Kid Friendly Ways to Enjoy the Summer Season in Howard County, MD
Hey there! Summer is upon us, and it sounds magical in theory. Popsicles, fireflies, making memories. But in reality? It’s three straight months of hearing “I’m boooored” on repeat, sunscreen meltdowns, and questioning your life choices at the splash pad while holding eight soaked towels and one half-melted juice box.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve already Googled “ways to entertain kids near me” at least twice this week. Good news… I’ve got your back. Whether the skies are sunny or Maryland decides to throw us another mid-June monsoon (because of course it does), there are SO many fun things to do right here in Howard County. I’ve rounded up a massive list of activities to keep your little ones happy and your sanity (mostly) intact. We’re talking:
Free activities
Water activities
Indoor escapes to get out of the rain or beat the heat
And plenty of spots where you can plop down with an iced coffee while they burn off energy (you deserve that).
So, grab your calendar, hydrate, and let’s make this summer one for the books (or at least one that doesn’t end with you hiding in the pantry with a cookie).
Indoor Kid Fun in Howard County, MD
Maryland weather has a mind of its own. One minute it’s sunny and 80 degrees, the next it's torrential rain and thunder. When those summer storms roll in, don’t panic. Here are our family's favorite indoor spots that are bursting with fun and require zero umbrellas.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Address: 7175 Oakland Mills Road Columbia MD 21046
My kids live for Sky Zone, they are just getting into tumbling and gymnastics so its perfect! Think wall-to-wall trampolines, a foam pit, dodgeball, a ninja warrior course and more! This is the perfect mix of fun, adventurous and safe!
BONUS: They burn energy fast, so early bedtime?
DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
Address: 8775 Cloudleap Court, Center Suite #1, Columbia, MD 21045
This is our go to when we’re looking for something fun, whimsical, and quirky. DoodleHATCH is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It feels like you’ve stepped into a child’s imagination. Everything is interactive, a little bit strange, and totally captivating.
They do fun and different “workshops” such as “My Art Tee Workshop”, “Mask Making Workshop”, “Crown Workshop” and so much more that are all geared towards kids!
ClimbZone Laurel
Address: 13200 Mid Atlantic Blvd Ste 130, Laurel, MD 20708
Now this one is technically in Laurel but it’s too good not to mention. Imagine climbing a giant Mount Rushmore, a pirate ship, or even Jack’s beanstalk. That’s ClimbZone. Every wall is themed, which makes it just as fun to watch as it is to participate. Even if your little one isn’t the adventurous type, the staff is amazing at encouraging them gently. Plus, parents can climb to… so don’t wear your flip-flops!
HyperKidz Columbia
Address: 9309 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21046
HyperKidz is the indoor playground of dreams for the preschool crowd. It’s all soft play, bright colors, and nonstop movement. There are climbing structures, ball pits, mini slides, and obstacle courses built just for littles. I love that it’s completely enclosed aka no panic chasing when your kid disappears behind a corner.
BONUS: They have a clean parent lounge where you can sip a coffee and peek in while your kiddo lives their best life.
Kidzville Catonsville
Address: 6030 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228
Kidzville is another indoor playground for those nasty rainy days. Kidsville is a state of the art facility that is all interactive and almost set up as a mini town. It features educational equipment that is made for kids. It has things like play zones and play houses that are a huge hit with the kids!
It’s a huge hit with my younger one who’s obsessed with playing “grown-up.” It’s less chaotic than the big indoor gyms and super engaging if your kid is more into roleplay than running wild. And pro tip: they host birthday parties too if you’re planning ahead!
Monster Mini Golf
Address: 7351 Assateague Drive 380 Jessup, Maryland 20794
This is mini golf with a twist. Monster Mini Golf is indoors and perfect for rainy days. Picture this: black lights, glow-in-the-dark monster decor, spooky-but-silly sounds, and 18 holes of mini golf. What could be better? They even have an arcade, bowling alley, virtual reality and laser tag. How awesome is this place?
Heads up: It can get a little loud, so if your kiddos are sensitive to noise or lights, maybe try a weekday morning when it’s quieter. And if you go in the summer, check their website for coupons (they usually run some good deals)!
The Pottery Stop
Address: 9050 Baltimore National Pike #109, Ellicott City, MD 21042
The Pottery Stop is perfect when me and the kids are feeling a bit creative and calm. You walk in there and the shelves are lined with blank ceramic pieces, mugs, bowls, cute little animals etc. Your kids get to choose what they want to paint and how they want to paint it which gives them a little bit of their own independence.
The staff is super helpful, especially with little ones who aren’t quite sure how to mix colors or keep paint off their face (true story). Just be prepared to come back in a few days to pick up the final glazed piece… so worth it.
Robinson Nature Center
Address: 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044
The Robinson Nature Center is an education facility for the whole family. The space includes indoor exhibits, a children's discovery room, outdoor trails, a natural outdoor play area, planetarium, gift shop, and more.
