We have so many favorite activities on our Summer Bucket List! Cooling down at a spray park is definitely one of our most favorite things to do in the Summer!
Heading to a local spray park is such fun and simple activity! As a mom with 4+ kids with me at all times, I like simple. My only challenge is keeping Liam out of the maintenance building! Apparently, he just wants to help the man who maintains the pH balance and water flow!
After some trial and error, I discovered several ways to make an afternoon at the spray park with multiple kids run smoothly!
1. Pack wisely. If you will be spending several hours at the spray park, you will need these essentials:
- Sunscreen
- Towels
- A full change of clothes for each child
- Reusable wet bags and a mesh laundry bag
- Drinks and snacks
- Napkins and wipes
- Picnic blanket
- Sunglasses/hats/flip-flops
- Chairs/Beach umbrella
- First Aid Kit (you'll need it at some point)
- Large tote to hold everything
2. Pick the perfect spot. If you can snag a spot in the shade, that's perfect. I finally learned to put a beach umbrella in the car, though, because those spots are usually taken! Pick a spot near the water area with a clear view.
3. If you have a baby or a toddler, take a stroller. It's no fun trying to set up your spot or pack up to leave with a little one running away from you the entire time! Plus, sometimes you just need a break!
4. Take more drinks than you think you'll need. Trust me on this one! Put those drinks in a cooler, add some ice packs, then toss in some snacks that need to stay cool.
5. Pack snacks that won't melt in the sun. I learned my lesson with this one! Thank goodness they could rinse off because what a mess!
6. Take along some inexpensive beach pails. And LABEL THEM! For some reason, the kids love using these to play in the water and other kids always grab them. No beach pails? Don't worry! An empty water bottle does the trick!
7. Reapply sunscreen every hour. Even better, purchase swimwear with UV protection. I absolutely love SwimZip!
8. Make sure each kid has a friend. Playdates at the spray park are the best!
9. Keep a few small outdoor toys in your car so you can pull them out if one of the kids get bored. I prefer a ball, bubbles, a few small cars and sidewalk chalk. Somebody always gets bored!
10. When it's time to leave and the kids change out of their suits, zip the suits into a reusable wet bag. Gather up the towels and picnic blanket and toss everything into a mesh laundry bag. It can go straight into the laundry room when you get home! I like easy cleanup!
One of MY favorite things about going to the spray park is that the kids burn off all their energy! The drive home is usually silent and the kids often doze off. Parenting win!
I always like to hear new ideas, so what are your favorite tips and tricks to make a trip to the spray park run smoothly?
Let's Connect!
I wish we had a splash pad closer to our house. In fact, I can't even think of where one is within a relatively close distance to our house! It looks like everyone had the best time!
ReplyDeleteThere's one 5 minutes from our house, but you have to pay to get in. I prefer free!
DeleteThat spray part looks like so much fun. Ours is seriously the biggest joke ever :(. I need to find a better one somewhere around here and take the girls to play. They would love it. Also the first aid kit remark, SO true.
ReplyDeleteYES! We always need it!
DeleteI hope you find another spray park. There's a really cool one 5 minutes away, but I don't want to pay to get in when I can drive a bit further and get in for free!
I heard they finally opened the spray park near us and I can't wait to check it out!!
ReplyDeleteThat's exciting! You should go!
DeleteSpray parks are my new favorite thing ever, haha. You got some fabulous photos! Liam especially looked like he had the best time!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! He was hesitant at first but ended up loving it! Your splash park with the Starbucks nearby is AWESOME!
DeleteWe love the splash pad! A great way to cool off and keep mommy calm when everyone's safe out of 'deep water.' I can't believe summer's almost over!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I can never relax at the pool!
DeleteSuch great tips!!! Is this place near Pittsburgh? If it is I will have to check it out when we move back! It looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThese are such great tips! Is this place near Pittsburgh? If it is we need to check it when we move back, it looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteOne just opened in the town close to us. It's so much fun, I struggle with the DO NOT RUN part with Emmy but so far so good. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips! And your pics are just adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love all the pictures! And yes, a splash park is a wonderful to cool off on those hot summer days. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to when I can bring my daughter to a splash pad! Wonderful photos in this post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list! We pretty much live at those splash pads and they are easier for me than a pool so that's a win! But lately my oldest has been getting bored, so I really should bring some other stuff with me! ps. your pictures are gorgeous!
ReplyDelete