Summer Activities for Kids in Bloomington, Indiana

It's that time of year again. The school year is winding down and summer vacation is about to begin. If your kids are like most, it won't be long until you hear the traditional "I'm bored!" If this is the case, Bloomington, Indiana is the place to be. Located in southern Indiana, this town offers plenty of activities to help beat summer time boredom.

For your adventurous child, Hoosier Heights features over 12,000 square feet of indoor rock climbing. The facility includes a variety of walls with different degrees of difficulty, a rappel platform and a party room. It also hosts a youth summer camp throughout June and July for $120/session. The camp runs Monday through Friday from 12pm-3pm and is targeted toward ages 9-14. If you're just going to make a day of it, a day pass can be purchased for $22. This price includes any gear that you need for your climb. If you wish, you can start with a three-hour climbing workshop that is offered for beginners, ranging in price from $45 for members to $55 for non-members. Keep in mind that any child under the age of 18 must have a parent present to sign a waiver before he or she can climb. For more information, call (812) 824-6414.

Visit Wonderlab for a fun, educational experience for children of all ages. This science museum hosts many exhibits, including a fossil digging area and a bubble room. You are bound to find an activity for a child of any age, from Discovery time for preschoolers to the Teen Night CSI Challenge. The building offers a designated activity and play area for preschool children, a gift shop, and themed packages for birthday parties. Wonderlab runs a summer camp throughout June and July for children grades K-6. Held offsite at University Elementary School, the camp is conducted by experienced teachers and offers a wide curriculum of science and discovery activities. Located on 4th Street in Downtown Bloomington, the lab is open Tues.-Sat.. from 9:30am-5:00pm and Sun. 1pm-5pm. Admission is $6 for children ages 1-17 and $7 for adults. Children under 1 year old are free. Call (812) 337-1337 for more information.

For outdoor activities, you can count on the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. The department teams up with the Lake Monroe Sailing Association for a Youth Sailing Camp. Campers must be able to swim, but no previous sailing experience is necessary. Geared toward children ages 9-16, the week-long sessions are held from 9am-3pm each day throughout June and July at the Moore's Creek Boat Ramp on Lake Monroe. Registration is $150/participant. For more information or to register, call (812)349-3700.

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department also hosts the Junior Rangers Camp, an outdoor camp is held at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Geared toward children ages 9-12, the camp is offered in week-long or daily sessions throughout June and July. Weekly rates are $70 for residents living within city limits and $80 for out of city residents. Daily rates are $15 for in-city and $17 for out of city.

These are just a few of the many activities available in Bloomington, Indiana. Contact the Bloomington Visitor's Bureau for even more boredom busters to keep your kids involved and busy this summer!