Motherhood is a beautiful, chaotic, and transformative journey. Amid the diaper changes, school runs, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to lose sight of the joy that once defined you. As mothers, we pour our hearts into nurturing our families, but we often neglect the one person who needs care just as much: ourselves. Play—intentional, joyful, and unapologetic—is the antidote to the exhaustion and monotony that can creep into motherhood. Play rekindles our spark, restores our energy, and makes us better moms.

Let’s explore why play is essential for mothers to be joyful moms. Here you’ll find tailored strategies for different types of moms to rediscover joy through play, hobbies, rest, connection, and most importantly making sure that we’re making time with God. This post also provides practical tips to find joy in everyday moments, and includes books to deepen your love for motherhood. Overall, I hope you come to embrace play and become the joyful mom you know you are!

The Psychology Behind a Joyful Mom

Play isn’t just for kids—it’s a powerful tool for adults to reduce stress, boost creativity, and foster connection. For mothers, play is a rebellion against perfectionism, a reminder that you’re more than a caregiver—you’re a vibrant woman with passions and dreams. Psychological research underscores its impact:

• Stress Reduction: Playful activities, like hobbies or social games, lower cortisol levels in mothers under chronic stress, activating the parasympathetic nervous system for relaxation and resilience.
• Mental Health Benefits: Adults engaging in regular play—creative, physical, or social—report lower depression and anxiety rates. Play counteracts the emotional toll of parenting demands.
• Enhanced Creativity and Problem-Solving: Play fosters divergent thinking, helping moms approach parenting challenges with flexibility.
• Stronger Family Bonds: Playful parent-child interactions increase relationship satisfaction. Playful moms model joy, teaching kids emotional regulation and optimism.
• Self-Identity Preservation: Mothers pursuing hobbies or play maintain a stronger sense of self, reducing mom burnout.

When you play, you invest in your mental health, your family’s happiness, and your ability to thrive as a joyful mom. I don’t need a study to tell me that when I finish playing, whether that is with my kiddos or pursuing one of my many hobbies, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Unfortunately, big playful moments (like sitting down to cross stitch for 3 hours or play monopoly with my eldest for 2 hours) are not realistic on a daily basis so let’s dive into how we can still find play in the mundane moments, everyday, and find joy in motherhood.

General Tips for Finding Joy in Everyday, Mundane Moments

The daily grind of motherhood—the never ending dishes, laundry, cleaning, tidying—does not usually help us in being a joyful mom, but small tweaks can transform these tasks into moments of joy. Here are tips to sprinkle play into the ordinary:

