Summer in Fresno can be scorching, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. With the temperatures rising, it’s essential to find cool, affordable, and entertaining activities for the whole family. Luckily, Fresno and its surrounding areas offer a variety of indoor adventures that keep both the heat and boredom at bay. Here are five fantastic options you may not already be aware of to consider:
1. Ignite Curiosity at The Discovery Center
Location: 1944 N Winery Ave, Fresno, CA 93703
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: $6/person, $1 on the first Saturday of each month
The Discovery Center is a gem for families looking to blend education with entertainment. This children’s science museum focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) experiences, providing a space where curiosity and imagination can flourish. The indoor STEAM Center boasts interactive exhibits and live animal presentations, making it a hit with kids of all ages. For those who venture out early, the outdoor exhibits, including a dinosaur dig site, tortoise habitat, koi pond, and a rare cactus and succulent garden, offer additional excitement.
2. Unearth Prehistoric Treasures at the Fossil Discovery Center
Location: 19450 Ave. 21 ½, Chowchilla, CA
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $12/adults, $8/kids, free for kids under 3
A short drive north of Fresno, the Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla is a must-visit for dinosaur enthusiasts and budding paleontologists. This center showcases prehistoric life in the San Joaquin Valley during the last Ice Age, featuring fossils and full-size replicas of animals such as the Columbian mammoth, saber-tooth cat, and giant sloth. Kids will especially love the “Mock Dig,” (for $4) where they can excavate replicas of fossils, providing a hands-on learning experience.
3. Bowl Over Boredom with a Bowlero Summer Season Pass
Locations: Clovis and Fresno Bowleros
Cost: $56.98/person for a Summer Season Pass
Bowling is a classic family activity, and Bowlero makes it even more appealing with their Summer Season Pass. For just $56.98, each passholder enjoys two free games of bowling, $5 in arcade card reloads, and shoe rental every day throughout the summer. Plus, you get a 15% discount on food and drinks. With two convenient locations, Bowlero provides tons of indoor fun, perfect for those sweltering summer days.
4. Catch $1 Movies at Regal Cinemas
Locations: Various Regal Cinemas
Showtimes: Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 11:00am
Admission: $1/ticket
Regal Cinemas brings back their beloved $1 movie mornings, making it affordable for families to enjoy an air-conditioned, big-screen experience. Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 11:00am, kid-friendly films are shown in their air-conditioned theaters. In addition to the discounted admission, Regal offers a snack pack for $5, including a junior-sized drink, popcorn, and fruit snacks, with an option to add Dippin’ Dots ice cream for just $3 more. Check their playlist online for movie schedules and enjoy a cool break from the heat.
5. Play All Day at Kids Empire
Location: Clovis
Admission: $20 for a full day pass
Kids Empire is a new indoor playground in Clovis, designed to let kids burn off energy in a fun, air-conditioned environment. With a $20 admission fee, children can enjoy a full day of climbing, sliding, and exploring giant play structures. (If you feel like the kids are climbing the walls in your house, this is the place for your family!) The in-and-out privileges allow families to take breaks for meals without losing access, making it an ideal destination for an entire day of adventure.
Fresno & the nearby surrounding cities offer some truly special family-friendly and affordable indoor activities to keep everyone entertained during the hot summer months. Whether you’re exploring scientific wonders at The Discovery Center, digging into the past at the Fossil Discovery Center, bowling strikes at Bowlero, catching a budget-friendly movie at Regal Cinemas, or playing the day away at Kids Empire, you’re sure to create lasting memories without totally breaking the bank. Stay cool, have fun, and enjoy all that Fresno has to offer this summer!
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