A Trip to the Park

One of the most affordable and relaxing things that a family of any size can do for the summer is take a trip to the park.

Here are some suggestions of things you can do at your local park to enjoy a lazy summer day:

• Bring a picnic basket! Nothing makes a trip to the park more enjoyable than a nice light lunch with your favourite beverage. Always remember to bring lots of water.
• Pack Frisbees or soft ‘nerf' style bats and balls to throw around.
• Have action figures, cars or dolls for your tot to play with in the sand-box. However, if you do tread into the sand-box, be sure to check for sharp objects or pieces of glass that may be buried underneath.
• Bring hats and sunscreen so that you can protect yourselves from getting too much sun or burning. Make sure to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out, not forgetting all the unusual areas such as the back of the knees.
• If you are going to a public park that has a wading pool, be sure to bring bathing suits for yourselves so that you can cool off in the summer heat. Also look around and find out who the life-guard is so that you can contact them in case of an emergency.
• Allow yourself some time to just relax in the shade reading to your toddler. This is a great way to cool down.
• Also include some small band-aids just in case your little one gets a scrape or cut from all of the running around.

By Chris Giardino