• Play Music: Create a playlist of upbeat songs for chores. Sing a long while washing dishes or folding laundry. Let your kiddos pick a song. Bonus: Create seasonal soundtracks or choose a genre that you don’t listen to often and by doing this, introduce your child to some of the greatest hits and artists.
• Listen to Audiobooks or Podcasts: Turn tasks into storytelling adventures. Listen to a novel, memoir, or parenting podcast while cooking or driving. I have found apps like Audible are worth the expense. We buy a certain number of credits based on our subscription that we then use to purchase a book. If you use all your credits before your subscription renewal, that’s okay because they have a plethora of classics (and children’s classics in their free library). Bonus: Check out the following two lists of books: Listen to the classics with your children and find encouragement in your homeschooling mom journey.
• Singing Hymns: Learn a new or old hymn. Sing it often enough that you memorize it and are able to sing it whenever the occasion calls for it. Music is an antidote to the drudgery of routine chores and can help you become a joyful mom.
• Spontaneous Dance Parties: Pause any task for a 5-minute dance break. Blast a song and twirl with kids in the kitchen. Use scarves or ribbons for flair. Let your kiddos choose songs, they may choose “Baby Shark” but if you introduce them to classics and oldies, then you’ll be enjoying the music too. Bonus: My kiddos choose songs like Rock Lobster by the B-52’s and Do You Love Me by The Contours. We rock, jazz, and live it up with great oldies in our home.
• Memory Verses or Poetry: Memorize Bible verses or poetry to be able to recite to your children. When you’re pushing them in a swing recite The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson or the next time they complain about helping with chores, recite the verse Ecclesiastes 3:13, “Also, that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.” Scripture can help us find joy in motherhood, even if sometimes it’s difficult to hear.
• Take Trips Outside: Step out for a 10-minute walk. Notice the sky, flowers, or breeze. Bring kids to hunt for rocks, leaves, or bugs. Bonus: Play I Spy to make it interactive (or turn it into a color lesson for young kiddos). A quick backyard visit resets your mood and everyone else’s with fresh air, making it difficult to not be a joyful mom after.
• Clean a Noticeable Space: Tackle a small, visible area—like a countertop or the main living space. The instant gratification sparks joy. Bonus: Involve kids by mimicking musical chairs. Play music, such as A Spoonful of Sugar from Disney’s Mary Poppins, and while the music plays your child must tidy a space. When the music stops, they must freeze! Music resumes and so does the cleaning. Check out Clean My Space or inspiration and tips.
• Start a Running Routine: Jog around the block or park for 10 minutes. Use a stroller for younger kids or let older ones bike alongside. Apps like Couch to 5K make it beginner-friendly. Bonus: Many parks have a trail that runs around the playground. If you live rurally and have a yard, walk or run around the outside while your kiddos play. At this point, I think we all know that exercise releases endorphins which make us happy and joyful moms – although I’m just as guilty as the next momma for skipping a workout!
• Have Teatime with Kids: Set up a mini tea party with juice, milk, hot cocoa, or herbal tea in fancy cups. Add cookies or fruit. Make it a weekly ritual. Bonus: Turn it into a lesson by reading poetry or practicing manners.
• Savor Small Rituals: Take the time to add a special touch to the things you do regularly. Light a candle while paying bills or sip coffee from a special mug during breakfast prep. Bonus: Let your kiddos choose the song that you sing to them at bedtime or you each choose a book to read before bed.
• Practice Gratitude on the Go: While driving or folding laundry, list three things you’re grateful for. Bonus: Share one with kids, like “I’m thankful I heard you giggle today.” It shifts your focus and overtime can help you become a joyful mom without much extra effort.
• Recommended Resource: The Joy of Less by Francine Jay simplifies tasks, leaving room for play. For podcasts, The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi offers joyful living hacks. Bonus: Check out the book list below for more encouragement and inspiration in this joyful mom journey.

Books for the Joyful Mom

These books, including works by Sally Clarkson and Abbie Halberstadt, offer wisdom to find joy in motherhood. I love these authors and their insight to be a joyful mom.

• The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson: Explores motherhood as a divine calling, offering practical and spiritual insights to embrace your role with joy.
• M is for Mama by Abbie Halberstadt: Encourages rejecting perfectionism for intentional, faith-filled parenting.
• Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson: Inspires intentional living, weaving joy into daily life through faith and relationships.
• Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic: A witty read for moms of young kids, finding joy in motherhood’s chaos.
• Risen Motherhood by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler: Connects faith to parenting, offering hope in the mundane and becoming a joyful mom.
• The Lifegiving Home by Sally and Clay Clarkson: Guides creating a home filled with warmth, joy, and connection.

The Creative Mom: Rediscovering Your Artistic Spark

Motherhood can drain the creative mom’s energy. The paintbrushes gather dust, the journal stays blank, and the urge to create feels buried under laundry piles. But creativity is your lifeline to joy so shoving it aside for years as you wait for your children to gain independence isn’t a promising thought. Instead let’s explore how to embrace this season of life by interweaving our creativity and motherhood. In this way you’ll be a joyful mom all throughout your children’s chilhoods.

Discovering What Brings You Joy

• Reflect on Past Passions: Think back to what made your heart sing pre-kids. Was it sketching, writing poetry, or crafting? Jot down three activities you loved and try one this week.
• Involve Your Kids: Does your past passion have a child friendly version? Was painting your passion? Set up a family art night with canvases/papers and washable paints. Watching your child share in something you love is a beautiful start to finding joy in motherhood.
• Recommended Book: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Encourages embracing creativity without fear and reigniting your spark.

