Summer is almost here + school is almost out. ☀️ And while your kids are probably excited, you might have a headache from thinking about how to keep them busy for the next three months.

Luckily, Asheville isn’t short on kid-friendly summertime fun. And with camps focused on everything from ecology and sustainability to rock climbing and whitewater rafting, your kiddos will be having such a good time they might not even realize they’re also learning.

We rounded up 15 summer activities you can do with your kids, plus 20 day + overnight camps for when they’re ready to set out on their own (with plenty of supervision, of course).

🎉 Fun for the whole fam

Asheville Drum Circle |📍67 Patton Ave. | Free | Every Friday night, people gather in Pritchard Park to play drums, dance + enjoy the diversity of Asheville.

Asheville Museum of Science |📍43 Patton Ave. | $7+ | Interactive exhibits, weekly activities + more.

Asheville Tourist Game |📍30 Buchanan Pl. | $8.50+ | Bonus: Kids eat free on Monday night games.

Asheville Treetops Adventure Center |📍85 Expo Dr. | $50+ | Ziplines, ropes courses, a bike park + more.

Asheville's Fun Depot |📍7 Roberts St. | $4+ | Indoor + outdoor activities include bumper cars, arcade games, go karts, laser tag + more.

Bike at Carrier Park + French Broad Greenway |📍220 Amboy Rd. | Free | This easy 2.5-mile trail runs along the French Broad River.

Bowling Summer Pass |📍491 Kenilworth Rd. | $31.95+ | For the one time price, your kids can bowl up to three games every day through Sept. 2.

Climbmax Rock Climbing |📍43 Wall St. or 173 Amboy Rd. | $12+ | Programs + coaching available for all ages.

Explore the Great Smoky Mountain National Park |📍Various Locations | Free | The GSMNP offers junior ranger programs all throughout the summer for kids to enjoy.

Mountain Play Lodge |📍3389 Sweeten Creek Rd. | $8+ | This large indoor playground is great for those summer storm days or when you want to beat the heat.

N.C. Arboretum |📍20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way | $14 per vehicle | Garden exhibits, plus kids’ activities like geocaching, discovery backpacks, Rocky Cove Railroad, nature discovery room + TRACK trail.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park |📍1836 Hendersonville Rd. | $8+ | Let out all the energy + enjoy jumping on the trampolines, foam pit, jousting battle or sky hoops. Bonus: A special toddler time happens in the morning for those under 5.

Splashville at Pack Square Park |📍80 Court Plaza, Pack Square Park | Free | With 21 jets operating in 12 different combinations, so getting sprayed is always a surprise.

Tubing with Zen Tubing |📍608 Riverside Dr. | $20 per person | Float down the French Broad + enjoy a day in the sun.

WNC Nature Center |📍75 Gashes Creek Rd. | $6.95+ | With 42 acres of exhibits, you + your kids will be able to up close + personal with all kinds of wildlife from southern Appalachia.

⚽ Make a day (camp) of it

ABYSA Soccer Camps | Asheville, Hendersonville + Mars Hill | Ages 4–14 + higher level camps available | $130+ | June-July | Your camper will hone fundamental soccer skills, play games + have time at the pool. Advanced camps are available for higher-level athletes.

The Academy at Terpsicorps | Asheville | Ages 3–10 | $150 per week | June-July | Pre-School level, Discover Dance, and Petite Muses classes all offer a daily dose of hip-hop, ballet, contemporary + tap choreographic lessons. Plus, summer classes + internships for the older dancers.

LEAF Arts & Parks | Asheville | Grades 1st–5th | Prices vary | July-August | Your child will learn about global cultures, friendship and performing arts by participating in curated activities including dance workshops, healing arts, face painting, drumming, circus arts + more.

Sunny Truth Farm | Mars Hill | Ages 5–10 | $100 per week | June-July | This summer camp is based on the idea that children need the opportunity to learn + play in an outdoor setting. Activities include checking in on farm animals, Appalachian plants, aquatic life + more.

UNC Asheville Summer Camps | June-August | Ages 6-18 | $55+ | Learn from UNC Asheville faculty on topics like creative writing, music, woodworking, sports + more.

⛺ Sleepaway camp

Jazz and Contemporary Music Camp at UNC Asheville | High School | June 23-28 | $620 | Learn from UNC Asheville faculty + staff. Day camp option available. See more camps at UNC Asheville here.

Poll

(function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://embed.playbuzz.com/sdk.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,'script','playbuzz-sdk'));