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Archives for April 2020

Puyallup City Trails Set to Reopen

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Puyallup Parks and Trails have been closed due to Covid 19.

If you’ve been wondering when Puyallup trails will be open, or which trails in Puyallup are open, we have news.

Puyallup TRAILS are set to open Saturday, April 25th. Keep in mind that only the trails are open-amenities such as playgrounds and bathrooms and parking are closed. Please use trails in your neighborhoods and practice social distancing.

Edit to add: This information was announced by the City of Puyallup on their fb page and shared by the Puyallup Police Department. A screen shot is below and a link is here. Again, this refers to trails, not parks, and once again…..I. am. not. in. charge. Thanks! 

Some readers have also wondered about the Nathan Chapman Trail on South Hill and the Foothills Trail in the valley. Those are Pierce County Trails, and they have been, and are, open. Again, the trails only are open. You should not expect any other amenities, and you should go only to engage in solo recreation, like walking. This is a great time to discover the trails in your backyard!

PS This news is from the City of Puyallup. I am not responsible for their policies. While I understand you may have strong feelings about what should be open OR what should be closed, I appreciate you keeping in mind that I am just not the person to address those concerns with. Thanks!

Get A Box of Balloons Delivered in Tacoma or Fircrest

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Hey, Tacoma and Fircrest….Do you know someone having a birthday during this stay-at-home time? Or maybe you just know a kiddo (or an adult) who could use a box of cheer?

If you’re in Tacoma or Fircrest you can get a box of filled balloons delivered to their door for 20.00 with the Happy Balloon Delivery from the Oh Happy Day shop

How fun is that??? No, they don’t come spilling out of your mailbox. They come filled in a big, ‘ol box! How fun will that be for your big-enough-for-balloons kids to open?

Pssst…..We’re told you can score a discount with code TACOMA.

Let us know if you try this! We think it sounds like a delightful, day brightening splurge!

Update: A few readers had trouble finding the direct link to the balloon delivery. 

It’s here

Pierce County Yard Waste Drop Off

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Times When You Can Take Yard Waste to Pierce County Transfer Stations

Do you have more yard waste than usual? If you’re like a lot of my neighbors you’ve been spending more time in your yard at home, and now you’re wondering what to do with all your yard waste!

The news is that you can now take your yard waste to Pierce County transfer locations, but only on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. They will NOT accept garbage during these times. Note that you’re encouraged to visit the transfer station only if you really need to, so if you can do something else with your yard clippings, you’re encouraged to do so. Also note that they will not take cash.

I think you should also be prepared to expect a crowd. One poster I read said he was in line at 8AM and finally through by 11AM, so…..yikes. The photos I saw also showed a very significant line of cars.  That’s a lot of yard work!

From their site (note that this begins April 21st).

  • Hidden Valley, 17925 Meridian E., Puyallup,
    Tue. and Wed. Yard waste only: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Garbage only: 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
  • Purdy, 14515 54th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor,
    Tue. and Wed. Yard waste only: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Garbage only: 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • Prairie Ridge, 11710 Prairie Ridge Dr. E., Bonney Lake
    Tue. and Wed. Yard waste only: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Garbage only: 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

You can read more here.

Ten Cheap Toys and Tools for Backyard Exploration With Kids

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Ten Cheap or Inexpensive Toys To Add Fun To Backyard Exploration

Are you looking for some cheap and easy ways to make exploring your backyard more fun? I’ve got just the things!

If you’re staying at home or doing a quarantine with the kids, you’re likely keeping your walks and exploration close to home. These simple toys will add a little fun to your day even if you don’t go further than the walk in front of your house, or your own yard!

I’ve included my Amazon affiliate link to each of these, but I also encourage you to explore local businesses offering curbside pick up like the Curious Bear. I’ve also include a no-spend or very low-spend option for each! Happy exploring!

A magnifying glass

Obviously, I like this one from Melissa and Doug because it has a snake handle. Need two? This set seems like a good deal. 

