Over the long summer break, every parent dreads hearing the phrase “I’m bored!”
Well, never fear because we have five fabulous Hendricks County, Indiana itineraries for summer that are guaranteed boredom busters.
Whether the kids in your life call you mom, dad, grammy, big sis or their favorite babysitter, they are likely looking to you to make this summer memorable. There are tons of activities for kids of all ages to do in Hendricks County, and with these ready-to-go itineraries you can just grab the kiddos, find the best trip that fits your family and set off on a summer adventure.
1. Tiny Tots Itinerary in Danville
Start off your day of pint-sized fun at Beasley’s Orchard in Danville, Indiana. Your little tykes will love exploring this working orchard and the family play area.
Really get into the farming spirit by letting your little ones pick their own strawberries, raspberries, apples or sunflowers (depending on what’s ripe for picking).
When it’s time for lunch, venture over to Mayberry Cafe for a home-cooked meal (that requires no prep or cleaning on your part). Your kiddos will love getting their photo taken next to Sherriff Taylor’s police car outside, while mom and dad will enjoy the nostalgia of this restaurant based on a beloved TV show.
Allow time for a nap if that is part of your little one’s regular routine, but then resume your day of family fun at Ellis Park.
Opt for a dry adventure and let your kids explore the various playgrounds. Or you can all suit up and spend the afternoon at the Gill Family Aquatic Center. The splash pad area and the water playground are sure to be a hit with your tiniest family members. After this jam-packed day, they are sure to be tuckered out and sleep soundly all night long!
2. School-Aged Itinerary in Avon
Add some color to your summer with a visit to The Tie Dye Lab in Avon. Your kids will love mixing colors to create a one-of-a-kind shirt, towel or another item of their choosing. Let their creative side shine, and let the staff at The Tie Dye Lab take care of the cleanup.
Then, wander a few doors down for lunch at Pizza King. Not only will your youngsters love the pizza, they will also be enthralled with the train that delivers their beverages right to the table!
Round out the day with an afternoon at Washington Township Park. Take a nature walk. Visit both of the playgrounds. Cool off at the splash pad. Or go fishing in one of the two stocked fishing ponds.
Pack in as many activities as your kiddos can stand, and then plan a return trip for another round of summer fun.
3. Terrific Teens Itinerary in Brownsburg
Let’s face it, most teenagers just want to hang out with their friends during summer break. Why not earn some brownie points with your angsty teens by inviting a few of their friends to tag along for this fun-filled day in Brownsburg.
Teens typically prefer to sleep in, so fight the urge to start the fun too early! In the late morning or early afternoon start with some horseback riding at Natural Valley Ranch. For those teens who have never saddled up, you will be giving them something exciting to write about for that dreaded back-to-school essay about what they did this summer.
Next, take your gaggle of teens to So Italian!. I haven’t met a teenager yet who doesn’t love pizza! You can all sit inside and enjoy the air conditioning while everyone shares a pie or two, or continue soaking up the summer sun with an Italian-themed feast on the patio out front.
Once everyone’s appetite is satisfied, head over to Arbuckle Acres Park for another adventure. While your teens may have outgrown the playground, you can combine nature and electronics with a photo scavenger hunt. Make up your own scavenger hunt or search for one online.
Then send your teens into the park on a race to take photos with their smartphones of as many items as they can find on their list.
After the hunt is over your teens will likely be hungry again, so wrap up this epic summer day with a trip to Mandy’s for ice cream. Reward the scavenger hunt winner with a double scoop!
4. Beat the Heat Itinerary in Plainfield
Don’t let summer pass by without taking your family to Splash Island Family Waterpark in Plainfield. Lather the sunscreen on your gang and plan to spend the whole day at Splash Island.
This massive outdoor water park offers something for everyone in your family. Get an adrenaline rush on the water slides or glide along the lazy river. Show off your swimming prowess in the lap pool or take the plunge off the diving boards.
After a splashing good time, keep the good times going with a trip to The Frigid Frog & More. The menu includes tons of fabulous flavors of shaved ice, scooped ice cream, popcorn and cotton candy that are sure to please even the pickiest palettes.
And for worn-out parents, they also serve java from Black Rifle Coffee Company that will offer a boost of caffeine to keep up with your energetic clan.
5. Rainy Day Itinerary
When the weather isn’t cooperating and outdoor activities are a bust, it’s always good to have a backup plan.
Start your rainy day adventure with donuts! Pop into Hilligoss Bakery in Brownsburg, Rise ‘n Roll in Avon or Reds Donuts in Danville.
Given that there will likely be a few rainy days, make a plan to visit all three establishments sometime this summer and taste test each store’s unique offering of sugar-laden breakfast treats.
Then seek out some age-appropriate indoor fun. Take your pre-school and school-aged children to Kid’s Planet in Brownsburg to use up all that pent-up energy. Your teens and tweens will have a blast playing virtual reality games at Press Play Gaming Lounge in Brownsburg or jumping to their heart's content at Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in Plainfield.
Round out the day with a trip to the Royal Theater in Danville to take in a family flick. The Royal only offers showings on the weekend and just has one screen so make sure to check out their schedule and what their showing ahead of time.
In fact, why not break some of the rules this summer and stay in your PJs all day long for this rainy-day adventure!
Whichever itinerary your gang chooses, you are sure to find plenty of parent and kid-approved adventure in Hendricks County this summer.
