Credit: Michele Whiteaker

I’m so excited to share this super fun guest post series from my buddy Michele from one of my favorite sites, FunOrangeCountyParks.com . She has a great set of posts and ideas to help us get outside and play!  Here is what she has to say.

Not having a routine is the perfect time to start a NEW routine!  To round out the summer, I suggest a routine that involves less screen time and more outdoor time – for the kids and as a family.

Key to Success:

Be a good model. Turn off your phone or technology and turn your focus on to your kids during your “play outdoors” time.

Get Dad involved. I hear over and over that screen time is when Dad’s tend to bond with kids. Why not offer some alternative ways to connect?

Team up. If you are a single parent, try teaming up with other single parent families for your outings.  Or call in a favorite family member for backup!

Week 1

Make a Plan.  Use my “How to Plan a Monthly Play Calendar” and look ahead through Labor Day. Put some outdoor activities on your calendar that challenge your comfort level. Try something new. Most of the options on my lists are free or low cost.  Recommend: Follow my “How to Plan Your Monthly OC Play Calendar”

Buy or Borrow a new-to-you Board Game or Card Game.  Or just get some chalk and a jump rope.  For this week, replace family Wii time or family movie night with Outdoor Game Night!  Bring the board game outside and barbecue. Go to a campfire at the beach. Bring the board game outdoors.  Walk to your local park and play frisbee.  Recommend: UNO, Dominoes, Go Fish

Would you rather take it day-by-day?  Look at Michele’s Make Playing Outside a Habit in 30 Days.

Come back to Daytrippingmom.com for Week #2 suggestions!

Michele Whiteaker promotes play by sharing local places on herFunOrangeCountyParks.com Play Blog.  Subscribe to her Play Trips newsletter which comes out weekly on Mondays. Join her page on Facebook where she’s built a local community of play enthusiasts.  Or just skip all that and go out and play!