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8 Budget-Friendly Staycation Ideas for Families

July 22, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

Staying home doesn’t mean you can’t have an adventure.

Disneyland, the beach, camping … just a few of the many places your kids would nominate as a vacation destination this summer. But staying home?

B-O-R-I-N-G.

So how do you sell a staycation to your little ones? And not spend a ton of money? Fill it with fun and adventure.

Check out these eight kid- and budget-friendly ideas that will make your summer staycation just as lively and memorable as any trip.

Camp out in your backyard

Pitch a tent, grab the camp chairs and roll out those sleeping bags. It’s time to go camping — in your backyard!

Study the local flora and fauna, practice wilderness skills, roast marshmallows over a fire pit, tell scary stories and spot constellations in the night sky.

Get your chef on

Let your little chefs put their skills to the test with a “Top Chef” competition. Introduce a mystery ingredient, work in teams and see what you can come up with.

If competition isn’t your style, simply head to the farmer’s market or grocery store and pick out a unique ingredient and see what your family can come up with to put in a dish.

Have a sweet tooth? Throw a bake-off and create your favorite cookies, cupcakes or cake. Share the snacks with friends and neighbors too.

Family carnival

Create your very own fair, with classic carnival food like corn dogs, french fries, funnel cake and cotton candy.

Set up DIY games like ring toss, cake walk, corn hole, balloon darts, a fishing hole and more.

Finish off the night with an outdoor movie by stringing up a sheet and using a projector.

Learn something new

Take an online course to learn a new skill or craft, or figure out how to play an outdoor game like bocce ball or croquet. Practice a different language with books from the library, or hit the zoo to learn about a new animal.

Build a fort

Wrangle all the cardboard boxes, blankets, chairs and pillows you can find and build the ultimate playhouse or fort.

Construct tunnels with boxes (bonus if you can snag a large refrigerator box), create rooms with blankets and chairs, and arm your fortress by building a pillow moat. Play castle or just snuggle up in your cozy den and watch a movie — don’t forget the popcorn.

Keep the fun going into the night: Add twinkle lights and have a sleepover in your new castle.

Cool down with water play

Hot summer day? Cool down by making your own backyard into a mini water park.

Break out the sprinkler and burn off some energy by splashing around. Fill the kiddie pool and hop in with your little ones, or wage a water balloon or squirt-gun fight for an afternoon that’s guaranteed to cool you off and make you feel like a kid again.

Live in an apartment or don’t have the water gear? If they’re open, head to your local splash pad or community pool. To save money, look for free or discount promotions at the pool or water park. (Due to the current Corona Virus pandemic, make sure to double-check availability before you go!)

Find your inner artist

Arts and crafts are a great way to get those creative juices flowing, make fun memories and create cool pieces to treasure for years to come.

Tie-dye some plain T-shirts, create your own modeling clay using flour and salt, make beaded bracelets, or try your hand at loom weaving.

Keep things even simpler by drawing with some sidewalk chalk, building a birdhouse out of Popsicle sticks, or simply getting messy with some finger paint.

Plan a treasure or scavenger hunt

Set up a string of clues for your kids to follow that lead them all around the house, yard and even the neighborhood. Make up your own clues or check online for clever rhymes or location ideas.

End the hunt with a fun prize, which can be anything from a chest full of faux gold coins, a long-desired toy or trinket, or a plate of fresh cookies or cupcakes. Add a dash of extra fun by dressing up as pirates or explorers.

Whether you have a lot of free time or a little, a chunk of change to spend or a limited budget, there are plenty of fun staycation ideas to make your summer special.

Article originally published at https://www.zillow.com/blog/budget-staycation-ideas-family-200404/

Train Your Muscles Without a Gym

July 13, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

Get to a nearby park and get in shape (safely).

Now that stay-at-home restrictions are easing, those of us interested in strong, healthy muscles but wearied by burpees in the living room may want to consider heading to the nearest reopened park or playground for weight training. Experts note that you can perform most standard exercises there if you’re willing to use your imagination — you can even recruit your children to help as giggling, resistance-adding workout partners. What follows are a few moves for a full-body, sun-drenched routine. (Wear a face mask, observe social distancing and use gloves or hand sanitizer to protect yourself and others, of course.)

