Summer Fun

Guide to Zion National Park with Kids in 2022

Are you thinking of visiting Zion National Park with your kids this year? You won’t want to miss this ultimate guide to Zion National Park with kids in 2022.

We just got back from our trip to Zion with the kids and I couldn’t wait to tell you about our awesome experience. Our family of 5 spent 5 days exploring the park, hiking, and taking in the glorious scenery.

Where to Stay when Visiting Zion National Park with Kids

If you plan to spend more than a day at the park, there are a couple of options.

Camping in Zion National Park

In the Zion campgrounds you can car camp or camp in an RV. Reservations for the campgrounds fill up months in advance, and the earliest you can book your site is 6 months prior. This is highly recommended. We reserved our campsite in December for June of the following year! Set a reminder on your calendar app if you want to plan ahead for next year.

There are 2 campgrounds: South Campground and Watchman Campground. Watchman is the nicer of the two in my opinion. If you get lucky you can snag a campsite by the river in Watchman’s A or B loop. These get taken fast, and we weren’t able to get a site near the river. We had a nice time in our site in D loop and had the same breathtaking views. I do not recommend the F loop. There you leave your car in a parking lot near the sites and walk your stuff over to your spot, and it is very crowded. Both Watchman and South campgrounds have restrooms with flush toilets and hand soap, clean drinking water and a dishwashing station but no showers.

Camping Outside of Zion

There are 2 private campgrounds near Zion. Zion Canyon Campground & RV park is not inside the park, but it is along the free shuttle route that goes from Springdale to the Zion visitor center. Here you can choose from tent or RV campsites with full sewer and electric hookups and a swimming pool. Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground is outside of the free shuttle system but does offer a paid shuttle that takes you to the park. Campsites here accommodate either tents or RVs, and a few cabins are also available to rent.

Lodging

Just a few blocks from the park entrance is the first of many hotels in the town of Springdale. The lodging options outside of the park have a rustic ambiance while still providing comfortable rooms and amenities. Zion National Park is in the desert, so a hotel stay is a great way to enjoy the desert landscape while still having the option of retreating to an air conditioned room. When booking your stay, look for availability in the town of Springdale. Zion National Park Shuttles run frequently from the park to nine stops within the town of Springdale.

Zion Lodge

For the ultimate Zion experience, book a stay at the Zion Lodge. The lodge is in the very middle of the park, tucked at the foot of the majestic sandstone cliffs of Zion. The rates are a little high but reasonable, and well worth the convenience of the proximity to everything the park has to offer. Rooms or cabins will sleep from 2 to 5 people.

Under Canvas

Not near the park shuttle system, but worth checking out, is safari-inspired Under Canvas camp. Fun onsite experiences include live music, morning yoga, nightly s’mores and more. When we drove past, Under Canvas was about 15-20 minutes from the park. It would be fun in late spring or early fall but during the summer could potentially be super hot. And since parking inside Zion is extremely limited, you would probably find yourself paying to park in Springdale and shuttling into the park.

Best hikes for kids at Zion National Park

Zion offers several hikes that are easy to trek and perfect for a family with kids. I always bring lots of snacks, sunscreen and water when hiking with kids. The last thing I want is a hangry, thirsty, sunburned crew!

Lower Emerald Pool

This paved hike is 1.2 miles round trip. A stroller or wheelchair can make it on the path, although a few gradual inclines will require some muscle to push up and over. The highlight of Lower Emerald Pool is a trickling waterfall at the turnaround point. On a hot day, the spray from the cool water is a refreshing reward for a hike well done. The trail starts and ends along the Virgin River. We motivated our kids to keep going with the promise of dipping their feet in the water after the hike.

Canyon Overlook Trail

This trail has easy slopes and nice views. It is mostly in the shade until 10 or 11 am. We enjoyed the arch-shaped inlets in the sides of the cliffs and the views of the peaks.

Riverwalk Trail

Another mostly paved hike, this trail parallels the Virgin River. The river is so pretty to look at and the trail is relatively flat. Hikers along this trail include those who are continuing on to the Narrows, which runs through the river. Expect to see people with wet shoes and walking sticks, but fear not- this equipment is not necessary for the Riverwalk trail.

Pa’rus Bike Trail

This 3.5 mile flat trail is great for riding bikes or ebikes along. It goes right to Zion Park shuttle stop number 3. You can either turn around here or take the shuttle back to the trailhead. Some websites say no dogs allowed on the trail, but when we were in the park this summer dogs were permitted only on this trail. Bikes and ebikes are available to rent at Zion Lodge or in Springdale.

Getting Around in Zion National Park

View through historic tunnel at Zion National Park

The many hiking trails in Zion are spread across the park. To keep car traffic low, the park offers 2 free shuttle lines. One takes travelers from the adjoining town of Springdale to the visitor center inside the park. Another shuttle line goes from the visitor center to several stops within the park. You can view the shuttle map at the NPS website. Parking is extremely limited in the park. The only parking lot in Zion National Park is at the visitor center, and this is usually at capacity pretty early in the day. Most of the available parking will be at pay lots outside the park entrance. These are all within a short walk of a shuttle stop. By parking offsite you would have to pay for the parking spot. But you wouldn’t have to pay to enter the National Park if you walked in or rode the shuttle from Springdale.

