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Traveling with Kids: Turn Any Trek into a Monumental Art Road Trip

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Traveling with kids can be…lots of things: tiring, intimidating, overwhelming, irritating. But, traveling with kids is also joyous, exciting, and awe-inspiring. Family travel coming up? Consider making it an art road trip, and you’ll be even more amazed at the trek’s richness.

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Seeing the world through children’s eyes gives us hope and revitalization that few things can. We’ve also talked about art’s powerful impact on children’s lives. What if you could bottle all that potential up and take it on a vacation with you? An art road trip is an amazing way of doing that.

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Benefits of an Art Road Trip

So, why is an art road trip something we recommend? Let me explain.

Seeing Their World

When traveling with kids, we hear their reflections aloud. We witness their awe and are brightened by their playfulness. But, when we give them space to create, we see even more of their inner world. We notice what is important to them and who they are.

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Deepening Connection

When children are creating art along the way to document their journey, the trip offers us a new level of amazement and intrigue. For example, imagine the questions you can ask after reading their poem about the hike you took together. As a result, you have more opportunity for relationship-building. Win!

Creating Tangible Memories

More and more, children rarely touch what brings them joy. Our books, movies, music, games, relationships, photos are often digitized. Traveling with kids on an art road trip turns experiences into objects. Then, all their lives children can more easily recall the memories of your trip.

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Engaging the Mind and Heart

In a general way, traveling with kids demands that parents plan activities for the trip. Everyone is happier this way. An art road trip is a great way to incorporate fun activities into travel. Additionally, through the creative process, children learn to trust their perspective. They learn to tell the story of their life. And they engage even more in the experiences they’re documenting.

Art Road Trip Activities

When traveling with kids it’s important to keep them occupied. This makes for happy kids, which makes for happy parents. Car games, coloring, reading, word puzzles, Mad Libs are just a few. But we’ve put together some ideas for how to make any trip into an art road trip.

Create a photo journal. Invite your children to take photos on your trip. They can use their phone or take the opportunity to get more comfortable on an SLR camera. Encourage them to capture moments that are important to them, scenery they like, objects that stand out to them, etc. Then, once home, print a book of photos for them to keep.

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Keep a documentary sketchbook. Give your child a blank sketchbook and a set of fine tip markers or colored pencils. Invite them to create a page of drawings and description for each destination. There’s a great example of this practice over here.

Write poetry. Give your children the opportunity to write poetry throughout your trip. Give them options to choose from by explaining different forms of poetic expression.  Perhaps they write about the scenery they see, describe what an experience felt like to them, or create a rhyming narrative about the trip.

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Make collages. Use travel books, magazines, tourist information pamphlets and found objects to make collages. This can be done for each destination. This could be combined with the sketch and/or poetry book if your child wants to do all three.

Ponder the clouds. Just today my daughter invited me to look at the clouds with her. She wanted to show me the alligator on roller skates she saw in the sky. Take some time to do this with your kids, no matter their ages. It uses imagination and can result in some good laughs, too.

We want to hear what you’ll be up to this summer and how you’ll incorporate art. So, don’t forget to share in the comments below!

5 Fun Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Your Kids

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Reflecting on the upcoming summer solstice got me thinking about how much of our connection to the rhythms of life and creation we’ve lost. As technology and industrialization has increased, even much of our interaction with the circle of the seasons has been minimized or lost.

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For example, many of us are unaware of what produce is grown when. Also, we pay little attention to the moon’s waxing and waning. And the sun doesn’t dictate our waking and sleeping anymore.

Consequently, life has shifted in big ways for most of us since our agrarian ancestors lived. As a result, we search for other forms of rhythm. We still need a sense of place in time and space. And that is certainly true for children just as it is for adults.

So, what counters all this and encourages a sense of grounding in our lives today? The coming and going of the school year. The liturgical calendar with its colors and seasons. Women’s monthly cycles. Holidays and family traditions.

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Even still, our culture does little to connect us to the Earth. Yet, the earth is the place from which we originate. We call it home for our entire existence. Its gifts fuel us and its ground supports us. Our bodies will return to its soil. And in spite of all this, we rarely celebrate its wonder.

The solstice is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, take notice of Earth’s splendor, and thank God.

What is the Summer Solstice?

Summer Solstice, also called midsummer in some places, is the longest day of the year. Also, in many areas, it’s considered the first day of summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, it happens between June 20-22. And in the Southern Hemisphere, it falls between December 20-23.

Around the world, it’s commemorated in lots of different ways. From music festivals to surf contests, people come together to celebrate the sunshine.

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5 Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice

Thank God for the sun. Explore all the ways the sun provides for life. Talk about it with your children and take time to show your gratitude. Saint Francis of Assisi, a lover of creation, wrote a hymn called Canticle of the Sun you may want to use as a prayer. Here is an excerpt:

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Enjoy the sunlight. Go swimming. Hit the beach or lake. Go for a hike or ten-minute walk around the block. Picnic at a park or in your own backyard. Do some gardening. Just take time to feel the sunshine on your skin. Notice its warmth and how it energizes you.

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Have a BBQ. Nothing says summer like cooking out on the grill. Invite friends over. Your street could even throw a block party. Enjoy the long afternoon and evening, whatever you do. Push bedtime back a bit for longer playtime and memory-making.