For a lower-body workout, find a tree trunk.

In the park, look for a tree narrow enough to encircle with your arms. Hug it. Then squat, bottom out, knees bent to almost 90 degrees. Hold a few seconds and repeat the full squat or pulse shorter ones, moving up and down rapidly a few inches at a time. As Dannah Bollig, a personal trainer in Chicago and a former Division I soccer player, explained, “You just took your barre class outside” and worked muscles in your thighs and backside. You can perform the same exercise using a basketball hoop or light pole, she said.

Use a park bench as a step stool or dip bar.

Instead of lounging on it, a park bench (in good repair) can be used for for “step ups, box jumps and hands-elevated push-ups,” said Adam Rosante, a New York-based personal trainer. In non-gym jargon: Face the bench and rapidly step onto and off it, first with one foot then the other. The fit and well-coordinated might try it with both feet together, hopping.

For upper-body strengthening, face the bench from far enough away that when you lean against it, your arms and back are straight. Lower yourself toward the bench by bending your elbows until your chest almost touches the bench. Push back up. Repeat until your upper arms start to wobble like noodles.

Park benches and low playground equipment also work well for dips, which strengthen the upper-arm muscles, said Jeremy Loenneke, an assistant professor of health, exercise and recreation science at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Situate yourself at one end, back to the bench, with your arms holding the edge of the bench behind you. Then lower yourself until your elbows are bent to about 90 degrees. “The movement can be made easier by bringing the feet closer,” Dr. Loenneke said, “or more difficult by walking the feet out further.”

Head to the monkey bars with your little helper.

One of the best resistance exercises, pull-ups work your entire upper body and midsection. You could use tree branches, but their health and carrying power can be suspect, so better to head for the monkey bars at the playground. (You should also check with your local parks and recreation department to find out if public playgrounds have reopened and whether adults are welcome.) Grab the bar about shoulder-width apart, palms facing out, and pull yourself up. Here’s a good playtime opportunity for toddlers who are game: For greater resistance, swing your little one onto your shoulders before starting, creating a piggyback pull-up, said Simon Walker, a professor of exercise science at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. Afterward, perhaps, drop down gently and try some piggyback push-ups, he said.

If you cannot complete a pull-up — and many of us cannot — try lifting both of your legs while you hang from the bars, Mrs. Bollig said, either with or without your knees bent, which works the upper body and midsection.

Tire yourself out with a tire swing.

Finally, bear in mind that to our muscles, weight is weight, Dr. Walker pointed out, whether it comes in the form of a barbell or a boulder — our biceps, glutes, quads and other muscles will strengthen and grow similarly in response to lifting either. So, look for natural weights in the park or playground, including branches, logs and stones. Heft them “the way you would dumbbells or kettlebells,” Mr. Rosante said. “Use them to add weight on a variety of squats, lunges, hip thrusts and overhead presses.” If you hold a rock in each hand during these moves, make sure that they are of about the same weight, for balance.

Tire swings, too, can double as dumbbells, Mr. Rosante pointed out. Hold the tire by your side with one hand and shrug your shoulder up, for a “single-arm shrug”; or stand sideways to it, grasp, twist and raise it for “low to high woodchoppers”; or pass it to a partner like a medicine ball.

And should all of these exercises start to become easy and familiar, “set a timer for 10 minutes and see how many times you can make it through the entire playground,” Mr. Rosante suggested, a workout that should challenge the fittest and be, he said, “seriously fun.”

Article originally published at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/27/at-home/workout-without-a-gym-coronavirus.html

Fourth of July Celebrations in Colorado

June 30, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

Independence Day celebrations are just around the corner in the Pikes Peak Region and beyond. Events are taking place on July 4th (Saturday this year) and on the weekends before and after.

