1.  Take advantage of county, state and national park systems!  Many offer guided hikes, canoe trips and fun places to explore.

2.  Pack a picnic lunch and head out to the beach or a park.  Get everyone playing together then enjoy a healthy picnic together.

3.  Try geocashiing!  Get clues online at geocashing.com to find hidden treasures left by ordinary folks, sometimes in out-of-the-way places, sometimes in plain view!

4.  Go to a pick-your-own farm.  Check out pickyourown.org for farms close by!

Enjoy!

[See post to watch Flash video]

Park Parties offer kids a summer afternoon of unforgettable free fun. Kids can munch on treats including Cheez Kurls, McDonalds Apple Dippers, Country Fresh Ice Cream and new this year, a free nutritious sack lunch provided by the Michigan Department of Education. Kids can also conquer the climbing wall, take a ride on the Dixie Twister and bounce around the YMCA Fit Pit. Entertainment will be provided by local children and teenage performers and area non-profit agencies will be on hand with information and activities for kids.

Click here to check out pictures from all of the Park Parties!

Maranda’s Park Parties take place from Noon-2:00pm at the following locations:

Thursday, June 19, 2008
Garfield Park (Map)
334 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids
See Pictures

Thursday, June 26, 2008
Berlin Raceway (Map)
2060 Berlin Fair Dr., Marne
See Pictures

Thursday, July 3, 2008
**Note, there is no Park Party on Thursday, July 3 due to the holiday weekend**

Thursday, July 10, 2008
Kollen Park (Map)
250 Kollen Park Dr., Holland

Thursday, July 17, 2008
Cedar Springs Public School Complex (Map)
204 E. Muskegon St., Cedar Springs

Thursday, July 24, 2008
Mayors’ Riverfront Park (Map)
251 Mill St., Kalamazoo

Thursday, July 31, 2008
Allegan County Fairgrounds (Map)
150 Allegan County Fair Dr., Allegan

[See post to watch Flash video]

Prepacking health snacks in a cooler is much healthier than swinging through the local drive-thru.  Some easy snacks include baggies full of raw veggies, fruit, chex mix, granola bars, juice boxes and bottled water.  Stop at a local park or rest area and create or own picnic.  Or, if you’re in a rush, you don’t even need to stop to have these treats.

Long roadtrips can meet antsy kids in the car.  Even if it is just a stop for gas, the family should get out of the car and do some stretches.  If you have more time at a park or rest area, toss a frisbee or volleyball back and forth, jumprope or even play some paddle ball.  If you do this three times during the day or ten minutes each, that is thirty minutes of exercise you’re getting while on the road.

1.  Families need to be prepared, so think about all the things your child may need at home and make sure to pack them.  Essentials include any medications your child takes.  Make sure the prescription is filled and if you might run out, visit your doctor ahead of time for a refill.

2.  Another important thing to remember is emergency contact numbers.  You should have a list of your regular doctors as well as physicians in the area you are visiting.  If you need help locating someone in the area you’re visiting, your child’s pediatrician should be able to help.  This is especially important if your child has a pre-existing medical condition.

3.  First aid kits are important, but you don’t need an expensive one.  You can make your own with a large zip lock bag and include band-aids, ointments, bug repellant, sunscreen and other basic medical items.  Over the counter medications are not recommended for kids under the age of 6, but fever medicine is important to have on hand.  So, ask your child’s pediatrician what they recommend.

4.  One thing just as important as medical supplies is having seatbelts and safety seats for kids.  As of July 1, Michigan law requires all children under the age of 8 years old or under 4 ft. 9 in. to ride in a booster seat.  

• Books
• Books on tape or CD
• Games
• Puzzle books
• Adventure packs that contain a themed book, book on CD, game and video
• DVD’s
• Music on tape or CD

Tell us how you keep your kids entertained while on the road?  We’d love to hear from you!

1.  Pre-planning is one of the best ways to save.  Map out your trip, research your destination, know where you’re going and what you’re going to do while you’re there.  Once you have that planned out get online and look for coupons and discounts at attractions and restaurants.  Many museums and zoos offer family free days, try to plan your visit around those days if they’re available.

2. Dine out less and bring snacks for the car.  Another way to save cash is to visit a grocery store once you get to your destination and make your meals.  When going out for a nice meal, go for lunch instead of dinner because prices are lower and lunch is more casual for kids.

3.  If you plan to buy souvenirs make them useful.  Sure the snowglobe is pretty, but a book or puzzle will be more useful.

4.  Give each child a set amount to spend.  This will not only save you money, but saves you time and energy negoticting each trinket and treat.  Depending on the age of your kids, your can set a daily budget or a budget for the entire trip.

5.  Use a pre-paid phone or phone card since roaming charges for cell phones can be astronomical.

6.  If you see a good price on gas, stop and fill up.  Even if you still have half a tank.