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‘Are we bored yet?’ too often sizes up summer
Published July 1, 2009
Our youth baseball and softball teams are finishing up another season and scorching summer temperatures are definitely upon us.
Many kids are already looking for more fun things to do this summer. Before you hear the dreaded “I’m bored,” do a little research to check out all the fun activities for kids of all ages being offered locally.
OK, I’ve done a lot of the footwork for you to provide some ideas about where to start looking. If the kids like getting outdoors and doing a little bike riding and hiking, then check out our state parks in the area. These are great places to carry a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Two well-known parks are Brazos Bend State Park in Needville and Varner-Hogg State Park in West Columbia.
Brazos Bend State Park offers biking, hiking and fishing, as well as guided tours. Carry a picnic lunch and lots of cold drinks and you’re ready for a day of adventure, which usually includes seeing a few alligators. The park is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For information, call (979) 553-5102.
The George Observatory is located inside the park and is open 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday evenings for stargazing. An added bonus is the Challenger Learning Center at the George Observatory.
Varner-Hogg, in West Columbia, is a beautifully shaded park perfect for bike riding and picnicking and, of course, tours of the plantation home. The park is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Call (979) 345-4656 for more information.
The Brazosport Museum of Natural Science offers cooler temperatures on those unforgiving hot days. Here you will find a hands-on children’s area, shell displays, fossils, gems and minerals and archeology displays. Their hours are 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 to 5 p.m Sundays. Call the museum at (979) 265-7831.
Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. This is a state-of-the-art marine fish hatchery and aquarium located on 75 acres. Children of all ages will find something to pique their interest. For information, call (979) 292-0100.
We have many other interesting things to do and see in our area, but I just don’t have the space to list them. All of these sites and more can be found on the Internet including information about our Brazoria County Library System with a new lineup of fun activities for kids of all ages that changes every few days.
So whether the kids want to ride bikes and explore the outdoors or cool off indoors, there is something to keep everyone happy for the rest of the summer. I don’t think you’ll hear “I’m bored” with the lineup of activities our local attractions have planned for Brazoria County children.
Jean Paul is a former resource program director for Youth and Family Counseling Services. Contact her at Jmpaul2(at)gmail.com.
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