by Audrey Walls, M.Ed., M.F.A.
With the school year winding down and the sunny days of summer rolling in, many families with kids and teens may find themselves with a little more time on their hands. Although much of the usual routine of family life changes during the summer months, all of us at Full Circle know that grief often doesn’t stop or lessen depending on the season. Oftentimes, when our usual activities and obligations slow down, we find ourselves with more time to reflect, more space to allow feelings to bubble up, and as such, more opportunities for remembrance.
Knowing this, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite grief-related activities or suggestions that are especially appropriate for kids, teens, and their trusted family and friends. Alana Harris, Full Circle’s Graduate Clinical Intern, has facilitated several school-age support groups for children and teens and believes in the benefits that acts of remembrance can bring. “Remembrance activities are a great way for children to stay connected to memories with their loved ones, taking a moment out of the busy season to honor the bond they had and continue to carry with them,” she writes.
Alana’s Top Picks for Remembrance Activities
- A Memory Box A memory box can be a sweet and easy activity for kids and teens of all ages. All you need is an empty box and some art supplies. While encouraging children to decorate and personalize their box in memory of their loved one is the initial activity, it also can become an ongoing project where children find mementos and objects to fill the box, or place photos or write notes to their loved ones and store them within it once it is completed.
- Grief Gardening It’s a beautiful time to get outdoors and soak up some sunshine, all while taking the memory of your loved one with you. In this article from author and journalist Allison Gilbert, she suggests creating a memory garden with a favorite plant of your loved one, and then adding “love rocks” along the way. Don’t like getting your hands dirty? Try creating or finding a quiet refuge where you can connect with nature and your loved one at the same time.
Our resource hub for children, teens, and families is also packed with suggestions and opportunities that go far beyond our support groups and individual sessions, allowing you to continue your grief journey as a family. Try taking a look at our Family Friday activity series, Virtual Story Time videos, and our Grief Book List with specific recommendations based on age and topic. (Bonus tip: All the books listed on our spreadsheet are available to check out for any Full Circle clients or participants, past or present!)
Do you have a remembrance activity that’s brought you closer to your loved one? What works best for you and your family? If you have thoughts or suggestions that we haven’t listed in our resources already, let us know! We’re always looking for meaningful and unique ways to connect to our loved ones, no matter what the season.
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