6 Fun Things to do With Your Kids Before School Starts in Billings

6 Fun Things To Do With Your Kids Before School Starts in Billings

My two youngest kids just took off for three weeks to hang with their big sister and her husband in Havre, giving my wife and me a little preview of what being empty nesters will feel like in a few short years. The kids get a taste of independence, and we get a chance to breathe. It's a win-win.

When they get back, summer will be almost over—and honestly, it feels like we haven’t done hardly anything fun together. If you’re in the same boat and looking for a few ideas before the school bell rings, here are some easy, local ways to make the most of what's left of summer break.

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1. Go to MontanaFair

No end-of-summer list is complete without MontanaFair. For nine magical days (August 8–16), the fair takes over MetraPark with carnival rides, midway games, live concerts (Flo Rida, Fluffy, and Russell Dickerson are entertainment headliners), PRCA rodeo action is back on the shiny new grandstands, farm animals in the 4H barn, and—of course—all the fair food your kids can handle.

2. Hit a Montana “beach”

We may not have oceans, but we’ve got a few places where you can toss down a beach towel and splash around.

• Cooney Reservoir: By mid-August, the water is low enough to expose some decent stretches of sand, especially along the south shore. Send the kids off to hunt crawfish under the rocks.

• Lake Elmo: If Cooney feels like too much of a drive, Lake Elmo in town is a great option. You can rent a paddleboard, fish (just grab a license at the FWP office right there), or let the kids swim while you soak up some sun. The lake was drained and cleaned up a few years ago—so its old "Lake Smell-mo" nickname doesn’t really apply anymore.

• Yellowstone River: If you’re more adventurous, check out a local sandbar, find a swimming hole, or hop on a raft. Just remember—Montana rivers can be unpredictable, so play it safe out there.

3. Splash around at the waterpark

If you miss the old Big Splash Waterpark or the Big Timber Waterslides, you can instill those memories with your kids at Oasis in the Heights. It's packed with slides, a lazy river, a new wave rider attraction, and other fun features to keep the kids busy (and cool). They close for the season on August 30th, weather permitting.

Side note: Have you seen the recent recall on 5 million above-ground swimming pools? Turns out we’ve got one in our backyard!

4. Watch a movie under the stars at ZooMontana

The Billings Kiwanis Club is back with its Movies Under the Stars series at ZooMontana. These free outdoor flicks are a great way to cap off a summer evening with the family. Bring a blanket and enjoy the show. Note: Dogma is rated R. Perhaps you can drop the kids off a Grandma's house and have a date night on August 9?

Upcoming dates:

• 7/23/2025 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Despicable Me 4
• 8/9/2025 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Dogma
• 9/6/2025 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Inside Out 2
• 9/20/2025 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Sonic The Hedgehog 3

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5. Make a Red Lodge day trip

It’s practically a summer tradition to head up to Red Lodge. Stop by the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, grab a sweet treat at the candy store downtown, or swing over to Bearcreek for the world-famous Pig Races—always a hit with the kids.

If you're up for more exploring, consider timing your trip with Absarokee Days, July 26-27, and make it a full-day loop through some beautiful country.

6. Catch a Mustangs game

Dehler Park is a gem. As the sun sets and the lights come on, the atmosphere gets even better. Tickets are affordable, the food is solid, and you can bring a blanket and sit on the grass. It’s low-key, super kid-friendly, and a great way to soak in the last warm nights of the season. The Mustangs' 2025 regular season ends September 7th. 

What’s on your family’s end-of-summer checklist?

Shoot us your ideas at newstipsbillings@townsquaremedia.com or send a message through the mobile app. We'd love to share what you're up to before the backpacks come out and the alarm clocks start ringing again.