Summer Counseling Activities
Summer is great time to engage with kids in fun, creative ways!
Through play-based learning, art prompts, nature exploration, mindfulness exercises, and team-building games, kids can grow, connect, and thrive during summer break.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Practice mindfulness in nature through sensory exploration. Nature scavenger hunts can inspire an outdoor journey that encourages kids to connect with nature, sharpen their observational skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the environment around them.
Find out free printable scavenger hunts HERE.
Gardening
Gardening is a hands-on sensorial activity that helps kids practice patience and understand the value of purposeful work. It also provides a safe space for conversation and connection.
Cooperative Games
Cooperative games help kids learn the significance of collaboration, integrity, and respect. Through shared objectives and collective problem-solving, kids can build interpersonal skills while exercising ethical conduct and resilience.
Learn more about cooperative play HERE.
We love to play The Statue Game outside in the summer!
Outdoor Art
Art therapy supports emotional and cognitive development through creative expression. Children who regularly engage in artistic activities have access to a non-verbal avenue of self-discovery and communication. Art provides a safe space for kids to explore their creativity, build confidence, and develop problem-solving skills.
Learn more about art therapy HERE.
Explore some of our favorite art activities:
Nature Exploration
Time spent outdoors reduces stress, boosts mood, and supports emotional regulation by engaging the senses and encouraging movement.
Gross Motor Activites
Help kids develop perseverance through practice by facilitating obstacle courses, relay races, or challenges that engage gross motor skills!
Check out our recommended toys and games for play therapy HERE.
Sand Play
The process of arranging and manipulating figures and objects in the sand is a form of play that offers children a safe and engaging way to communicate and rehearse complex emotions and experiences.
Check out our recommended toys and materials for sand play and more HERE.
Swinging
Swinging offers a physical, sensory experience that most kids find calming. Use swings to help kids regulate emotions or to foster connection through conversation.
Check out our free printable conversation starters HERE.
Mindfulness in Nature
Mindfulness practice offers a guided pathway for children to develop a sense of calm, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
Check out our free printable mindfulness practice resources HERE.
Free Play
Play is a fundamental aspect of child development and nurtures creativity, social skills, and cognitive functioning. Through play, kids can explore their interests, experiment with ideas, and learn to navigate the complexities of the world around them. Productive free play is a vital component of a holistic approach to learning and development.
Learn more about productive free play HERE.
Bubbles and Breath
Bubbles are a great visual way to teach kids the art of focused breath. Through focused “bubble breathing” techniques, children learn to connect with their breath to practice mindfulness and concentration.
Learn more about mindfulness practice HERE.
Outdoor Science
Through scientific play, children can experiment with cause and effect and learn to better understand the world around them.
Learn more:
Walk and Talk
Effective communication during adolescence builds mutual trust, understanding, and respect. This kind of foundation allows adolescents to navigate the challenges of identity formation, peer pressure, and emotional turbulence with the safety net of support and guidance. By actively listening and engaging with teens, we establish strong connections that promote healthy decision-making, emotional well-being, and positive relationships.
Check out our free printable conversation starters HERE.
Chalk
Chalk is a great way to bring therapeutic art activities outdoors! Check out our free printable therapeutic activities for inspiration!
Water Play
Water play on a hot day can re-engage kids with familiar toys, games, or activities. Try adapting ordinary routines to incorporate water!
Learn more about play therapy HERE.
