Anonymous
03/23/2016 11:13
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think Cabin John Playground (the train park) is a great option.
Wheaton playground
The playground at Beauvior
Cabin John used to be great when they had the massive wood structures and slides. Now it is a kiddie park. My 6yr old is extremely bored there.
I loved cabin John in the 80s as a kid. Awesome wood and metal structures the pig trash can that oinked...
pig trash can is still there
Anonymous
03/23/2016 10:33
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think Cabin John Playground (the train park) is a great option.
Wheaton playground
The playground at Beauvior
Cabin John used to be great when they had the massive wood structures and slides. Now it is a kiddie park. My 6yr old is extremely bored there.
I loved cabin John in the 80s as a kid. Awesome wood and metal structures the pig trash can that oinked...
Anonymous
03/23/2016 10:27
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think Cabin John and Wheaton are sort of limited- the play structures aren't very big so it's easy to get bored.
I like Lafayette and Beavoir for my 5 YO.
It's a real shame that playgrounds are so boring today that a 5 year old- who is actually at the bottom of the age range these structures were built for- finds most of them dull. My kids do as well. We have taken all the risk out of playgrounds! Where's the fun in that?
No dimwit. Clemi-Jontri wasn't built for an age, it was built for accessibility. And thank God there are a few.
It's an awesome park, but the ones the PP mentions are great too.
OP, take your kids on the Billy Goat Trail. They won't be bored.
Um, she was talking about Cabin John and Wheaton. Dimwit.
Anonymous
03/23/2016 10:25
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I'm sure you are a nice person, I don't think my "sad" comment was meant for you at all. I know a family who live in a two bedroom with kids your same ages, and it IS sad. They are either cooped up inside or squatting at a playground for half the day. No sense of home, nowhere to get some real downtime, or the freedom to build a fort or dig a hole in the ground. Trying out new playgrounds isn't sad, but needing them because you live in a chicken coop and your kids never get outdoor time otherwise, is. I misinterpreted. I also strongly feel that older kids need space and time with kids their own ages to learn how to build friendships. That's why having play dates at home, and neighborhood friends, are so crucial. If you Are an itinerant playground hopper (see family above) then, while you gain skills in making 'single-serving' friends quickly, you don't really get the depth of real friendship. this site is a funny place, a lot of misdirected emotions happen here.
Ooh, you're awful! Fun!
Anonymous
03/23/2016 09:55
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I'm sure you are a nice person, I don't think my "sad" comment was meant for you at all. I know a family who live in a two bedroom with kids your same ages, and it IS sad. They are either cooped up inside or squatting at a playground for half the day. No sense of home, nowhere to get some real downtime, or the freedom to build a fort or dig a hole in the ground. Trying out new playgrounds isn't sad, but needing them because you live in a chicken coop and your kids never get outdoor time otherwise, is. I misinterpreted. I also strongly feel that older kids need space and time with kids their own ages to learn how to build friendships. That's why having play dates at home, and neighborhood friends, are so crucial. If you Are an itinerant playground hopper (see family above) then, while you gain skills in making 'single-serving' friends quickly, you don't really get the depth of real friendship. this site is a funny place, a lot of misdirected emotions happen here.
Sorry, but this post is full of judgment for how other people live.
Anonymous
03/23/2016 08:55
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Hi OP, I'm sure you are a nice person, I don't think my "sad" comment was meant for you at all. I know a family who live in a two bedroom with kids your same ages, and it IS sad. They are either cooped up inside or squatting at a playground for half the day. No sense of home, nowhere to get some real downtime, or the freedom to build a fort or dig a hole in the ground. Trying out new playgrounds isn't sad, but needing them because you live in a chicken coop and your kids never get outdoor time otherwise, is. I misinterpreted. I also strongly feel that older kids need space and time with kids their own ages to learn how to build friendships. That's why having play dates at home, and neighborhood friends, are so crucial. If you Are an itinerant playground hopper (see family above) then, while you gain skills in making 'single-serving' friends quickly, you don't really get the depth of real friendship. this site is a funny place, a lot of misdirected emotions happen here.
