Franklin Mom Blog

Kid-friendly Summer Fun Ideas For the Franklin Mom

Every summer, we always ask ourselves what are we going to do to keep the kids from sitting in front of the TV and vegging the entire summer away!  No way, FranklinMom.com to the rescue.  Here we go, Franklin, TN Moms, here are Tons of Kid-Friendly Summer Fun Ideas To Do With Your Kids...Make this the best summer ever!

FREE or low cost:

1. Swimming
2. Tennis
3. Golf
4. Fishing
5. Playing at the river
6. Bike riding
7. Family walks
8. Pizza and game nights
9. Franklin library….summer reading program featuring activities for school age children Tuesdays and Thursdays.
10. Nashville library…marionette puppet shows beginning June 14 at 10:30, and continuing Fridays and Saturdays at the same time through the summer.     
11. The Frist…Saturdays from 1-2:30 free kids club.  Call 744-3357 to make reservations.  Also, look for free family days.
12. Planting seeds or garden.

13. Homemade bubbles….water, sugar, and dish soap use with soda circles.

14. Tye-dying t-shirts

15. Sidewalk chalk

16. Making fresh squeezed lemonade….use 1 and a half cups fresh lemon juice, ¾ cup honey, mix.  Stir in 9 cups water, chill. 

17. Science experiments (ideas from internet).

18. Have friends over.

19. Music at Crockett park…every Sunday at 7:00 in the Park.  

20. Oragami

21. Movies at the park at Pinkerton Park….G-rated movies begin at 8:00.  Check www.franklin-gov.com for movie titles.  

22. Movies at the Park at Leiper’s Fork….behind Puckett’s and to the left?  Bring lawn chairs at dusk.  Friday night is for kids, Saturday is mild adult movies.  Check www.hillsnhamlets.com for movie titles.

23. Visit Crockett Park

24. Disc golf - call 377-2337

25. Picnic

26. Fly a kite

27. Edwin Warner Park Nature Center, hiking trails, etc. 

28. Star Party… Sponsored by the new Planetarium at the Adventure Science Center.  Look at the stars/planets with the experts from 8:30-10:30 PM. 

29. Berrypicking…..Boyd Mill Farm has blackberries and raspberries around the end of June and can be reached at 794-3867.  Golden Bell Blueberry Farm has blueberries and can be reached at 794-3758.  Blueberries may be ready by end of June as well.

30. Apple picking….Morning Glory Orchards in Nolensville.  Can be reached at 395-4088.  Apples August through October. 

31. Egg fight/toss

32. Water balloons

33. Wild Oats….check out calendar of events at:                                                    http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/calendars/WLM.html

34. Home Depot….first Saturday of the month free kids workshop.    

35. Lowes….same sort of project.  Visit www.Lowes.com, and then click on the projects button for details.  

36. Make your own play dough.  Check out this cool recipe.

37. Paint the sidewalk with water and a brush.

38. Franklin Farmer’s Market….Saturday mornings at the factory.

39. Make strawberry pop….1 cup strawberries and 1/3 cup honey, puree.  Add ¼ cup puree to 16 oz carbonated water.

40. Make iced tea in the sun.

41. Make a football goal with pvc pipe and water worms.

42. Vine Hill Strawberries….near I-840.  Call 790-1757 for info.  Open M-S from 8-5 and Sun. 12-5. 

43. Gregory Mill Splash Park….Smyrna, TN.  Outdoor water activities,  390 Enon Springs Rd. E.  Open 10-6 daily. 

44. Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway….and bring a picnic. http://www.nps.gov/natt/

45. Make a mini-beach with brown sugar in a 9x13 inch pan.  Use small measuring cups to make sandcastles.

46. Make slime with cornstarch, water, and food coloring.

47. Tennessee State Museum.  Free admission, and Check for special events for kids.

48. Foil…..see what the kids come up with when you give them a roll of foil. 

49. The Wilderness Station…..one of our state parks in the Murfreesboro area. Fridays they have Meet-N-Greet Critters for free.  Check out www.murfreesborotn.gov/parks. 

