With school holidays fast approaching it can be challenging to think of new and original things to do.
But it doesn’t have to be a costly experience.
Going for a walk or bike ride in a park may sound a bit boring at first, but you can make it fun by getting kids to do a mindful practice.
For example a 5-4-3-2-1 game:
Get them to write down (or say out loud) five things they can see (in as much detail as possible), four things they can hear, three things they can feel, two things they can smell and one thing they can taste.
They key thing is getting them to observe what’s happening right now, in this moment.
Plus of course, it gets them outdoors and in nature.
Or you could create a list of things in the backyard / garden that they could tick off as they find or see them… an ant, clouds, raindrops on a leaf, a colour, their reflection.
Things they can hear… traffic, birds, a plane, voices, a dog barking.
Things they can feel… the air on their skin (is it wam or cool), the sun on their arms, the ground beneath their feet, the texture of a leaf, stick, or flower.
Let your imagination run away with you!
If the weather’s not so great, jigsaws and Lego – or anything creative – is great. Colouring books, puzzles, or even vision boards – where they can cut things out of magazines that make them smile, words they like, maybe use coloured beads or feathers, stickers etc. Whatever you have to hand.
Paint some plain plant pots in bright colours and plant some seeds.
Do some cooking together – let them choose the recipes!
The key thing is getting them to do something mindful every day, even if only for a few minutes.
Getting them to put down and walk away from phones, devices and streaming services.
Or if they insist on having phones with them – getting them to take five photos of things that inspire them or make them happy.
The Dalai Lama once said:
“If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation,
we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.” – Dalai Lama
While some may criticise this as being too simplistic, it’s certainly worth thinking about.
Imagine the difference that could make to their future.
Enjoy the holidays 🙏
Ann