MaltaMama - Family Fun Things to Do | Malta, NY, Saratoga County

Located just minutes off of Northway exit 17S is Moreau Lake State Park.  I remember coming here as a kid, but hadn't been back in years until last week.  Our main attraction for going was the beach and unforunately that's about all we did in the park, although there are wonderful picnic areas, a playground, hiking trails, camp sites, boating, fishing and so on.  Admission to the park is by car and costs $8 per car.  Best bet is to carpool with friends if you can.  I know that can be tricky with kids in carseats though.  You can also purchase an Empire Passport which gets you into just about any NYS park including Saratoga Spa State Park for free.  The pass costs $65 but is good until March 2010.  Now back to the beach!   

We arrived at about 10am on a weekday and found parking in the front row closest to the beach.  There were a handful of people there at that time, but it really started filling up closer to 11am.  The beach is definitely big enough to accommodate a crowd but certainly it's best to go on a weekday if you can.  I imagine a weekend could be quite busy.  The water was surprisingly warm and the beach was sandy and as as relaxing as any.  There are lifeguards who are no-joke when it comes to their job.  We witnessed a lifeguard checking the 'squishy-ness' of a football to make sure no one got hurt!  No floaties or swimmies are allowed, but the water is shallow and very gradually gets deeper.  We brought tons of food and snacks for the kids, but there's also a snack bar that sells food.  The french fries were quite good for just $2!  I will definitely be going back to Moreau Lake.  Maybe next time we'll try out some of the other ammenities like the playground or hiking trails.  I recently complained on Facebook that we have three lakes, Ballston Lake, Round Lake, and Saratoga Lake surrounding us but NO BEACH!  Moreau Lake is beautiful and has a beach.  It's a bit further away, but really only takes 25-30 minutes from Malta.  Take Exit 17S on the Northway and the park entrance will be immediately on your right.     

Where can you send your kids (ages 5 and up) for a couple hours each night for one week during the summer where they'll have fun and a safe and positive environment?  If you're thinking grandma's house, you're wrong!  I'm talking about Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church in Ballston Spa.  This year FBC of Ballston Spa (my church) is hosting an evening VBS program called High Seas Expedition that starts on Monday, July 26th and goes to Friday, July 30th.  Time is 6:00-8:30pm and the suggested donation is $5 per child.  I'm on the planning committee and will also be leading the music portion of VBS.  If I were you, I would pay the $5 just to see and laugh at me in my 9th month of pregnancy teaching 80 kids songs and dance moves, yes, I said dance. 

In any case, I am posting this information because I think VBS is a great and fun learning experience for children, regardless of your faith or religious association.  At the very least, you can enjoy a week of evenings free to grocery shop, eat out, catch a movie, etc.  Register here online or email me for more info: colleen@maltamama.com.  Have a great weekend and don't forget to enter the giveaway!     

In my circle of friends, this park is known as the Lake Ave Fountain Park, but it is really just East Side Rec on the corner of Lake Ave (aka Route 29) and Granger Ave in Saratoga.  It's a nice park for a hot summer day because of the fountain of course!  Other than that however, this park does not offer much for the little ones.  Tennis courts, baseball fields, and a very small playground located too far from the fountain to enjoy are the general amenities.  It does have bathrooms (great for a pregnant woman at a fountain) but they are quite a walk away underneath the baseball field grandstand.  Despite these few shortcomings, a picnic lunch and bathing suit for the kids are really all that's needed for this to be a very fun summer activity. 

I personally enjoy the Beekman Street Playground/Fountain more than East Side Rec but if a fountain is all your child needs to keep entertained, East Side Rec is great!  Parking is best and less busy on Granger Ave.  The entrance to the fenced-in park is also on Granger.