How to keep your kids busy during the worst part of summer

By Katie Visconti

Sunday, July 19, 2015 | 2 a.m.

The summer heat brings out a whole new kind of daytime desperation for parents.

You’ve run out of any smidge of enthusiasm for trips to play gyms, splash pads and Target, but you need to get your children out of the house.

Here are 10 things to do to keep your kids sunburn-free and your wallet happy for the rest of the summer.

Story time at the library

Throughout Clark County

Get your children ready for school with a free program centered on stories, songs and literacy development. At least 14 libraries in Clark County participate in storytime programs that range in length from 20 minutes to an hour and cater to children of all ages. Check with your local branch to see if reservations are needed.

Chinese Language and Cultural Summer Camp

Winchester Park and Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive, Las Vegas | 702-455-7340

Pre-teens and teens can learn Chinese language and culture during this five-week summer camp. The camp ends Aug. 14 and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Cost is $45 per camper for supplies.

Free movie nights

Downtown Summerlin, 1980 Festival Plaza Drive, Las Vegas

Summer Screen begins every Thursday at sundown, roughly 7 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, and arrive early for snacks from local vendors. A list of movies can be found at downtownsummerlin.com. The movies are shown on Park Center Drive.

Roller skating

Crystal Palace Skating Center, 3901 N. Rancho Drive, Las Vegas

Every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. is family night at Crystal Palace. A family of four can skate for $14, including skate rentals. For $22, owners will throw in a pizza and four soft drinks.

Mermaid show at the Silverton

3333 Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas

Escape the heat with a cool — and free — mermaid show at the Silverton aquarium. Performances are hourly from 2:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. There also are daily fish feedings at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Toddler play class

Barbara Greenspun Women’s Center, 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway, Suite 180, Henderson

702-616-4900

The center offers free classes for toddlers and their parents from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday. Activities include singing, dancing, interacting and crafts. The class is free, and there’s no need to register; just show up and play with your little one.

Jump

Pump it Up, 3200 W. Sunset Road, Suite 100, Las Vegas | 702-228-8017

Replace jumping on the bed with jumping on oversized trampolines and inflatables. Pump it Up offers open jump sessions Monday through Friday. Times vary, but open jumps typically run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $8.95 per child.

Children’s play place

Kinderland, 9330 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 110, Las Vegas

This play place may not be super cheap — admission is $12 for the first child and $10 for each additional child — but it’s a great spot for little ones to burn off extra energy. There’s a cafe with WiFi and gourmet snacks where parents can relax while their kids play, and a drop-off babysitting service for $10 an hour.

Paint pottery

Color Me Mine, 9350 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 120, Las Vegas | 702-522-7119

Allow your children to get artsy without fear of getting paint on your furniture. Color Me Mine runs monthly Family Friday events, at which a family of four can paint, eat pizza and play trivia games for $20 plus the cost of the pottery. The shop also offers themed children’s classes with step-by-step instruction.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Desert Breeze Community Center has free open gym hours for teenagers. They do not. | (July 20, 2015)