Anonymous
03/23/2016 08:24
Subject: Re:"older kid" playgrounds?
I think it is great that you are trying different parks!
I usually work full time but two summers ago I had the whole summer off between jobs. My kids and I made a challenge to try 2 different parks in Arlington each week. The kids had a great time. At that point we had four kids ages 3,5, 7 and 10. We figured out quickly that we should always have the bigger kids razor scooters in the van. That way if the playground was geared more towards the younger set, then the older kids could ride scooters.
I usually work full time but two summers ago I had the whole summer off between jobs. My kids and I made a challenge to try 2 different parks in Arlington each week. The kids had a great time. At that point we had four kids ages 3,5, 7 and 10. We figured out quickly that we should always have the bigger kids razor scooters in the van. That way if the playground was geared more towards the younger set, then the older kids could ride scooters.
Anonymous
03/23/2016 08:13
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
We hop around to different elementary school playgrounds
Anonymous
03/22/2016 21:54
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
There is a dinosaur park in Ashburn with a side for bigger kids and a side for smaller. It might be a good choice for you especially if you make a day out of it out this way.
Anonymous
03/22/2016 21:31
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Op here.
Thanks for the suggestions! We'll look into those! I live right near Lee District/Chessie's Big Backyard and that's usually our go-to place.
And, I have no idea about what is sad about trying a new playground now and then. We do have a house, and a yard, but sometimes, we like to leave it. It's hardly a life spent in a minivan. This is Spring Break, and since they're home from school, I thought we'd go to a different playground, just for kicks. I remembered going to Clemyjontri when they were younger, and when we got there today, I just realized that, wow, they're growing up! I don't even know why I'm answering...
Thanks for the suggestions! We'll look into those! I live right near Lee District/Chessie's Big Backyard and that's usually our go-to place.
And, I have no idea about what is sad about trying a new playground now and then. We do have a house, and a yard, but sometimes, we like to leave it. It's hardly a life spent in a minivan. This is Spring Break, and since they're home from school, I thought we'd go to a different playground, just for kicks. I remembered going to Clemyjontri when they were younger, and when we got there today, I just realized that, wow, they're growing up! I don't even know why I'm answering...
Anonymous
03/22/2016 21:25
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
I find this thread kind of sad. A seven year old needs friends in their neighborhood, not sitting in a minivan touring regional playgrounds. Weekday or weekend, it's just kind of sad. take your 1.5 year old to an age
Appropriate playground while your older kids are in school! On the weekends, take your kids somewhere age appropriate.
Appropriate playground while your older kids are in school! On the weekends, take your kids somewhere age appropriate.
Anonymous
03/22/2016 21:20
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Most good elementary school playgrounds should fit the bill for your older kids. Though, it's a little much to ask for a playground that suits the needs of 1.5 year old and seven year old. Those ages have drastically different abilities and needs. sounds like you need a house and a yard.
Anonymous
03/22/2016 20:47
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:I think Cabin John Playground (the train park) is a great option.
Wheaton playground
The playground at Beauvior
Cabin John used to be great when they had the massive wood structures and slides. Now it is a kiddie park. My 6yr old is extremely bored there.
Anonymous
03/22/2016 17:14
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Chessies big backyard
Huh?
Maybe PP means Lee district park in VA
Anonymous
03/22/2016 17:09
Subject: "older kid" playgrounds?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think Cabin John and Wheaton are sort of limited- the play structures aren't very big so it's easy to get bored.
I like Lafayette and Beavoir for my 5 YO.
It's a real shame that playgrounds are so boring today that a 5 year old- who is actually at the bottom of the age range these structures were built for- finds most of them dull. My kids do as well. We have taken all the risk out of playgrounds! Where's the fun in that?
No dimwit. Clemi-Jontri wasn't built for an age, it was built for accessibility. And thank God there are a few.
It's an awesome park, but the ones the PP mentions are great too.
OP, take your kids on the Billy Goat Trail. They won't be bored.