Top 10 local summer activities to keep kids cool, engaged and entertained

It’s summer, essentially, and that means heat, humidity, thunderstorms. And it mean kids on break from school and looking for something to do every day.

It can be a challenge because there’s usually less going on around here in the summer than during snowbird season. But there’s still a ton to do, and you shouldn’t have much trouble filling your kids’ summer with activities that are fun, engaging and even educational (in a way they won’t mind too much).

Here are 10 kid-friendly or family-friendly events and activities to get you started. You shouldn’t have much trouble finding more.

1. Snooty’s Birthday Celebration. Manatee’s most famous resident turns 69 on July 21. Every year the people at the South Florida Museum, where Snooty has spent most of his life, deliver a fun bash with music, games, educational activities mostly themed around the environment and a very unusual cake for the birthday boy. Snooty was named the world’s oldest manatee in captivity by the Guinness Book of World Records several year ago, so he sets a record every day. The birthday bash is set for Saturday, July 22, the day after Snooty’s birthday. Information: 941-746-4131, southfloridamuseum.org.

2. ROAR! (Ringling Order of Art Readers). At 10:30 a.m. on Fridays through July 28 (but not every Friday, so check the schedule), the Education Center at the Ringling offers family story-time designed to engage toddlers and preschoolers in activities that connect art with early literacy. Each session includes a story and an accompanying activity. It’s free and you don’t have to make reservations. Information: 941-358-3180, ringling.org.

3. Pools and splash pads. Being outside in the Florida summer can be uncomfortable. If you can stay wet, though, it can be heavenly. There’s always the beach, but Manatee County also has several pools and splash pads. They offer swim lessons and you can rent the pool facilities for special occasions. The locations:

• G.T. Bray Aquatic Center, 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton (941-742-5923);
• Willie J. “Bro” Clemons Jr. Pool, East Bradenton Park, 1119 13th St. E., Bradenton (941-708-5930);
• John H. Marble Pool, 3675 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton (941-742-5923);
• Pride Splash Pad, 815 63rd Ave. Bradenton (941-742-5923);
• Lincoln Splash Park, 715 17th St. E., Palmetto (941-742-5923).

And don’t forget the splash pad at Bradenton’s Riverwalk in downtown. There’s more information at mymanatee.org.

4. Manatee Performing Arts Center. A lot of local kids who are interested in performing take part in camps and other programs at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, but theater needs audiences, too. This summer, MPAC is hosting two shows that kids and parents can enjoy together. “High School Musical Jr.” (June 23-24) is a version of the hit Disney musical. “Shrek The Musical” (July 21-22) is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and the Broadway musical. Information: 941-748-5875, manateeperformingartscenter.com.

5. Florida Railroad Museum. This is something you can do in Manatee County that few other parts of the country can offer. The museum offers 13-mile, 80-minute rides on a vintage train. Sometimes they have special events — staged train robberies and such — and you can rent out entire cars for parties, but the regular rides are fun, too. There are two a day every Saturday and Sunday. Information: 941-776-0906, frrm.org.

6. Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Besides a lot of fun exhibits and shows that celebrate plants and animals, Sarasota Jungle Gardens hosts week-long camps all through the summer, with such themes as “Get a Move On (How Animals Move)” from July 3-7, “Ocean Commotion” from July 24-28 and “Wing It” from July 31-Aug.4. Information: 941-355-1112, sarasotajunglegardens.com.

7. Manatee County Library. Sure, the library has reading programs for kids, but our libraries also offer a surprising breadth of activities for young people all through the summer.

Just a few examples:

• “Teen ‘Bored’ Games & Chaos Machine” (June 23, Braden River, 941-727-6079).
• “Tracking the Stars” (July 26, downtown, 941-748-5555);
• “Erupt More Fun With Baking Soda & Vinegar” (July 27, South Manatee, 941-755-3892);
• “Computer Deconstruction” (July 31, downtown, 941-748-5555);

It’s safe to say you can find something to engage your child, no matter what her or his interest might be. Information: mymanatee.org.

8. ArtCenter Manatee. If your kids have any kind of artistic inclination, ArtCenter Manatee probably has a summer camp to suit their ability, their interest and their schedules. From beginning drawing, painting and sculpting through more advanced classes in mosaics, the center offers camps for kids from age 4 to 15. Information: 941-746-2862, artcentermanatee.org,

9. YMCA. The Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch YMCA branches both have full schedules of mini-camps that involve sports, engineering, circus, arts and crafts, musical theater, STEM, fitness and swimming. (Not all camps are available at both locations.) The Parrish YMCA has cheerleading and soccer camps. Information: manateeymca.org.

10. Bishop Planetarium. Just about any afternoon through the summer, you can get out of the Florida sun and spend time under the stars at the Bishop Planetarium at Bradenton’s South Florida Museum. The planetarium has a full schedule of spectacular shows every day (except Monday, when the museum is closed). This year, it started a new Saturday morning program called KidSpace for youngsters in grades 1-5 who want to explore everything there is to know about space. Information: 941-746-4131, southfloridamuseum.org.

This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Top 10 local summer activities to keep kids cool, engaged and entertained."