During peak seasons, most of the roads in Zion National Park are closed to public vehicles. A beautiful scenic road is accessible, and takes you through switchbacks overlooking the canyon as well as a mile-long tunnel that was built over 100 years ago.

Once you are parked or settled into a campsite, you really won’t need a car to get around Zion National Park with your kids. They will enjoy the shuttle as it crosses over bridges, weaves alongside the Virgin River, and passes deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife.

As of June 2022, face masks were not required in the shuttle buses or inside the buildings.

Beat the Heat at Zion National Park with Kids

Be prepared for high temperatures when visiting Zion National Park from mid april though late September. As of the time of this writing, there is currently a “caution” alert due to toxic cyanobacteria bloom in the Virgin River and the streams of Zion National Park. The water is not safe to drink, but it is ok to wade in and even play in as long as you keep from drinking it. Up canyon at shuttle stop 9 are some great river spots for cooling off on a hot day. The lawn in front of the Lodge has a massive tree that provides ample shade for an afternoon cool-down. During the peak heat of the day, hop in the car and take the scenic route through the historic Zion tunnel. Or go into Springdale for some shopping. Be sure and stop for ice cream at Hoodoo’s! For the able hikers, rent some gear and trek down the Narrows. A hike in the river is one refreshing way to spend a hot afternoon!

Ranger Experiences for Kids

Kids age 4 and up can pick up a self-guided Junior Ranger activity booklet from the Zion National Park Visitor Center. After completing an age-appropritate set of activities, kids earn their Junior Ranger Badge for Zion National Park! The park also has ranger-led programs daily. During the peak season, the Zion Nature Center has interactive kids programs on a range of topics. When we were there, the topic was dinosaurs and the interactive part was making a fossil!

Where to Eat when Visiting Zion with Kids

It’s best to plan ahead and bring lots of healthy snacks while for a visit to Zion National Park with kids. There is no market, store, or place to purchase supplies in Zion National Park. At the Lodge there are 2 dining options. A cafe sells to-go breakfast and lunch items and is open until 4pm during the peak season. The Lodge also has a restaurant with delicious food at prices that, I would argue, are better than the delis and restaurants in town. Markets and numerous restaurants are not far away in the town of Springdale. Just feet from the park entrance is a market, brewery, and gear rental. I highly recommend a stop at Hoodoo’s for a scoop of one of their unique ice cream flavors.

Fun Things to do with Kids Near Zion

Not far from the National Park are more fun family experiences. Fort Zion, an old-fashioned “ghost town”, boasts old west buildings themed like an old mining town. A mini petting zoo houses llamas, donkeys, and deer that you can hand-feed. The restaurant and gift shop also come highly recommended.

Quail Creek State Park is about 15 miles from Zion. The main attraction here is the lake, where you can rent paddleboards, jetskis, and other water toys. Fishing is also popular, so don’t forget your poles!

Check out our other favorite places to camp as a family.

Refugio (Santa Barbara)

Tips for an Epic Beach Trip

Nothing says “summer time” like a trip to the beach. I’ve spent my whole life making beach trips (only during warm weather, because I’m not crazy). When we head out on a beach trip, we try and keep it simple. This is my strategy that helps make every coastal outing into an epic beach trip.

Tips for an Epic Beach Trip

Now that my kids are 5 and 7, they don’t need as much help – or as much stuff!- for a trip to the beach. My tips for a fantastic beach trip with small children are a little different, but the goal is the same: Don’t make it a huge chore for yourself!

Keep it Simple

Don’t overpack. Maybe every now and then, for a bonfire or something, take the plastic folding table and the portable mini grill. But if you’re just going on a family day trip, you don’t need much. It’s the beach. The fun is built-in. You don’t need a whole lot else.

What We Bring for an Epic Beach trip

Sunscreen. Because a beach trip is not epic if your sunburn is too. We bring the spray-on kind and repeat frequently, since it’s not the most reliable stuff.

Drinking Water. We pop some water bottles in the freezer in the morning before we leave and they stay chilly as long as we keep them in our bag in the shade.

Beach Bags. This is the only thing I bring that could be a little extra. We bring 2 totes to the beach: One is a mesh bag that I’ve had for years (still on Amazon, which tells you how great it is!) and I love that I can just shake the sand out of it. This is where I put sand toys/bowls 😉 , maybe a bag of chips, some fruit snacks or granola bars, sunscreen, keys, and towels. I can fit 5 folded towels in this bag! The other bag I bring is an insulated tote for waters, sandwiches, cut fruit, and anything else that I want kept cool and away from sand.

Umbrella. Just one. To cover me and the snacks. #sorrynotsorry I’m the one keeping you all safe and sunscreen up and I don’t like sitting in the sun all day. If you have to bring a second umbrella to share the shade, at least they’re not big and bulky. At least not the ones I bring. 🙂

Snacks. We usually bring a bag of chips, fruit, whatever else is in the cupboard. Smuckers Uncrustables are good for beach trips too because you just toss them in your tote bag, no prep required!

