11 Ways to Have Fun with Your Kids This Summer

It’s hot! I’m bored! There’s nothing to do!

Every parent has heard these phrases come out of their kids’ mouths during the summer. If we’re honest, these sentiments float through parents’ heads too. Summer can be too full, or too empty…and it’s definitely hot! But summer holds unique opportunities to connect as a family, if we’re paying attention. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Go out to breakfast! I don’t know about you, but my kids are up at the crack of dawn…especially if they don’t have to be at school. Why not hop in the car and start the day with an adventure? It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy. Sit down at a local diner or grab a bagel and head to the park!
2. Make a mission out of giving. Go through a drive-thru line together and pay for the person behind you. (Bonus: have each kid contribute a dollar.) Buy a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store, then visit the nearest nursing home; have your children tell the receptionist to give the flowers to someone who doesn’t receive many family visits. What else can you think of?
3. Memorize a Bible passage together. Choose a few verses, or a Psalm, and take it one verse at a time. Find a time or two throughout the day when you say (or sing or shout!) the verses together.
4. Read books aloud. Choose a classic like The Chronicles of Narnia or a favorite of yours from childhood. You can hide in the air conditioning and read, or take your book along to the park. Books travel anywhere!
5. Let the kids make lunch. Whether they tend to be hesitant chefs or over-the-top creatives, lunch has options for everyone. You might be surprised at what they think up!
6. Table Talk! Cover the kitchen table with a white paper tablecloth. Play games or talk in writing while you eat.
7. Make ice cream in a bag. For each child, you will need: 1 tablespoon sugar, ½ cup half and half, ¼ teaspoon vanilla, 1 sandwich-sized Ziploc bag, 1 gallon-sized Ziploc bag, 3 cups crushed ice, ⅓ cup rock salt. Start by mixing the first three ingredients in the sandwich-sized bag and seal it closed. Put the ice and rock salt in the gallon bag. Put the smaller bag in the larger bag and seal closed. Make sure there is no air in either of the bags; that will help keep the bags sealed tightly. (If you’re super ambitious, you can add flavoring such as fruit or chocolate chips.) Allow each child to shake his own ice cream (this will take between 8 and 10 minutes). Sing some songs while you’re shaking the bags and have the kids do the shaking in time to the music.
8. Go on a nature hike at a local park or preserve. Make a collection of cool things you see (or at least take pictures!). Talk about what we can learn about God by experiencing His creation.
9. Have a Yes Day. Give each kid a day to pick an adventure that you’ll say “yes” to. You might need to give parameters (can only last 60 minutes or costs $10, for example) but this will give kids a chance to use their voice and imagination. You might learn something about what matters to them!
10. Go on a dark walk. Head out after bedtime to look at the stars and listen to the stillness and night sounds. Bring glow sticks along! Can you catch a firefly?
11. Stop. Look each kid in the eyes and say, “I enjoy you. I am thankful that the Lord has given me the privilege of being your parent.”

Did any of these activities work for you? What other ideas do you have? We’d love to hear about them!

Hey parents, are you looking for additional fun this summer? Check out these great resources and products!