Finding Hobbies Just for You

Sometimes us creatives find joy in learning something new. If this is the case, look for opportunities motherhood offers for you to be creative.

• Learn Cake Decorating: Take an online course to master a 3-tier birthday cake. Platforms like Skillshare offer tutorials. Practice for your kids’ next birthday.
• Try a New, Small Project: Can the kids participate? Will it be over in a day or two? Then tackle the fun new project. Such as, make stepping stones with your children’s footprints and mosaic tiles. I loved this project with my kids and so did they!
• Crafting/Needlework/Decorating/Gardening/Organizing/DIY: The list goes on and on. Since motherhood is multi-faceted, from keeping a house running smoothly to beautifying our surroundings there are many new things we could learn to help us in our daily endeavors of housekeeping and homemaking.
• Solo Time: Carve out 30 minute chunks throughout a week for whatever project lets your soul sing. Lock the door, play music, and create to maintain your joy in motherhood.
• Bonus Tip from a Fellow Creative: Utilize chore time to listen to a podcast or watch a YouTube video that teaches the new skill you’re learning.

Rest and Relaxation

• Productive Rest: Even when I’m resting I find joy in being productive. For instance, I am an avid knitter and because of this I can knit and watch a movie at the same time. It’s restful and productive.
• Spa Night with a Twist: Run a bath, light candles, and doodle in a sketchpad while soaking. Blends relaxation with creativity.
• Nature Walks: Finding joy in motherhood can look as simple as a stroll through a park with kids, collecting leaves or stones for crafts. Fresh air restores you, and treasures spark ideas.

Playful Activities (Kid-Friendly Too)

• Air Dry Clay: Mold Christmas ornaments, Halloween ghosts, flowers, or simple snakes. Then paint!
• Chalk Art Festival: A long time ago, I visited a chalk art festival and was amazed at the intricate and temporary artwork. Create the same idea at home and transform your driveway. Draw together and create a colorful world.
• Try Something New: Experiment with fuse bead art (like Perler beads). Kids can create simple patterns while you design intricate ones, sharing the fun of a new craft.
• Revisit a Loved Childhood Craft: Pick up cross-stitch again, working on a simple pattern with your kids. Use plastic needles for safety, recreating a nostalgic craft together.
• Recommended Resource: The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule offers ideas for nurturing creativity.

Incorporating Time with God

Your creative spirit thrives on expression, and connecting with God can be a vibrant, artistic journey. Infusing your faith into your daily life can deepen your joy in motherhood and inspire your creativity.

• Scripture Art Journaling: Dedicate 15 minutes weekly to create an art journal page inspired by a Bible verse. Use watercolors, stickers, or calligraphy to reflect on passages like Psalm 139:14. Share this with kids by giving them paper to draw their favorite Bible story.
• Worship Through Music: Play worship songs (like those by Lauren Daigle) during your creative time. Sing or hum along as a prayerful offering. Invite kids to join with simple instruments like shakers for a family worship session. Getting creative will fuel you becoming a joyful mom.
• Prayer Doodles: While praying, doodle in a notebook to focus your thoughts. Draw symbols like hearts or crosses as you talk to God. Teach kids to draw their prayers, creating a shared spiritual ritual.
• Recommended Resource: The Creative Call by Janice Elsheimer. This book encourages using your artistic gifts to connect with God.

The Box-Checker Mom: Planning Play with Precision

The box-checker mom thrives on schedules and to-do lists. You’re the queen of efficiency, and play can feel like an indulgence that disrupts your carefully curated day. By intentionally planning play and setting boundaries with alarms, you can fully immerse yourself in what brings you joy without worrying about derailing your schedule. When the alarm rings, you can choose to embrace a touch of spontaneity if the next task can wait, blending structure with freedom.

