Looking for something to do as your summer comes to an end? We asked Child Care Answers staff to share what they like to do with their families! Give one of our favorite summer memories a try!
Jessica, Community Engagement Specialist
As a child, my family’s favorite thing to do during the summer was grill in our backyard while we (the kids) swam in the pool! It was an easy, fun, relaxing activity for us to do as a family. Now during the summer, my husband and I love to go camping & canoeing. Nothing like grilling over a fire and sitting under the stars after a long day on the river!
Go camping at one of Indiana State Parks or stomp in local creeks.
Lane, HR Generalist
We liked taking the kids to amusement parks when they were younger. Cedar Point was a favorite because it had fun things for all of us. Their kiddie area really engaged my daughter. My son and his dad loved the roller coasters. We all loved the water rides and the pool area! Fun memory: When my daughter was four-years-old, we lost sight of her for about 10 minutes in the kiddie area. We found her chatting away with Papa Bear (Berenstain Bears) outside the Berenstain Bears’ family treehouse. I snapped the cutest photo of them nose to nose!
Visit our Family Fun page to learn about family-friendly day trips!
Megan, Bilingual Community and Family Engagement Specialist
As a child, I loved playing make believe outside in the backyard. Those weeds in the corner? They are now wheat to be harvested by early pioneers. The sandbox? A beach filled with crabs, snails, and seashells. The tree in the middle of the yard? The entrance to a magical forest inhabited by flitting fairies, and, of course, a gentle princess. As an adult, my favorite summer activity is going to the pool. I enjoy treading water and swimming laps to get in some fun and healthy movement in the beautiful weather.
Discover more play & learning for your preschoolers and school-agers!
Lauren, Family Support Specialist
As a family, we love doing the summer reading program at the Indianapolis Public Library. It is a great way to keep the kids reading during the summer and the prizes are fun things we can do as a family, like going to the Indians game, playing a round of miniature golf, or going out for pizza.
Learn about what your public library has to offer in Hendricks, Hamilton, or Marion County!
Tom, Family and Community Engagement Manager
As a child I enjoyed going to our grandparents’ house in Pennsylvania, spending hours in the pool, making mountain pies and smores over the fire, then going in to watch a VHS while eating sundaes.
My family now looks forward to lightning bugs, garden produce, bonfires, jumping on the trampoline, and taking walks.
Kristin, Knowledge Manager
My kids always look forward to the Indiana State Fair each summer. Whether it’s watching the marching bands at Band Day, eating fried culinary delights, or visiting the animals (the pigs are always a favorite), we always have the best time together!
Visit the Indiana State Fair!
Patti, Data/Assessment Specialist
I spent my summers outside as a kid, either riding my bike, hanging out at the beach in the Indiana Dunes, or playing in the woods. We shared our love of the outdoors with our girls by hiking park trails and visiting beaches and other outdoor attractions. Nature is a great source for improving your well-being and mental health, generating calmness, joy, and creativity. The best part is that many outdoor activities are free!
Discover other ways for self-care!
Mollie, Executive Director
In the summer, we are always doing. As a family, we explore anything local from Conner Prairie and nature parks to longer trips to Indiana Dunes and Niagara Falls. Our summers are short, and we make the most of them finding new places to visit and new experiences to share. It’s very common to see us with raccoon eyes from sunglasses, lots of bug bites (regardless of how much bug spray we use), and very dirty shoes!
Plan a visit to Conner Prairie!
Lucy, Bilingual Program Engagement Specialist
In my summers, we spent between my grandparents’ farm exploring nature, harvesting cocoa, coffee, oranges, bananas, pineapple, sugar cane, and all the fruits that were planted. We took and enjoyed them! I loved swimming and fishing in the river and walking and running barefoot. We also spent those three months visiting family that we didn’t see for a whole year. We cooked typical food of my grandparents. Among many towns and places we visited, the sea the beach was our favorite place where we spent a lot of time.
Visit a Farmer’s Market to explore local foods!
Michelle, Program Engagement Specialist
My family went on summer vacations every year via time-share! Our home base was French Lick, Indiana, and I have very fond memories of going to the arcade and duck-pin bowling. Our very best summer vacation happened when the mini-van broke down on our way to Missouri, and we had to downgrade from “villa living” for a couple of days. Although the hotel was a little questionable, we enjoyed the food and games from the bowling alley next door!
Ending the summer with a road trip? Check out some tips and tricks!
Jamie, Family Engagement Specialist
My sisters and I loved summer growing up. We spent most of our time outside pretending to be Ninja Turtles, The Boxcar Children, or a star in the Little House on the Prairie. As a mom with a toddler at home, we spend most our afternoons playing with bubbles in the backyard, and our weekends are filled trips to local parks and ice cream shops!
Visit a local park or stop by one of Indy’s best Ice Cream Shops!