After a long winter, everyone is eager to be outside soaking up the sun and getting all that pent up energy out. Sometimes the winter is so long that it feels like you’re out of practice with things to do outside with the kids. Now that you’ve become well-versed with what to do inside, you need to get up to speed on what to do outside. Have no fear, there are plenty options. Here are five tips on outdoor activities to help kick off your summer with the kids right.
Outdoor Artistry
There is one thing almost all kids love –art. What goes hand in hand with making art? Making messes. It’s the perfect time of year to make a mess outside. It’s so much easier to clean up when it’s on the sidewalk, driveway, patio, or grass. An easy activity is chalking the driveway. Almost all local convenience stores, grocery stores, or pharmacies sell chalk kits. Finger painting is perfect for outdoor entertainment also. Set up an easel out on the front lawn or even in back on the patio and put a smock on the kids and let them go to town with all the colors. Clean up is easy if you keep a hose nearby so you can clean off the paint. Be sure to wash everyone’s hands thoroughly or head right to the bath afterward!
Hiking
Chances are you live near a forest preserve, a land trust, or a nature center.This makes for the perfect outdoor adventure that will not only get all of you moving, but allow for the kids to get some energy out. All you need is a backpack with some SPF, bug spray, bottles of water, light snacks, wet wipes and you’re good to go.
Unorganized Sports
Sometimes getting everyone out the door is as easy as saying, “Grab the soccer ball and meet me in the backyard!” Within a few minutes, everyone is breaking a nice sweat. This also applies with a bat and ball, a frisbee, volleyball, field hockey, basketball, or even just playing simple catch with a ball. Keep these things easily accessible in the summer months. A plastic bin outside or in the garage is a good spot to store them in so they are easy to find and play with on the fly.
Playgrounds/Parks
One of the simplest ways to urge the kids to get up and go is to offer to take them to their favorite playground – or better yet- research a really stellar one and tell them you’re surprising them. There are so many good ones in our neck of the woods here in Connecticut. Here are just a few:
- Compo Beach Playground in Westport ($)
- Sandcastle playground at Jennings Beach in Fairfield
- Earthplace playground in Westport
- Stamford Nature Center Playground ($)
- Devon’s Place in Norwalk
- Cherry Lawn Park in Darien
- Vicki Soto playground in Stratford
- Owen Fish playground in Fairfield
- Stillmeadow School playground in Stamford
There is also a splash pad at Lake Mohegan in Fairfield and in Trumbull at Indian Ledge. Be sure to bring cash as there may be a charge. Remember that the beach playgrounds require you to have a beach sticker for that town after Memorial Day. If you don’t have a beach sticker for that town, they will ask you to pay a hefty parking fee at the gate ranging from $20-$80 in some instances.
Excursions
There is much to do in our family friendly area-especially over the summer. You can do something as elaborate as a day trip or as simple as a picnic. Here are some ideas for excursions in the area.
Venture on a picnic at one of our Fairfield beaches, a nearby park, or at the picnic tables along the scenic Mill River on the corner of Brookside and Mill Plain Rd.
Check out Captain’s Cove Seaport located in Bridgeport where you can pick up free scavenger hunt maps for the kids and spend a good 2-3 hours visiting the shops to complete your hunt and having lunch on the water. There is also a play area that is ideal for kids ages 2-7.
Most children love to be able to get up close to animals and touch them. We are fortunate to have two petting zoos in the area: Silverman’s Family Farm in Easton and The Stamford Nature Center. Be sure to bring quarters so that you can feed the animals. On the topic of animals, we are right in the vicinity of the Beardsley Zoo which is a popular destination for families over the summer. There are also playgrounds nearby the zoo (along the parking path) that you can visit as well.
Picking fruit at a local farm is a great way to spend the day. Strawberries are about ready to be picked and Jones Family Farm in Shelton is open for picking in a few weeks!
Lastly, a good website to check for activities and events nearby is www.mommypoppins.com. Be sure to select CT as your state.
Hopefully these five outdoor play tips for this summer in Fairfield County area help you to get started on the right foot. You will likely find that there are so many activities right at your fingertips. Enjoy the sunshine and all of your fun activities ahead.