*Check the complete list before heading out in case any locations cancel events due COVID-19 or fire danger this summer.*

Colorado Springs Region:

Fort Carson Freedom Fest – The dates are to be determined.The fest is scheduled for June or July of 2020 at Iron Horse Park, but due to COVID-19, some modifications will be made. As many that have attended in years past know, this 3-day event is jam-packed with concerts, sporting events, an assortment of different food options, and fireworks. Check out their website if you have any questions.
4th of July Symphony on Your Porch – Enjoy the Colorado Springs Philharmonic’s annual patriotic concert broadcast from your favorite radio station – all from your porch! More info here. Organizers have identified several places in Colorado Springs neighborhoods where the fireworks will be visible. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAP OF LOCATIONS
The Rocky Mountain Vibes – The Vibes will be hosting a Triple Play Holiday at UCHealth Park featuring back-to-back movies and a fireworks show on July 3. The event will start at 4:30 p.m. with the classic baseball movie,”The Sandlot.” At 6:30 p.m., is “Independence Day,” with fireworks at 9 p.m. to end the evening. More info here.
Switchbacks – The Switchbacks are hosting Fireworks Extravaganza on July 4th at Weidner Field. Partnering with Oakwood Homes, Switchbacks have organized a firework display synced to music from iHeartRadio and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. Guests are expected to remain in their vehicles to watch the fireworks safely.
Colorado Sparkler & Fireworks – Enjoy great Fastpitch Softball action with the Colorado Sparkler tournaments happening in Colorado Springs, Denver Metro, and Northern Colorado July 1 through July 5. More info on these games here.
Falcon Freedom Days Firework Show – In partnership with Colorado Springs Philharmonic and Colorado Springs Sports Corporation (and iHeartRadio), Falcon Freedom Days will host a Firework Show synced to music on Saturday, July 4, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Firework Show will be held at Antler Creek Golf Course driving range, one of nine locations to have a fireworks display in El Paso County. According to their website, COVID-19 restrictions will not allow for the usual day long festivities. The hope is Ranch residents can still celebrate The Fourth safely at home by tuning in to radio station Sunny 106.3, or download the iHeartRadio app to listen to the synced music along with the fireworks display. More information from Meridian Ranch can be found here.

The Broadmoor American Family Fourth of July Celebration and Rock Ledge Ranch Family Fourth had no mention of their Independence Day Celebrations. The July 4 Old Colorado City Community Picnic has been canceled.

Pueblo:

Rollin’ on the Riverwalk and Pueblo West 4th of July Celebration have been canceled due to COVID-19. The Buell Children’s Museum will be reopening their Helen T. White galleries July 3, but will not hold any Independence Day specials such as Patriotic Day.

Alamosa:

Independence Day Celebration – Celebrate America’s Independence in the friendly town of Alamosa. This patriotic celebration begins with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast from 7am-10am in the parking lot of SLV Savings & Loan. Following breakfast, the 4th of July Parade kicks off at 10 am on Main & 6th ending at Bell Avenue. Fireworks start at dusk at Alamosa Fairgrounds. More information here.

Aurora:

The Fourth of July Spectacular has been canceled due to COVID-19.

Breckenridge:

Breckenridge has postponed the Independence Day parade, including the Firecracker 50 mountain bike race to July 2021 due to COVID-19.

Broomfield:

The Great American Picnic at Broomfield County Commons Park has been canceled this year due to COVID-19. Broomfield is hoping to still host Broomfield days in September.

Buena Vista:

The spectacular 4th of July Celebration – will take place in Buena Vista. The Independence Day includes present day allure with past day charm. Pancake Breakfast, 5k, Art in the Park, live music, and fireworks. More info here.

Castle Rock:

Fireworks in Castle Rock (July 4) – Fireworks will blast off from the Santa Fe Quarry butte above Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. According to their website, they recommend viewing from your house or neighborhood to avoid large gatherings and maintain social distancing. Anyone viewing the fireworks display must be aware that parking on streets and roadways will be limited and to be courteous of driveways and adhere to any posted neighborhood parking restrictions. In the event of severe weather, the fireworks will be postponed to Sunday, July 5. If stage 2 fire restrictions are in place on July 4, the event will be canceled.

Cripple Creek:

No current updates on the 4th of July Celebration.

Denver:

Independence Eve – no current updates for this event.
The Rockies – The Rockies have postponed what would have been their Independence Day game against the San Francisco Giants. The next game with fireworks is not scheduled until September 25.

Englewood:

The annual Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks have been canceled due to COVID-19.

Article originally published and regularly updated with the latest event information at https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/list-4th-of-july-celebrations-for-2020