School’s out, leaving many parents looking for creative ways to keep their children occupied. Fortunately, there’s never any shortage of fun things to do in the Nashville area. Whether your goal is to provide memorable learning experiences or help your children become more independent and physically active, consider adding these activities to your summertime agenda.
1. Nashville Farmers’ Market
Everyone in your family can benefit from learning about seasonal produce and meeting the farmers who grow their food. Nashville Farmers’ Market is a community staple that celebrates Tennessee’s rich agricultural heritage. This Saturday, June 17, is the Peach Jam Festival, featuring locally grown peaches, live music, food trucks, a peach cobbler contest, peach-themed crafts and specialty foods, face painting, a kids’ zone, and more!
2. Adventure Science Center
Many people who grew up in the greater Nashville region have fond memories of visiting the Adventure Science Center, which has a storied 75-year history as Middle Tennessee’s premier learning center. ASC provides learning experiences and science fun through hands-on exhibits, innovative programming, and breathtaking productions in the state-of-the-art Sudekum Planetarium. Kids will love climbing the signature Adventure Tower, designed to combine physical activity with learning.
This summer, don’t miss ASC’s Red, White, and Boom, which includes exclusive, after-hours admission to the science center, unparalleled views of Nashville’s award-winning July 4 downtown fireworks display, and special laser, science, and magic shows.
3. Urban Air Adventure Park
Jumping, playing, and navigating obstacle courses can help children develop essential motor skills, posture, balance, coordination, endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility. Urban Air Adventure Park is a safe place where kids can explore attractions and challenge their physical and mental skills.
4. Nashville Shores
Nothing says summer like spending the day at a water park, but Nashville Shores goes beyond the typical slides and wave pools by offering a treetop adventure course, pontoon and Jet Ski rentals, a lazy river, and private cabanas.
5. Nashville Zoo
If your little ones can’t get enough of dinosaur lore, you have until July 30 to check out Nashville Zoo’s animatronic Dino Trek exhibit. As you walk along the trail, 20 brand-new dinosaurs will thrill and delight you with their sounds and movements. Afterward, you can stay and explore, visiting more than 3,000 different animals representing over 325 species and learning about the zoo’s conservation efforts.
6. Ford Ice Centers
Beat the heat with public ice-skating sessions at Ford Ice Centers, located in Bellevue, Antioch, and Clarksville. These facilities also offer hockey programming, including skating lessons, youth and adult hockey leagues, and stick-and-puck sessions.
Helping Tennessee Children Thrive Since 2016
At Project Play Therapy, it’s our mission to guide children toward their fullest potential through services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, applied behavior analysis, and more. We understand that every child’s needs are different, which is why we begin with a comprehensive assessment to determine if your child could benefit from our treatment process. Contact us with questions or to get started.