In addition to Dinosaur Park [1], another great place to bring the kids is Storybook Island (1301 Sheridan Lake Rd., 605/342-6357, www.storybookisland.org [2], Memorial Day–Labor Day daily 9 a.m.–7 p.m., closed in winter, free).
Established in 1959 by the Rapid City Rotary Club, Storybook Island is populated by life-sized characters from fairy tales and other children’s books. Meet the Cat in the Hat, Humpty Dumpty, the Three Little Pigs, Winnie the Pooh, Huck Finn, and more than 100 other stars of children’s fiction.
The Children’s Theater at the park presents four different plays five days a week throughout the summer; tickets are $1. The park is in a lovely setting next to Rapid Creek and the city-wide bike path. There is a snack bar on the grounds and a small gift shop as well.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/rapid-city/sights/dinosaur-park
[2] http://www.storybookisland.org