Summertime for most of us brings up distant memories of eternal summers spent playing in the water and the sunshine. Just because we are grown up now doesn’t mean we can’t still have some summer fun! There are many inexpensive ways you and your pups can take advantage of the long days and warm nights.
For starters, I think we can all agree that there is something so nostalgic about hooking up the sprinkler to the water hose and running back and forth through the water in your backyard. This is a great activity for kids, adults and dogs alike to beat the summer heat! To elevate the experience, add a bubble machine to the mix and run through the sprinkler and the bubbles! Your pups will have a great time biting and pawing at the bubbles!
Freeze your dog’s favorite treats and toys inside a bowl filled with water the night before the sprinkler party to add yet another cool element. Your dog will enjoy the cooling effects of the ice while gnawing and pawing their way through to get those tasty treats and fun toys! You can even make “pupsicles” by blending half a ripe banana with one cup peanut butter and enough water to make the mixture liquid. Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray or Kong toy and freeze.
As the evening sunset fades into the night, be sure to keep an eye out for the dog star, Sirius, to appear in the sky for the perfect ending to a perfect summer day. Here are four other, fun places you can enjoy with your dogs!
Drakes Creek Park Greenway
A 3.5-mile out-and-back trail in Hendersonville. Considered an easy route, it is a mostly a flat trail that runs along a creek and takes about an hour to complete. There is a restroom at the turnaround point and playgrounds for kids. Dogs are welcome and may even be off-leash in some areas! Bring your bike, kids, scooters, dogs, a bottle of water and a smile for this relaxing trail!
Hendersonville Farmers Market
Bring your family and your pups on Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 1:30pm! This amazing farmer’s market hosts local growers selling their fresh, naturally-raised veggies, fruits, herbs, meats, eggs and honey, as well as local bakers serving homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls, breads and other pastries! Buy a hand-carved wooden bowl, an embroidery kit, some goat’s milk soap or organic treats for your pup while you are there!
Rock Castle Summer Song Writer Series
Monthly, relaxing, outdoor family-friendly musical entertainment featuring talented local song writers performing original music. This event hosts local food trucks and locally-crafted beer brewers, as well as organized games and inflatables for the kids! Bring a picnic blanket, lawn chairs, your leashed pups and your family! Rock Castle has been voted, “The Best Outdoor Music Venue” in Sumner County. Admission is $10 for guests age 13 and up. Kids younger than 13 are free!
Nectar Urban Cantina (206 McGavock Pike, East Nashville)
One of the hippest and tastiest dog- and kid-friendly restaurants in East Nashville. With live music, an outdoor playground, freshly made juices, an outdoor margarita bar and a menu that focuses on seasonal, healthy Mexican-inspired cuisine, what’s not to love? With tons of summer concerts and monthly pop-ups, grab the family and the dogs, and head on over for an afternoon of fun!