Fun Orange County Parks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Park Map
    • Accessible Playgrounds
    • South OC Playgrounds
    • Central OC Playgrounds
    • North OC Playgrounds
    • 10 Best Playgrounds
  • Places to Go Outdoors
    • Nature Hikes
    • Beaches
    • Nature Centers
    • Farms and Gardens
    • Aquariums
    • Museums and Zoos
    • Rainy Day Play Ideas
  • About
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Park Map
    • Accessible Playgrounds
    • South OC Playgrounds
    • Central OC Playgrounds
    • North OC Playgrounds
    • 10 Best Playgrounds
  • Places to Go Outdoors
    • Nature Hikes
    • Beaches
    • Nature Centers
    • Farms and Gardens
    • Aquariums
    • Museums and Zoos
    • Rainy Day Play Ideas
  • About
  • Contact
×
Home » Play Ideas » My Nature Journal

Dinner Conversation: Playful Family Night

(Me, on the playground in 1970-something. I still have that sweater.)

We eat together almost every evening in our house. Normal dinner conversation is usually entertainment enough. We share our days with each other or bond on some topic the kids are learning in school. Our best family night idea happened by accident last week.

Sometimes, as adults, we forget what we loved as kids.

When a discussion about my kids riding bikes turned into my husband and I trading Big Green Machine and Big Wheel stories - I knew we were in for a special conversation. We both lit up recalling our glory days climbing on roofs (yes, I did it) and riding our bikes on many adventures far from the eyes of our parents. We had the kids cracking up about Mommy's lip-synch choices (Grease soundtrack and Le Freak disco). They loved the descriptions of record players from the "olden days." I'm a fan of any activity resulting in uncontrollable laughter.

As an adult, I forgot. I forgot my love of those moments when my parents shared their childhood memories. I related to those play stories. It equalized us. I could contribute.

I focus on play all day long. I play with my kids, write about it, share it with others. But it's always about my kids or kids their age. I forget to share my personal play experiences with my children. I discovered my husband and I rarely compare notes about our youngster playtime. It was especially fun for me to hear about his adventures as a little kid.

More My Nature Journal

  • Sharing My Mother's Mom-isms in Celebration of Mother's Day
  • Noguchi Gardens (California Scenario) in Costa Mesa
  • Practice 2 Simple Parenting Strategies and Never "Entertain" Your Young Kids Again
  • 10 Ways to Find New Places to Play

About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.

"The Park Lady"

My name is Michele Whiteaker and I'd love for you to think of me as your personal Play Concierge. When I used to search online for family-friendly activities, nothing quite fit my playful outdoor interests or tight budget.

More about me

Popular

  • 2025 Wildflowers and Best Kid-Friendly Spots to See Them in Orange County

  • San Clemente Aquatics Center and Vista Hermosa Sports Park

  • 10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)

  • Trestles: Beach Walking for Families in a Surfer's Paradise

Seasonal

  • Newport Elementary Shared Beach Playground

  • 6 Free Trolleys in Orange County and How to Ride Them

  • 36 Favorite Picnic Spots in OC

  • colorful stackable blocks on dirt surface at Irvine Adventure Playground with blue sky and thin white clouds on a sunny day
    Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About + Start Here

Newsletter

  • Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter!

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2008-2025 Play Parks Creative LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclosure