Are you looking for fun activities to do with your kids in July around Cedar Rapids?
Look no further than our July Roundup of local activities!
Freedom Festival – Movie Night- July 1 6pm-10pm
Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Ferris Bueller’s Day off with an outdoor movie and silent disco! Join the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival for a movie under the stars. Doors at 6 PM. The movie starts at dusk. NewBo City Market will have food/drinks available for purchase. Wear your Freedom Festival Button for free admission (or purchase one at the door for just $5!) While you wait for the movie to start, grab a pair of headphones and pick your favorite DJ and dance the night away! DJs include Z102.9′ s Lady J and TBD. Silent Disco provided by Silent Disco DSM. https://www.tourismcedarrapids.com/events-calendar/freedom-festival-movie-night-silent-disco/
5 Seasons Ski Team- July 1, 3, 4 & every Thursday through the summer
The Five Seasons Ski Team presents a stunning hour-long waterski show, with daredevil jump acts including helicopters and flips, 50 mph barefoot pyramids, and much more. Watch as monster twin and triple engined towboats pull world record level pyramids with 30 or more skiers. With 50 costumed performers, an award-winning announcer, and rapid-fire action, these shows have been featured on ESPN and OLN television. Free shows every Thursday at 7 pm this summer at Ellis Park, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. https://www.freedomfestival.com/events/five-seasons-ski-team/52/
Root Beer Festival- July 3
This family-friendly festival will include root beer-themed foods, desserts, and beverages at The History Center 1-4 pm
https://www.tourismcedarrapids.com/events-calendar/root-beer-festival/
Freedom Festival- July 4th
Drive Through Pancake Breakfast-
Load up the car and drive down to ImOn Ice Arena to start out your July 4th festivities with some delicious breakfast. The pancake breakfast will run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Car Show-
This year the car show will take place in the parking lot of the Kernels Stadium from 8 am-12 pm. Please join us for a fun-filled morning of walking around and seeing some of the most authentic cars you’ve ever seen.
Fireworks- 7 pm-10:30 pm Downtown Cedar Rapids
The Freedom Festival has grown to offer the Corridor the largest fireworks display in Iowa on the 4th of July! Sit back and enjoy the music of today and yesterday’s hits while we put on the show.
4thFest- 4th of July Parade- July 4, 12-2 pm
Coralville’s annual 4th of July parade is the area’s largest Independence Day parade!
ROUTE–The two-mile parade begins at the corner of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue. See map: www.coralville.org/4thFestParade
Sticks and Stones: Outdoor Crafting for Kids (All Ages)
Come to the farm on Friday afternoons all summer long! Get outdoors and enjoy a different craft or activity each week with us. No registration required.
Fridays 6/11-7/23 1-2 pm FREE Old MacDonald’s Farm Barn
Adult/Child Goat Yoga (6+ yrs. with Adult) July 7, 5:30-6:30 pm
How can you make exercise more fun? Do it with your kids and ours as well as chickens and rabbits! Be sure to wear loose and comfortable clothing that can get dirty and bring your own mat. A limited number of mats are available to rent for $2 (cash only). You may register more than one child. Adult $12 (R $11) Child $5 (R $4)
Tom, Huck, Becky Activity Kits (6-12 yrs.)
Experience the adventures of Tom, Huck, and Becky at home. Pick up a kit that includes a simple, old-fashioned toy, another to make on your own, games to play with family and friends, a recipe of one of Tom’s favorite foods to make and taste, and suggestions and instructions for homemade, old-fashioned fun just like Tom, Huck and Becky enjoyed. $5/kit Pickup: Th, F 7/1-7/30 9 am-5 pm Ushers Ferry Visitors Center
Picnic In the Park- July 7,14, 21, 28 11:30-12:15
Join Alicia at the Brown Bandshell at Guthridge Park for a return to in-person programming! Listen to stories, engage in dancing, singing, and general silliness! The first 36 kids will receive a treat from Hy-Vee Oakland Rd. and a take-home craft. On July 14, Pack a lunch and join Mayor Jake and his human Thomas Phan. Thomas will regale how his cuddly dog Jake became Mayor Jake of Hiawatha.
