Spring is a time when we are coming out of our metaphorical (or actual) hibernation and moving back into the world. This winter has been especially difficult and isolating for many. Connecting with the community is important for our mental health and wellness, as well as for our children. Here are some ways we suggest to connect with your community this Spring.
1. Have a Car Wash
Gather your supplies and set up a neighborhood car wash. There are plenty of ways to mask up and stay social-distance and scrub those cars clean. Remember to find nature-safe soap when scrubbing outdoors. Feel free to make it into a fundraiser too!
2. Start a Community Garden
Is there a place where the community can come together to garden? Try some seeds, or some starts and make a schedule for watering. We can create big things together!
3. Start a food donation fundraiser
Call a local food bank and ask what items they are looking for. Oftentimes food banks struggle to get enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Make a list and distribute it to neighbors, then find a safe location to collect the goods and set a date to bring them to the food bank.
4. Play a social distanced game
We know you all have gotten creative with social distancing this year. As weather improved think of new ways to get outside with your friends. Perhaps a game of beach ball volleyball where families stay on their own sides of the net or perhaps a water balloon toss would be up your alley.
5. Have an outdoor movie night
Does anyone in the neighborhood have a projector, or can you rent one? Just hanging a white sheet, bringing in some chairs and setting a time for a movie outdoors can be the start of your own local “drive-in” theater. If kids are too young to stay up past dark… you’ve just earned yourself some adult-only time.
6. Mail a letter
Some of us have family and community far away. Try handwriting a letter or having your child make a piece of artwork to send. We have our otter creature collection and otter hearts that promote connection to loved ones who are far away. Sending a gift or letter can be a way to show you care. Maybe it could be the start of a back and forth pen-pal activity.
7. Make a movement circuit with Sidewalk Chalk
This activity doesn’t take much prep work and can encourage the whole neighborhood to get moving and outside. If you are having a difficult time getting your kids outside, this can be motivation for them. On the sidewalk make arrows, hopscotch, pictures or directions to make your own circuit work-out loop. Every-so-often mark a stopping point with directions that say, “Do 5 squats” or “jump up and down 10 times.” Make your own rules and let kids participate in the set-up too!
8. Make a Fairy Door
Fairy garden examples can be found all over pinterest if you need some inspiration. You can go big or go small. Putting a simple wooden door on a tree or hillside in your yard can transform an every-day piece of nature into a whimsical imaginative landscape. Kids and adults in the neighborhood may just be inclined to stop by to check it out and perhaps leave little flowers, pinecones or stones on the doorstep. At Slumberkins we are all about the whimsy.
9. Hang a Motivational Tear-Off
You’ve seen tear-off posters for selling items, or passing out info on classes, right? But have you seen tear-off posters that offer inspirational messages? We’ve actually created one here if you want to check it out, or you can make your own. If you have a great place in your community to share info, try hanging one of these. Lifting other’s spirits can help lift our own too.
We hope you enjoy some of these ideas. Which ones are you excited to try? Do you have any other ideas to add to this list? Share a message in the comments below.
