Tag Archives: park

Places to Play

The temperature has consistently been over 90 degrees in our area of North Texas for weeks. It’s not even mid-June yet and we’re sweltering. I love the heat, but it’s not the best to be out in for long periods of time. I’ve written about how our lack of a fence limits how Jessie can play outside. This leaves me looking for safe places where Jessie can play. I took Jessie to the park in the middle of our small town. We didn’t stay long because the play equipment was geared toward older children instead of toddlers. This was very … Continue reading →

Frugal Picnic Night

One of the favorite activities that my kids like to do as a family is also economical. Recently, I’ve made it even more frugal. Here is what we did last night and how we had a fun time for pennies. When the weather warms up, my kids are always clamoring for the park. One fun way to enjoy the park and get out of a warm house is to visit the park around dinner time. We eat dinner on one of the picnic benches, and then after dinner is done, mom and dad pack up while the kids play on … Continue reading →

Prepared for Summer Adventures

It was a beautiful day yesterday, just right for some sort of outdoor adventure with the kids. We decided to head over to the park for a spontaneous playdate. But how many times do we just run out the door without something that we know we’ll need later, such as a change of clothes, or sunscreen or a snack? Kids come with requirements for stuff, no matter if you are taking a trip down the shore or just to the local park. Most of the time, we do realize that we need to take some supplies, but choose not to, … Continue reading →

Frugal Activities in the Park

Now that the nice spring weather is here, we have been somewhat taking advantage of our local parks. There are so many fun and free or frugal activities to do there. Here are just a few. If your park has a paved path: Bike (My son just learned to ride his bike on the park’s paved path, and my two little ones love using their tricycles and ride on toys on the path.) Walk (Whether you like to walk in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, the park is always open at least until dusk.) Run sprint … Continue reading →

A Day At Liberty Park

In June we visited family in Utah and spent a day at Liberty Park. It is in the heart of Salt Lake City. The park has recently undergone a renovation. They have added a wading area and new playground equipment to the existing bird aviary and carnival rides. The police are patrolling more often and now families are visiting the park again. Before it was too scary, with drunks and drug users frequenting the park for parents to bring their children. We had such a great day that I want to share it. Maybe it will encourage you to take … Continue reading →

Picnics 201—Keeping the Great Outdoors Great

In Picnics 101 I listed items that no picnicker should leave home without. In Picnic 201 we cover another essential park of picnicking—location. Choosing a picnic destination can be just as exciting as deciding what you will pack in your basket. Whether you choose to dine at the beach, at a national park or at your neighborhood playground it is always a good idea to be responsible when using a public area. By remembering to exercise the following rules you not only insure that the area you are picnicking in will be viable for years to come, you also set … Continue reading →

Frugal Family Fun For the Weekend

It’s Monday and I am already planning our weekend adventure for next weekend. We like to plan several different ideas so that if it rains or if something unforeseen happens, nobody is disappointed and we still have fun anyway! With seven of us along on every outing, cost is definitely a factor. So we brainstorm and usually come up with 7 ideas of things we can do. Most weekends we can accomplish all seven things because usually at least two of us want to do the same thing, with a variation. So here are seven ideas of things you can … Continue reading →

The Ultimate Geocaching Lodge

Geocaching, the high-tech scavenger hunt that uses handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) units, has become so popular that one of the nation’s most well known parks is catering to followers of the relatively new craze. Whether you consider geocaching a hobby or an addiction, a hotel just outside Yosemite National Park has a package deal that is hard to resist. Tenaya Lodge is currently offering a geocaching program along with its nature hikes and horseback riding outings. The 244-room hotel consistently receives four diamonds from the AAA and is considered, “the grandest of Yosemite’s perimeter gateway hotels catering to the … Continue reading →

Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park–Come Celebrate!

Wow! It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. It was exactly ten years ago today that I was offered (and accepted) a job as a news reporter covering the Olympic Games. It’s still hard for me to believe that an entire decade has passed since I loaded my belongings into my little Toyota Corolla and headed down south. When I got Atlanta my first assignment was to cover the progress being made on Centennial Olympic Park. Since it was May, the finishing touches were still being put on what … Continue reading →

Day at the Park – Getting into the Swings Thing

Saturday morning, my daughter came up to me where I was working and announced that it was a beautiful day outside. We shouldn’t waste it with work. The amusement factor of the five year-old’s pronouncement was tempered by the knowledge that she was right. It was a picture perfect morning outside. 75 degrees, sunny and breezy and while I was still getting over my bout with bronchitis, I was feeling much better. I asked her what she wanted to do and she said she wanted to go to the park and swing. We got our shoes and I grabbed my … Continue reading →