We took the girls to Sylvan Lake on Friday, to avoid the rush of the weekend (well, no rush since the weather was terrible on Saturday) and spend some time in the sand. It was the first time we had brought the girls, and after the fun in the sand you can bet we will be back most weekends before the fall comes.
Making the Day trip to Sylvan Lake Easier
Skip the Road Snacks
At under a couple of hours away, it’s easy to skip the road trip snacks. Choose breakfast bars, DIY granola and other snacks that travel well for the morning drive to the day trip at the beach.
Don’t forget a couple of snacks for the way home (if the kids don’t fall asleep, that is) - and make sure there are enough drinks brought along for the entire day.
Head to the Sand
Head to the sand near the end of the beach - but make sure you get there early on a nice day. There’s a small section of sand that can get full pretty quickly. Sure, there’s tons of other places to set up (on the grass near the playground) but when it comes to taking the kids to the beach - let’s face it, we come for the sand.
At first I was thinking, ugh, grass - but the shade, wet sand to play in and close proximity to the washrooms and playground was kind of convenient.
Tip: bring your own sand toys, and your own water floaties to save the extra cost (and temptation) of buying them from the store when you get to the lake.
What’s for Lunch?
Bring your own picnic lunch in the cooler and eat on the beach - but for dessert you’re going to want to head to The Big Moo for ice cream. Under $15 for four cones (two baby cones, two small cones) it was a fun dessert and the kids got to sit on the cow.
Skipping lunch is an easy way to cut the costs of the day trip and make it more affordable to head down for the day and enjoy some time in the water.
Beach Shades - Get One on Sale
A beach shade is perfect for the kids to nap or relax in (would have been perfect for the relaxing time Violet had for a few minutes). They’re on sale for as little as $40 and make a bit of shade where you need it. I am not one of those people that enjoy sitting in the sun, so the cool, windy day was perfect for me but on a warmer day? We would have needed a shade.
Relax, While the Kids Make Friends in the Sand
We saw Olivia for a grand total of five minutes while we were lounging at the beach. She was off with the new best-friend-of-the-moment burying each other in the sand and jumping into the water.
Even Violet found another baby to play with, making for an easy and relaxing afternoon. Since it’s a popular destination, there are tons of kids around for yours to play with.
Finish with the Farmer’s Market
If you’re going to be in Sylvan Lake on Fridays (perfect time before the busy weekend) head to the Farmers Market to grab some snacks and enjoy dinner at the beach or delicious fruit on the way home. It’s Fridays between 4-7:30. More information can be found, here.
Hit the Playground Before the Car
If the kids aren’t tired enough from a day in the sun, walk down the paths a little and head to the washrooms and the playground. You can rinse the kids off and let them play at the playground, getting rid of that last bit of energy before heading home in the car.
Check out the other activities around Sylvan Lake
