Summer is here, and you’re probably thinking about how to make the most of the long days and warm weather once the kids are off for the holidays. Should you head to the beach or spend weekends at the community pool? Or maybe it’s time to plan that memorable summer getaway?
For many parents, and even couples without children, taking a long vacation isn’t always practical, whether due to finances or work commitments. If that sounds like you, don’t worry; we’re here to help.
Most summer plans revolve around trips to the local park or standing in line for ice cream. And while those are perfectly good ways to enjoy a sunny afternoon, doing the same thing all summer can start to feel repetitive. With a bit of planning, summer can be a fun, memorable, and affordable experience.
Your kids are building core memories now, and you’ll want to be a part of those special moments. That’s why we’ve put together seven summer ideas that are photo-album worthy, so that you can look back on these days fondly.
1. Go for an Adventurous Day Out!
Is your family a little competitive? Does a game of Scrabble turn into a battle cry? Then there’s nothing like adrenaline-pumping activities or challenges to bring your family together. Avalanche family activities promise a day that your family will probably never forget, with many activities including quad biking and archery.
There’s something for everyone, from kids to grandparents, with multiple options for activities like clay pigeon shooting and paintballing. These aren’t your typical weekend plans, and that’s exactly the point. Now is when you can create shared memories doing something new, exciting and completely different from everyday life.
2. Let the Kids Plan the Day
If you really want to see summer through a kid’s eyes again, you should probably let your child take the lead for a day. Give them a budget and a few boundaries, and let them choose activities for the entire family.
It could be anything from a trip to the zoo, building a backyard maze, or even going to the beach. Allowing your child to take charge also helps you understand what they really want to do with their summer, and it makes them happy to be responsible for just one day. If you have multiple children at home, you could ask them to pool in and plan a joint day together.
3. Start a Backyard Summer Series
You don’t need to go on a driving adventure every weekend to create memories. Your garden, your balcony, or even your living room can become a summer playground. You could host your own Olympics with themed dinner nights, talent shows, and even some team challenges. Have an opening ceremony, keep a leaderboard with progress marked, craft medals, and get everyone involved.
Fun Tip: You could also incorporate chores into the Olympic games, and even hold races to see who can clean up the mess from day one.
4. Take a Surprise Trip Somewhere
Yes, planning is important, especially when you’re travelling with kids. But there’s something uniquely exciting about jumping in the car and deciding on the spot which direction to take, which motorway to follow, and where the day might lead.
Maybe it’s a place you went years ago and want to visit again. If you’re not keen on stepping out of the city, you could also use this day to explore the local markets, try a new cafe, or visit an obscure museum. Sometimes the best stories come from unexpected days like these, when you might end up discovering a new favourite activity.
5. Create a Weekly Summer Tradition
The traditions could be as simple as Tuesday-night pancakes or Friday-evening walks. The idea is to create a rhythm that’s only for the summer. Something your kids will come to expect, look forward to, and remember long after. These rituals become a part of your family traditions and can be picked up again every summer. You don’t need it to be something very elaborate. It can also be something like your family simply cooking a meal together or trying out new cuisines.
6. Capture the Magic with a Disposable Camera Day
Give each family member a disposable camera or limit everyone to a certain number of photos on their phone, and go out for a day of memory hunting. Whether it’s a picnic in the park or a visit to the arcade, the goal is to see the day through each other’s eyes. Once the photos are developed or compiled, make a little album or slideshow together. It’ll be a fun way to see what stood out for each person, and you’ll be surprised by all the candid moments captured.
7. Try a No-Plan Day
When every weekend becomes filled with adventure, you need a no-plan day to break through it. This involves nothing more than just waking up and going through the day without any plans or activities. You could be watching a movie and stop halfway through, or you could be making breakfast but decide to order takeaway instead.
It’s a day where you just enjoy each other’s company and maybe have some deep conversations. This is great for families that often do not find time to sit down and have a heart-to-heart.
Summing It Up
When the holidays are over, what’ll stay with you isn’t how lavish things were but how much time you spent together.
You could also keep these memories alive in some ways. You could start a family scrapbook, keep a summer memory jar where everyone writes down their favourite moment each week, or record little vlogs after every adventure.
This summer, maybe skip the beaches and make summer 2025 the one your family talks about for decades.