'hood Magazine May/June 2023

KATEESACKHOFF

PARTICIPATING:

ANTHONYDANIELS

IAN MCDIARMID

DANIEL LOGAN

SAM WITWER

DEE BRADLEY BAKER

JOHN RHYS-DAVIES

BRYCE PAPENBROOK

CAREY JONES GRAHAM MCTAVISH

TODD HABERKORN

LAWRENCE MAKOARE

MANU BENNETT

YOUR WORLD IN OUR HANDS

PRIMARY PEDIATRIC CARE

They are a bundle of energy, smiles and snuggles one minute and causing mischief the next. But you wouldn’t have it any other way. To help keep your little ones going at top speed, partner with a pediatrician from Sanford Health. Whether it’s a well-child check-up, a cold or a complex medical issue, we’re here for all your child’s health needs.

Find a pediatrician for your child at sanfordhealth.org

Summer Fun

It is hard to believe another school year is already coming to an end! If you are like me, you are still figuring out summer plans and how you will keep the kids busy all summer!

The ABCs of Summer has fun ideas for kids and families! In addition to the great opportunities in the Sioux Falls area, this list has many new day-trip adventures to check out this year. If you haven’t been to the Ice Cream Capital of the World, add it to your list this summer. While you are in LeMars, make sure to check out Kellen Ponderosa. Or travel a bit south to LaunchPAD in Sioux City or north to the Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings. If you want to keep things on a budget this year, we have many options for something to do at home!

If you still want summer camp options, check out our Summer Camp List on our website. Please don’t wait too long; some are filling up fast!

Did you hear the Levitt moved its family shows to Saturday mornings? The ’hood Magazine and Familyfest will be at the July 8th show as the sponsor. You can find their full schedule and so many other fun summer events on our calendar at thehoodmagazine.com

Speaking of Familyfest, don’t forget to save the date for the Familyfest Fun Cruise on July 22nd from 9 am-2 pm

Happy Summer!

FUNCRUISE

President & Publisher

Steffanie Holtrop

605-366-1479

steff@thehoodmagazine.com

Editor Miranda Ochocki editor@thehoodmagazine.com

Art & Design Director Ally Chase

Digital Media Director Jaclyn Small Calendar Jessie Paquette Circulation Ben Graff and Laura Kattenberg

Cover Photo

Provided by Children’s Museum of South Dakota

Reproduction or use of the contents of this magazine is prohibited. ‘Hood Magazine is published 7 times a year by Hoodlum Productions, LLC and strives to publish only accurate information; however, Hoodlum Productions, LLC cannot be held responsible for consequences resulting from errors or omissions. All material in this magazine is the property of Hoodlum Productions, LLC and cannot be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

©2023 Hoodlum Productions, LLC All Rights Reserved.

Steffanie Holtrop Publisher

Yes… Summer is Coming. Is Your AC Ready?

Not long until temps start to rise both inside and out, and the last thing you want is to find out your AC unit is on the fritz. Be sure to add prepping your AC system for safe and functional operation before the mercury rises. Your system consists of the air exchange inside as part of your overall HVAC system and the condenser located outside. Go online to keep reading tips from Foley’s Heating and Air Conditioning.

Save the Date: Familyfest Fun Cruise on June 22nd

The fun-filled Familyfest Fun Cruise is back on Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 9am to 2pm! Join other families to cruise around the Sioux Empire to visit local businesses to participate in activities, games, food, and other fun family experiences. The cruise is FREE for families, so mark this budget-friendly event on your calendars and watch for our JulyAugust issue for all the details or visit familyfestsf.com in July.

Homeschool Conference of South Dakota May 12th13th. This month on ‘hood online, find five reasons to attend the conference provided by TeachSD.

Community Sponsors. Thank you Our community experts, bringing advice and tips to our ‘hood community.

Toddler Time: Outdoor Edition

You did it! You survived the winter months. Being house confined with a rambunctious toddler is no easy feat. Now the birds are singing and that glorious sun feels oh-sogood, so you know what that means…let’s get outside! If you have some little hands to keep busy, here are some fun ideas to try this spring.

