TIPS FOR A FUN NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYDATE

Slow afternoons are my favorite. Preparing a large, healthy-ish snack and setting out an art or play-prompt gathers my crew and the children who tag along with them. I love a full yard of kids. Yes, it’s messy and chaotic. But it also creates a wonderful sense of love and community. I like creating a safe, fun space where my kids can bring their friends to play and unwind. I’m going to miss the crazy one day, so I’m embracing it while I can.

Here are my top tips for creating an environment where children and adults love to come together.

SNACK TIME

Prepare a healthy-ish snack, and lots of it!  I like to do a tray of cut up fruit- watermelon or summer cherries are always a big hit.  Pair the fruit with a crunchy dry snack like a big bag of popcorn, pirates booty, or pretzels.  Then add a “treat” which might be chocolate chip cookies, popsicles or mini Trader Joe’s ice cream cones on a hot day.  

I bring out a big pitcher of icy water or juice boxes and a fat black sharpie marker. A marker? YES. This way everyone can label their cups/ juice boxes and you avoid waste and confusion.  

ACTIVITY 

Put out a SIMPLE activity to draw the children in when they first get home.  The trick here is to use what you have, keep it very simple and inexpensive. Pay attention here…. DON’T put a lot of effort into it.  That way you won’t be annoyed if they ignore the activity and run off to scooter.  It also ensures that you won’t feel put-out or burned out over time.  

SIMPLE YARD ACTIVITIES

My go-to is usually chalk, mallets, brushes and water (SEEN HERE).  The kids can draw with chalk, or smash it up and make chalk paint.  This activity is great for all ages.  There are few kids I know who can resist the mallet to smash up some chalk… so therapeutic! 

Sometimes, I’ll dig around in the garage and find old wood scraps and bring out hammers and nails and rubber bands.  If they get super into it, I’ll add paint or sharpies.  

Another simple one is a large thrifted mirror and paint sticks (SEEN HERE).  Not messy, very engaging and lots of children can work on it at a time. Bonus? Clean up is a snap.  You just need to hose it all down at the end.  

GROWN-UP HANGS

With full tummies and after some time spent relaxing with the activity, the children all usually grab bikes, scooters and wagons and take off running and playing. This gives the adults a chance to catch up and get some much needed grown up conversation in.  

LIMIT SETTING

Sometimes, I don’t mind if the children wander in and out of the house…. But sometimes, my house is clean and I want it to stay that way.  We set clear limits about whether or not going in the house  is allowed.  I’ll just say, “Our house is closed today, sorry!”  OR “It is an outside-only day.”  Setting clear and firm limits regarding what you are comfortable with is KEY to enjoying big get togethers and not dreading them.  

I am extremely lucky to live on a dead end street with lots of awesome families.  My favorite Spring afternoons are spent on the front lawn with the dog running up and down fetching a ball while the kids get dirty and have a blast.  Of course, there are many tantrums thrown, kids who argue, and skinned knees.  But that’s just part of the fabric.  

Do you have any neighborhood favorites? Tips for gathering your favorite crew of people? Share them with us!

I hope you found this post helpful.  If you want to hear more from me, please be sure to subscribe to my blog and join the conversation over on Instagram.  

-LIzzie 

A TRIP INTO THE FOREST WITH KIDS

My children and I try to spend as much time in the forest as we can.  Winter is actually my favorite time to explore (no bugs), but I know most people find the Spring the ideal time for a forest romp.  I'm not an experienced hiker.  To be honest, I am not even really the outdoorsy-type.  But, I love to get my kids playing outside in nature.  We are very lucky to live within minutes of the South Mountain Reservation, with access to deep, dense woods and beautiful trails.  My children have a favorite spot in the woods and we almost always go there.  A few times I have insisted that we try a new spot or hike a new path, but it never works out as well as when I follow their lead, and take them to their favorite spot.  

Here's what I've learned over the past few years of regular trips in to the forest with my own kids:

•  Follow your children's lead, return to familiar spots.  I like the idea that I have the lay of the land.  It gives me more confidence to allow the children to roam.  (I'm always a tiny bit nervous when we are in an area that I am unfamiliar with and they run off to play.)  Remember, nature is always reworking the backdrop so you don't have to.  New trees have fallen, the river has frozen or it is bone-dry.  There are new treasures to discover depending on the weather, so returning to the same spot never gets old.  
•  Set up camp, even if you don't plan to stay long.  I  bring a sturdy blanket or mat.  The children know where to find me and where to come to rest or snack.  I usually lay out a few pencils and clipboards for writing and drawing, and of course, snacks and water.  Depending on her mood, my youngest will  sit with me or play very nearby where she can see me.  Sometimes she brings her little toy mice and sets them up to play in the leaves and sticks.  
•  Insist on proper gear.  There is nothing worse than getting all set up, and your kid gets wet or muddied and is crying to go home.  Water pants and proper footwear (although in the summer my crew is almost always barefoot) will keep them warm, dry, and protect them from ticks.  If you know us, you know that all three of my kids have long hair, and a lot of it.  I insist on hair being tied back, and I prefer they wear a hat or head scarf.  
•  I pack a backpack full of supplies... and the children to carry it.  They are just as responsible for our gear as I am.  I refuse to be their sherpa.  It makes me cranky and you know how that goes.  When mom is not feeling it,  everyone's mood heads south.  The children take turns with the backpack and I pitch in as well.  
• Know your limits.  Know your children's limits. As moms, we are pretty good at gauging the amount of time we have left until one or all of the kids melt.  Do not push that limit in the woods.  Remember, you still have to hike out.  Pack up camp on a high note, that will make the trek back to the car much more pleasant.  
• Have rules.  Stick to them. When we are heading in, I always remind the kids that they absolutely MUST listen to me on the FIRST ASK and come the FIRST time I call them.  I want to allow them some freedom, but it is still my most important job to keep them safe.  The forest is wonderful, but not without risk.  I need to know that if I see an off-leash dog or any other questionable situation, that my kids will listen to me without question.  We talk about this every single time we are heading into the woods and there are no opportunities for second chances here.  If they do not comply, we leave.  Immediately.  That is the natural consequence.  It is a huge disappointment, but they must know that I will follow through.  
• Check for ticks. When we arrive back at our car, the kids are usually spent.  I do a quick tick check before they get in.  And a more thorough one when we return home.    

Do you like to adventure into the forest with your kids? Do you have advice for us? Please share in the comments below.  

-Lizzie