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10 Reasons to Visit a State Park This Weekend (Or Any Weekend)

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When we plan vacations, we often like to tie them around a national park. Just last summer, our main destination was Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are so many amazing and beautiful things to see.

National parks are often a big trip. What if you’re looking for a weekend away or just a day trip?

That’s when it’s time to check out a state park. With over 6600 state parks located all over the United States, you’re sure to find something within a quick driving distance from your home.

In case you need some convincing as to why you should visit a state park this weekend, I’ve got 10 reasons for you. Check them out below.

Visit a state park this weekend. It's a great place for a family adventure, staycation, or weekend trip.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for more details.

The Top 10 Reasons to Visit a State Park this Weekend

1. It’s an inexpensive way to take a day trip or a weekend away. Entrance fees vary according to location, but no matter where, it’s usually inexpensive to visit a state park, especially when you compare the cost to other tourist attractions. In many states you can even purchase an annual pass for all the parks in the state. If you plan to visit often, this is the way to go. Once you’re in the park, there are many activities that don’t have any additional costs. A state park really is a fun and inexpensive way to have an adventure with your family.

2. Learn about the local wildlife. Do you want to learn about the wildlife that is native to your area? Check out your closest state park. Stop by the visitor’s center and they’ll usually have information about the wildlife you can find in the park. They’ll give you safety tips for both you and the wildlife and often will tell you the best places to see that wildlife. (Ex: Take the hiking trail around the lake and you may see or hear the family of loons that live nearby.) Even if you don’t see any animals, you’ll likely spot some of the local birds around the park. And, no matter what, you’ll definitely get a peek at the habitat that these animals call home.

Make plans soon to visit a state park with your family. You'll find nature activities, hiking, fishing, outdoor sports, and many hours of family fun.

3. Find hiking trails that are kid-friendly. Hiking is a such a fun activity to do together as a family and state parks are a perfect place to find kid-friendly hikes. You’ll often find short hikes that aren’t too strenuous – these are perfect for little kids. As your kids get older, you can tackle longer and more difficult trails. Hint: If you’re bringing a stroller, check to see if the park has a handicap-accessible trail. You’ll likely be able to easily bring the stroller on that trail and take even the littlest kids on a nature hike. Get the most out of your hike with these tips.


4. See unique natural wonders. We’ve seen lakes, rivers, rock formations, mountains, waterfalls, and even the headwaters of the Mississippi River in a state park. There are just so, so many amazing things to see. Did you know that even Niagara Falls is located in a state park? You will be surprised at all the natural wonders you can find in a state park.

Make plans soon to visit a state park with your family. You'll find nature activities, hiking, fishing, outdoor sports, and many hours of family fun.

5. Tap into the knowledge of the rangers. Do you have a question about something in the state park? Ask a ranger. Most are happy to share their knowledge with you. They’ll recommend the best places in the park to take your kids. They’ll help you best take advantage of the short time you have and They’ll answer questions about the wildlife, trees, and flowers in the park. All you have to do is ask!

6. Take advantage of free educational activities. Stop by the visitor’s center when you arrive and see what the schedule is for the day. Often, you’ll find that there are educational activities planned. The activities are as varied as the park. You may find guided hikes, lectures, films, special activities just for kids, and more. And, most of the time, these educational activities are free once you’ve paid the entrance fee to the park.

Make plans soon to visit a state park with your family. You'll find nature activities, hiking, fishing, outdoor sports, and many hours of family fun.

7. Learn about local history. Not only are state parks a wealth of information about nature, but they can sometimes be a wealth of information about local history. You can find Native American history, battlefields, historic homes, mills, forts, etc. There is just so much to learn!

8. Observe the night sky. Are you staying the weekend at the state park? Take advantage of the time after dark to observe the night sky. You’ll be away from all the city lights that make it hard to view the sky. So, if you’ve got a clear night, stay up a little late and do some stargazing. You can find some great tips for observing the night sky with kids here.

Make plans soon to visit a state park with your family. You'll find nature activities, hiking, fishing, outdoor sports, and many hours of family fun.

