School is out for the summer! Now that the text books have been returned, the backpack stashed away in the back of a closet (with the lunch box, the pencil case, the ruler and colored binders tucked inside) and the alarm clock turned off, it is time to settle in for a long, relaxing summer. No more rushed breakfasts or waiting for carpools, no more deciding what to wear or what not to wear, no more spelling tests or impromptu math quizzes. 

Summer vacation brings with it images of lazy days soaking in the sun at the beach, lying on the hammock reading a good book while sipping lemonade and catching fireflies in mason jars when the sun goes down. Unscheduled days void of routine lend themselves to sleeping in and going to bed long after the school year appointed time. 

Along with the novelty (of the freedom) that comes with the close of the school year is the reality that there are many hours in the day and not always enough activities to fill the time. Hanging around in pajamas until noon time and watching movies for hours on end can quickly translate into unwelcome pangs of boredom. 

In order to circumvent the nagging which accompanies a bored child, parents must start now to prepare and plan activities to keep their children busy throughout the summer. Here in Marlborough there are a number of ways to keep your children busy, engaged and happy.

1. Get a library card and plan a weekly trip to the Children’s Room. Not only are there countless books to choose from but there are movies as well - the perfect antidote to a rainy day. From story hour to craft classes to cooking classes to book clubs, there is something for everyone. Check the library website for weekly and drop-in classes. While at the library sign up for a library pass to the zoo, the aquarium, the science center or to a number of other attractions.

2. Take a dip in the pool or frolic in the lake! Residents of Marlborough have the luxury of enjoying both Memorial Beach as well as two separate wading pools - at both Ward Park and Farrell Field. Whether your child(ren) enjoys building san castles in the sand or running under a fountain, water activities keep kids cool while providing exercise and lots of fun! For information on Memorial beach and the wading pools visit this site. The wading pools are free of charge but the beach requires a season pass which can be purchased at the Recreation Department for $40 (for residents). Remember: any time spent in the sun requires ample and frequent sun screen application.

3. Pack a picnic, a skateboard and a basketball and head to Ghiloni Park. Families with children of all ages can enjoy the many benefits of Ghiloni Park. From walking or biking the nature trail to running on the track to playing with the kids on the playground to shooting hoops on the basketball courts, there is sure to be something for everyone. This is a great place to meet up with friends or to make new ones. Check out the Ghiloni Park website to download the trail map. 

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