By Amy Kaufmann
We moved to Holly Springs three years ago from Chicago. The kids were one and four years old, and we weren’t sure how living in the suburbs would go. While our new home was beautiful, we still needed to get out and about. We were excited to explore our new community, but the cross-country move had put us on a tight budget. With really young kids at the time, our Holly Springs adventures started small (and free!) and have since grown with our kids. From one parent to another, here are some ideas of things to do.
Fun with little ones
That first summer, the Holly Springs Cultural Center and Community Library were our go-to spots. They’re centrally located, yet far enough off Main Street that the kids could get their wiggles out without me having a heart attack. There’s so much going on that it never felt like we were at the same place twice.
Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings: As early birds, we appreciated the liveliness at 8 a.m. We often set up a blanket, checked out a book (or ten), and read on the lawn in between dancing and running in circles.
Holly Springs International Food Festival (May 3): It’s a totally different vibe than Saturday mornings — crowded with neighbors, new music, and a variety of cuisine that made my city foodie heart burst. We all felt like we had a night out on the town, even though we were home by 7 p.m.
Rainbow scavenger hunt: Even when there was nothing officially happening, we gravitated towards the library and Cultural Center. To keep the kids’ attention, we started rainbow scavenger hunts where we looked for objects for each color of the rainbow. The summertime blooms made it easy for toddlers to find ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). Yes, we even found two shades of purple!
As the kids have grown up
It’s amazing how only a few years have changed the dynamics of our outings. We’re not carrying around a jam-packed diaper bag, and our attention spans don’t need a mid-day nap (finally). If your kids are school-aged, I’m sure you know something that was sooooo fun last summer but has become a “do we have to” groan today. Here are some ways I’ve kept the kids engaged.
Expand the Farmer’s Market experience: We still love getting local produce and a sweet treat on Saturday mornings — although these days we roll in closer to 9:30 a.m. To make the experience feel fresh, we take turns picking out our favorite seasonal fruit. Then we go to a Wake County farm (there are a lot more than I thought there would be) to pick our own blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and more.
A study of local ice cream: My daughter convinced me to do a “study” of our local ice cream. How could I say no to science? We put together some criteria for our data collection and even threw in a couple fast-food restaurants to test — for scientific research, of course. You’d be surprised how many ice cream spots we have at our fingertips. Spoiler alert: they’re all delicious.
Follow the fish: My dad is a fisherman, and he has passed the love of fishing on to the kids. They decided to find the best fishing hole in Holly Springs, starting at Bass Lake, then making their way to the ponds at Womble Park and Jones Park. Fish were caught at each spot, and some turtles and ducks got fed, too. However, if you’re over 16, you’ll need an NC inland fishing license. My dad found that out the hard way!
Much more to come!
Once we’re not beholden to an 8 p.m. bedtime, I’m excited to take advantage of even more that Holly Springs has to offer. Plus, in a few years I’ll be willing to spend a bit more money on experiences the kids will actually remember. These are the types of activities I’m looking forward to experiencing as a family.
A local theater production: Twice a year, the Southern Wake Players put on a play at the Holly Springs Cultural Center. Coming up this May 9-11, you can see one of the most suspenseful and sinister stories in modern theater: “Angel Street.” Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students at the Cultural Center box office.
A stadium concert: For me, summertime equals live music. I love outdoor concerts and can’t wait to embarrass my kids by singing out loud to my favorite (or even not-so-favorite) bands. On May 11, you can see Sister Hazel at Ting Park. Who else still knows all the words to “All for You”? Tickets range from $25 for stadium seating to $35 for field access. You can buy tickets at the Ting box office.
A once-in-a-summer show: Have you ever had a random experience pop up on your Insta feed? For me, it’s the Balloon Glow and Laser Show at Sugg Farm. It sounds too extravagant for my curiosity not to be piqued. Hot air balloons? Laser light show? Why are my kids not older? Or better yet, who knows a good babysitter? Check out the show June 7 & 8. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids at freshtix.com. (Read more about this event on page 42.)
For us, it’s been fun exploring and getting to know Holly Springs. Even after three years, we feel like we’re finding new things. While these are some of my own suggestions for family-friendly activities, I’m always looking for new ideas. See you around town!