Family Matters: Old-Fashioned Summer Outings

Friday, August 05, 2011

Anisa Raoof, GoLocalProv Family Expert

There's still a whole lot of summer left for family fun. Start with an old-fashioned day exploring the countryside off our own Route 44.

Kido Tip 1. Take a rhode trip to Smithfield.

We love exploring Rhode Island discovering new things to do with our family in the Ocean State. This week on Kidoinfo, Elyse Major wrote about her recent rhode trip. "Looking for a new-to-you destination that doesn’t

require a full tank of gas? Head to Smithfield, Rhode Island for some good old fashioned fun. Just fifteen minutes from Providence, Smithfield offers a pleasing blend of outdoor activities in an atmosphere that mixes scenic with suburban." Read more here.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Kido Tip 2. Explore a new beach.

Everyone in a Rhode Island seems to have their favorite go-to beach. When my children were toddlers we loved Roger Wheeler State Beach for its playground, soft sand, bathrooms, showers, crafts and storytimes. As my kids get older and are more adventurous swimmers we tend to pick a beach with waves and space to bogey board. We now love Narragansett Town Beach. Although it can get crowded, we enjoy riding the waves and strolling to the end of the beach where we can watch the big kids surf. Before the summer is over, explore someplace new with your family. Check the list of beaches here for inspiration.

Kido Tip 3. Getting ready for back to school.

Hard to believe that school is only weeks away and for some of us our kiddos go back the end of August—before Labor Day. So now is the time to to start thinking about the school year. Before you shop, check your home for extra school supplies; pencils, folders, glue sticks and scissors. I know we have unused folders and empty notebooks from last year. While searching for school supplies, clean up or set up a (home) work station for children. If you have a kid starting kindergarten, ease the transition by setting up the space together, decorate a pencil box, find a family photo to tuck in their back pack and read books about starting school. If you need to shop for school supplies, now is the best time for deals. Read more in the Kidoinfo Back to School Guide.

Anisa Raoof is the publisher and founder of Kidoinfo, the parents' guide for Rhode Island and beyond.

If you valued this article, please LIKE GoLocalProv.com on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.