Summer Activities for Kids in Lincoln – April 2022

Summer vacation is nearly here! The children are surely excited, but if you are the parent, you may be wondering how you are going to keep your kids busy throughout the summer. Lincoln provides a large variety of different activities, camps, and classes that will keep your kids moving and enjoying their summer break in a fun and even educational environment. Check out what some local businesses and organizations are offering for kids this summer!

Summer Camp Activities

Bright Lights (brightlights.org) is thrilled to be offering their summer camps for youth in grades K-8 beginning in early June. These week-long camps range between half-day and full-day activities that offer unique, motivating, hands-on learning experiences.

“Bright Lights is truly unique because of the large variety of camp topics presented,” shared Executive Director
Lori Paulsen. “We offer nearly 100 camps on topics infused with STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. We hope to spark interest in a new topic or further inspire our students in an area they love.”

This year, Bright Lights is offering many exciting new camps, along with old favorites. With over 30 new camps in 2022, they have something for everyone. They especially expanded their middle school camps this year, including an exciting new partnership with Southeast Community College in the culinary arts program.

Camps will be held June 6-10, June 13-17, June 20-24, June 27-July 1, and July 11-15. All camp information as well as registration can be found at brightlights.org; scholarships are also available through May 1, which can be found when registering.

“Our main program site this year will be Roper Elementary,” Lori said. “We’re excited to be at Roper, as well as at other locations throughout the community. This summer, Bright Lights looks forward to promoting life-long learning while having fun and making friends.”

School breaks are for running, jumping, playing, and climbing, which is exactly what World of Knowledge Child Development Center and Preschool (worldofknowledgene.com) offers through their summer camp. Youth ages six to 13 can attend World of Knowledge’s summer camp to partake in educational games that keep kids learning so that they enter school in the fall with an extra boost; indulge in happy, healthy, and home-cooked meals and snacks; receive inspiration and support from an expert team; make new friends and develop their social skills for better confidence; and much more.

If you have kids too young for summer camp, World of Knowledge has a place for them, too. Programs are available for infant, toddler, pre-school, and kindergarten ages. Feel confident that your children are in a safe and supportive learning environment throughout the summer months, and participating in activities that are structured to both enrich your children’s minds and to encourage fun, social play.

Entertainment for the Whole Family

This summer, visit Sun Valley Lanes & Games (sunvalleylanes.com) for your prime one-stop destination for fun for the whole family. Sun Valley Lanes & Games recently underwent a nearly $5 million renovation to become a full-fledged family entertainment center!

In addition to bowling, the whole family can now enjoy activities such as the Lucky Putt course, an indoor miniature golf course with automatic scoring; a two-story laser tag arena; and the arcade that comes with over 25 games and a fully-stocked prize redemption center. The renovation also included three sand volleyball courts; a larger bar and grill with an enhanced food menu; a heated outdoor seating area with two fire pits; and The Yard, which is a fenced-in, 3600-square-foot artificial turf field where guests can play cornhole and other yard games at no cost.

“We are truly a one-stop destination for family-friendly fun!” shared Jen Miseno, director of group sales. “Bring the family here for dinner and a few rounds of games without splitting the night up into visiting multiple destinations. We offer low cost and even some free activities for our guests. Families that visit us know that they are going to have a fun experience in a safe, clean, and family-friendly environment.”

Reservations can be made at their website, sunvalleylanes.com. Beginning May 26, all attractions will be open daily at 11 a.m.

Summer Sports

Play It Again Sports (playitagainsports.com/locations/lincoln-ne) is your neighborhood sporting goods store providing great value and exceptional customer service in a clean and fun environment. You’ll fi nd quality used and new sports and fitness equipment that can fit any budget.

“We strive to provide unmatched customer service in the sports equipment arena,” shared new Owner Kyle McMurray. “From brand new to gently used items ranging across nearly any sport you could think of, Play It Again Sports works hard to have products that meet the needs of everyone. When it comes to fitness equipment, we offer ‘white glove’ delivery. We will bring pieces of equipment, such as treadmills and ellipticals, to your place of living
and set it up without you ever having to lift a finger.”

Buying brand new sports equipment and gear can be expensive, so visit Play It Again Sports to see what they have to offer and how they can help your kids to stay active all summer long. Plus, it’s a great place to invest in quality gear at an affordable price for a new sport your kids want to try, rather than breaking the bank for something they may decide they don’t enjoy. Kyle also shared with us an exciting upcoming event Play It Again Sports is planning to honor the previous owner, Diane Hesson.

“While we have not set a date yet, we are planning a celebration of Diane’s service to Play It Again Sports,” shared Kyle. “She has set a very high bar with her ownership and the type of customer service that she has provided. Diane has been very supportive of youth sports and their organizations in and around Lincoln, and we need to make sure she is recognized for her contributions. Stay tuned and follow us on social media to fi nd out the date for this event!”

Your children will have a summer of fun, faith-based sports when they visit Ambassadors Sports (ambassadorssportsacademy.teamsnapsites.com). This sports club organizes basketball, baseball, and eventually soccer tournaments for kids ages 8–18. Students have the opportunity  to try out for a team and be part of an enriching experience that will result in athletic and spiritual development.

“We develop fundamentally sound athletes who play and compete with increasing quality and character for the glory of God,” shared Co-owner and Executive Director CJ Cooper. “Our goal is to teach our young athletes through the lens of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

In April, Ambassadors Sports will be offering spring skills and player development sessions for both boys and girls each week. All skill sessions are held at Lincoln Christian School and cost $40 for the 4-week session. Visit their website to learn more about their upcoming offerings and register your children today!

Fun with Inflatables

Bounce into summer and take your kids’ birthday party, summer cookout, Fourth of July celebration, or any other gathering to the next level by renting from Lincoln Inflatables (facebook.com/lincolninflatables). They will enhance your event by bringing you top-of-the-line inflatable bounce house units, boxing rings, waterslides, or even a dunk tank. They are known for their prompt communication, punctuality, and quality customer service. Lincoln Inflatables has recently been taking advantage of the off-season to do some fine detailing on all their units to ensure they are extra clean and ready to go for another summer of fun!

Summer is just around the corner, so plan your children a season of fun events by taking advantage of the services and activities offered from these local businesses.