If you’re like most people, you probably spent quite a bit of time outside this summer. Maybe even enjoyed a family vacation or two. Collected memories of lazy days spent enjoying nature.
Wondering how to keep up the good times now that school is back in session? Here’s what we’re gonna try this fall.
The Big Explorer, 3rd grader |
Instead of speeding life up, slow it down.
With the start of school often comes a tendency to speed up our lives – to sign up for the usual gamut of extracurricular activities, sports, music lessons and so on.
Give yourself and your kids a break by slowing down instead. Pick just one after-school activity this fall and spend the extra time you’ll have doing things you always wish you could, like having a picnic dinner, going for a late afternoon hike or just playing in the backyard.
Walk to school.
We’ve been walking to and from school almost every day since The Big Explorer started back last month. It’s an easy way to spend time outside without even thinking about it. I love the quiet calm it has added to our morning routine. That and we inevitably spot something fun, like a cool cloud formation, pretty flower or fun bug.
Don’t live close enough to walk to school? Park your car a few blocks away from campus and walk from there. Check out more tips for walking to school over on ActiveKidsClub.com.
Create a fall fun list.
I hear a lot of people bemoaning the loss of summer, but less planning their fall adventures. Help your kids ease into the change in seasons by giving them something to look forward to.
Our summer fun list was such a hit that we’re already hard at work on our fall fun list. Now is the perfect time to create your own. Don’t forget to post it some place where everyone in the family can see it. Then turn your ideas into reality by putting them on your calendar.
Match screen time with outdoor time.
If back to school means more time on screens in your family – be they televisions, computers, phones, video games or other – it’s time to kick the habit. For every minute you spend on a screen, spend a minute outside.
Keep it simple and fun.
My year-round mantra seems especially practical right about now. When it comes to spending time in nature: Keep it simple. Keep it fun.
Allow for some play time at school during pick up. Make play dates outside adventures. Head to the park or take a neighborhood photo scavenger hunt.
Need more ways to sneak in some simple outdoor fun? Check out my ideas for backyard nature fun.
Debi says
I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone in wanting to put an end to the craziness. I love fall, too, and look forward to the time to actually enjoy it, not just "get through it." 🙂
Debi says
Yay for you, Danielle! It's hard to make a decision that on the surface might seem like you're giving something up. But as you discovered, you wind up getting so much more. Enjoy your fall!
lightofworldphoto says
Yep I made that decision this year as well. Instead of running around like a crazy women going here and there with after school activities, I told my son he could only do one sport this year. He chose baseball, so yay, more outside time for me. And fall is of course my favorite time to be outside. Love your tips!
Danielle says
Great post! The thing I miss the most about summer is the amount of time we spend outdoors. I made a decision last year to cut back on the kids activities so we have more time for free time. So glad I did. We plan to get outside everyday after school.