Summer with 26-month-old twins is its own kind of adventure. They're old enough now to actually enjoy outings, run in the grass and remember the ducks from last week. They're also young enough that everything needs to happen between naps, within 30 minutes of home, with at least one bathroom nearby.
So every June I make a bucket list. It's not a Pinterest-perfect list. It's a list of things that are cheap or free, reasonably close to our place in East Oakland, and survivable with two toddlers and one parent. I keep it on the fridge and we check things off as we go.
How I made the list
My three rules:
- Under $20 for the whole family, or free.
- Doable in a morning, so we're home for nap by 12:30.
- Works for a solo parent, because on my days off it's just me.
Here's what made it this year.
Water play
Splash pads. The East Bay has quite a few public splash pads and spray grounds in city parks, and most are free. Theo loves standing right at the edge and getting "surprised" by the same jet 40 times. June runs straight through the middle, fully clothed if I don't move fast enough. I pack swim diapers, towels, a change of clothes, and snacks, and we go early, before it gets crowded and hot.
A lake or bay beach day. The bay shoreline has several calm, shallow spots where toddlers can splash in ankle-deep water and dig in the sand. The water is chilly even in summer, which is honestly fine because the twins mostly want to fill buckets and dump them on each other. Check the local park district website for conditions before you go.
The backyard kiddie pool. Our duplex has a tiny shared yard. A $15 inflatable pool and a hose, and I get 45 minutes of peace. Always within arm's reach, obviously.
Animals
- A small farm park. There are a couple of free or cheap farm parks in the East Bay hills with goats, sheep, chickens and cows. June tried to "hug" a goat last year. The goat was not into it.
- The duck pond. Our weekly go-to. We bring peas (not bread) and they could watch ducks for an hour.
- The zoo, once. It's a splurge with parking and tickets, so we save it for when my mom or Dan can come. Two adults, two toddlers, one stroller.
Free and outside
- A picnic at the lake with sandwiches and berries, then a walk around the path to look at the birds. It is my favorite kind of slow Saturday, and we do it at least twice a month.
- The farmers market with $5 each to "spend" on fruit. They pick. It's usually strawberries. It's always strawberries.
- Library story time. Free, indoors, air-conditioned on hot days, and the twins now actually sit for most of it.
- A new playground every week. We live near the San Leandro border, so we have lots of options on both sides. My goal is eight new ones this summer.
- Chalk drawings on the sidewalk and then "washing" them off with a spray bottle. This is somehow the most exciting thing in the world to a two-year-old.
Bigger ones (with backup)
A day trip to Sacramento. Dan's parents live there, and they've promised us a pool afternoon at a friend's house and a trip to a big park with a train ride. It's hotter there, so we'll go in the morning and hide inside in the afternoon.
A second camping trip. Our first one last month went mostly well (minus 2 a.m.), so we're planning a two-night trip in August. Warmer pajamas this time.
A Fourth of July picnic. Fireworks are way past bedtime and way too loud for June, who hates loud noises. So we'll do a daytime picnic with family, then bedtime as usual. Maybe we'll hear them from bed.
Things I always bring
The bag lives in the car all summer: sunscreen (ask your pediatrician about what's right for your kid), hats, a change of clothes for each, a big bottle of water, snacks, wipes, a blanket, a first-aid kit, and a spare pair of shoes because someone always loses one.
The real goal
The point isn't to check every box. Last year we did maybe half the list, and it was still a great summer. The point is to get outside, get a little tired, and come home with sandy feet and two toddlers who fall asleep in the car. If we manage popsicles on the front step a few times a week, I'll call summer a success.
What's on your summer list? I'm always looking for new spots, especially shady ones.
