As summer break comes to an end and the school year approaches, it's the perfect time to gather around a campfire with your family. This transition period is a great opportunity to bond and make memories before the hustle and bustle of the school year begins.
If I could only make two rules for around the campfire, it would be these:
- Include a fun snack (s'mores anyone?)
- Go technology free. Phones are not necessary for the campfire, give your family the full attention they deserve.
How do kids of different ages enjoy the experience?
For the younger children, the campfire is a place of wonder and excitement. They love watching the flames dance and hearing the crackling sounds. Teenagers, on the other hand, may enjoy the campfire for different reasons. It's a chance to disconnect from technology and connect with nature. They may share stories or jokes, creating a sense of camaraderie with their family.
An important thing to note, sometimes one question will fuel enough conversation for the entire evening. If you are parked out on one question the entire time then think of that as a success, allow conversation to continue on one subject alone.
At the end of the evening, wrap up conversation with an encouraging word to your family and remember the purpose of this time is to spend intentional time with one another.
With those few disclaimers out of the way, here are some questions to spark meaningful discussions with your family. These questions are created with the hope to engage all ages.
What was the highlight of your summer?
Encourage each family member to share their favorite memory from the summer. It could be a fun trip, a special event, or even a simple moment spent together. This question can help everyone reflect on the positive experiences they had during the summer.
What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming (school) year?
This question can help set positive intentions for the new school year and help ease some of those pre-school year jitters. I know going into a new school year, I always had many nerves coupled with excitement of new beginnings and possibilities. Encourage your kids to share their excitement for the upcoming academic year.
If you could learn anything new this year, what would it be?
This question can spark creativity and curiosity in your family members. Encourage everyone to think about new skills or knowledge they would like to develop in the coming months. It's a great way to inspire learning and personal growth while understanding what resources may be necessary to help your family members accomplish their goal.
If you could go on one more summer adventure, where would you go?
Based on the answers of your kids and family, maybe there is something special you can do to finish up the summer? This question helps each person feel listened to and address any hopes they may not have shared otherwise.
All in all, the hope is to provide a safe space for your family to reflect, dream, and share. By spending this quality time together, my hope is that you learn more about one another you may have not known otherwise.
Where did the questions lead you? I hope that you learned something new about your kids that you wouldn't have otherwise. Will you leave a comment about your Family Campfire Conversation below? Maybe even add a question or two that you came up with during the time!! If you are looking for any additional questions, check out Part 2 of our series for more intentional questions!
From the Bungalow,
Emma
P.S. Family memories often are created in the home. That's why I LOVE capturing homes across the country in my unique Architectural Watercolor paintings that capture the most special details of the place you call home. Respond today to get your home captured by me! See more details at our "Commissions" page!