Week 1: Summer Play Trips
Breakfast + Parks and Happy Father's Day!
Here we go! Week 1 of Summer Play Trips. It’s 8 weeks of an annual tradition. I will keep up with it to the best of my ability in the weeks going forward as I recover from shoulder surgery.
But here’s the big secret: you don’t need me or anyone else to schedule your summer. In fact, I hope you keep it mostly unscheduled!
You are the only one who knows what’s best for you & your family. You are NOT the cruise director or entertainer. You are there to facilitate play and supervise for safety. Whether that’s a quiet morning with LEGO in the living room or being the one to bring your little one outdoors to your favorite park.
These Summer Play Trips are mostly for YOU. To keep the ideas flowing and find outings that allow the kids to play in the process.
The themes will change here each week. And even if you don’t end up exploring one of my options, maybe the themes will inspire you to create your own.
Sending a lot of love out there right now. I hope you are out there finding comfort in community and caring for your friends and neighbors. And strangers! We need to take care of each other. Reach out if you need me.
In play,
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Fun Question of the Week
Usually, the balance of my content is tipped heavily on the newsletter and light on Instagram. As I heal up it may be easier for me to share more via Instagram (working on my phone) than through the newsletter (via laptop typing).
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: What is your child's favorite piece of playground equipment RIGHT NOW?
This is how your answers ranked:
Climbing (32%)
Swings (24%)
Slides (16%)
Spinners (14%)
Anything themed / Pretend play (14%)
Did you know all of those pieces of equipment have developmental benefits? Let’s just take climbers, for example! Landscape Structures says:
“When children climb, they engage and exercise large arm, leg and back muscles that build upper-body, lower-body, and core strength. Climbing can also increase heart rate and improve cardiovascular health, agility, balance and hand-eye coordination. As children work to figure out how to physically navigate a piece of equipment, especially one that is new to them, they also develop their problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, climbing contributes to the benefits of sensory play by stimulating the tactile, proprioception, vestibular, and visual senses. Each system learns about textures and the muscle activation needed to pull against gravity and integrates with what the child sees while climbing. This allows kids to effectively relate to objects and navigate in the world.”
In fact, just look at all the developmental benefits that come from playing (even if you didn’t know it was happening)! Landscape Structures explains it on their page and here’s a little summary here:
Sensory:
Visual
Auditory
Proprioception
Tactile
Vestibular
Vestibular+
Motor Skill:
Fine Motor
Agility
Balance
Cardiovascular
Coordination
Eye-hand coordination
Endurance
Motor-planning
Strength
Upper body strength
Lower body strength
Core body strength
Cognitive Skill
Language and literacy
Problem solving
Strategic planning
Social/Emotional Skills
Social skill development
Imaginative play
Cooperation
So even if a playground feels “boring” to you as an adult, the kids are getting so many developmental benefits from being able to PLAY! You don’t even have to do anything other than just LET them play!
Week 1: Summer Play Trips
Breakfast + Parks
North OC: Keno’s Restaurant + Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim
I got a recommendation from one of you about trying Keno’s family-owned restaurant. This mom told me to ask to sit on the “cafe” side and to make sure to get the pancakes. It was a really fun spot! Full parking lot, yet never a long wait.
Yorba Regional Park is right next door! It has SIX playgrounds, lakes, and walking trails.
South OC: Mission Viejo Drive-Thru’s + Oso Viejo Community Park + Sgt Matt Davis Park
Try breakfast burritos or bowls at Bravo’s California Fresh on La Paz with their all day breakfast menu. Or go for Royal Donuts & Burgers (24501 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo) has breakfast sandwiches or donuts.
Oso Viejo Community Park is a perfect park match-up for either drive-through restaurant, but closest to Bravo’s. Or Sgt. Matt Davis Park is just a bit closer to Royal Donuts, but no restrooms.
Central OC: Stacks + Hicks Canyon Community Park + Lower Peters Canyon Park
There are Aloha Stacks locations all over OC, but this is the one closest to these two parks off Culver in Irvine (14421 Culver Dr, Irvine).
Hicks Canyon Community Park just got an upgrade and I’m also a fan of the smaller & almost cozy Lower Peters Canyon Park.
Parks and Play News
Temporary Pump Track is at the Great Park in Irvine (June 2nd-15th) before it moves to Edison Park in HB for 2 weeks (June 17th-30th).
Summer After Hours starting in June at Sherman Library & Gardens: Fridays and Saturdays are all about adults. Sunday Fundays are made for families.
After Hours at the Gardens (Adults): June 14, August 1, September 5, October 10, September 19
Sunday Family Fun Days (Families): June 22, July 13, July 27, August 10, August 17, September 14, September 28, October 12
New batting cages opened at TeWinkle Athletic Complex in Costa Mesa.
City of San Clemente announced that OCTA got approval from the California Coastal Commission to put in a wall on the inland side of the trail that would restore the trail area at Mariposa Point that has been closed for so long due to the land movement and damage to the trail in the area.
Summer favorites
Go ahead and click the photos for the link to the lists & guides. I’ll keep including them here every week of summer!
Play-Filled Extras are waiting below this paywall each week for all paid subscribers.
Extras for This Week: A tiny hike pick for summer + a day trip idea!