Shades of Summer

Growing up, the summer meant freedom from school, time to hang out with friends, and summer trips. Summer in college meant all of the above plus a dose of partying 😉 Summer now is better weather but a hint of anxiety because you’ll have kids at home the whole time… three months is a long time. [hmmm…I guess i’m somewhere in between these last two phases]

Classes & Camps

This summer was a little harder with entertainment because of the pandemic. [PLEASE let this be the last pandemic summer] I was able to find some AMAZING activities to enroll the kids in here in the city. Here are a few along with my honest thoughts:

SocRoc – we did weekly outdoor soccer lessons and these were a hit. The kids looked forward to them and it also got them exhausted. Any parent knows that means an easy bedtime!

NY Kids Club – we’ve been a part of the kids club family for three years now, they have a great set of classes for kids (STEM, Music, Dance) and the kids have also been a part of their preschool program. This summer we tried summer camp and it was fantastic. The kids looked forward to each day and came home asking when they would be going back again!

Leader Sports Performance – Taekwondo was a new thing for us this year. This weekly 30 minute class was a great introduction into structured sport and it helped with focus. Not to mention, the VERY cute uniform and incentive to get belt stripes! [I feel like this is poor strategy on your part – soon your kid is gonna be demanding toys and threatening you with his black belt]

Central Park Zoo – we became members this past year because this is a great way to kill an afternoon. It’s a very toddler friendly, walkable zoo. They have a children’s petting zoo as well which the kids love. Pair this activity with a Central Park picnic and the day will fly by! 

Vacation time!

We were able to take a couple driving trips this summer with the kids, which was a nice break to how 2020 was. [minus your son’s car sickness?] However, it’s hard to pack light when traveling with toddlers. The amount of things is endless. For all trips, local or further away in the US, we have used BabyQuip. This local drop off and pick up service rents you anything you could possibly need when traveling with kids. Strollers, cribs, high chairs, beach toys, you name it they have it.

I’m now at the point of waiting to just get on a plane and go to an island, drink in hand and obviously kids throwing sand at me at the same time. Since that’s the phase of summer breaks I’m currently in. [get a babysitter! just don’t look at me…] 

What kid friendly summer activities did you do? I need to make my list for next summer, ASAP!