Theability

to spend the carefree days of summer with my kids is one of my greatest joys in motherhood. As cliché as it sounds, in the blink of an eye our kids will be applying for summer jobs and telling us they don’t have time to go on a camping trip or even a bike ride.

Yet we all know that not every minute is sunshine and roses. Summer can quickly become overwhelming; less structure causes sibling squabbling to multiply, mom’s attention spreads thinner, and summer activity fees add up. How do we make the most of our summer days when we’re all at the end of our wits? While certainly not an exhaustive list, these ten suggestions help me to seize summer moments without losing my mind or busting the bank.

1

GET in a GROOVE

It’s awesome to have a break from the school schedule, yet family life flows more smoothly with at least a bit of routine. Giving my kids a basic structure to our day, so that everyone knows what to expect for meals, snacks, outings, and screen-time, helps to reduce the repetitive questions that drive me bonkers.

2

TOUR the PARKS

A plethora of beautiful playgrounds fill our cities, offering a huge variety of play structures and equipment on which our kids can slide, swing, climb, jump, zip and use every muscle in their bodies. Just for kicks, try picnicking at a new park each week of the summer. In addition to providing awesome playgrounds, our local park districts offer such a surprising variety of fantastic family events (usually for free) that it’s nearly impossible to get bored. Check out the park district websites for event calendars.

3

Picnic Easier

One day as my kids were chomping at the bit to leave for the park, I realized that I can make sandwiches leisurely at the park rather than frantically before going to the park. Now, I simply throw into my picnic bag some buns, peanut butter, fruit, chips, granola bars, paper towels, water bottles and a knife, and off we go. Upon arrival, the kids run and play while I find a table (or spread out the picnic blanket, which stays in the car all summer) and make lunch.

4HIT the POOL

Within the tri-city area are several beautiful pools with unique features, including climbing walls, waterslides, diving boards, and zero-depth play areas. For our family, the Fargo city pool pass is a favorite summertime non-negotiable purchase, allowing us access to all five of Fargo’s city pools for ten weeks. The music is great and the waterslides provide an unbeatable workout. Moorhead, in addition to their municipal pool, offers several wading pools that are open daily, free to the public, and perfect for young children. Likewise, in addition to the recently renovated Veteran's Memorial Pool, West Fargo's Shadow Wood Splash Park is open all day every day (for free!) and is a gem for young children. Simplify pool trips by keeping your pool bag packed at all times with sunscreen, water bottles and towels.

5

DIG YOUR TOES into the SAND

Many nearby cities, including Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes, have sandy public beaches that make for easy, fun and free day trips.

6

VENTURE to the STATE PARKS

A small investment of $25 buys an annual North Dakota or Minnesota State Park pass for unlimited day or weekend trips to your favorite state parks. For an easy day trip with great swimming and/or hiking in Minnesota, check out Buffalo River, Maplewood or Glendalough State Parks. Fort Ransom, in North Dakota, offers gorgeous hiking and canoe rentals.

7

Go Camping

After trekking out to a state park, stay awhile. Campsites are inexpensive ($15–$25 per night), and the bonding that occurs while cooking hotdogs over a fire, roasting marshmallows and sleeping “outside” as a family is worth the effort. If tenting isn’t your thing, many state parks also now offer camping cabins — all the joys of camping but with a bed to sleep on and a roof over your head.

8

EXPLORE the RED

Some of our family’s favorite parks are those that make us feel like we’re not in the middle of a city. With the Red River running through our midst, abundant nature adventures await. Our local park districts do a great job of maintaining hiking trails along the river, and canoe/kayak rentals are available at the Hjemkomst Center.

9

VISIT the LIBRARY

Since our kids don’t have their school libraries at their fingertips, the city library provides a great break from the heat or a rainy day excursion. Check out the summer reading programs for kids as well as their other great (free!) activities for kids.

10

Embrace Boredom

Boredom is like a doorway to creativity. When we let our kids get bored now and then, creativity is almost always the result.