Get Out of the House (for Free!)

There's a whole other half of summer to get through, and here in Florida...it is HOT. Parks are basically out, but there are lots of things you can do with your kids for free (or cheap)...that usually cost money!

Here are a few of the things we've found to keep us occupied and out of the house during this 100+ degree weather:

1) LIBRARY:

I've mentioned this before, and showed off a music show that we went to the other week, but your local library is sure to have all kinds of activities for kids, probably weekly. I know Alachua County libraries have at least one kid-directed activity a week, usually many more. And they are all free. And different. No two library trips are the same! We went to story time this week. (Caution: get a good breakfast first, otherwise your little piggies will look as disgruntled as mine did.)



2) MOVIES:

Here in Gainesville, the Regency theaters offer $1 kids movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings! Not free, but close to it, and my kids love, love, love "the show!"

3)SPLASH PAD / POOL:

We have a free splash pad less than a half hour from our house. It's like a playground with water. Perfect for the Florida heat, and a low-impact outing for parents, who can just sit and relax in the shade while their kids run around in the water.

We also have a town pool that is amazing here! It costs a few dollars to get in, but it's huge, has lifejackets for younger swimmers, three diving boards and a water slide. It also has a splash pad area!

And, of course, we're lucky enough to live in a condo complex with a community pool in the back. I make good use of any water activities I can during these summer months.

4) BOWLING

Nationwide, AMF bowling is having a bowl-for-free summer program! You can go once a week for free, if you sign up for the service on their website. Now, free isn't free, of course. You have to rent the shoes at $4 a pop. But, still, it's a great way to spend a couple of hours. They even have little bowling ball slides for young kids like mine.



5) THE MALL:

We haven't been to the mall playland yet this summer because my kids have really weak immune systems, but it's nice to know that we have the option available to us, should we really need to go to a playground.

6) FARMERS MARKETS:

Kids love these, and adults do too! We just wander around looking at all the stuff and people, and sometimes we even buy some produce! It's a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.

7) MUSEUMS:

We have a natural history and art museum on the University of Florida campus that has free admission. They have a dinosaur exhibit right now, and a kids' room full of activities. My kids loved it. We will be going back many times. If you have a college campus near you, take a look at their activities list. Many colleges provide free entertainment to residents!

8) NATURE PARKS:

We have a plethora of nature trails and parks we can explore (the temps have to be a little cooler). Check your area for farms, trails, and wild animal preserves. I bet you'll find some you didn't even know about. Keeps kids engaged for hours!

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Moment of the Week - 95: Park Pictures

Well, my video isn't uploading, so here are two pictures from two different parks, instead.

 

The Twin Fight or Why I'm Hated on the Playground

This might place me firmly in the bad parent category, I'm not sure. I know that some mothers laugh with me, and some laugh at me (when they're not busy throwing daggers my way.) What could be so polarizing, you ask?

Playground politics.

Fortunately, I never have to deal with my children terrorizing other people's kids (yet...who knows, right?) so whether or not Johnny threw sand at Sally intentionally and who owes whom an apology has yet to be an issue.

My children do, however, terrorize each other. Usually they get along great, but when a perceived slight has been issued, watch out. You're about to get your hearing testing.

It's an immediate flare-up of the loudest kind. The shriek of the disadvantaged twin is only equaled and outlasted by the return shriek of the twin with the advantage, after, of course, the first twin pounces on her and pulls her hair or some such nonsense.

From zero to violent hoodlums in literally .03 seconds.

Now, that doesn't give me much time, does it? And maybe it's the way they're raised at home, sure, but I doubt it. I think they're simply three and sharing a life with someone else is hard.

Still, when I don't magically appear in those .03 seconds to reprimand, scold, hug and "have the talk" Full-House style, the stares of horror start immediately.

You'd think these people had never seen a set of twin toddlers before. Maybe they haven't. Even if you are used to it, the twin fight is a majestic and horrifying thing of beauty and pain.

So, I wait. One second, two seconds, five seconds, ten. About ten seconds is as long as I'll give it, but those seconds are necessary. Think of a twin fight like tissue paper on fire. The blaze is initially all-consuming, bright, hot and powerful. And it's over in a flash.

