Can you believe it’s already back-to-school season? For many students in our Louisville area, classes begin in early August. That leaves you a window of about two weeks to enjoy quality time with your kids before the day comes for porch pictures, bus send-offs, and the excitement of teacher meet-and-greets.

In terms of timing, here’s another perspective: If there were an official bell signaling the return to school, it would already be ringing.

So how can you make the most of this last stretch of summer break? We’ve gathered five ideas to help you and your family enjoy the outdoors together—suggestions that will hopefully lead to discovery, joy, and possibly even lifelong memories.

Make a splash at the spraygrounds

Playing is a great way to mark the end of summer break. For an afternoon or simply an hour or two, you might round up your kids to soak up summer in the spraygrounds at Beckley Creek and Broad Run Parks. We have “toddler” and “big kids” sections, but anyone can find summertime delight in these play areas. Learn more about summer fun at the spraygrounds.

Go fishing  

“Go fish” isn’t just a classic card game. It’s a beloved pastime in Kentucky, especially at this time of year. While many anglers look forward to fall fishing, late summer is also a wonderful time to introduce kids to the activity.

Kids can have great fun casting a line at one of our lakes in Beckley Creek Park, at Boulder Pond in Turkey Run Park, or along Floyds Fork.

At a fishing pier (Green Heron Lake, Boulder Pond) or a creek-side location, the sudden twitch of a fishing line is sure to catch your kids’ attention. They might also get a kick out of seeing fascinating insects such as fishing spiders and water striders skimming across the water’s surface. Explore fishing locations and resources.

For more fishing adventure at the start of fall, save the date for Junior Explorer: Fish Fest on September 26. Enjoy fishing demos, get an up-close look at what lives in our streams, and race minnows! Learn more about this free, family-friendly event here.

Search for crayfish, fossils, and shells

Spotting a crayfish (also known as a crawfish or crawdad) along a creek bank is another classic Kentucky summer activity—and a great excuse to cool your feet in the water.

With more than 50 species of crayfish, Kentucky is one of the most diverse places in the world for these crustaceans. Some live entirely in the water, while others build tunnels deep enough to reach water.

Crayfish aren’t the only small creatures you may spot in our riparian areas. Minnows and freshwater snails are fun to watch, too!

As you walk along the creek banks, keep an eye on the rocks and shells at ground level. Our parks are great places to discover fossils because much of the local bedrock is soft limestone. You may even come across some brachiopod fossils—the official state fossil of Kentucky—among the gravel bars of Floyds Fork. Just be sure to leave natural items where you found them so future visitors can enjoy the same discoveries.

If you plan to explore a creek in the coming days, be aware that water levels can rise quickly following rainfall. See the note below for information about current high water levels at the time of publication.

Register for Wednesday Wonders

Wednesdays are super fun days for families at The Parklands! Every week, we host our Wednesday Wonders and Wee Wednesday Wonders programs for curious young learners. Each session is designed to spark imaginations as kids move from wonder to outdoor discovery, hands-on science, and creative play.

On July 29, kids will learn about saturniid moths. These strikingly beautiful insects are known for their impressive size, both as adults and as caterpillars. Although they spend much of their lives in tree canopies, they occasionally fly and rest near the forest floor as adults. On August 5, we’ll explore the question, “What is a fish?,” and we expect it will be a fin-tastic discussion!

Learn more about our Wednesday Wonders programs and register for a session.

Plan a family hike  

Connecting with nature is especially wondrous when you’re standing beneath mighty trees like sycamores or under the curved branch of a smaller tree such as the Osage orange. You can experience this up close on two of our natural-surface trails in Beckley Creek Park, both named after these remarkable trees and each less than a mile long.

Looking for more family-friendly hiking ideas? Read our “Kid-Friendly Hikes” article for inspiration.

Interested in joining a leisurely group hike with other families? Our next Wee Walking Club session takes place this Thursday, July 23. An interpretive ranger will guide participants along the paved Fisherman’s Trail in northern Beckley Creek Park, with the hike ending at a lake overlook.

Another idea for a family outing is to create your own themed hike at a favorite park. For example, our Wednesday Wonders groups have gone on chicory and dandelion hikes, in search of flowering plants from the Asteraceae family. You could also challenge your family to find all the colors of the rainbow during your walk or look for butterflies and moths visiting flowers along meadow trails.

Get outdoors with your family today!

With some relief from this summer’s high temperatures and humidity, you may be eager to grab your hiking or water shoes and explore the outdoors.

Before heading out, visit theparklands.org to plan your outing and check the latest alerts and visitor guidelines. As always, be aware that water levels rise quickly on Floyds Fork and smaller creeks within the parks. At the time of publication, water levels remain high with swift currents along sections of the creek following recent storms.

Remember to pack plenty of water and sunscreen, and don’t forget your camera to capture your family’s outdoor adventures!

From doing research on our website to organizing snacks, a little preparation can help you make the most of these final days of summer break.

The memories you create while exploring the beauty of Kentucky’s natural landscapes this July are sure to last well beyond the start of the new school year. We wish every family a smooth transition back to school routines and a year filled with new discoveries and adventures.