So… School’s Out… Now What?!
10 Fun (and Sanity-Saving) Things to Do
with Kids in Metro Edmonton This Summer
Well, Metro Edmonton… it’s happening. Summer is here… and if you're a parent, you’re either:
a) Staring at the calendar like it just personally insulted you, or
b) Color-coding your Summer Adventure Spreadsheet with pure glee.
Either way, whether you're in the "eight weeks of chaos" camp… or the "more time with my little angels!" crew… we’ve got you covered with fun, affordable, and actually doable things to do with kids in Metro Edmonton this summer.
And yes, we’re including our own Cactus Rats Baseball Camp, because we're proud and shameless like that.
1. Cactus Rats Kids Baseball Camp
July 14–17 | Energy City Metro Ballpark
Let’s start with the obvious MVP of the summer: 4 days of baseball fun, fresh air, and high-fives from real-life Cactus Rats players. Whether your kid’s a budding slugger or still thinks a "bunt" is a type of cake, our all-skills camp is the perfect way to burn off energy and build confidence.
Bonus for parents: You get two hours of freedom per day. That's 8 hours total. That’s a lunch date, a mani/pedi, a long walk… that’s a Costco run with no one asking for snacks. That’s peace.
- Ages 6–9: Register here
- Ages 10–14: Register here
2. Jurassic Forest (Gibbons) - Jurassic Forest Dinosaur Park | Gibbons AB
Because nothing says summer like walking through the woods with dinosaurs. This one’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages, kids get to roar back at animatronic T-Rexes, and parents get to make Jurassic Park jokes until someone begs you to stop.
3. Telus World of Science – Edmonton - Home | TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
Air conditioning and science? Sign us up. There’s always something new at TWOSE, and it’s a great place to sneak a little learning into summer break (we won’t tell the kids if you don’t).
Pro tip: Buy the membership. You’ll be back.
4. City Spray Parks & Outdoor Pools
For when it’s too hot to function and your kids are turning your backyard into a water park with the hose and questionable aim. Head to the Stony Plain Outdoor Pool and Spray Park Stony Plain Pool | TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre or make a splash at Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool | City of Edmonton.
Bonus: You don’t have to clean up after.
5. Spruce Summer at the Centre (Saturday evenings) and Stony Plain’s Summer Sessions (Wednesday Concerts)
Live music in the park! Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and let the kids run wild (or fall asleep on your lap if you're lucky). Great for introducing them to live music, and even better for sneaking in some adult socializing.
Summer Sessions - Town of Stony Plain
2025 Summer Market — Spruce Grove City Centre Business Association
6. Elk Island National Park (aka Bison Selfies & S’mores)
Just east of Edmonton, Elk Island is perfect for a family hike, a day of paddleboarding, or an overnight camping trip. Spot some bison, roast some marshmallows, and try to convince your kids that “no Wi-Fi” is a feature, not a bug.
7. KidsFringe at Edmonton Fringe Festival KidsFringe — A space for our littlest Fringers!
This August event is pure magic for families. Mini-performances, kid-friendly food trucks, and more bubbles, face paint, and balloon animals than you knew were possible.
8. Mini Golf – Because You Deserve Chaos in a Controlled Environment
Whether it’s Professor Wem’s indoor neon insanity Professor WEM's Adventure Golf | West Edmonton Mall or a sunny round at Rundle Park, Rundle Park | City of Edmonton or The Whole School Mini Golf The Whole Scoop Ice Cream | Local Ice Cream Shop in Stony Plain, mini golf is a classic. Just mentally prepare for someone to cry (probably the adult who got beat by a 7-year-old).
9. Family Bike Day at the River Valley Trails
Dust off the bikes, fill a backpack with snacks, and hit Edmonton’s gorgeous river valley. You can bike, scoot, or walk. Just know someone will ask “how much longer?” within the first 10 minutes. It’s tradition.
Edmonton Bike Trails- Where to Bike in Edmonton's River Valley
10. Backyard Camping (A.K.A. No Bathrooms = No Problem)
Don’t want to pack up the van for a real trip? Throw a tent in the backyard, make s’mores over a BBQ, and let the kids "camp" while you sneak back into your bed after they fall asleep. Everyone wins.
📍 Your House
Final Word from the Cactus Rats Dugout:
Whatever your parenting style this summer: planner, wing-it expert, or just-hanging-on-until-bedtime… there’s no shortage of ways to make memories with your kids across Metro Edmonton. And if you need a break (and they need a safe, fun, confidence-building outlet)? You know where we’ll be:
July 14–17 | Cactus Rats Baseball Camp | Energy City Metro Ballpark
Because baseball isn’t just a game, it’s how we build confidence, character, and community.
Let’s play ball,
The Energy City Cactus Rats Team
Posted June 2025
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