Venue name: E. C. Hafer Park (Bryant & 15th St., Edmond)
Kid Reviewer Name: Samuel Roldán
Age: 9
What made the experience stand out?
I had never been to a park before with so many different playgrounds. There’s also a lake with fish in it and a lot of unusual birds. I’ve seen ducks and geese before but these were more colorful and it was interesting to watch them, walk under the covered bridge and try out three different play areas.
What was the best part?
I really loved getting to run outdoors and go from one set of playground equipment to another. My mom takes us on walks in our neighborhood all the time but it’s more fun to see the birds, meet other kids, have a picnic and play. I met a lot of kids to play with too.
What was the worst part?
I had to put on sunscreen, which I don’t really like to do. If you’re a kid reading this, though, I have some advice: just give in and put on the sunscreen. You’re not going to win if you try to argue with your parents on that one. Bug spray isn’t so bad because we just used some citronella stickers but sunscreen is always so sticky. You have to wear it, though.
Will other kids like Hafer Park and why?
Sure! Other kids would like to come and play. There’s a lot you can climb on and the slides are nice and tall. Besides that, you still have to eat lunch in the summer but it’s much more fun in a park, especially if you can help choose the picnic foods, like watermelon or gummy worms. We usually get a milkshake before we go to the park and that would probably help other kids to like going because you get thirsty when you’re playing. Picnics are the best because you clean up your trash but it’s not as much cleaning as when you eat inside, less crumbs, and you can go play right away.
Would this attraction be enjoyed by your siblings? Why or why not?
My brother, Isaac (age 4), liked going but it was too hot to take our baby (age 1). If we could go on a cooler day, I think he’d like it too because he just learned to run in his new shoes. The only time he’ll keep them on his feet is when we go to the park.
If you could do this again knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
I forgot that flies come to pretty much any picnic. I’d also bring some extra shoes because I got my flip-flops muddy.
Does what you saw match up with anything you're learning in school or have seen before in a book, on TV, etc.?
I saw some ants carrying leaves, which I had read about before and seen on PBS Kids; it reminded me that I’d like to have an ant farm. I’m not sure what kind of birds those were, besides ducks and geese, but I think I’ve seen them on “Wild Kratts.” They might have been turkeys; I don’t really know. Bird watching is very popular in my other country so I’ve heard of learning more about what birds are at parks or just in our area. (Samuel is a dual citizen of Costa Rica.)
What do you think you'll remember most about having done this activity?
I’ll remember my brother being chased by some of the birds but also that it was a nice afternoon with my family. I remember the names of all the kids I met and I hope they’ll be there the next time we go to the park.
Check out more tips for picnics with kids from our Weekend Warrior.