Everyone loves summer in Bozeman, but for some parents the end of the school year can bring on a bit of a panic about what in the world to do with the kids! Never fear our community has great offerings for families that won’t totally break the bank and will allow you and the kiddos to have a great time making memories together this summer.

Explore Bozeman Pass

The Explore Bozeman Pass is available at the Bozeman Public Library and can be checked out with your free library card either at www.bozemanlibrary.org or the Information Desk. The Explore Bozeman Pass is ONE library card, FOUR days, FOUR people, FIVE attractions. With the Pass you receive free admission to the American Computer Museum • Bozeman Swim Center • Children’s Museum of Bozeman • Museum of the Rockies • Pioneer Museum.
One Explore Bozeman pass may be checked out per family per 4-day loan period for one participating organization. Passes are good Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday. Each pass admits four people (up to two adults). Recipients must be 18+ and have less than $10 in library fines. Call the Bozeman Public Library at 582-2427 for more information.

The Explore Bozeman Pass is a great way to visit multiple local attractions and try them out before deciding to buy a membership to each.

Museum of the Rockies

Becoming a member of the Museum of the Rockies should probably be the first thing your family does this summer if you haven’t already. Family memberships are just $75/year. Members enjoy admission to the Museum and Taylor Planetarium, entry to more than 300 museums nationwide (ASTC Passport Program), Members-only exhibit previews, free and discounted classes, programs & laser shows and 10% savings in the Museum Store plus the Annual Members’ Sale.

Once you’ve become a member you and the kids can go straight to the Children’s Discovery Center; based on the science in Yellowstone Park and geared towards infants through 8 year olds, the Center is a great introduction to little ones about the wonders of Yellowstone. Follow that up with a trip through the Dinosaur hall, and this summers Treasures of Napolean, telling the fascinating story of Napoléon Bonaparte and featuring world-class art and design of his time in the main exhibit area of the museum.

Outside on the Museum grounds is the Living History Farm offering a chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Homesteading Era. On June 20 and 27th you can participate in Wild West Wednesdays, making historic style crafts, games and unique creations for you to take home while you imagine what leisure time may have felt like in the 1890s.

Check www.museumoftherockies.org /Calendar this summer for the most updated events happening at the Museum, you are sure not to be disappointed with a visit to this local treasure dedicated to inspring learning for all ages.

Farmers’ Markets

Each summer Bozeman has two Farmers’ Markets to choose from. The Bogert Farmers’ Market will open first on Tuesday June 5th at 5pm under the Pavilion and in Bogert Park. The Bogert Market runs every Tuesday night through September 25th. For families Bogert offers the best of both worlds; the wonderful park facilities for the kids and the excitement of the market for the adults. Mixed in with fresh produce, great local food offerings, live music and hand crafted items from a huge variety of vendors are also face painting and ballon tying booths as well as an alpaca petting area that kids are sure to enjoy. Within the park you’ll find ice cream and a huge climbing wall for the kids to spend their allowance money on. Bozeman magazine is proud to be a presenting sponsor of the Bogert Farmers’ Market – we hope you will enjoy it often this summer!

The Gallatin Valley Farmers Market is Bozeman’s original Farmers’ Market and takes place at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds on Saturdays from 9am-12pm beginning in late June and running through mid September. The GVFM provides the opportunity and location for local vendors of homemade food, handmade crafts and locally grown produce to market, display and sell their goods. Be sure to come hungry so that your family can enjoy the huge variety of food including kettle corn, local salsa, fresh squeezed lemonade, baked items, fresh fruit, produce and more. Kids activities are limited at this market, but it is a very family friendly environment and great place to teach sustainablity and healthy habits.

Belgrade Water Park/
Bogert Pool

It may just be a scorcher this summer and cooling off will be at a premium. The most affordable solution for watery fun is a short trip to the Belgrade Splash Park located in Lewis and Clark Park on East Central Ave. The splash park is free and usually opens mid June. A fenced area containing a cement pad encloses the splash park which includes ten plus water features. Several of the features dump water from above, some shoot water from the ground, there are even water cannons. When the going gets hot the hot should get going to Belgrade.

Bogert Pool located in Bogert Park at 332 South Church Avenue is scheduled to open on June 23rd. The Bogert Pool is Bozeman’s only outdoor public swimming facility. The pool offers swimming lessons which make hours varied and limited. The pool is an affordable summer fun option, with kids 2 and under free, 3-14 $3 and adults $4. Family swim time is Friday night from 5-8:30pm for $10. Children 13 years and younger must have an adult present at Bogert to swim. Call 582-2910 for more information about lessons and schedules.

Rocky Creek Farm

Rocky Creek Farm is a fun family experience multiple times per year. Summer brings U-Pick farming where you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries, apples, sweet peppers, hot peppers, greenhouse tomatoes, pickling and slicing cucumbers, squash, vegetables, herbs, sunflowers, and lots of other crops. The farm is projected to open July 12th for strawberries.

Rocky Creek Farm is located approximately 5 miles east of Bozeman, MT at 34297 Frontage Road. Head east along the Frontage road, hang a left at the Rocky Creek Farm sign just as the Frontage road begins to curve to the right toward Bear Creek. Just across the railroad tracks you will find the farm.

Children’s Museum of Bozeman

The Children’s Museum of Bozeman has settled into its current home on South Willson Avenue just blocks from Main Street and is ready to welcome you and your children with a variety of programs. For a fun free option check out Free Friday night at the museum every Friday night from 5-8pm. Pizza slices are just $1!

Weekly programs are free for museum members (family membership $60/year), as well as free with museum admission ($5 each/day). This summer the museum will offer Baby Steps, Junior Scientists, Paint-a-Palooza, and Art Machines on a weekly basis.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June the CMB will have Family Fishing Fun for kids 5-12 with a parent. On Tuesdays, you’ll explore fish ecology, tie flies, and cover the safety basics at the museum. On Wednesdays, go out in the field and catch fish! Cost is $35 for each parent/child pair. Includes 6 nights of instruction, a tackle, rod and reel, and a T-shirt for each child! Space is limited. Register in person at the CMB (202 S. WIllson Avenue in Bozeman) or by phone, 406-522-9087.
Run in the Peet’s Hill Hustle Saturday, June 16th to support the Children’s Museum. Beginning at the Bozeman Public Library, over Peet’s Hill and through Lindley Park on a course that combines roads, trails, grass, and some of the best views in Bozeman. Awards for top finishers, funky costumes encouraged. Register in person at the CMB (202 S. Willson Avenue in Bozeman) or online at racemontana.com. Early registration (before June 14th): $20 for the 5K, $10 for the Kids Runs. Late/Race Day registration (June 15th and 16th): $25 for the 5K, $12 for the Kids.
The Children’s Museum of Bozeman has both indoor and outdoor play and learning areas, and is a great place to explore with your little ones this summer.

Bozeman magazine and bozemanmagazine.com/calendar have some of the best family events included every month, this article is just a small tasting of all the fun things available to the community this summer. Check the magazine each month for feature articles on events before they happen, as well as the magazine’s print calendar, and our online calendar anytime for weekly or special events you can attend with your favorite people.

Angie Ripple is the co-publisher of Bozeman magazine and mother of three young children. Dedicated to keeping Bozeman informed of the best community events is one of her passions.