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Summer Fun Checklist

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Photo by Jordan Hays.

Has your family hit the summer slump? With so much happening on U.S. 280, there’s no reason to let bored become the norm. We’ve compiled a checklist to help you kick-start your summer adventures.

Hit the water

The neighborhood pool is the classic place to cool off on a scorching day, but Oak Mountain State Park has even more aquatic activities. At the park marina, you can rent out canoes, pedal boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The nearby beach is perfect for swimming or laying out to catch some sun.

At the lake near the Highway 119 entrance to Oak Mountain, you can choose to fish, rent boats or try out your wakeboarding skills at Flip Side Watersports, the park’s electric cable wakeboarding park.

Oak Mountain State Park is located at 200 Terrace Drive in Pelham. Entry fees are $4 per adult and $1 per child age six-11 and seniors over 62. Children under age five are admitted free.

Pack a picnic

Summer is the time to spread a picnic blanket under a shady tree and enjoy a good meal. Your local park is the perfect spot for a picnic because you can enjoy a great view and amenities such as walking trails, playgrounds and sports facilities. There are multiple parks in the area, so you can try them all and find your new favorite lunch spot.

Enjoy the air conditioning

If the kids are full of energy but you can’t stand the humidity, there are indoor options that will let you stay cool while they play. Let’s Play Birmingham is the newest addition to the scene, having just opened its doors at 5025 U.S. 280 in June. The play center offers a three-story jungle gym, climbing rope course for climbing and activities for small children and toddlers, with admission ranging from $6 to $11.

Similarly, Treetop Family Adventures at 1012 Dunnavant Valley Road offers a variety of children’s activities from an indoor playground and arcade to go-karts and laser tag. They also feature miniature golf and bowling, among other activities, with prices varying depending on activities. Airwalk Trampoline Arena offers wall-to-wall trampoline bouncing starting at $8 or $12 for an hour, depending on age. The facility, located at 7010 Champion Boulevard, also has family bounce times, laser bounces at night and a special needs night.

Have a night out

Get active on your next evening out with friends. After a good dinner at your favorite restaurant, hit up Brunswick Zone Bowling for some healthy competition on the lanes. Open until 11 p.m. or later every night, Brunswick offers bowling, billiards and arcades. Two hours of open bowling, including shoes, is $10.95 per person on weekdays and $14.95 from Friday at 5 p.m. to Sunday at 5 p.m. Brunswick is located at 2908 Riverview Road.

If bowling isn’t your thing, go a little retro at the skating rink. Skates 280, located at 7043 Meadowlark Drive, offers skating for adults and children, and it stays open until 10 p.m. or later from Thursday to Sunday. Admission ranges from $5 to $8 depending on the day, plus the cost of skate rental.

Eat fresh

Peaches, strawberries and watermelons are all ripening at area farms – make sure you get a taste. Saturday farmer’s markets draw craftsmen, farmers and small businesses to sell their produce and handmade products. Get up early to get the best deals to fill your fridge and decorate your home.

Local markets include the Urban Cookhouse market at the Summit, the Mt Laurel market and the Valleydale market at Faith Presbyterian Church, 4601 Valleydale Road. If you’re willing to drive a little farther, Bluff Park, Montevallo, Homewood and downtown Birmingham have even more market options.

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