Summer is a wonderful time to draw the family together for fun, fellowship and making memories. The days are longer and the nights are warm and inviting. Nature is so beautiful as God’s handiwork is in full bloom and families have additional time to enjoy one another, because school is out of session. God has provided us this season to recover, reconnect, and recharge our batteries.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens” (KJV).

While many might choose to plan family road trips, others find solace with simple lazy days at the beach, picnics at the park or adventures at huge amusement parks. Many of the best memories reported include loved ones played games nestled around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and making sticky smores while poking one another and laughing at corny jokes after a day of building sandcastles.

I can still remember the glee that I had as a child as I ran through the sprinklers in my Grandparents backyard, during the dead heat of a 1980’s Los Angeles summer.

Summer is a time for kids (and adults) to get out and stretch their legs (and imaginations) and get some healthy natural vitamin D in their bodies.

Science has shown that when we unplug away from work, our creativity is boosted thereby increasing our ability to be happier, think more critically, work with greater efficiency and be more productive. This is why God took time to rest and why doctors often order patients to rest. It’s not only good for you but it’s built into the created order. Having fun is good for our psychological, social, emotional and physical well-being. God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that we would need the rest. Can I get an amen? 😉

Some fun outdoor activities include:

•  visiting a new park that you’ve never seen
•  going for a bike ride or trying a water bike
•  going to the beach and building sandcastles
•  make a sidewalk chalk mural/ make a hopscotch mural and play hopscotch
•  go fossil hunting near a lake
•  make paper boats and use straws to propel them in a kiddie pool
•  have a tricycle race
•  run through sprinklers

Some alternative activities may include:

• visit a museum/zoo/aquarium
• have a water balloon fight
• visit a retirement home and read stories to the residents
• interview an older relative about what life was like when they were younger
• create a scavenger hunt
• make a bird house out of popsicle sticks
• set up a bike wash for local charity
• assemble a family cookbook with all of your favorites
• create three-dimensional buildings with toothpicks and mini-marshmallows
• volunteer at the local animal shelter

Regardless of what you choose to do, summer is a time where we are given the opportunity to enjoy, treasure and have fun with your family. Let me encourage you to really embrace the time that you have. Treasure these moments. Indeeed, they are precious! None of us know what tomorrow will bring, and the most valuable asset that we have is the time that God has given us to love one another. May this summer find you laughing uncontrollably and loving each other unconditionally with the love that only our heavenly Father can give us.

Warmly,

Dr. Christy

About the guest blogger:

Dr. Christy Demetriades has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Clinical Psychology and a B.S. in Exercise/Sports Science from Vanguard University. She loves Jesus, has a heart for people and has dedicated her life to serving Him.