Towels. Just one per person. No big picnic blanket, no plastic tarp. Just a couple towels.

Cash, quarters & a debit card. Some of our beach parking lots still use meters that only take quarters. So old school, right? And not all the time, but every once in a while, we grab an ice cream by the pier. You never know if the beachside vendors will be able to take debit cards, so we bring cash as a backup. Lastly, here’s your friendly warning to avoid the tourist shops, my friend. You will be lured in by their cute beachy tees, but they’re always way overpriced!

Our Boogie Boards. Which we will only bring if the kids agree to carry their own because I am not a pack mule. My 7yo girls like to boogie board but the 5yo is still learning. If he brings his board, I will stand in the water with him and give him a push when a wave comes.

3 small plastic bowls. Hear me out. Gone are the days when we used to bring a garden shovel and dig a hole for the little tykes to splash around in. I also don’t want to lug a sack of sand toys on our beach trip (because you know mom will end up carrying them!), but I will admit that it’s much easier to play when you have some tools. We bring a couple of small cereal bowls that the kids can use to carry water and scoop sand, and they’re pretty happy with that. Remember-having an epic beach trip is all about keeping things simple!

Even if you’re a long-time beach person, it’s still a pretty big job to get everyone ready and out the door. If you give yourself permission to not take everything but the kitchen sink, you’ll be more likely to have an epic beach trip with your family!

13 Ways to Make Summer Reading Fun For Your Child

Summer is the perfect time to work on reading skills, whether your children are 2 or 12. Older, more independent readers can use the extra time away from school to prepare for the next grade level, while younger children can always benefit from reading more books. As part of our Super Summer Fun series, here are some ways to make summer reading fun at home.

Some links may be affiliate.

13 ways to make summer reading fun

Bring the stories to life
What to do: After reading a story, do some of the activities you read about.
What you can emphasize: New vocabulary, verbs
Suggested stories and activities:

Story: If You Give a Pig a Pancake/ Activity: Make pancakes
Story: Curious George Flies a Kite/ Activity: Fly a Kite
Story: The Bug Book/ Activity: Hunt for bugs outside

Take the 1000 books before Kindergarten Challenge
What to do: Visit 1000 Books Before Kindergarten to download program instructions and reading log sheets.
What your child is learning: There are tons of early literacy opportunities here!
Suggested reading: Check the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten website for Books Your Child Should Hear Before Kindergarten

Stock a Summer Book Basket
What to do: Fill a basket or plastic bin with summer-related fiction and nonfiction books
What your child is learning: Seasonal vocabulary, comprehension
Suggested reading: Check out the fun titles on my list of 40+ books to read with kids this summer.

Listening to reading
What to do: Read stories out loud to your child. Children of all ages will also enjoy listening to their favorite book on their Kindle Fire for Kids, on Audible, or using your local library’s audio book program. We recently got all 3 kids their own Kindle Fire for Kids Tablets. Kids can choose the story they want to hear and I can set limits on how long the screen is on. Plus they come with a case, 1 year of Amazon Free Time, access to over 10,000 books AND a 2-year “we’ll replace it, no questions asked” warranty! Ok, I’ll stop raving now but seriously I can’t wait til their birthday in September.
What your child is learning: Children who listen to reading are learning what it sounds like when an “expert reader” reads text. Listening to reading helps to become better independent readers.
Suggested reading: Any of your child’s favorite books.

Join a reading incentive program or use a reading chart to track progress
What to do: Visit the public library and ask about their summer reading program, or use the Pizza Hut Book It Summer Reading program (or both!).
What your child is learning: Reading for a purpose, comprehension
Suggested reading: Any age-appropriate books

Bake a recipe together
What to do: Choose a recipe and make it together
What your child is learning: Reading instructions, as well as math and science and healthy eating habits!
Suggested reading: Try this complete cookbook for young chefs. For a great FREE recipe collection, check out Kids in the Kitchen online.

Read the book AND watch the movie
What to do: Read a book and watch the movie version of the story
What your child is learning: Comparing/contrasting, character traits
Suggested reading/watching: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Book and Movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book and Movie, Curious George Books and Movie

Plan a trip that took place in a story
What to do: Plan a trip based off of one that takes place in a story
What your child is learning: Noting details, new vocabulary, making a list
Suggested reading: Let’s Have a Picnic!, The Lost Lake

Make a book about your summer
What to do: Compile a collection of pictures with captions or stories of what you did during the summer.
What your child is learning: Summarizing, putting events in order
Suggested reading: How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Make a reading nook
What to do: Set up a special place for reading with fun pillows or a beanbag chair that are just for story time.
What your child is learning: The importance of reading for fun
Suggested reading: Any age-appropriate books

Do some research
What to do: Help your child learn more about a favorite topic by reading books or online articles about it.
What your child is learning: Research skills (and yes, even kindergartners can do research with help!)
Suggested websites: Fact Monster and this list of kid-safe search sites

Make puppets
What to do: Make puppets of the characters in your child’s favorite story. Use felt, socks, or paper bags and any materials you have at home!
What your child is learning: Comprehension, summarizing
Suggested reading: Any of your child’s favorite books

Read through the alphabet
What to do: Using the printable below, read one book that corresponds to each letter of the alphabet.
What your child is learning: Comprehension
Suggested reading: 26 of your child’s favorite books (try Z is for Moose and maybe let X be in the middle of the word so you can enjoy The Adventures of Taxi Dog).

