1. Outdoor Games - Playing outside can be a welcome form of exercise during the summer. Especially if you have older children. Being able to interact outdoors provides a safe boost in Vitamin D as long as you wear SPF 30 or greater sunscreen to protect your skin. It won’t feel like it at the moment, but games like badminton, corn hole bag toss, and catch are all fun, family-oriented games. Perfect for the summer! 

2. Frequent Museum Events or Local Art Fairs -  Museums allow you to gain brilliant insights about history, both national and international that may not have been covered in depth within a grade school textbook.  Everyone loves a good story, and every art piece has one. Local art fairs provide a sense of community and a chance to talk with artists directly to hear their story behind their creations firsthand.  

 

3. Farmers Markets - Another great opportunity for exercise that will connect you to the community, bring family and friends together, and provide a healthy source of fresh vegetable options is your local Farmers Market. Some are rather large, especially in California, and you can certainly get a few miles in finding parking or walking there before you explore the market. 

4. Pictures, Art and Paintings - Surround yourself with memorable family pictures, art, and paintings that inspire you.  People say that a picture speaks a thousand words. This is true as we use our mind to evoke thoughts and memories.  We can be inspired to take our family to where we grew up, or where our ancestors are from. Looking at a wedding photo can inspire us to visit the surroundings of an area we once enjoyed.