“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” Van Morrison
Summer often evokes memories of warm evenings, of being outside, of splashing in water, trips to the beach…smells of suncream and BBQs in the evenings. It is a time of year many of us look forward to thanks to lighter evenings, warmer weather and time outside.
We may have fond childhood memories of beautiful summers filled with laughter, and will be keen to offer our own children similar experiences, with an awareness that we are now living in a different time of increased technology and more sedentary lifestyles.
Different seasons offer different opportunities to children. There is something to be said for all of them, and children will delight in what each one has to offer. Summer is no exception. Lighter evenings mean it is easier to find the motivation to do things outside with children after school, summer clubs and nursery have finished for the day. We have the chance to increase our supply of natural vitamin D and connect to the natural world in a different way than in other seasons.
Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors, to enjoy the feeling of fewer clothes - which for young children often means more freedom of movement and more opportunity to discover what their bodies can do. Even when it is raining in the summer it is often warmer, so a walk in summer rain can be great fun!
Summer can also bring challenges for parents - we want to offer children an idyllic summer childhood filled with joy - and yet we are still faced with our daily tasks, with working, and generally trying to balance life. As with all things, it’s usually best to start simple and be creative with time and resources. We don’t need to make huge summer plans that cost a lot of money, or require huge amounts of time off work. Sometimes the most pleasurable and memorable activities are the simplest.
Here are a few summer activity ideas for inspiration - they are activities that can be added onto the end of the working day, or can easily fill a weekend as well!
Check out the evening stars with your child
Cook and eat a meal outside
Set up water play - jugs and funnels can provide hours of fun and learning
Learn about the names of different wild flowers and spot them during a walk
Harvest vegetables you have grown - or go fruit picking at a local farm
Visit a local farmers market to see what fruit and vegetables are in season
Make homemade ice lollies
Go swimming outside
Go camping - even if it is in your own garden or just down the road!
Make a summer family movie full of memories on your phone or tablet
Summer is a great time to remind ourselves of the simplicity of just being…of enjoying the feeling of the sun on our bodies, the simultaneous lightness and grounding of going barefoot, and the joy that comes from early sunrises and late sunsets. It is a time to enjoy the journey and embrace the simplicity of creating pockets of time for fun and relaxation.