Okay, I've started to update the summer calendar for 2018 but still have many activities to include - it's a good start anyway!!  Between the beautiful weather and looking up these fun activities, I'm getting so excited for summer!!  I'll keep adding and updating events throughout the summer!  Besides the events on the calendar, here are some more ideas for making memories with your kiddos! Enjoy!! :)

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/

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

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/

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/

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/

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!