All too often, we get into a rut with our routines and stick with what is comfortable or what we are used to doing. I have discovered a few new fun things to do with my family recently, and I wanted to share some more suggestions to try to add to your summer to make it fun and fulfilling with your family as well! I’m suggesting that these are out-of-the-box because they may not be the “typical” activities that you’d see families doing on the weekend on social media necessarily, but definitely time well spent.
Depending on your sense of adventure and the age of your children, try out the nature trails in Quincy. Bill Klingner trail is a blacktop trail that runs for 3 miles between Bob Bangert Park through to Bob Mays Park and another little jaunt that goes to an underpass under North 24th street (there is a parking lot right there that you can park at and walk the trail all the way down to the beginning if you want to). It’s a great little or big walk (strollers welcome), run, bike ride, etc. You can take littles with training wheels, and you won’t feel too afraid to let them go because there isn’t the fear of cars to interact with. Also, if you’re feeling up for it, you can keep going and take the turn for the Veteran’s Home and see the animals, which are also along the route! Be sure to take snacks, cold drinks, and a potty break at the park before you embark, but it is a lovely, low-stress stroll through a beautiful path.
If you’re looking for a trail with a little more adventure or your kids are older or more advanced on their bikes, I recommend the dirt trail eloquently called Nature Trails East. This trail’s parking lot is right off North 36th and Koch’s lane. The trail begins with a series of dirt ramps and bike jumps, although my kids also had fun just running off the steep ones. It is also possible to pass the ramp portion on foot without going down a bunch of embankments; you will need to take the route along the field to avoid them. Beyond the ramps is a little low path, and it also goes through a small creek. My family thoroughly enjoyed exploring this whole trail, and it was definitely worth the time spent.
Another activity we love to do when the weather turns warm is kayaking. My husband and I both have our own kayaks, and my daughter also has one (she is 12); my son is six and too small to paddle on his own, so he rides in mine or my husband’s kayak. My daughter still isn’t the strongest at paddling or balancing, so we don’t go anywhere with moving water. We usually go to Wakonda State Park in Missouri, they have a few different lakes to choose from, very small to large, and my son’s favorite thing about kayaking is getting in the water, so we usually choose Agate Lake since it is large with minimal traffic, plus there are some different islands and beaches he can go up to and he can stick his feet in. Wakonda has 1 or 2 person kayaks that you can rent, on the weekends they may require you to rent them for the day, and include life jackets and map. We did this before we had our own, and it was only around $30 for the day; it was worth it for us. Bring a picnic lunch and cold drinks and make a day of it!
We also enjoy Siloam Springs State Park in Illinois. The water is beautifully clear and a little chilly if you stick your hands in, but in July, it can be very refreshing to splash yourself, I can say from experience. They do not have kayaks to rent at this park, but it is a wonderful state park if you’ve never been. As with all state parks, they do have camping and fishing as well, and I know many people who highly recommend both of those, too.
For those who are more adventurous, kayak rentals are now available on the Quincy Bay at Kesler Park. Try it out, and let us know how it goes!
We love to take our kids to the creek in South Park to explore, get wet and muddy, and see what we can see. There is also a great creek at Bob Mays Park to do the same.
This year, I want to explore Quinsippi Island, too. You can drive onto the island and take a picnic, explore the waterfront, and watch the water. Be sure to take bug spray!
Over the summer months, many local children suffer from food insecurity because they depend on school lunches throughout the school year. With that in mind, the local mini pantries in our area would love to be stocked throughout the summer. I want to make it a fun family event this year to go to Aldi or Sams to pick out as much nutritious food as we can to take to the panties for those in need. Here is the list of mini panties that you can use to do the same!
Another fun idea is to volunteer at the Quincy Humane Society. They have several activities that you can do as a family to volunteer. It is as intensive as fostering animals in your home to helping with socialization for animals in the shelter. You can help with dog walking, socializing cats and dogs, laundry, etc. For most kids, a morning playing with kittens and puppies sounds like a dream! Contact the Quincy Humane Society for more information.
I hope I inspired you to do something different with your family this summer and maybe even give back or volunteer a little, too. We have an amazing community that only gets better when we help each other out, treat each other with respect and dignity, and have a little fun with our kids while doing it!
Take Care, and happy summer sunshine to you, Nikki.
