1) High-tail it up the Tramway: When kids are bored, it's so tempting to tell them to go take a hike, and in some cases, that wouldn't be such a bad idea, especially if the trails are in a cool place. Check out Mount San Jacinto State Park, where volunteers are available to take adventurous tram visitors on free guided nature walks every Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day. A walk on the 1 1/2 mile Desert View Trail begins at 10:30 a.m. and loop around the 3/4 mile Long Valley Nature Trail is offered at 1:30 p.m. both days. The first tram up on Saturdays and Sundays is 8 a.m. and tickets to ride are $21.95 for adults and $14.95 for children 3-12. For more information call 888-515-TRAM or 325-1391 or visit: http://www.pstramway.com/.
2) Attend a Party for the Stars: Forget Hollywood, the true superstars are right about our heads. The Astronomical Society of the Desert will make that perfectly clear during its free Monthly Star Party on the evening of August 11th. At this month's event, Jupiter and its moons aret he stars of the show. Astronomical Society members will set up six or more telescopes and/or giant binoculars to give stargazers a chance to look at these galactic wonders. They also will give a tour of the sky using a powerful green laser to point out constellations and other bright objects on the night horizon. The Monthly Star Party will be held at the Saw Mill Trailhead observation site up Route 74 (about 15 12/ miles from Highway 111 and Monterey Avenue in Palm Desert). Party-goers should meet at the far end of the parking lot to enjoy the dark and starry night. A map to the site is available by visiting http://www.astrorx.org/ or call Bruce Gottlieb at 329-9029.
3) Let your Imagination Take Flight: If there's one thing "kids of any age" have in common it's a fascination with flying. Throughout the summer months, the Palm Springs Air Museum offers a variety of ways to indulge this flight of fancy. With 65,000 square feet of climate-controlled hangars, the museum is a perfect place for the whole family to combine fun with learning. Kook Kids Summer events kicked off in June with daily activities including the Nose Art Coloring Contest (as in decorating the nose of the airplane) and the Paint the Plane project. Tuesdays are designated as Grandparents Day and Movie Days are scheduled for Wednesdays throughout the summer. The young ones also will be entertained by the Grate Paper Airplane contest, Kids Storytelling, the Wild Goose Hunt, the Warbird Simulator Shoot-out, an Aircraft Carrier Landing Contest an Pilot Rocky's Hands-on Aviation Class. The Palm Springs Air Museum, located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail near Palm Springs International Airport is open during the summer from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 for adults; $8.50 for seniors, students 13-17 and military; and $5 for children 6-12. Those under 6 "fly" free. For more information call, 778-6262.
4) Take a Dive Together: It has been said "the family that swims together, stays together." Well, maybe those weren't the exact words, but a little pool time is still a fun way to spend a summer afternoon. With that in mind, the YMCA has set aside time for families to swim at Fritz Burns Pool, located at the corner of Avenue 52 and Avenida Bermudas in La Quinta. The Family Swim sessions are scheduled for Fridays from 1:30 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 1;30 to 4 p.m. Daily admission prices are: youth (up to age 17) $1, adults (18-61) $3, and seniors (62 and up) $1.50. Pool rentals also are available for special events or family gatherings. For details, contact the Family YMCA or the Desert at 320-9622.
5) Go Out for a Really Big Show: Sure it's cool to catch a movie at the theater, but it's way cool to watch a show outdoors on a giant 20-foot screen. Tickets are the right price too. These family movies are free, compliments of the City of La Quinta through its Open Air Cinema movie-in-the-park series. Families are invited to bring their chairs and blankets to the La Quinta Civic Center campus at 76-495 Calle Tampico for the 8p.m. showings. the movie schedule for the next three Saturday evenings is as follows: August 11th "Racing Stripes", August 18th "Open Season", and September 8th "Cars". For additional information call 777-7000.
6) For Cool Fun, Apply Ice: A great way to get the best of summer is to skate right through it. The Ice Garden in Cathedral City offers a plethora of activities in the cool of the ice rink. The kids can score the competitive edge by joining an ice hockey league, make the rounds in freestyle skate sessions or practice figure eights. For those who seek guidance, skating classes for all experience levels are offered on Monday evening and Saturday morning. The hours for public skating are 10 a.m. to noon on Monday and Wednesday; 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, plus an evening session from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday. Admission for ages 11 and under is $10 and $12 for ages 12 and older. The Ice Garden is located at 68-037 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City. For more information call 770-7046.
7) Go Bonkers at Boomers: If the kids can't decide how they want to spend the day, Boomers is a place that covers all the bases. There's no particular theme to this park - it's just all about fun. Depending on one's energy level, there are go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf and video games. The kids can even climb the wall (the rock wall, that is). And, there's a fabulous deal offered during these dog days. It's the "Summer Super Pass," which allows unlimited use of the park's attractions "all day and all night," Monday through Thursday for only $19.95. That's a lot of playtime, considering the park is open from noon to 9 p.m. on those days. There are extended hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Boomers is located at 67-700 E. Palm Canyon Drive, right next to Trader Joe's in Cathedral City. Call 770-7522 for more details.
8) Take a Bowl down Fantasy Lanes: Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean exercise is out of the question. Whether the kids feel fidgety during the day or evening. Fantasy Lanes in Indio knows how to let the good times roll. Every member of the family will be able to bowl on any one of the 24 state-of-the-art lane "featuring bumpers for the little bowlers." For the night owls, Fantasy Lanes offers laser bowling, which is an experience in itself. The lasers light up the lane from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. and again from midnight until 2 a.m. The price of adult games is $4, while junior games cost $2.75. Shoe rentals run from $2.50 to $3.25. In addition to bowling, the facility offers a large arcade with he latest video games, a snack bar and sports lounge for the adults. Open seven days a week, Fantasy Lanes bowling center is located in Fantasy Springs Resort Casino at 84-425 Indio Springs Drive in Indio (exit Hwy 10 to Golf Center Parkway). Call 342-5000 for more information.
9) Ride the Wild Surf: As advertised, Knott's Soak City is "not a mirage, but the coolest spot in the desert." This 21-acre oasis, patterned after Southern California's surf cities of the 1950's, boasts 22 water rides and attractions to float your boat. There are body slides, wave pools, a lazy river and a water funhouse with names like Surf Rider Rapids, Pipeline Point and Kahuna's Beach House, all designed to inundate guests with fun. When it's time to regroup, refreshments are available at any one of four snack bars or "watering holes," if you will. Further relaxation can be found by retreating to one of the 20 poolside cabanas, which are available for rent by the day. Knott's Soak City, located at 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail between Hwy 10 and Hwy 111, opens its doors at 10 a.m. during the season (March through late fall). Regular admission prices (offering unlimited use of all rides), are $27.95 for adults, $16.95 for children (3-11) and seniors (62 and older). Children under 2 are admitted free. Call 327-0499 or visit: www.knotts.com/soakcity.
10) Get the Family Pumped Up: It's hard to believe, but there's a cool place in Indio that will have the whole family jumping for joy. In fact, besides jumping, guests can also climb; slide and bounce to their hearts' desire at Pump It Up - "The Inflatable Party Zone." The main attractions at Pump It Up are the giant, custom-designed, interactive inflatable play structures. In addition to the play areas, there are brightly decorated party rooms making this a perfect location for birthday parties. Even if there's no special occasion, kids ages 2-10 and parents of any age are invited to attend Family Jump Time on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 per child and their accompanying parents can "play for free." Pump It Up is located at 82-740 Atlantic Avenue in Indio, north of the Jackson Street exit in the Shadow Hills area. For more information call 775-0620.
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