We were bored a couple of weekends ago, contemplating a trip to Costco/Target just to kill some time (tell me I'm not the only one who does that), when I came up with an idea: the pedal boats at Lake Johnson Park.

My husband and I had ridden the pedal boats one or two times pre-kid. Visions of my daughter leaping off the side made me leery of them when she was younger. But now, at age three and getting pretty close to four, she's got a healthy understanding of the danger of water. Plus, they have life jackets (for kids as tiny as infants).

So we went and it was great.

Lots of small lakes are closing up their boat houses for the winter. But Lake Johnson in west Raleigh (and Lake Wheeler south of Raleigh) stay open year round. Pullen Park's pedal boats will be open through the end of November.

The city rents pedal boats unless the combined water and air temperature is less than 100 degrees. Other rules apply for most of the other boats that are rented at the parks, so be sure to call ahead if there's any question.

Lake Johnson is open from sunrise to sunset and has lots of other diversions, including about five miles of trails - most of which are paved and easily navigable with a stroller. The shore line is full of geese and ducks to feed and there are plenty of picnic areas and spots for fishing. The long bridge over the lake is always a fun place for my daughter to run.

Bathrooms, drinking fountain and concession stand on site.

Fred G. Bond Metro Park in Cary also has pedal boats. The boathouse is open on the weekends this month. Anybody else have another pedal boat favorite?

Every Thursday, Mom2Mom offers ideas for ways to play with your kids.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!