Family Fun | five activities to connect with your teens
Hello there, Lifeline parents!
We are almost at the beginning of a magical Michigan summer! Normally, that would mean savoring some much needed time with our families at the lake or around a bonfire--but some of us have been together constantly for many, many months now. Some of us (me included!) could honestly go for a little less time cooped up together.
While my kids are younger (and easier to persuade that anything can be fun) we want you to be able to soak up these upcoming months with your kids before we ease back into “real” life. A fall full of football games and play rehearsals and study groups is going to feel more chaotic than normal after a spring filled with...nothing.
If you’re able, take some time this summer to create some intentional memories with your big kids. Not sure where to start? We did our best to come up with five fun, family activities to help you make space to connect with your teenager.
Take a Hike | Exploring a new spot for a hike is one of my favorite things to do. There’s something about enjoying the outdoors that heals whatever aches are in my heart. It reminds me of my smallness and allows me to connect with the Creator in new ways. You don’t need to have a deep, spiritual conversation while you hike, but maybe notice the vastness of creation--maybe ask your child what they notice, ask what fills them with awe. This is a great list of local spots to hike as a family (my top picks: Rosy Mound, Wittenbach Wege Center, and Aman Park).
S’more Please | Whether over a bonfire in the backyard or in the oven--there’s something about s’mores that just scream summer perfection. Maybe each family member can create their own marshmallow-y masterpiece with different special ingredients (maybe you have to come up with a name for your new culinary invention). Vote on the best one and the winner gets bragging rights...until next summer.
Let the Games Begin | The real Olympics may be postponed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own. Come up with a few events to compete in as a family (or with some neighbors or family friends). The events can be serious or totally silly--water balloon toss or beach ball volleyball--maybe each team decides what country they are going to represent and speaks in goofy accents for the afternoon. Laughter is a great way to connect with your teenager.
Do it for the ‘Gram | Sometimes it helps to speak the language of our students. Photos perfectly edited and staged for Instagram or hours spent learning TikTok dances might not make sense to us--but it’s everything to them. Spend an afternoon together and take some Instagram-worthy photos with your teen. Here a list of awesome murals you can find around Grand Rapids (and beyond) which will serve as a great backdrop to any photo.
Camp Crafts | Time to find that friendship bracelet thread and get busy. Grab a spot in the yard (or cozy up on the couch on a rainy day) and teach your teen some of your favorite childhood crafts. Sometimes when their hands are busy, they are more willing to talk or answer your questions. Take this time to check in with them and see how they’re doing. Need some ideas? We found a list of 40 easy craft ideas for teens to help get you inspired.
We hope that gives you a place to start as you make some new summer memories as a family!
About the author:
Caitlin Malski
Caitlin Malski is the Weekly Programming Administrative Assistant.