9. Learn about the flowers and trees native to the area. Nature abounds in a state park. Many times, if you stop by the visitor’s center, you’ll find brochures about the local trees and wildflowers. Grab a set to take along on your hikes. One of my favorite things to do is to see just how many of the native wildflowers I can find on a trip. You may also notice labels along hiking trails to help you identify the trees, shrubs, and flowers along the way.

10. Experience outdoor activities. There are so many outdoor activities that are fun to do together as a family and state parks are a great place to try some of these activities. Go fishing, rent a canoe, camp overnight, or go on a hike. Not only is the location perfect, but you may also find educational opportunities to learn about a new outdoor hobby.

Are you convinced yet? State parks are perfect locations for a family adventure. Find one nearby and check it out.

I wrote this post in conjunction with Kids to Park Day, taking place on May 21, 2016. The National Park Trust is encouraging everyone to get out a visit a park (national, state, or local) this Saturday. You can find a map of all the activities taking place all over the country here. Find a local activity and sign up on the main page here to show that you’re attending. The goal is to have 750,000 people attending all over the country!


Will you join us in attending?


Connect With an After School Game Time

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Thank you to Fisher Nut Exactly for sponsoring this conversation about rethinking the after school routine.

I talk a lot about after school activities here. You name it, we’ve done it from learning activities to art and crafts. I believe it’s a very important way to connect with your kids and support their learning. But, I also know that for many of you, after school time can be hectic. By the time you’ve finished homework and extra-curriculars, it doesn’t leave much time for anything else. We’re all so busy.

So, let’s rethink things. Pick an afternoon and shake things up. Loosen up and have some fun. Reconnect with a board game afternoon.

Games are fun. They’re a great family activity. And, they’re even quite educational!

Take Yahtzee for example. We practice multiplication, counting, and addition. Add in the critical thinking skills and strategy skills you use to decide whether those 3 fives you rolled should be scored as 5s or as three of a kind.

Or Dominoes. We learn patterning, counting, and strategy.

Candy Land teaches colors, matching, and turn taking.

So, yes, get out the board games and reconnect after school

 

Surprise your kids with a board game afternoon! So, now do you make it special?

Have everything set up before your kids get home.
Clear off the table. Get out a fun tablecloth.
Pick out a selection of games that everyone loves.
Put away all your distractions and get ready to give the kids all your attention.
Have a fun snack ready to eat. 

 

Let’s talk about those snacks, because it can’t be just anything. You want finger food. You want something easy to eat and not very messy. And, if you can find one without a bunch of artificial ingredients, you’re in luck. That’s why I loved the Fisher Nut Exactly snacks we were sent to sample.  They are a combination of roasted nuts and whole grain popcorn rolled up into little bite-sized snacks dipped in chocolate, peanut butter, or salted caramel that are perfect to pop in your mouth while you’re playing games. It was the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Love it! Oh, and they’re only 15 to 16 calories per bite. What you don’t eat can be kept in a convenient resealable bag. It’s a win-win.

 

You can see almost all the flavors above (almond popcorn dipped in dark chocolate is not pictured). The ones in the bowl are almond popcorn dipped in milk chocolate. My family gobbled down all of the flavors. But, I’ve got to tell you, the flavor we went the nuttiest over was the pecan popcorn dipped in salted caramel. Oh my… yummy!

 

Are you ready for a afternoon game time?

Fisher Nut Exactly would like to send one of you a care package full of treats. Along with the assortment of snack bites, you’ll also get a $50 Visa gift card. So awesome! You’ve got everything you need for your own after school game time. (Or family game night, or family field trip… you get the picture… have some fun with the family!). US Residents Only 

P.S. For more information and to find out where to buy Fisher Nut Exactly, check out www.FisherNutExactly.com. Share your fun with the hashtag #FisherNutExactly! I know I will.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fisher . The opinions and text are all mine.

