Seven Budget-Friendly Ways to Have Fun this Summer in Aurora!

Summer in Aurora is bursting with fun and you don’t need to spend a lot to make unforgettable memories with your family! From splashing in the pool to exploring nature, catching a movie, or joining in on community celebrations, the city is packed with affordable adventures for every age. We’ve rounded up seven budget‑friendly ways to fill your days with fun nearby. Let’s make this the best (and easiest!) summer yet.

Family Water-Fun Day at One of Aurora’s Indoor and Outdoor Pools

Escape the heat at one of the community outdoor pools or indoor pools. Each pool includes a range of fun amenities like slides, wave pools and splash grounds to help you keep cool.

We’ve got locations throughout the city. All pool locations are $5 to $7 per person.

Indoor pool locations:
– Central Recreation Center, 18150 E. Vassar Place
– Moorhead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana St.
– Southeast Recreation Center and Fieldhouse, 25400 E. Alexander Drive
– Utah Indoor Pool, 1800 S. Peoria St.

Outdoor pool locations:
All open on Monday, June 1, 2026.
– Aqua Vista Pool, 18700 E. Wagontrail Circle
– Del Mar Pool, 12000 E. 6th Ave. (shown in cover image)
– Meadow Hills Pool, 3609 S. Dawson St.
– Parklane Pool, 13003 E. 30th Ave.
– Pheasant Run Pool, 14971 E. Pheasant Run Parkway
– Village Green, 1300 S. Chambers Circle 

Visit Auroragov.org/Pools and plan your pool day today!

Enroll Your Child in an Aurora Summer Camp

Sports, swimming, STEAM and sun. Summer is almost here, and they’ve got camps for a variety of ages and interests. Ensure your child’s days are filled with learning, laughter and fun, all while being supervised by youth care professionals. There are over 100 camps to choose from!

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: 50% discounts are available for residents of Aurora on limited income.

Locations: City facilities throughout the city.

Color your child’s world this summer and register at AuroraGov.org/DayCamps.

Need help choosing a camp? Check out some recommendations.

Catch a Fox Flix at the Historic Aurora Fox Theater

Enjoy classic, family-friendly movies on select Saturday afternoons and the new addition of art house films on Thursday evenings. Snacks and drinks will be available at the concessions booth.  Upcoming films include “Lady and the Tramp,” “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Fantasia”. Admission is just $5 per person.

Location: Aurora Fox Theater, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.

Learn more at AuroraFoxArtsCenter.org

Explore the Outdoors at One of Aurora’s Nature Centers

Aurora offers three beautiful nature centers for the community to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for fresh air, family time or just want to learn more about the natural habitats around you, their nature centers are the perfect way to connect with the outdoors.

Each location offers unique amenities such as natural play areas, animal ambassadors, historic replicas and specialty programs. Entry to the centers is always free; most programs require a small fee.

Nature Centers:
– Morrison Nature Center, 16002 E. Smith Road
– Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Road
– Senac Creek Nature Center, 5800 S. Powhaton Road

All centers are closed Monday and Tuesdays.

Learn more and plan your visit at AuroraGov.org/NatureCenters.

Visit Aurora Libraries and Join a Summer Reading Challenge

An Aurora library card is your key to an endless selection of books, movies, museum passes, park passes and more. Plus, take part in the annual Summer of Imagination reading challenge. Each participant will receive a free book and can enter to win some exciting prizes. Library cards and participation in the reading challenge are free.

Locations:
– Central Library, 14949 East Alameda Parkway
– Hoffman Heights Library, 1298 Peoria St.
– Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 East Colfax Ave.
– Mission Viejo Library, 15324 East Hampden Circle
– Tallyn’s Reach Library, 23911 East Arapahoe Road

Learn more at AuroraGov.org/SummerofImmagination.

Celebrate the Summer Season at Aurora Community Events!

The city offers a variety of community events throughout the year and this is your invitation to take part. All events that are listed below are free to attend.

Aurora Fest
Saturday, June 13, 3 to 10 p.m.
Help to celebrate the most culturally diverse city in Colorado. Try cuisine from around the world, enjoy live entertainment, family-fun bounce structures and much more.

Location: Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Party for Pollinators
Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Discover the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystem and learn how you can support them in your own backyard. This family-friendly event offers a variety of engaging activities like crafts, garden tours, story times and more.

Location: Aurora Water-wise Garden, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

4th of July Spectacular
Saturday, July 4, 6  to 10 p.m.
Enjoy live musical performances and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and head over to the site early to snag a viewing spot.

Location: Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Visit AuroraGov.org/Events for details on all of these amazing events.

Travel Back in Time at the Aurora History Museum

Explore two changing exhibit galleries and a permanent exhibition on the history of Aurora. The museum offers numerous interactive activities for the family to enjoy, including a chance to sit inside a historic trolley trailer. Admission to the museum is $1 for youth and $5 for adults.

Location: Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway

Plan your visit at AuroraMuseum.org

Enter to Win the Ultimate Summer in Aurora Giveaway

Give your kiddo a summer for the books and enter to win the ultimate summer in Aurora Giveaway!

The giveaway includes the following:

·       Summer Camp of your choice*

·       Six passes to Aurora indoor and outdoor pools

·       Six passes to the Aurora History Museum

·       Six passes to Aurora Fox Flix

·       One swag bag from Aurora Library

Visit AuroraGov.org/ActivityGuide to enter before May 15th!

* The entry period will run Wednesday, April 22 to Friday, May 15. *Camp of choice must be featured on the city of Aurora’s Active Net platform. It can only be redeemed for one 2026 camp for one person up to $350. Any camp programs over $350 must have the difference in price paid by the camp winner.

What will be your favorite way to spend the summer in Aurora? Let us know in the comments below!

Thanks for joining us at Slides and Sunshine. Now it’s time to get out there and play!