Free Music Concerts at Levitt

If your family loves music, check out this summer’s concert lineup at Levitt at the Falls. All concerts are free! Read more about their family series on page 10.

Spring Into Your New Home

One of the things that make homebuying in the spring so exciting is the increased inventory available on the market. With more homes to choose from, you have a greater chance of finding the perfect fit for you and your family. It’s a fun process to explore different homes and envision your future in each one. Read more online to find out more

Nieuwenhuyzen, Senior Mortgage Banker at Plains Commerce Bank – NMLS #21096 has to say about purchasing a

Discounted party packages? Free treats? Exclusive coupons? The ‘hood Birthday Club is like no other for our Sioux Empire families. It’s not too late to sign up to join. Scan QR code to sign your child(ren) up today!

‘hood @ home DIY Bird House

One quick walk down your local hardware store’s plumbing aisle is all you need to get inspired with this fun DIY craft. This spring, give the birds a place to call home with this DIY bird house idea!

by Dr. Joel Martens

Releasing

For some, fitness and athleticism come naturally. But if your child is interested in more sedentary activities, it doesn’t mean they will not perform well in sports; it just means they need to take time to develop, train, and learn new skills.

I have been a chiropractor for years, and along with that education, I also received my strength and conditioning certification to help me understand the rehab process. This training led me to work with athletes, young and old, and of all abilities, which is why I am a proponent of helping kids of all ages understand the benefit of being active. While this certainly pertains to kids in school-sponsored sports or rec programs, every person can benefit from adding fitness into their life. And the summer is the perfect time to start by allowing them to get outside.

Here are a few ideas for kids of various ages:

• Toddlers: Allow them to experience their bodies in free open space to become athletic. It’s never too early for your child to run, jump, play, or throw a ball. You don’t need to teach them; allow them to explore and play.

• Elementary school: Opportunities for organized sports begin, allowing kids to learn the skills of the sport. For parents, this is the time to teach your kids other basic movements, like squats and hinges, and plyometrics, where you use speed and force to build muscle. Learning these foundational skills early on can help the actions become natural before their body changes as they age.

• Middle and high school: When school is out for the summer or your athlete is in their off-season, continuing with training is imperative to maintain their progress and build skills. You can find summer camps and training programs or talk with your athlete’s coach to find a trainer to work with them all year round. Even if their goal isn’t to become the next sports star, regular performance training can help with strength, injury prevention, speed, and agility. l

FUN FUN

FOR FAMILIES AT THE LEVITT

Looking for a free, fun summer activity perfect for the whole family? Look no further than the Levitt! Levitt at the Falls is an outdoor concert venue where 50 FREE concerts happen throughout the summer. You can catch a show each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from June 2 –September 9. Plus, there will be 5 not-to-be-missed Saturday morning shows geared specifically to youth. A line-up of amazing family musicians is coming and the best news is…it’s all FREE!

Justin Roberts - July 22

Four-time GRAMMY-nominated children’s musician Justin Roberts brings a space-themed interstellar rock performance with feel-good songs rooted in themes of inclusion, acceptance, and self-discovery.

Pierce Freelon - June 17

GRAMMY-nominated children’s hiphop artist Pierce Freelon takes kids and families on a fun-filled Father’s Day adventure with a special guest: his mother Nnenna Freelon.

Jackie Bird - July 8

Jackie Bird brings an inspirational celebration of joy, life, and Native American culture in her performance featuring traditional hoop dance, fancy shawl dance, music and more.

WHEN TO ARRIVE?

For the Saturday a.m. shows - Lawn Opens at 10:00am and Music Starts at 10:30am.

DID YOU KNOW?

Christian Adeti - August 5

Get ready to dance and experience the vibrant rhythms of traditional African drumming and dance heritage with Christian Adeti and his group – The Titambe West African Dance Ensemble.

For more info on free family concerts visit: www.levittsiouxfalls.org

The Family Music Series is sponsored by a donor supporting Therapy Dogs International. The Therapy Dogs will be present for visits at each of the Saturday morning family shows.

What to Bring?

Lawn chairs or a blanket, sunscreen and hats, and the family!

