Embracing a Slow Summer: Creating a Simple Summer Schedule for Young Kids

There’s been a huge shift lately toward bringing back the kind of childhood many of us remember from the 90s — long afternoons outside, messy play, sprinklers running in the backyard, bikes tossed in the grass, and kids using their imaginations instead of staring at screens.

The fad of adopting a “slow summer” or “90’s summer” is something my family has whole heartedly embraced. As the warm days of summer approach, it seems like the events, activities, trips, and calendar demands also heat up. For us as parents of young children, we realized that all of the hustle and bustle wasn’t really enjoyable, and it definitely wasn’t what our highly sensitive kiddo needed. What we all needed, and wanted, was a slow summer with time to explore, daydream, and most important – PLAY. More room for boredom. More opportunities for imagination, creativity, outdoor play, and simply being kids.

So this summer, we’re intentionally slowing things down.

We’re focusing on simple summer days full of outdoor play, backyard adventures, homemade treats, sensory activities, and quality time together. These are all things that my family and I LOVE anyway (check out my other blog posts and you’ll know), so why were we trying to cram in amusement parks, packed calendars, and constant stimulation??

Here’s how we’re attempting to craft a summer schedule that embraces a slower pace while maximizing childhood development opportunities.

Setting the Scene for a Slow Summer

The “slow summer” movement is all about creating a childhood filled with simple pleasures instead of overscheduled chaos. Embracing a slower schedule doesn’t mean boredom (although we don’t mind a little boredom!); instead, it invites opportunities for creativity, learning, and relaxation. We’ve started to say no a little more to leave time for home play. No, the over crowded splash pad isn’t calling our name again. No, we don’t need to have something on the schedule every day and night of the week.

A Simple Summer Schedule for Young Kids

Morning Outdoor Time

One of the biggest goals of our slow summer is getting outside as much as possible.

Starting the morning outdoors helps everyone reset and naturally burns off energy before the heat of the day sets in.

Simple outdoor play is incredibly beneficial for sensory development, creativity, and gross motor skills.

Encouraging Unstructured Play

One thing I’ve learned as a parent is that kids do not actually need constant entertainment to thrive. It is, surprisingly, one of the hardest things for me to remember/implement.

However (and what I have to keep reminding myself), some of the best play happens when children are just a little bored.

Unstructured play encourages creativity, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and independent thinking.

And honestly? It’s usually when the best childhood memories are made. Take this as your permission to sit back with an iced coffee and watch your kids play – it’s helping them grow!

Midday Slow Summer Activities

Cooking and Baking Together

One of my favorite parts of summer is slowing down enough to let the kids help in the kitchen. This is something I dreamed of before I had kids – sun shining in the windows, flour flying everywhere, and a tasty snack at the end of it. What has happened since having kids though? We rush through things, I try to quick make something in the kitchen while they’re busy, or more often than I’d like to admit, we reach for something prepackaged or pick up a snack on the go.

Simple baking projects are so good for kids though. They become sensory activities, math lessons, and quality time all wrapped into one.

Our easy blueberry muffins are one of our favorite simple summer baking recipes for kids.

And if you’re embracing that nostalgic summer vibe, homemade lemonade is basically mandatory.

Backyard Water Play

Nothing says classic childhood summer quite like running through sprinklers or throwing water balloons at your younger siblings.

Water play is perfect for hot summer days – it helps everyone cool off and keep their cool. It’s a great reset in the heat.

These activities also help build coordination, motor skills, and sensory development. Plus, they’re the best way to actually enjoy the heat.

Afternoon Down Time

Quiet Time and Rest

One thing I think modern parenting sometimes forgets is that rest matters too. Not every moment needs to be productive or exciting. In fact, it shouldn’t be, or we quickly fall into burn out and overstimulation. That’s why, in our house, we move intentionally slower after lunch. For the youngest, this usually means nap time. For the rest of us, we focus on quiet activities like:

• Reading books
• Listening to audible on our echo dot
• Toniebox or yoto stories if we’re outside
• Coloring
• Puzzles

It’s the perfect way to recharge and avoid overstimulation. If the weather is nice, I love to do some quiet time on a blanket in the shade outside. If it’s too hot, we head inside to cool off during this time.

Easy Arts and Crafts Time

In the 90s, I feel like I was constantly given a scissors and some construction paper and told it was “crafts time”. So it’s time to bring out the art supplies.

Arts and crafts help kids strengthen fine motor skills while encouraging creativity and imagination.

Some of our favorite low-prep summer activities include:

• Sidewalk chalk paint
• Homemade playdough
• Nature crafts
• Painting rocks
• Ice Paints

You can also browse more of our favorite summer activities for kids for simple boredom busters that don’t require expensive supplies or elaborate planning.

Evening Family Time

Instead of rushing from activity to activity, we’re spending evenings:

• Playing tag or classic games outside
• Going on family walks
• Doing puzzles
• Playing simple board games
• Watching sunsets
• Sitting on the front porch waving at neighbors (my kids shockingly LOVE this??)
• Talking about our favorite parts of the day

Before bed, we also love asking our kids what they’re grateful for that day. This practice nurtures emotional intelligence, empathy, and a positive mindset. If your kids are anything like mine though, be prepared for what they’re grateful for to be ice cream 5/7 days a week, no matter what the last day you had ice cream was.

The Benefits of a Slow Summer for Kids

A slower summer schedule gives kids opportunities to develop in ways that constant structured activities sometimes don’t allow.

Most importantly, it creates space for childhood to actually feel like childhood. It’s not an agenda, it’s not a constant race to sign up for the next activity or fill every minute, it’s just… play. And staring at the clouds. And using imaginations. And sticky fingers.

Creating a Nostalgic Childhood

At the end of the day, a slow summer isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s not going to look Instagram worthy most days. It might not even feel like you’re doing much. Which is, in fact, the goal.

These are the moments kids remember.

And honestly? They’re the moments we remember too.

So if you’ve been feeling pressure to constantly keep your kids busy this summer, consider this your permission to slow down.

Relax, and finally let yourself enjoy summer. Your kids will too.