Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.
13 Family-Friendly Activities in the Midwest for August
1. Attend a Hot Air Balloon Festival. August finds several hot air balloon events across the Midwest, like the Old West Balloon Fest in Mitchell, Nebraska, or the Centralia Balloon Fest in Illinois. Watch colorful balloons fill the sky, enjoy tethered rides (if available), and soak in the family-friendly atmosphere with food and games.
2. Visit a water park. Beat the August heat at a Midwest water park like Noah’s Ark in Wisconsin Dells or Great Wolf Lodge in Ohio. Slides, lazy rivers, and splash pads will keep the kids entertained for hours. We like to check out Tripadvisor and build trips through them for special discounts and deals!
You can find our Ultimate Guide to Having Fun at a Waterpark with Kids here!
3. Go camping. Camping is a great way to get back to nature and spend some quality time with your family. You can hike, fish, swim, roast marshmallows, and stargaze. If you aren't much for tent camping, check out cabins or rural rentals available through a site like VRBO.
4. Go to a baseball game. There's nothing quite like the excitement of a live baseball game. You can cheer on your favorite team, eat hot dogs and popcorn, and enjoy the summer atmosphere. If visiting your local pro baseball team's field is a little pricey--check out local minor league teams. Near us in Central Ohio, the Columbus Clippers have affordable ticket options--and usually some family packages or fun promo events like Dime-a-Dog Night or fireworks after the game.
5. Attend a Cultural Festival. Celebrate the Midwest’s diverse heritage at cultural festivals in August, such as the German Fest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or the Dublin Irish Festival in Ohio. Enjoy traditional food, music, and kid-friendly crafts.
6. Go on a Cave Tour. Explore the underground wonders of the Midwest with a family-friendly cave tour at places like Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky or Crystal Cave in Wisconsin. Cool temperatures and guided tours make this a unique outing.
7. Attend an Outdoor Summer Concert Series. Many Midwest towns and cities host free or low-cost outdoor concert series in August, featuring local bands or family-friendly music genres like folk, jazz, or bluegrass. Pack a blanket, snacks, and enjoy live music in parks or town squares in places like Chicago’s Millennium Park or smaller venues in Ohio and Indiana.
8. Take a Scenic Train Ride. Hop aboard a historic train for a family-friendly scenic ride through the Midwest countryside. Options like the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad in Iowa or the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Ohio offer themed rides in August.
9. Visit a Sunflower Field. August is peak season for sunflower fields in the Midwest, with stunning displays in places like Kansas or Missouri. Many farms offer family photo ops, u-pick sunflowers, and sometimes small festivals with food vendors and games.
10. Take a Riverboat Cruise. Enjoy a scenic riverboat cruise on the Mississippi or Ohio River with family-friendly options out of places like St. Louis, Missouri, or Dubuque, Iowa. Learn about river history while relaxing on deck with stunning views.
11. Host a Seasonal Sweet Corn Cooking Day. Take advantage of August’s abundant sweet corn harvest in the Midwest by hosting a family cooking day. Teach kids how to shuck corn, then try recipes like grilled corn on the cob or corn chowder. Turn it into a fun taste-test challenge with different toppings or seasonings.
12. Explore a Botanical Garden. Visit a Midwest botanical garden, such as the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis or the Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Indiana. Many host summer events with children’s programs, scavenger hunts, and beautiful late-summer blooms.
13. Shop for Back-to-School Supplies. You can really make back-to-school shopping a fun family event. Create a scavenger hunt to find notebooks, backpacks, and new outfits, turning preparation into an exciting adventure.
August in the Midwest is brimming with unique family-friendly activities to make the most of summer’s final stretch. From soaring hot air balloons to enjoying live music at outdoor concerts, these 13 fresh ideas offer something new for every family to enjoy before school starts. Whether you’re exploring history or cooking seasonal dishes, there’s no better time to create lasting memories. Be sure to use our resources and affiliate links to plan your outings with ease. What’s your go-to August activity in the Midwest? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear your ideas and keep the summer fun going!
Resources and Tips
Check out Hotels.com for discounts and turn the balloon fests into a last-minute weekend trip before the summer ends!
We sometimes score reseller MLB tickets from TicketSmarter for popular games or last minute plans.
If you do make it to a few of the National Parks this month--I love this National Park water bottle to collect your National Park Bucket List stamps!
These are just a few of the many fun family-friendly activities that you can do in August. So get out there and enjoy the summer with your loved ones!
What are your favorite family-friendly activities to do in August?
Share your ideas in the comments below.
0 Comments