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- I'm bored. Bike safety. Running.
I'm bored. Bike safety. Running.
Plus: You should read this book.
Happy Monday, Valley Moms!
🐴 Let’s talk trail ettiquette! Walking and hiking are in the PNW starter pack, but we often have to share the trail with certain quadrupeds — that’s right, we’re talking about horses. You can keep yourself and others safe by following these basic rules of thumb. When you see a horse and rider on the trail:
Let the rider know you’re there — if the rider knows, the horse knows
Stay visible so you don’t startle the horse
Leash your furry friends
Give them the right of way, placing yourself on the low side of the trail
Let’s all stay safe out there!
👀 In this week’s issue:
Fighting (& embracing) summer boredom
Bike safely
Please run
Up first…
MOTHERHOOD
Worried about summertime boredom? We’ve got you covered.
Giphy
Summer break is every kid’s dream — until boredom sets in. Instead of hearing "Mom, I’m bored!" on repeat, try these simple and engaging activities to keep your kids entertained, learning, and making memories all summer long.
📆 Plan themed days
Give each day of the week a theme to build anticipation and structure. Ideas include:
Make-It Monday: Crafts, DIY projects, or baking.
Trek Tuesday: Explore local trails, parks, or even your backyard with a nature scavenger hunt.
Water Wednesday: Sprinklers, water balloons, or a trip to a local pool.
Thinking Thursday: Science experiments, puzzles, or a trip to the library.
Friend Friday: Playdates, sleepovers, or a special outing with friends.
🪣 Create a summer bucket list
Sit down as a family and brainstorm a list of things to do before school starts. Ideas could include:
Visit a new playground.
Make homemade ice cream.
Have a backyard camping night.
Try a new hobby like painting or gardening.
Host a lemonade stand.
🛝 Encourage independent play
Teach kids how to entertain themselves by setting up activity stations:
Art Station: A basket with coloring books, markers, and stickers.
Outdoor Station: Sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, and sports balls.
Building Station: LEGOs, blocks, or forts made of blankets and chairs.
🏙️ Sign up for local programs
Check out your community for summer camps, library programs, or vacation Bible schools (VBS). Many are free or low-cost and offer structured fun with other kids. Check out our guides on all the things to do in and around the Valley!
🥳 Make learning fun
Keep young minds active by sneaking in educational activities:
Set up a reading challenge with a reward at the end.
Start a summer journal or scrapbook.
Cook together and teach kids about measurements and following directions.
🏃♀️ Get moving
Physical activity is key to burning energy and staying healthy:
Go on a daily walk or bike ride.
Set up an obstacle course in the yard.
Have a family dance party.
💡 Ideas for older kids
Tweens and teens might need a different approach to keep them engaged:
Start a Passion Project: Encourage them to explore photography, writing, coding, or video editing.
Volunteer: Look for opportunities at local shelters, food banks, or community gardens.
Earn Money: Help them start a small business like babysitting, pet-sitting, lawn mowing, or selling handmade crafts online.
Outdoor Adventures: Plan longer hikes, geocaching, or kayaking trips.
DIY Challenges: Encourage them to build something, learn a new recipe, or create their own board game.
Join a Summer Program: Many community centers offer leadership training, sports leagues, or theater groups for older kids.
🤗 Embrace the Slow Moments
Remember, BOREDOM IS A GOOD THING, and not every moment needs to be scheduled. Boredom can spark creativity! Encourage kids to come up with their own fun, whether it’s building a fort, putting on a play, or inventing a game.
With a little planning, summer can be a season of adventure, learning, and fun. Which of these ideas will you try first?
QUICK QUESTION!
🐕️ Should (safe, trained, and friendly) dogs be allowed to walk off-leash? |
AROUND THE VALLEY
Help your kiddos learn bike safety!
This coming Saturday, Eastmont Parks & Rec is hosting a Bike Rodeo event where you and your kids can learn bike safety basics FOR FREE! There will also be live music, helmet giveaways, and free hot dogs!
Head to Eastmont Community Park across from the high school on May 17th, starting at 10am!
MOM THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Add this to your TBR list
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver explores the biblical story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) and how their contrasting personalities reflect two approaches to faith and life. Martha, busy with tasks and service, represents the tendency to be overwhelmed by responsibilities, while Mary, who sits at Jesus’ feet, embodies a heart devoted to relationship with Him. Weaver encourages readers to cultivate a balance—embracing Martha’s work ethic without neglecting Mary’s intimacy with Christ. The book provides practical guidance on deepening one’s spiritual life while managing daily demands, emphasizing that Jesus calls us to both service and rest in Him.
This book is a great reminder for moms, caregivers, and busy women striving to do it all. It encourages us to prioritize time with Jesus even amid responsibilities. Instead of constantly striving to check off to-do lists, we can adopt a heart of worship in our work. A practical takeaway is setting aside intentional quiet time—whether through morning devotions, worship, or simply pausing in the middle of a busy day to refocus on Christ. It also challenges us to release perfectionism and embrace grace, recognizing that Jesus values our presence more than our productivity.
ONE LAST THING
Your final reminder!
The Run for Your Mother 5k is happening THIS WEEKEND! Grab your fam, lace up your sneakers, and head down to Walla Walla Point Park for endless fun (jk it ends at 11:30a).
For more info, click here.
💝 Thanks for reading! Who knew there were hiking dos and don’ts? Send us your craziest walking/hiking experience (good or bad)🤷♀️
🗒️ This just in! ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of our readers think sweet > salty. That’s a lot of sweettooths (teeth?)!
👯♀️ Keep up with us @valley_moms on IG. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected].
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