To download the reading log, click here. For best printing, use 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper and select “fit to page” in the printing preferences. Can also be printed in black and white.

I hope your summer is full of reading and fun. This post is part of our summer series. Click this link for more Super Summer Fun ideas!

making reading fun for kids during the summer. 13 ideas that will encourage your child to read.

DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband

Who else loves an occasion to dress up? The girls have been counting down until the 4th of July, or “Fireworks Day” as they call it, since Easter. We’re not doing much to celebrate this year, but I did set aside some time to work with the kids on a red white and blue accessory. This DIY red white and blue flower headband, also called a flower crown, is so easy to make, you’ll want to make one for all your friends and family!

Materials for a DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband

For this project you will need:

A hot glue gun – I got my mini glue gun at Michaels for like $5.

Scissors

Suede cord – Again, Michaels. This fat roll was on clearance!

Artificial flowers with leaves. I used carnations from Michaels, and they were pretty big. Let that be your guide when choosing flowers for your flower crown.

Ribbon

Felt or cloth (optional)

You guys, this DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband craft was so simple! I’ll walk you through it step by step. Please let me know in the comments how the craft worked out for you!

How to Make a DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband

DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband

These red white and blue floral headbands are made from materials you can easily find at craft stores!

Materials

Suede cord
Artificial flowers with leaves
Ribbon
Felt or cloth (optional)

Tools

Hot glue gun

Instructions

Cut 3 equal lengths of suede cord for each DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband. I cut mine all 30 inches long. There was about 6 inches extra on my daughters’ headbands that I had to trim off.
Hot glue the end of the 3 suede cords together, then braid them into a rope of sorts. You’ll want the braid to be smaller than the circumference of your head, because you’ll be tying the headband on with ribbon. Hot glue the finished end of the braid. (Tip: Use a clipboard to hold the braid steady)
Remove a flower from the stem and push it through the very middle of the suede cord braid. Hot glue the end to hold it in place. Optional: The plastic backs of the flowers can be scratchy, so you may want to hot glue a little bit of felt or cloth to the back of the DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband.
Leave a good deal of space in between the middle flower and add 2 flowers on either side of it. The carnations I used for this DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband are pretty large. If you glue them too close together, the whole thing can get a bunchy look.
Hot glue some leaves in between the flowers to fill in some of the space. I ended up using 3 little leaf-bunches in between each flower on this crown.
Finish off by glueing ribbon to the ends of each suede cord braid. Since this flower crown has a red white and blue theme, I used a starry ribbon to match the blue and red ribbon.
That’s it! Tie the red white and blue flower headband on and you’ll be perfectly accessorized for all the July 4th festivities.

Recommended Products

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Also be sure and check out our other Summer Fun posts!

Sneaky Ways to Hydrate Kids this Summer

Summertime is a wonderful time of year when school is on break and we can take vacations. It is also the time when temperatures soar and it can be easy to become dehydrated. This is where water steps in and comes to the rescue. Most people know it is very important to drink plenty of water all the time and especially in the summer. But when you have kids, sometimes it’s a challenge to get them to drink enough water.

What some people may not be aware of is that there are also certain foods that can help keep kids hydrated. There is one food in particular that may not really shock anyone, but the rest might be a pleasant surprise.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a fabulous food to enjoy throughout the summer. What cookout or picnic would be complete without a big red juicy watermelon? Watermelon is surprisingly healthy because it’s high in fiber and vitamins and of course, water (91%). This fruit is aptly named since it contains so much water.

The greatest thing about watermelon is that most kids and adults enjoy eating it. Just put out a tray of watermelon slices the next time you’re concerned about keeping kids hydrated on a hot day! There is a good chance you will not have to fight to find a good watermelon because most grocery stores and farmers’ markets carry them all summer long. No matter where you and your family go during the summer, you will probably be able to find a watermelon or two.

Milk and Yogurt

For kids who don’t like drinking water, milk can be an alternative. Milk supplies calcium and vitamin D and is good for healthy bones and teeth. Milk is also great for hydration because it is over 80% water. And the best part? Most kids like it. Milk can be enjoyed plain or with flavor additives like chocolate, banana and strawberry. If additives are used, be aware that the carbohydrate (and sugar!) count increases.

Yogurt is another surprising member of the hydrating foods family. Yogurt contains almost as much water as some fruits. A real upside to eating yogurt is that it’s available in many of your favorite flavors. You can get it at any grocery store and even some convenience stores. Instead of packing sweet unhealthy sodas and juices to keep kids hydrated, pack yogurt (just remember to pack it in a cooler with ice).

Grapefruit

Another wonderfully juicy fruit joins the hydration camp. Grapefruit is over 90% water and contains vitamins. Just like watermelon, grapefruit is easy to find and easy to pack for a trip or an event.

