It may not be a typical Fourth of July, but that is no reason you can’t enjoy it to the fullest! Here are four fun things to do for the 4th of July that are perfect for 2020 (even with COVID concerns) as well as any other year! Enjoy a Backyard Bash This might not be the year you have a huge backyard party, but a great 4th of July idea for adults or the kids is to throw yourself a backyard bash. Invite a few friends, or just enjoy the day with your immediate family. Create some yummy snacks and a delicious dinner on the grill (be sure to add this tasty Mexican Street Corn to the menu). Play fun yard games such as cornhole, life-sized Jenga, or even just throwing a frisbee around. If you have a fire pit, roast marshmallows for s’mores. End the evening with some of your own fireworks. Kids of all ages love to set off fireworks and there are so many great ones available these days. Insider tip: Be careful when setting off fireworks, they can be dangerous. We also always keep a bucket of water handy and once the firework has cooled off, we throw it in the water – that way we’ve cleaned up our mess and don’t have to worry about something catching on fire later. Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt or Themed Trivia Game Make a 4th of July themed scavenger hunt a fun family event by dividing your group into two teams and seeing who can check off the items on the list first. Looking for a...
Are you looking for Midwest weekend getaway ideas? Have you found yourself asking “Where should I go for a weekend getaway?” If you live near Indianapolis (or anywhere in the Midwest), then I’ve got 5 unique, fun, and cheap weekend getaway ideas perfect for families or couples. Ready for the fun? Fun in Franklin, IN Franklin, Indiana is a short drive from Indianapolis, so it’s the perfect weekend getaway if you hate to drive! Franklin has delicious local restaurants (love Richard’s Brick Oven), lots of fun family activities, and an adorable downtown. Make sure to arrive on a night that the Artcraft is showing a movie – you don’t want to miss this local treasure. If you have kids who love to swim, the Franklin Family Aquatic Center has plenty to keep them entertained. On your way out of town, take the time to stop at the Hoosier Cupboard Candy store for homemade ice cream and treats for the short drive home. For more details on all the great things to do in Franklin, check out this series of blog posts: Friday Night Fun in Franklin, Farm Animal Yoga and Downtown Dining and Exploring and Enjoying Franklin, IN Bumming around Batesville, IN There is so much to do in Batesville, IN that a weekend may not be enough time to do it all! You’ll want to start your weekend getaway by checking into The Sherman – I don’t think you’ll find a hotel quite like it anywhere else in Indiana. In addition to the hotel, you’ll want to find time to visit the Biergarten as well as enjoying at...
Are you looking for tips on how to pack the perfect picnic? Once the weather warms up, one of the first things I want to do is eat outside. Although I love sitting on a local restaurant’s patio, a picnic can be just as special and a lot more affordable! Plus, with limited seating at restaurants these days, it’s much easier to ensure a wonderful experience if you do it yourself. Here are my thoughts on what to bring on a picnic. Where to go on your picnic In order to pack the perfect picnic food, you’ll need to decide where you want to go on your picnic. Different venues lend themselves to a different list of picnic food items. Although there is always the traditional state park (which is an excellent option), there are other less common options: Local park. If you don’t want to make a day of it, this is an easy choice.Nearby lake or riverfront. This is especially fun if the lake has a beach or beautiful scenery.Local winery or brewery. Many local wineries and breweries don’t offer food and so you are welcome to bring your own – just make sure to call the location first to check.Park bench downtown. If you have a cute and safe downtown area, sitting on a park bench and people watching while enjoying a simple dinner can be a lovely break in the day.The beach. If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, you should definitely pack a picnic and enjoy a day at the beach. These are just a few ideas that popped into my...
Although I know we miss big vacations, a lot of us are staying close to home this summer. Luckily, it’s fun and easy to play a nearby day trip. If you are looking for day trip tips or how to create the best day trips, I’ve got you covered. You never know what you’ll find on your next day trip! Where to go on your day trip Obviously, if it’s a day trip, it needs to be fairly close to home. The easiest way to do this is to use my Circle Your Hometown solution and see what’s in that radius. For a day trip, I’d limit yourself to a drive that’s no more than two hours away. An hour is ideal as it will give you plenty of time to explore while you are away from home, and it will easily be a one tank trip! If there isn’t a town or area of interest within your circle, how about creating a driving tour and checking out several small towns? This can be a lot of fun too as you never know what you’ll find. One town might have a beautiful courthouse, another a delicious spot for lunch, and if you are lucky you’ll stumble across a local ice cream shop. A multi-town trip like this can be an enjoyable day – especially if the weather is gorgeous. Pop on some great music, grab a drink and see what you can discover. What to do on your day trip Well, what do you like to do? Make a list of all the things you enjoy and do a...
I don’t know about where you live, but Indiana State Parks are crazy busy right now. Last weekend, two of them were at capacity at 11:00 in the morning! I do get it though. We are all tired of being cooped up inside, and a state park is a terrific option. They are inexpensive, fun to explore and it’s fairly easy to keep a safe social distance. But, how do you make the most of your visit to a State Park? Pick the right state park The first step to making the most of your visit to a state park is picking the right park. Most state parks offer hiking trails, but some offer other amenities such as a swimming pool, horseback riding, a nature center, playgrounds, and even Inns. So a simple visit to a state park could easily turn into a weekend adventure! McCormick’s Creek State Park Nature Center Before you decide which park to visit, think about what you want to do. If a little bit of hiking is all you are after, perhaps visiting a less popular park or one with fewer amenities is a better choice. You’ll enjoy your day with fewer crowds. However, if your goal is a full day of activity, pick one with many things to do (although call ahead to make sure the amenities you are interested in are open). Although hiking is typically our main goal when visiting a state park, we’ve learned some pretty cool stuff at the various nature centers too! Figure out food A few of the Indiana state parks have an Inn with a restaurant,...
Is the weather warming up for you? It is for me, and I am so ready to enjoy it. If you are looking for fun things to do in the spring, spring activities for kids or families, or just want to feel like you are starting the new season off right, this is the post for you. I’ve got 5 GREAT ways to kickstart spring. Get outside! This one is pretty obvious, but it’s also my favorite. After a long and dreary winter, there is nothing like warmer weather and sunshine to get me itching to be outside. If you can combine it with a little exercise, all the better. A great way to enjoy the first warm days of spring is to check out your local hiking or rails to trails paths. Since it’s not the hot, humid days of summer, hiking is enjoyable AND it’s something we can do right now. Not into hiking? How about playing some yard games? Now is the perfect time to dust off that old croquet set or play a family game of cornhole! It’s a nice change from all the board games and puzzles you might have played all winter! Get up early It’s easier to get up early in the spring and summer as the sun comes up earlier. Plus, early morning in the spring is lovely. Grab your cup of coffee and a good book or your journal and start your day off outside or at least near an open window. A new season is the perfect time to implement a new morning routine, one that will take you...
Hi! I’m Pam. I’m a busy mom of two teens who loves to travel and enjoy each and every day. My hope is to inspire other busy moms to create family memories and discover everyday adventures wherever they are! Check out my About Pam page for more details.