50. Pick TN…check out www.picktnproducts.org to see where you can pick your own various produce. 

51. Modeling clay….so easy since you can grab a package at the grocery store.

52. Visit the Chocolate Shop in Cool Springs. 
53. Make Jam.  Check out this easy recipe. 
54. Make potholders.    
55. Ride bicycles around Williamson County Rec Center Loop. 
56. Visit a Cupcake Shop.  Here are a few options: Gigi's, The Pink Cupcake and Ivey Cake.  
57. Gelato!!!  Check out Nucci's.  
58. Arrington Vineyards.  Free music Friday, Saturday and Sundays.  Beautiful views, wonderful wine and kid friendly (except no wine until they are 21). 
59. Harpeth Community Church Summer Family Movie Days.
60. shrinky dinks
61. temporary tattoos
62. "Bright" projects from Michaels--vehicle kits, electricity kits, etc.
63. Sweet and Sassy salon for girls
64. World Cup of Tea or Franklin Tea
65. Moon sand
66. Nissan tours www.factorytoursusa.com/TourDetails.asp?TourID=377&State=TN&Search=

FUN, BUT COST MONEY!!

1. Nashville Children’s Theatre….check website link for shows and times.  Check also for Target Family Time when tickets are half off.

2. Adventure Science Center... www.adventuresci.com.

3. Planetarium at Science Center… www.adventuresci.com. 

4. Schermerhorn….visit www.nashvillesymphony.org.  

5. Brentwood Skate Center….Open skate Tues-Fri from 12-3:30 PM.  Costs $5 plus $2.50 for skates.  Family night is Thursday from 6-9:00 PM.  Costs $7 for the firstperson, and $3 for each additional person, skates included.

6. Williamson County Rec Center….check out for ceramic class info, lego-building camp (age 10 plus), sports camps, etc.  Visit www.wcparksandrec.com.

7. Wave Country….open Tues-Sun. from 10-7:00.  Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for kids.  http://www.nashville.gov/parks/wave_country.htm

8. NashvilleShores….visit www.nashvilleshores.com.  Lots of event dates, pretty much costs $24 per person.

9. Franklin Lanes...9-11:00 AM is the best time for the price, $5 special per person for unlimited games.  3 people per lane. http://jaymarfec.com/  Website has a flyer for kids offering one free game of bowling per day, not including shoe rental, if you print it out and bring it in!  Now smoke-free.

10. Movies…Carmike Thoroughbred 20 Cinemas.  Tuesdays - $1.00 cokes and popcorn. 

11. Laser Chase….$7 per person per game.  M-F 4:00-9:00.  Sat 10-10, Sun 12-9.

12. Glow Galaxy….Jump til you drop.  open Tuesday from 4-6/$8.00 per child.  

13. Jump Zone or Pump It Up….Look for open jump times - also great for birthday parties.

14. The Little Course at Connor Lane…play a round of golf, camp, or lessons.  790-0222.

15. IMAX theatre at Opry Mills….3-D movies are more popular these days for the kiddos - but watch out they can be expensive. $13/adult, $11/child, matinee before 3:00PM.

16. Aquarium restaurant

17. Rainforest Café restaurant.

18. Climb Nashville….rock climbing at www.climbnashville.com.

19. Nashville Zoo…..open 9-6:00.  $13 adults, $8 kids.  www.nashvillezoo.org

20. Discovery Zone….in Murfreesboro. www.discoverycenteronline.org

21. Krispy Kreme Donuts - make sure you're there when the hot light is on.

22. Get ice cream, Smoothie King, or go to Sonic (happy hour 2-4 daily)

23. Third Coast Clay…..in the factory.  Paint some pottery.  $6 painting fee plus the cost of the item you paint.  http://www.thirdcoastclay.com/

24. Carnton Plantation…..educational tours, also summer concert series.  Visit http://www.carnton.org/summer_concert.htm

25. Nashville Sounds….check out www.nashvillesounds.com.  Tickets start at $6.00.

26. Visit www.sampleaday.com and go get coupons for fun places to eat and play!

27. Cheekwood….visit www.cheekwood.org.  Located in the Brentwood area.  Has a lively story time on Thursday nights in June and July at 6:30.  Admission to the garden area is $10 for adults and $5 for kids.  Just beware of ticks, as this is where I got lyme disease!!!!

28. Franklin on foot….kids do rubbings and learn dates and architectural details about our town.   Various days at 10:00 am.  Five dollars admission.  Check out www.franklinonfoot.com for details.

29. SCORE - cool videos games, arena, great rates, memberships, great trade in deals, etc.  If you're child loves video games, this is a great option. $6.00 / hour per person.
30. Visit Build a Bear or buy a Webkinz and play on website (www.webkinz.com).  Watch out - it's addictive. 

