Summer Fun
Tue, 06/14/2022 - 11:11amLooking for something new and exciting to do with your kids this summer? Check out the below PDF for some great ideas!
Summer Fun 2022!!
Events and Activities for RBES Children and Families
Columbia Festival of the Arts
Free LakeFest Weekend June 10-12, 2022
Columbia’s family festival for arts & entertainment at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront is a free, 3-day event featuring live music, kids’ entertainment and crafts, an arts and crafts show and festive food.
Lakefront LIVE!
CA is bringing back all of your favorites all summer long – movies, local music acts and Dancin’ Under The People Tree. This exciting lineup is all about celebrating the incredible diversity we enjoy here in Columbia.
Colorburst Park Summer Series has free concerts, children’s programs, exercise programs and a splash pad open 10am-10pm all summer.
Howard County Fair (The Howard County Fairgrounds. 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship, MD 21794): August 6-13
Visit: https://howardcountyfairmd.com/ for more information.
More to Explore…..
HoCo Library Central Branch Activities
We are lucky to have some beautiful libraries in our county! Above is the link for classes and events and the summer reading program. Encourage your child to join the summer reading program and take a class. Make it a weekly visit!
Robinson Nature Center (6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044, 410-313-0400) Visit interactive exhibits for children and outdoor walking trails. Call the facility status line before going 410-313-4452 for the most up-to-date information. Daily admission $5/adults, $3 for children aged 3-17, & free for children under 3. Closed on Mon. & Tues.. Thurs.-Sat. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday Noon-5pm. Robinson Nature Center
Roger Carter Community Center (3000 Milltowne Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043, 410-313-2764): State-of-the-art community center that includes a swimming pool, splash pad, basketball and volleyball courts, fitness equipment and classes, a climbing wall, and much more. Drop-in passes are $5.00/person for ages 3 and up. Aged 2 and under are free. https://www.howardcountymd.gov/rccc.
HoCo Conservancy: (Mt. Pleasant Location, 10520 Old Frederick Rd, Woodstock, MD, 21163): 410-465-8877. Trails open dawn to dusk daily. Nature Center Monday – Saturday 9 am – 3 pm (closed on Sat. in the winter). https://www.hcconservancy.org/
Visit a Farmer’s Market:
Give your child $1-$3 to spend at a local farmer’s market. Challenge them to pick a fruit or vegetable that they have never tried before. Farmer’s Markets happen on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May and November. Here is a link for a list of local farmers markets in Howard County: http://howardcountyfarmersmarkets.com/index.html
Visit a Farm: (Larriland Farm, 2415 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, MD 21797): Larriland Farm opens with strawberry season in late May/early June and ends with apple season in early November. Check their website http://www.pickyourown.com/ or call 410-442-2605 before you go to see what is available to be picked on any given day and for daily hours. Larriland Farm is closed on Monday.
Star Parties, all ages
(Alpha Ridge Park, 11685 Old Frederick Rd., Marriottsville, MD 21104): Enjoy the night sky through telescopes set up by the Howard Astronomical League in HAL’s Observatory. At this relaxed, casual, family event, view live images projected onto a big screen. Info/weather updates:www.howardastro.org. Dusk until about 11:00 pm. Free.
The Columbia Association CA Membership Information
offers “Play” memberships that include the pools, tennis, ice skating, and mini golf. There is a sliding scale membership available for income-qualified families. At full fee, the membership for a family costs $75 for non-Columbia residents and $42 for Columbia residents.
Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Picnicking, Climbing, Swimming, Boating, Junior Rangers Programs – are all free or have a nominal entrance fee at our beautiful Maryland State Parks. Our closest state Park, Patapsco, is only ten minutes away by car. Summer program information: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/outdooreduc.aspx.
Plan your trip by visiting the website. http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/default.aspx
Playgrounds Howard County is home to some pretty amazing playgrounds. Blandair has 2 playgrounds and Centennial has 4! Meadowbrook has a large playground for a variety of ages and abilities. Howard County Playgrounds
Movies There are $2 summer movies at Regal Snowden Square:
$1.50 per person movies and $1 off kids snack packs at Cinemark at the Arundel Mills Mall: Movies at Cinemark - Arundel Mills Mall
Summer Food and Other Resources For Families
Howard County Public School System free summer meal program Mondays through Fridays June 27-Aug. 12, 2022 from 12:30-2pm at select locations. HCPSS Summer Food Program
The CARE Center's CARE Line is a FREE information and referral service for people who have questions about children in Howard County. CARE Center staff work with families to identify their needs and help find solutions. For assistance, call 410-313-CARE (410-313-2273).
Parent’s Guide to Howard County
Howard County Food Bank
The Howard County MultiService Center (MSC)
Assistance with connecting to resources within our community. Call 410-313-0220 for assistance. The MSC Food Pantry provides pre-packaged "grab and go" bags and is open Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 4:00 p.m. and the third Saturday of the month, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Howard County Multi-Service Center