CelebrateMom&Dad

Mother and Father’s Day DIY Gift

With Mother’s and Father’s Day just around the corner, we have the perfect gift your children will love to make and gift to someone special. Give these homemade coasters a try!

what you need:

• A small tile, we like to use a 4x4 square tile because they are easy to come by and budget friendly!

• Sharpies

• Rubbing alcohol

• Eye dropper or small spoon

• Polyurethane top coat

• Peel and Stick Black Felt (optional to use on back of tile)

1. To make your coasters, use Sharpie markers to color all over the tile. It’s ok if the colors overlap a bit. Keep coloring until most of your tile is covered.

2. Take the rubbing alcohol and slowly drip it over the tile. It spreads a lot, so just a few drops does the trick! We like to lay our tile(s) on a baking sheet for this part so the mess is confined.

3. Allow the tile(s) to lay flat to dry for about an hour.

4. Use a small paint brush and VERY GENTLY spread the polyurethane over the tiles. Be careful, because if you press too hard the brush will wipe off your masterpiece.

5. Let tiles set and cure for 24 hours. After 24 hours, use a paint marker to write special messages on the coasters such as, “World’s Best Mom/Dad,” “Happy Mother’s/Father’s Day,” a special quote or saying, or even a cute little doodle. l

by Chelsea Lamp

Make the Most of your Memberships

Our family loves Sioux Falls for the numerous family opportunities and experiences. We use our memberships in town more than

“There are hundreds of museums, zoos and aquariums in these various associations, which provide multiple options for free or discounted travel adventures.

different communities to utilize the reciprocity benefits. We often plan our family vacations to places such as Chicago, which offers multiple locations to use our memberships. We navigate our routes to our final destinations through communities with sites we can visit.

Purchasing memberships from local locations that are a part of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) or Association of Children’s Museums gets you great reciprocity benefits. Some museums and zoos give you free admission with your membership, and others have a 50% discount rate. There are hundreds of museums, zoos and aquariums in these various associations, which provide multiple options for free or discounted travel adventures.

A quick visit to the museum or zoo’s website gives an excellent overview of what you can expect. We like to look at these websites with our children to allow them to decide where they want to go. I always recommend calling ahead of time for guidance regarding cost, the number of available passes, and if a ticket purchase is required.

our local facilities regularly, like the Great Plains Zoo/Butterfly House & Aquarium and the Washington Pavilion, while saving money while traveling and on vacation to experience new places.

Our family’s favorite destinations:

• Sioux City: LaunchPAD Children’s Museum

• Omaha: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

• Minneapolis: The Bakker Museum

• Chicago: The Adler Planetarium

Expert Ask the

Do you have a question for a Sioux Empire expert? ‘hood will be inviting area experts to weigh in and answer various questions from our readers.

Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium

Stephanie Arne Conservation Director

What’s conservation?

Preserving wildlife and wild places. I like to think of it as finding healthy, smart, kind ways to coexist with the natural world. I need clean water and air, food, and shelter to survive each day, and so do animals.

How can we participate in conservation? Don’t waste resources like water and electricity. Use correct trash, recycling, and compost bins. We can clean up our river, pick up littler, plant pollinator gardens, and bring reusable bags to reduce plastic in our environment.

How do GPZ and BHA participate in conservation?

We’re working with local partners to help native species like black-footed ferrets, Dakota skipper butterflies, and other prairie pollinators, in addition to supporting global partners helping rhinos, snow leopards, and sea turtles.

When I am treating a child, or adult for that matter, I’m looking at the whole picture. Dental hygiene is intimately linked to total wellness. If there is inflammation and bacteria (cavities) in the mouth, those inflammatory factors and bacteria are then swallowed and exposed to the rest of the body. If a child has poor dental hygiene, not only are they are risk of losing teeth prematurely but they are also at risk for other systemic issues.

When is a child old enough to brush their teeth on their own?

I encourage parents to help brush their child’s teeth until they are 8. This is when a child develops the dexterity to effectively brush on their own.

Most parents pay their kids to vacuum the house. However, I have a different idea for you to try. Pay your child to read books and discuss the book with you. Instead of your child just cleaning a toilet to make money they could be learning about leadership, communication, relationships, faith, business, money, and more.

