Is it just me, or does summer feels like it's flown by way too fast? This past week I’ve heard a lot of parents say the the same thing - that this summer has felt especially fleeting.
School is starting soon for us, and with this coming transition, I feel change in the air. The heat wave has passed and the fog has started to roll in the early morning. I'm finding myself wearing cooler weather clothes as I tend to the garden.
Now if you're like me and you or your kiddo are experiencing some of the back to school blues, we've put together a few simple activities to help you and your family connect more deeply and overcome some of the nervousness and anxiety that comes with this territory of change.
Before you read on in full detail, the number one tip that helps me personally get over the decision paralysis on what activities to do with the kids is to keep the plan simple.
Each weekend we choose one outing or activity that doesn’t require a ton of energy or time to set up. If you find that you’re wanting to do “all the things” and then end up feeling like you didn’t really do anything, it may be that your children want to do different activities that don’t align based on energy or geography.
So keep it simple and easy, and pick just one thing. Give each family member a turn to select an activity, and soon enough, you’ll find that you eventually did maybe not all, but some of the things!
1. Have a game day.
Unpack a classic board game to play with the kids. Maybe it's a recent favorite or one that hasn't seen the light of day for a while. Playing board games is a simple, no fuss way to get the family together. Our personal favorites are Wildcraft, Planted, Carcassone and the Gift of Enlightenment.
2. Go for a neighborhood nature walk.
Whether you live in the woods or an urban neighborhood, nothing beats a nature walk. You can play "I Spy" to observe and identify plants in your own neighborhood. You can use an app like Picture This to help you with plant identification and see which ones you are most curious about. You never know what you'll find and what flowers you can select to grow yourself. Make a wish list of flowers or plants with your kids and utilize the upcoming the winter months to plan for the next summer season.
3. Camp out in your own yard.
If you and the littles have missed the big camp out this summer and you have a yard or an indoor space to create a "night under the stars," grab your sleeping bags, tents and s'mores kit for some outdoor evening fun. Bonus - catch a sunset together and ask each member state something they're looking forward to the next season, what they're grateful for from the day and what they're nervous or unsure about in the next season.
4. Call in community. Host a family picnic potluck.
With summer travel it may have been a challenge to get all the friends together for playdates. Host a back to school family potluck to give thanks and to celebrate the abundance of summer. An especially auspicious time to gather is this is Thursday, August 1 in observation of Lammas, otherwise known as Lughnasad. The word Lammas comes from the Old English word "Loaf Mass" and is a time to give thanks for the harvest. It is a time to make offerings to the deities and spirits in gratitude and to offer prayers to protect and not harm the still ripening crops.
This is a beautiful time to gather in community, catch up with those friends you've been meaning to see, and give the littles a chance to reconnect before the beginning of a new school year.
5. Plan a farmers make and bake day.
Break out your cook books or head to your local library for some fun ideas on creating kid friendly meals. The best way is to head over to the farmer's market and see what the kids gravitate to that's in season. Pick a recipe that's easy and simple to make and invite your kids in the preparation. This is also a great way to start building up a rotation of healthy meals that you can prepare for kids lunches for the school year. Our family staple is the simple, roasted sweet potatoes. Sliced sweet potatoes, roasted with ghee and topped with pumpkin spice.
Some of our favorite cook books are the Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters,
The Forest Feast for Kids by Erin Gleason.
What do you think of these activities? I hope you enjoy these and please share with us your favorite ways to beat the back to school blues.
Before you go...
Is your little one nervous, excited or anxious about their first day of school? This is a time where you both may be feeling lots of mixed emotions about the first day of a new grade. One thing I used to do when my older children were little, and I still do for my youngest at home is to include a little love note in their lunchbox.
I’d do this for the first day of school, or whenever they were going through something challenging in their lives. Our mason jar floral card “You Are My Sunshine” is the mama of all loves notes. Created with real, natural dried flowers, with ample space to write your note to let your little ray know they're loved and supported. Whether you give a floral card or opt for little folded note to slip discreetly into their backpack, it feels good to know that your mama always has your back.