Creative Ideas Moms Can Use to Make Summer Great Again
The approach of summer somehow feels different in 2025.
Maybe it’s a bright anticipation of every year that separates us further from the stifling lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 – not to mention the runaway inflation, riots, and mayhem that made it seem like the last four years would never end.
Now, the sun is shining – prices are coming down, and our new President has his own signature dance moves. (I never thought I’d write that.) This week, in the cutest White House briefing ever, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fielded questions from “journalists” ranging from about 3-10 years of age who were there for Bring Your Kids to Work Day.
She tackled pressing questions like:
“What is the President’s favorite McDonalds order?”
“Which is Donald Trump’s favorite president – besides himself?”
“How much candy does Donald Trump eat in a day?”
How much, indeed? We did learn that he enjoys pink Starbursts and Tootsie Rolls. Note taken.
It’s nice to smile again.
And now, making it even better – summer is upon us. It’s time for moms to return summertime with the family to its former glory. There’s plenty of fun to be had as the days get longer, whether you’ve saved up for a major vacay – or are simply enjoying your neighborhood this summer. Either way, you can bring the magic back with a little strategizing and effort. We’re sharing creative ideas moms can use to make summer great again.
Don’t Miss the Simple Joys of Summer
Fireflies.
Fireflies say summer to me. I’ve missed their glowing bottoms ever since we moved away from Tennessee. All my girls were born in Nashville, and the two oldest chased these magical critters mercilessly as they sputtered around our backyard with their nightly display of summer serenity. When we relocated that first summer in the Centennial State (Colorado), I was stunned to discover the absence of these sparkly summer friends. It’s true. Some Western states don’t ever see them. I’m sad for them – and for me.
What are your favorite summer memories? Think back to your childhood (when things were a little simpler and not driven by screens and AI). What was it that made your summer sing?
Was it splashing in a creek at your grandparents? Homemade ice cream? Trips to a nearby beachfront or to your favorite camping spot? Maybe it was music played on guitar near a firepit – or sharing a scary story after dark in the glow of the fire’s dying embers.
For many of us, the bar feels higher than ever before – like we must empty our wallets annually and shell out about 10K to Disney. But is that the only way to give our family a fun and memorable summer? Hardly!
Don’t be afraid to gift your kids some of your simpler – and probably fondest summer experiences.
Begin in the Backyard
A little creativity and cunning can make your backyard a place of wonder for your little ones. Try these ideas for a weekly treat that will make yours the place to be for your kids and their friends this summer.
Progressive Art Day – Plan a fun day with one or two other moms. Start at your home with your kids and their neighborhood friends, paint a flowerpot, create tissue paper sun catchers, or a sidewalk chalk masterpiece. Offer a snack or sandwiches for lunch and then send them to the next house where another mom hosts a different art project – painting rocks, making paper plate animals, or fruit prints. It could be just two families or four to make it a jam-packed day of creativity.
Fort (Smith) (insert your name)- Gather lots of boxes, cardboard pieces, packing tape, markers, maybe fabric for a flag, ribbons, and any odds and ends you can think of. Then, invite the kids to spend an afternoon building their own fort in the backyard. If many friends join the fun, you can divide them into several teams, each creating their own fortress. You and your friends can simply sit in lawn chairs and chat as the creative chaos ensues.
Balloon Tennis Tournament – Host the craziest day of tennis ever in your backyard. Make the “rackets” using a stick with a paper plate taped on the front. Try using two chairs with a string or anything you can think of that can signify the “net.” The object is to keep the ball (a balloon) airborne for as long as possible. Points for hits, and no points if it hits the ground. It can be a one-on-one contest or the merry mayhem that team play can bring!
An Obstacle Course, of Course – Every backyard needs a makeshift obstacle course. Have the kids help with ideas. You could include pretty much anything. It could involve climbing through the kiddie pool (through water) on your knees – followed by rolling three times on the grass. Then, you might have to run from one side of the yard to another – or fetch a tag hung on the branch of a tree. You could dribble a soccer ball for a distance and bunny hop over pool noodles in the grass. It can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. The kids will love it, and you’ll earn major fun-mom points from the neighborhood crew.
