I didn't intend to write this post this week we had plans of this weeks "Explore Outdoors" to be an outing to our local castle to extend J's current interest in Knights but as T wasn't well last week and this week I've been under the weather as well (remember a Mum can't be ill). Where I grew up we had 1 playground that all children used - the younger children on the way home from school and teenagers on an evening.
However, where we have moved to we are in a town and there is a huge range of playgrounds within the town for children to explore. Our local council has a website which details where they are as well as give an age range - they have designated Toddler playgrounds, Junior and ones for all ages. Our two local ones are designated as Junior playgrounds but they both have equipment that is suitable for J and T to play on.
Over last summer I also explored outside of our immediate playgrounds and found 2 in the town that had installed water features for fun in the summer - these were great during term time on a summer's day and I can't wait for the warmer weather and to take J and T there to enjoy the water fountains and pools at these parks.
We have a slide and swing in our own garden as well as paddling pool, sand pit and a water table but even with these a trip to the swings and slides when mentioned J gets really excited and we have to run to them. He has named the slide frame nearest to our house his pirate ship and the one by the library is a fort. From the little toddler that this time last year who wouldn't climb up a ladder unaided he now explores the frames, ladders, roundabouts on his own and it's lovely to see his enjoyment of them grow with each visit.
Our book link this week is a really funny book about a visit to the Park and a little boy hunting for a Shark in the park. This was read to us at playgroup last year and has since become a regular loan from the library as J really likes the story, the repetition and the pictures in the book.
Have you explored your local playgrounds recently? What puts you off visiting them if you haven't?
Cerys Parker
Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, high school teacher and mum. Realising that life doesn't have to be put on hold and you don't just have to survive whilst the kids are young she shares ideas to inspire you to LIVE with the kids, with activities to do together, recipes to cook and enjoy and family travel to make memories to last a lifetime.
Sam Cross says
You and especially your children are very lucky to be in an area that is well served with playgrounds. As the dreaded budget cuts are made there is less and less in the pot to maintain the grounds and equipment and some have even been closed off around us. It is a terrible shame!
Isil says
We love Nick Sharatt so much. But haven't read this book yet.must reserve from library.Thanks for linking up to Book Sharing Monday.
JDaniel4s Mom says
Thank your for linking to Read.Explore.Learn. They looks so happy! Love the boots!
maggy,red ted art says
Look at that happy face! Yay!
Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
he loves it now 😀 makes my heart melt every time we go
Veronica says
That's cool they a website set up. I wish we had our choice of cool parks to play at. I think I need to move. J/k. I have never seen those kids of swings before. They look like their having fun. what better activity than going to the park.
Veronica
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
The swings are brilliant can put them both in and swing them at the same time - they have ones with a baby seat and a child seat as well which will be great when J is a little older.
I am only just finding out playgrounds it's great though that I know where to go I wish more places had a system set up