Discovering What Brings You Joy

• Schedule Joy Audits: Set aside 10 minutes weekly to reflect on what brought you joy in motherhood recently. Was it a quiet coffee moment or a giggle-filled game with your kids? Add similar activities to your planner.
• Plan Play Blocks: Treat play like a meeting. Block out 15-30 minutes daily or weekly for a joyful activity, like reading or a family game. Write it in your calendar to commit.
• Recommended Book: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. Encourages embracing joy in motherhood and more through intentional living and aligning with your love for structure.

Finding Hobbies Just for You

• Photography: Schedule time to learn basic photography via YouTube tutorials. Plan a 20-minute session to snap candid shots of kids or nature. Use a timer to stay on track.
• Bullet Journaling: Create a colorful planner with doodles and stickers during a dedicated 30-minute slot. It satisfies your organizational needs while being playful and finding joy in motherhood. Try The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll.
• Solo Time with Alarms: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to a hobby like gardening or puzzles. Set an alarm to signal the end, allowing you to relax fully without watching the clock. If the next task isn’t urgent, consider extending play for 5 more minutes to dip into spontaneity.

Rest and Relaxation

• Scheduled Breathing Breaks: Plan 5-minute mindful breathing sessions (try the 4-7-8 technique) twice daily. Set an alarm to keep it contained, ensuring you recharge without stress.
• Cozy Reading Nook: Block out 20 minutes for reading in a corner with pillows. Invite kids for storytime if it fits the schedule, blending rest with connection. Use an alarm to transition back to tasks, but if laundry can wait, linger for an extra story.
• Evening Stargazing: Plan a 15-minute stargazing session with kids, lying on a blanket to spot constellations. Set an alarm to wrap up, but if bedtime prep is flexible, extend it for a few more minutes of wonder.

Playful Activities (Kid-Friendly Too)

• Planned Scavenger Hunt: Schedule a 20-minute backyard or indoor hunt with clues. Prepare the activity in advance and set an alarm to keep it within your allotted time. 
• Timed Dance Party: Plan a 10-minute dance party with music you and your kids love. Set an alarm to signal the end, allowing you to fully engage without worrying about the next task. If the schedule permits, let the kids pick one more song for a spontaneous encore.
• Recommended Resource: Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen offers strategies to structure fun into your routines, perfect for your planning mindset.

Incorporating Time with God

Your love for structure makes you perfectly suited to plan meaningful moments with God. By scheduling spiritual time with the same precision as your to-do list, you can find peace and joy in motherhood without disrupting your day.

• Scheduled Devotionals: Block out 10 minutes each morning for a devotional. Use a structured plan from a Bible app or something similar with daily readings. Set an alarm to keep it contained, ensuring you stay on schedule.
• Prayer Alarms: Set a daily alarm (such as, at 9 AM) for a 2-minute prayer pause. Thank God for your day or pray for your family. Involve kids by teaching them a short prayer to say together when the alarm rings.
• Scripture Planner: Write a weekly Bible verse in your planner to meditate on during tasks. For example, Proverbs 31:25 can inspire you during anxious moments. Share the verse with kids, posting it on the fridge for family reflection. A joyful mom is around the corner if you embrace who the Bible says a godly woman is.
• Recommended Resource: The Better Mom Devotional by Ruth Schwenk. Offers short, structured devotions for busy moms.

The Socialite Mom: Reconnecting with Fun

The socialite mom loves connection but feels isolated by motherhood’s demands. The laundry needs folded, the dishes are dirty, the house is a mess, and getting out the door with kids feels like running a marathon. However, for you play means laughter, conversation, and shared experiences. The extra effort, and sometimes ignoring the mess is exactly what you need to find joy in motherhood!

Discovering What Brings You Joy

• Host a Mom Meet-Up: Invite friends for coffee or a picnic. Share stories to rediscover what makes you laugh.
• Try New Experiences: Sign up for a group activity, like a cooking class, with or without kids.
• Recommended Book: Teatime Discipleship by Sally Clarkson. This book encourages you to embrace hosting and connection with others.

