Friday, February 27, 2015

Top 10 FREE Family Activities in Shelby County

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We've searched Shelby County for some free family fun! Check out what we found!


1. GALLREIN FARMS PETTING ZOO
Gallrein Farms is a fun place to take the children on a nice day. They have a newly renovated petting zoo that is completely free. They have pigs, rabbits, goats, chickens, sheep, and a camel. They are working on an educational center to go along with the petting zoo. In the Spring, they have a wonderful green house full of beautiful flowers that my daughters and I enjoy walking through.

*Gallrein has other fun activities like pick your own strawberries in the Spring and fun Fall activities in October. These will be highlighted at a later date because they may have a fee attached.


 photo 20140315_115041_zpsw7qkgjtq.jpg2. LIBRARY FUN
There is so much to do at the Shelby County Public Library that we made a special tab just for it. Children from birth through 5 can enjoy books, crafts, music and movement during story hour. There are several story hours offered throughout the week. Older children may enjoy the Lego Club or the American Girl Club. And don't worry parents, there's activities just for you too. Adults 18 and over can enjoy free zumba twice a week or give line dancing a try. The library also has Family Movie Days the first Saturday of each month, and Family Fun Days the third Saturday. Check the calendar or visit the library fun tab to see dates and times.




3. HEARTLAND MUSIC TOGETHER
Did you know Shelbyville offers a music class for children birth through four years old? Heartland Music Together has been in Louisville for a long time, but recently expanded to include a Shelbyville class. This class meets on Fridays at 10:30 at St. James Episcopal Church. The class runs for 10 weeks and is $165 (discounts for other children and members of St. James). The reason it is included on this list of free activities is because they welcome you to come give them a try at a demo class for free! They do ask that you RSVP online or by calling 502-491-3131. Not only do you get to enjoy a free class, but you leave with a free CD! Spring registration is going on now!

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4. LOWE'S BUILD AND GROW
Put your hammer to work as you and your child create a fun, wooden project together through Lowe's Build and Grow program. The event takes place one Saturday a month (sometimes twice a month) at 10 am. It is free, but they like for you to register online beforehand. When you get there you will be given your project, an apron (which you get to keep), goggles, and a hammer. Most projects take about 20 minutes to complete. When you are done they will give you a patch for your apron. Check online to see what Lowe's is building next!



5. HORSE FARM TOUR
Free American Saddlebred Horse Farm Tour! Shelby County is considered the American Saddlebred Capital of the World because of the many American Saddlebred breeding and training facilities. If you are staying in a Shelby County lodging accommodation you can schedule a tour for FREE (donation suggested).

All other tours are $10 for adults and $6 for children 12-17. Tours will not resume until March 30th.

6. RED ORCHARD PARK/MILLER OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER
Red Orchard Park is a 131 acre park in Shelbyville. They have mowed trails for hiking or horse back riding. They also have a fitness adventure trail that includes adult equipment as well as kids play pods. My daughters love the barn themed playground. Red Orchard also has a gazebo, picnic tables, and barn that can be rented for special occasions. What makes this park stand out among the others is the Miller Outdoor Education Center. The center is open on Saturdays from 10-2 and has many wildlife exhibits and demonstrations.

Red Orchard is also home to Michael Kay's Bark Park for dogs, but that does required a yearly permit.

7. FISHING
There are several mini parks throughout Shelbyville that allow you to fish close to home. Elmo Head, Stratton Bottom, and Greenway Park have fishing access, as well as a canoe launch. Lake Shelby or Guist Creek, the largest lake in Shelby County, also have fishing access (bring your fishing licence).

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www.shelbycountyparks.com
8. SKATE PARK
Shelbyville has a skate park that spans over 10,000 square feet. Rollerbladers and skateboarders of all abilities are welcome to try their hand at the street oriented layout that includes a 4 foot half pipe and quarter pipe picnic tables, among others. This park is not supervised, so skaters must skate at their own risk.





9. LEGO FUN
Sweet Avisha has a free Lego Club that meets once a month! Children ages 5-12 are encouraged to meet at Sweet Avisha for lego fun. Legos are placed on the tables and children are free to build whatever they choose, or they can attempt to build that month's challenge. Their creation is then put on display for everyone to see. There is only space for 20 children, so register early. When children are finished with their lego creation they are given a 20% off coupon for frozen yogurt! Lego Club meets again March 24th from 6:00-7:00 pm.

10. HIKING AND HORSE BACK RIDING
There are several parks around Shelby County that offer hiking  and horse trails. Red Orchard Park in Shelbyville has free hiking and horse back riding trails. Clear Creek Park and Lake Shelby also have nice hiking trails. Finchville Park has a walking trail along the perimeter of the entire park.

*Shelby Trails Park has great hiking trails as well. Their horse back riding trails requires a yearly permit or daily pass. They also offer guided trail rides for $25. Check out some other options for horseback riding here.



Nothing beats free family fun!



By: Kimberly


3 comments:

  1. Let March come in like a LION... so it will go out like a LAMB and we can hit the trails in Shelby county.

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  2. My granddaughters enjoy building the Lowe's projects and collecting the badges for their apron. Sign up and come enjoy the fun for FREE......

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  3. You must try Sweet Avisha frozen yogurt (it is better for you)... and then you can add all the topping your heart desires for FREE....Enjoy!!!

    ReplyDelete