Make sun catchers. Give your children a chance to express their love of light and creation through the making of art. There are several ways to make sun catchers. The simple objective is to create something that allows for light to pass through it when it’s hung in a window. Get creative with materials and assembly. Need some inspiration? Check out a few great ideas over at Rhythms of Play.

Brew sun tea. I remember playing in the backyard as a kid as my mom’s glass pitcher sat on the brick half-wall brewing tea. And I’ve never once made it myself. This is the summer, ’cause guess what? It’s not all that hard. And it’s super versatile. Make it to your liking. You can even add mint or basil. Pour it over ice with a squeeze of lemon, and enjoy. And yes, we do expect to see many of you Instagramming your tea-brewing glass pitchers and tagging us in your photos!

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Happy Summer, Friends!

Happy Summer, friends! This solstice, enjoy the sun and notice all it makes possible on this glorious planet. Find space to sink into the rhythms of the Earth and celebrate.

And, we love hearing from you. So, don’t forget to share what you’re doing to celebrate the onset of summer in the comments!

5 Powerful Father’s Day Gifts That Keep On Giving

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Father’s Day is right around the corner. And there are so many fabulous men who are worthy of celebration. So, we’ve put together a list of ways to honor them this year.

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Perhaps Dad isn’t any longer with you or isn’t the father you’d hope for. But, Father’s Day can still be a day of joy. You can simply celebrate the men in your life who have been steadfast, supportive and nurturing. Share with them how significant they are to you.

Showing Gratitude on Father’s Day

No matter our life’s situation we all have father figures, biologically related or not, who have been wonderful to us. These are the men who have watched out for you, advocated for your best interest, given love and support, taught you about life, offered forgiveness and a listening ear.

These men have played a special role in your life and contributed to who you are. As a result, they are worthy of being shown care and gratitude. This is particularly true on Father’s Day. So, how might you do this for them?

First, sincere gratitude, of course, and then gifts. There are several lists to read that outline the best gifts for Dad. But, what if instead of giving him another thing, you do something that will carry into the world the legacy he’s already created in your life?

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Father’s Day Gifts That Keep On Giving

As I perused blogs and Pinterest boards to research for this post, I came across countless gift ideas for Dad. But, to be honest, many of them were either crafts that wouldn’t last in my house (I’m sorry, a necktie wreath? Neither my husband nor I want that on our front door) or gadgets that weren’t all that personal. If this has been your experience, too, have no fear.

There’s an alternative that’s neither cheesy nor impersonal. Give, in honor of your dad’s impact upon you, to an organization that is particularly meaningful to who he is or his role in your life. Not only does this show him his specific value, it also creates a ripple effect that carries his legacy to other children and families.

There are several organizations making a profound impact on fathers and children around the world. We gathered a few here and would love to hear what organizations you support for dads and their kids, too. Share in the comments section below.

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Carry on His Legacy This Father’s Day

Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran’s families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Since the beginning, the program has saved military and veteran’s families an estimated $407 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation. Watch one family’s powerful Fisher House story here.

National At-Home Dad Network strives to empower fathers and champion a culture that recognizes them as capable and competent parents. The organization’s mission is to provide advocacy, community, education, and support to at-home dads. As a result, dads are better supported and equipped in their role as a primary at-home parent. This and organizations like it are changing the face of families. And it’s opening doors for fathers and mothers to serve their kids as they feel best suits their needs. Watch a feature on CBS News here. And check out their 2018 At-Home Dad Convention here.

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National Fatherhood Initiative offers powerful educational resources to be used by community organizations, rehab programs, and prisons that work with ill-equipped fathers. Many of the facilities utilizing these resources serve men who grew up without a stable, loving father figure and fell into a life of addiction and/or crime. Without a father figure in their life, a child is 5 times more likely to commit suicide. Also, they’re 9 times more likely to drop out of school and 20 times more likely to be imprisoned. The National Fatherhood Initiative resources assist fathers to be present and engaged in their children’s lives. Watch stories of its impact here.

International Rescue Committee responds to some of the world’s worst crises, delivering aid that saves lives while paving the way for long-term recovery. It serves people whose lives have been upended by war, conflict and natural disasters in countries where support to recover from a crisis is unavailable. The organization responds within 72 hours, staying to help countries stabilize and people rebuild their lives. Additionally, it resettles refugees welcomed by the United States. IRC focuses particularly on caring for mothers and children. So, this could be a beautiful way to celebrate your father figure’s care for you and your family. Find a gift to give in honor of your father here.

Door of Hope aims to equip homeless families to rebuild their lives. Empowered by God’s love, families restore their lives, strengthen their communities, and break the cycles of homelessness and domestic violence. The Door of Hope program seeks to do this for every man, woman, and child it serves. The organization provides families with employment help, financial classes, counseling, children’s programs, housing opportunities and follow-up care. Read and watch stories of families impacted by Door of Hope.

We hope that these five organizations inspire you to share the gift your father is with other children and families. Have a beautiful time giving thanks to God for the men in your life who have loved and nurtured you. And don’t forget to share in the comments below how you’re celebrating Father’s Day this year.