Finding Hobbies Just for You

• Book Club: Start or join a book club. Discussing novels rekindles connection.
• Wine and Paint Night: Attend a local event or host one with a YouTube tutorial. Sip and create with friends.
• Solo Time: Spend an hour weekly on journaling or yoga to recharge before socializing.

Rest and Relaxation

• Friendship Dates: Schedule a walk, call or playdate with a friend. We all know how playdates go, but if you embrace the interrupted conversations and unfinished thoughts as just being a part of the experience you’ll feel filled after and will still be a joyful mom.
• Movie or Game Night: Plan a weekly ritual with your family because connection with them is also important. A movie with popcorn or a game with snacks is just what you need to reconnect with your spouse and kids in a playful way at the end of a busy week. 
• Spa Day at Home: Invite a friend for a DIY spa day with face masks and tea. Include kids for manicures and pedicures!

Playful Activities (Kid-Friendly Too)

• Karaoke Party: Sing with kids using a karaoke app or YouTube. Belt out classics for laughs.
• Picnic Adventure: Pack a basket and head to a park with friends and kids. Play frisbee, tag or another old-fashioned outdoor game.
• Recommended Resource: The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu inspires connections.

Incorporating Time with God

Your heart for connection can extend to a deeper relationship with God through shared and personal spiritual practices. Playful faith moments with others can recharge your soul and help you find joy in motherhood.

• Prayer Walks with Friends: Schedule a weekly walk with a friend to pray together. Discuss a scripture or share prayer requests. Bring kids along, letting them pray for simple things like their friends or pets.
• Family Worship Night: Host a monthly worship night with friends or family. Sing hymns or play worship music, and share a short devotional. Kids can participate by reading a Bible verse or singing along.
• Group Bible Study: Join or start a moms’ Bible study group, in-person or via Zoom. Use studies like Seamless by Angie Smith. Involve kids by reading a children’s Bible story during the session.

The Nature-Lover Mom: Finding Joy Outdoors

Similar to the Socialite Mom, you run into the issue of a lot of your motherhood tasks being indoors. It’s awfully difficult to sweep dirty floors when you’re outside. But for the nature-loving mom, she feels alive outdoors and play means reconnecting with the earth and sharing its wonders. Sometimes those chores need to be ignored or routines set into place to accomplish these tasks and leave room for nature. Otherwise, it’s hard to be a joyful mom.

Discovering What Brings You Joy

• Morning Walks: Start with a 10-minute walk, noticing birds or flowers. Bring kids in a stroller if needed.
• Nature Journal: Sketch or write about what you see outside. Ask kids to describe their favorite tree. Listening to their answers can remind you the innocence of youth and help you reclaim some of that joy in motherhood.
• Recommended Book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. These will deepen your connection to nature and inspire you to make sure your children are falling in love too.

Finding Hobbies Just for You

• Gardening: Plant an herb garden or flowers. Read The Well-Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart-Smith. I have found that creating reasons to go outside, such as to water the plants or feed my chickens keeps me actively in nature. The dishes have to wait or something, other than my own joy in motherhood, will be neglected.
• Birdwatching: Get a beginner’s guide and binoculars. Track local birds during walks. Kids can also greatly benefit and enjoy this activity too.
• Solo Time: You’ll be a joyful mom after spending 30 minutes weekly in a park, reading or meditating under a tree.

Rest and Relaxation

• Outdoor Yoga: Follow a YouTube yoga flow in your backyard. Invite kids to join for giggles.
• Hammock Time: String up a hammock for reading or napping. Let kids climb in for cuddles.
• Campfire Evenings: Build a small fire and roast marshmallows with family. Share stories.

Playful Activities (Kid-Friendly Too)

• Nature Scavenger Hunt: List items like pinecones or red leaves for kids to find. Join the hunt.
• Gardening: Whether it’s flowers in a pot or a produce garden in the ground, involve your kiddos for easy science lessons.
• Recommended Resource: Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv inspires outdoor play.

Incorporating Time with God

Your love for the outdoors makes nature the perfect sanctuary to connect with God. Creation can be your cathedral, drawing you closer to Him and sharing His wonder with your kids. Time in nature is when I feel closest to Him and easily find my joy in motherhood.

