It's summer and it's raining.

That means the kids are climbing the walls and moms and dads are pulling out their hair trying to find something fun to pass the time until the sun shines again.Here are some ideas to make rainy days a little less painful.• The Carbon County Environmental Education Center: Located at 151 E. White Bear Drive, Summit Hill, the center has all things wildlife within its walls. Families can learn about the animals that inhabit the area without having to hunt in the woods. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 570-645-8597.• Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary: Located at 18 Church Road, Jim Thorpe, the Butterfly Sanctuary has butterflies and frogs that children and adults can enjoy, including an interactive live butterfly flight room, activities, and educational programs. The sanctuary is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 2-6 p.m.; and Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 570-325-4848.• Area libraries: Located in a number of communities around each of the counties that the Times News serves, libraries are a great way to spike a child's imagination and pass the time during not-so-pretty summer days. Check out local libraries for new books or videos. Many also host children's events during the summer months.• Lehigh Gap Nature Center: Located at 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, the center hosts nature education through its visitor center, which includes the history of the center and an interactive exhibit on the habitats in the area. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Call 610-760-8889.• Climb-A-Lot Clubhouse: Located at 45 Plaza Drive, Suite 350, Tamaqua, the clubhouse brings the outdoors inside for children ages 10 and younger, with tree houses, activity centers and more. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Call 570-668-1966.• H20000hh Indoor Water park: Located at Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, the water park has attractions for everyone, from a flow-rider to four-story waterslides and children play areas. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Visit

http://splitrockresort.com/waterpark.asp.• No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum: Located at 9 Dock St., Lansford, the museum and mine tour provides a glimpse into Carbon County's rich coal mining history.The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the mine tour is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with tours hourly. Visit

www.no9mine.com or call 570-645-7074.Day trips• Crayola Factory: Located at 30 Centre Square, Easton, the Crayola Experience is one that children and adults can enjoy. There are four floors of fun, including the art alive workshop, marker mania, doodle in the dark, activity studios, indoor playground and melt and mold crayon art. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Visit

www.crayolaexperience.com.• Da Vinci Science Center: Located at 3145 Hamilton Blvd., Bypass, Allentown, the Da Vinci Science Center provides children and adults with a walk through science during their exhibits that change periodically. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. For more information or to find out what exhibits are currently taking place, visit

www.davincisciencecenter.org.• America on Wheels Museum: Located at 5 N. Front St., Allentown, the museum offers car buffs the opportunities to see how cars have evolved over the years. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Visit

http://americaonwheels.org or call 610-232-4200.• The Children's Museum: Located at 2 W. Seventh St., Bloomsburg, the Children's Museum has fun for all ages. Exhibits include a coal mine, People of the Past: An Egyptian Tomb, Ramblin Rollers ball paths and more. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.the-childrens-museum.org.