Top 10 Simple Summer Field Trips

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Summer is the best time to go on a few family trips. Vacations to new and exciting places are always fun, but sometimes you need just a simple day trip or an afternoon activity. Here are 10 simple ideas for summer field trips. No matter where you live, you should be able to go to all or most of these locations.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

1. Nature Center – We love our local nature center! Our favorite is a 20 minute drive away, but it’s still close enough for an afternoon trip. Have you checked out your local nature center? You may find hiking trails, classes, a visitor center, ponds, geocaching opportunities, and other activities. Most importantly, you’ll find examples of local plants and wildlife. Check out Tips for Observing Nature With Small Children and Hiking With Young Children to make the most of your nature center trip.

2. Pond, Stream, or Lake – These wet areas are always full of amazing wildlife, although, most often the wildlife is of the tiny variety. Take along magnifying glasses and see what you can find. If you want to explore the water, you can make underwater viewers like these from One Time Through. Spend the afternoon exploring all that you can.

3. Public Library – If you don’t already take advantage of your local library, you should. Go to story time or just pick a time and explore. We always have a giant pile of books we’ve lugged home from the library. Libraries aren’t just books, though. You can find music, special programs, local history, and more. Take advantage of all your local library has to offer. Here are our 10 Ways to Enjoy Your Public Library for more ideas.

4. Pick-Your-Own Farm – If you don’t have your own garden, you can visit a local pick-your-own for a lesson in gardening and food science. It’s always eye-opening to see that food doesn’t just come from a shelf in a grocery store. Check out pickyourown.org to find a nearby farm. (This site has listings in the US, Canada, some European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.) I found you-pick strawberries, apples, grapes, and a farm specializing in Asian vegetables nearby. How much fun is that?

5. Nearest State Park – Do you have a state park nearby? State parks have a wealth of outdoor and historical information. You can find hiking trails, beaches, fishing docks, picnic spots, or canoe rentals. Some of our state parks will even loan out fishing gear or geocaching equipment. To find your nearest park, your state should have a website listing all the state parks. Take a peek and go visit. You won’t be disappointed.

6. Farmer’s Market – There are so many lessons to learn at the farmer’s market. Learn about the food that grows in your community, meet local farmers, count money, and then take your purchases home for a fun cooking lesson. Localharvest.org can help you find your closest farmer’s market.

7. Local Garden – Many cities, colleges, or museums have public gardens you can visit. We’ve got a nearby arboretum, a Japanese garden, and a small kitchen garden we can visit. Many of these even have free admission. Stroll around and take a peek at all the unusual plants. Bring along a few books and have story time in the garden. Just enjoy the time in the garden and have a delightful afternoon.

 

8. Local Museum – There are small and sometimes quirky museums in many communities. We’ve got a prairie life museum that even includes a small village in our town. Was there someone famous born nearby? I bet there’s a museum. Did a famous historical even happen nearby? I know there’s a museum. Do a little Googling and see what you can find nearby. Enjoy a little local history and learn some fun new things in the process.

9. Nearby Small Town – Take a day and go visit a nearby small town. Explore the shops and spend some time in the park. Check out the visitor’s center, if they have one. Have lunch in the local restaurant. Take your camera along to take some amazing pictures. And, if they have a museum… don’t miss it! You never know what interesting things you will discover. Check out The Flourishing Abode for inspiration. They’ve even got a fun 5 Places of Interest challenge and printable.

10. Antique Store – What? Take kids to an antique store? You must be kidding me?? Hear me out on this one. Not every antique store is appropriate for small children and this may not be the best idea for a toddler who grabs everything. But, most kids will do just fine. I’ve taken both of my girls (at the same time) to look through an antique store. It’s a fun place. Check out old furniture. Leaf through old postcards or browse through old books. Antique toys are always a hit. Explore a bit of history and see some of the things their grandparents or great-grandparents enjoyed. It’s a fun, and free, way to explore the history of every day people.

Are you planning any fun summer field trips?

100 Ideas for a Summer Bucket List

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Are you ready to create your summer bucket list?

I’ve got a HUGE round-up for you. My first “200 Fun Activities for Your Summer Bucket List” is by far my most viewed post. There have been so many more wonderful summer ideas published since I first made the list, so, I thought I’d give you 100 more summer bucket list ideas. It’s a big job, but, I’m happy to do it for you!

Here are 100 fun ideas for a summer bucket list.

