Make a Checklist of SUMMER FUN!

Are you looking to make the most of this summer? Then it's time to make a Checklist of SUMMER FUN with your kids!

Last June, my boys and I made a list of all the places we wanted to visit during the summer. We separated things to do on sunny days from things to do on rainy days (or days when it's just too hot out), as well as some day trips. By mid-summer, we had checked off 19 of 43.

One of my fellow ROCmommas saw the list hanging in my kitchen and told me that she had never heard of half the places on our list. I wondered how many other families are not aware of these wonderful locations in the Rochester, NY area...so it seemed like a good thing to share.

If you're not in the Rochester area, we can still help you make your own list.

3 Easy Steps to Make Your 

Checklist of SUMMER FUN!

Step 1: List all the places to visit on a sunny day. 
*What are some places to visit animals? Or farms with pick-your-own fruit available?
*What parks and playgrounds are close by? Are there any spray-grounds or spray-parks, water parks, beaches, or lakes in your area?
*List any outdoor miniature golf locations as well as other outdoor attractions.

Step 2: List all the indoor places to go on a rainy day or when it's unbearably hot out.
*What museums are in your area?
*Are there any indoor family entertainment centers or bounce-house centers in your area?
*Do you have access to any indoor swimming pools?
*Think about locations specific to your children's hobbies.

Step 3: List all the locations that would be fun to visit, but are more than a few minutes away.
*What cities or towns are about an hour away? Are there any attractions that would interest your kids? Think about zoos, state parks, beaches, farms, and museums.

There you have it! Hang up your list and try to check off as many as you can before school starts.

For all my fellow ROCmommas and ROCpoppas, here are some ideas for your Checklist of SUMMER FUN in the Rochester, NY area.

SUNNY DAYS:

• Lollypop Farm (Fridays: storytelling at 11 a.m.) - Visit the dogs and cats inside the main building, rabbits and more in the barn, plus lots of farm animals along the walking path in the back.
• Wickham Farm (Tuesdays: $2 mini golf games) - Activities are available for a fee: jumping pillow, mini golf, batting cages, & train ride. Plus feed the goats, sit on a tractor, or get some ice cream. 
• Powers Farm Market - Feed the animals (bring quarters) and stop inside the market for a huge, freshly-baked cookie.
• Powder Mills Trout Hatchery - Feed the trout! (bring quarters)
• Seneca Park Zoo - There's always a lot to see and do. Be sure to visit the new babies: orangutan, tamarin, and lions!
• Mendon Ponds Park - Be sure to check out Wild Wings from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday.
• Kings Bend Park - Playground, plus a good spot to watch trains go by.
• Kreag Road Park - Playground, sandbox, picnic tables, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball diamonds.
• Tinker Park - Playground, duck pond, and nature trail.
• Veteran's Memorial Park, Calkins Road - Several playgrounds and picnic tables.
• Erie Canal - Great walking path from Schoen Place in Pittsford or near Perinton Park in Fairport; great for spotting boats and kayaks.
• Camp Arrowhead Pool and Sprayground (YMCA members only) - Open weekdays 4:30 - 8:00 p.m., weekends 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Camp Eastman Sprayground - Sprayground and dry playground; great spot for picnics. (Click here for directions.)
• Seneca Lake State Park Sprayground - Open 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays; there is a parking fee.
• Pineway Ponds Sprayground - Sprayground and dry playground; covered picnic tables.
• Ontario Beach
• Roseland Waterpark - Check website for coupons.
• Seabreeze - Check website for coupons.
• The Clubhouse - Mini golf, go karts, and indoor arcade. Check web site for daily deals and coupons. (e.g., Tuesday = 60 tokens for $10; Sat/Sun until noon = $12 for unlimited go karts and golf plus 10 tokens)
• Adventure Landing - Mini golf, indoor arcade, batting cages, etc. Check web site for daily deals and coupons. (e.g., All You Can Play on Mon-Thurs until 6 p.m. and Sat. until noon)
• Long Acre Farm - Outdoor kids' activities, farm market, and more.
• G and S Orchards - Pick your own fruit.
• Green Acre Farms - Pick your own fruit.
• Whittier Fruit Farm - Pick your own fruit.
• NY Museum of Transportation - Only open on Sundays; step onto real train cars, see the model train display, and take a 1-mile ride on a real trolley.

We visit Wickham Farms almost year-round.

RAINY DAYS:

• The Strong National Museum of Play
• Rochester Museum & Science Center
• Planetarium show
• Library - be sure to ask your librarian about their summer reading program for kids
• Kango
• Jungle Jolt
• Bounce It Out
• Chuck E. Cheese
• Bowling - School-age children can bowl one FREE game per day all summer at participating AMF lanes, including Bowl-A-Roll in Rochester, NY.
• Swim at the Eastside YMCA (YMCA members only) - The indoor family pool has some fun sprinklers and other features to make the water even more fun for kids.
• Edgerton Model Railroad - Open to the public the last Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

Lots of fun at the library!

DAY TRIPS:

• Letchworth State Park
• Browns Berry Patch - Pick your own fruit, Barnyard Adventure activities for kids.
• Buffalo Zoo
• Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse
• Buffalo Science Museum
• Genesee Country Village & Museum
• Penn-Dixie Dig Site 

Digging for fossils at Penn-Dixie.

We hope this list turns your summer into one exciting day after another. Be sure to Post A Comment and share your favorite summer spot! As always, thanks for reading.

Cool Down at the Pineway Ponds Splash Pad

It's hot. It's humid. The kids are bored. You're out of "Camp Momma" or "Camp Poppa" ideas. Well, it's a good thing you've got ROCmomma on your side. How about a trip to the splash pad at Pineway Ponds Park in Ogden, NY?

Put the kids in their swim suits and water shoes or sandals, and pack your lunch, some snacks, and some drinks. Grab your beach/pool bag and load up the towels, sunblock, swim diapers, changes of clothes, and a big blanket. You're ready to go!

The splash pad is open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The parking lot is free and it is right next to the splash pad, so you won't be walking very far. There are picnic tables, or grab some dry land and spread out your blanket. The restrooms are in a small building to the left of the splash pad - but note that there is no diaper changing table, and there are no changing rooms - only bathroom stalls.

There are lots of structures that spray, pour, and trickle water at the splash pad. Kids can climb on a dolphin or sea lion, slide down a whale, run through a rainbow, or get doused by toppling buckets. The best part is that there is zero depth, so even tiny tots can have a great time. No life jackets required. There are benches along the perimeter, but don't just sit on the sidelines; ROCmommas and ROCpoppas can play too! My fellow ROCmomma, Kim, and I decided to be bold and wear our swim suits too. Thankfully, we were not alone and we all had a great time.

When kids need a break from the water, there is a dry playground right next to the splash pad, with lots of things to climb up or slide down. Plus there are tons of low rock walls to climb.

Pineway Ponds Park is located a quarter-mile north of the Village of Spencerport on Route 259 (Union Street). If you are mapping a route, enter N Union St & Park Rd, Spencerport, NY as your destination. It's free. It's fun. It's something new. Give it a try!

As always, thanks for reading. If you head out to Pineway Ponds Park, please Post a Comment and tell us about your experience. Enjoy!