Rebooting Raven

Looking for fun things to keep the kids busy this summer?  Hopefully this will help.  Here’s a list of a bunch of fun stuff for the kiddos in various price ranges.  I’ve included links to all of the websites.  Please look there for the most current pricing and for any discount offers!

First let’s check out the FREE list!  Regardless of budget, everyone loves free.  Here are some fund free fun ideas!  

• City Parks!  Your tax dollars pay for them so take advantage!  Click for locations. Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach.
• Visit your local library!  When’s the last time you’ve checked it out? Get it?  Libraries these days have more than just books, though books are great.  Don’t take my word for it.  Ask your closest librarian.  Each link takes you to the official website with locations for that city.  Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach.
• Scavenger hunt!  Use the interactive map to locate 10 (or more) of the LOVE signs stationed all over Virginia.  Once located snap a fun photo for the family!  Who knows?  Maybe you can use it in your next family calendar.
• Already paying for a membership?  Check their website for a calendar of if/when they swap memberships with other organizations for a month.  The Virginia Zoo, Virginia Living Museum, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and The Hermitage Museum & Gardens are a few examples.  Your membership at one place covers your entrance into another during the assigned month.
• Some other ideas and special park shout outs:  Great Dismal Swap Canal Trail, Mount Pleasant Farms, Mrs. Bee’s Farm, Fort Monroe & Museum, Chrysler Museum, Elizabeth River Trail, The Hermitage Museum & Gardens, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Covered all the free stuff but not trying to break the bank?  Here’s a few things that you can check out with the munchkins.  Be sure to check the websites for possible discounts or deals!

• Bergey’s Barnyard (petting zoo/farm), Chesapeake
• Hunt Club Farm (petting zoo with highland cows and pony rides), Virginia Beach
• Norfolk Botanical Gardens (check out bike nights, seasonal tram and boat tours at additional cost), Norfolk
• Virginia Zoo, Norfolk
• Nauticus, Norfolk
• Virginia Living Museum/Planetarium Show Hampton
• Back Bay Refuge, Virginia Beach
• Military Aviation Museum (Dino lovers be sure to check out the dinosaurs at the entrance!), Virginia Beach
• Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg
• Colonial Parkway, Williamsburg

Here are some more that cost a little bit more but are definitely worth the experience.  Again, check the website for discounts!

•  Virginia Air & Space Science Center/IMAX Theatre, Virginia Beach
• American Rover, Norfolk
• Tides baseball game, Norfolk
• Victory Rover Naval Tours, Norfolk
• Dolphin tours with the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach
• Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach
• Top Gulf (Tuesday’s half price!), Virginia Beach
• Yorktown Sightseeing Cruise, Yorktown

Life is short.  Looking to splurge?  This one is for you.  Again, worth the money!

• Motor World, Virginia Beach
• Ocean Breeze, Virginia Beach
• VA Beach zip lining at Go Ape, Virginia Beach
• Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
• Water Country USA, Williamsburg
• Williamsburg Wild Airboat Tours, Williamsburg
• Tall Ship Tours of the Colonial Triangle, Yorktown

I hope this has helped you come up with some ideas.  They’re only young once, make the time matter.  Have fun!!!!