DAY CAMPS

1.      Gentry’s- http://www.gentryfarm.com/camp.htm, full this year.

2.      Camp Widgiwagan- http://www.ymcacampwidjiwagan.org/

3.   Forest Hills Baptist Church VBS

4.   The People’s Church VBS

5.  Velocity Sports Camps.

6.      Upward Basketball…Forest Hills Baptist Church.  373-7518 for more info.  Grades K-2 only.

7.      The Little Course Camps

8.      Carnton Plantation….June 16-20.  9-2:00.  www.carnton.org/programs_events.htmBrentwood YMCA…Clubhouse Summer Camps.  A Monday-Friday from 1:30-3:30 camp.  Camps including mad science, flying machine,martial arts, photography.  Call for details at 373-YMCA.

9.      Williamson County Technology Camp-  Check www.wcs.edu for details.  Full this year.  Free to students, make movies.

10. Williamson County Parks & Recreation Camp @ local elementary schools. These start at 7:30am and run until 5:30pm.

11. Whipporwill day camp

 

PARENTS NIGHT OUT

1. Pump It Up…Friday nights from 6:30-9:30.  $18 per child includes dinner.  Call 373-7867 to make a reservation.
2. Let It Shine…6:30-10:00 on Friday nights.  $15 per child not including dinner.  Call 369-flip to make a reservation.
3. Brentwood YMCA…every other Friday, sometimes swimming.  6-10pm, including dinner, $15 per child for members, $30 for nonmembers.  Call 373-YMCA to register.

SHORT TRIPS

1. Rock Island State Park… waterfalls, hiking, fishing, camping, cabins.

   http://cleanairtn.org/environment/parks/RockIsland/

2. Kentucky Down Under….open 8-6pm.  $22 for adults and $13.00 for kids.  Visit

   www.kentuckydownunder.com.
3. Gold N Gem Grubbin….dig for gems, camping, and more.  North Georgia.  Visit http://www.goldngem.com/.
4. Great Wolf Lodge…indoor waterpark/hotel.  Lots of fun.  Visit  www.greatwolflodge.com/Locations/Sandusky/   Also with a location in Cincinatti.

5. Montgomery Bell State Park…in Burns near Fairview.  Camping, fishing, cabins, etc.  Visit 

   http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/MontgomeryBell. 
6. Beach Bend….Kentucky.  Campgrounds, race track, amusement park, water park. Check out http://www.beechbend.com/Home%20Page.htm. 
7. Bucksnort Trout Ranch….McEwen Tennessee, check out http://www.bucksnort.com/html/rates.html

8. Fall Creek Falls…..hiking, golf, cabins, pool, etc.  Website is

   www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FallCreekFalls/   

     9.  Kentucky Kingdom.  Visit www.sixflags.com/kentuckyKingdom

     10. Tennessee Aquarium….in Chattanooga.  Adults $20, children $13.  Visit their website at www.tnaqua.org.

     11.  Mammoth Cave…Open from 8:00-6:15 daily, Prices start at $5.00 for adults, and $3.50 for kids.  Website: www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm.            

     12. Holiday World - located in Santa Claus, Indiana.  Free Sunscreen and Drinks.

Map of Cool Springs Restaurants

The Tennessean website features a great map of over 150 nearby area restaurants in the Cool Springs area. This made us think what if there was a map of mom-friendly restaurants in Franklin or Williamson County?  Would that be helpful to you?  Let us know and we'll get to work on it!

KID FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS

Is it just me, or could we use some more kid friendly restaurants?  I was thinking through every place I knew of that had great deals and were kid friendly.  I came up with a short list!  I did list the Chick-Fil-A kids nights here, but the $.99 meal can only be bought with the purchase of an adult meal.  This means, if you have 5 kids, you probably won't get a deal on your purchase!

Thoroughbred Chick-Fil-A:   Kids night is Tuesday from 5-8

Brentwood Chick-Fil-A:    Kids night is Tuesday from 5-8

Galleria Chick-Fil-A:   Kids night is Thursday from 4:30-7:30

Sonic:   Happy hour (half off on some drinks) is 2-4 daily, 5 for 5 burgers on Tuesday night

O Charley's:  Free kids meals!

Shoney's:  Kids Eat Free Mondays

Mickey Roo's Texas Barbque:  Kids meals free with purchase of adult meals on Tuesday night

CiCi's Pizza:  Reasonable, free for under 3

Golden Corral:  Pay by your age

Rainforest Cafe:  Wednesday night is kids night from 5-close.  $1.99 meals for kids 12 and under with  purchase of an adult meal.

Dippin Dots:  4 for $8 for families on Wednesdays.

PLEASE PASS ON YOUR IDEAS!!!!!!