Base Camp – Why not take a camping trip to the backyard? It’s the most budget-friendly getaway; the kids will never forget it. Grab the flashlights, pitch the tent, and enjoy an evening picnic. Then, cap off the evening with s’mores and stories before you spend the night in the great (backyard) outdoors.
For many more fun ideas, try an internet search using terms like “fun summer backyard activities for kids,” you’ll find plenty to choose from.
Branching Out for Local Fun
You don’t have to drain your bank account to give your family a memorable summer. Your town has many local activities and attractions to create your summer “staycation.”
In my area in Colorado Springs, we might visit scenic Garden of the Gods for a hike and maybe grab some ice cream at the Trading Post. Or we could spend an afternoon visiting the Whit’s End play area at Focus on the Family’s campus. It’s themed for the Adventures in Odyssey audio drama, and it’s free (and it has a three-story slide). There are also local caverns, a Pioneer Museum, and a Mining Museum nearby.
Now, before you think, “Well, you live in Colorado – my town isn’t that exciting,” I will contend there is fun to be had wherever you are. You just have to do a little digging for the opportunities.
Know Your Options
Try an internet search for “things to do” in your town.
Let’s look at Greenville, South Carolina, as an example. Not a huge city, but they have a children’s museum (so fun!), the Greenville Zoo, Falls Park on the Reedy, Roper Mountain Science Center, Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library, scavenger hunts, and more. Considering all that a simple search revealed, there are probably undiscovered gems in your area or places your kids would love to revisit.
VBS Vibes
Don’t forget the meaningful connections, music, and memories made at Vacation Bible Schools. Local churches pull out all the stops for these week-long faith and fun-filled extravaganzas. Usually, your kids are welcome to attend these special weeks, even if it’s not your home church. So, call around and see what may be happening in your area.
Mini-Getaways (That Don’t Break the Bank)
Again, consider what’s nearby.
Are you an hour or two from a major city or a national park? You can save on travel costs and spend a few nights on an easier, less expensive vacation.
We live a little over an hour from Denver. We sometimes take day trips there or sometimes take a mini trip there for a few days. We can book several nights at a hotel for only a few hundred dollars. Then, we may visit the Denver Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, or the Titanic Exhibit at the Museum of Nature & Science.
What might your options be for a mini getaway for your crew?
Pro-tip: When traveling with family, be sure to pick a hotel that includes breakfast. Some with that money-saving perk are Embassy Suites, Home2Suites, Drury Inn & Suites, LaQuinta, and Holiday Inn.
Historic Holidays – Liberty Trips
The Liberty Trips we’ve mapped out are close to our hearts here at Moms for America. Using a few days of your summer break to give your kids a firsthand look at a place where America’s history played out is priceless. There are big-ticket trips like a week in Washington, DC, or Philadelphia – or a few days in Colonial Williamsburg; however, plenty of ideas fit a more modest budget.
Our nation’s history happened everywhere, so you don’t have to travel to the East Coast to give your kids a fun and educational experience. Each state tells part of our American story, so check out our interactive Liberty Trips Map. Click on your state to find some of the interesting places you could visit that are local or an hour or two away. You may be surprised at what you’ll find!
Big, Beautiful Vacations
Who doesn’t love a big, beautiful vacation?
The US boasts beautiful mountain resorts, scenic lakes, sandy beaches, and rich countryside. If it’s in the budget and you haven’t yet pinned things down, we wanted to share some of the hottest spots for family fun nationwide.
Orlando – Disney, Universal, and Discovery Cove (you can swim with dolphins there). The Disney parks alone brought in roughly $32 billion last year. Still, there’s plenty more to do in this bustling vacation town. There’s golf, arcades, water parks, Gatorland, and the Kennedy Space Center. And don’t forget to venture out of Orlando to enjoy some of the many beautiful Florida beaches. A trip to the Sunshine State is pretty much always a crowd-pleaser.