• Prayer in Nature: During your morning walk, pray silently or aloud, thanking God for His creation. Focus on details like birds or trees. Teach kids to say a “thank you, God” prayer for something they see.
• Scripture in the Wild: Bring a small Bible or verse card on outdoor outings. Read a passage like Psalm 19:1 by a stream or park. Discuss with kids how nature shows God’s love.
• Garden Devotionals: While gardening, reflect on John 15:5 (the vine and branches). Pray for growth in faith. Let kids plant seeds, talking about how God helps them grow.
• Recommended Resource: Finding God in the Garden by Balfour Brickner. Offers spiritual reflections inspired by nature. A beautiful book that reminds you to be a joyful mom.

The Reflective Mom: Finding Joy in Quiet Moments

The reflective mom craves introspection but struggles to find quiet amid motherhood’s noise. Play for this joyful mom is about mindfulness and savoring small moments.

Discovering What Brings You Joy

• Gratitude Practice: List three things you’re thankful for each morning. Share one with kids to model joy.
• Mindful Moments: Pause to notice your senses—what you see, hear, or smell. It grounds you.
• Recommended Book: The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo. Daily reflections spark inner joy.

Finding Hobbies Just for You

• Journaling: Write for 10 minutes daily. Try The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron for prompts.
• Calligraphy: Learn this meditative art with a beginner’s kit. It’s calming and beautiful.
• Solo Time: Dedicate 20 minutes in the morning or before bed to meditation or reading poetry. While your spouse watches the kiddos or they are in a safe spot (such as a crib) escape to a separate space for peace.

Rest and Relaxation

• Guided Meditation: Use Headspace for 5-minute sessions during naps.
• Cozy Rituals: Sip tea by candlelight after bedtime. Read or listen to soft music.
• Family Snuggle Time: Cuddle with kids for a story. It’s restful and heartwarming.

Playful Activities (Kid-Friendly Too)

• Gratitude Jar: Decorate a jar and add daily notes of joy with kids. Read them monthly.
• Mindful Walks: Stroll slowly with kids, noticing leaf shapes. Share what you see.
• Before Dinner Gratitude: We do not do this before every dinner but my boys have come to love this time. Before we pray over our evening meal, everyone takes a turn and states one thing they are thankful for from that day or in general.
• Recommended Resource: Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids by Laura Markham fosters calm connection.

Incorporating Time with God

Your introspective nature is a gift for cultivating a deep, quiet connection with God. Spiritual practices that align with your love for mindfulness can anchor your soul and help you find joy in motherhood.

• Morning Scripture Meditation: Start your day with 5 minutes of meditating on a verse, like Isaiah 40:31. Use a Bible app or journal to reflect. Share a simple version with kids, like “God gives us strength.”
• Prayer Journal: Dedicate 10 minutes daily to write prayers or reflections on God’s presence. Use prompts from The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Let kids draw their prayers in their own journal.
• Evening Gratitude Prayer: Before bed, pray with gratitude for the day’s moments, big or small. Invite kids to share one thing they’re thankful to God for, creating a bedtime ritual.
• Recommended Resource: A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller. Encourages authentic, reflective prayer for busy moms.

The Adventure-Seeker Mom: Embracing Thrills and Exploration

The adventure-seeker mom craves excitement and new experiences, but motherhood’s demands can feel like they’ve clipped your wings. To be a joyful mom means rediscovering thrills, big or small, and sharing the spirit of exploration with your kids.

Discovering What Brings You Joy

• Revisit Your Adventurous Side: Reflect on what thrilled you pre-kids—hiking, biking, or exploring new places? List three adventures you loved and plan a mini version this month.
• Involve Your Kids: Turn exploration into family fun. Plan a mystery destination outing where kids guess where you’re going (like a new park). Their excitement will fuel yours.
• Recommended Book: Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Inspires embracing your bold, adventurous spirit while navigating motherhood.

