10 Fresh Ideas for More Family Fun This Summer

Having a family game night is a nice way to have fun, be creative, and enjoy each other in a relaxed setting. Have each family member pick their favorite board game to play so everyone feels included. Pick a weekly or monthly date on the calendar so that it is something that the entire family looks forward to. Game night shouldn’t be stressful, but light-hearted and engaging. Pick up everyone’s favorite takeout so that no one has to make a five-course meal. Don’t forget to laugh and not get too serious. You don’t want your competitive spirit and desire to “win” to overshadow the bigger purpose: to have fun as a family and enjoy being together. 

2. Take a Walk or Go to a Local Park

With summer having longer days, taking a walk or visiting a local park is a wonderful way to stay connected, have fun, and get much needed exercise with your family. When you walk together, you can check in with each other, and appreciate God’s beautiful creation in nature. When you visit a local park, adults can sit and kids can play. Walking together provides an amazing opportunity to see people, places and things that you wouldn’t be able to see so easily driving. It allows you to slow down, disconnect and re-engage with your family without an agenda or pre-planned schedule. 

3. Go to the Beach

Going to the beach is a fun way to get some fresh air and enjoy some quality family time together. You can sit on the beach with a good book, put your feet in the sand or water. Allow the calming environment to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit and provide you peace. Spending time at the beach can also help you and your family to de-compress and another way to enjoy the creativity and wonder of God’s creation apart from the daily grind. The beach can be very peaceful and a new environment for you to have individual or family devotional time.

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A family movie night is another great way for you to laugh, and make meaningful memories together. If there are different movie genre preferences, have each family member select a movie of their choice. During movie night, I invite you to be fully present and turn your phone off, or any other things that can distract you, and pull you away from the moment. You can have an indoor movie night or be adventurous and have an outdoor movie night in your backyard under the stars, which makes for wonderful memories.

5. Attend a Free Concert

Attending a family-friendly free concert is an exciting way to spend time together as well. You have the chance to hear good music while singing and dancing together. There is no prep involved on your part, and listening to music definitely helps uplift and strengthen everyone's spirit. After a very busy week, this is a wonderful way to start the weekend on a lighter note. Many cities will have weekly or monthly summer concert series that you can participate in.

6. Attend the County Fair 

Eating funnel cakes, cotton candy, burgers, playing games, winning prizes, and riding attractions like the Ferris wheel are exciting activities at the County fair. The county fair is an annual summer event that the entire family can look forward to. There is something fun for everyone to do for minimal costs and it is an event that is exciting each year, bringing together fun old school traditions and entertainment!

7. Cook a Meal Together

Cooking a family meal together is a creative and fun way to come together and eat a good meal. Create your own pizza, pasta dish, cupcakes, ice cream or lemonade, just to name a few. It’s also an opportunity to teach and share easy recipes with both parents and kids. If each family member makes a part of the meal including a drink and dessert, it ensures that everyone is included. Eating the meal together at the table allows everyone to check in and have focused quality time together. Try to keep the recipes simple so that no one feels overwhelmed and that you can enjoy the memorable moments with each other.

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Take a quick day or overnight road trip to a nearby city and visit an attraction that is unique to that city. It can be a local museum, amusement park, restaurant, or zoo. Each city has its own history and personality that makes it interesting and exciting to explore. Exploring a new city together sparks fun conversation and an opportunity to learn something new! Summer is a great season to try new things which help to break up some of the standard routines throughout the rest of the year. I invite you to plan an engaging road trip for you and your family. You’ll be glad you did!

9. Have a Bonfire

Having a bonfire while roasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs is a timeless way to stay connected with your family over the summer. You can read Bible stories or sing songs together as you sit by the bonfire. Try to be fully present and limit phone usage or screen time so you can maximize your time together. It will be nice to have your bonfire an annual or bi-annual event so that you can have something to look forward to each summer. 

10.  Decorate Sidewalk with Chalk

You can decorate your front sidewalk with chalk and have a family friendly art contest. To make it fun, you can have small prizes for the winner or invite neighbors to participate. Everyone can be involved and it allows the entire family to be creative and use their imaginations freely. Get some colorful sidewalk chalk, sit outside and enjoy the warm weather while drawing. This activity involves no prep and no clean-up. Enjoy this super simple activity together!

I invite you to slow down and use one of these ideas to have fun together as a family and make the most of summer. Making lasting memories together without distractions is a wonderful way to stay connected and grow together in love and unity.

Photo Credit:  © Unsplash/Julentto Photography