Something I have always adored about my childhood are the summer activities my mother used to plan for my sisters and I. If there was anything my mother was amazing at, it was her ability to plan, keep us busy, and keep us engaged. Summer was a break from school, but it was also a time of magic and new adventures.
As we become adults and have children of our own, we want to maintain the same joy, magic, and adventure that our parents gave to us during the summer months. If you want to try a few new summer activities this year with your children, you have come to the right place. While summer temperatures can vary across the world, summer is a great time to get outdoors, try new crafts and hobbies, and read books.
Summer should not be a time of endless video games and television, but a time when families come together. During the majority of the school year, parents don’t get to spend much time with their children. Summer is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with our children and form lasting memories with them. As the years go by, we will miss summers with our children because they will be headed off for college and their own lives.
Even if our children are only a few years old right now, we need to make each day count. As parents, we have been blessed with the opportunity to raise our children, help them to learn about Jesus, and love them. Part of loving them can be realized in the form of spending time with them. This summer, try to be more involved in your children’s life and make the most of every opportunity.
Here are five summer activities for families to try this year.
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1. Catch Lightning Bugs at Night
One of my absolute favorite summer activities as a child was catching lightning bugs in the evening. My mom and dad would take us to a park or a public garden where we would catch lightning bugs throughout the evening. It was fun to chase the lightning bugs, catch them, and make a wish before setting them free. This one activity has never ceased to be magical for me. Even in my adult years, I smile when I see the glow of a lightning bug on a summer evening.
If you want to catch lightning bugs with your children, all you have to do is go outside or go to a park where there are many lightning bugs. If your children are scared to catch them, teach them how to gently catch them and how the lightning bug will not hurt them. With trial and error, your children will eventually be able to catch them on their own and release them without fear.
These beautiful memories will stay with your children forever. They will reflect back on summer evenings with a joyful heart and a smile on their face. Catching lightning bugs do not max out at a certain age—kids of all ages can enjoy this activity. Even if you and your spouse have never caught lightning bugs before either, it could be a fun new activity for the entire family.
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2. Finger Painting or Regular Painting (Depending on Your Child’s Age)
My mom used to have an artistic craft for my sisters and me to do every day during the summer. While many children would see this as a chore or repetitive, I always enjoyed getting to do various forms of art. As a kid, it felt like a never-ending art class, which was a dream come true. One of the most enjoyable forms of art is finger painting or regular painting.
Depending on your child’s age, you can ascertain which would work better. If your children are younger, choose non-toxic finger painting, and if they are older, it should be safe to allow them to paint with regular paint. While paint can cost more money than other art supplies, it is a fun craft to do with your family.
Everyone can come together to paint their own unique masterpiece. There doesn’t have to be a set theme unless you want there to be. Allow your children to express their creativity and unique art forms. They will love the freedom to paint and express their emotions through artwork.
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3. Starting a Book Club
Another summer activity you should try this year is starting a book club with your family. My mom used to read us a book each summer, and we would take time to discuss what we read. We would share our favorite characters, our favorite parts, and how we thought the book would end. In this way, my mom made reading fun and it cultivated a love for books that I still have today.
Since this is your own book club, you can choose the books you want to read to your children. My mom used to read many classics to us, such as “Great Expectations,” “Sense and Sensibility,” and “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Classics are normally safe; however, there are many modern-day books that would be great for your kids, too, such as “The Wingfeather Saga,” the “Wings of Fire” series, and the “Harry Potter” series.
If your children are older, they could read the books for themselves and you can do the same types of discussions and book club meetings with them. This is completely your family’s book club, so feel free to make it unique to your family. You can be sure your family will love this summer activity, which might even become a yearly event.
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4. Going on a Budget-Friendly Day Trip
Week-long vacations are often not doable for many families, especially if you are on a budget. Growing up, my family was always on a tight budget, so we only ever went on a few big vacations. However, to make up for the years we couldn’t go on a big trip, we would take day trips. Day trips tend to be cost effective and easier on the bank account. If you want to treat your family to a vacation this year, but Disney World is out of the question, consider going on a day trip to a nearby city.
Search ahead of time activities, parks, and places to eat in a nearby city. After you have the logistics planned out, you can plan the day of your day trip. Weekends tend to be busier, therefore, it might be beneficial to go on a weekday if your schedule allows. Museums, parks, and restaurants also tend to have specials running on the weekday, which will also be budget friendly.
You don’t have to spend excessive money to give your kids a great summer. What they really want is time with you. Plan small trips and foster your relationship with your children. They will love all the extra time they get to spend with you and all the new adventures you will share together.
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5. Gardening in the Morning
One of the more common activities my mom had my sisters and me do during the summer was gardening. Since it is hot during the summer, it is best to do gardening in the morning before it gets too hot. Not only is gardening educational because your kids will learn how to take care of various plants and flowers, but it will also be a fun activity where they can get their hands dirty. Gardening can get messy, but just prepare everyone ahead of time that they will need to wash their hands as soon as they get inside.
If you are not keen on gardening, you could still enjoy some time with plants and flowers. Go to a home improvement store and look at the flowers with your children. If you are not up to having an entire garden, maybe you could try a small flower kit with your children. Normally, these start indoors, and you keep them in your windowsill until they are ready to be planted outside.
Since it is only one flower, it might not be as intimidating to you or your children. Start small and work your way up if you feel comfortable. It might be that one of your children has a knack for gardening or really enjoys it. Allow your children to explore their own interests and watch them blossom and bloom just like the flowers in your garden.
As always, feel free to add in your own unique summer activities as they come to mind. Maybe this could be going to the beach, checking out the summer reading program at the library, or trying an art class. There are endless opportunities to make your family’s summer unforgettable. Even if money is tight, most of the activities above cost little to no money. Summer fun doesn’t have to break the bank this year or any year.
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Originally published Wednesday, 09 July 2025.