Time to Go, Go, Go: Activity Ideas Brought to You by the Aspire Parent Group

There’s something about spring that just make us Help Me Grow (HMG) folks antsy. The sun’s out, the weather’s nice, and it’s time to go, go, go. Lucky for us, the Aspire Parent Group met a week ago and had some great ideas that will help us take advantage of the good weather.

Photo from the first Aspire Parent Group Meeting last August, courtesy of Deborah Wiess.

One way that HMG supports families is by facilitating the Aspire Parent Group. This parent-led group meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in Orem, UT, and the meetings are part play date/part information session. The group is run by Help Me Grow Parent Champion Janae Moss, who creates an open environment for sharing thoughts and ideas about children and development. Click here for more information.


Last week, the group had a discussion about fun things to do with kids in the Provo/Orem area. Here are a few ideas they came up with:

1.      Check BYU events.
The calendar on the BYU website has information on events all over the area. They have a great overview of what's going on in the community.

 2.  Enjoy the BYU's Museum of Art.

      The Museum of Art (MOA) has tons of free fun for kids. More specifically, get a look at the MOA’s Van Gogh to Play Dough class for two to four- year-olds or the family film series they host on the 1^st Saturday of the month.

3.      Look into the Museum of Peoples and Cultures

The Museum of Peoples and Cultures provides tours for all kinds of groups. Visit the front desk for an activity pack to take on your self-guided tour (free!), or schedule a session with one of their tour guides. A group of 1-12 people are only $5.

4.      Visit your local library.

The Orem Library and Provo Library always have different activities going on.

5.      Give Lowes kids activities a try.

Once a month, Lowes hosts a free craft or activity for kids. They fill up fast, so search for a Lowes near you and register!

6.      Get your home improvement on with a trip to Home Depot.

Home Depot offers free do-it-yourself (DIY) classes and workshops on a weekly basis, and they have workshops designed just for kids every month!

7.      Go to your local pet store.

Your kids will enjoy the free time with animals, just don’t walk away with a new pet every time.

8.      Check out Cabela’s.

Besides the fact that Cabela's is great fun for parents, kids will love the aquarium and animals.

9.      Visit the Riverwoods.

With everything from premier shopping to fantastic entertainment, the Riverwoods has loads to offer the whole family.

10.  Take a trip to the Bean Museum. (Coming soon!)

The Bean Museum has been closed for construction, but it’s set to reopen during the fall of 2013. The museum boasts over two million specimens from around the world. Be sure to request a free live animal show!

Those are just a few of the ideas courtesy of the Aspire Parent Group. What are your favorite things to do with kids in the spring and summertime?