As a child, I always dreamed of the summer activities my mother would plan for me and my sisters. If there was one thing my mother excelled at, it was her ability to plan, keep us busy, and keep us occupied. Summer was school holidays, but it was also a time of magic and new adventures.
Even as we grow up and have children of our own, we want to maintain the same joy, magic, and adventure that our parents gave us during the summer months. If you’re looking to try some new summer activities with your kids this year, you’ve come to the right place. Although summer temperatures vary around the world, summer is a great time to get outdoors, try a new craft or hobby, or read a book.
Summer should be a time for family gatherings, not a time for endless video games and watching TV. For most of the school year, parents are unable to spend much time with their children. Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with your kids and create lasting memories. As the years go by and my kids leave for college and their own lives, I miss summers with them.
Even if our children are only a few years old, we need to make every day count. As parents, we have had the opportunity to raise our children, help them learn about Jesus, and love them. Part of loving them comes in the form of spending time with them. This summer, make the most of every opportunity by getting more involved in your children’s lives.
Here are five summer activities your family can enjoy this year.
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1. Catch lightning bugs at night
One of my favorite summer activities as a child was catching lightning bugs in the evening. My father and mother took us to parks and public gardens where we spent the whole night catching lightning bugs. It was fun chasing and catching the lightning bugs and making a wish before releasing them. This one activity never stops being magical for me. Even as an adult, I still smile when I see the light of a lightning bug on a summer night.
If you want to catch lightning bugs with your kids, all you have to do is go outside or go to a park where there are lots of lightning bugs. If your child is afraid of catching them, teach them how to catch them gently and how to prevent lightning bugs from hurting them. Through trial and error, children will eventually be able to catch it themselves and release it without fear.
These beautiful memories will stay in your child’s heart forever. They will look back on summer nights with joyful hearts and smiles. There is no cap on catching lightning bugs at a certain age. This activity is fun for children of all ages. Even if you and your spouse have never caught lightning bugs before, it can be a fun new activity for the whole family.
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2. Finger paint or regular paint (depending on your child’s age)
My mother had arts and crafts that she had my sisters and I do every day during the summer. Many kids might think this is tedious or repetitive, but I’ve always enjoyed doing different forms of art. As a kid, it felt like a never-ending art class and a dream come true. One of the most fun art forms is finger painting or regular painting.
Depending on your child’s age, you can decide which one is more effective. If your kids are young, choose non-toxic finger paints. If your child is older, it is safe to let them paint with regular paint. Although paints are more expensive than other art supplies, they are a fun craft that the whole family can enjoy.
Everyone can come together and paint their own unique masterpiece. You don’t need to set up a theme unless you want to. Let your children express their creativity and unique art form. They will love to draw freely and express their emotions through their artwork.
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3. Start a book club
Another summer activity to try this year is to start a book club with your family. My mother read to us every summer and we took time to talk about what we had read. We shared our favorite characters, our favorite parts, and how we thought the book would end. In this way, my mother made reading fun, which instilled in me a love of books that I still have today.
Since you have your own book club, you can choose the books you want to read to your children. My mother read many classics to me, including Great Expectations, Sense and Sensibility, and Alice in Wonderland. Classic is usually safe. However, there are many books that are still great for children today, such as the Wingfeather Saga, the Wings of Fire series, and the Harry Potter series.
As your kids get older, you can read the books on their own or have similar types of discussions or book clubs together. This is totally your family’s book club, so feel free to make it your family’s only book club. Your family will love this summer activity that may become an annual event.
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4. Go on a budget-friendly day trip
For many families, a weeklong vacation is often not possible, especially if you are on a tight budget. Growing up, my family was always on a tight budget, so we only went on big vacations a few times. But to make up for the years I didn’t go on big trips, I was taking day trips. Day trips tend to be more cost-effective and easier to get money into your bank account. If you want to take your family on vacation this year, but Disney World isn’t an option, consider taking a day trip to a nearby city.
Find activities, parks, and places to eat in cities near you in advance. Once you have planned your arrangements, you can start planning the day of your day trip. Weekends tend to be crowded, so if your schedule allows, we recommend going on a weekday. Museums, parks, and restaurants also often have special sales on weekdays, which can be budget-friendly.
You don’t have to spend excessive amounts of money to give your kids a great summer. What they really want is time with you. Nurture your relationship with your children by planning small trips. They will love the extra time they spend with you and the new adventures you share together.
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5. Morning gardening
One of the most common activities my mother had me and my sisters do during the summer was gardening. Summer is hot, so it’s best to garden in the morning before it gets too hot. Gardening is not only educational, but also a fun activity where your child can get their hands dirty, as they learn how to care for different plants and flowers. Gardening can be a hassle, but prepare everyone in advance that they will need to wash their hands as soon as they enter the house.
Even if you are not interested in gardening, you can still enjoy your time with plants and flowers. Go to the hardware store with your kids and look at the flowers. If you don’t feel like building a whole garden, you can try a small flower kit with your kids. Typically, you start these indoors and leave them on a windowsill until you are ready to plant them outdoors.
Since it’s just one flower, it may not be too intimidating for you or your children. Start small and gradually increase as you feel comfortable. Maybe one of your children has a talent for gardening or really enjoys it. Let your child explore their interests and watch them bloom one after another like flowers in a garden.
As always, feel free to add your own summer activities that come to mind. Maybe it’s going to the beach, checking out summer reading programs at the library, or signing up for an art class. There are endless opportunities to make your family’s summer unforgettable. Even if money is tight, most of the activities listed above cost very little. Summer fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune this year or every year.
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Vivian Bricker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and then a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Theology. She loves theology, ministry, and all things helping others learn about Jesus. Check out more of her content on Cultivate.
First published on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
