Image c/o Chudleighs.com

One of the easiest ways to get out and do things with your family is to check out local events.  They’re often the most affordable and it’s a great way to meet other members of your community.

Whether it’s a fun fair for the kids or a music festival for the grown ups, we’re always looking for new ideas for entertainment.  Sometimes, it’s as easy as revisiting your own childhood favs and figuring out how to do similar things with your own kids.

Here’s a perfect example: Chudleigh’s Cider Nights at Chudleigh’s Farm in Milton, ON.  Last month, Chudleigh’s launched a new event series called “Cider Nights,” which  take place every Friday and Saturday night in July and August from 4 pm to 10 pm on the farm.  All amenities are open, including the wagon ride and hay maze, but you also get to enjoy dinner and an Orchard Cider in their newly built restaurant and patio bar! There is live music each night on the entertainment stage and access to the Summer Cider Nights is free of charge (there is still a $10 per person fee for those aged four and up to access the rest of the farm areas including the wagon rides, mazes and orchard).

There are a few things to keep in mind while visiting a farm, especially into the evening:

(1) Be prepared with the right clothing, shoes, sunscreen and bug spray! Dusk is prime mosquito time anywhere so if it’s a cooler day to cover up as much as possible.

Pack a light sweater or cardigan even if it’s warm because once the sun goes down the temperature can drop pretty quickly (especially if your skin is hot from the sunny hours).

There are always incredible baked goods sold at farms, like Chudleigh’s, so bring a cooler bag in your trunk to transport the fresh goodies.  That way you don’t have to worry about getting home in any sort of rush.

We recommend a change of clothes for the evening (especially for your little ones who will be running around).  Socks and thin long pants are the ideal combination to keep ticks away.  Make sure there’s no skin exposed from the waist down (we tuck the socks over the ankles of the pants for a seal).

Chudleigh’s Cider Nights are a great little break for either your entire family or you and your partner (for date night).  You’ll see and meet all sorts of people and it’s a great meeting place for you and your neighbours.

Checking the library bulletin/handouts is a great way to figure out what’s happening in your area throughout the summer.  Most of the time, the activities are free and listed by date and age-appropriateness.  So if you’re wondering what to do over the next month or so, just take a peak at those schedules or your local newspaper.

Happy Summer!