Some people may not care for the “zing” that grapefruit has, but that tartness can be tamed with a tiny sprinkling of sugar or low calorie sweetener, or for best results-salt!

Lettuce

This is good news for people who enjoy a good salad. Lettuce is made up of over 90% water and packed with goodness. It is versatile because lettuce can be used as a garnish and as part of the main course in all types of salads. The leafy vegetable is naturally low in calories and helps you feel full longer.

The variety that offers the most water content is iceberg lettuce. There are so many ways to enjoy iceberg lettuce other than salad: on burgers, as the foundation for chicken and taco salads and that is just the tip of the…iceberg.

creative ways to keep kids hydrated this summer

When the temperatures start to climb, it is nice to know that there are options besides plain water when it comes to staying hydrated. It’s always a good idea to drink plenty of water, but sometimes water seems kind of plain. Some people just do not like the taste of water at all. If water is not your family’s “go to” for hydration, then consider some of the wonderful and healthy food alternatives.

Fruits like watermelon and grapefruit are excellent sources of water and taste really good. Milk and yogurt lend a hand to healthy teeth and bones as well as helping keep you hydrated. Water is important, but it is nice that there are other choices when it comes to hydration.

When you have kids, sometimes it's a challenge to get them to drink enough water. Thankfully, there are also certain foods that can help keep kids hydrated.

Taking your Outdoor Entertainment to the Next Level

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Who else loves backyard gatherings? Every time I go to a friend’s barbecue I start getting the itch to host my own get-together. Of course, when you have people over you have to make sure that your outdoor entertainment space is up to par. I’ve been getting some ideas about setting up an amazing patio. Here are a few things that will make you rock your next outdoor party at home:

A Variety of Seating Options

It’s important to have a place for everyone to sit. A comfy outdoor couch for people to flake out on is ideal. You could also place some beach chairs and lounge chairs out for people who like to bask in the sun. A patio table with an umbrella is the best of both worlds because people who like the sun can sit alongside their friends who want that umbrella shade tilted in their direction.

I love the way this patio is set up so that everyone can see what is on the TV. The host has a SunBrite TV Veranda Series mounted to the wall, which gives all the guests a good view of the screen. Even on a sunny afternoon, everyone at the party can watch the big game and enjoy a cool outdoor breeze because the SunBrite Veranda TVs are up to 50% brighter than indoor TVs. This brightness drastically improves the viewing in brighter outdoor environments.

SunBrite TV Veranda Series for outdoor entertainment and patio decor.

Plenty of Food and Drinks

For an outdoor event, it’s nice to grill the food while guests are visiting. People like to gather around the cooking food and chat with the chef. Not only that, but the smell of food cooking on the grill adds to the party atmosphere. If you do provide alcoholic drinks, make sure there are also some non-alcoholic beverages.

Give Your Guests Something to Do

It’s very easy to entertain without having to put in much effort. If you scatter a few backyard games around the yard or set out some props for a photo booth, your guests will have opportunities to laugh with each other and make new friends. Or take the movie night outdoors where guests can roast s’mores while watching a movie! The SunBrite Veranda Series TV is fully weatherproof to withstand rain, snow, dust, salt air, humidity, and even insects!

The SunBrite Veranda Series TV is 4K UHD with HDR. It is built for full-shade outdoor living areas and is available in 43”, 55”, 65” and 75” sizes.

Get creative with your outdoor space this season, and your guests are sure to enjoy your next party. Now the best seat in the house is outside!

Summertime Beach Essentials and Packing List

Nothing quite says “summer time” like a day at the beach. When you have the whole day ahead of you and nothing planned except to lie in the sun or splash in the waves… That’s a good summer day. Back when I was young and carefree I would just grab a towel and head for the ocean with my friends. Now that I have kids (and a strong desire to avoid skin cancer), I put a little more preparation into beach trips. For short trips I have a grab-and-go summer fun bag that’s stocked with our beach essentials. But for longer days on the sand I tend to bring more stuff.

Summer Time Beach Essentials and Packing List

The Basics:

These are the bare bones for a beach trip. They are the minimum beach essentials that I take with me, even though I’m sure I could do without a few of them.

Sunscreen Plan on reapplying after a few hours, so make sure you have enough!

Water Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I recommend a large, reusable bottle like the Hydro Flask or the CamelBak.

Sunglasses They protect your eyes from the sun as well as make it easier to see in the bright sunlight.

Swim Diapers If you have little ones, you don’t want to forget these!

A Snack Trust me, you’ll be thankful you brought one. We like to bring a salty snack and a sweet snack, like popcorn and grapes.

Beach Towels Necessary for drying your body and as a blanket in case a nap is necessary.

Now that I have kids, I put a little more prep into beach trips. This is our summer time beach essentials for a day at the coast, including packing list!

Good Ideas for More Beach Fun:

A few extra things can really improve the comfort and relaxation on your next trip to the coast. While I wouldn’t call these beach essentials, we do take many of the items below with us on our trips.

Cooler with Ice Because who can enjoy hot, sun-baked snacks and drinking water?

Hat Nothing too silly, just a little more sun protection for your face. Like this trendy Panama hat.