Budget option: You can probably find one at the dollar store if these are too pricey. Inexpensive ones may shatter, so do be attentive if you’re using one of those.

Seeing things up close is amazing for young children!

A nature guide

I love this one and right now it’s part of Amazon’s 3 for the price of 2 promotion!

Budget option: The Point Defiance Zoo has lots of free nature guides and resource online right now on their new Nature at Home page.

A flower pressing kit This one looks kid friendly.

Budget option: Use a heavy book.

PS I also love thissolar print paper. It would be great for some school-at-home science!

A hula hoop!

Got a hoop? Put it on the ground and challenge your child to examine every little thing inside it. You would be amazed at how much there is to explore inside a circle!

Budget option: Use a string or draw a circle with a stick. You may also find hoops at the dollar store or drug or grocery if you’re venturing out.

A Bug Container

Here’s a handy place for your kids’ new friends.

This BugView Quick-Release catcher and magnifier is another cool option.

Budget Option: Any container you’re willing to sacrifice as long as it’s got breathing holes and what not!

Water Magnifier

Make those puddles more fascinating! These are surprisingly cool and well worth the spend. This one looks like a boat! PS Think water specific magnifying glass if you’re wondering what these do.

Budget Option: Sara wrap on the end of a paper towel tube.

Explorer’s Kit

How cute is this??

Do you need this? No. But my children had a similar kit, and they got years of play value from it as they had real and imagined adventures all over our house and yard. One of mine was also heavily into Diego and his magic backpack.

Binoculars

These look cool

but there are lots of options, in all price ranges. Another idea is to get a durable pair for the whole family.

Budget option: Two paper towel tubes trimmed and tapped together.

A Hiking Guide

This is a complete tease, since we’re all staying at home right now, but why not do some summer (we hope!) dreaming? This guide is our absolute favorite, and there are plenty of hikes challenging enough for all ages. My family has been using this guide for years, and we haven’t worked our way through it yet.

If you’ve been having fun adventures close to home, I’d love to hear about them!

 

Six Ways to Have More Fun On a Short Walk With Kids

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What to do when you’re staying at home but you still need some fresh air, and the same old stroll down the street is getting a little dull?

Here are some fun ways to take a, “Hike,” with kids that don’t require going further than down the block (or getting too close to anyone)! These will make your daily walks with the kids seem a little more like an adventure!

Penny Hike

At each turn or intersection, your child flips the coin. “Heads,” you go left and, “Tails,” you go right. As a bonus, your neighbors will be scratching their heads wondering why you’re walking in circles!

Pajama Hike

It’s a walk in your pajamas. You’re probably already wearing them, right?

Flashlight Hike

If you and the kids are sleeping in anyway, let them stay up until dark and take a walk around the neighborhood with your flashlights. Just don’t trip!

Bear Hunt

Is your neighborhood doing a bear hunt or putting hearts in the windows? If not, maybe you could start something up! Kids walk and try to spot bears or hearts on the way. We’ve heard some folks are also putting up eggs! Hop to it!

I Spy or Alphabet Hunt walk

Any game you used to play on a driving trip can be converted to a walking game! See if your beginning readers can find each letter of the alphabet in order as you walk, or play, “I spy,” with things on your street.

Scavenger Hunt or Treasure Hunt

See if the kids can find a round rock, or a pointy leaf, and so on. There are lots of printable scavenger hunts online, but you can easily make your own. Or just let the kids decide what, “Treasures,” they want to take home. A clean egg carton is a handy container. When my boys were small we had a big flower pot on the porch to hold those sticks and pine cones that were too precious to leave behind but too dirty to bring in the house!

Where to go? These walks are all designed to be fun with your immediate family in your own neighborhood, but as of this writing there are still some area trails that are open. Obviously, you will want to check before you head out, and make sure it’s a path you can use while still maintaining a distance from your fellow walkers.

I’d love to hear what close-to-home adventures you’ve been having with your family!