With no set schedules, backyard BBQs, and lemonade stands with the kids, summer is officially here. Except the summertime feeling went away in an instant when I received an email notification titled “Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist.” Suddenly, sitting poolside with the kids munching on a freshly cut watermelon—all in my summer feels—felt short-lived. It was a jump scare, to say the least, but it’s not just that. As soon as summer starts, store aisles are filled with Halloween costumes while shopping for Fourth of July outfits, making my heart rate skyrocket. Summer literally just started, but why do I feel like it simultaneously ended all at the same time?
I get it. Some of these early promotions do help me in the long run as a parent in getting prepared for what’s yet to come—school schedules and the holiday scurry. But I truthfully want to bask in all the summertime feels, especially since it’s supposed to be my time to soak up this season with the kids. If you, too, feel like summer is ending right when it just started, I completely understand. I’m sharing a few ideas on how to stretch out the feeling as long as possible. Don’t let the summer jump scares shorten this time. Here are 10 ways to make summer feel longer!
10 ways to make summer feel longer
From starting the season with a summer kickoff to letting your kids have an unstructured summer, these are the top 10 ways to make summer feel longer. So, put on your shades, get your favorite swimsuit on, and get rid of the summertime blues before it’s even over.
1. Have a summer kickoff
It’s officially summer, and the best way to truly feel like it’s started is by initiating it with a summer kickoff. This can be done by hosting a summer backyard BBQ or doing the most summer-esque activity with the kids—balloon fights, visiting a waterpark, having a summer campout, getting ice cream, and more.
2. Start your summer bucket list with the kids
Curating a bucket list specifically for summertime gives everyone in the family something to look forward to. There’s less room to say, “What are we going to do today?” and more room for “Which activity are we going to pick?” If you’re looking for summer bucket list ideas to add, we have a whole list to get you started.
3. Savor the weekends
Enjoy summer by blocking out those lazy-day weekends with the family—no plans, just rest. Make pancakes with the kids, and if your kids sleep in, let them. It’s also the perfect time to have unstructured play outside. If it just rained, let them jump in all the puddles. And if they’re bored, let them explore and find creativity in their own way. Who said mud can’t serve as paint?
4. Document your summer fun
Taking pictures is a wonderful way to remember your summer. But you don’t have to be the only photographer. Hand your kids disposable cameras or get them a kid-friendly digital camera to see what summer looks like from a child’s perspective. And if the kids are old enough to have a phone, make a shared family photo album that they can contribute to. Another way to document all your summer fun is to start a “summer memory jar” where everyone can drop in their favorite picture or write a little note about what made that day so special.
5. Enjoy the outdoors
The outdoors isn’t just designated for playtime either. Eat summer dinners on the porch, have a picnic lunch, and watch the sunrise or sunset. Enjoying the outdoors all summer long is the perfect summer ‘getaway.’
6. Step out of routine a little
My favorite word to pair with summer is “flexibility.” So, step out of routine and do things you wouldn’t find yourself doing during the school year. Camp in the backyard; have a themed family dinner night, like making a taco bar or Hawaiian night, especially if you’re still having the vacay blues. For the days you’re feeling a little spontaneous, take a quick trip to the lake, beach, or neighboring town.
7. Celebrate the small joys of summer
Make the little things about the season feel festive. The kids are already in their summer pajamas, so why not start the day off with a “pajama movie morning” playing a summertime movie the kids will enjoy? Other ideas include having an “ice cream sundae bar” on a Sunday night or “Watermelon Wednesdays.”
8. Plan mini escapes
As soon as the ‘big’ summer vacation is over, it can be easy to feel like all the fun is now over. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Plan mini getaways throughout these few months, like spending the day at an amusement park or trying out a new splash pad or pool in another neighborhood.
9. Let summer be slow
The season is meant to be slow, so let it be just that. Take the naps (if your kids let you), let the house be messy, and let your kids be bored. As a matter of fact, experts say boredom is a good thing. It lets kids be creative and encourages rest.
10. Properly say ‘goodbye’ to the summer
Don’t say goodbye to summer until it’s actually over. Just like you started it with a kickoff, end it with a proper farewell. Have the last cookout of the season with the family, enjoy one last pool day, celebrate a summer birthday with a fun summer theme, or make a summertime capsule.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.
