When thinking of the word “tradition,” do you feel a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry. summer weekend traditions don’t have to entail tons of planning and preparation.
Weekends, to me, are all about family time and fun. With work put on hold, you can truly spend quality time with the ones you love. So, why not create a few fun family traditions that you can enjoy every weekend during the summer to make the summer weekends ever more special?
Just be sure to choose traditions that most resonate with you and your family members. Also, as you’re reading through the list, try not to cross something off immediately. Even thought the activity might not 100% appeal to you, think about your kids and whether or not they will enjoy it. Think back to your childhood and some of the traditions you did as a family. Perhaps the silliest of traditions were your most favorite.
15 Ideas for Summer Weekend Family Traditions
Here are some simple summer weekend family traditions that you can start this upcoming weekend.
1.) Throw a Pizza and Movie Party
Pick a day of the weekend (either Friday or Saturday) and dedicate the evening to a pizza and movie party. Order or make pizza, take turns picking a movie every weekend, and sit down as a family to enjoy the pizza and movie. If it’s a nice evening, set up an outdoor screen and enjoy the movie outside. You can even invite the neighbors to join you.
2.) Enjoy Pancake Sundays
My husband and son love pancakes. Growing up, my husband’s family would enjoy pancakes on Sunday so he wanted to bring that tradition into our home. My husband spends Sundays mornings flipping pancakes and preparing the breakfast while I hang out with the kiddos. Sometimes our son will even get in on the cooking action by stirring the pancake batter. He loves being in the kitchen.
You can make pancakes extra tasty by adding fruit, making shapes, and trying out new sizes (from itty bitty to extra large).
3.) Pick a Park
In our area, we have countless parks that I love to take our kids to during the weekday and on the weekends. Perhaps every Saturday morning, you can pick a park and enjoy some fresh air and play time.
4.) Go on a Neighborhood Walk
If it’s not too hot outside (evening hours are usually key for a neighborhood walk), go on a walk as a family. It’s always nice to get fresh air, have the kids explore, and reconnect as a couple.
5.) Visit the Local Ice Cream Shop
Visiting the local ice cream shop is, hands down, one of my son’s favorite activities. He loves picking out the flavor, as well as sitting down in the patio section of the ice cream shop to enjoy the waffle bowl full of delicious flavors. I love watching him gobble up the ice cream while covering his face in a chocolatey mess.
6.) Enjoy the Great Outdoors
From camping to hiking, from boating to swimming … there are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Each weekend, pick a new activity that will get your family outside and having fun during the summertime.
7.) Throw a Family Game Night
If you love to play games, take turns picking out a game that the family plays one night of every weekend. Don’t just stick to board games. You can have a baseball game, create a miniature putt-putt course, or play keep up with a volleyball in your backyard. The possibilities are endless.
8.) Have a Dance Party
My son’s favorite song right now is “I like to move it” by will.i.am. (thanks, Madagascar). We have a dance party pretty much every evening to that song. It’s so much fun acting silly, watching our son create new dance moves, and dancing with the baby.
9.) Go to a Sporting Event
Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd … you know the rest. If you can’t make it to an MLB game, why not check out an affiliate team? We have so much fun taking our kids to our local affiliate team. The activities, the food, the beer … everything is on point. Plus, they have fireworks after the games which can be a real treat for the family.
10.) Watch a Game
Summer and baseball go together like … ummm … peas and carrots? Is that the saying? If your team is playing and you can’t go to the game, turn on the game on television and teach your kiddos how to play the sport. You’ll have so much fun cheering on your favorite team.
11.) Have a Barbecue
My husband and I barbecue almost every night, come rain or shine. Over the years, we’ve learned quite a few grilling tips that help us serve up dishes that keep us craving more. Click here for some of our favorite tips.
12.) Go to the Beach/Lake/Water Park
There’s no time like summertime get splash around at your local beach, lake, and/or water park. Pack the SPF, bring some towels, and prepare to get wet while having so much fun with your family.
13.) Go to a Farmer’s Market
Have a scavenger hunt, try to pick out that night’s dinner sides, or find the prettiest flowers to take home during your weekend visit to a farmer’s market.
14.) Have a Backyard Campfire
Roast s’mores and stargaze the night away. Enjoy spending time outside with your family as you chit chat by the fire.
15.) Go for a Bike Ride
Hop on your bikes and enjoy a family bike round around your neighborhood or at a local park. You’ll enjoy the fresh air and family time while squeezing in a bit of fun exercise.
What’s your favorite summer weekend family tradition?
Photography: London Scout
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