Ah…summer! A much coveted break from routine. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that thinking about summer break evokes a slight emotion of panic within me. I must also say that I absolutely love my kiddies but 60+ days of being without the structure that school provides is a bit daunting. I can certainly appreciate the temptation to sign the kids up for every activity possible just to keep them busy. That has crossed my mind too, but then again wasting the heat of the days within the confines of a minivan, driving kids everywhere does not sound like fun! I want to enjoy summer too dammit!!
B-R-E-A-T-H-E Libby!
K. I’ve regrouped. Every year, once the growing pains of the first week of summer break have been worked out, I am able to regain perspective and believe it or not, I do actually have a solution:
under schedule your kids
Sound crazy? Hear me out (please :)). Summer holidays go by like a blur, I mean when I really think back to my own summer breaks as a child, the only memories that come to mind are the ones that involve spending time with my friends and my family. I don’t actually remember any of the swimming, soccer, baseball etc…lessons that I may or may not have taken. So, to spend more quality time with your kids and create some memories together, I’ve come up with a list of 10 11 things you must do with your kids this summer:
- Start a small backyard or container garden. Start the seeds now or buy transplants and watch them grow. It’s hard to believe sometimes but kids really do love having responsibilities and this one comes with a yummy built in reward!
- Explore and find a new playground/park to visit each week.
- Have a water fight with your kids. You just may pee yourself laughing!
- Organize a nature hunt. Make a list of 5-10 things to ‘hunt’ for at the beach or park. i.e.: white stone, pine cone.
- Visit a farmer’s market to get ready for number 6
- Have a picnic. Let the kids get in on the food prep with your finds from the Farmer’s Market.
- Draw a hopscotch with sidewalk chalk and play! I promise you’ll have a blast and it may just take you back to your own childhood! Here’s a hopscotch refresher if you need it.
- Build a pillow fort with your kids and share a snack in it (great for a rainy day).
- Have each of your children (5+up) make their own vision board. Motivate them by also making your own.
- Take an old Queen sized sheet to an open grassy space and play the parachute game. This ones a classic and the kids love it! Here’s a little video with some parachute game ideas.
- Get into the habit of doing 5 minutes of meditation or breath work each day with your kids (depending on their age). Everyone will benefit from this little re-centering. If you need some guidance go here or here.
Enjoy every moment of summer and create beautiful memories!
-Libby
