer-camps-in-ames
YMCA (Ames & Boone)
http://y-camp.org/en/summer_camp/
RESTAURANT GUIDES:
Restaurant Guide to Free Kids Meals in Ames:
http://www.outtoeatwithkids.com/restaurantResults.php
A Great Restaurant Guide for Free Kids Meals in Central Iowa:
http://desmoinesparent.com/kids-eat-free-central-iowa/
ANYTIME:
Bulldog Ceramics - Ankeny
Reiman Gardens - Ames
Make your own Cy Ride Adventure
Libraries
Brookside Park Wading Pool - Ames
Sky Zone - Grimes
Playground for Kids - Ankeny
Monkey Joes - Des Moines
Pump It Up - Des Moines
Mini Glow Golf - near Jordan Creek in Des Moines
Perfect Games - Ames
Get Air - Des Moines
MB2 Raceway - Indoor Go Kart Racing - Grimes
Science Center of Iowa - Des Moines
Blank Park Zoo - Des Moines
Living History Farms - Des Moines
Adventureland - Des Moines
Iowa Cubs games - Des Moines
Story City Antique Carousel - Story City
Berry Patch - Nevada
Valle Drive In - Newton - gates open at 6:30pm, movies start at dusk, check their Facebook page or website for details
EXPLORE IOWA:
traveliowa.com has lots of great ideas!!
Jester Park - near Polk City
Big Creek Beach - near Polk City
High Trestle Trail Bridge - near Madrid
Big Treehouse (reservations required, best for kids ages 3 or 4 & up) - Marshaltown
Boone Valley Scenic Railroad - Boone
The Grotto of the Redemption - West Bend
World's Largest Ball of Popcorn - Sac City
MAIL:
Mail Order Mystery - ages 7 & up
We did the pirate one last year, so fun! You get 6 weeks of clues and a treasure at the end!
https://www.mailordermystery.com/
https://www.mailordermystery.com/
Kiwi Crate - monthly STEAM activities for ages 3-4, 5-8, 9-16
We just ordered our first subscription for ages 5-8
http://www.kiwicrate.com/
http://www.kiwicrate.com/
Top Secret Adventures - Highlights Book Club - ages 7 & up
We have some of these but still haven't done them - maybe this summer! ;)
https://www.highlights.com/store/puzzle-book-clubs/top-secret-adventures
Little Passports (ages 3-14)
https://www.littlepassports.com/
https://www.highlights.com/store/puzzle-book-clubs/top-secret-adventures
Little Passports (ages 3-14)
https://www.littlepassports.com/
FREE ONLINE/PRINTABLE WORKSHEETS:
XtraMath
Easy Peasy
Khan Academy
Super Teacher Worksheets (some)
OTHER IDEAS:
Lemonade stand
Canoeing/floating/boating
Play in the rain
Co camping, build a fort or stay in a cabin
Go fishing
Make homemade face/body paint with cornstarch, milk & food coloring
Make homemade sidewalk chalk paint
Mini car wash with matchbox cars & tooth brushes
Sidewalk chalk
Giant bubbles - ONE OF OUR FAVES! http://mamaot.com/how-to-make-giant-bubbles/
Library reading challenge
Water balloon fight
Play in a sprinkler
Bocce ball
Croquet
Play a game on a picnic blanket outside
Read under a tree
Play glow stick hide & seek
Make s'mores
Fly a kite
Make paper airplanes - aim for a hula hoop, see who can go the furthest, etc
Plant some flowers
Make a butterfly garden
Make a fairy garden
Walk down Main Street and fill expired parking meters
Volunteer - animal shelter, food pantry or Food at First
Trade books at little free libraries
Ride a bike
Swim on rainy days at Country Inn & Suites on Dayton Ave or Ames Municipal pool
Go ice skating at the Ames ice arena
Make a tie dye shirt
Make homemade play doh
Make homemade rock candy (takes a couple of weeks)
Paint rocks
Paint on canvases
Make cookies
Make pudding or cupcakes with oreo dirt & gummy worms topping
Make homemade pudding pops
Freeze toys inside ice and dig them out
Freeze ice in different shapes and stack them or play with them outside on a hot day
Legos!!
Play nature bingo - google free online printables
Have a scavenger hunt
Make your own fizzing dinosaur eggs! - http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/10/diy-bath-bombs-magic-hatching-dinosaur.html
I have more ideas coming but here's a good list to get you started anyway!!!
Enjoy & please let me know if you have more ideas I should add!