Imagine...your child reading books written by John Maxwell, Darren Hardy, and Dale Carnegie. Imagine...your child learning about how to create healthy habits, save money and become a great communicator. Your child desires to learn. Sometimes they just need a little bit of an incentive.

20 recommended books girls should read: Go online to find and add them to the Chore Chart

805 S. Kiwanis Ave

Sioux Falls, SD 57104

GreatZoo.org

605-367-7003

3305 S. Lincoln Ave

Sioux Falls, SD 57105

legacydds.com

605-339-1381

605-321-4145

of Summer

Your 2023 Summer Fun Guide

Bowling, Movies, and More!

Arboretums and Garden Tour

Visit one of the many gardens in the Sioux Falls area. Bring a pad of paper and colors to draw what you see. Mary Joe Wegner Arboretum, McKennan Park, or the Japanese Gardens at Terrace Park are great places to see nature in full bloom.

We all love to enjoy the outdoors in the summer, but sometimes it rains. Thankfully, there are many indoor activity places to visit to keep your family busy, like 605 Ninja, Bowling, Butterfly House & Aquarium, Frontier Climbing, Midco Aquatic Center, Scheels, Sky Zone, West Mall 7, or Wings Gymnastics… to name a few.

Bounce Around

Inflatables

sdfun.us

Most inflatables are pay 1 day, get up to 3 days FREE (Fri - Mon)! We have over 200 inflatables with our standard bouncers starting at $99! Cool down with one of our waterslides or have fun with an obstacle course! Call Today: 605-310-9529.

BritZa Performing Arts Studio

britzaperformingarts.com

Check out our NEW LOCATION! Our team of talented and enthusiastic instructors will help your child develop their artistic skills, confidence, and creativity. We offer a variety of programs teaching dance, theatre and vocals.

Chalk the Sidewalk

When families are out for walks, it’s hard to NOT participate in a course or hopscotch activity! Make a walk fun for your neighbors by drawing one out on your sidewalk.

Let ’s Get

Go-Karts

Mini Golf

Euro Bungy

Tilt-A-Whirl

Water Wars

Batting Cages

L Lazer Maze

Children’s Museum of South Dakota prairieplay.org

Did someone say road trip? Greet life-size Mama T. Rex and climb among clouds 50 miles north of Sioux Falls in Brookings. Cruise on down KidStreet where you can change a tire, deliver the mail, splash in a water room, and more! Show us how you play along!

Chill Off with a Sweet Treat

Ice cream is a great way to end a long day of fun. For a special treat, check out Stensland’s Ice Cream, Parlour, B&G Milky Way, Sweet Cheeks, or Dakota Snow/Sub Zero Desserts.

HyperBowling

Mini Bowling

7D Theater

2-Story Laser Tag

Bumper Cars

Large Arcade

E Event Rooms

Color Me Mine Sioux Falls

siouxfalls.colormemine.com

Are you looking for something fun to do with the kids this summer? We have hundreds of items to choose from and we can show them some fun painting techniques. You are never too young, or too old to paint. Stop in the studio and get creative!

Experiment Outdoors

Science can get messy! Find a fun experiment your kids want to do and let them explore away outside.

Falls Park Adventure

Start your Saturday morning with a visit to the Falls Park Farmer’s Market, venture across the street to the Stockyards Ag Experience, and end it with lunch or ice cream from Falls Overlook Café while enjoying the Falls.

Dakota

Alliance Soccer Club

dakotaalliancesoccer.com

Youth soccer ages 3-19, plus adult soccer in the Sioux Empire. Affordable programs year-round and different levels for all soccer players.

Dig in the Sand…Inside

The beach isn’t the only place you’ll find sand these days. You can also head down to Harrisburg and check out The Sandlot.

Familyfest Fun Cruise

familyfestsf.com

Come support local businesses with the Familyfest Fun Cruise on July 22nd from 9 am-2 pm. Join in on the fun! Follow our social pages to stay up to date on all the stops and details at @FamilyFestSF (Facebook) and @Familyfest_SF (Instagram). Watch for our Cruise in Style Giveaway!

