Sure, summer is often filled with family vacations, camp adventures, beach days, ice cream and sleeping in.
But it’s also about slowing down and spending more time together. Enjoying the simple life.
Trying to strike the perfect balance between these two ideas isn’t always easy.
This year, our summer break is just seven weeks long and features four separate family vacations. Given this crazy schedule, how are we finding time to slow down?
For one, we’re building in down time during each of our trips. And when we’re at home, we’re keeping it simple.
- Taking neighborhood bike & scooter rides
- Running through the sprinklers
- Blowing bubbles
- Throwing water balloons
- Watering the garden (& each other!)
- Hunting for backyard bugs
- Checking out all the pretty flowers in bloom around the neighborhood
- Playing music with friends outside
- Painting each other with mud & warrior paint (aka face paint)
I hope you’re finding time to slow down, connect with nature and each other.
If you’re looking for a few more simple ways to enjoy summer, head over to your a-to-z guide to summer backyard nature fun.
How about you – how are you giving your family some down time this summer?
Thank you for the kind words. I admit it's not always as easy to remember to use sunscreen at home as it is when you're out adventuring in nature. But certainly just as important!
You never fail to amaze and share us with your best practices Debi! It's really difficult to choose between two options but the right choice is always great – family quality time! Do you still do some sun protection for your kids even when at home?
I know what you mean about having too much fun. 🙂 Still, I need to get a little more sleep. And the backyard is a good place for that, right? If only I had a hammock, I would probably never leave my home.
Everyone needs a little down time now & then – even from fun adventures. <br /><br />I think if my kids could have only one element in the backyard, it would be water. 🙂
I think we need to slow down a bit. We have been having WAY too much fun. I'm exhausted! I have a friend in town for a couple days and they want to go to Yellowstone tomorrow. My first thought was, "well, that seems hot, crowded and exhausting." My life must be pretty good when I am complaining about "having" to go to Yellowstone. 🙂 But after tomorrow, we are slowing down
Good list, Debi! Sometimes it is very nice indeed to stay home and explore our own neighborhoods and backyard! The sprinklers are my kids favorite!
Sounds like you've got the right idea, Amy!
Thanks Debi for your reminder that there are so many simple ways to enjoy each other this summer that cost nothing but our time and attention. We are enjoying lots of outside time together making art and music with whatever we have on hand.