Spending the day at the park is a great way to have fun together as a family, and since many cities have dog facilities at the park you really can bring the whole family. All you need to do is a little bit of planning. Check out the park before you go, pack a lunch for the family, and don’t forget a leash and a toy for the dog.

Check Out The Park Beforehand

Before you pack the family into the car and drive down to the park, do some research. You can either do this by going online to your city’s website or by driving by the park a few days before. You want to check out the playground and the picnic area, and see what the dog area of the park looks like. Check to see if the big and small dogs separated or are they all together. Are the picnic tables shaded or do you need ot bring a beach umbrella? If you’re planning on using the grill, see how clean they are and what you’ll need to bring to clean them. Is the playground safe and is it one size fits all or are there areas for smaller kids, too?

Pack a Lunch for the Family

Parks usually have grills and a little picnic area set up. If you’re going to grill, be sure to bring along a grill brush, charcoal and matches. When you’re packing your cooler, make sure your raw meat is properly wrapped up so it won’t leak and contaminate the other food. You can save space in your cooler by freezing water bottles instead of packing ice; then you can drink the water as it melts and you won’t have to worry about a big slushy mess.

Don’t Forget the Dog Toys

You’ll need to bring a leash for when you’re walking your dog from the car to the dog area in the park. Don’t forget to bring a frisbee or a ball for playing, and make sure to have snacks and water so your dog can stay hydrated after playing.