Young children jump at every opportunity to experience summer in new ways. This past weekend Steve and I went with three of our grandchildren to Lake Harriet. The plan was to have a picnic and go on the paddleboats. But, after lunch we discovered that the windy day had put a halt to the paddleboats. No worries.
There were ducks to watch – and count, of course! We saw a young boy catch a fish. The wind was creating simple joy as wrappers from juice pops flew away and the children needed to catch them. A few sailboats were scooting across the lake. Many water-craft were on shore, so we talked about kayaks and canoes.
And then there was a new playground to explore. It was such fun to watch the children experience the play structure. At one point Abby was singing with abandon as she danced on the deck. Both of the four-year-olds conquered new climbing challenges and ventured down slides that seemed way too scary at first. The one- year-old watched all the activity and loved walking and falling in the sand.
We all came away with a sense of satisfaction that we had enjoyed a couple of hours of Minnesota summer at its best. Now we’re inspired to go to a concert at the band shell. And those paddleboats are calling us to get on the lake next visit.
We know how much young children like adventure. And the way we as adults talk about what we do can make the simplest activity seem exciting. Take a “field trip” to a friend’s garden to look at flowers. Or ask if your child can pick some lettuce from the neighbor’s garden to take to school for his classmates to taste.
It’s so easy to get into our routines and forget that with just a little planning we can create adventure. Take on the “family field trip” challenge. See if you can hit a new park, lake or nature center that you have never visited before.
But also remember that in your own yard or neighborhood there are adventures to be had. Even just throwing down a blanket under a shade tree to read books is a way to create a new experience. Infants and toddlers love to touch and manipulate objects found outdoors with their different textures and smells. Preschoolers might show you how they are learning to water plants and weed gardens.
And can you believe how exciting bugs are to children? It’s so much fun to watch them examine and observe as bugs crawl on the sidewalk. An inchworm on your sleeve provides so much to talk about!
What I especially love about summer activities is that they are often so unstructured. Children can make their own fun and are able to experience things on their own terms. And as adults we can also enjoy the feeling of freedom, the heightening of our senses and the relaxation that being outside allows us.
