One of the leisure proposals that has grown the most in recent years the ball parks, which multiply in shopping centers, in restaurants or in independent premises for the enjoyment of children and disbursements of the elderly.
Because, of course, having fun at the ball park is not free, and let's not say if it's accompanied by a birthday celebration. And if the ball parks had been the revolution in terms of entertainment, it would have nothing to add. But children don't have more fun in these places.
Children enjoy in a park, in the countryside, in a house, with their games, their crafts, their sports ... and if the elderly organize a party, a contest, races or any traditional game, the enjoyment is double.
Because ultimately, what do they do in the ball park? Sweating and getting very tired, going up and down, a physical activity that is good, and fun, but that does not give them the opportunity to play in other ways, or even to talk to parents (who are not next to them) anymore Hard pains with his friends or the other children, as there is usually a lot of fuss.
AdvertisingAnd there is also the issue of ball throwing, which can become dangerous, or other risks such as those derived from the age difference between some children and others or the lack of vigilance. In addition all this occurs in a small space, bounded, glazed or with networks, and with limited possibilities. Canned entertainment.
I think the children with whom they have a better time is with their parents, when we play together. And in the ball park we do not usually enter the parents ...
But that is precisely what many parents are looking for in this place: that their children play with them more or less safely (I would not say controlled) and have time for them, for their coffee, their talk ... a way to "disconnect" (or "remain disconnected", as appropriate).
Birthday at the ball park
Today the houses are small, the bars do not want children, it seems that you have to invite the whole class to the birthday ... and where to put so many people for a celebration? In the ball park, there is no other option, unless one of the above conditions is not met.
If you have a large house (or someone leaves it to you), if you have a children's friend bar or you are not going to invite your child's class, it is easier to organize the party without resorting to the ball parks. And have a great time with the little ones.
We will probably have healthier menus, and the party will be cheaper. There will be no pool of balls or slides, but we can invent our own mazes, play hide and seek, make soap bubbles or jump rope. Traditional games, healthy, fun and free.
We can tell a story, do a treasure hunt, paint our faces, sing songs, color pictures, organize a sack race, dress up ... Children can talk to each other and with us. How many of these activities can be done in the ball park?
No doubt this type of party will be more tired for the elderly, but more rewarding. Because in the end, the children will have spent an unforgettable time with us (and not with us, watching them a lot or a little from a distance).
I renounce the ball parks, although I understand that it is a solution for many families on the subject of birthday. And although he has been on more than one occasion because they have invited us or because the group (of other parents with children, of course) wanted to stay there to join us. And I have seen how my daughters enjoyed, although no more than in many other situations without a ball pool.
If we could choose enjoyment and joy of our children in a place of payment or a free one, what would we stay with? I do that with the free, right? But the environment, society, work, haste, conventions ... sometimes they don't let us choose, or they don't let us see that we can choose.
If our towns and especially our cities were not hostile to children they would play more in the street, they would have their spaces to enjoy the outdoors. Winter is no excuse, because there would also be more covered leisure spaces, free, combining healthy and educational entertainment, allowing children to organize children's parties ...
Perhaps an idyllic world, that of children's friendly cities. An idyllic world that I would not like to forget, that I would not like to stop looking in one way or another. What place would the ball parks occupy in that idyllic world of child friendly cities? Well, certainly one not as relevant as the one he currently occupies.
Photos | Eva Paris in Babies and more and Windbreaker on Flickr
In Babies and more | Lifetime games, The irresistible attraction to ball pools, Children's parties at home
