Family Fun in Summer Sun

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The story below is from our July/August 2022 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you! 

This summer’s goal? Put those screens away and get up close and personal with the family—and support local while doing it!

Summer’s not over yet! Whether you seek fun in the sun, day camps with interesting educational programs or events for everyone, we’ve got your summer days covered. Check out these fun, family-friendly activities to keep the season going.

SUMMER PROGRAMMING

While summer camp season is at its peak in June, some local camps extend their offerings into the latter part of the summer.

Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing hosts a bevy of camps focused on backpacking, paddling and hiking adventures. They cover all levels of experience for a number of ages, and are designed to develop strength, character and confidence. wilderness-adventure.com/about-camp

STEAM Discovery Academy at Roanoke Catholic School offers programs such as art, chemistry, Drone Academy, Girls Leadership, Pirate Science, architecture, robotics and coding for grades K-8. July 11, 18, 25 and August 1. steamda.com/roanoke-summer-programs

Roanoke Parks & Recreation’s Outdoor Exploration Camp is ideal for kids who enjoy wilderness survival, GPS capture the flag, nature crafts, and river ecology or outdoor recreation like hiking, caving, water sports (canoeing, kayaking, tubing or Stand Up Paddle Boarding), mountain biking, slackline and indoor rock climbing. For kids 8-11, August 15-19. playroanoke.com/summer-camps

Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism offers day camps, enrichment camps and athletic camps for kids 3-15. Programs are held at Camp Roanoke, Explore Park, Green Ridge Recreation Center, Brambleton Recreation Center and Cave Spring Elementary School. roanokecountyparks.com/camps

Mill Mountain Zoo has daily programs as well as summer camps available for kids 6-13. Campers can be inspired by the animals and learn about them (we predict a future veterinarian in your family!). mmzoo.org/experiences/events

Parkway Kids Summer Camps are for preschool children and big kids. They feature a variety of indoor camp activities and offer early drop-off and late pick-up. parkwayroanoke.com/summer-camps

Y Summer Camps (all locations) are for kids 3-16 and have themes like cooking or solving mysteries. The Y also offers swimming lessons for ages 3-12 and Leadership Training for ages 13-16. ymcavbr.org/summercamp

Hollinsummer is a pre-college program for rising 9th-12th grade girls focusing on writing, social justice, environmental issues, theatre and horseback riding. hollins.edu/academics/hollinsummer

Virginia Children’s Theatre hosts camps in July for ages pre-K-12th grade. If your child is a budding performer, they won’t want to miss taking center stage! virginiachildrenstheatre.org/academy.html

OUTDOOR FUN

Pack your sunscreen and head into the great outdoors. (And thanks to our region’s multiple terrific spots, you don’t have to go very far!)

Have an adventure at Explore Park with trails, camping, water activities and disc golf, plus Tree Top Quest. roanokecountyparks.com/231/Explore-Park

Grab your camping gear and try a weekend in the great outdoors! Stick around Explore Park and test their yurts or cabins, or rough it in one of our many campgrounds in the region. Don’t forget the s’mores kit! roanokecountyparks.com/375/Camping

Take a hike. Whether you prefer to stay within city limits, hit the trails in the great outdoors or find your way to a gorgeous waterfall, there are a number of spots for all skill levels to hike in our Blue Ridge Mountains. See a list at Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge website. visitroanokeva.com/hiking

Grab your suits and hit the water. Cool off during these hot days at Splash Valley Water Park with their water slides, children’s play area and a current river. roanokecountyparks.com/179/Splash-Valley

Got a need for speed? Thunder Valley has outdoor go-carts for adrenaline junkies or miniature golf for a more relaxed activity. They also have an arcade and laser tag. thundervalley.net

Putt Putt Fun Center offers miniature golf and batting cages for some classic summer fun. puttputt.com/roanoke-va

Perfect your game at Downtown Putt Around’s nine-hole mini-golf course. Each course pops up at a different location and is fun for all ages. July 17. downtownroanoke.org/events/signature-events/downtown-putt-around

Roanoke Mountain Adventures has bikes, tubes, kayaks and SUPs for rent with shuttle service. Plus, they have expert advice about the activities. roanokemountainadventures.com

Take your family out to the ballgame! Salem Red Sox baseball is an all-American pastime for our region’s families. Get your tickets to any home game (especially the themed ones), buy your peanuts and Cracker Jacks and don’t forget your glove in case you need to sub in to catch a foul ball in the stands! milb.com/salem

