Christine Hernandez
Early childhood educator, writer, and mother. Your friendly neighborhood guide to all things parenting.
Summer break is one of the most exciting times of the year for kids, but it can also be one of the busiest for parents. Between work, childcare, camps, meals, screen time, and keeping everyone entertained, the days can quickly feel overwhelming.A few simple routines, realistic expectations, and go-to summer activities can help your family enjoy a season that's fun, flexible, and a little less stressful. Here are 10 practical summer parenting tips to help make summer enjoyable for the whole family.
1. Create a Summer Rhythm
Summer doesn't need to be planned down to the minute, but a simple daily routine can give your family structure without sacrificing flexibility.
Keeping wake-up times, meals, and bedtimes relatively consistent can help the day run more smoothly. You can still leave room for spontaneous trips to the park, backyard play, or an impromptu ice cream outing. A little routine helps kids know what to expect while making it easier for everyone to enjoy the slower pace of summer.
2. Boredom is Okay
It's easy to feel like you need to keep your kids entertained every moment of the day, but boredom isn't something to avoid. In fact, unstructured time gives children the chance to use their imagination, solve problems, and create their own fun.
Instead of jumping in with a new activity every time your child says, "I'm bored," give them a little time to figure out what they'd like to do. Whether they build a fort, invent a game, read a book, or create artwork, these moments of independent play help build creativity, confidence, and resilience.
3. Sun Safety and Hydration
With the sun out and the temperatures rising, hydration and sun safety are key. For sun protection, build in a simple sunscreen routine so you never forget to apply (and reapply). Keep water bottles within easy reach so kids remember to drink throughout the day. This is especially important during summer afternoons and heatwaves.
4. Cool Off with Water Play
Water play is one of the easiest ways to keep kids entertained on a hot summer day. Even if you don't have access to a pool, a kiddie pool, water table, sprinkler, water balloons, or splash pad can all provide hours of fun.
Best of all, these activities require very little planning and help kids stay cool while burning off energy. Just be sure to provide close, age-appropriate supervision around water, no matter how shallow it is.
5. Create a Summer Bucket List
Creating a family summer bucket list is a fun way to get everyone involved in planning the season. Let each family member contribute a few ideas, then choose a mix of simple activities, special outings, and relaxing days at home.
The goal isn't to schedule every day—it's to have a list of ideas ready whenever you're looking for something fun to do.
6. Take Advantage of Summer Camps
Summer is a chance to mix things up. Whether your child attends one camp all summer, or a combination of different options, taking advantage of summer programs can give your child new experiences while helping your family balance work and vacation schedules.
Summer camps and childcare programs also tend to offer activities that aren't available during the school year, from sports and STEM to art, music, and outdoor adventures. Even if you don't need full-time care, a few weeks of camp can be a great way for kids to build confidence, make new friends, and try something new.
7. Make Time for Outdoor Adventures
Summer is the perfect time for kids to explore the outdoors, even if it's just for a little while. On especially hot days, plan outdoor activities during the cooler morning or evening hours when it's more comfortable to be outside.
A neighborhood walk, scavenger hunt, visit to the local park, nature trail, or even backyard play can encourage curiosity, creativity, and movement. Spending time outdoors also gives kids a break from screens and a chance to connect with nature.
8. Continue Learning
Summer learning doesn’t need to feel like sitting down at a desk with workbooks. Reading together, cooking, gardening, visiting museums, or exploring a new hobby are all fun ways to keep kids learning without worksheets or homework (though some kids may enjoy worksheets too!). The best part is that many of these activities also create opportunities to spend quality time together.
9. Encourage Age-Appropriate Responsibilities
Summer is a great time for kids to take on a little more responsibility around the house. Simple, age-appropriate tasks like making their bed, feeding a pet, setting the table, or helping with laundry can build confidence while teaching valuable life skills.
Make responsibilities fun instead of treating them like chores. Turn cleaning into a game, create a sticker or points chart, or challenge kids to learn a new household skill each week. When responsibilities feel like games or opportunities to learn kids are more likely to participate with enthusiasm.
10. Make Time for Yourself
With your mind focused on giving your children the best summer, it's easy to forget about yourself. Yes, parents deserve to enjoy summer break too. Small breaks away from the family can be a great way to recharge your energy.
These can be small moments to catch up on a good book, have a cup of coffee, or simply sit in silence. After all, to give your kids a great summer, you need to feel your best.
