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I’m not the one to give you “keep your kids busy” advice or “how to entertain them” tips. Have you ever thought about that wording? Who wants to be busy all the time? What caregiver has the time (and money!) to “entertain” non-stop? And, developmentally, it’s not what the kids need either.

Just think about it a moment more. Have you ever read any research or parenting advice that says: the most important thing you can do for healthy child development is keep those kids busy! Where is the research that says they must be active and/or entertained at every moment of every day?

Play, however, is essential. And that doesn’t mean you always need to play WITH them. Although, sometimes you will.

This fact never really changes based on the research. If anything, the evidence continues to support it! Kids need play and letting them lead that play is where so many of the benefits show up.

Why do I bring it up now? Mostly, to take some of the pressure off of you as we are heading towards the end of the summer months.

I absolutely know the struggle of the kids asking you: “What are we doing today?” Talk about pressure! But the answer can absolutely be: “Nothing. We’re having a slow day at home.” They might even start requesting those slower days?

Marketing departments work hard to have you invest your time and money in scheduled, structured play. Luckily, there are so lots of free ways to get around that if you don’t buy into it!

Michele

As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.

Go before 10am if you can!

Choose from 45+ playgrounds!

Cerritos Library (LA County, but North OC close) even has a splash pad (photo in this guide)!

Find out more in my guide!

If you have A/C at home or access to a pool, there’s nothing wrong with spending time there instead of going out! In fact, think about inviting friends who might not have those things at their place! If you don’t have those options, see if your friends or family who do have A/C or pool access might be open to having you over to their place for indoor air-conditioned play dates at their place during the hottest part of the day or to be guests at their pool.

(And this is NOT a sales pitch or an affiliate link at all. I just wanted to point out that a portable a/c like this from Costco saved us many a summer. It needs a window for output, but it can cool down a 350 sq. ft. room so at least you can sleep. I didn’t know they existed until we needed one. I have thought about taking in a collection each summer, so we can give some away to families who need them in our community.)

Just seeing if there is interest! I promise I am not going to contact you if you say “yes.”

If 30 people give $20, then we’d have enough for 1 air conditioner plus $150 extra for electricity. And even if we only end up with enough for one, then that’s one family who doesn’t have to suffer as much.

I know this one is tricky if you or the kids tend to want to buy stuff! So it might be the least “free” option in the end? But if you are just going for the A/C, you can try South Coast Plaza, Main Place Mall in Santa Ana, Brea Mall (new play area in 2025), and The Shops at Mission Viejo (also a new play area in 2025). Fashion Island is in Newport Beach -- so it's cooler just by being near the beach even though it's not all indoors, however the food court area is indoors and it never feels overly hot outside there to me. Irvine Spectrum is outdoors, but has “misters” in the center near Dave & Busters, an indoor family lounge with some space-themed play elements for siblings, and of course — the splash pad near the carousel.

This can be busy during summer, but Seal Beach Pier & the cute little playground at the base of the pier is always a fun little play trip. This is an enclosed playground, too.

Eat: Either cinnamon rolls at Sweet Jill's Bakery or a breakfast burrito at Nick's

More Play: Rush Park in Los Alamitos

And if these beachy or pirate play spots aren’t enough. I do have a whole list of pirate playgrounds!

See the list!

Do you have a play trip to share? Or a restaurant you love to support? Send me your recommendations!

I’m holding this space for one idea a week for an action you can take. Something that might only take you 10-20 minutes to read and act. I know it’s hard to know HOW to help at times. I tend to start small with daily kindness, gratitude, and caring for others. Beyond that, what can you do to make a difference? Any one action adds up when we work together.

One action for today: Read up on how one city is returning to free play through a nature-based approach and creating “naturehoods” (June 2026)!

Bonus: See what public lands decisions need your voice! Now they just introduced PLAN (Public Lands Action Network).