Prepare Yourself and Your Family for Summer in Anchorage, AK

Think outside the box as you prepare for summer!

Preparing for the summer in Anchorage, Alaska can be a lot different than preparing for the winter. So if you are itching to get outside or just looking for something different to do as the weather gets nicer, we’re here to help you find something to do.

Clean out your closet.

As the seasons change, it is the perfect time to clean out your closet. Take the time to go through and organize your clothes by season, so it is easier to find those turtlenecks or tank tops. Some people like to organize their closet by color to help them visualize outfits that go together.

This is also a great opportunity to get rid of clothes that you don’t wear anymore or ones that just don’t fit like you would like them to. Donating your clothes to a shelter in need, a family friend, or a donation site like the Salvation Army or Goodwill is a great way to give back to the community. That way your clothes will be put to good use and won’t be filling up the landfill.

If you are looking to make some extra cash, you can take your clothes to a consignment shop and see if the items from your closet can make you a few extra dollars. This works best with designer and brand name clothes, purses, and shoes. If you have extra time on your hands, you can always try your hand at selling your clothes online.

It’s time for a garage sale.

While you are organizing your closet, why not organize the other parts of your house too, and purge the items you no longer use or want?

Tackle each room of your house individually over the course of a week or two, and gather up the items you aren’t using anymore. If your kids have outgrown their toys, or you have camping equipment you just don’t see yourself using again, have a garage sale to get rid of the extra stuff you have lying around. Having a garage sale can also put a few extra dollars in your hand that you weren’t expecting.

If you have items that don’t sell in your garage sale, be sure to check with local shelters, charities, and children’s groups to see if anything you have can be used by local non-profit agencies.

If you want to get your friends involved, invite them over to help you organize your house, and then repay the favor by organizing their home too, and purging items they may no longer need.

Take a hike.

Did you know that there are over 300 miles of hiking trails in and around Anchorage? If you’re looking for an excuse this summer to get in a short walk, a medium stroll, or a difficult incline trail, Anchorage hiking trails have it all. Hiking is a great way to get moving and get your steps in. Hiking a flat trail is perfect for those looking to get into hiking, and it is an activity that everyone can do together. Hiking is also a great way to explore all that nature has to offer. Who knows what wildlife or flora and fauna you might find while out on a hike!

If you are looking for a challenge, make a checklist of all of the trails you want to hike this season, and check them off as you complete them. If you are able to hit up all the trails, think of all the extra exercise you’ll be getting!

Go for a swim.

After you’ve finished with your hike, you could be looking for some place to take a swim. While Anchorage has many natural water features, the City of Anchorage only sanctions two places to swim—Goose Lake and Jewel Lake. Both lakes feature buoyed off sections that are safe for swimming—there are lifeguards on duty while the lakes are open. These two areas also offer playground equipment and places to picnic, so bring a blanket and enjoy your activity-filled day!

At Eagle River, there is unsupervised swimming at Mirror Lake and Beach Lake. That means there are no lifeguards on duty for supervision, so swimming is done at your own risk, but if you and your family are proficient swimmers, Mirror Lake and Beach Lake can be great places to cool off with a quick dip.

Visit Valley Dental Clinic for your bi-annual dental evaluation.

If you haven’t been to Valley Dental Clinic in a while to see Dr. Robert Robinson and his team for your bi-annual dental evaluation, what are you waiting for? Make sure to book an appointment to see our team today so we can keep you and your family smiling all year long!