Summer Time is here and with it brings more Free Time! Well at least it brings lots more free time for our kids. For the parents it can bring a little more work. We search to come up with fun things for our families to do together. I mean even if we don’t work from home or stay at home with our kids we may have days we can take vacation here and there. For those days we look for one day outings.

What are some fun things we can do when we only have One Day?

1. THE POOL – You may have a neighborhood pool, county pool, YMCA or other Rec Plex pool that you can visit. Make it a day of fun for the whole family. Get your towels, sunscreen, pool toys, and books or other activities to pass the time outside the pool. Enjoy some time in the sun while relaxing and playing as a whole family.
2. WATER PARK – You may have one close by or it may be a little bit of a drive. It’s not quite as relaxing as a day sitting poolside depending on how old your kids are but it’s still a fun time for the whole family.
3. BEACH, RIVER, LAKE, OR CREEK – Spending a day next to water or on the water is a great time. If you don’t have access to a boat for the river or lake that’s okay. Find a nice beach you can set up camp on for the day. Collect shells, look at rocks, go fishing. If you’re on a beach or sandbar then build sandcastles.
4. AMUSEMENT PARK – Most parks have activities for all ages. Whether it be riding rides or watching shows. It is hard to not be entertained when visiting an amusement park.
5. STATE PARK – Depending on what state you live in the options for state parks vary. Some will have activities you can do on the water, while others may have amazing trails or caves you can explore. There’s geocaching, horseback riding, golfing, zip lining, and much much more. Check out where state parks are near you on StateParks.com. If you’re wanting to camp get that site reserved quick as they are filling up fast. Sometimes you can find camping sites near by too if the park itself is full.
6. NATURE RESERVE – Get one with nature. Take a hike. Look at all the flowers and vegetation around the reserve. Play I spy. Look for animals you may not have in your neighborhood at home. Take bark rubbings or leaf rubbings with leaves that have fallen from the trees.
7. BUTTERFLY HOUSE OR INSECTARIUM – Visiting a butterfly house can be mesmerizing for those young and old. Learn why butterflies drink from pools of water, and how they are very delicate. They are so delicate in fact that butterflies shouldn’t be touched or you will shorten their already brief life span. See what different insects look like close up, and learn what purpose they serve in the ecosystem. Check out this link for Butterfly Houses near you.
8. ZOO – Taking a trip to the zoo is fun for all ages. Every child has a different animal they want to see most. It’s a great time to learn about the different habitats each animal lives in, and see the educational shows. There are many different types of zoos across the U.S. It depends on where you live as to what options you have to choose from. Go to USA Zoos to see what is around you. There may be something you aren’t even aware was an option or that has slipped your mind.
9. MUSEUMS – Growing up when I heard the word museum I almost started to yawn. I truly didn’t realize all the amazing museums available to explore. We don’t all have the same interests so you may need to visit a few throughout the summer to suit everyone’s taste. Start doing your research it’s not just science, historical, or art. There are many other options.
10. BIKING OR HIKING TRAILS – Does your family enjoy biking or are you more into hiking? Find a trail within driving distance from where you live. There’s a great list of all different types of trails in the U.S. on AmericanTrails.org.

Once you’ve picked out your day trip location to save a little extra pack a lunch and take snacks for the drive. A lot of the options will be a great setting for a family picnic.

Where are some places you like to go for a Day Trip?