What to do With Kids When There Are No Playgrounds
One thing that can be tricky about visiting urban areas with kids is finding a playground near the major attractions. I've written before about using Google Maps to locate a playground when there is one, but what do you do when there isn't?
E blows bubbles at a park in Barcelona, Spain
Here are a few things I carry in my daypack so that we can turn any town square or open space into a fun play area for the kids
- An inflatable Gertie Ball
. These balls are compact enough to carry in my daypack, easy to inflate, and sturdy enough to stand up to lots of kicking. If you don't inflate them fully, they're easy for a young baby to grab a hold of, but if you inflate them all the way, they are nice and bouncy.
- Bubble solution is easy to pick up anywhere in the world, inexpensive, and makes even a small open space fun. When you run out, you can experiment with your own solution of hotel shampoo, restaurant packet sugar, and water.
- Birdseed is easy to pick up in a grocery store or from a pet shop. As long as you are careful to follow local norms about where it is ok to feed the birds, a little birdseed is a great way to entertain children of any age.
Readers: What do you carry in your daypack when you travel?
8 comments |
Posted on April 20, 2010 |
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victoria on April 20, 2010 at 3:34 a.m.
We bought small water pistols for our children in Switzerland. Every street had a drinking fountain to fill them with and of course they are endlessly entertaining. The best £5 we spent all summer!
Monica on April 20, 2010 at 1:29 p.m.
Oh, the Gertie ball is genius. We have one, but I never thought to deflate it and stick it in the daypack. Thanks!
Debbie on April 20, 2010 at 1:37 p.m.
@victoria I love the water pistols idea, of course that would work great!
@monica I keep mine in my suitcase - I never think to bring it out when we are home - I guess that makes us opposites!
Jeri on April 21, 2010 at 3:48 a.m.
We live in a place in Papua New Guinea that got its first playground this year, so we've had to be creative. Sidewalk chalk is light to carry and kids love it. (Just watch where you choose to leave your art!) Also, little bouncy balls or a piece of paper for making a paper airplane or boat comes in handy.
Debbie on April 21, 2010 at 3:31 p.m.
Jeri, great tips! I completely forgot about (and keep meaning to try) those little pocket sized kites I've been seeing around.
Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences on April 22, 2010 at 3:06 p.m.
Some of these great tips sound like fun for adults too :-)
Randy @thelollipoproad on April 23, 2010 at 5:54 a.m.
A jump rope or mini frisbee are also compact and keep the little ones occupied.
TulipGirl on May 1, 2010 at 11:56 a.m.
Not for the very smallest of children, but I have used my digital camera to entertain the kids in places that are less than child-friendly. Give a kindergartener a camera and the pics later are amazing! (Of course, I have an older camera. . . an investment-type camera, I wouldn't be as free with it.) But it works great!