Summer is a time for more play and less work, a relaxed dress code at the office, and countless opportunities to enjoy some quality outside time with your family and friends. I can hardly believe it but with the Fourth of July 2014 now being a mere memory, we are in full swing summer mode!
For me, summer has always meant fun in the sun, cookouts and and unforgettable memories. While some things have changed, much about the summertime remains the same. Although the parents of today wouldn't dare hit the beach without lathering on the sunscreen, we will still build similar sandcastles with our children and comb the sand for seashells. When we get home from our exhausting day at the beach, the ice cream truck will still drive up and down our streets chiming those same tunes we heard echoing through our neighborhoods when we were kids.
If you're short on ideas of what to include on your 2014 summer bucket list, it is not too late to plan some amazing adventures! The Runitlikeamom Summer Pail of Fun is packed full of our bloggers' favorite summer family activities. It is not too late to make this summer a summer to remember. Start planning something fun NOW!
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Hit the Beach!
Watch Hill Beach in Westerly, Rhode Island is a pristine beach with soft white sand and impressive waves! There is a charming downtown area and a working antique carousel. Parking can be expensive but is well worth the cost. Rocky Neck State Park is located in East Lyme, Connecticut and is a terrific spot for picnicking, saltwater fishing and crabbing, hiking, camping, and swimming. Rocky Neck is also an ideal spot to view wildlife such as ospreys and cranes. Ocean Beach Park in New London, Connecticut has a boardwalk with rides and games in addition to a sugar-sand beach if you are looking for a busier beach atmosphere.
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If you're not local to New England, please share your favorite local beach and tell us what makes it so special!
Park it!
Kent Falls State Park in Kent, Connecticut is a wonderful place to explore some of nature's beauty. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear so you can hike the waterfalls. Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts has something for everyone, including hiking, train rides, mini-golf, pedal boats and a zoo. Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida is an amazing place to view more than 1,000 different animals and features engaging, interactive exhibits. Lefferts Pond Area in the Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont is a great place to catch (and release) frogs and salamanders and also offers hiking, fishing and picnicking. Splash pads seem to be the latest craze and can be a lifesaver on a hot day. Wolcott Park is a local Connecticut favorite but a little research should yield plenty of options for you to splash and play in your area.
Shop til you drop (or until the kids get cranky)!
Shopping with kids doesn't have to be a drag as these days there are tons of kid-friendly outdoor shopping centers to choose from. Lee Premium Outlets in Lee, Massachusetts offers coin operated rides to keep the kiddies occupied. Tanger Outlets in Westbrook, Connecticut is also a good choice with the option to follow up a shopping trip with a movie (theater next door) or a bite to eat at Bill's Seafood. Speaking of movies, The Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton, Connecticut offer outdoor drive-in style movies complete with pre-show circus entertainment throughout the summer. Don't forget the bug spray!
Rainy Day Fun
Because not all summer days are sunny, we recommend having a few rainy day options on your bucket list. Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont offers more than 140 exhibits of hands-on learning fun! Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester, Connecticut is a former schoolhouse with exhibits that are always changing and special programs are offered daily. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory truly is magical with opportunities to view nearly 4,000 exotic and domestic butterflies in a tropical environment. The Trash Museum in Hartford, Connecticut presents a unique and fun opportunity to teach your kids about the importance of recycling and responsible waste disposal.
How will you make memories this summer?
Originally published on http://runitlikeamom.com