A Cover Up I wear a sundress on beach trips so when I head to the taco stand I don’t have to pull on all sorts of clothes. Maybe I’m old-fashioned but I was raised that it’s good etiquette to wear something over your suit if you go walking around.

Sand Toys Be sure and choose a variety of sizes for making sand castles, catching sand crabs, and toting seashells home!

Hoodie If you’re going to be at the beach as the sun goes down, it will get chilly. Bring a loose-fitting sweatshirt that you can zip up or pull over your beach attire.

Beach Umbrella This is one of my must-have beach essentials. I love to sit in the shade and watch the waves. Last year we invested in a 10-foot canopy. Everyone was so happy to get a break from the sun every now and then.

Beach Chairs In my book, chairs are just as important as an umbrella. 🙂

Shovel For digging massive holes or sand castle moats.

Baby Powder To get sandy feet clean before entering the car. Although, to be honest, we’ve never tried this trick. Our favorite beaches have “rinse-off” showers near the parking lot. If you’re headed to Southern California, check this list to find a beach with a shower!

Mesh Beach Bag For those who want to carry all the things but leave the sand at the beach. I’ve used this one for going on 4 summers now (we have the blue one). It holds enough stuff for this family of 6, no problem.

A Waterproof Wet Bag These are great for keeping cell phones away from the sand, storing car keys, wet swimsuits, etc. I love the super cute designs on these bags.

Boogie Boards SO MUCH FUN. I don’t care how old you are, it’s impossible to frown while riding a boogie board. Get a Make sure you use the leash so your board doesn’t get carried off by a wave!

Loose, Comfy Pants After a long day of beach fun, you’re going to feel a bit… chaffed. It feels oh so amazing to yank off that sandy suit and slip on a comfy pair of pants as the beach day comes to an end. I like these linen pants the best only partly because they’re named after the city I grew up in. 😉

Cash and Coins Parking meters are usually up-to-date with credit card readers, but you never know. I like having cash on hand, but that might just be me.

Leave it at Home

There are some things that regular beach goers don’t bring with them:

Portable speakers Not everyone wants to listen to your music, dude.
Glass bottles That’s a big no-thank-you to finding glass shards in the sand!
Trash Ok, you can’t realistically leave trash at home. But please do respect the beaches and use the trash cans or pack your garbage out with you.

As far as beach essentials go, this is a pretty basic list. We try and travel light because you can almost always count on having to walk pretty far from the car to the sand if you go to the beach during the summer. See anything missing from my list? Please let me know and I’ll add it to this post and the printable beach essentials packing list too!

I highly suggest you check out our post on how to have a fantastic beach trip with kids for more tips on making it a great beach trip with your family.

Be sure and grab your free printable beach essentials packing list. Print it out and keep it with your beach stuff so you can be sure you’ve got everything you need for a fantastic day of sun, sand and waves.

21 Ways to Get the Most Out of Summer Days

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #MyCafeSteamers

As summer looms on the horizon, it feels like the days ahead are plentiful. But then as September starts to creep up, I always get this feeling of panic like there’s still so much I haven’t done yet! I brainstormed some ways to get the most of summer so I have ready-to-go ideas for days when we have nothing planned. So far I have 21 things we’re planning to tick off our list this summer.

After a day of summer fun, it’s nice to enjoy a hot meal at home. But when I’m on the go from sunrise to sunset, I’m in no mood to cook dinner for the family. Of course if you know me, you know that I always have a plan. Everyone at our house is happy when it’s a Healthy Choice® Cafe Steamers night! The Beef Merlot has bright, crunchy vegetables to go with the tender beef. Click the image below to shop our favorite dinner solution for busy summer nights!

I keep my freezer stocked with Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers. There are a variety of delicious recipes to fit everyone’s taste preferences. My favorite is the Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers are so convenient because they cook up in minutes. But, don’t tell the kids, they’re also packed with veggies! I love how easy they are to prepare when I’m short on time, and my family loves the variety of tasty sauces. This Chicken Marinara has a wonderful rich flavor!

When I don’t have time to run to Walmart, I add a handful of Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers to my online grocery cart. That way I don’t lose any summer play time on errands! If you haven’t tried the Walmart Online Grocery Service, I suggest you check to see if it’s available in your area. You buy online and they bring it right out to your car!

With dinner at home taken care of, make the most of your summer days by trying some of these fun summer activities!

Go on a family bike ride. Check online for local bike trails, or take a destination ride to the beach or park.

Go stargazing and look for shooting stars. Take a drive away from the city for an even brighter lights show!

Catch an outdoor concert. There are plenty of free concerts in the park to choose from on warm summer afternoons.

Go for a swim. Take a dip in a swimming hole or hit up the beach or pool. We pull out our Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers to help us refuel after a day at the beach. The Beef Teriyaki is my favorite!

Stroll through a farmer’s market. Bring reusable bags and fill up on fresh local produce!

See an outdoor movie. Pull in to a drive-in or catch a movie in the park. Some public pools also have “Float n’ Flick” events where you watch a movie while swimming! Volunteer. Lend a helping hand with park cleanups or offer to help at a soup kitchen or pet shelter.

