40 Parents Told Me What You Should Do With the Kids This Summer
I'm not the expert, so I bugged everyone else to tell me what's on their list. Enjoy.
We moved into our house in South Salem on July 4th weekend in the summer of 2018. This means we’ve officially been “locals” for 7 years. But to some long-time neighbors, we’re still newbies.
I won’t argue. We kind of still are.
In 7 years, I think we’ve done and seen a whole lot. But after spending all last month asking local families to tell me what they love to do with their kids over the summer, I realize we’ve still got a lot to discover.
We often get teased that we’re the kind of family who goes to the same places over and over again. But in the words of parenting strategist Lizzie Assa who just wrote a beautiful essay about how to let go of summer ideals, that’s quite ok.
“Repeating the same spots actually creates a sense of ease and discovery. Your kids get the comfort of knowing the space and still find something new every time.” – Lizzie Assa, The Workspace for Children
I remember the first time we discovered Grace Farms in New Canaan. I wasn’t really sure what it was, but I knew it was magical. Today, you’ll find us there a few times a month.
I remember my kid’s first cone at Deborah Ann’s in Ridgefield. And yes, I still have to take a photo of them on that plastic cow every single time.
I remember discovering the Black Mansion ruins with our then-toddler at the top of Leon Levy in South Salem. I now love seeing how it changes with every season.
I remember sitting for the first time at the window seat at Rowayton Seafood while watching the boats go by. Now, it’s our go-to spot for almost every special occasion.
Yes, we love our faves. But the unexpected plus about starting The Plan is that it’s really inspired me (us!) to expand beyond the familiar. It’s high time we branch out and try some new things.
Summer is the perfect time to do just that.
Sure, I still haven’t tried swimming at Topstone Park in Redding. And we haven’t gone to see fireworks (yet!) with the kids. And I just asked my friend last weekend to explain why anyone would want to drag their children to go strawberry picking. (Update: She 100% sold me on it. It sounds amazing.)
A summer guide that makes sense.
The design and research process behind our first big recommendation compilation—the Summer Bucket List Guide—was intentional.
As per usual, I was my harshest critic and didn’t want to release something in the world that I wouldn’t actually use myself. So these 3 things were non-negotiable:
I knew I needed tips/advice from real parents. Too often, our feeds are filled with best-of lists and Facebook group threads that lack context. I wanted this guide to bring every recommendation to life with real advice from local parents. I only accepted recommendations that included a helpful tip.
I knew I wanted to print it and hold it in my hands. When every great summer possibility is in one place, there’s less friction between coming up with a new idea and making a plan. Having a printed guide right there on our kitchen counter is a powerful visual reminder.
I knew I wanted to see each recommendation on a map. I use Google Maps every day. I knew that having the driving time, proximity to familiar places, and hours & times right at my fingertips were essential.
Why isn’t it free?
The 3-part bundle—the 25-page printable guide, the worksheet for kids, and exclusive access to the Google My Maps list—is just $19 until Thursday, July 3 at 1:00PM. After that, it’ll be $25 for the rest of the summer.
I feel good about pricing it this way as I know how much value you’ll get for your money.
Remember, The Plan is a reader-supported publication, which means I’m not beholden to advertisers. Everything you get here is always authentic and unbiased. I have complete editorial freedom to create content and resources that genuinely serve all of us.
This project was a huge undertaking. I spent the most time collecting and curating parent recommendations (and chasing down valuable tips!). Then, figuring out a way to design the guide into a printable format that wasn’t overwhelming—that was a journey.
But it was worth it, as it’s a huge timesaver for all of us. Think of the time we spend searching through local Facebook Group archives for key words (e.g., “Where can I splash around the water with my kids this weekend?”), searching text messages from friends (e.g., “What was that seafood restaurant my friend said was amazing?”), browsing our unorganized Notes app, looking through saved Instagram Reels, screenshots on our phone and saved Facebook group threads. It’s insanity.
With the summer guide, I've done all that legwork for you and organized it in a way that makes sense.
The private Google Maps list is a truly unique bonus. Every spot and event in the guide is right there for you. Plus, I’ll continue to update as new guides are released, which means you’ll never have to purchase again.
So for $19, you're not just buying a PDF; you're investing in a stress reducer and time saver—something you can refer to over and over again. Plus, your purchase directly supports the future of The Plan.
My valued paid subscribers get an exclusive 50% discount, which is my way of saying thank you for your continued support. And if you're not a paid subscriber yet, now's a fantastic time to consider upgrading to get this guide for half-off.
So click the button to buy, download, print, and start making plans this summer.
One last thing
Make sure you tag @heres_theplan in your summer adventures! Tell us what you liked, what to watch out for, and a good tip for the next parent. Remember, no gate-keeping around here. Share what you know and help us all out.
xo,
K
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