Family Activities This Summer
Summer is a time of seemingly infinite freedom: School is out of session, the weather is vibrant and warm, and the mundane structure of day-to-day life is relaxed thanks to all the events and fun the season brings with it. Even with all of this free time and new opportunities, it’s sometimes challenging to find things to do that meet the needs of a family with kids. Luckily, there are plenty of fun and exciting things to do in the Inland Northwest to keep the entire family busy all summer long.
![Things to do for families in Spokane, County Fair](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INL_SpokaneCountyFair091115_MG_0442.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a4771e71f9d217f6e31fe37944199474 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INL_SpokaneCountyFair091115_MG_0442.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8e2679c962dc7046e2f482e82e38292f 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INL_SpokaneCountyFair091115_MG_0442.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8a05996a98e8539db152bbee7930f7c9 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INL_SpokaneCountyFair091115_MG_0442.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=2ea679200c0c262e88989794679bfc4d 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INL_SpokaneCountyFair091115_MG_0442.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=aba7b1d68c2e1db1315e4c1a447a4159 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INL_SpokaneCountyFair091115_MG_0442.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e400c671e37eea10483b427c11ac1dbb 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INL_SpokaneCountyFair091115_MG_0442.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=1d657362abb8390d87e51c8625519b3f 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INL_SpokaneCountyFair091115_MG_0442.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=0c3daff4dec78a2944d8807c00a89136 2000w)
The Spokane County Fair
Even though school resumes in late August and early September for many in the area, summer isn’t officially over until Sept. 23, making the Spokane County Interstate Fair the perfect family stop to wrap up summertime fun. From Sept. 6 - 15th, head out to enjoy the petting zoo, fair food, roller coasters, ferris wheel, and exhibits showcasing the skills of local bakers, cooks, flower and plant enthusiasts, farmers, and artists.
This year’s 2024 county fair also has concerts every night, including headlining performances from Clay Walker (Sept. 10), Ian Munsick (Sept. 11) and Flo Rida (Sept. 12). General admission is free for kids age 6 and under, $10 for ages 7-13, military, and ages 65+, and $13 for everyone else. More info at Spokane Interstate Fair & Expo.
![Spokane interstate county fair 2024](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INH_ColesOrchard070114IMG_0158EDIT.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=af688bcc6821ee75d3041d8b6a0a5a74 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INH_ColesOrchard070114IMG_0158EDIT.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=cf65e1dbdb7c5e22e323333331c585c1 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INH_ColesOrchard070114IMG_0158EDIT.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a52310386b1c57d439b6b965b23168d8 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INH_ColesOrchard070114IMG_0158EDIT.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d0ad1a4a6f45c879944698ca1d51c962 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INH_ColesOrchard070114IMG_0158EDIT.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c55ec5bbff8701b955e41c723dc20fcb 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INH_ColesOrchard070114IMG_0158EDIT.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e7ac7b40f7fddc8fa9cbb5e069bac908 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INH_ColesOrchard070114IMG_0158EDIT.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=fd62eaaf13fed814e2362d20e658c0b2 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/INH_ColesOrchard070114IMG_0158EDIT.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=b681a05cef327331c61384fbfa3c4905 2000w)
Summer is the Perfect Time for Green Bluff
Green Bluff is an Inland Northwest staple, and summer is one of the prime times to visit its farms and get your hands on some locally grown fresh fruit, like apricots, cherries, peaches, blueberries, blackberries and more.
For strawberry lovers, Siemers Farm’s strawberry festival, happening June 17-July 9, is an ideal time to get outside and pick some fresh, juicy berries, taking a free tractor ride to get there, of course.
Starting in July, head to Fleur de Provence Lavender Farm on the weekends, Friday-Sunday from 10 am-4 pm, to pick a bundle of lavender and enjoy views of the fields of purple flowers and buzzing bees. To find out what else is happening at Green Bluff this summer, visit greenbluffgrowers.com.
