Playgrounds Appropriate for 7-8 y.o. with Climbing Equipment Included

Hi N.,

Designate a limited amount of days each week,working your way up to what you can follow thru with, for various activities that will create an adventure for her. Example: on Tuesdays- give her a realife problem appropriate for her and ask her to solve it. But don't leave her hanging. This would be an excellent time to teach her how to access a situation, brainstorm, predict, apply what she knows, etc. Like . . . . our family needs to change a certain lifestyle habit such as exercise. . .How would you solve this problem, measure it, see it being implemented, check and balances, transitions, etc. Even have her journal about it. Maybe on Wednesdays set aside time that the you find/practice a hobby. Could be skating, collecting, building,etc. (It would be nice if this hobby was physical)Set aside another day that would allow her to teach you something. Another day can have themes like get to know our neighborhood resources. (search the net for places/activities you've never been or tried and do it.)Another day could be give back day where she decides how she will give back and in what form of giving to her neighborhood, town/city, county, community,etc. She could volunteer with supervision of course time at a shelter or go read to a daycare class, you name it. Then again, don't forget the usual technology stuff that you could do (although less active can really be benefitical). Give your child a polaroid (for those kids that like instant results) and a theme. Their task would be to create a story using photos from their point of view, or take pics of beauty with a caption of what that beauty is, or themes like secret places, you name it. Have her display and discuss her findings in a most creative way. Maybe even a different way each time . . . If you're willing to put in the gas and time, you could really continue to bump up the ways of staying active this summer. Remember,patience is a biggie when turning young minds loose! Some need a lot of structured and ordered directions where some aren't used to thinking past what is told to them. Be flexible. And most importantly have fun getting to know your child all over again more intimately.;-)

P.S.- Now lets see if I can take my own advice, lol. Sorry I couldn't address the playground issue more. I'm not from your area.

The Little River Regional Park has climbing stuff. Your kids may get bored on there (kinda small). They also have walking trails, biking trails, picnic shelters, and a big field. It is on Guess Road just inside Orange County from Durham. I don't know if we can post links here, but I'll try: http://www.co.orange.nc.us/RecParks/little_river_park.asp
If that didn't work, look at the Orange County website; go to departments, recreation, and parks and facilities.

Hello & welcome to Durham,

There is a new park on Guess Rd called Little River Park which has climbing things & walking trails. You can also ride your bike on the trail. There is a playground on Indian Trail off of Hillandale Rd which is nice. I would bring a friend if you can cuz both are a little secluded. There is a great walking/bike riding trail (no other equipment) at the Duke Cross-Country trail which is called the Al Buehler Trail. It is located on Academy Dr near the intersection of Erwin Rd. It is not marked, just a gravel entry way into some woods which opens up into a parking space. Once school is out, you could probably use their playgrounds. Easley Elem is out as of 6/5 (on Lebanon Circle) & they have some fun equipment. There is also supposed to be a great park called Duke park (I think) on West Knox. I've never been but have heard things about it. There is also a small but cute park called Oval park on Club Blvd. There seem to be a lot of parents who attend it since it is really a neighborhood park. Enjoy

Duke Park is right off 85 and Roxboro, is big, and has lots of good playground stuff for older kids. Oval Drive Park off Club Blvd (nearer to the hospital) is a nice, small park. Not a whole lot in terms of equipment that would keep bigger kids busy for a long time, but half the park is open, grassy space good for kicking a ball or throwing a frisbee. Also, if your daughter likes to ride a bike or skate, there's a nice sidewalk that goes around the park (again, it's a small enough place), and you can sit in the middle somewhere with a book and let her go. The playgrounds at Edison Johnson (next the the Museum of Life and Science on Murray) and Forest Hills (more in the downtown area) both have sand areas with water features and fountain-type areas that kids can run through. Edison Johnson is much closer to you, but Forest Hills is one of my favorite places to go. Hope that helps!