[tag]Bubbles[/tag]
Alternate who has them. When you have them you’ll find other children gravitate towards you and it helps to facilitate [tag]friendships[/tag]. At our local [tag]park[/tag] it’s always a little windy so we get so many more bubbles for little effort- a big bonus for the Middle guy who’s learning to blow.
 Snack + drink
Bring something nutritious to keep up their energy and head off the, ” I’m hungry! Let’s go home”. Or worse food envy from the other parents with their snacks. Keeping hydrated is so important too.
Ball or Frisbee
Something that can be shared. Kicking a ball is no fun by yourself or with your sibling…again. But having a toy can be a great way to meet new friends at the [tag]playground[/tag].
Camera
This is a tricky one. I love taking pictures. But try very hard to take them just of my kids as many parents don’t like it. I get my camera out and make a big deal of it so parents who don’t want their child in the frame will either move away or say something. That’s fine by me. Catching those smiles and pure [tag]play[/tag] excitement on camera is the best.
And one for the parents…………. your attention.
Catching up on email, voicemail, calling back folks and generally multitasking any of those things mean you are not 100% present.Going to the park has become to some like sitting the kids infront of [tag]TV[/tag] , a way to get things done. Although this is a better solution than TV, it’s no fun having your parent there but not, head down typing.Nor is it fun hearing kids yelling constantly to get parents attention..
Plan more trips to the playground without the phone or laptop than with.
Join in and run around with your child like this family. Playgrounds are a lot of fun for both of you to connect with laughter and strong memories.
………forgot my camera as Big guy made it across the [tag]Monkey bars[/tag] for the first time. I wish I had captured that expression of absolute surprise, delight and triumph. The inspiration for this post.
*What must haves do you swear by to take to the playground? *
** Don’t forget what you can win in the celebration contest
open until Wednesday 29 Oct 2008. **
Other great playground posts
Pinpoint public playgrounds along your road trip route
I definately agree with the BRING THE CAMERA note… You young Mom’s have no excuse with digital camera’s at such reasonable prices… My kids are 19 & 22 and when they were little we had to deal with all the film developing and how many duplicate prints for whom!!! The other thing I would add is to get your kids in on the fun of photography too…. They see the world from a whole different perspective and that way there might also be a picture of YOU.. the MOM to put in the scrapbooks… sometimes their off framing, and crooked camera holding gives you the most interesting shots of the day!
You are so right Chris. I love the height perspective the little ones give us. The BG always seems to get our middle. 🙂 Thanks for the comment