Now that summer is here & kids are out of school, it is time for grown ups to embrace their inner kid as well. If you don’t like visiting the playground or spending time at the pool or playing in the backyard or going for walks or riding bikes or any of the other myriad of summer activities that kids tend to L-O-V-E, you might need a quick refresher on being young at heart.

So how does one get back in touch with their inner child? I have a few ideas. Some sound a little unpleasant at first, but we adults need to push through some uncomfortableness before we see the fun on the other side.

1) GET YOUR CLOTHES WET…WHILE YOU’RE WEARING THEM
This can be a water balloon toss, a trip through the sprinkler, chasing each other with the hose, playing at the water table, exploring the creek in the woods or whatever else you can think of. I don’t like to get my clothes wet because besides being a little uncomfortable once your shorts are sticking to you, it also means that you have to do some extra and immediate laundry. But this is the perfect reason to do it. Forget about the responsibility that goes along with cleaning up after yourself and just try to have some sticky fun.

2) BLOW BUBBLES
Bubbles! Another great example of something icky, sticky and wonderful. Kids love chasing bubbles & even adults have to admit that there’s something pretty magical about a cloud of bubbles floating on the breeze. Don’t worry about the fact that the bubble bottle is getting low (get some backups!) or that your fingers are glued together with soap. Just blow bubbles and watch your kids have a good time. I dare you not to laugh.

3) CLIMB A TREE
Ack! What? Climbing trees is a dangerous activity! And also just about the coolest skill to have as a kid. Find a nice low tree (with sturdy branches) and climb on up. Have a sit. Look at the world from a little higher off the ground (even if it’s only about 5 feet). Imagine what it must be like to be a bird or the Swiss Family Robinson and actually LIVE IN A TREE! Teach your kids how to do it a little too. They’ll want to with or without your guidance and spotting, so you might as well be there to spot them.

There are plenty of other ways to try to bring kid-dom back into your mind. Get hot and sweaty chasing your kids (or other adults). Stay up late on the longest day of the year and wait until it’s completely dark out before you go in. Eat outside. Take a ride on a swing. Smile. Laugh.

Happy summer! I hope you’re having fun, finding free-time and putting on sunscreen with a sense of youthful adventure and possibility.