Visit the Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain. You simply won’t find a better view (and tell your friends to look you up on the Star Cam while you’re there!). mmzoo.org

Roanoke Scavenger Hunt: A Big Lick of Roanoke helps you explore the city in a way you’ve never seen it before. You’ll explore iconic buildings and cultural landmarks all while competing in an epic quest with interactive photo and trivia challenges. scavengerhunt.com/locations/Big_Lick_Roanoke_Scavenger_Hunt.html

No summer is complete without a trip to Smith Mountain Lake. Get your rentals at Bridgewater Marina and hop on a boat to put the wind in your hair, enjoy lunch on the water and strap on your gear for tubing, waterskiing and so much more. visitsmithmountainlake.com

INDOOR FUN

For rainy days, forget about fun in the sun—instead, get made in the shade with these indoor activities.

Kids Square keeps kiddos 10 and under engaged and active with exhibits that are interactive, educational and multi-sensory, with an emphasis on hands-on learning. kidssquare.org

Roanoke Starcade features classic and contemporary arcade games, and you can play all you want for one entrance fee. We guarantee everyone in the family will feel like a kid again! roanokestarcade.org

The Roanoke Pinball Museum has pinball machines from different eras, and they are all fully playable. Like the Starcade, you can play all day for just the entrance fee, and you might even get a little nostalgic, too. roanokepinball.org

Add important history to your agenda. Harrison Museum of African American Culture celebrates the culture and contributions of African Americans in the Roanoke Valley. harrisonmuseum.com

The Science Museum of Western Virginia celebrates science and makes it accessible to visitors. Not to mention The Parakeet Garden, their immersive parakeet exhibit where visitors can feed and interact with 150 birds! smwv.org

Mill Mountain Theatre presents drama, music, and family fun throughout the year, with the programming changing roughly every month. millmountain.org/shows

The Virginia Museum of Transportation lets visitors explore planes, trains and automobiles, with plenty of hands-on experiences. vmt.org

Glazed Bisque-It’s DIY art studio might just become your favorite new hobby. All ages are welcome for pottery painting, glass fusing, mosaics and board art. glazedbisqueit.com

Taubman Museum of Art offers programs, events and exhibits that can please every family member, and makes a great afternoon for out-of-town visitors (plus, escape that summer heat!). taubmanmuseum.org

Comic book fans shouldn’t sleep on great spots for their next comic, graphic novel, toys and more. Add to your collection or complete the set! B&D Comic Shop banddcomics.com / Big Lick Comics biglickcomics.com

If your family loves board games or tabletop gaming (such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon or Dungeons & Dragons) Blade Gaming is a great spot to gather around a table for fun. facebook.com/BladeGaminginc

Oh, the places you’ll go with your library card! Our public libraries host plenty of summer reading programs for kids of all ages. Plus, browse the shelves and connect with your kids over new voices and old favorites.

Roanoke City Public Libraries, roanokeva.gov/892/Libraries

Roanoke County Public Libraries, roanokecountyva.gov/1970/Library

Salem City Public Library, salemva.gov/Departments/Salem-Public-Library

River Rock Climbing is a space for indoor climbing for climbers of all ages and levels and is a great way to practice your climbing skills with the safety of pads and lines—your arms will be jelly afterwards! riverrockclimbing.com

Launching Pad in Salem is a great place to work out your energy. Bounce on their trampolines, go off the high dive, or joust with a partner over a foam pit. launchingpadsalem.com

Have fun jumping and sliding on inflatables at Bounce Roanoke. bounceroanoke.com

Roller-skating is a great way to stay active and will make you feel like a kid again. Grab your partner and slow-skate to your favorite ‘90s tunes. Firehouse Skate N Play, Vinton, firehousesk8.com / Skate Center of Roanoke Valley, Salem, skateplay.com/roller-skating

Bowling is fun for all ages. Perfect your technique (or put the bumpers up, we’re not judging!) and let the good times roll. Hilltop Bowling Lanes, amf.com/location/amf-hilltop-lanes / LeeHi Lanes, leehilanes.com

Escape rooms are a fun way to exercise your brain. Parents may also love how they teach teamwork, patience and cooperation to beat the clock and win!

Deciphered Roanoke, escapetheroomz.com/listing/deciphered-roanoke

Mystery Room, mysteryroom.com/locations/roanoke-va

Riddle Me Roanoke, riddlemeroanoke.com

EVENTS

Don’t sleep on these family-friendly events that will entertain, educate and maybe even inspire! Please be sure to check their websites ahead of schedule in case of rain dates, time changes, policies and more. 

