SimplyGrand kid stuff

Searching for summer to-dos for the kiddos? Greater Grand Forks offers numerous ways to entertain the young and young at heart!

Play & Paddle

Cool outdoor fun can be had at several spots on the Eastside. Sherlock Park features an awesome swimming pool and Sherlock Forest, one of the region’s largest community-built playgrounds. Two more great places to play around are Zavoral Park Disc Golf Course and LaGrave Outdoor Skate Park. Be sure to visit the East Grand Forks Park District website and peruse the variety of youth summer programs they offer.

Grand Forks Park District operates three outdoor spray parks – Elks, Choice and University Park – along with Elks Pool and Riverside Pool, plus several playgrounds located throughout the city. The Park District also sponsors lots of great activities for kids; check ‘em all out at GFParks.org.

If you’d like to navigate our wonderous waterways, rent a canoe, kayak or SUP from Boathouse on the Red and spend the day paddling away on our Red Lake and Red Rivers.

Hop on your bike, lace up the inline skates or don a pair of sneakers, then explore The Greenway of Greater Grand Forks and its 20+ scenic miles of multipurpose trails.

Less than a half hour drive west on Highway 2, there’s another great place with lots to see and do: Turtle River State Park. In addition to great camping, fishing and hiking opportunities, TRSP hosts several family friendly happenings such as their annual Halloween in July event on July 10 & 11.

Stride Inside

If Mother Nature decides not to cooperate, find your good times inside! Canad Inns Destination Centre features a tropical themed water park, Splasher’s of the South Seas, plus a mega arcade and pizzeria accessible to both guests and non-guests. Likewise, Choice Health & Fitness facility boasts an amazing water park and pool area, in addition to topnotch workout equipment and classes.

For some mini bowling or bubble hockey action, stop by Scheels in Columbia Mall. While there, meander into the mall and try your hand at the larger than life Pacman game located near center court.

The whole family will want to explore the Cabela’s store in East Grand Forks. It features a 10,000-gallon aquarium filled with indigenous fish, a trout stream and many wild game mounts.

If y’all feel like tackling a real-life riddle, head to the Grand Forks Escape Room. This unique adventure game places participants in a room where they must use teamwork, along with elements of the room, to solve a series of puzzles, find clues and escape the room within a set time limit.

For more information on these and all our SimplyGrand attractions, events, restaurants, stores and more, go to VisitGrandForks.com. We also invite you to follow Visit Grand Forks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Recommended Reads