If you've been dreading the chorus of "I'm bored" from the kids this summer, the City of St. Louis Park has rolled out a new distraction. They're dispatching their Park 'N Play vehicle, loaded with outdoor games, crafts, and "other fun activities" targeted at 5 to 12-year-olds, to various parks around the city.
The mobile recreation program is a free-of-charge initiative aiming to keep the youth engaged and entertained during the summer months. According to an announcement on the city's Facebook page, parents can locate the Park 'N Play vehicle's daily destinations online, giving families the chance to plan ahead. It's a turnkey solution for the summertime slump — just track the truck, and turn the kids loose.
Not just a rolling reprieve for parents, the Park 'N Play vehicle appears to be a part of a larger push by the city to encourage outdoor activity and community engagement. With school out and the devices in, initiatives like this could be a breath of fresh air – both figuratively and literally – in the lives of the local youth.
This community effort falls neatly in line with broader trends prioritizing physical activity and disconnecting from screens. As reported on the City of St. Louis Park's social media post, "The Park 'N Play vehicle is bringing outdoor games, crafts and other fun activities for youth ages 5 – 12 to different parks near YOU!" A simple yet effective strategy, for keeping kids both busy and healthy during their school break.
For the full schedule and to see when the playtime parade might be pulling into a park near you, check out the link provided by the city’s Facebook announcement. It's a handy resource, for both spontaneous fun-seekers and the ever-organized mom brigade. In the land of 10,000 lakes—and just as many summer diversions—the Park 'N Play vehicle just might be the easiest way to slide into summertime enjoyment.