Have fun this summer with these 100 fun ideas for your summer bucket list for kids. You'll have so much fun with these awesome summer boredom busters.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Fun Ideas for a Summer Bucket List

1. Explore a small town. Read this post at JDaniel4’s Mom and see why this is such a fun and valuable experience.

2. Make sun prints with Creative Family Fun.

3. Go on a looking walk with Teach Preschool.

4. Make a foil river with I Can Teach My Child.

5. Make ice cream in a bag with East Coast Mommy.

6. Play Kick the Can with Coffee Cups and Crayons.

7. Create with mud bricks you made yourself with Planet Smartypants.

8. Paint with ice with this fun idea from Mommy’s Bundle.

9. Create rainbow bubble snakes with Housing a Forest.

10. Make nature faces with Happy Hooligans.

11. Go ice bowling with Learn Play Imagine.

12. Go on a water balloon hunt with Mess for Less.

13. Explore a pond with Buggy & Buddy.

14. Make a DIY Recycled Marble Run with Lemon Lime Adventures.

15. Play sight word Twister with Confidence Meets Parenting.

16. Plant a fairy garden with Inner Child Fun.

17. Learn about bike safety with Kitchen Counter Chronicles.

18. Start a nature journal with Peace but not Quiet.

19. Make a sun dial with Happy Brown House.

20. Make a nature mobile with Danya Banya.

21. Make paper bag books with Creative Family Fun.

22. Create and play in a water obstacle course with Meaningful Mama.

23. Go on a backyard safari with East Coast Mommy.

24. Dissect a bean seed with Buggy and Buddy.

25. Make giant paper airplanes with Fireflies and Mud Pies.

More summer bucket list ideas

26. Paint with giant homemade paint brushes with Learn Play Imagine.

27. Make and eat fruit on a stick with Teach Me Mommy.

28. Play with sand play dough with Homegrown Friends.

29. Create fireworks in a jar with I Can Teach My Child.

30. Make your own water wall with Toddler Approved.

31. Go on an ABC Scavenger Hunt at the park with Craftulate.

32. Make a log pile home for the wildlife that visit your yard with Rainy Day Mum.

33. Learn about snails and make a snail habitat with Preschool Powol Packets.

34. Create nature mandalas with NurtureStore

35. Make fairy soup with Happy Hooligans.

36. Make and play with homemade bubbles with Coffee Cups and Crayons.

37. Create a backyard water park and play, play, play with East Coast Mommy.

Have fun this summer with these 100 fun ideas for your summer bucket list for kids. You'll have so much fun with these awesome summer boredom busters.

38. Go on a Sense of Touch Walk with Confidence Meets Parenting.

39. Make Painted Turtle Rocks with Creative Family Fun.

40. Create Crayon Art Sculptures with Meri Cherry.

41. Do math on a Driveway Hundred Chart with Creative Family Fun.

42. Go on an All About Birds Scavenger Hunt with Inspiration Laboratories.

43. Do an amazing science experiment. Make Mentos geysers with I Can Teach My Child.

44. Make craft stick bracelets with Creative Family Fun.

45. Feed the butterflies with a kid-made butterfly feeder with Reading Confetti.

46. Do some water science experiments with Science Sparks.

47. Do some melting insect sensory painting with Crayon Box Chronicles.

48. Make magnetic slime with Frugal Fun 4 Boys.

49. Have ice cream for supper with East Coast Mommy.

50. Paint the clouds with Happy Hooligans.

More awesome summer bucket list ideas

51. Use chemistry to blow up a balloon with What Do We Do All Day.

52. Use the sun to make upcycled crayons with Mama Smiles.

53. Make a pile of handmade books with Bounceback Parenting.

54. Can you drop an egg without breaking it? Try this egg drop experiment with Planet Smartypants.

55. Make a shadow puppet theater with True Aim Education.

56. Paint the driveway (with water) with Hands On As We Grow.

57. Memorize a poem with Imagination Soup.

58. Start a new tradition to go on after dinner walks with Mama Smiles.

59. Do a service project. Kid World Citizen has 35 suggestions.

60. Make a cardboard pirate ship with MollyMoo.

61. Build a stage and put on a show with Teach Mama.

62. Make recycled paper bead bracelets with Kids STEAM Lab.

63. Make ice castles with Fun-A-Day.

64. Build with block and trace their shadows with How Wee Learn.

65. How fast does a plant grow? Track a plant and find out with KCEdventures.

Have fun this summer with these 100 fun ideas for your summer bucket list for kids. You'll have so much fun with these awesome summer boredom busters.

