When the summer gets hot and smoky, kids get hit particularly hard.
Their smaller bodies are more vulnerable to dehydration and heat exhaustion, and they tend to breathe in more of the dangerous particulate matter found in wildfire smoke than adults do. But keeping energetic kids indoors isn’t easy. When they’ve maxed out on screen time and you’ve run through your supply of board games, try these fun and affordable ways to get them out of the house around Southern Oregon — without sending them into the smoke.
Ashland
Explore ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum. Pull yourself to the ceiling with a rope, draw with a giant pendulum, or fly paper planes inside a vortex — kids can explore all this and more at ScienceWorks while learning how the world works. Discounted tickets are available to SNAP recipients and to all other guests on the first Sunday of every month.
Catch a matinee at the Varsity Theater. Did you know that Tuesdays are deal days at the Varsity, with discounted tickets for all shows?
Find free activities at the Ashland Library. Listen to Russian folk tales at story time, create musical instruments in a workshop for tweens and teens, or build elaborate Lego sculptures — all for free at the Ashland Library. And while you’re there, check out games, instruments, crafting supplies, and more from the Library of Things — perfect for indoor fun at home.
Swim at the Ashland Family YMCA. When smoke hits, it might be worth investing in a family membership at the Ashland Family YMCA.
Medford
Take a cooking class at The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon. In addition to drop-in cooking classes, kids can take a spin at a potters’ wheel in the Clay Studio, climb on a giant rock wall, or dive into hands-on STEAM exhibits.
Cool down at The RRRink. While Ashland’s ice skating rink winds down at the end of winter, Medford’s RRRink stays open year-round. For a discount, check out “Cheap Skate” hours.
Float on the lazy river at Rogue X. Medford’s new state-of-the-art indoor aquatic center features a lap pool, water slides, aquatic play structure, and a lazy river.
Go bowling at Lava Lanes. Did you know that Lava Lanes participates in Kids Bowl Free? This summer program allows kids to bowl up to two free games per day, on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.. All you have to do is make an account.
Climb at the Rogue Rock Gym – Adventurous kids will have a blast climbing at Rogue Rock Gym, whether they prefer top-roping or bouldering without ropes. Intro classes are available upon request, but they’re not required to get started. Kids don’t need a belay partner either — the gym has six auto-belay devices that keep climbers secure and gently lower them to the ground when they let go.
CENTRAL POINT
Discover geodes and fossils at Crater Rock Museum. On the second Saturday of each month, all kids get in for free.
Play at Cactus Jack’s Playhouse. For a reasonable entry fee, kids can spend unlimited time climbing through tunnels and jumping on trampolines at the Family Fun Center’s indoor playground.