This is what a pumptrack looks like if you’ve never seen one. It got installed temporarily along Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo. It will be open from now through May 19th each day from 7am-Dusk. As far as I know, it’s the only pumptrack in Orange County. Here is the official information from the City of Mission Viejo.
My humble advice — if you like it — is to be on your best respectful & supportive behavior while there, let the City of Mission Viejo know how much you appreciate this (via letter or email or public comment), or maybe suggest something temporary be installed in your city using this as an example!
When I did some research, I found that there is a group trying to get some installed here in San Clemente, Great Park, and in Tustin Legacy. I can’t speak to the legitimacy or motives of this SoCalBMX org, but they seem to be pushing for it. If you are willing to drive, there is a permanent one in San Diego.
Classic Play Trip
Even if you aren’t interested in the pumptrack, you might still want to take a classic Play Trip to this park and trail? The park and playground is one of my favorites!
My favorite food options nearby:
Skimmer’s Panini Grill (family-owned favorite)
Diho Siam (I can’t explain how much I love the Hot & Sour Soup here)
Bravos California Fresh (drive-thru and a Family Pack Meals for $29.99)
Nearby library:
Mission Viejo Library and Friends of the Library bookstore for some inexpensive book shopping
Another nearby park:
It is possible to walk all the way to Pavion Park from here (it’s a far walk) — or it’s also just a short drive away. Pavion is an accessible playground.
Return to Play Trips
That whole play package above is what I call a “Play Trip.” For 13 years, I was the ONLY one regularly putting play ideas like that together into a complete family outing and shared them only via this newsletter. It was like an exclusive and the reason why you would want to subscribe: the blog has the parks (the ingredients), the newsletter puts them together into Play Trips (the recipe).
There are other names for this. In fact, since 2021, the flood gates have opened up with ideas coming at you especially on Instagram: Playground Pairing, Play & Eat, Play & Walk, Family Outing Idea, Family Activity, and even Plan a Day Out.
What makes Play Trips different? The focus on P-L-A-Y. I’m always encouraging you to prioritize PLAY. Not the “activity” part. Not the adult-led part. I want you to flow into the unstructured, unscheduled, creative, child-led free play that happens when kids are allowed all the benefits of play. The play schemas, parallel play, independent play, and even boredom!
Play Trips means you give the kids time and space to play. To slow down. And you get to take a mental break — and just LET them play with supervision (or Sittervising as Busy Toddler calls it). They don’t need much else, especially in the 0-5 year age range. They ARE developing & learning through play already. You don’t even need to set up an activity or teach them anything. They are learning all the time!
Even if you opt out of every single scheduled activity, craft, or class, they will be just fine. Because they will naturally play and interact with their environment and the people in it! They will not be as fine if there is zero time left for free play in an overscheduled childhood.
That play time is essential for brain development. So prioritize it! I know a lot of you already do! (It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do guided activities or screen time - just make sure the play is getting prioritized!). My thoughts on WHY kids need play with references is linked here.
So, why plan a Play Trip if it’s the PLAY that’s important? Honestly, it’s for YOU. It’s one strategy to empower you to prioritize the play for the kids. The kids don’t need to be kept busy or entertained, that’s actually YOUR need. They just need time and space to play - anytime, anywhere.
For me, the Play Trips meant a new place, a new food, a new area of OC to explore, a way to get out of the house, a way for the mess to be somewhere else, and ultimately — it was just a relief for all of us. It felt free. We had fun. It became the time I craved as much as the kids. I will always cherish those play memories. Here’s the post that goes with this photo.
When you become intentional and mindful about the play, everything else just falls into place. It’s easier to say “no” to other things. It’s easier to buck the social pressure to perform or participate. You will just know in your heart that you are giving your kids what they truly need and an opportunity for a childhood filled with wonder.
Curator of Play Trips!
What I Don’t Want: Is for you to feel overwhelmed with too many ideas!
What I Do Want: For you to have options that fit!
So I am hereby adding the title of: Curator of Play Trips — to my existing title of Creator of Play Trips. I’m planning to move forward with renewed vigor to pick out the best of the play-focused ideas I see on Instagram and elsewhere to share those recipes (in this Play Trips newsletter) WITH LINKS to ingredients I might already have on hand (detailed park info on my blog) - to help make for an everything-you-need-to-know-before-you-go experience that you can easily save and refer back to!
We’ll change up the ingredients to find your favorite recipes of go-to Play Trips. Just like your favorite family meals that were hard when you first made them, but are now part of your weekly rotation bringing comfort & ease to your days.
Let’s go play . . .
Orange County: Marina Park + Lighthouse Cafe
Source: OCParentGuide who went to the park at 5pm and then dinner at 6:30pm. I never think about dinnertime Play Trips beyond picnics, but this is a fun idea!
Orange County: Stanton Central Park + Rodeo 39
Source: LAParksandPlay went to Stanton Central Park and paired it with Rodeo 39 Public Market which has something for everyone!
San Diego County: Jack’s Pond Park + Stone Brewery + South Lake Park
Source: Raising_Little_Explorers went to South Lake Park and Jack’s Pond Nature Center & Park while SoCalParentGuide decided to pair Jack’s Pond Park with Stone Brewery World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido.
What is OC Tiny Hikes? Each trail guide is also a Play Trip with park, library, and restaurant ideas to pair with your tiny hike. Just a focus on more nature-based play rather than playground or park play for the parents who wish for that instead!
The trail guides come to your inbox once a week. This photo is from Trail Guide 30 which was just sent out yesterday and available in the archives to paying subscribers!
Right now, discounts (10% off annual subscription = $3.90 off an annual subscription of $39) only available to OCParentGuide daily event calendar subscribers and Raising Little Explorers newsletter subscribers. You must use their links to get the discount. Trying to support other local mom-owned businesses and community groups!