I got the idea from a blogging buddy to go visit a garden store like Southern Homes and Garden and enjoy the flowers and plants with the kids then have a picnic out on the grounds. So, one day my mom and I ventured out to do this and really had a great time. The kids love picnics. Sidenote: Kids love to eat outside. I don't know why. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not a big "eat outside" person. I love being outdoors, but I feel that food should be eaten in a cool, clean, and non-windy environment. Emphasis on the non-windy part.
But that's besides the point, because this day that we went out just happened to be a particularly lovely day. Actually it was perfect until we were leaving, when it started sprinkling and we could tell a storm was coming. Perfect timing, though. Anyways, this is a good idea for summer fun. It's a way to get out of the house and out in the open where kids can roam free. They also enjoyed the flowers in the store, which actually served as a mini botanical lesson. For them and me because they kept asking me what each flower was and I had to look at the tag on most to find out.
This activity is obviously free and would be even more fun with more kids (and their moms of course).
Showing posts with label Montgomery Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Montgomery Challenge. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Montgomery 003: Splash Pad Fun
I'm a bit behind on my Montgomery Challenge posts. I've actually been to quite a few places that I need to write about. So, to help catch up, here's a good one.
For those of you who I see on a regular basis, I know you've heard plenty about how much fun the splash pad is. In fact, a friend and I tried going there the other day with our kids, and I was so excited. You know how it's fun to take people to places that you've told them all about and how much fun they are. Well, this was like that. I don't know how much I've mentioned this splash pad to people and how much fun I think it is, but it feels like I've said it a lot. Anyways, we got down there and it was closed for some silly wedding rehearsel. I know, not cool. We did end up getting to go swimming.
Anyways, this is a must-see "attraction" (if you will) in Montgomery for kids of all ages. I've already taken the kids here about 4 or 5 times this summer. They have so much fun, and I'm thinking about even having Jack's birthday party there. It's just your regular splash pad, but still is a nice, cool break from normal summer activities. I think my kids like it so much because they have more control than they do in a pool.
To add to the fun, we ended up taking a picnic lunch. The amphitheater is right next to the splash pad, so it's a perfect spot for a picture perfect picnic (try saying that 5 times fast). The kids had such a great time. I tried showing them how to roll down the hill, and they tried, but I guess they're a bit too young for that because they didn't ever really get going.
Oh, and I almost forgot the best part about this kid venue. It's free! Absolutely free, fun, and open to the public, except when it's been reserved (which costs $3000, by the way........crazy). If you do decide to go check it out one day, do what I should have done this last time and call (241-2100) ahead to see if it's open and not being reserved for something. Also, if you get there and the water is not on, just place your hand on the black top of the blue post and the water will start. It's weird, but it works. I guess it's some kind of pressure sensor or something.
INFO:
Riverwalk Splashpad
355 Coosa St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
Bring change for parking meter!
For those of you who I see on a regular basis, I know you've heard plenty about how much fun the splash pad is. In fact, a friend and I tried going there the other day with our kids, and I was so excited. You know how it's fun to take people to places that you've told them all about and how much fun they are. Well, this was like that. I don't know how much I've mentioned this splash pad to people and how much fun I think it is, but it feels like I've said it a lot. Anyways, we got down there and it was closed for some silly wedding rehearsel. I know, not cool. We did end up getting to go swimming.
Anyways, this is a must-see "attraction" (if you will) in Montgomery for kids of all ages. I've already taken the kids here about 4 or 5 times this summer. They have so much fun, and I'm thinking about even having Jack's birthday party there. It's just your regular splash pad, but still is a nice, cool break from normal summer activities. I think my kids like it so much because they have more control than they do in a pool.
To add to the fun, we ended up taking a picnic lunch. The amphitheater is right next to the splash pad, so it's a perfect spot for a picture perfect picnic (try saying that 5 times fast). The kids had such a great time. I tried showing them how to roll down the hill, and they tried, but I guess they're a bit too young for that because they didn't ever really get going.
Oh, and I almost forgot the best part about this kid venue. It's free! Absolutely free, fun, and open to the public, except when it's been reserved (which costs $3000, by the way........crazy). If you do decide to go check it out one day, do what I should have done this last time and call (241-2100) ahead to see if it's open and not being reserved for something. Also, if you get there and the water is not on, just place your hand on the black top of the blue post and the water will start. It's weird, but it works. I guess it's some kind of pressure sensor or something.
