Summer is one of my favourite seasons as a mum. After spending so much of the winter indoors, it feels amazing to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and find new ways to keep my four-year-old entertained.
My daughter is full of energy. She definitely has her quieter moments, but for the most part she is always on the go. While I can’t say there is one magical activity that guarantees she’ll be exhausted by bedtime, I have noticed that a day spent outdoors often leads to a smoother evening routine.
Our bedtime routine stays the same year-round. Bath time starts around 6:30 pm, she’s settled into bed by 7:30 pm, and usually asleep by about 7:40 pm. Once she’s asleep, I can finally head downstairs, put on something from Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime, and enjoy a little quiet time to myself.
These are some of our favourite summer activities that help make the most of the season.
Splash Pads and Water Parks
rotary park splash pad
If you asked my daughter what her favourite summer activity is, I have no doubt she would say splash pads.
We often visit Rotary Park in Brockville, and we’ve also spent time at the beach and water park in Prescott. Rotary Park has become one of our favourite summer spots. There is something about running through the water spouts that my daughter absolutely loves. She enjoys splashing everyone around her, including me and her Gigi, and she could happily spend hours running from one spray feature to the next.
One of the things I love most about splash pads is that they don’t have to cost a fortune. You can pack plenty of snacks, throw some towels in the car, and enjoy an entire afternoon without spending much money at all.
As parents, it’s easy to feel pressure to plan expensive outings, but toddlers rarely care about the price tag. My daughter certainly doesn’t. As long as she is having fun, she’s happy.
Beach Days
Beach days are another summer favourite in our family.
We enjoy visiting St. Lawrence Park and the beach in Prescott. Over the years, I’ve watched my daughter become more confident around the water. What once required constant hand-holding has slowly turned into independent exploring, splashing, and wading into the water on her own.
Watching that confidence grow has been one of my favourite parts of summer.
Of course, every beach trip also involves plenty of snacks. Any parent of a toddler knows that snacks are practically a requirement for a successful outing.
The best part is that a beach day doesn’t need a complicated itinerary. Sometimes it’s simply about spending time together, enjoying the sunshine, and making memories.
Neighbourhood Walks
Some of our simplest outings are often the most enjoyable.
We regularly take walks around our neighbourhood and spend time at Hardy Park. Sometimes it’s just the two of us, while other times Gigi joins us as well.
My daughter walks for part of the journey and rides in the stroller for the rest. Along the way she stops to investigate flowers, bugs, dogs, birds, construction vehicles, and pretty much anything else that catches her attention.
What I enjoy most about our walks is the fresh air and seeing the world through her eyes. Children notice things adults often overlook, and it’s a reminder to slow down and appreciate the little things.
These walks are just as beneficial for me as they are for her. They give us both a chance to get outside, move our bodies, and enjoy a change of scenery.
Backyard Play
Not every summer activity requires leaving home.
Some of our best summer afternoons happen right in our backyard.
We have a small gazebo that acts like a little playhouse, and my daughter loves spending time in there with her toys. She creates imaginative games, builds little worlds, and happily moves between activities.
We also have a water play station, bubbles, foam airplanes, balls, and a small trampoline designed just for her.
During the week, we might spend around thirty minutes outside in the evening. On weekends, that can easily stretch anywhere from one to three hours depending on the weather.
What I love about backyard play is how simple it is. There is no packing the car, no travel time, and no extra expense. Sometimes I can sit down for a few minutes while she plays independently, which every parent can appreciate.
Summer Activities Don’t Have to Be Expensive
rotary park
One lesson I’ve learned over the years is that toddlers don’t need extravagant entertainment.
Adults often overthink activities and worry about creating the perfect day. Meanwhile, children are perfectly content running through a splash pad, collecting rocks on a walk, or blowing bubbles in the backyard.
Even a simple outing can mean the world to a toddler.
I was reminded of this at the end of last summer. We drove past one of our local splash pads after the season had ended. The weather had turned cooler and all of the equipment had already been packed away.
My daughter looked over and asked if we could go to the splash pad.
It was such a simple moment, but it reminded me how much those summer adventures meant to her. Not because they were expensive or elaborate, but because they were fun.
As parents, we sometimes put pressure on ourselves to do more. The truth is that some of the best summer memories come from the simplest activities.
Whether we’re spending the day at the beach, visiting a splash pad, taking a walk around the neighbourhood, or playing in the backyard, those moments together are what summer is really about.
If you enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I enjoyed writing it, you may want to read one of these others:
Spring new starts & new routines with a growing toddler
Spring fresh meals my toddler loves
How I explain our family structure to my toddler
I share more real-life moments from single motherhood, Ontario adventures, everyday style, food finds, and behind-the-scenes blogging over on Instagram.
Come say hello: @lifeofgem28
Leave a Reply