Play n Learn Columbia | Requires Tickets & Pre-Scheduling
Address: 9033 Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD 21045
Looking for an easy indoor play option that burns energy and keeps the kids smiling? For $10 per child (ages 12 months to 15 years), your crew can enjoy up to 2 hours of fun in this massive indoor showroom right here in Columbia! We’ve been… and it’s such a hidden gem. There’s rubber flooring for safety, plus swing sets, mini basketball hoops, trampolines, air hockey, ping pong, and foosball… best suited for ages 2–8, but there's space for older siblings too. Just a heads up: Open Play hours are separate from store hours and you’ll need to book tickets in advance online. So make sure to check their schedule before you go!
Water Activities for families in Howard County, MD
Left and Top Right: Millard Cooper Park in Sykesville (Carroll County, MD). Bottom Right: Team TCM kiddos LOVING the splash pad at Color Burst Park in Merriweather District (Columbia, MD).
Free Water Activities in Howard County, MD
Color Burst Park Splash Pad
Address: 6000 Merriweather Dr, Columbia, MD 21044
Free, fun, and fabulously photogenic. Color Burst Park’s splash pad is the perfect midweek treat. It’s tucked into the Merriweather district, and this is the perfect place for your kiddos to run around and get out some energy in there swim suits! It’s weather permitting of course, but when the weather is nice you bet I’m taking my little ones there!
Splash Spots Worth the Spend in Howard County, MD
Roger Carter Center Pool & Splash Pad
Address: 3000 Milltowne Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21043
The Roger Carter Center is a rainy-day and sunny-day favorite. The indoor pool has little water slides, fountains, and a zero-depth entry area, which makes it toddler-friendly. It’s one of the most affordable options in the area and never feels too crowded. And there’s more… fitness rooms, a gym, and classes if you want to make it a full family outing. Bring towels, and check the open swim schedule online before you go. There’s also an outdoor splash pad. Drop-in rates are $7 a day for 3 years’+. Call (410) 343-2764 for any questions.
Columbia Association Pools
Address: Multiple Locations
Ah, the CA pools. If you live in Columbia and haven’t gotten the summer pool pass yet… go do it! Each location has its own charm: Dickinson with it’s twin slides in the deep end, Clary’s Forest with it's mushroom fountain in the beach entry, Hopewell with its large slide and splash pad… I could keep on going!
Bonus Water Activities Near Howard County, MD
Millard Cooper Park | Free!
Address: 7282 Cooper Drive, Sykesville, MD 21784
The Splash Pad operates seasonally, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. It’s open six days a week… Wednesday through Monday, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Tuesdays are reserved for maintenance, so it will be closed on those days. Please note that hours may vary depending on conditions. If the weather takes a turn and the Splash Pad closes due to rain or storms, it will remain closed for the rest of the day and will not reopen, even if conditions improve.
Olney Splash Pad | Free!
Address: Fair Hill Shopping Center, 18100 Town Center Drive, Olney, MD 20832
Olney splash pad is a total gem for little ones who just want to run around and get gloriously soaked. It’s not huge, but that’s honestly part of the charm. The water jets shoot up from the ground in fun patterns, and it’s surrounded by wide-open space where you can lay down a towel and kick back.
The SplashPark & Mini-Golf of Germantown | Requires Tickets
Address: 18056 Central Park Circle, Boyds, MD 20841
The SplashPark & Mini-Golf of Germantown is packed with fun. Think a 280-jet water maze, a cave with a waterfall, tipping buckets, spray animals, and a water slide! There’s also a Jumping Pillow nearby that’s a huge hit with kids. Shaded tables, restrooms, changing areas, and vending machines are all available on-site for convenience. Right next door, you’ll find an 18-hole mini golf course designed with rolling greens and playful obstacles… perfect for both kids and grown-ups. The entire facility is accessible and inclusive, and families needing accommodations can contact Montgomery Parks ahead of time.
Playgrounds in Howard County, MD
Looking for an extensive guide to outdoor play areas? Check out our FULL MARYLAND PLAYGROUND GUIDE HERE for alllllllll of the playground details. I’m sure you will find one that checks everything off your list!
Blandair Regional Park (Columbia)
Bailey Park / Lake Kittamaqundi (Columbia)
Centennial Park Playground (Ellicott City)
Lake Elkhorn Playground (Columbia)
Meadowbrook Park (Ellicott City)
Western Regional Park (Woodbine)
Cedar Lane Park (Columbia)
So there you have it, your guide to all sorts of fun activities for the summer! Rain or shine, there are fun and engaging things for you and your kiddos this summer! Whether you’re chasing puddles at the splash pad, painting memories at The Pottery Stop, or diving into one of our many family-friendly pools, the point is: you’re making magic out of the everyday. That’s what summer’s all about.