Take a spin in a kayak. Hot tip: This is a great way to work out your abs and the life vests cover up your tummy.

Go on a geocaching adventure. This is also a great way to find off-the-beaten-path local spots.

Play at a splash pad. Everyone loves to cool off in these creative sprinklers.

Visit the museum. Play tourist in your hometown!

Put a pause on TV-time. Go on a fast from watching TV and instead play board games or read books.

Visit the fair. Make some time while you’re there to look at the cool exhibits and animals, in addition to the rides and attractions.

Go fishing. No poles? No problem! Bring a bucket to the creek and try to catch a crawdad!

Take a summer reading challenge. Libraries usually have a full schedule of summer activities, so we always make sure to take advantage of them.

Compile a Summer Photo Album. Don’t forget to snap a photo of each adventure. At the end of the summer put your pictures together for a homemade yearbook of summer family fun.

Have a late-afternoon picnic and watch the sunset. Rejuvenate your mind and soul with some fresh air and peaceful scenery.

Rearrange your living space. Give your living room or bedroom a fresh new look by switching around the furniture. Every time I do this it makes me feel like I moved into a new place!

Write a letter to a relative or friend. Break out the old-fashioned pencil and paper and let a loved one know you’re thinking of her.

Roast S’mores. In the backyard or at a campground, these tasty treats are easy to make anywhere you go!

Go for a nature walk. Bring binoculars and step silently. You’d be amazed at the wildlife you might find!

While it is a good idea to make the most of your summer days, I do not recommend taking on too much in one day! Give yourself a break. After a long day of summer fun, you can bet you won’t be in the mood to cook. I suggest having a quick and easy frozen meal on hand to fill hungry bellies after a busy day of summer adventures.

Since 1989, Healthy Choice has been offering healthy options with delicious gourmet flavors. They are easy to prepare, and cooked with steam for freshness you can taste. Find them at a Walmart near you!

Ways to Wear Out the Kids this Summer

I can’t believe summer is almost upon us. This year my kids get out of school on May 31st and all I can think of is what am I going to do to keep them busy all summer long? I’m totally outnumbered so the goal is to come up with ways to wear out the kids this summer that don’t take a lot of effort on my part. And let’s face it, the point isn’t not necessarily to keep them busy. I want these kids collapsing into bed at night completely wiped out from their day.

Ways to Wear Out the Kids this Summer

The best summer activities are the ones that take place outdoors. So ideally, I’m going to wear out the kids in the fresh air and sunshine so they’re not indoors destroying my apartment.

Make a Bike Course

Give the kids some sidewalk chalk and let them make paths to ride their bikes on. They can sue the chalk to draw lanes for the bikes or draw arrows to direct the wheeled traffic. Encourage them to think like a driver and create rules for the road. Mailboxes make great stop signs! They might even come up with community jobs like police officer or delivery truck driver.

Head to the Trampoline Park

This is a favorite destination for kids. While it’s not an outdoor activity, the exertion of all that jumping is guaranteed to wear the kids out by the end of the trip! If price is a concern, check Groupon or call the facility and ask if they are offering any specials.

Any Water Activity

Wear the kids out this summer with water activities

Get creative and think beyond pool, beach, and lake water. Even though my kids are way too big for a kiddie pool, they’ll still play in one on the back patio for hours. Dollar store squirt guns and water shooters add some excitement to a hot afternoon. Personally, I try and steer clear of water balloons. They make a huge mess and I usually end up getting asked to fill them anyway. The goal is to wear the kids out this summer, and not the mama!

Homegrown Olympic Games

Grab a few dollar store prizes and let the kids set up their own olympic games. With a little creativity (and a lot of hyping it up), this could potentially take them all day. I haven’t done this with my own kids, but I have done it with my elementary students. I had them make a flag to represent their team, come up with team colors, and practice their skill over and over. Things can get really competitive if you can scrounge up a timer for them to use.

The weather is too nice during the summer to stay indoors watching YouTube. If you need some help coming up with ways to wear out the kids this summer, I’ve got you covered. 😉

What are some fun, low-effort ways you keep kids busy during school vacation?

Family Beach Day | Tips for a Fantastic Beach Trip

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreeToBe #CollectiveBias

Beach tips and tricks for kids to have a fantastic day at the beach. Before you start packing (especially if you have a baby or toddler), check out these ideas for a family beach trip. If you are planning on going to the beach this summer, I know you will find something useful in these easy tips for a fantastic beach trip!

In my younger years I spent as much time as I could at the beach. It was so easy back then – I’d just grab my sarong and sunscreen and be out the door in minutes. Now that I’m a mom of 4, getting everyone to the beach and back home is a lot more work than it used to be! We’ve gotten pretty good at having a routine in place for packing our supplies for the trip and taking care of our summer things so they will last longer.

Whether your family makes frequent beach trips or just one or two a year, you will find useful takeaways in these tips for a fantastic beach trip.

Tips for a Fantastic Beach Trip

Stay sun safe
Young children need plenty of sun protection. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that is waterproof and protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Babies and toddlers should wear a swim shirt and hat for added protection.

