Of course kids love a trip to the park – but there's plenty in it for us parents, too.
So far during National Parks Week, I’ve enjoyed a nice sit down on the grass while my daughter splashed round in a paddling pool. And while she played on a massive slide at another park, I relaxed on a bench and admired the nearby gardens.
Is there a pattern there? Definitely!
Of course, I like to take my daughter to the park because she benefits from the fresh air and exercise and she loves throwing herself around the playground. But honestly? I also take my daughter to the park because it’s easy.
As your kids get older there’s a lot less effort involved in going to the park; less pushing on the swings, no need to lurk behind them when they ambitiously attempt to climb something intended for children twice their age.
These days a trip to the park usually means that I get at least a few minutes to sit on a bench, chill out and enjoy my surroundings. I can usually hear my daughter even when I can’t see her, so I can relax safe in the knowledge she’s enjoying herself. Ideal if you’re not quite ready to let your kids play outside on their own.
I enjoy being active in the park. I’m happy to play hide and seek, or kick a ball around when required. But I do think that as busy parents we’ve earned the right to watch our kids being energetic whilst we have a few minutes rest. They want to play without us breathing down their necks all the time anyway!
Inevitably, the weather during the summer holidays won’t always be as sunny as it’s been so far during National Parks Week. On that note, Rosie has some great rainy day suggestions to check out.
However, as long as the weather’s fine I reckon you can’t go wrong with a trip to the park, and if you and your kids get a bit bored of your local park, do what I do. Flick through your local A-Z, or browse the Skillscape and find some different parks to visit. You could also heck out whether any or our Parents for Playgrounds winners are near you.
Find a park big enough to amuse you and the kids all day and take a picnic. This needn’t involve any work - my picnics usually involve rolls, a pot of hummous, some samosas and a box of strawberries. Everyone gets fed and amused with very little effort or expenditure.
Have you been making the most of the sun and visiting the park? We’d love to know what you’ve been up to during National Parks week!
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admin
29 July, 2011
I love this post Kath, and this is something we do all the time. We are fortunate enough to live by the beach, and also have some lovely parks within reasonable walking distance from us, so I try at least once a week to have our sandwiches at one. I'm not yet at the "sitting and relaxing stage" as I have a two year old that thinks he is five, so I'm in the "follow him round all the apparatus" stage... but I know it will pass :-)
Leigh
Ready for Ten
mum
30 July, 2011
Hi Leigh, I'd love to live nearer to a beach. Our closest one is a 50 minute drive away otherwise I would be pitching up there all the time and letting my daughter loose with a bucket and spade!
My daughter was just the same, she'd climb spider nets in the blink of an eye and I'd struggle to get her back down again. There are still things she needs a bit of help with, but it is much easier now.