Summer Fun for the Pre-K Set

Summer has just begun and I’m already getting a lot of use out of my water table and swing set but soon even my 18 month old is going to demand something new and further from our backyard.
Fun with little ones can sometimes be an oxymoron – there is sometimes so much preparation involved in taking our children to certain places (I’m looking at you, beach!) that it’s exhausting just thinking about going. Keep the fun in your summer plans with some quick activities close to home and, if you are feeling adventurous, a few slightly more far-off adventures.

 

Local library.

I’ve touted the wonders of your local library in the past and I’m bringing it back because of the great summer reading
programs most libraries have going on when school is out. Your child doesn’t have to be able to read on her own to participate in most programs.
If you read a book, you jot down the title. Once you have read a certain number of books or pages to your child, she can pick out a prize. Depending on your library program, prizes range from bookmarks to ice cream to admission to local museums. Summer reading programs also have many fun activities for kids of all ages including painting classes, yoga lessons, and movie nights.

 

Visit a Farm.

Many local farms offer tours as well as activities such as berry picking. Even toddlers can pick strawberries
and blueberries and put them in a bucket…although many may end up in their mouths! Most local farms even have
Facebook pages to keep you updated on new animals, crops, and events.

 

Get Wet!

There are lots of opportunities for water play that don’t involve sandy diapers. Splash pads are a great alternative to the beach. Capron Zoo, Kent County YMCA, and WWII Veterans Memorial Park are a few examples of local splash pads.
Roger Williams Park Zoo has some water features in its Big Backyard and The Providence Children’s Museum offers an indoor water room for rainy or poor air quality days.
The Dinosaur Place, located in Connecticut, is a little bit of a hike but well worth it if you have a future paleontologist in the house. They offer a dinosaur themed hike that ends in a sizeable splash pad area.

 

See a Movie Under the Stars.

It’s so hard to get kids to bed in the summer. Why not give up the fight one night and check out a drive-in movie?
The Misquamicut Drive-In offers many rated G and PG options this summer. The Rustic Drive-In offers a double feature.
After the kid-friendly movie, mom and dad can watch a current movie while the kids doze off in the back seat.
Bring a blanket to Rocky Point Movies in the Park. Showtime starts at dusk and, while there is no concession stand, there are plenty of local food trucks that stop by.

 

Amusement Parks.

Speaking of Rocky Point, most amusement parks are located at least an hour or so away but that doesn’t have to
stop you from enjoying a short day trip. Six Flags has a great kiddy section as well as a small water park.
Edaville Railroad has Thomas the Train and Dinosaur themed areas. If you are up for a road trip, New Hampshire offers amusement parks for kids of all ages. Santa’s Village and Storyland are excellent for the littlest kids. Canobie Lake and Lake Compounce would be great for families with a mixture of younger and older children.