2016 Free and Cheap Indoor Summer Fun in Huntsville and North Alabama

At some time during the summer, there will be a day (or many) when it’s rainy or just too hot to be outside. When that happens, here are several great INDOOR options for summer fun and many are free (or cheap) with special passes and programs just for the summer!

[themify_box style=”lavender rounded” ]For even more FREE family-fun this summer, check out our 2016 Summer Fun Guide. Filled with information on free outdoor concerts, free summer movies, free and cheap outdoor children’s activities, free summer movies, pools and splashpads, and so much more! Your children will not be bored this summer! [/themify_box]

Bowl for Free

Plamore Lanes is once again offering their “Kids Bowl Free” summer program for children ages 15 and under. Sign up your child to receive two free games all summer long.

AMF Pin Palace Lanes also offers a summer pass for $23.95 that entitles kids 15 and under to 3 free games of bowling per day all summer (May 23 – September 5). Adults and kids ages 16+ can also purchase passes for $28.95. Shoes are included. Register here.

Free (or Cheap) Kids’ Workshops

• Jr. Chef Classes – These free classes offered at Williams Sonoma are a wonderful way for your school age child to be introduced to the joys of cooking! These tend to fill up fast so don’t delay if you see one your Jr. Chef might be interested in. Sign-up is done via local stores so call (256) 534-2008 to register.

• Apple Camp – Apple Camp is designed to help spark the imagination of kids ages 8 to 12. They’ll learn to make movies by storyboarding ideas, shooting video, and creating an original soundtrack. Or campers can create interactive books complete with their own illustrations and sound effects. At Apple Camp, kids and their creativity are the focus.

• Kids’ Club – Michaels offers regular kids craft workshops aimed at children ages 3+ and while some are free, most have a small fee ($2).

• Home Depot Kid Workshops – these monthly workshops are free and usually aimed at school age children 5+ although there are the occasional options for preschoolers.

Kidventure

Location: 500 Lanier Road, Suite D, Madison
Phone: 256-270-9990
Price: 13 months and under are FREE; 14 months till their 2nd birthday are $5.00 plus tax; 2 and up is $8.50 plus tax.
More Info: Website

We’ve been big fans of Kidventure, a locally owned and operated indoor playground, since we started RCM. Of course, we’re also big fans of playing outside but when that’s not an option, this is a great one. With tons of special activities happening all summer, you might even want to visit when it’s nice outside.

Pump It Up Open Play

Location: 3230 Leeman Ferry Road
Phone: 256-881-0111
Price: $8.50 per child, or “two for the price of one” at the same visit when you mention Rocket City Mom
More Info: Website

Another great option for getting out your wiggles, Pump It Up Huntsville offers extended Open Play hours for the summer. Their massive inflatables spark kids’ imaginations and let them burn off energy. Open Jumps are safe, indoor, climate-controlled, and fun. Parents always play for free, and don’t forget your socks!

Summer Smart Play at The U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Location: One Tranquility Base, Huntsville
Dates: May 14, 2016- July 25, 2016
Price: Included with Membership or General Admission
More Info: Website

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is ready for a summer of fun with the opening of its newest exhibit, “Summer Smart Play.” Feel the effects of energy as you step into a simulated tornado and try out a working storm shelter equipped with hands-on safety games. Children can also experience the shaking and sounds created by earthquakes and can generate electricity to produce light with their own pedal power. The Rocket Center’s new Magic Planet® interactive, sphere-shaped display allows guests to see hurricanes in motion, airplanes navigate the globe and how the Earth’s climate works. (If you’ve never been, be sure to check out our RCM Parent Review of the Space and Rocket Center and see what you’re missing.)

Summer Reading Programs

We all know reading is FUNdamental & it’s crazy important to keep it up during the summer months. So here are several reading programs to help make sure your child is ready and able when the school year comes around again.

HMCPL’s Summer Reading Program

Readers, are you ready? “On Your Mark, Get Set, READ!” Is coming to your library this summer. Youth of all ages can enjoy fun and free events all summer long with a Field Day event to celebrate the conclusion of the program on July 24th from 4-7pm at Big Spring Park. Race to the shelves to discover new adventures, enjoy a variety of special events and exercise your brain! To find out more information, pick up a Summer Reading packet at your local branch or visit our webpage.

Barnes and Noble

As in previous years, Barnes and Noble is offering a free book to every child participates in their Summer Reading Triathlon and records their adventures in a journal you can download from their site. You’ll need to check with your local B&N for more info (also on the site linked to here).

Chuck-E-Cheese

Offered year-round, Chuck-E-Cheese reward calendars are just one of many types of incentive programs the big cheese offers to parents as a way of getting them to do all kinds of things (stop picking your nose, clean up your room, use the potty, etc.). Simply download and print out a calendar, mark off the days, bring completed calendar to any Chuck-E-Cheese and receive 10 free tokens.

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