First Friday and Eastbank Block Parties

Eastway Bowl: Kids Bowl Free

eastwaybowl.com

Check out the Kids Bowl Free program at Eastway Bowl. Once your child is signed up, they can bowl two free games each day during the summer program. Shoe rental not included. Check out the family passes as well.

Head to Downtown Sioux Falls for entertainment and deals at local shops for First Friday each month. Some places, like the Washington Pavilion, have Free First Fridays.

Frisbee Golf

Grab your frisbees and friends to visit the disc golf courses in Sioux Falls: Spencer Park, Tomar Park, and Tuthill Park.

Hit the Courts

The parks have courts and fields for many sports, including basketball, tennis, soccer, and more! Grab your equipment and get active with these free activities.

‘hood Calendar

Looking for events for the family? The ‘hood calendar is full of great things happening around the community. From town celebration days and 4th of July parades and fireworks to concerts and camps, something fun is happening in the Sioux Empire for everyone!

Game, Fish and Parks

Outdoor

Campus - Sioux Falls

gfp.sd.gov/toc-east

The Outdoor Campus provides hands-on experiences in hunting, fishing, outdoor skills, and conservation science. Free educational classes for youth, adults, and families are held throughout the year. Visitors can explore over 2 miles of trails, our butterfly garden, our outdoor playscape, and more!

Ice Cream Bar

After an afternoon of outdoor play, set up an ice cream bar with various toppings – syrups, sprinkles, candy – and cool down with your tasty creation.

Great Plains Zoo

GreatZoo.org

Explore the whole wild world this summer. Daily fun includes animal encounters, giraffe feedings, tours, bubbles, and more!

Summer events include:

5/6 - Rhinopalooza

5/27 - GreatLIFE Summer Kickoff

6/10 - Flutterfest

6/24 - Zippity Zoo Day

7/27 - Zoofari

Ice Cream Days Festival

icecreamdays.com

This chill-a-bration in the heart of the Ice Cream Capital of the World is an unforgettable summer event for all. Come scoop up some fun on June 14-17! From a parade and carnival to live entertainment and free activities, there’s something sweet for everyone! The best days have ice cream!

Jump on in!

Sioux Falls has several outdoor public pools that are perfect for a summer swim. Some feature fast slides for the big kids and shallow wading pools and zero-depth entrances for the little ones. There’s a pool for all age groups for a refreshing dip on a hot summer day.

LaunchPAD Children’s Museum

launchpadmuseum.com

Blast off into summer with LaunchPAD!

LaunchPAD Children’s Museum hosts daily activities Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. There are also a variety of summer camps all summer long for kids ages 5 and older. Registration is available on our website.

Learn about History

Kellen Ponderosa LLC

kellenponderosa.com

Come have some fun in the sun and stay cool with your family and friends this summer! Enjoy our pond with two slides and 15-foot high jump surrounded by beaches with two sand volleyball courts. Outside rafts, life jackets, and coolers are allowed. Building available for rent for large gatherings.

Kick Back with a Good Book

Grab a good book and settle under a tree for outdoor learning. Visit REACH Literacy, where kids can choose free books each visit. Check out the Siouxland Libraries summer reading programs to earn prizes.

Kayak and Paddleboard

Grab your kayak or paddleboard (or rent from a local shop) and get out on the water. You can find classes and experiences to learn or if you are experienced, float down at the Big Sioux Recreational Area or a local lake.

With many museums and historical sites in the area, take a trip to learn about the history and people of the Sioux Empire.

Levitt at the Falls

levittsiouxfalls.org

Levitt at the Falls is a fun, family-friendly outdoor concert venue. June - September, enjoy 50 FREE concerts on TH, FRI, and SAT nights, with shows for youth on select SAT mornings. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a variety of live, professional music in downtown Sioux Falls...all ages welcome!

Make and Take It

Find fun craft activities and classes like Sanford fit or the Museum of Visual Materials.

Mud Kitchen

A kid-favorite activity is an outdoor kitchen set up for them to pretend to prepare and cook using any combination of mud, sand, and water. You can buy cheap utensils and bowls at a dollar store for this play. Just be sure to have a hose nearby for clean-up!

