Looking for ways to keep your sporty kids active and off of screens this summer? We have ten fun and creative ideas for you from Lis Drew, a Darien mom to three kids ages 11, 9, and 6, who feels passionate about the growing movement of parents versus screens and the return to a play-based childhood.
1. Organize a group of friends to meet at the corner of Post Road and Nearwater Lane. Walk, bike, or scooter down to the beach to play wall ball, tennis, and then have lunch at the snack bar.
2. Head over to “The Shac” – a new basketball court behind Noroton Presbyterian Nursery School – where many kids organize pickup basketball games. You can order pizza there, or walk over to Mama C’s for a lunch or a snack break. Don’t forget to clean up your trash there!
3. Bring your rods, some bait, and go fishing at the Cherry Lawn pond. The woods behind Cherry Lawn are also fantastic for exploring after fishing – bird watching, frog watching, and ducks galore!
4. Organize a wiffle ball game at Baker Park, then walk up to Mama C’s for lunch or even Darien Commons (about a half mile walk) for Sweetgreen or Naya.
5. For tweens: do a “taste test” of Darien! Start off with wings appetizer at Rikos, then walk over to have a quick lunch at Playa Bowl or Uncles. Play cards at the courtyard at Neat, and then grab ice cream at Gofer!
6. Grab a bunch of kids, and head over to the DHS oval to play by the LAX goals!
7. Do a playground tour. Spend 15-20 minutes each, and rate them! Which playground will get 5/5 stars!?! Start at Cherry Lawn. Next up: Tokeneke Elementary. Then, Ox Ridge. Then, Royle. Then, Hindley. End at Weed Beach!
8. Go for a beautiful hike at Selleck’s Woods with a backpack full of water, granola bars, and some binoculars. There are beautiful pond views, great bird and animal sightings, and a nice trail for exploring. Make sure to wear sneakers and not flip flops!
9. Grab some buddies, and go fishing at Gorham’s pond!
10. For tweens/teens, have a parent drop you in Rowayton with bikes or scooters, or do a nice long walk on the Rowayton loop (about 2.5 miles). End up at Brendan’s 101 for a grilled cheese or ice cream!
Love the idea of a screen-free summer? Check out Ok to Delay: @OktoDelay_Darien on Instagram and oktodelay.org as well as Wait Until 8th: @waituntil8th on Instagram and waituntil8th.org.