https://hiawathapubliclibrary.org/new-events/picnic-in-the-park-pldsg
Day Camp – Dig In! July 8- 9am-3pm
Join us for this fun and educational in-person day camp for kids who have completed K-2nd grades! Discover and explore the world around you. Learn about the amazing and diverse life on our planet…from plants to bugs to large animals like dinosaurs! Journey through time with us as we use paleontology and earth science techniques to explore fossils, rocks, and soils. Youth participants will also have a chance to explore wildlife, identify and cast their tracks, and get up-close with creatures like bugs. Can you dig it? Register Here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/content/4h-day-camps
Moonlit Movie Series- Sonic the Hedgehog- July 9th
Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park -Free, Family-Friendly entertainment. General seating begins at 7:00 p.m. with the movie beginning around 8:00 p.m. (depending on daylight). Treats from Kona Ice, The Freeze, and FREE popcorn from the Shriner’s Popcorn Mobile. Guests should bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating.
CRBT Movies on the Riverbank- July 10
The Croods: A New Age–Experience moonlight, movies, food and family fun under the stars in Downtown Cedar Rapids. The 16th annual CRBT Movies on the Riverbank, presented by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, will return to the McGrath Amphitheatre.
Little Melodies July 9, 16, 23, 30 10:00 am – 10:45 am
Little Melodies is a 4 week series of music therapy groups created to engage children (0-5) in musical experiences targeting connection with a caregiver and peers, social skills, milestone development, and sensory exploration. This group utilizes a mix of familiar and new childhood music listening, making, and movement experiences. Each session is led by board-certified music therapist Bailey Skarpness who graduated from Wartburg College with a degree in Music Therapy and Music Education. Class is held at Tanager Place Behavioral Health Clinic 1050 5th Ave SE Cedar Rapids IA 52403
$100 for 4 weekly sessions Please contact Bailey Skarpness at bcondon@tanagerplace.org for more information and to register.
Friday Night at the Movies- Outdoor Movies July 9, 16, 23, 30
Free family fun outdoor movies at the green space behind the library! Ely Public Library
Hawkeye Hustlers Summer Flyball- July 10-11
High flying excitement and fun combine in this dog team competition that calls for agility, speed and teamwork. These dogs know their sport and they love to compete! Free admission for the events at the Amana RV Park & Event Center!
Kinderfest at Ackerman Winery July 10, 10 am-6 pm
Looking for some summertime fun for the whole family? Then look no further, and join us for Kinderfest, Saturday, July 10th at Ackerman Winery! Kinderfest is dedicated to kids and family FUN, and we here at Ackerman Winery are all about FUN! We will have a Dachshund Scavenger Hunt, a guessing game of how many jellies are in the jar, kiddie cocktails and chips for $5, family videos, yard games, and more! So stop by and see us in Amana for a day of family fun!
Cedar Rapids Kernels
Post Game Fireworks Saturday, July 10 and 24
Kids Eat Free Sunday, July 11 and 25
https://www.milb.com/cedar-rapids
Monarch Fest: Hybrid Online & In-Person July 10-10 am-2 pm
This year we are combining online and in-person elements to create a hybrid event, including virtual programs leading up to the day-of event, FREE caterpillar adoption*, take-home crafts/activities, milkweed seed ball making for RAGBRAI riders, educational materials, free nectar plants, vendors and more. Caterpillars, crafts, and nectar plants will all be in LIMITED SUPPLY. You will need to register ahead of time for caterpillars and crafts online (link coming soon) and pick them up in person the day of the event.*If you intend to adopt a caterpillar, you MUST have your own source of milkweed. Stay tuned for more information: https://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/gallery/monarch-fest/
Mother Nature’s Fireworks- July 15
Wickiup Hill Learning Center, Linn County Join Naturalist Chuck Ungs on this family-friendly firefly catch, release, and observation program. Learn about this mysterious insect and view them up close on our trails near the Learning Center. Limited registration and social distancing will be observed. Meet at the kiosk area near the sidewalk. Cost: $2.50/adult, or $1/child. Registration online by July 14th. https://www.mycountyparks.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/County/Linn/Park/Wickiup-Hill-Learning-Center/Events/17812/Mother-Natures-Fireworks/Register.aspx&qs=true
Craft 4 Kids- DIY Bird House Kits
Build and decorate a birdhouse for your backyard feathered friends. Registration is required and begins July 18. Pick up available at the Hiawatha Library July 21-24. The DIY Bird House Kit contains everything needed to create an adorable home for birds looking for a new place to stay.
