Summer Fun for Families

Childhood summers felt like heaven to me. I spent long sunny days swimming in the neighbors’ pool or running barefoot to catch the ice-cream truck. On warm summer evenings my family watched baseball on TV with the sound of crickets drifting in through the windows. And the crowning joy, the highlight of every summer, was family vacation at Lake Michigan. Seven days of digging in the sand, splashing in the waves, and telling stories around the campfire with my parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and siblings.

While leisurely summer days might not be the reality for today’s busy kids, family time is still a precious commodity that’s worth preserving (and promoting)! Every study points to the dramatic difference family time and faith-talk make in the spiritual growth of kids and teens. So try some of these fun ideas for boosting the bond between the generations this summer.

A Worship Map
Ever wonder where everyone goes in the summer? A worship map is a great way to satisfy your curiosity and encourage families to make time with God part of their travel plans. Here’s how it works:

• Post a huge map on a bulletin board in a central location at church.
• Provide push-pins and lots of space on either side of the map.
• Encourage families to pinpoint their vacation destination and post a bulletin from the worship service they attend.

By the end of the summer you’ll have an awesome display of the worshiping body of Christ spread across the continent—or maybe even across the entire globe!

Vacation Bags
Fill a few travel sacks with items that kids and parents can use on road trips and cross-country adventures. Be creative, including things like:

• A journal for recording funny stories (about siblings, of course!).
• A “Flat Stanley”-style laminated photo of your senior pastor and a disposable camera.
• Junior will love pulling out Flat Pastor to pose for photos at zoos, monuments, and amusement parks. By the end of the trip the pastor in the pulpit will feel like part of the family!
• Several blank stamped postcards addressed to homebound folks in your congregation. Kid-printed notes from far away always bring joy to the heart!
• Guess What! family magazines (click here to download a pdf sample) from Faith Alive—the games, jokes, quizzes, and puzzles will keep the kids too busy to ask, “Are we there yet?” Parents will appreciate the devotional suggestions and family worship page.

Have families sign up to check a bag out, and encourage them to return the bags with one small souvenir for the next family to enjoy. Be sure to restock bags as they come back in!

These great ideas come from Anne Wilson, director of ministries to children and families at Northwoods Presbyterian Church. I attended Anne’s marvelous workshop at APCE’s Annual Event in January! If you have great ideas for summer or year-round activities for families, post a comment below!