66. Make grass caterpillars with Red Ted Art.

67. Make dandelion crowns with Pink Stripey Socks.

68. Make painted salt sculptures with Fun and Home with Kids.

69. Go on a listening walk with Creative Family Fun.

70. Do some ice experiments with Creative Family Fun.

71. Go diving for sight words with I Can Teach My Child.

72. Do a few Jello science experiments with The Chaos and The Clutter.

73. Challenge yourself to build a bridge with Inspiration Laboratories.

74. Make clay fossils with Mother Natured.

Even more ideas for your summer bucket list

75. Play a nature color matching game with NurtureStore.

76. Express your gratitude to service workers with Growing Book by Book.

77. Learn all about rocks with Carrots are Orange.

78. Paint with mud paint with Learn Play Imagine.

79. Make folded paper bracelets with Picklebums.

80. Create with homemade fizzing sidewalk paint with Hands On: As We Grow.

81. Play with Ice Cream Playdough with Playdough to Plato.

82. Have popsicles for breakfast! Make breakfast popsicles with Caramel Potatoes.

83. Make some found object nature art with Inspiration Laboratories.

84. Paint with your feet with Homegrown Friends.

85. Make washer wind chimes with One Time Through.

86. Decorate your own washi tape with My Little Bookcase.

87. Make Jackson Pollock inspired cupcakes with Mini Monets and Mommies.

88. Be a backyard explorer with your own DIY Backyard Explorer Dress-Up Kit with Confidence Meets Parenting.

89. Do a classic craft and make God’s Eyes with Creative Family Fun.

90. Go on a Sight and Sound Nature Scavenger Hunt with Inspiration Laboratories.

91. Stretch your photography skills and make your own digital photo alphabet with Kids STEAM Lab.

92. Do 3-D String Art with Buggy and Buddy.

93. Make whimsical wind chimes with Happy Hooligans.

94. Do some container gardening with The Educators’ Spin On It.

95. Play Colors BINGO with Fun With Mama.

96. Make lunch sack kites with Lovely Commotion.

97. Go on a family adventure and visit a “New to You” Park with Creative Family Fun.

98. Build a chain reaction with craft sticks with Frugal Fun for Boys.

100. Paint with nature with Danya Banya.

What are you adding to your summer bucket list?

Remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Make it short. Make it fun. And, don’t worry if you don’t do it all. Just add a few of these fun ideas for your summer bucket list.

Family Adventures ~ A Subscriber Freebie

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If you’re already a subscriber of the Creative Family Fun Weekly Wrap-Up newsletter, you may have noticed a fun freebie in the last newsletter. (And if you’re already a subscriber – you rock!) In order to help you make the most of  your family time, I’m creating a new Family Adventures sheet each month.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

The Family Adventures sheet is a one-page, free printable. Print it out. Post it somewhere for everyone to see. And, get ready for a few family adventures.

You’ll find 10 ideas each month. Each ideas is low-prep and inexpensive. You won’t need to click a link to find instructions. Most of the ideas can be done spur-of-the-moment and won’t require a trip to the store for supplies. I try to balance things out between indoor and outdoor activities.

Sample activities for May:

Grab a bird book and go on a bird watching hike.

Have a balloon party!

Tape a large piece of paper to the wall and create a family mural.

Each month you’ll get a new Family Adventure sheet. But, you need to be a subscriber to the Creative Family Fun Weekly Wrap-Up Newsletter to grab a copy. As a subscriber, you’ll get a weekly email every Saturday. You’ll get a overview of my posts from the past week, a sneak peek of the coming week, plus a few family friendly activities from around the web. I’ll also keep you updated on any exciting happenings going on at Creative Family Fun.