Savoring Summer

Are you having a hard time saying goodbye to summer? We sure are at Green Art Labs.

It was an extra sweet summer for us with the return of our in-person Green Arts Camp at Full Moon Rising Farm on Whidbey Island. Nothing’s better than spending the week with young 5-8 year olds at the farm.

We ran through sprinklers on warm summer days, built forts in the forest and were wide-eyed with joy when the baby ducklings were born. We even made some cool art! So, why do we have to say goodbye to the summer?

We can hold on to some of our favorite memories just a little bit longer with this Savoring Summer Art Activity. This is a great way to help children (and adults) transition from the end of summer into the fall school year. Try it as a family, community group, or class to savor the summer while transitioning to the fall.

Savoring Summer Art Activity

Supplies needed: Large paper, pencils, markers, crayons or paint, photos or magazine photos, scissors and glue sticks for collage. This activity takes 45 minutes or more based on interest and age group.

Step 1: Give your summer a name that describes the feelings you had this summer. Some ideas may be “Sweet Blueberry Summer,” “Adventures Along the Coast,” or “Chilling with Friends.” You can write, draw or collage this at the top of the paper.

Step 2: Draw a line down the middle of the paper. Write “Summer” on the left side of the line. Write “Fall” on the right side.

Step 3: Think about some of your favorite memories from this past summer. Don’t forget the difficult or challenging times. Get specific and share all the details of the memories. Then spend some time discussing how these memories made you feel.

Step 3: Draw, write or collage about these summer memories under the “Summer” heading of your paper. Add your own photos or images you find in magazines. Reminisce as you’re drawing and writing about these summer memories.

Step 4: Now think ahead to the fall. What things are you looking forward to? What things might be difficult or challenging? Draw, write or collage about these things under the “fall” section of the paper.

Step 5: Display your artwork so that you can easily see it during this transition time. It’s an evolving piece of art. So, whenever you think of a new summer memory or future fall expectation, add it to the art piece.

Expressing your feelings this way will help ease the transition into the new season. Enjoy!

Next try one of our favorite fall art activities, our In Disguise Art Box. Kids get into character with Natural Earth Face Paint, make their own costume and design a costume accessory.