Creating Summer Rhythms That Matter

By Stephanie West, MA, Professional Counselor Associate, Play Therapist and Parent Coach

If you have a child in your life, you’ve seen the way they greet summer — by ushering it in with squeals of delight. Backpacks are tossed aside and children rush outside, hearts open to what this new season has in store. But for those of us guiding them—whether we’re parents, caregivers, or mentors—summer can stir something different inside our souls. It can provoke uncertainty instead of anticipation. Perhaps your calendar is already teeming with camps, childcare, and commitments. Or maybe you’re simply wondering how to purposefully shape these slow days. 

Wherever you find yourself as summer begins, take heart: you don’t need a perfect plan in front of you. What you might value is a rhythm for your summer, one that’s gentle, gradual, and full of grace —and the good news is, we can create one together.

What if we approached this season not with expectation, but with intention? Ecclesiastes 3:2–4 reminds us that “for everything there is a season… a time to laugh… and a time to dance.” God, in His wisdom, intentionally built rhythms into creation. As summer begins, bringing with it change, we have a chance to intentionally build rhythms of our own.

Our rhythms won’t all look the same, and that’s okay. Some families thrive with structure; others flourish in spontaneity. But at the heart of it all is connection —and one of the most powerful ways we can build that connection is through play.

Play might look like giggling through a water balloon fight, creating a messy masterpiece, or sitting in the grass watching the clouds. Whatever form it takes, play gives children a language for their emotions, a space to be known, and an opportunity to feel safe And when a caring adult joins in, it sends a powerful message:

You matter. I see you. I delight in you.

Scripture doesn’t shy away from the joy of play. In Zechariah 8:5, we see this beautiful promise: “The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.” This creates a vivid picture of what play creates: a community alive with laughter, connection, and childlike wonder.

As you prepare for summer, consider: What simple shifts could make room for more joy, connection, and rest? These rhythms don’t have to be complicated or consistent — just intentional. Here are a few ideas to guide your next steps:

Rhythms to Try This Summer

1. Set Aside Device-Free Time

Begin with 15 minutes a day where everyone unplugs and can be fully present for whatever the moment brings. It may feel awkward at first, but trust that something beautiful is growing beneath the surface.

2. Bookend Your Day with Connection

Whether it’s reading a story in the morning or chatting about the day at bedtime, small

moments of consistency build a secure foundation for your child.

3. Create Space for Collaboration

Invite your child to help plan the week’s fun. What kind of play feels exciting to them?

Giving them a voice empowers their sense of belonging and builds trust.

4. Build in Margin

Unscheduled time isn’t wasted—it’s where creativity, rest, and deep connection can

flourish. Try protecting even one morning or afternoon each week for open-ended play

or rest.

Play Through the Senses: God’s Invitation to Slow Down

Children teach us how to experience life with all five senses. As they play, they savor sound, sight, touch, taste, and smell—and in doing so, they invite us to do the same.

Imagine what the children in the verse from Zacheriah may have been experiencing: the sound of their friend’s laughter, the feeling of their feet pounding the earth, the smell of meals wafting nearby. As we learn to take in the world with all our senses, we’re gently reminded of the importance of slowing down. It’s in these mundane moments that we can plant beautiful seeds — both in our children’s hearts, and in our own. 

Here are a few forms of play to help bring this vision to life:

Adventure Play: swimming, running through sprinklers, playing tag, biking, or hiking together.

Imaginative Play: building forts, crafting storylines, pretending with dolls or action figures.

Creative Play: baking, painting, sidewalk chalk, music-making, or crafting together.

Biblio Play: reading stories from Scripture, choosing a family devotional, or reading aloud together.

Nature Play: exploring a trail, picking fruit, birdwatching, or playing outside. 

Music Play: spontaneous dance parties, karaoke, or singing songs together during everyday tasks.

Memory-Making Moments: A Starting List

Use these ideas, not as a checklist, but inspiration for what might bring joy to your family this season:

1. Sunday Sundae Bar: Dessert for dinner, with toppings galore and laughter guaranteed.

2. Family Read-Aloud: Pick a book and enjoy a few chapters together in the evenings.

3. Bible Time Together: Start or end your day with Scripture, using a favorite devotional.

4. Global Dinner Night: Research a country and cook a meal from that culture together.

5. Kindness Adventure: Leave treats for neighbors or write a note to a friend.

6. Hike and Wonder: Explore a new trail and look for God’s fingerprints in nature.

7. Water Play Day: Balloons, sprinklers, slip-n-slide—simple joys that refresh.

8. Outdoor Movie Night: String lights, blankets, and a favorite family film.

9. Sidewalk Chalk Art: Host a chalk art contest and celebrate everyone’s creativity.

10. Scooter and Skate Date: Join your kids at the skate park, or explore new trails together. 

11. Stargazing Night: Stay up late, lie in the grass, and marvel at the night sky.

12. Charades and Snacks: Enjoy this classic game together and then enjoy a favorite treat once you’re done.

13. Berry Picking: Make a memory and a snack all at once.

14. DIY Summer Camp: Build a fort, make s’mores in the microwave, and camp out in an indoor pillow fort. 

15. Inside Picnic: Lay out a blanket and dine under fairy lights—maybe even read aloud, too.

Presence is a Gift 

When we choose to play, to pause, and to be present, we’re doing something holy. We’re telling our children: You are worth my time. You are worth my joy. And in return, we often rediscover our own. Did you know kids laugh over 300 times a day, while adults average just 17? Maybe this summer, that gap gets a little smaller.

When you engage with your child in play, you get to see them more clearly—their courage, curiosity, and gifts. And in that sacred noticing, we get a glimpse of the way our Heavenly Father sees us: with delight.

So as you plan, pack, or pause for your summer, know this: you are doing holy work. Whether you’re flying across the world or walking to your neighborhood park, you are shaping a story of connection. You are building rhythms that speak love, model joy, and plant seeds of faith. 

I’m with you in it. And I’m cheering you on.

To schedule an appointment, email me at stephanie@livingwholehearted.com

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