Family Matters: Great Picnic Ideas & More

Friday, May 27, 2011

Anisa Raoof, GoLocalProv Family Expert

Here comes the warm weather and great ideas for enjoying it out there with the kidos.

Kido Tip 1. Pack a picnic.

Clean out the cooler and the picnic basket! Seems the weather this weekend will finally be good enough for dining out doors. Along with your favorite foods (read some food suggestions on Kidoinfo), pack water bottles,

cloth napkins, blanket, trash bag (since some parks and beaches require you to dispose of your trash) and game equipment (balls, Frisbees, and buckets).

Favorite Picnic Spots: Goddard State Park, Beavertail Park, and our backyard!

Kido Tip 2. Watch the bees.

Neighbors recently moved in behind us and installed a bee house on the edge of our yard. I never thought much of beekeeping before and I must admit I am a bit scared of bees, having been stung before. I know this fear comes from lack of knowledge and as a parent my job is to dispel myths, do away with unnecessary fears and take advantage of teachable moments such as this one. Our neighbors' beekeeping provides a great opportunity for my family to learn about the life of bees. We have already been amazed to learn that bees "vote" for their residence (unless they get a fancy condo like the one out back) by dancing. We plan to research bee habits and find recipes that include honey. Seems like a good time to revisit some Winnie the Pooh books as well.

Recommended reading: Robbing the Bees by Holley Bishop

Kido Tip 3. Plan a mystery trip.

I am not always big on advance planning but I enjoy going on adventures with my kids. I love Jaci Arnone's idea of taking a Mystery Trip or as some parents may say - winging it. She recently set out in the morning equipped with a day's necessities (snacks, miscellaneous spare clothing, a reloaded Starbucks card) and only a very loose game plan. With a son who had recently finished a report on Henry David Thoreau, she decided to take her kids to Walden Woods and then on to Minute Man National Historical Park. Other local attractions include: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Ralph Waldo Emerson House, and the The Wayside: Home of Authors. Read details of trip to Concord, MA here on Kidoinfo.

Rhode Island Mystery Trips: Block Island, Adamsville/Gray's Grist Mill, Charlestown Breachway.