Ashburn Column: Summer Survival

Summer is just getting under way and if you’ve got a house full of kids, you’re likely to hear the dreaded phrase, “Mom, I’m bored…” While the summer is young and before you need it, here’s a starter list. Also, post your favorite summer boredom buster or summer survival tip in the comments for this article and check out other posted ideas. 

Go to a playground. But don’t go to the Dinosaur park or Trailside (gotcha didn’t I?), unless you want to battle the day care centers and get an ulcer keeping up with the kids. Go to a school playground. They're usually empty, and there's a bench so you can actually relax and read a book while the kids play.

Camp out. Pitch a tent in the yard. Camp, play, or read in it. Permit naps in it. Put two tents up and have a water gun fight between two forts.

Play ball. Organize a weekly game, like kick-ball, for your street on a nearby cul-de-sac. Each mom on the street hosts once, which just means she has lemonade duty that day.

Go green. If you've got the summer blahs, doing something good will make you feel good. Grab a couple of bags and head to your favorite community area to do some litter removal.

See the animals. Fish (and release), feed the ducks, or look for turtles at Broadlands' pond or one of the Ashburn Village lakes. Collect eggs at Fields of Athenry Farm. Go to Reston Zoo.

Get out of your neighborhood rut. Check the websites of all the larger neighborhoods; they usually have summer events open to the public. You can also check out their neighborhood playgrounds for a change of pace.

Dust off the old stand-bys. Visit the library, go to a free kid’s movie at Brambleton, or attend one of the summer series concerts at Broadlands. And yes, there's always Trailside or Ashburn park.