Let there be shade
Bring a UV-blocking shade or umbrella to give your hot little kiddos a break from the sun. We have this great little tent (I mentioned it in this post about keeping babies sun safe) that we bring along when we’re going to be at the beach all day. It’s lighter and easier to carry than an umbrella, and all 3 little guys can fit inside.

Take care of your little one’s feet
Water shoes are great for babies and toddlers because the hot sand can burn their little feet. Children who are too small for flip flops can still play in the sand with these shoes on. But when sand gets in these shoes it can cause blisters. We put these on the little one when he wants to run around. Our 3 year olds would wear flip flops to walk across the hot sand. When they got to the cool, wet sand by the water they were fine in their bare feet.

Stay cool and hydrated
Bring water for everyone, and make sure they drink it! You can freeze one water bottle the night before to use as an ice pack, then as it thaws it’s a nice refreshing drink. We freeze Capri Sun drinks for the kids too. They usually defrost pretty quickly on a hot day. Everything gets packed in a big mesh beach bag. We’ve used that bag for our grab and go summer beach bag for over 2 years! Well worth the $17.

Protect your valuables
Keep your cell phone free of sand and water damage by storing it in a zip-top bag while you’re at the beach. Other small things like keys and jewelry can be zipped up as well to make sure they don’t get lost in the sand.

Keep your energy up
Pack high-protein snacks to keep kids (and parents) energized for a long day of sand and sun. Try celery sticks with peanut butter, cheese sticks, or trail mix. We also like to bring whole wheat graham crackers and fresh fruit to satisfy our cravings for sweets.

Leave only footprints
8 million tons of plastic enters the ocean each year. Bring a small bag to collect your wrappers and other trash, or pack trash back away with your belongings to throw out when you are near a trash can.

Entertain little ones too small for the waves
This is quite possibly one of my favorite tips for a fantastic beach trip of all time. My number one recommendation for parents is to bring a small shovel (we use a medium-sized garden spade shovel like this one from Home Depot) and use it to dig a wide, shallow hole. If you dig near the ocean, occasional waves will fill it with water. Youngsters who are too small to venture out into the waves can play in this little “kiddie pool” without having to worry about waves knocking them down. Every time we dig a hole at the beach, other kids end up joining us in the “pool”! Our little ones are now 4 and 6, and we still dig a hole every time we go to the beach. They love it!

Ban sand from the house
Once sand gets in the house, it can get tracked everywhere. Carry sandy toys to and from the beach in a open-weave basket or mesh bag. Shake excess sand from towels before getting in the car. Remove sand from your skin by shaking a little baby powder or cornstarch onto sandy hands and feet and the sand will brush right off. Rinse sand off of boogie boards, feet, and hair with the hose at home.

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Filling up on vitamin sea ? How are you holding up? It seems like there’s chaos everywhere we look these days. While there is a lot of work to be done to enact change, please make sure you’re taking care of yourself as well. Sometimes that means tucking your phone away in a closet, diving into a good book, putting on headphones and tuning everyone out, or giving your body a good yoga stretch. We can’t stand up for others if we’re falling apart ourselves. For me, the place I find rest is the beach. I love you. I see you. I’m here for you. ?????????? . . . . . . #momplusjoy #selfcareformoms #beachlife #wecandobetter #girlmom #sandiegomom #getoutdoors #raisingkindkids #surfsup #mindfulmotherhood
A post shared by Nikki | Simply Sweet Days (@simply_sweet_days) on Jun 1, 2020 at 2:49pm PDT

Wash people and laundry ASAP
Salt water and sand can really damage your laundry. Everyone will surely want to bathe right away, but don’t forget to clean all those beach towels and swimsuit cover-ups. We use all® free clear detergent and all® free clear fabric softener because I get allergies at unpredictable times of the year. Plus the all® free clear fabric softener makes our towels feel super soft! We buy ours at the Albertsons just down the street from us.

Take care of your swimsuit
You can prolong the fresh bright color of your swimsuits by washing them thoroughly once you get home. Here is how I make sure to get the most sand out of my suits after a beach trip.

Rinse and dry your swimsuit completely.

The next day shake the excess sand out of your swimsuit and scrub it in the sink with all® free clear detergent.

Rinse your suit again.
Add your suit to a regular load of laundry and wash as usual with all® free clear detergent and all® free clear fabric softener (be sure to follow the directions for use on the packaging exactly).

Swimsuits are not cheap. Thankfully, all® free clear helps preserve the look and life of swimsuits because it fights stains and brightens colors. all® free clear detergent and all® free clear fabric softener also get rid of 99% of allergens*, including cat and dog dander, dust mite matter, ragweed, grass, and tree pollen. Visit the all® free clear community and learn more about the brand’s allergy removal benefits! Plenty of other moms have great stuff to say about living free from sensitive skin worries. Stop by the hub for more #FreeToBe summer tips and tutorials.

While a trip to the beach is still a lot of work, we manage to make it stress-free by preparing well before we go. It helps to also have a system in place for cleaning up afterwards. Going to the beach is our favorite summer activity, but we find ourselves at the shore even during the off-season. It’s a great place to people-watch and enjoy nature.

How do you have fun all year long?

*all® free clear is not intended to treat or prevent allergies.