Surviving Canton First Monday Trade Days on your own is one thing; bringing the kiddos adds a whole new element of challenges, but at the end of the day can be even more fun as long as you keep a few key things in mind.
Mind the weather: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: keep an eye on the weather! This is especially important if you have small children, but either way don’t forget the essentials, like water and sunscreen, hats and jackets, and umbrellas if you need them (for sun or rain).
Dress them appropriately: This means comfortable shoes that are good for a full day of walking and make sure they aren’t wearing their brand new school clothes because they may get dirty as everyone digs through the endless sea of treasures.
Bring the Stroller, and rest often: Trade Days is about 450 acres, so if there is one thing you don’t forget, make sure it’s the stroller! To keep your kids from wearing out too fast, make sure to find a place to sit every hour or so to keep everyone’s energy up.It would also probably be a good idea to rent a scooter so everyone can trade off and rest their feet because it really is a lot of walking.
Set up a meeting place: In case you get separated. Cell phones often lose service at Canton First Monday. There is also a lost-and-found-children of sorts that will call for parents over a PA, but having a designated meeting place can make everything go more quickly and smoothly.
Let them participate: Give your kids a little bit of money. Even if it’s just $5-10, they can participate in the hunt for awesome things and subsequently try to bargain on their own with the vendors. This will help keep them from getting bored and it will be so much fun to help them find something special to take home.
Stay overnight. Trust Us.: Unless you actually live in the area, we suggest finding a place to stay, just so everyone is well rested for shopping. Canton First Monday can be a bit overwhelming, and children that are already tired and cranky may not find joy in the experience. Finding a place with fun activities can also give the kids the fun they want and you can get less complaining about going “shopping”.
Mill Creek Ranch Resort is only a quarter of a mile from the Canton First Monday Marketplace. On our beautiful grounds, we have a bunch of activities for kids to either keep busy, or relax after a long day at First Monday. Give us a call at 877-927-3439 for availability and rates!
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