Nature Walk

There are beautiful areas and camping spots in our area. Pack a picnic and make a day of it. Local parks include Great Bear Recreation Park, Good Earth State Park, LazyH Campground, Palisades State Park, and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park.

Obstacle Course

Use all sorts of things around your house to allow kids to climb, crawl, or jump around in the yard. Chairs, hula hoops, pool noodles, laundry baskets… the possibilities are endless. Get creative!

Park Parade

There are over 80 parks in Sioux Falls. Create a bucket list of ones your family wants to visit over the summer.

Popsicle Creation

Blend up fruits, add some water, pour into a cup with a stick, and freeze. Try mixing different fruits together to find your family’s favorite concoction.

Quarters for Strangers

Grab a roll of quarters, tape, and some paper and head downtown. Help your kids decorate little cards of encouragement with quarters attached and then tape them to the meters.

Ready, Set, Get Wet

Pioneer Spray Park is a fun way to cool off with the little ones! This dinosaur-designed spray park also features an open picnic shelter, children’s play area, basketball court, soccer field, and tennis courts.

Reel in a Big One

Hit up one of the local fishing holes and try your hand at reeling in fish. The Outdoor Campus is a great resource to learn more about this and other ways to connect with nature. Or check out Family Park’s ponds, where you can also bring your dog to enjoy the nearby dog park.

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation

siouxfalls.org/guide

Summer is here! Find your fun with Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Summer Activities Guide. Register for the new Aquatics Camp and outdoor programming in our parks. Explore! Connect! Play!

Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club

sffsc.com

The Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club is proud to offer fun, engaging and growth-orientated ice sport instruction to individuals of all ages and abilities. Classes are broken down into progressive levels allowing individuals with no prior skating experience to build confidence and have fun while learning how to skate!

Siouxland Libraries

siouxlandlib.readsquared.com

It’s all about together. Join Siouxland Libraries’ Summer Reading Program and partner with hundreds of readers as they read to win cool prizes and attend vibrant programs. Reading together makes us stronger together.

22nd Annual Siouxland Renaissance

Festival

SiouxlandRenFest.com

Play in the Past! June 3 & 4 - W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Travel to 1575 and see the sights, hear the sounds, and taste the food. Live armored jousting, live music, pub tent, shopping, food, many stages, encampments, blacksmiths, mythical garden, children’s area and more!

Skate City

skatecitysd.com/summerskatecard

Summer Skate Cards on sale! For just $15 per skater, your Summer Skate Card will give you FREE admission to most sessions this summer! Visit our website to purchase yours!

State Park Scavenger Hunt

Do some internet searching to find the state and local parks your family would like to visit this summer and make an adventure of it! These are great hiking spots, too! Some great ones include Lake Herman, Lake Vermillion, Palisades, Beaver Creek, Lake Alvin, Newton Hills, Union Grove, Spirit Mound, and Black Elk Peak.

Siouxnami Waterpark

allseasonscenter.org

Join us this summer for indoor and outdoor fun! Featuring waterslides, Iowa’s only aquatic zipline, a 16-foot climbing wall, lazy river and more! Evening weekday specials all summer long. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa. 712-722-4386

Take Out the Recycling

Allow your child’s imagination to run wild by allowing them to play with things from your recycling. Build castles with cardboard boxes or use milk jugs to make a bird house (or a dozen other ways to get creative with them!).

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Visit the Birdcage to enjoy a Canaries game or head out to one of the local ball fields for your own game. Grab a few neighbors and friends to field a team!

Thunder Road

Entertainment

thunderroadsiouxfalls.com

Come make memories with us! Time is limited but not the fun at Thunder Road! With Go-Kart Tracks, Mini-Golf, EuroBungy, Laser Maze, Tilt-a-Whirl, Batting Cages, Hyper Bowling, 7D-Theater, Minibowling, 2-story Laser Tag, Axe-Throwing, Bumper Cars, awesome food, and 80+ Arcade play stations you choose your fun. Find your smile here!

Under the Stars

Upgrade your movie nights by setting up an outdoor projector and bedsheet and enjoy a movie outside after dusk. Check out the outdoor family movie nights offered by DTSF as well.