Not only can you support local businesses in the region’s great farmers markets every weekend, but you can also teach your family about healthy eating and growing your own ingredients! Enjoy your Saturday mornings at Historic Roanoke City Market, LEAP’s Grandin Farmers Market, Vinton Farmers Market or Botetourt Farmers Market.

Splash Valley Water Park plans special activities for their members and guests. See their calendar for details. roanokecountyparks.com/376/Events

Mill Mountain Zoo hosts a monthly Breakfast with the Animals on the third Saturday of the month, in addition to several other kid-friendly events that will bring out your wild side. mmzoo.org/experiences/events

The Salem Fair is always a great time with rides, games, and food. Don’t forget that view from the top of the Ferris wheel! June 29-July 10. salemfair.com

Freedom First Festival in Elmwood Park is always a blast. Start the day with inflatables, a rock wall, games and food trucks, then end it with music (this year’s performance is Sugar Ray) and a free fireworks display. July 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. playroanoke.com/freedomfirstfestival

See dinosaurs in their natural habitat on the T-Rex Trail in Explore Park. Every day except Wednesdays through August 14. roanokecountyparks.com/665/T-Rex-Trail

Virginia Children’s Theatre presents Brand New Day, a VTC Concert at Elmwood Park’s Amphitheatre. They promise an evening packed with music and dance as we kick back, relax and embrace the beauty of live music and theatre. August 6-7. virginiachildrenstheatre.org

Grab your supersuit (no capes!) and head over to Berglund for Big Lick Comic-Con, where the whole family can meet guest celebrities, browse local vendors and enter the battle of the popular costume contest. August 6-7. biglickcomiccon.com

Come for the wings, stay for the games, contests, and entertainment at Roanoke Wing Fest at Dr Pepper Park. August 27, 12-7 p.m. drpepperpark.com/the-roanoke-wing-fest

Olde Salem Days in downtown Salem promises over 300 artisans and crafters showcasing their unique pieces for shoppers and art lovers alike. September 10. oldesalemdays.com

Roanoke Taco Fest in Elmwood Park promises the most tacos in one place! Guests will vote for “Roanoke’s Best Taco” while local bartenders face off serving tequila drinks, shop with local vendors and more. September 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. visitroanokeva.com/events/2022-roanoke-taco-fest/39540

MAKE YOUR OWN FUN

In search of even more ideas for family activities? The options are endless!

Check out the murals around town and get your social media selfies together. See a list of options on Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge website. visitroanokeva.com/blog/post/unique-public-art-murals-in-virginia-blue-ridge-mountains-street-paintings

Start a fall vegetable garden and plant some leafy greens and root vegetables. Volunteer with LEAP to learn more about community gardens. Or, for more ideas, ask a Master Gardener. roanokemastergardeners.org

Walk, run, bike or skate the whole greenway (and don’t forget to stop for ice cream or snacks along the way with Hang 10 Hawaiian Ice and Cream and Blue Cow Ice Cream!). greenways.org/trails/roanoke-river-greenway

Stroll over to the Roanoke River for easy access to fishing, wading, tubing, kayaking or canoeing. If you’re used to city living, it’s always fun to point out the wildlife, too!

Put on your finest and do a family photo shoot at the Community Arboretum at Virginia Western Community College. virginiawestern.edu/arboretum

Check out the night sky with the Sky Tonight Star Gazer Guide app downloaded to your phone. We suggest bringing your sleeping bags and enjoying a night under the stars. Don’t forget your binoculars or telescope!

Take in a concert at any number of local venues this summer. Whether you want to rock out (such as Fooz Fighters at Dr Pepper Park, July 15), prefer live jazz (like Shaun Martin at Jefferson Center, August 3) or want to belt out the classics (Berglund Center hosts Daryl Hall in Elmwood Park on August 5), there’s a show to please every music lover in the family.

Picnic in the park. Grab your finest meats and cheeses (charcuterie boards are basically adult lunchables) or other kid-friendly snacks and bask in the afternoon sun in any one of our beautiful parks. Be sure to pack some screen-free entertainment, like a Frisbee (perfect for the dog, too!), or learn how to play disc golf with the entire family.

Staycation like a tourist. Even if you have vacation planned elsewhere, you can always view your home from a visitor’s point of view! Pick your favorites from our list and make a day of it with several activities—build your day around local restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and most importantly, dessert).

The story above is from our July/August 2022. For more stories, subscribe today or view our FREE digital edition. Thank you for supporting local journalism!