Help! My Kids Are Bored!

It’s summertime in Roswell and that means that children are out of school and looking to you for something to do. Back in the day, a new board game, clothes to play dress up, or paints, clay, and other craft items would keep them occupied for hours and when the newness wore off, you’d just send them outside to play with their friends. If the children that I’m around are any indication of today’s children, those toys and activities will keep them occupied for maybe a week and then it’s up to me to find something more exciting.

Watching my younger niece and nephews squeal with laughter when they swing or race each other to see who will be first to climb the slide, I know that playgrounds are still high on children’s lists of fun places. Seven of the parks in Roswell have playgrounds just waiting for children to enjoy them. Six of those seven parks have picnic areas so you can bring lunch and have a place to relax after working up a great appetite.

There are now two spraygrounds in Roswell. The original sprayground is in Riverside Park and the newest one is in East Roswell Park. A family pass is only $30 for your entire family to enjoy a sprayground for the summer. If you just want to come once or twice, it’s only $1 per person, per visit. Full information on the spraygrounds is available under “Recreation and Parks” at www.roswellgov.com

For a little evening entertainment, come on down to Riverside Park on Saturday, July 23rd for “Shrek 4ever After,” and Saturday, August 13th for a back to school bash. Bring a picnic along with your lawn chairs and blankets, enjoy great music, play on the playgrounds, then settle in for movie fun. Food and drinks may be purchased at the concession stand. Movies begin at dark.

For older children, Grimes Bridge Park has a Skate Park and East Roswell Park has a disc golf course. The Disc Golf course is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the top places to play in the area. Information on tournaments and events is at www.roswelldiscgolf.org

One of my favorite places to take children is the Chattahoochee Nature Center. In addition to all of the animals on display (my favorite part), children of all ages enjoy the hands-on displays and exhibits in the Discovery Center. A great summertime event is the annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival in July with a lot of family-friendly fun for all ages. Full details about the Nature Center and all of their events is at chattnaturecenter.org

Prepare for the thrill of the ride! Gear up in your Andretti racing suit, slip behind the wheel of a brand new Stratos Superkart and prepare to take on the Andretti designed indoor track at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games. Sign up for the Andretti Ultimate Racing Summer Camp for ages 7-14. Lots of air conditioned fun with bowling, billiards and basketball. Full information on Andretti’s and the nationally-known comics performing at their Funny Farm Comedy Club can be found at www.andrettikarting.com

Monkey Joes is an indoor play center filled with wild inflatable slides, thrilling jumps, and wacky party rooms for kids - TVs, computer stations, and wireless internet access for the parents. What’s not to like? Full details are at www.monkeyjoesroswell.com

One of Roswell’s newest attractions is Area 51 off of Commerce Parkway, behind Roswell Towne Center. Enjoy first-run movies at the Aurora Cineplex featuring 10 screens, digital sound, 3D capabilities, stadium-style, and high-back-rocker seating. While you’re there, check out The Fringe miniature golf with two courses and 36 holes providing amusing surprises and adventures throughout each course. Full details are at www.a51fun.com

So grab up the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews and head to Roswell where you really can Find It All.