The final school bell is ringing, and parents across Rapid City are staring down the double-edged sword of summer vacation: three months of freedom, inevitably followed by choruses of “I’m bored.”
If you are looking for a way to keep school-aged kids engaged, curious, and learning without breaking the bank, Downtown Rapid City is rolling out a practical solution.
Starting Tuesday, June 2, the Splash Lab STEAM Series will offer hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities at Main Street Square, 526 Main Street, in downtown Rapid City. The series runs every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m to noon through the end of July.
The program is designed to let kids build, measure, and experiment while exploring basic science and math concepts. Rather than dry lectures, the focus is on tactile, creative projects — from mixing homemade play dough to exploring the plant life cycle.
The 2026 Summer Schedule for The Splash Lab STEAM series
June 2 – Birds and Their Habitats Kids will build and decorate birdhouses, learning how birds thrive in natural habitats. The Black Hills Raptor Center may make a special appearance with feathered guests to bring the lesson to life.
June 9 – World Ocean Day: A science and math session focused on measuring and pouring materials to create ocean-inspired sensory tubes.
June 16– Summer Solstice: Exploring patterns, shapes, and color by designing and building bright sun catchers.
June 23 – Plant Life Cycle: Blending science and garden magic by decorating mini pots and planting seeds from scratch.
June 30 – Fourth of July: A hands-on problem-solving session where kids will measure and mix ingredients to create homemade play dough.
July 7 – National Chocolate Day: Measuring and mixing ingredients to shape and decorate homemade Rice Krispie bars.
July 14– Geology Exploration –Turning simple stones into art while comparing patterns, textures, and rock types.
July 21 – Apollo 11 Moon Landing Anniversary: Building and painting solar system models while learning about planets, spacing, and space exploration.
July 28 – End of Series Party
What Parents Need To Know
While the event is accessible, registration is strongly encouraged.
Supplies are guaranteed only for registered participants.
Limited extra supplies may be available each week on a first-come, first-served basis.
Families can register for individual sessions by clicking the link below or copying the address into your search bar.
https://simpletix.com/e/splash-lab-tickets-274676
For additional information, contact Downtown Rapid City at (605) 716-7979.
The Rapid City Sentinel has reached out to Downtown Rapid City for further details and will update this story as information becomes available.
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