Voices Against Cancer Presents

605 Pop Culture Con

voicesagainstcancer.org

605 Pop Culture Con is the region’s premier event! Presented by Voices Against Cancer, a 501c3, the event will include amazing talent from Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, and more who have all epically rallied together to battle pediatric cancer.

Vacation in the Black Hills

Whether you camp or stay in a hotel, the Black Hills is a great quick vacation spot. Travel through the Badlands on your way out. Make a pit stop at Wall Drug. Visit the faces at Mount Rushmore. And take in all the hills have to offer. But don’t pet the buffalo in Custer State Park!

Washington Pavilion

WashingtonPavilion.org/ SummerCamps

Our classes and camps are hands-on learning experiences that incorporate all the opportunities that the Washington Pavilion has to offer. Our classes and camps fill up fast so don’t delay in reserving your spot!

summer fun

Walk, Run, or Bike the Loop

Sioux Falls has an extensive network of bike trails that are perfect for a family bike ride, casual walk, or vigorous run. The trails are completely free to use, and they offer a great way to explore the city’s parks and neighborhoods.

Water Your Plants

Plant a garden this year to enjoy some fresh produce and help your kids learn how plants grow. You can plant in pots, build a garden in your backyard, or reserve a spot in the community gardens around town.

Wonder Downtown

There are so many things to do downtown! Check out the Sculpture Walk. Grab a bite to eat. Go shopping. Visit the River Greenway and Arc of Dreams. Learn at a museum. It’s a great place to get out and explore.

X Marks the Spot

Create a map of fun landmarks around your neighborhood for your kids to find while you’re on walks. It’ll keep them entertained and help burn off some energy! You can do this indoors by hiding treasures in a room and creating a map.

Yard Games

Visit Game Chest, Kidtopia, or Child’s Play Toy stores and pick up a fun outdoor games. Frisbee, Ladder Ball, and Lawn Dart are all fun activities. Get even more creative and create your own Yard Yahtzee or Farkle set with a few blocks of wood and some dots of paint. Find the tutorial on The ‘hood Magazine by searching Yard Yahtzee.

wildwaterwest.com

Wild Water West is the best summer entertainment in South Dakota! We’ve been providing safe, family fun for over 30 years with thousands visiting every year from near and far. With water and land attractions for the young and the young at heart, everyone can get their fill of thrills.

Zzzzz’s Outdoors

If you’re not able to enjoy a getaway at a campground this summer, you can still make use of your tent by setting it up in the backyard! The bonus is you’ll have the comfort of your own bathroom nearby and no need for shower shoes.

Want more ideas?

PLUS articles on sunscreen tips, water safety, and car travel activities.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN ABOUT CLASSES AT THE OUTDOOR CAMPUS SIOUX FALLS

From the experts at Sanford fit

Fun and Easy Ways to Keep Kids Active This Summer

School is out for summer! The end of the school year can be an exciting but also overwhelming time as a caregiver. If you’re wondering how to set screen time limits and keep kids active throughout the summer months, you’re not alone. Achieving the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommended 60 minutes of activity each day can be easier than you think! Check out a few of our favorite ways to keep kids active this summer!

Make time to move together every day

Schedule regular family outings like a neighborhood walk, hike through a park, or a simple bike ride. Don’t forget to mark it on a shared calendar to keep everyone engaged!

Sing and dance while you clean

Set aside time to do household chores as a family. Play music as you clean and take turns creating a playlist. Even your youngest kiddos can pick up toys or sweep while dancing with the broom.

Turn yard “work” into yard “fun”

Encourage kids to help with gardening. Start small by planting a container garden or a seed in a flowerpot. Kids can take care of it each week and watch their hard work pay off with big blooms or a fall harvest.

Create your own obstacle course

Inside: pile up pillows, crawl under a table, or pretend chairs are trees.

Outside: pull buckets, lawn chairs, balls, or hula hoops from the garage and let your imagination take over. Challenge kids to beat their own best time through the course.

Bust a move

Blow up some balloons, move furniture for extra space, and take turns performing your favorite dance moves.

Scan here for more at home activities kids love!