Finding Hobbies Just for You

• Explore a Local Town: Maybe you love exploring new places but taking a newborn on an airplane sounds like a terrible experience. Instead, aim for a short ride to a local small town and explore it’s historical sites, and cute shops.
• Rock Climbing: Join a local climbing gym for beginner sessions. Many offer women-only classes. Check out Climbing: A Woman’s Guide by Daniella Crowder for tips.
• Solo Time: Dedicate 30 minutes weekly to planning the small adventure: exploring a new town or discovering a new trail to hike. 

Rest and Relaxation

• Follow a Travel Blogger: Many creators share their experiences traveling. You can explore new places too by following along. Just be careful not to begin comparing, instead keep a bucket list of the places that look interesting and exciting to you to check out one day.
• Backyard Camping: Set up a tent in your yard for a solo or family sleepover. Rest under the stars, with or without kids, for a mini escape.
• Adventure Journaling: After outings, journal about the experience while sipping tea. Invite kids to draw their adventure memories, blending rest with reflection.

Playful Activities (Kid-Friendly Too)

• Mini Road Trip: Plan a short drive to a nearby landmark or park. 
• Obstacle Course: Create a backyard obstacle course with hula hoops, cones, or ropes. Race with kids for a thrilling challenge.

Incorporating Time with God

Your thirst for thrills can translate into bold, adventurous ways to connect with God. Seek Him in moments of exploration, finding joy in His vastness and sharing that with your kids.

• Prayer on the Move: During hikes or bike rides, pray silently, thanking God for strength and adventure. Pause at a scenic spot to pray aloud. Encourage kids to shout a quick “Thank you, God!” at the top of a hill.
• Scripture Adventures: Choose a verse about courage (like Joshua 1:9) before a new outing. Reflect on it during the trip. Share a kid-friendly version with children, like “God is with us everywhere.”
• Faith-Filled Micro-Adventures: Plan a God-focused outing, like visiting a historic church or a quiet lake to read a Psalm. Involve kids by letting them pick a special spot to pray or sing a worship song.
• Recommended Resource: Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. Inspires adventurous faith. This book is written for dads but is adaptable for moms seeking spiritual thrills.

Making Play a Priority

No matter your mom type—creative, box-checker, socialite, nature-lover, reflective, or adventure-seeker—play is non-negotiable. It’s not selfish; it’s essential, backed by science that shows it reduces stress, boosts mental health, and strengthens family bonds. Start small: try one activity this week, whether it’s painting with your kids, scheduling a timed dance party, hosting a karaoke night, splashing in puddles, savoring a quiet gratitude moment, or planning a mini road trip.

Make play a priority by penciling it into your calendar like a doctor’s appointment, or embrace the thrill of a spontaneous adventure. Share your journey with others for accountability and inspiration. Infuse joy into mundane tasks with music, audiobooks, or a quick walk outside. Dive into a motherhood book to reframe your perspective and deepen your appreciation for this season. Over time, play will become a habit, transforming you into a joyful mom who radiates love, energy, and authenticity.

Ultimately, remember that nothing will fill your soul and allow your cup to run over without the Lord being an intimate part of your life. No matter which type of mom you are, carving out time in your day for singing hymns, Bible reading, or prayer is important and essential. Your kiddos can be a part of this time or not. I find on busy days singing old hymns is what my soul needs and in quiet moments dwelling on scripture is a blessing.

I still love my creative pursuits and they fuel my spirit but my soul must be filled first. Once this is a routine part of your day, then come back to focus on fueling your spirit with the earthly pursuits that God uniquely gave you to desire.

Motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint, and play is the fuel that keeps you going. It’s the laughter in the kitchen, the messy art projects, the stargazing moments, and the unexpected detours that remind you who you are. By embracing play, you’re not just nurturing yourself—you’re showing your kids that life is an adventure worth savoring. So, grab that paintbrush, crank up the music, step into the sunshine, or chase a new thrill. Your joy matters, and it will ripple through your family, creating memories that last a lifetime. Start today, because God wants you to be a joyful mom. A joyful mom is a gift to herself and everyone around her.

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