For many summer vacation is here and the question is how to spend it?
The long hot days of summer are seldom lazy or relaxing if you have kids to entertain all day. With most of our usual plans like summer camps and travel modified for the coming months, the question is how to fill our days? Road trips across country or flights to the tropics are probably not as likely this summer, so staying local might be the ticket. Luckily living in the Treasure Valley affords us a bounty of options that will keep the kids busy and might offer a welcome change of pace sprinkled with a smidge of sanity.
The key is to keep the preparation time minimal and the activity to two or three hours. With the soaring temperatures in the dead of summer and to beat the heat, try heading out in the morning, returning by early afternoon. For convenience, keep a bag packed with a first aid kit, sunscreen, bug repellent, water bottles, and a few granola bars for those little emergencies. Keeping the bag tucked away in the trunk will serve for peace of mind.
Take this list of suggestions and tailor it to your interests and needs. It is also essential to try adding a new twist to activities that have already been experienced. And do involve the kids when making plans. They will feel included and excited about the adventures.
1. Rack up those bikes and head out on a ride. If you are not looking for rugged terrain, stick to a local bike trail. Though it may seem obvious, the Boise Greenbelt is beautiful this time of year and offers 25-miles of meandering riverside paths. Go to the City of Boise website and click on Parks to find a map showing all of the places to start and end your excursion. Take your camera to capture the scenery along the way!
2. If you are a family out for a rugged experience, go for a rafting trip down the Payette! World-class rapids are almost at our doorstep here in Boise. Just a short 45-minute drive north on Highway 55, and you will arrive at Cascade Raft & Kayak, where the river guides will take you on a fun-filled and action-packed whitewater adventure. Visit cascaderaft.com for reservations.
3. Go cherry-picking. If cherries aren’t your jam, try other seasonal U-Picks. Last summer, we went to a farm that also allowed people to picnic in the middle of the orchard as long as you haul out your garbage and respect the trees. We ended up with five buckets brimming with juicy ripe cherries. They also offered U-Pick apricots which we took full advantage. There are many farms that offer other types of fresh produce all of which are located in the Valley in Emmett, Caldwell, and Nampa. It's easy to search out these farms on the internet and check ahead to learn of their policies this year.
4. Pack some food and head to the Kuna Greenbelt for a picnic. Bring a blanket, frisbee, and a kite, and provide your own family fun. It is located alongside Indian Creek from behind Indian Creek Elementary to Orchard Street.
5. Take a stroll along the river on a family-friendly path that winds through Esther Simplot Park. For a fun challenge, count how many different types of birds you see or encounter along the way. We are big on picnics so don’t forget to pack one, or maybe just bring some snacks for the family. There are plenty of places to lay out a blanket over by the ponds and watch the kayaks, canoes, and paddleboarders glide by. Better yet, if you own a canoe or raft, take a cruise around the ponds and take in the beautiful scenery.
6. Create a fairy village in your very own yard with simple supplies you can find around your house or pick up at the craft store. Using popsicle sticks, twine, and little rocks, you can make a magical world that will tickle your children’s imaginations and maybe yours too. Search out fairy house plans on the internet for some ideas on how to build your own mystical creations. We made some cute tables and chairs out of wood thread spindles and rustic wood discs both of which we found at Hobby Lobby last summer.
7. During the squelching days, a cool down is always welcome. Make your own popsicles, with your kids' help, of course. It's easy to do and when you are done eating the refreshing treat, use the sticks for the fairy village. Just throw 1 1/4 cups of fresh or frozen fruit in a blender or food processor with a can of full-fat coconut milk and 1-2 tbsp of sweetener of choice. Adjust sweetener to taste. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze!
8. Head to Jump Creek Falls Trail for a family-friendly hike. Nestled at the foot of the Owyhee’s, the quarter-mile-long trail leads to the canyon’s largest falls that drop a whopping 60 feet, a beautiful oasis on a hot summer day. Just a short hour-long drive from Boise, this trail is a great place to pack a picnic and head out for a quick adventure. Wear your swim togs and bring a towel because it boasts a cooling dipping pool within an alcove. Start out early as the attraction is bustling during the heat. Located just north of Marsing, take I-84 toward Marsing and follow the signs.
9. Make your own backyard smores party. Stoke the fire pit and roast some marshmallows with the kiddos. If you don’t have a fire pit, you can use a barbecue or make oven smores and go sit outside for a treat under the stars. The ingredients and preparation are simple, get some large marshmallows, a package of graham crackers and chocolate bars. Roast the marshmallows until they are lightly browned and soft in the middle, then sandwich the marshmallow between two halves of a graham cracker and a generous hunk of chocolate. The heat from the marshmallow will melt the chocolate into a gooey and delicious treat.
10. Let the kids stay up late and treat them to a drive-in movie. The Treasure Valley has two places to choose from located in Parma and Caldwell. For times and addresses, put in the term drive-in movie into your browser search. Pack some classic special treats like microwave popcorn, red ropes, and milk duds and wash it down with a soda. Make sure to pack pillows and blankets to get cozy, recline your seat, and enjoy the show.
11. Got talent? Host a showcase in your living room. Have each family member prepare a skit, song, or dance, then present it to the whole family. Encourage the kids to set up a stage, seating, and handmake programs. The preparations will keep them busy for hours.