Temperatures are rising and kids this summer seem even more restless after already spending months at home. The dog days of Summer are still ahead and while Summer might look different this year than ever before there are still plenty of options for safely keeping kids busy and cool in the Carolina heat.

GET OUT AND EXPLORE

Spending time outside isn’t just good for your physical and mental health, it’s one of the safest options for an outing during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Are the kids climbing the walls at home? Let them give the climbing walls at The U.S. National Whitewater Center a try! There are all kinds of activities for all skill levels and many of them involve water! Hike, bike or canoe, kayak, and raft your way through a day at this world-class facility.

You don’t have to go far to find a new adventure on a greenway in Mecklenburg County. It could take you all summer to check out all 52 miles! 

Actually, you could do the same thing with Charlotte parks. Make it a family challenge to see them all. Here’s a helpful list. 

GET ARTSY

Charlotte’s Arts & Science Council has made it easy for you to improve your Instagram feed with pics of your kids at a public art installation! They created a free 45-minute podcast to be your guide to history and art throughout the streets of Uptown.  There’s even a scavenger hunt for the kids or, maybe the kids at heart. Check out the self-guided podcast tour and get a downloadable map here

GO OUT FOR ICE CREAM

Nothing kills a little time and brightens up a day like some ice cream and sunshine! The Golden Cow Creamery is owned by native North Carolinians Liz and Alex Hannah. Along with amazing ice cream, the couple is committed to giving back to the city they call home. That makes it a true win-win! They set aside a portion of the monthly revenue to a different local charity through the Queens Share program. There are two locations.

There are lots of great ice cream places to choose from but not all of them are open right now because of the pandemic like Elizabeth Creamery. Make sure to give your favorite spot a call to double-check before you go! Do you know what makes a long summer day with bored kids even longer? Telling them there is no ice cream after all!.

TAKE A STAYCATION

You don’t have to go far to get away. A change of scenery might be nice for everyone given the fact that we’ve been mostly stuck inside our homes the last few months.

When it is safe to reopen, you can rough it with an overnight stay in the wilderness of the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve! They have a 56-site campground set on hundreds of acres.

If that’s a little too primitive for your tastes, try an overnight stay at one of Charlotte’s upscale hotels like the Ritz Carlton or the Ballantyne Hotel.