MomsTribute
The end of the school year is fast approaching, bringing with it the warm, summer months. While many are busy planning a vacation to distant parts, there are tons of people who are choosing to spend the school break closer to home. Finances can be one reason for this choice, but other reasons include work issues, school scheduling, and health. My husband recently started college, and he’s working straight through the summer to get his degree more quickly. We will be forgoing a summer vacation this year because of that schedule. If that sounds like you, we here at MomsTribute.com blog—a top rated mom’s blog—have some tips to make your break a success.
So, you’ve got kids at home and they’re wondering what they’re going to do all summer if you aren’t taking them to the beach, on a road trip, or to a major theme park. What do you tell them?
My family has recently experienced just how wonderful state and national parks can be! These very grand nature reserves are located throughout all of the country, so finding one near you shouldn’t be too difficult. In my area, we have the Joe Wheeler State Park. If we didn’t mind driving a bit farther, we could even visit the Smoky Mountains National Park. Depending on your location you could consider Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, and more.
If visiting a state park feels iffy where pleasing your kids is concerned, you may simply need to dig a bit further. For example, at Joe Wheeler State Park we have access to a beach, nature trails, fishing, geocaching, boating, playgrounds, camping, and more. Most of these activities are free, including the beach access. We have spent many days throughout our summers taking part in their great offerings and all were kid-friendly and highly recommended.
Joe Wheeler State Park is situated along Wheeler Lake, an impoundment of the Tennessee River. Besides its traditional campsite, it also has a lodge as well as cabins which are open to book. The lodge has a swimming pool as well as a restaurant, and within walking distance you’ll find the marina. All types of boats are docked here, including motorboats, sail boats, pontoon boats, and paddle boats. While not all of these are available to rent, some of them are, and families can have a great time out on the water.
One of our favorite activities at Joe Wheeler Park was following the nature trails. Trails range in difficulty from easy to hard, so there’s something for everyone. Fortunately, these trails are dog friendly, so pack up your pooch and bring him along! My family has spent time kayaking and fishing in the park, surrounded by the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. The Joe Wheeler beach is a great spot for summer days. When we visited, we packed snacks along with our beach towels, sunglasses, hats, and sunblock. The kids had a blast for a couple of hours in healthy, outdoor distractions of running, swimming and exploring.
Talking of exploring, another fantastic activity you might want to check out at your local state or national park is geocaching! If you’ve never tried geocaching but your family enjoys scavenger hunts, this is something you’ll want to look into. My kids have a very enjoyable time with this type of activity, and all it requires is an internet connection to find the lists of items and their general locations. Geocaching typically utilizes GPS coordinates to guide you to the right place, and then you’ll be set loose to find whatever treasure awaits.
If you can’t quite make it to a local state or national park near you, don’t completely strike the staycation from your bucket list. More popular with some families than others, camping in your own backyard can be have such great fun memories. My husband once found a used tent at a yard sale. It was in great condition and cost us only a few dollars. It has provided plenty of fun for our kids over the years. We will set up the tent then build a fire, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and tell spooky (but fun!) stories. We have also managed to scrounge up a corn hole game, and we plan to utilize our swimming pool to make a full day out of our backyard adventures.
Not sure what your area has to offer? Don’t fret! The KidFriendlyVenues app has you covered. This fantastic time management tool lets you quickly and easily check out top spots for families in your own area. The best part is that other busy working moms are using the app, rating their experiences, and sharing their expertise with you.
If staying close to home is on your radar this summer, check out your state and national parks, and don’t forget to download the KFV app!
Katie C
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