Tag: family fun

Top Parks for Families in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Summer is upon us and if you are like me, you are dreading the prospect of being packed away in the house with kids whining about having “nothing to do.” I always like to have a backup plan on hand for a fun day activity that will let the kids run themselves ragged and get rid of all that crazy energy that they seem so full of.

Here are some of the top parks in Denver that you can take your family to this summer for a fun-filled day:

  1. Central Park (Stapleton)—I’ve got to put this one at the top of my list for the sheer joy of the place and the beautiful, vibrant colors. Central Park has purple trees and colorful foam mountains that serve as the backdrop for family fun. Alongside this creative décor, they also have activities for all kids including rock-climbing and traditional playground equipment. There is also a fountain and sandcastle area for those who miss getting to do this at the beach. Finally, you absolutely must check out the “sensory sound garden” that allows kids to experiment with chimes and drums.
  2. Westminster Center Park (Westminster)—One of my favorite children’s tales is Peter Pan, so it should come as no surprise that this one is highly recommended. Westminster Center Park is also affectionately called Peter Pan Park because it is built around creating a miniature Neverland for kids to explore. The park boasts playground equipment built around a pirate ship, as well as tunnels, rocks, logs, and bridges that will fire up their imagination.
  3. Discovery Park (Wheat Ridge)—This one gets high marks for the sheer variety of the activities at the park. Besides having traditional playgrounds for little kids and older ones as well, you can also enjoy sandcastle building in the sandpit and cool down at the splash pad. This one also sets itself apart from other parks by its natural beauty (a creek runs right through it) and the skate park which allows your adventurous older kids to enjoy themselves.
  4. Downtown Children’s Playground (Denver)—No list of parks could be complete without this perennial favorite. The only thing that might detract from this one is that it is too well-located. Because it is in the heart of downtown, it gets larger crowds, especially on the weekends or during major family events. But if you do find yourself in the area and want the kids to run off steam, this park not only has traditional playground features, but it also includes a rubberized cushioning that will protect the little ones if they take a tumble.

No matter what part of Denver you are in, check out the local parks and playgrounds in your area. Spend some time during the day or early evening running off that energy and your kids may even wear themselves out and sleep well that night.

**********

Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Family Fun Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Holidays.

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and even if your family isn’t Irish, you can still have some fun celebrating this event. Unfortunately, many of the celebrations set up in local communities may be centered around green beer and may not be very family friendly. If you have kids, here are some family activities you can do on your own to help get out your green and celebrate.

  1. Parade—Most kids love parades and the St. Patrick’s Day parades in most major cities can be a huge production with marching bands, floats, and Irish musicians. If you live near a place that is scheduling a parade, be sure to check it out.
  2. Treasure Hunt—You can get a jump-start on your Easter Egg Hunt practice with a St. Patrick’s Day themed treasure hunt. Head out to the yard and hide gold coins from your leprechaun’s pot of gold. Then turn the kids loose and let them track them down. As a bonus, you can hide something special as the big prize for the lucky child who finds it.
  3. Holiday Cookies—Baking together is always a great idea. You can make easy “leprechaun gold” cookies by baking sugar cookies and adding a little yellow food coloring for the right gold tint. If you want to get creative, switch it up for green food coloring and get some shamrock shaped cookie cutters to make a variety of cookie types.
  4. Craft Bracelets—If you own a rainbow loom or something similar, you can spend the day making green friendship bracelets to give out on St. Patrick’s Day at school or daycare.
  5. Do some Research—Fun…research? Actually, yes. You don’t have to be Irish to spend this day talking to your kids about your family heritage. This is the perfect time to do a little online research about your family’s origins. And who knows—maybe you can trace some of your ancestors back to the “Emerald Island” itself.
  6. Movie Night—How about a themed movie night to wrap things up? It’s a bit of a lost classic, but Disney’s 1959 Darby O’Gill and the Little People is a great family classic about Irishman outsmarting a group of leprechauns. Adults can also be on the lookout for a very young Sean Connery is this film that is based on a beloved children’s book. If you get a chance, you can even tuck the kids in with an Irish folk tale as a bedtime story.

St. Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity to have some fun with your family. Take some time to do an activity or two this year with your children to celebrate this special day.

 

**********

Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.
  • 1
  • 2