Summer traditions for kids are a great way to welcome a much-needed change of routine after a busy school year. They are the perfect opportunity to gather family members of all ages and celebrate the hard work completed. Bring fun into the relaxed summer days and use these easy and enjoyable ideas to create lasting family memories. I created this list with toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners in mind, but it can also be used with older children.
RELATED: If you have young children, you will enjoy this list of summer activities for kids.
Summer traditions vs. summer bucket list
A summer bucket list is similar, but this list of family summer traditions is different because you are likely to pick one at a time. Having too many will remove the novelty of what you are getting ready to start.
Don’t overthink it.
These silly summer traditions are meant to bring more joy and playfulness into family time. The important thing is not to take on more than you can keep up with.
I added days to each idea to simplify the thinking, but any idea can be used at a different mealtime or day of the week.
If you are out of the house early, sit out what you need the night before. For example, “Tomorrow is Bring Your Stuffie to Dinner Night. Drop it in this laundry basket on the way out the door, so we have what we need!”
For day trips with kids, create an evergreen list of ideas and places to visit in your town.
Keep them on a large piece of paper and cross them off as you go.
Here are my top tips for day trips with kids.
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Begin a tradition to build connection, a sense of identity, and trust before the new school year. I included three idea sheets: creative ways to spend days at home, new ideas for taking day trips with kids, and fun ways to switch up summer mealtimes.
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What traditions are in summer?
Summer traditions for kids often include simple memory-making ideas. Some activities include backyard camping, outdoor movies, attending the county fair, starting an herb garden, having a designated family game night, a yearly beach trip, berry or peach picking, road trips, and having a family water fight.
As a mom of three boys (the oldest is ten), I have experienced many summer seasons together. Some have been more memory-making than others, but the idea is to find the balance between summer responsibilities (because work and life don’t stop simply because the kids are home for the summer break) and glimmers of joy.
How to use these ideas
Options for picking your summer traditions for kids:
- Pick one.
- Own it as something you are going to start as a family. Read three from the list and ask your child which one they want to start doing as a family.
- Put ideas in a hat and pick one to start.
What will your kids DO this summer?
Take the guesswork out of your days with the Summertime Bundle.
- Startup Guide creates your summer routine.
- Activity cards have easy activities.
- The PDF calendar puts your plan in place.
18+ New Family Tradition Ideas
Okay, so I got a little carried away and went over 18. Remember, the idea is to PICK ONE. Use this list of fun activities as a guide. It’s the time of year to do less and enjoy more, so new traditions need to be easy to stick to.
- Pick a new instrument or song for your family. On the first Monday, brainstorm a list of instruments you and your child are curious about. This is a great idea for the entire family to discover something new.
- Celebrate Summer Solstice on Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 4:50 PM EST. Not sure what this is? This is the longest day of the year! Here is everything you need to know about Summer Solstice.
- Treasure and scavenger hunts are so much fun. (They’re also an excellent way to parent from the couch. IYKYK) Pick a scavenger hunt to print and enjoy!
- Water lifts the mood! Introduce playful activities in your own backyard, such as water balloon tosses or a small splash pad. If you have the time and enough chaperones, look for a water park nearby or on your summer vacation.
- Collect a few supplies in a box, such as cardboard, tape, scissors, blocks, Legos, and other building toys or craft supplies. Invite your child to build something solo or together.
- There are SO many fun family board games to play with kids. Use this list of my favorite games for kids to introduce them to your family. I also enjoy these games, one of my favorite ways to spend quality time.
- Invite your child to create a book nook for family or independent reading. Use pillows, blankets, flashlights, and stuffies to make it unique.
- Summer camps are a good idea for older kids to explore their independence. Make this a tradition by attending each year. It will be something to look forward to during the summer months.
- Beds are overrated. (Says the woman who can only fall asleep in her bed.) All joking aside, dust off those sleeping bags for a night in the basement or tent.
- Visit a local children’s museum or science center, where kids can explore interactive exhibits and learn through play. These new places can bring new light to the long summer days.
- Attend a children’s theater production or a puppet show. Look for local performances that are specifically geared toward young audiences. Do you have extended family in the area? Invite them to join!
- Visit a local zoo or wildlife park. Take a nature walk or hike through a nearby forest or nature reserve. Look for wildlife, collect leaves, and enjoy the peace of the woods.
- Search “Parks near me” to find a new local park or playground to explore. Some parks may take a drive, but are worth the effort! If you are ready to cool off, do the same to find a new local pool.
- There may be tours in your area that you haven’t explored! Take a tour of a local factory that offers kid-friendly visits. Learn how things like candy, ice cream, or toys are made. There may be a local ice cream shop that offers a behind-the-scenes look.
- Skating Saturday, Science Center Saturday, Star Gazing Saturday, Splash Pad Sunday, Storybook Sunday, or Sports Day Sunday.
- After dinner, everyone puts on their shoes and heads outside for a family walk around the block.
- Have you had an ice cream bar? Invite some neighbors on a warm summer evening to join you. Invite everyone to bring a topping.
- Make a new tasty treat together as a family, or pick one from a favorite cookbook. No time to bake? Add something to your grocery order and toss it in the freezer for Tuesday!
- Special meals are some of the best ways to bring families together. Create a “wrap station” where each family member can assemble a wrap with their favorite ingredients. Let the kids experiment with different combinations and shapes.
- Bring your favorite stuffie to a meal. Pick a meal that feels doable for your family. There may be a special place for stuffies to sit to keep them off the table, but they are still included.
- Everything looks way more exciting on a giant food board. After a long week, grab some fruit, veggies, and protein and chop them up for an easy Food Board Friday meal.
- Saturday or Sunday Skewers: Set up a skewer station where everyone can assemble their own. Grill them together and enjoy a fun family dinner or backyard picnic.
More summer activities
You can count on me to continue your summer fun. Here are a few of my favorite blog posts with the best ideas for kids.
Another amazing resource. You have been my go to inspiration for all things kid activities since my oldest was a toddler (and taby (@busytoddler)). Thank you for all you do for us parents! And kids!