![Spokane library this summer](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/books-gfaaa19b48_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=573f23347161749bf7ab3a4fd2396d12 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/books-gfaaa19b48_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=262be558049048de1d446dffa6bf3bfa 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/books-gfaaa19b48_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3a6e748992e0e21477a74545aa38ab4b 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/books-gfaaa19b48_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=daebf3f297055bf3824744414d34460d 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/books-gfaaa19b48_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=0466b587bfc2b9ea81cb817b730573b2 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/books-gfaaa19b48_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=a9d295b24e03410296673a1496f64e31 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/books-gfaaa19b48_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=56430b452f3b2cfb1d60a1a466b33118 1920w)
Kids Summer Reading Contest in Spokane
Our local libraries always have lots of events and summer reading contests that make learning in a non-school environment fun for kids of all ages.
The Spokane County Library District is hosting a summer reading contest, for which readers earn badges for every hour read, and for completing challenges like writing a book review or attending a library event. Each badge earns an entry into a prize drawing, with winners announced Sept. 1. With all the events at its branches across Spokane County, such as family storytimes, camping challenges, solar system labs and tie-dye parties, earning badges is an easy task. More info at scld.org.
For North Idaho readers, the Coeur d’Alene Public Library has lots for all ages. Storytime events in the park and at the library are perfect for toddlers and younger kids, and a range of science and craft classes cater to the whole family. Other events include board game nights for teens, and a variety of musical events. More info at cdalibrary.org.
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/HoseCarriage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a8a3e51fce6c400ce6f5212e65ca304c 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/HoseCarriage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ca0a5efb4dabf93b8db6437cf34f6ca6 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/HoseCarriage.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=173402991d1c9abc9674901aec2cb73e 600w)
Take the Family on a Carriage Ride Through Spokane
I know I’m not the only kid who’d watch a movie set in the Middle Ages or a fairytale world and enviously watch the main characters galavant around in a horse-drawn carriage. Since carriages aren’t common anymore, the awe and wonder surrounding such a concept is more pronounced, even in the minds of teens and adults. This summer, however, you may finally be able to experience the seemingly fantastical mode of transport. Free carriage rides, sponsored by Wheatland Bank, happen every Friday evening, from 5-9 pm, throughout the summer. The eight- to 10-minute journey begins in Riverfront Park near the SkyRide, and each carriage seats up to eight, making it the perfect thing to do while waiting for an event downtown, or just looking for something fun on a Friday evening. Find out more at riverfrontspokane.com.
BACKYARD CAMPING
Camping is a classic summertime activity, especially in the Pacific Northwest with the tall pine trees, starry night sky, and numerous lakes, rivers and hiking trails. But with wildfires and unhealthy air quality from smoke becoming an annual occurrence, it can be tricky timing a camping trip. Sometimes smoke blows in unexpectedly, and driving hours back into town after finally setting up the tent is an experience to avoid.
Luckily, the backyard is a great camping location during random bursts of good summer weather, and it’s an affordable alternative to expenses for gas and campsite fees. And in the event that smoke wafts in from nearby fires, an indoor refuge is just feet away. While stargazers in the house may not be able to see as many dazzling lights, a small telescope can reveal some of the hidden secrets in the night sky. Plus, the oven and barbecue are within arms reach, so burgers, corn-on-the-cob, and s’mores can be enjoyed with ease.
![riding the pedal karts in Spokane](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/pedal-karts.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d18a836e07fd84f04e3d7e753df0472f 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/pedal-karts.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bcbd375544578b694c5af6c1634640e0 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/pedal-karts.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=176a7e6f46819bbfb3e4946b64499ecd 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/pedal-karts.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5140ab512f31aba7214f8caf03d2577b 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/pedal-karts.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8099dcba649dd97df4ba8d3394bb75fe 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/pedal-karts.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=cf1fd4a586e3f6592ccadd08159b0d82 1280w)
Ride the Riverfront Park Pedal Karts
Riverfront Park is a great place to go on a sunny day, and with the recent addition of rentable pedal karts, exploring the park becomes exponentially more fun. These karts are perfect for kids age 5 and up, but even adults can take them out for a spin. Riverfront currently has four single-seat and two double-seat carts that can be rented at the Numerica Skate Ribbon and SkyRide building. Kids can ride these karts to one of the many playgrounds in the park, stop by the Looff Carrousel or Red Wagon, or take a trip over to Mobius for a break from the heat to learn some science facts. Don’t forget about the Rotary Riverfront Fountain, right next to the Skate Ribbon, and a great way to cool down and make a splash after returning the kart for the day. More info at riverfrontspokane.com.