So that should I be right there on top of them the moment unrest breaks out, my presence will do nothing but exacerbate the situation, adding a box of tissues to what was once just the one. Because now, you see, they have mommy's attention. Now they have an audience. It's as if my very closeness gives that fire oxygen. No thanks.

I'll take the mommy stares over that any day. And stare they do. Pointed, judgmental looks telling me that I'm disrupting their little pumpkins' playdate, and I should just go home and die under a rock. I don't mean to laugh at them, they've got a point. It is shocking to hear a piercing shriek out of nowhere. It might be disconcerting to see a veritable brawl before your eyes and no parent in sight. But I'm there, yes, I am. I'm right there. Waiting for my window of opportunity, that precious 15-second gap between the first flare up and the actual fight. If I can intercede after the first thrust of anger diminishes, before the other feelings of pain, disgust, and the unfairness of it all set in, I'm golden. I can distract them, and we can all move on.

So the absolute last thing I need is a well-meaning (or not) parent approaching me during that crucial time (I only get 15 seconds, people, let's keep it quick!) and telling me how to parent.

I don't need to hear about it, I need to do it. The shriek, the wait period, and my swoop in happen in the space of a minute. Then all reverts to normal. In the meantime, I apologize to your bleeding ears.

Parks in the Summertime

Summer is in full swing, and, living in Florida, the temperatures are getting awful hot.  Still, indoor amusements only last for so long before you need to get your kids out of the house or lose your mind.

As the sun swelters overhead, gone are the days of packing everyone in the car on a moment’s notice and heading to the nearest outdoor adventure. So, how do you get your outdoor time without everyone being burned, hot, cranky and bug bitten?

Timing:

I've found it best to schedule an outing in the morning, before the sun has a chance to make it high in the sky. No matter where you choose to go, unless there’s water involved or ample shading, the sun’s heat will force you back indoors sooner than later. My kids are also better behaved in the morning, after a good night's sleep. They're more amenable to change and will go with the flow better. Anything that means fewer tantrums for me to deal with is a great idea in my book.

Child Preparation:

Sometimes we forget how important sunblock and insect repellant can be. Even if you're not swimming and the kids are mostly covered up, the areas of skin exposed to the elements need to be protected.

University of Florida pediatrician Stephanie Ryan recommends staying away from combination blocks, even though they seem to be more convenient.

“Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors and remember to reapply every 2 hours,” she says. “Avoid the combination products of sunscreen and bug repellant because sunscreen needs to be reapplied often, but insect repellant should not be reapplied.”

Clothing:

Park equipment comes in all colors, but even the lightest cream-colored slides can burn the skin after just a few minutes in the summer sun. Be sure to dress your kids in full pants so that their skin is safe from the hot metal and plastic that comes with playgrounds.

I've also found that  sneakers and socks are the best park wear, even though they're warmer than sandals and a hassle to put on.  Parks tend to be lined with sand, wood chips or rubbery tire bits. The tire bits can cause unstable footing leading to twisted ankles and dirty feet. The wood chips can splinter or poke an unprotected sole. The sand gets ultra-hot and messy.

Safety:

When looking for a park to suit your needs best, consider the age of your children and their personalities. Those with toddlers would be best suited for small, well-fenced areas with beginner-level equipment.  

“For playgrounds for little kids (under age 5), I'd say that one of the biggest safety aspects is a park that has a separate area for this age group versus the bigger kids,” says Ryan. “Kids under 4 should not climb any equipment that is taller than they are without close supervision.”

Amenities:

Before leaving for the day, decide how long you are going to be there. While some parks have a picnic area and public bathroom set up, others are not fit to accommodate a full-day trip. If you just plan on going to the park for an hour or two, you may want to choose a smaller park with fewer distractions, making it easier to leave when lunch or dinner calls. If your kids are potty trained, you'll definitely want a bathroom nearby. I've learned the hard way that sometimes we'll all spend more time in the john than on the slides.

Even in this stifling heat, my kids do better when they've had a chance to play outdoors. I wouldn't be able to do it if not for the considerations I outlined above. It took a year of trial and error, but now we're Florida-summer park pros. I still don't have any advice on the not-wanting-to-leave toddler meltdown, though. Hopefully I learn that next.

**Sections of this piece were published in The Gainesville Sun.

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