KIRSTEN LUPINSKI: Some fun indoor escapes from the August heat

August in Southwest Georgia is one of the hottest times of the year and there are still a few weeks left of summer, so what is there to do? Last month, I gave you a few ideas of inside activities and I wanted to follow up this month with a few more things that you can do around Albany (and inside) to avoid the heat of the summer.

Have you visited the All American Fun Park? It has a variety of different indoor activities: laser tag, an arcade and bowling. The Fun Park is open every day of the week and you are bound to find something for everyone in your family here. If you are just looking for bowling, the Bowl-A-Rama on Broad Avenue also is open every day of the week and provides kids of all ages with some fun and excitement.

A new and exciting activity in our house this past year has become roller skating and let me tell you that my kids love it. And what a great activity for kids to not only get some exercise, but expend some energy. You may be hesitant to try roller skating and think that your kids are too young or not able to do it (just as I thought), but that is not the case. The Stardust Skate Center on Ledo Road is the perfect place for a fun family outing. You will have to visit their website for an up-to-date schedule because they have various hours throughout the week (www.stardust2skatecenter.net) and they also offer free beginner lessons on Saturday mornings for any and all of you to get started.

All of the activities that I mentioned above are going to cost some money (not that much considering all the fun you are getting), however the public library offers free summer fun. There are a variety of different kids’ activities not only during the summer months, but also year-round for you to take advantage of.

The main branch of the library is located downtown at 300 Pine Ave., but there are other branches around Albany that may be just around the corner from you. I have added their website below so you can locate all the branches and also access the current and up to date children’s programming schedule.

Of course, don’t forget that the library is the perfect place to spend some time looking for books and encouraging your kids to read. I have spent many afternoons and/or mornings at the library with my kids allowing them to use their “own” library cards (make sure to get one for your kids) picking out just the right books for them to read. I would highly recommend checking out the library this summer and making it part of your family’s year-around adventures. You can find out more at www.docolib.org.

I know summer is quickly coming to an end and therefore free time maybe limited in the upcoming months, but don’t forget to take some time to step back and enjoy some of this fun with your family. I love finding new places in and around Albany, so next month I am going to tell you about a few short trips that you can take. Thanks and enjoy!

Kirsten Lupinski is an assistant professor at Albany State University in the Department of Health and Human Performance. She has a bachelor’s of science in nutrition from the University of North Carolina, a master’s of science in health education from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati. She has worked in the health education field in various capacities (corporate health, community health, college health and wellness and university education) for more than 17 years. She and her husband have three young children (9-year-old twin boys and a 5-year-old girl).