Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

By Shannon Mallery, Program Assistant Sr. - Mature Adults The next Play With Me series will focus on children's books that you can read to the special children in your life over your device. We have chosen books that are the core of "The books I would bring to a desert island" list. They are fun, interesting and easy to read to little ones. Each week's post will have a "review" of five books suitable for children two to five years of age but will most assuredly be loved by you and slightly older siblings as well. Tips: Some of the books are not currently in print but can be found on used booksellers' websites. You may want to consider having your little one follow along with their own copy. When reading make sure you are in a well lit area and that your child can hear you clearly. Hold the picture up to the screen for a little bit when you are done reading each page so that your little one can see it. Read the book out loud a few times to yourself befor...

By: Shannon Mallery, Program Assistant Sr. - Mature Adults This is the third week of the Play With Me: Action series. This week we will focus on mystery with two activities that will have your little ones guessing and laughing. Again we will need a large dose of sillies on hand for this week's activities. These activities are designed for children between 2 and 5 years old. Before getting started, parental assistance will be needed to help collect and setup supplies. Consider sending the supply list ahead of time so the parent can prepare in advance. Activity #1 - Finger Puppet Dance Party with a Mystery Make two hosts for a finger puppet dance party mystery. One made from a paper cup and the other from a paper plate.  Supplies/Setup Paper or plastic cup Paper plate or round piece of paperboard cut from an old cereal box Scissors or pointy knife Paint brush and paint, marker or pen Paper napkin, tissue paper or paper towel Tape or glue      Paper Cup Puppet ...

By: Shannon Mallery, Program Assistant Sr. - Mature Adults This is the second week of the Play With Me: Action series. This week we will focus on silly party games that will have your little one dancing and making odd noises. Oh don't worry, you will be making odd noises too!   These activities are designed for children between 2 and 5 years old. Before getting started, parental assistance will be needed to help collect and setup supplies. Consider sending the supply list ahead of time so the parent can prepare in advance. This week's theme is: Party Games Activity #1 - See and Say Supplies/Setup Download the  Animal print out sheet Scissors This activity is a simple game of See and Say and maybe Do. Once you have printed the Animal sheet cut on the dotted lines to make animal flash cards. Your child will also need a set of animal flash cards. Place the animal flash cards face down. Have your child do the same. First Round- Take turns flipping one card at a time. The ...

By: Shannon Mallery, Program Assistant Sr. - Mature Adults This is the first week of the Play With Me: Action series.  I hope you found your sillies because the Action series will focus on fun and active games that you can do over technology with the special children in your life. Each week in this series we will have two silly activities that will for sure make your little ones laugh and ask "just one more time" "please!".  If you are used to acting silly these games will be something to add to your bag of tricks. If you are not so silly by nature don't worry these activities are super simple and sure to get both of you laughing. But be prepared after you share this series with your child you may be labeled by them as silly from here forward.  These activities are designed for children between 2 and 5 years old. Before getting started, parental assistance will be needed to help collect and setup supplies. Consider sending the...

By: Shannon Mallery, Program Assistant Sr. - Mature Adults This summer I have been taking long leisurely walks as I am sure, many of you have been.  I have put on my sunscreen, grabbed my phone and water and headed out the door just as I have dozens of times in summers past. But this summer I have noticed something a little different about my time out-of-doors.    All around me nature is inviting me to take a closer look. Animals and creatures are inviting me to play. Maybe they notice I have more time for them. Maybe they know that I want to be invited in for a closer connection.  So far I have had a lizard drop in my lap, a dragonfly play tag, a bunny stop for a nibble, a caterpillar show me how to hang in, a spider check me over and a grasshopper hang out with me.  The plants and trees have been beckoning with zig-zags, swirls, splotches, and slashes, pulling me in.   This is what I have found when I was up close with nature. Next time you go f...

By: Shannon Mallery, Program Assistant Sr. - Mature Adults This is the final week of the Play With Me: Parks and Recreation month art series. This week has the final part of our secret message and coloring sheets that feature nighttime creatures. Young children are curious and often intrigued by what is happening in nature when they are asleep. It is exciting for them to think about a whole secret world happening in the dark that they seldom or never see. It is also a good topic of conversation to share with them because they will be happy to talk and ask questions. These activities are designed for children between 2 and 5 years old. Before getting started, parental assistance will be needed to help collect and setup supplies. Consider sending the supply list ahead of time so the parent can prepare in advance. Supplies/Setup Print the Nighttime in the Trees background sheet and the Nighttime in the Trees cutout sheet Markers, crayons and colored pencils Scissors (age approp...

By: Cynthia Booth, Public Affairs Specialist I think that it is safe to say that many unsung heroes in the parks and recreation profession have stepped up to the plate and done extraordinary things to keep residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the recreation specialist to the receptionist, no job has been too big or too small during this time. However, Robert Jennings, Park Superintendent for Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR), is the person who comes to mind when thinking about the life-changing and life-saving work during COVID-19. On March 26, City of Durham Mayor Steve Schewel instituted a Stay-at-Home Order mandating that all City facilities remain closed to the public until further notice. As you can imagine, that required a lot of prep work to close, secure, and maintain DPR facilities. During the Stay-at-Home Order, Robert found creative ways for his staff to work safely at a distance, i.e., one person per vehicle, providing safety masks, etc. Over the past...

By: Shannon Mallery, Program Assistant Sr. - Mature Adults We're continuing our Play With Me: Art series! July is Parks and Recreation month and in celebration we will focus our art making on things found in nature. It has been hot and beautiful outside. Maybe you have gone for a few walks through a favorite spot. I know I have and more than once I peeked under a rock to see what was there. Discovering new things can be fun. Maybe you have discovered some new things in your wanderings that you can share with your child as you work together on our next set of coloring sheets called Among the Rocks. These activities are designed for children between 2 and 5 years old. Before getting started, parental assistance will be needed to help collect and setup supplies. Consider sending the supply list ahead of time so the parent can prepare in advance. Supplies/Setup Print the Among the Rocks background sheet and Among the Rocks cut out sheet Markers, crayons and colored penc...