With a focus on the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas, this post explores some of the best summer activities for parents who want to give their children an unforgettable summer in the Land of Enchantment!
In addition to enrolling them in various summer camps or exciting activities – there are plenty of entertainment options perfect for the whole family here! Take a look at the list below and prepare to live your best summer in New Mexico:

We can’t start this list without giving the first place to River Adventures!

New Mexico is known for being one of the best places to enjoy some rafting, and New Mexico River Adventures will guarantee you a super safe and fun experience. There are many options to choose from such as a full day of whitewater, a three-day trip on the Rio Chama, or a nice and relaxing afternoon float!

Location:
2217 NM-68, Embudo, NM, USA

HOURS:
8 AM- 8 PM | Family rafting from April to September

On the last Saturday of the month, families in Santa Fe can enjoy a free outdoor music class with their kids in which they will have a great time singing, moving, and shaking through a variety of engaging music games and sing-alongs!

Location:
Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary

HOURS:
10:30- 11:15 AM. Last Saturday of the month until September 24.

Waterparks are always a great idea when it comes to summer fun!

This is the only outdoor water park in Albuquerque, NM, where you will find lots and lots of fun for all ages, including slides, rides, and more!

Location:
4800 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM, USA

HOURS:
May 25th- September 2nd. Closes on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. The hours are subject to change due to weather.

Summer can’t pass by without visiting ABQ Surf & Slide!

Both kids and adults will find something fun and also plenty of relaxing features! There is so much to do, you will not know what to try first!

Location:
2500 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, USA

HOURS:
Summer Hours: 4 PM-9 PM Thursday | 10 AM- 9 PM & 3 PM-4 PM Friday through Sunday | 10 AM-3 PM Monday

Located in Roswell, the Spring River Zoo Summer offers fun, outdoor camps this summer which are divided by age groups and themes, and there are many fun and different amazing options available!

Location:
Spring River Zoo

HOURS:
Pre-K Camp: June 6-10, 8 AM-12 PM | Predator & Prey Camp: June 13-17, 8 AM -3 PM | Jr. Zookeepers Camp: June 20-24, 8 AM-3 PM | Camouflage Camp: June 27-July 1, 8 AM-3 PM | Biomes Camp: July 11-15, 8 AM-3 PM | Pre-K Camp: July 19-22, 8 AM-12 PM | Research at the Zoo: July 25-29, 8 AM-3 PM

Get in touch with this amazing planet that we live in at Spring River Zoo!

Learn all about the amazing animals and plants in the zoo, have hours of fun in the great attractions, and enjoy a nice family day in the open air!

Location:
1306 East College Boulevard, Roswell, NM 88201, USA

HOURS:
Open Year-Round. Summer hours: April 1-Sept. 30. 9 AM – 6 PM

This art studio in Santa Fe offers great summer camps for kids ages 5-15.

Campers will enjoy different projects and/or mediums, and there will be fun themes including Oaxacan Art; Island Art; Painting & Sketching; Sculpture; Street Art For Kids; First Nations; Abstract Expressionism; and the Summer Sampler.

Location:
Dragonfly Art Studio

HOURS:
9 AM- 4 PM: Week 1 Painting and Sketching: May 30 June 3 | Week 2 Native American Arts: June 6-10 | Week 3 Egyptian Arts: June 13-17 | Week 4 Abstract Expressionism: June 20-24 | Week 5 Japanese arts: June 27-July 1 | Week 6 Street Art For Kids: July 4-8 | Week 7 Encanto: July 11-15 | Week 8 Sculpture: July 18-22 | Week 9 Oaxacan arts: July 25-29 | Week 10 New Mexico arts: August 1- 5 | Week 11 Island Arts: August 8-12 | Week 12 Summer Sampler! August 15- 19

Summer camps at Explora Science Center are kids’ favorite summer activities!

Camps will be divided by age and themes, so make sure to pick your kid’s favorite ones!

Location:
Explora Science Center

HOURS:
9 AM- 12 PM & 1 PM-4 PM. Monday-Friday. June 6- August 5

Cottam's Rio Grande Rafting

The entire family will have a blast enjoying the dynamic Lion Dance performances by the Quang Minh Buddhist Temple Youth Group of Albuquerque.

