Even during summer, the demands of life creep up on us unless we’re careful to set and keep our priorities. I hope these 14 tips help you enjoy a slow summer—the kind of summer you and your kids won’t soon forget.
Photo courtesy of Apple of Our Eye Photography
The end of the school year couldn’t come fast enough for me this year. I think I’m tired. Tired of the busyness, the running around, the homework—tired of being stretched thin and not having enough time for what really matters to us.
I’m feeling so ready for summer, for the end of the rush out the door in the morning and a break from the routine. For time to reconnect, slow down, and make memories together as a family.
Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials. – Lin Yutang
Growing up on a farm meant that I spent my childhood summers helping in the yard and with the animals, building forts outside with my siblings, and looking forward to our annual family camping trip. Days were slow and I loved it that way—there was plenty of time to read a favorite book, draw, craft, help my dad with chores, and ride with him in the tractor. There was room to get bored.
We’ve had the opportunity to spend the last two summers back in Canada on my parents’ farm. Giving my kids a taste of the slow summers I enjoyed as a child has been such a joy for me.
I’ve seen them experience those same things I did—watching a nest of robin eggs hatch into baby birds, roasting marshmallows in the backyard fire pit, helping Grandpa feed the cows and bottle-feed the calves, laying out under the stars on quiet summer nights…
But no matter where you spend your summer—whether you’re on a farm or simply at home—the joys of summer are simple to create. It’s the lack of schedule, the slow mornings and carefree days. It’s taking a break from the busyness to explore outdoors, splash in the pool, and read stories in the afternoon sun.
The catch, of course, is that even during summer, the demands of life creep up on us unless we are very careful to set—and keep—our priorities.
If a carefree, slow summer is at the top of your priority list, I hope you enjoy this collection of tips designed to help you keep your summer slow and meaningful.
1. Be present.
A slow summer isn’t just for your kids; it’s for you too. Be all in.
2. Learn to say no.
You don’t have to do it all.
3. Double the amount of time you spend outdoors.
With our family, getting outdoors helps us eliminate distractions and build connections like nothing else. And in the summer, with fewer obligations to meet, we have more time than ever to spend outdoors.
4. Be adventurous.
This is as much about the spirit of your adventures as it is the adventures themselves. Even a simple outing to watch squirrels at a park or climb a big, knobby tree your kids have been eyeing can feel like a grand adventure with the right framing.
5. Limit structured activities.
For our family, it has felt right NOT to schedule sports in the summer months. We like to leave these weeks open so that we’re free take a spontaneous day trip… or never change out of our pajamas. 🙂
6. Design a loose schedule.
You still want to make the most of your summer—it flies by too quickly! A flexible routine gives kids some predictability and helps you ensure that you make room for outings and activities that matter to you. (Just don’t forget the white space!)
7. Set screen time limits.
Conveniently, limiting screen time often opens the door for more time spent outdoors. 🙂
8. Journal your favorite summer memories, big and small.
Journaling helps me be more mindful, to focus on the small joys. And I appreciate how it helps my children do the same.
9. Don’t let boredom scare you.
In fact, it’s good for kids to get bored. It compels them to get creative, to problem solve, and to take some accountability for making their summer the best it can be!
Check out our “I’m Bored” checklist.
10. Learn for the sake of learning.
We don’t do anything rigorous as far as learning goes in the summer, but we do fit in some learning activities that we don’t have as much time for in the school year. Think: science experiments, baking, reading, visiting a local zoo or museum, etc.
11. Give simple service.
I love to do a few things each summer that remind our kids to look outward in every season. {22 kid-approved acts of kindness you can do this week}
12. Stay up late.
What’s summer without the occasional delayed bedtime? Leave time to snuggle up and tell the kids a story from when you were their age.
13. Experiment with and create some summer traditions.
Over the years, we’ve tried out dozens of activities and noted which ones made the biggest impression on our kids. These have become our traditions—things we do every summer, things our kids look forward to all year.
Need some ideas?
- A trip to the lake
- A campout with friends
- A water balloon fight in the backyard
- A color run
- A lemonade stand
- Dinners on the patio
- Ice cream cones on the first official day of summer (June 20th this year)
14. Let go of the guilt.
It’s so easy as parents to fixate on the things we’re not doing when we choose to take a slower pace. But an unhurried, no-pressure summer isn’t a waste of time; it’s a way to reconnect as a family and to remind ourselves that our days are meant to be lived, not just counted.
If you enjoyed this post you might also like…
- How to Make Time for What Matters Most
- 30 Simple Ways to Immerse Kids in Nature
- One Quick Tip to a Better Summer
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I just found your blog, and I’m blown away! Thank you for all these wonderful tips and the inspiration! I’m so grateful. I just printed off the organizational to do lists. I can’t wait to try some of the kindness ideas with my little one:)