INFO:
Riverwalk Splashpad
355 Coosa St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
Bring change for parking meter!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Montgomery 002: Old Alabama Town
Last week I decided to take the kids to check out Old Alabama Town. Actually, I really was just taking them to the playground there because it cost money to go on the whole tour. The tour sounds cool (I really can't remember if I've ever been), but I really am looking for mainly free stuff with this whole challenge thing and didn't want to spend the money. If you want to go check it out and go on the tour, if you haven't already, I think it's like $8 for an adult and the children 5 and under are free.
Anyways, the playground was really cool and the kids enjoyed it. After they worked up a good sweat playing out in the scorching heat (yeah, we kind of did this on the fly and I wasn't really paying attention to the time so we were out there at the hottest and sunniest time of the day; not a good idea because everything on the playground was so hot), then we walked across the street to the Tucker Pecan Company and got ice cream cones. Pink for Riley, green for Jack. They don't care what the flavor is, just the color.
Anyways, the playground was really cool and the kids enjoyed it. After they worked up a good sweat playing out in the scorching heat (yeah, we kind of did this on the fly and I wasn't really paying attention to the time so we were out there at the hottest and sunniest time of the day; not a good idea because everything on the playground was so hot), then we walked across the street to the Tucker Pecan Company and got ice cream cones. Pink for Riley, green for Jack. They don't care what the flavor is, just the color.
The Montgomery Challenge: Mission 001
The first place we went is the most obvious place to take kids for a free and fun outing if you live in Montgomery. The museum of fine arts, of course. They have such a fun kids area. I grew up going there regularly. Since I was little, though, it has expanded by at least half it's original size. The kids actually enjoyed jumping off the steps in the little amphitheater more than anything.
Never fail, the race car track is always the favorite "exhibit," and we end up staying over in that section for half an hour usually. I really don't see how watching a little stock car going around and around in the same path can be entertaining for that long.
I was watching two other kids besides mine that day, and we were at a house that was close enough to the museum to walk there, so we enjoyed the scenery along the way. The museum is a great place to go on a rainy day or really any day, and if you haven't been there (which I'm sure if you're reading this and live in Montgomery you probably have) you should totally go. It's fun, educational, and let's the kids exercise their creativity.
Never fail, the race car track is always the favorite "exhibit," and we end up staying over in that section for half an hour usually. I really don't see how watching a little stock car going around and around in the same path can be entertaining for that long.
I was watching two other kids besides mine that day, and we were at a house that was close enough to the museum to walk there, so we enjoyed the scenery along the way. The museum is a great place to go on a rainy day or really any day, and if you haven't been there (which I'm sure if you're reading this and live in Montgomery you probably have) you should totally go. It's fun, educational, and let's the kids exercise their creativity.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Montgomery Challenge
I love taking the kids to do fun things around town. Every time I think of or see a new place that might be kid-friendly and fun, I try to take the kids there. Last spring and summer we pretty much spent most days at the pool. While that is very fun, I'd like to branch out a bit more and add some variety. Now that the weather is getting warmer I'm trying to get out more. I'm constantly on the internet looking to see if there's something going on around town that I can take the kids to; something to do so that we're not just sitting at home on my days off. I never can find anything online.
Growing up here, my mom took us to a lot of neat places around the city and now there are even more great places to go. You just have to look for them. Just go downtown and you have history and character tucked into every little corner. You just have to know where to go.
I hear a lot of people say Montgomery is boring and there's nothing to do here. I've said it myself MANY times. But I'm determined to find fun in this city. So, I am challenging myself.
What I've decided to do is to hit all the fun kid spots around town that are cheap (preferrably free) and I will post about each spot so you too can discover what Montgomery has to offer in the way of kid venues. Let me know if you would like to join us in our journey to find the fun in Montgomery. Also, if you have any suggestions, feel free to share. Operation 001 will start this Friday. Call me and I'll tell you when and where. Be there!
Growing up here, my mom took us to a lot of neat places around the city and now there are even more great places to go. You just have to look for them. Just go downtown and you have history and character tucked into every little corner. You just have to know where to go.
I hear a lot of people say Montgomery is boring and there's nothing to do here. I've said it myself MANY times. But I'm determined to find fun in this city. So, I am challenging myself.
What I've decided to do is to hit all the fun kid spots around town that are cheap (preferrably free) and I will post about each spot so you too can discover what Montgomery has to offer in the way of kid venues. Let me know if you would like to join us in our journey to find the fun in Montgomery. Also, if you have any suggestions, feel free to share. Operation 001 will start this Friday. Call me and I'll tell you when and where. Be there!
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