Summer is here, and the weather is glorious. The sky is blue; the clouds are white and puffy; the temperature is warm, and there is plenty of free time. The kids are out of school, and I’m sure you’re looking for some faith-based activities to do with them. Here are some ideas for your summer bucket list to have some family fun.
1. Start the Summer with a Prayer Walk
Summer brings a change of pace, and starting with a prayer walk will help you begin the summer with clarity and spiritual focus.
Why Should You Take a Summer Prayer Walk?
There are many significant reasons to go on a summer prayer walk.
● It helps your family slow down.
● It strengthens your spiritual life.
● Taking a prayer walk encourages gratitude.
● It brings peace.
● It connects you with your surroundings.
A prayer walk doesn’t have to be complicated. Choose a route you are comfortable with, block out 10 to 20 minutes, and begin with a prayer asking God to guide your steps. As you walk, pray intentionally for your friends, neighbors, family members, God’s provision, your spiritual growth, or anything else on your heart and mind. Pay attention to your surroundings; simple things can remind us to pray for someone or something specific. End your prayer walk with thanksgiving.
2. Create a Bible Verse of the Week Challenge
Start a Bible verse of the week challenge with your family. This kind of challenge is a simple, meaningful way to build a habit of reading, memorizing, and applying scripture. This kind of challenge keeps God’s word at the center of your summer days.
The beauty of this kind of challenge is that it’s impactful and meaningful. Remembering one small verse may seem insignificant, but when you spend your entire week reflecting on it, memorizing it, and discussing it, it can shape your thoughts and decisions in powerful ways. It can also shape your attitude.
Other benefits of this kind of challenge include insignificant,
● It helps with scripture memorization.
● It encourages consistency.
● It deepens the understanding of God’s word.
● This kind of challenge supports spiritual growth.
● It helps build community.
3. Plan a Family Worship Night Under the Stars
Planning a night of family worship under the stars is a significant endeavor. It’s a way to slow down, reconnect, and focus on faith as a family. By combining the beauty of the outdoors with prayer, worship, scripture reading, and conversation, it can become deeply personal. Also, stars have a way of making us realize how big God is and how small we are.
A night of family worship can help your family slow down, experience worship in a new way, talk about faith in a serene environment, and build spiritual memories together.
Start with a Simple Goal
Choose a goal as a family. This could be…
● To pray for one another.
● To admire and reflect on God’s creation.
● Worship together as a family.
Choose the Right Location
Decide on a location that makes your family feel relaxed.
● The backyard
● A local park
● Your favorite campsite
Don’t forget to keep safety and lighting, seating and availability, noise, bathrooms, and permission rules if you are using a public location.
Pick a Time and Schedule That Feels Natural
The best time to do this would be just after sunset, when it’s dark enough to see the stars but not so late that the little ones are getting tired. Also, schedule your night. For example, allow 10 minutes for prayer, 20 minutes for worship, and 10 minutes for reflection.
Gather Supplies
Don’t forget chairs and blankets, your Bible, a portable speaker or instrument, snacks and drinks, bug spray, flashlights, a journal or prayer cards, and a star map if you want help identifying the constellations.
4. Host a Faith-Filled Backyard Picnic
A backyard picnic can become more than just having a meal outside. It can become a meaningful time for fellowship, gratitude, and spiritual refreshment. With some planning, you can create an atmosphere that’s warm, welcoming, and centered on faith.
Start With a Purpose
Start by choosing the meaning behind your picnic. Do you want your family to come together to encourage each other? Pray together? Celebrate a season? Or enjoy God’s creation? To make this easier, try choosing a theme like;
● Gratitude for God’s provision.
● Fellowship and encouragement.
● Family blessings.
● Joy in creation.
Set a Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere
Don’t worry about elaborate decorations; focus on simple touches. Things like a checkered tablecloth or blanket, mason jars with flowers in them, or Bible verse cards placed on tables.
Choose a Simple, Shareable Meal
Focus on food that is easy to prepare, transport, and serve. Food such as sandwiches, pasta salads, fruit salad, veggie platters, chips and dip, and similar items.
Include a Time for Prayer
You can pray when everyone arrives, or before you eat, or before everyone goes home.
Add a Scripture Reading or Reflection
A brief reading can give your picnic a spiritual focus without feeling overly structured or like a church sermon. Some verses to consider are;
● Matthew 18; 20
Plan Some Activities
Plan some activities that get people talking about faith and conversing with one another.
● Conversation cards that include questions about faith, gratitude, and family.
● Outdoor games like frisbee or cornhole.
● A worshipful sing-along accompanied by a guitar or portable speaker.
Consider a Service Element
Incorporate a minor act of service or generosity to remind people that faith is lived out in love. If you want people to donate, let them know in advance. Some ideas for service elements are;
● Collecting donations for a local ministry or shelter.
● Praying for missionaries or your community leaders.
● Sharing a food basket with a neighbor.
Make Room for Rest and Conversation
Make sure people can rest and have conversations if they don’t want to take part in activities. Also, make sure everyone is close to the little ones while they play.
End With Thanksgiving
End your picnic with a prayer or blessing.
5. Volunteer Together in Your Community
Take some time to volunteer together in your community this summer. Mow the yards of elderly neighbors. Consider volunteering at a food bank, a homeless shelter, or a senior center. Set up a lemonade or baked goods stand to raise money for charity. See if your local cat cafe or animal shelter needs volunteers. (NOTE: If you are planning to take your kids with you to the cat cafe or animal shelter, make sure you know what the rules are.)
6. Make a Christian Summer Memory Jar
Get a jar and decorate it, and label it your summer memory jar. Over the summer, write your favorite memories as a family and also add other memories as well, like the seashells your kids got at the beach, the blue ribbon you won for your pie at the county fair, your pool pass at the end of the season, the flowers your daughter picked in grandma’s yard (dry them first), etc. Also, have everyone add a note of one thing they are thankful for each day. At the end of the summer, sit down as a family and reflect on the season.
7. Read a Bible Story Series for Kids in June
Reading is a great summer activity. Get comfy on your child’s bed or on the back porch, or build a fort and read them a Bible story series this summer. This can keep kids engaged and learning for the summer, help kids understand the big Bible story, strengthen family time through reading and discussion, and build positive habits that can continue all year.
Some benefits of reading a Bible story include building faith early, teaching values, encouraging memory, creating family connections, and supporting emotional growth.
Choose a theme, then pick the right time to read with your child. You will also want to decide on a schedule, such as reading together once a week, every day, or twice a month. Pick age-appropriate material and use engaging materials like children’s picture books, puppets, and songs related to the story.
Here are some ideas for stories in June;
● God Creates the World
● Noah’s Ark
● David and Goliath
● Jesus Calms the Storm
End the Month with a Gratitude and Prayer Celebration
At the end of June, gather with your family and have a gratitude and prayer celebration. Celebrate all the good things that happened this month and pray about the months to come. Don’t forget to add some food and fun to the mix.
As summer begins in June, the kids look forward to fun activities and quality family time.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages
