Ten Tips for Planning a Great Local Outing

A friend of mine found herself in a planning predicament recently.  In the midst of a home remodel, she learned that the electrician would need to turn off the power for the entire day.  In case you haven’t heard, we are in the middle of a crazy hot summer here in Texas, so staying at home without any air conditioning was not an option.  Normally, this friend can plan circles around me, but after week of tile dust and toilets in the living room, she was done.  She asked me to help her plan her day and I dove right in.  After she and her kids enjoyed the day, she asked me to share my travel planning trips.

1. Find a really great local resource. Whether it is a local blogger or a magazine, a go-to publication can be your best friend.  Here in my neck of the woods, we have a print publication called the Dallas Child.  They also have an online calendar that allows you to search for activities by date or type.

2. Keep a list of interesting activities. I used to waste so much time trying to figure out a fun outing just because I wasn’t organized enough.  Now, whenever I find a new place that looks like fun, I plug it into my list along with some important information.  I especially like to note if a venue has special discount days or plans unique events at certain times of year.  You can create a spreadsheet that you can use if you really want to be organized, but a simple list works just as well.

3. Think about your time limits. Is it a must that you get home for an afternoon nap?  Does your little one reach meltdown mode after two hours in public?  Even if seems over the top, sit down and plan out a rough schedule for the day. Pencil in transit time, meal time for everyone, and time to rest.   This will help you to be aware of all your needs, from mealtime to traffic snarls.

4. How’s your energy level? Almost all outings with children require a certain amount of ‘girding your loins’ but some are just much more challenging than others.  Waterparks and zoos seem to be more of a high alert kind of outing.  Some museums and indoor play areas give mom a chance to relax a little bit more.  Consider how you are feeling, whether you are rarin’ to go or barely hanging on and plan accordingly.

5. You gotta eat! Hungry kids are cranky kids.  During an outing, I usually plan a snack mid morning, even though this is not something we do at home.  Consider how you will handle your meals while you are out and about.  Will you eat at your destination or will you leave to find a restaurant along the way?  Don’t forget the option of packing a lunch.  Packing a lunch gives you so much more flexibility with your time.  A lunch sack in the cooler in the back of your car gives you the ability to eat whenever and wherever, saving you both time and money and possible the headache of not finding a meal that works for you and the kiddos.

6. Research. Research. Research. Okay, maybe just one research will do.  Look at the website of your destination and get a feel for the layout and activities.  Check to see if there are any special events throughout the day that you want to pencil into your schedule.  Pick out the areas that are not to be missed for your group and plan to do these first.

7. Know what the experts know. Once you’ve done your preliminary research, check out what other parents have to say about their visits.  Mom message boards or a quick post to facebook can help you avoid the lines and hit the highlights of your venue.  Tripadvisor is one of my favorite resources for the inside scoop.

8. Do a neighborhood search. Once you’ve chosen a great location, you might want to look in the area to see if there are any other not to be missed stops you want to add to your itinerary.

9. Consult the troops. Having trouble deciding what to do?  Ask the little guys for their input.  Give a couple of choices and see what piques their interests.  You might be surprised at their choices and you will definitely win their approval by getting them on board with the planning.

10. Plan an escape route. Museums close for cleaning.  The weatherman is often wrong.  Make sure you have a plan B (or C or D) in the back of your mind to salvage your day when things look like they are headed south.

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This post is a part of Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda