6 Indoor summer experiences for kids and babies
As the summer heat peaks, finding engaging indoor activities for your little ones becomes essential. To help parents during this busy season, we’ve put together a list of fun indoor activities outside the home that will make summer more enjoyable for your kids and less stressful for you!
Activities for the whole family
Visit a museum
Museums are a great indoor activity for kids because they’re both educational and entertaining. With various sections catered specifically towards children, you can make a whole afternoon out of it, going through different exhibits at your leisure and allowing your kids to explore their curiosity in a safe environment. They’re also large enough that you can push your Doona Car Seat & Stroller or Liki Trike through a museum with ease, making it the perfect indoor activity for the whole family. We put together a list with the most child-friendly exhibits that your kids will love!
Museums for kids in the U.S.
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. - Enjoy many kid-friendly exhibits and events at this famous museum. Visit the butterfly pavilion, the hall of geology where you can actually unearth minerals, or even set up a museum “playdate” where you’ll be visited by a museum educator and explore nature through stories, objects, art, and play. No tickets are required, and admission is free.
The National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. - With weekly events, a planetarium, drop-in story time, discovery stations, and science demonstrations, this museum is a must-see, especially if your child shows an interest in airplanes or outer space. Timed-entry passes are required, but admission is free.
The Robert Frost Museum of Science in Miami - With an aquarium, various exhibits, and a planetarium, the Frost Museum has numerous unique and engaging experiences your kids will enjoy. Children ages 0-3 receive free admission, and non-membership tickets for children aged 4-11 cost $22.95. Adult tickets without a membership start from $29.95.
The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia - This creative museum is all about teaching kids the power of learning through play. With permanent exhibits like Food and Family, the Please Touch Garden, Storytime Cabin, and the Wonderland exhibit, your kids are sure to have a blast. Don’t forget to take a ride on the carousel before you leave! Reservations are required in advance and tickets without a membership cost $22.00 each.
The Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview, Illinois - Explore the world of bees, kids theater, pottery making, dog safety, and much more at this eclectic educational museum. With specific focus on science and the arts, there is something here for every child to explore their interests. Babies under 1 receive free admission. Non-member tickets for children and adults cost $19.00.
Visit the local library
Bringing your kids to the public library is a great way to encourage reading and a love of books, and it’s completely free! Make it fun for your toddler to pick out books you can read together. Many public libraries also offer story time sessions and other seasonal events for children. Often, there are engaging activities such as coloring or singing to accompany the stories of the week. Research events happening at your local library this month to see what your toddler might enjoy most.
Stroll through an aquarium
Aquariums are extraordinary places, especially for children. The immersive experience of watching sea creatures up close is both captivating and educational, making it a memorable outing for the whole family, too. Read your kids information about the animals written around the facility, and encourage their curiosity to learn about new things.
Activities suitable for toddlers
See a movie at the cinema
Going to the movies is a fun experience for your little one and a great way to keep your kids engaged on hot or rainy summer days. It’s also an easy indoor activity that requires very little planning in advance. Plus, you can always trust a movie theater to have strong AC. If you don’t want your kids eating too many sugary snacks at the theater, eat before or bring your own movie snack packs.
Play at an indoor playground
Look for indoor play centers or trampoline parks that offer activities like climbing walls, bounce houses, obstacle courses, and other supervised activities for kids. This is a great way to let your little ones get their energy out without worrying about sunscreen or overheating. It’s also a good opportunity for them to make friends with other children and engage in group games and activities.
See a live performance
Many venues offer musical or theatrical performances geared towards toddlers and young children. Be sure to check your local theaters to see what performances they offer over the summer, and if any of them are suitable for kids. We put together a list of our favorite kid-friendly shows happening around the country!
There are tons of indoor activities you can do to keep your little ones entertained and happy this summer. At Doona, we’re always trying our very best to make parenting simpler for every family. Which is also why we’ve created our innovative and revolutionary Doona Car Seat & Stroller which transforms from a car seat to a stroller in the click of a button; and Liki Trike — the most compact folding toddler trike on the market that grows alongside toddlers with five modes of use.
