Visit the bighorn sheep

During the hot summer months, bighorn sheep come down to Hemenway Park to get some shade. They are very accustomed to visitors and you can get right up close.

Get snowcones

For me, snowcones are just part of summer. Read this post about why we love Purple Penguin snowcones and then go get your family a tasty treat!

See a movie

Besides the big-name summer features, there are lots of ways to see movies geared towards kids for free or for $1 all summer long – a great way to get out of the heat! Click here to see a list of free/cheap movies and what’s playing when.

Have a water balloon fight

Sometimes the only way to stay cool is to get all wet! Remember back in the day when you had to hand-fill all the water balloons for the backyard fight? No longer. I will never fill another water balloon the hard way again. We ALWAYS use these fast-fill kind. One hundred water balloons in seconds!

Visit a splash pad

If backyard water play isn’t enough, head to one of the may splash pads around Henderson.

Go swimming

For even MORE water fun, take your family swimming at a local pool. If you want some swim lessons to go with it, check out the blog for some reviews of places to learn to swim.

Go to a waterpark

For a little extra thrill with your swimming, try out Cowabunga Bay, a waterpark that all ages enjoy. It’s a little pricey, but if you go on Tuesdays it’s only $22 (better than $40). You can also get discounted admission if you go just the last few hours of the day during the week.

Go camping

Heading to the mountains is another good way to escape the heat. Camping at Mt. Charleston is a nice way to cool off and have a mini vacation at the same time.

Read a book

Henderson Libraries has a summer reading program for kids (get your prizes by July 31). Barnes and Noble also has a program for kids in grades 1-6.

Try something new

You kids might be involved in a summer camp or sports or activities of some kind, but if you haven’t found what it is you love to do, there are a bunch of places that offer free trial classes. Gymboree, MyGym, Longevity Sports, Code Central, GymCats, and Larry Lake’s Gymnastics and Martial Arts all offer a “first class free.”

Visit the aquarium

Sea Quest Aquarium is a fun activity that will please a wide variety of ages. It’s so hands-on that you’ll have to trouble spending a good amount of time there, and the kids may even learn something new!

Drive-in movies

I grew up going to the drive in during the summer. The classic drive-in around here is West Wind drive in. They have a free movie event coming up in September.

Go to the “beach”

Want to take a beach vacation and still be home in time for lunch and naps? The Green Valley Ranch pool has a beachy sand area. You can also visit Lake Las Vegas, which is a little bit like a beach. There is a giant sandbox near the watersports storefront that my kids love to go play in.

Get creative

Lakeshore learning has a free craft you can do in stores every Saturday during the summer. Home Depo gives free kids craft building days the first Saturday of every month (register in advance). Clark County Wetlands has an extensive event schedule, and many of the events are kids craft programs.

Learn something new

Explore a new hobby or skill on your own or with family. There are hundreds of classes to choose from in the Henderson Parks and Rec catalogue, including dance, cooking, and fitness classes for all ages.

Go for a bike ride

There are extensive trails around the city of Henderson you can ride as a family, or visit the bike park at Arroyo Grande Park. If you have little riders, you might enjoy the balance bike races that are put on in conjunction with BMX racing in Henderson, Boulder City, and Las Vegas. 

Visit the library

There is something fun going on at the public libraries almost every day during the summer. We have enjoyed “Play With Me,” “Preschool Party,” “Family Challenge,” “Summer Movies,” and storytime. Check the schedule here.

Visit an indoor playground

Some days it’s just too hot to go out, but you still need to get the kids energy out somehow! There are a lot of great indoor playgrounds in the area. Check out the “Indoor Playground” category on the blog for a few reviews of places we’ve been to. I haven’t written up the review yet, but our favorite lately has been Little Local Playground (good for ages 5 and under).

Go bowling

Sign up for the Kids Bowl Free program (the only participating bowling alley near here is in Boulder City) or use your Pogo Pass for 4 free games of bowling each month (good all year long, plus a bunch of other free activities for kids). Use code “playhenderson” to get a discount on your Pogo Pass.

Play a game

Some of our favorite family games (for ages 2-5) are Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Let’s Go Fishing, and Twister.