Yellowstone National Park – America has a wealth of beautiful parks and destinations, and Yellowstone is one of the most iconic. You and your kids can witness the eruption of Old Faithful and enjoy scenic hikes and adventure amid nature’s grandeur. You’ll likely spot some wildlife, and you can also check out the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
San Diego – California’s beautiful beaches are special – and when we honeymooned in this lovely city, we also enjoyed the famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and Old Town. Also, don’t miss Birch Aquarium at Scripps and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Washington, DC – What an epic place for a family adventure! Among hundreds of attractions are the Smithsonian (17 museums in that city), the National Zoo, The Museum of the Bible, The Holocaust Museum, the Spy Museum, Mount Vernon, and the many beautiful and meaningful monuments that dot the landscape. A week is not enough; however, you can squeeze a lot into seven days. Many of the attractions (though not all) are free, and your family will never forget a DC vacation.
Honolulu – Traveling to the Hawaiian Isles can be a bit of a splurge – but if you can pull it off, you are in for a warm welcome to a beautifully scenic and memorable stay. In addition to the excellent beaches, there are historic treasures like the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Your family can enjoy the floral-scented air of lush parks, hiking trails, and unparalleled natural beauty in a relaxed island culture. Don’t miss taking the kids to an authentic Hawaiian luau.
Wisconsin Dells – It boasts that it is the “Waterpark Capital of the World” and has more than 20 – both indoor and outdoor – so bring your swimsuits. You may want to try the nighttime walk through a fairy-lighted canyon called Aquavia Lumina or other family attractions like ropes courses, zipline adventures, go-carts, minigolf, kayaking, and the Wisconsin Dells Mountain Coaster. It’s a lot – and we venture to guess your family will not be bored if “The Dells” are in your plans.
Hilton Head Island – For me, the beach is never a bad idea. Hilton Head has lovely spots to enjoy the sand and surf, with other fun like Dolphin Tours, the Sandbox Children’s Museum, the Harbour Town Lighthouse tour – and great seafood!
Pigeon Forge – Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, this community was made for family fun. Dollywood draws visitors from around the world for this unique theme park experience. At the same time, there is a plethora of museums and activities that are geared toward the vacationing family. Think Ripley’s Aquarium, a wax museum, a lumberjack show, river rafting, the Comedy Barn, and Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Show. If the lights and brilliance of this tourist spot become too much, you can escape to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park to recharge in the natural serenity.
Cape Cod – Another beach vacation (yes, please); this popular area has 40 miles of beach awaiting your child’s sandcastle creation and seaside fun. Inland, you can experience the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail for hiking and biking. The Cape also has a children’s museum and a pirate museum. There’s the historic Chatham Lighthouse, the nearby Pilgrim Monument, and the Provincetown Museum.
San Antonio – It’s a mix of art, music, and Texas charm, with plenty to do for families who venture to this unique city. The River Walk has excellent restaurants and shops flanking the San Antonio River. You may choose to experience history with a visit to The Alamo and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park or check out Six Flags Over Texas, SeaWorld San Antonio, or the botanical gardens.
We could mention many more, like the Grand Canyon, Destin, Maui, Yosemite National Park, Charleston, and Niagara Falls. You can’t go wrong in our diversely beautiful and adventure-rich nation.
Making Summertime Great Again
When my kids were little, we made wonderful summertime memories. Some were grand, but our adventures were usually more modest and closer to home.
In many ways, it didn’t really matter. Kids tracked dirt and water in and out of our back door as I heard my little ones laughing and screaming in delight with their friends – chasing fireflies and experiencing the most fantastic adventures all in the confines of our small neighborhood.
You have it within your grasp to bring wonder and joy to your kids’ summer break, mamas. Whether it’s sticking close to home, hosting water balloon wars or sidewalk Rembrandts, trekking through historic Philadelphia – or even swimming with dolphins, you can make this summer one to remember.
Podcast Note: This week we’re talking with Amy Robbins, influencer and founder of Alexa Athletico. Her company creates stylish athletic wear designed to conceal-carry your weapon. Also, we had the chance to catch up with bold and engaging speaker, comedian, and former producer on The View, Karith Foster.
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