Location:
Museum of International Folk Art

HOURS:
June 5, 1 PM- 3 PM

See over 300 animals and 90 different species at Alameda Park Zoo!

There is also a picnic area, an education center, a playground, and a cool gift shop. Connect with the amazing animals through audio, visual, and tactical experiences!

Location:
1321 North White Sands Boulevard, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA

HOURS:
Daily, 9 AM-5 PM

Farm Camps are offered at the Larry P. Abraham Agri-Nature Center in Los Ranchos and will meet all CDC and CYFD guidelines, with ample space between children and open camp spaces.

Camps will be divided by ages and fun themes!

Location:
The Larry P Abraham Agri-Nature Center

HOURS:
9 AM- 4 PM: June 20th – June 24th | July 18th – July 22nd

During these fun summer camps which are divided by age groups, campers will explore 135 acres of mountainous wilderness and a variety of diverse habitats!

Location:
Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary

HOURS:
Monday- Friday, June 6- July 29

The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden offers this unique activity in which you’ll get to explore the wonders of nightfall as you walk on a guided tour through the Garden in search of night-blooming plants, nocturnal animals, and night pollinators!

Location:
ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden

HOURS:
6:30 PM- 8:30 PM: June 7, June 28, July 26

This summer, the little ones of the family will get to enjoy Baby Shark Live at the Rio Rancho Events Center! Get ready to dance, sing, and have a blast with your children!

Location:
Rio Rancho Events Center

HOURS:
June 9, 6 PM- 8 PM

These weekly camps for creative children ages 5-12 are taught by artist and certified art teacher Jillian Mazur at the J.F Mazur Fine Art Studio in Santa Fe.

Each camp week features a new set of lessons in a variety of media.

Location:
J.F Mazur Fine Art Studio

HOURS:
9 AM- 12 PM, June 6- July 29 Monday- Friday | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM, June 13- July 29.

Families can’t miss this community celebration of Science and one of the state’s largest celebrations of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)!

This summer, families can enjoy a multi-day, community-wide extravaganza that is sure to inspire your curiosity, creativity, and innovation!

Location:
EXPO New Mexico

HOURS:
June 11-18

During this unique experience, families will get to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Zoo at twilight!

Participants will witness interesting animal behavior while taking a tour of the Zoo in a small group led by a guide. 

Location:
ABQ BioPark Zoo

HOURS:
6:30 PM- 8:30 PM | June 14, July 12

Kids will have a great and fun educational time during this event of kid-friendly STEM (science, technology, engineering, and Math) activities hosted by STEAM Lab. 

Location:
Family Strengths Network

HOURS:
June 4, 11 AM- 11:30 AM

Explora and the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum are collaborating to offer kids in grades K-5 a week to explore art, “envelopes,” weather science, and all things ballooning during this fun summer event!

Location:
Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

HOURS:
June 6-June 10

Kids ages 5-8 will get to enjoy amazing activities during these summer camps at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum!

Each week features five full days of FUN with STEAM education and weekly theme-based projects and activities!

Location:
Santa Fe Children’s Museum

HOURS:
Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 3 PM. June 13- July 29

During this guided tour, families will get to travel to the bosque wetlands to look for bats, hoot for owls, and search for other nocturnal animals!

Location:
Tingley Beach

HOURS:
6:30- 8:30 PM June 21, July 19.

If your kids are bored on a summer day and they don’t feel like playing outside, they can visit the STEAM fair and have fun trying out several hands-on STEAM activities with local organizations!

Location:
Family Strengths Network

HOURS:
June 11, 10 AM- 12 PM

Enjoy a day of splashing, rolling, squishing, sliding, making mud pies, and more!

You will explore educational workshops related to mud and soil, learn about earthworms, play and cool off in wet mud, and more.

Location:
Open Space Visitor Center

HOURS:
July 2, 11 AM- 3 PM

During Summer Splash Seasonal Party, families will get to celebrate summer with games, crafts, activities, and snacks during this Seasonal Party!

Location:
Family Strengths Network

HOURS:
June 24, 10 AM- 12 PM

The whole family can enjoy this hands-on science day!

You will enjoy interactive science demonstrations, a kids’ activity area, music, food, beverages, and performances. There will be scientists, artists, engineers, and techies, who have volunteered to meet you!

Location:
Ashley Pond Park

HOURS:
July 12- 17. 10 AM- 3 PM