Thursday Night Street Drags July 17, 6:00 pm
Pits Open at 6:00 PM, Bracket Racing Begins 7:30 PM
Bring the family for a night at the races! There will be six Street Drag events on the 300′ drag strip and a car show in the pit area of the speedway. Hawkeye Downs Speedway
4400 6th St SW Cedar Rapids IA 52404. Pits Open at 6:00 PM, Bracket Racing Begins 7:30 PMAdmission Pit/Grandstands – $10 More information can be found online at https://hawkeyedrags.com
BLIPPI The Musical July 20, 6 pm
Alliant Energy Power House presents Blippi the Musical. Woooooo, we are sooooo excited, because for the first time you can see BLIPPI in his newest adventure, Blippi the Musical! You and your whole family are going to have so much fun, dancing, singing and meeting amazing new friends LIVE on stage in your town! Wow, look at that! It’s a plane, a tractor, a fire truck, and a train, just some of the many discoveries we’re going to make together!
Teen Tie-Dye- July 21, 1 pm
Color your world… and your pillowcase! Bring your own clothing or cotton household items, or grab a pillowcase at the event for this outdoor tie-dye adventure. One item per person. Register online starting June 1. The program will be held outdoors at Lowe Park. This event is open to middle and high school students.
www.eventbrite.com/e/teen-tie-dye-registration-150200613077
Great Jones County Fair- July 21-25
Are you a funnel cake or corn dog fan? Summer is approaching and we are dreaming of the fair food at the Great Jones County Fair. Visit the website to see a daily list of activities and entertainment https://www.greatjonescountyfair.com/
Chalk the Walk With Marilyn Ackerman Winery July 24
A part of the Amana Colonies in Bloom festival! To celebrate this beautiful time of year, we are having a CHALK the WALK with Marilyn. Draw your favorite flowers and/or add to the design to make our sidewalk BLOOM! This event is free and fun for all ages.
**We will have chalk available but also encourage participants to bring their own.
Nature’s Rainbow July 27(9:30-12) or July 29(12 pm-3)
Wickiup Hill Learning Center, Linn County Nature presents an incredible visual rainbow and your camera isn’t the only way to capture it. Investigate the use of plants to create dyes from nature’s rainbow and experiment with different dyeing methods. While our cloth is drying we will prepare another nature-made item and make a natural lip balm from beeswax. Bring a white cotton t-shirt and we will provide other materials to customize. For 8 year old’s and older. Cost $10
Day Camp – Fizz, Bubble, & Goo July 29- 9 am-3 pm
Join us for this fun and educational in-person day camp for kids who have completed K-2nd grades! Come explore the wonders of science by creating amazing chemistry experiments with everyday materials to watch them fizz, bubble, and goo. Learn about matter and its three states, create super slime, and observe chemical and physical changes before your very eyes!
Register Here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/content/4h-day-camps
Make sure you never miss out on a parenting or community-related blog post: sign up to receive Cedar Rapids Moms posts in your inbox. While you’re at it, join our VIP List to ensure you’re one of the first to know about upcoming Cedar Rapids Moms events and promotions!!
