The last few weeks have been tough. Living away from my children makes me miss them everyday. So right now, I live for weekends. On the weekends, there’s nothing else I have to do but play. 

The weather has turned gorgeous with those hot summer days that we fantasize about all cold winter long. Our current favourite way to beat the heat is to hang out at the local spray parks. 

Being between two towns means we get to spray park hop between the 3 different parks! So far, we’ve hit 2 of them, to great joy and delight of my children. Love that Towns and Counties are installing these – they are great places to play outdoors, and FREE. (Who doesn’t love FREE recreation sites?)

Enjoying spray parks on a whim still takes a little planning from the mom standpoint. I stock my essential bag early in the season, and after drying the bathing suits & towels, I simply repack the bag for the next trip out. This way, on the fly, you can add a trip to the spray park to cool off after a great day of hiking or family fun. (This also works great for your hiking backpack too!) 

Being ready for any spontaneous summer activity makes you look that that super cool organized mom. You know, the one that has the Pinterest-worthy slightly type-A style trunk organizer like this:

Just for the records, my trunk is full of wood bark, random diapers that wouldn’t fit my children, geocaching supplies, an emergency kit and whatever else I’m hauling that day. I’m okay with that – it’s all about choices!

Essentials for Hitting the Spray Park

–Frozen Juice Boxes: Throw a sleeve or two of juice boxes in the freezer and then transfer to your bag right before you’re headed out the door.
–Sunglasses, Hats: Make life a little easier and buy yourself a second set. Keep it elusively in your spray park bag so you’re not looking for it each time.
–Snacks: I like non-perishable ones so I can just leave them in there every time.
–Towels: Bring at least 1 per person, but if you have space consider two, as kids love to jump into the spray park and out again!
–Bathing Suits, Sun shirts: Enough said.
–Clothes to change into after
–Extra diapers/wipes if needed

–Sun Protection: I’m all about one spray and done. I don’t want a product that I have to continuously reapply every 10 minutes, ain’t no body got time for that.  I don’t want the fun to stop, and the sun protection has to withstand our adventures in sun, water, sweat and dirt. 

My favourite product for sun protection continues to be Banana Boat®. I used Banana Boat® all through my sweaty summer camp years where I needed sun protection for long days in the sun & into the pool. I love their Kids formula – it provides Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection and water resistance for up to 80 minutes! This is a must for kids who are romping in the spray  park.

When you spray it on, it goes white, so it’s easy to see what parts of your children’s body you have gotten with it. One rub in, and they are off to play. 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.