Dreaming of sunny beach days and backyard barbecues? Summer will be here before we know it. The reality? The kids will be out of school and after just a few blissful days… they’re going to be “so bored”. We’re sure you have the basics lined up – camps, babysitters, play dates, maybe even a week-long vacation if you’re lucky, but we’re here to help you think outside the box. We want to help you make the foreign familiar in your own home. Across the globe, we travel to bring inspiration back home to you. Across the street, we’re showing you ways to have fun summer adventures inspired by our travels through Italy!
GO FOR A BOAT RIDE
Along the Amalfi Coast, different types of boats where everywhere we looked: floating in marinas, sailing across the ocean and shuttling families to and from Capri. As in any coastal town, boating in Amalfi is a part of everyday life. For those of us that don’t live near the water, a boat ride can be a thrilling experience. Near a lake? Take your little citizens out on a kayak. To a pond for a paddle boat ride. Have a ferry nearby? Hop on and travel to a place you’ve never explored.
DIY-ED TREASURES
Get outside and explore! Collect smooth stones, bits of wood or if you can find them… seashells! Strolling along the Italian coastline, we found a treasure trove of things to collect. While in Italy, Stella and her mom, Alexis, collected rocks and seashells for Stella to color. Decorate your findings with paint, glitter and glue or markers and share your work with us using #teatreasures. Find more inspiration here.
SPEND THE DAY AT A MUSEUM
While in Italy, we were lucky enough to explore many museums, from the Triennale di Milano in Milan to the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, we tried to fit as many in as possible. Museums are filled with history, art and often interactive exhibits. Find a local museum or perhaps make a day trip to a nearby town and make it an adventure. Mix it up by playing eye-spy or having a scavenger hunt, with a point system for spotting animals in paintings or patterns in the tiled flooring.
HAVE A PIZZA PARTY
This is one activity we think just about every little citizen will love! It’s no lie we’re pizza-obsessed. When our co-founder Leigh traveled to Turin with her family, her boys got to try their hand at making their very own pizza pies. Make your family pizza night an interactive activity by letting your little ones pick our their favorite toppings and make their own pizzas. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make your own dough, follow our recipe here. For a fun side activity, download our pizza activity for a coloring sheet to keep them busy while their pizza is in the oven.
FIND FLOWERS
No matter the destination, we always take note of the flowers we find abroad. In Italy, we learned of a a man named Vittorio Accornero, a renowned children’s book illustrator, who inspired the floral designs on our dresses and graphic tees. His work featured very detailed and life-like drawings of florals, a technique called scientific florals. Gather the family and take a walk around the neighborhood and take note of bright flowers and plants. Have them take a picture to use as inspiration for drawing. When you get home, have them use the pictures as inspiration for painting! You never know… maybe their painting could end up on a Tea dress or tee! Make sure to share their creations with us in our gallery here.
TAKE A TRIP TO THE LIBRARY
We love shopping for children’s books in other countries. We’re not always able to read them, but we love looking at the illustrations and trying our hand at pronouncing the words. Your local library is bound to have books written in a foreign language or about a culture that is new to your little citizens. You may even find a new favorite bedtime story!
FIND A FLEA MARKET
Heading to a flea market in a new place is a great way to immerse yourself its history. In Rome, we sifted through bins and bins of old ties, clothing, books and records, and even brought home fabric that inspired a few of our newest designs. Take your little citizens to a flea market and see what they find. If your town doesn’t have a flea market, but hosts a local farmer’s market, take the family and test out a new local cheese or baked good.
We can’t wait to see how you will make the foreign familiar in your own town. Share your adventures with us using #makingtheforeignfamiliar on Instagram!
