Kids Summer Activities: An Easy Routine For Our Family’s Best Summer Yet
Last spring, I found myself a little nervous—okay, maybe borderline terrified—about how we were going to make it through those wide-open summer days with four kids at home and a business to run. Our older two were already saying “I’m bored” before school had even ended! I remember thinking: How am I going to keep them all entertained, manage work, and stay sane?
What we ended up doing turned into one of the best rhythms we’ve ever had, making our summer one to remember. We didn’t pack the calendar with the typical kids summer activities—like camps, sports, or a rigid schedule—instead, we leaned into a summer routine for our kids that gave them ownership—and it worked better than we ever imagined!
So I’m writing this not as an expert, but as a mom and business owner who stumbled into something that worked. If this blesses another family with more quality family time, that’s a win in my book.
It All Started With a Giant List Of Kids Summer Activities…
A couple weeks before school let out, the kids seemed to have a little more free time, and they kept coming to us saying they were bored. That’s when Ed and I looked at each other and realized: we needed to make a plan before summer officially hit.
So we gathered the kids—ours were about 11, 9, 6, and 3½ at the time—and we were honest with them: “There’s so much we can do. We’re so blessed with opportunities, so let’s write them down and make the most of this summer.”
They took us up on it! We gave them a few categories to make lists for, and we told the older two to take the lead. Armed with pens, paper, and big ideas, they went all in—and the results were massive and creative! We saw all sorts of kids summer activities from “running laps” to “water balloon fights,” “picnic”, “read to my little brother,” “visit Universal Studios,” (haha, maybe one year!) and even “clean out the garage shelves!” Their lists were incredible—and we made sure to tell them just how impressed we were.
After the kids filled out their lists, we reviewed them as a family and added a few more ideas. From the start, we knew we wouldn’t get through everything, but that wasn’t the point. The point was to dream, plan, and then pick our favorites throughout the summer. In other words, build the kind of summer we’d all look back on and smile about—our best summer yet. 😊
We had them sort their ideas into these categories:
Kids Summer Activities Lists
Indoor Activities at Home
Outdoor Activities at Home
Family Help List (reading to a sibling, helping with paperwork, etc.)
Cleaning List (inside and outside—closets, dusting, weeding, tidying)
Wish List (restaurants, local attractions, bigger outings)
Things to Make
Things to Learn
Books & Movies to Enjoy
After the summer, we were already coming up with new ideas for next year too:
Nighttime Activities
People to Visit
Playdates to Schedule (Last year, these were just scattered across the wish list, but this time we’re being more intentional—making time with family, friends, and loved ones.)
It was creative, chaotic, and surprisingly fun—and they were SO proud of their lists. They even checked them off as the summer went along!
Just four kids, a planned picnic, and a whole lot of fun checked off the list.
Turning the List Into a Weekly Summer Routine for our Kids
The magic really happened when we turned the list into a weekly rhythm. Not a strict schedule—just a flexible framework the kids could fill in. We made a weekly kids summer schedule template and printed blank versions for them to complete each Sunday afternoon.
We kept the usual things consistent—meals, quiet time, weekly trips to Grandma’s, sports or other activities, and daily responsibilities—but left plenty of open space for them to choose from their bucket lists. Sometimes we’d even leave mystery “family fun blocks” for a surprise activity if the week went well. (Our kids already have regular chores like doing dishes after meals, cleaning their rooms, or vacuuming, so we didn’t make those part of the “lists”—they just knew to factor those into their day as needed.)
And another big help: we had a monthly calendar for June through August, where we noted birthdays, family trips, and bigger events. So when the kids sat down to plan their week, they could take those plans into account.
The best part? They took ownership of their schedules. They knew what was coming, they had options to pull from, and they started managing their own time. No more complaining about not having enough kids summer activities because they already had a game plan. We were honestly blown away with how well they stepped up, and we didn’t hear “I’m bored” once all summer. It was unbelievable!
Filling out the weekly schedule—it became a rhythm.
It Wasn’t About Perfection—It Was About Growth
Did we follow the schedule every single day? Nope. Life still happened. But having that rhythm and summer routine for the kids helped everyone—me and Ed included—stay grounded.
The kids gained a sense of both freedom and responsibility. They learned how to manage their time, pitch in, and create fun on their own. Every Sunday, we’d do a quick recap—what worked, what didn’t, what they loved, what they still wanted to do. Then they adjusted for the week ahead.
We praised their effort more than their outcomes—whether they helped clean out the toy bins or planned a “school day” for their siblings. It wasn’t about rewards. It was about character.
By the end of summer, we were genuinely sad it was over. We didn’t do everything on the list—but wow, we did so much more than we expected.
Making memories – priceless!
Why It Worked So Well
It gave the kids structure without being rigid
They had ownership over their days
We balanced work and quality family time without constant frustration
It built creativity, responsibility, and confidence in the kids
And it made summer feel joyful instead of overwhelming
It also gave our older kids a chance to really lead—and love on—their younger siblings. And it gave Ed and me the margin we needed to stay steady in both parenting and running EKA Build.
Learning doesn’t stop in summer—especially when your older siblings are your biggest cheerleaders.
Sometimes fun means baking together (and sneaking a few chocolate chips).
Wish list item: go out for ice cream. Checked—and fully enjoyed. 🍦
Family help list item: Storytime, brother style.
What This Has to Do with Building Homes
At EKA Build, we talk a lot about building strong foundations—and that’s not just for the homes we build. It’s how we live, how we lead, and how we raise our family.
This systematic summer routine helped us pour into our kids, stay present as a family, and keep things running in our business too. It brought rhythm to our home. Not perfect. But strong.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
That verse felt true for our summer—and still does.
Technically a chore… but definitely a joy. Edward filling the house with Super Mario tunes and a whole lot of awesome. 🎹
Skinny tree, big climb. Elijah’s got that wild-at-heart energy—and the crab apples to prove it. 🌳🍎
That smile says it all—baking is Alexis’ happy place. 🧁
Barefoot by the stream, smile full of sunshine—Alli soaking up the simple joys. 🌿💛
Want to Try It With Your Family?
If you’re heading into summer wondering how you’ll juggle everything—I hope this encourages you. It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. It just has to work for you.
We’ve put together a few free printables to help you get started:
A Monthly Summer Calendar – to track trips, camps, birthdays, and other big plans (available in two sizes: 11x17 and 8.5x11)
A Weekly Schedule Template – like the one we used, with space for kids to plan their week from their bucket list
An 11-Page Bucket List Set – one printable page for each category, ready for your kids to fill in, track and personalize throughout the summer!
We designed these with a mix of our EKA Build fonts and a playful, kid-friendly color palette—because summer isn’t just about structure, it’s about celebration, too! I hope these help you build a season full of memories, growth, and maybe even a little peace and quiet.
From our home to yours—have the best summer yet. 💛
– Angelica
Checking off the bucket list and making memories along the way—whether it’s walks through the woods, blueberry picking, or sharing a meal out together. These are some moments that made summer sweet.
