Our Favourite Summer Traditions with Little Kids

Summer has always been my favorite season, but having little kids has made it even more special. There’s something about the longer days, sticky popsicle fingers, and barefoot backyard adventures that feels so nostalgic — even while we’re living it.

Over the past few years, we’ve started creating our own little summer traditions as a family. Some are simple, some a little messy, but all of them are what make summer feel like summer for us. Today, I thought I’d share a few of our favorites.

1. Backyard Playdough Kinetic Sand 

When the sun is out on our deck I will set up our umbrella’s over the kids’ picnic table and break out the play dough and kinetic sand. My girls love to sit there and create characters and imaginary worlds. I like that I can be involved but also sit with a cup of coffee and a book when they are immersed in playing. Tip: Playdough and Kinetic sand are a lot easier to clean up outside.

2. Rock Painting 

This has been a very fun activity for us the last couple years and it creates two events in one: a beach day to collect rocks and a craft day to paint them. My girls love collecting special rocks and then spend time cleaning them off. It’s a fun and interactive activity. The next day, I break out the paints and we spend time painting them and finding special spots to place them in our garden.

My favourite rock painting kit from amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Kids-Rock-Painting-Kit-Activities/dp/B0BRNY9HZB?pd_rd_w=bZEZE&content-id=amzn1.sym.28e1b547-db9d-4bcb-893d-98cb327f9049&pf_rd_p=28e1b547-db9d-4bcb-893d-98cb327f9049&pf_rd_r=XQD3DABMK1CSY39BS4EK&pd_rd_wg=uS8b4&pd_rd_r=da5a7167-8b68-4b2b-b9a3-206598a907d6&pd_rd_i=B0BRNY9HZB&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_d_rpt_ba_s_1_cp_t

3. Dinner Al Fresco 

On lovely, warm summer evenings we make an effort to sit outside and have dinner. Despite the occasional bug it is an overall relaxing experience and allows us to maximize enjoyment of our back yard. We all enjoy sharing our favourite parts of the day and playing in the backyard. 

My dream dinner al fresco; ours are definitely more chaotic

4. Park Picnics

Several times each summer we will order pizza and have dinner in the park with family. It is usually a simple text and whoever can make it joins in. It’s so nice to keep it simple, lay down a blanket and watch the kids play. It’s the slow moments like these that make summer so special to me. 

5. Beach Days 

Living close to the coast, we’re lucky to have the ocean as our summer playground. We keep a beach bag packed and ready — towels, sunscreen, buckets, and snacks — so when the weather is right, we can just grab and go. The kids love splashing at the shoreline, and I love the salty air and sandy toes (even if the car is a mess after). 

Our typical beach set up: sand, two chairs, blanket and a tub of toys

Final Thoughts 

Summer with little ones is a wild ride: sand everywhere, sticky fingers, and goes by way too fast. Even when it is chaotic, I really try to sit back and cherish the moments as I know these are the memories I will look back on with so much love. Traditions don’t have to be complicated. I often find simple is more enjoyable as it comes with less stress. I’d love to hear- what are your family’s favourite summer traditions?