EP 177: 30 Ways Not to Waste Your Summer

Inside: 30 simple ways to enjoy summer with purpose—grow spiritually, care for your home & family, and savor the season as a gift from the Lord. Includes a free planning guide!

As we head into summer, I want to share some simple ideas to help us be intentional with this season. And to go along with this post, I also have a free Summertime Planning Guide that you can download from the Free Resource Library. It’s filled with simple, practical ideas to help you think through your own summer plans as a family.

Here in Wisconsin, sometimes it can feel like our summer goes by so fast—and fall will be here before we know it. While we still have plenty of time and many things to look forward to—like Camp Nana Papa, evening walks after dinner, and dining al fresco with friends—there are also some projects I’d like to work on around the house. But as I think about the months ahead, I don’t want to simply let summer slip by without thought or purpose. I don’t want to find myself at the end of the season wondering where the time went.

As a grandmother, I want to be intentional with these summer days—especially since my grandkids’ homeschool schedules are lighter, they live under 20 minutes away and we have more opportunities to be together. (And having a pool in our backyard doesn’t hurt either 😉.) These moments are a gift, and I don’t want to miss them.

So, I’ve put together a list (because I do love a good list!) of simple ways we might make the most of our summer days. This isn’t meant to be a checklist to accomplish everything, and you certainly don’t need to do all of them—or any of them, really. My hope is simply to spark some ideas to help us be intentional with the time the Lord has given us.

Maybe it will even encourage you to sit down and prayerfully create your own list that fits your family and this season of life. My prayer is that these simple ideas will help us redeem the time (Ephesians 5:15-16), point our hearts to the Lord, and enjoy the good gifts He’s given us in this season.

Listen in to the Podcast (15 Minutes) or read the post below (8 minutes):

30 Ways Not to Waste Your Summer:

1. Stay in God’s Word.
   If you’re behind on your Bible reading plan, don’t worry—just jump in today and keep going. Daily time in God’s Word is never wasted.
2. Study Scripture more deeply.
   Join a Bible study at church or work through a study on your own. You might slowly listen through my Sermon on the Mount podcast series, or check out solid online studies from Susan Heck at With the Master or Lisa Hughes at Scripture paths—whether individually or gathered with friends.
3. Strengthen your prayer life.
   If prayer is an area you’ve wanted to grow in, summer is a wonderful time to start. Read a book on prayer, use a prayer journal, or try an app like PrayerMate (a personal favorite of mine).
4. Plan simple family fun.
   Give your family little things to look forward to together. If you need some inspiration, download my free Summertime Planning Guide here—filled with simple ideas to help you be intentional and enjoy the season.
5. Read aloud as a family.
   Choose a book to enjoy together. The Chronicles of Narnia or The Wingfeather Saga are wonderful options.
6. Listen to audiobooks together.
   Play a family-friendly audiobook for 15 minutes after dinner—maybe even while sitting outside together under the stars.
7. Limit your phone time.
   Set specific times to check social media—or skip it altogether for a season. Less time scrolling means more time being present. If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to do instead of reaching for your phone, I have a list of 50 Things to Do Instead of Scrolling Social Media that might be a helpful place to start.
8. Subscribe to blogs and newsletters directly.
   Instead of depending on social media to stay updated, subscribe to your favorite blogs (like Thankful Homemaker!) via email so you don’t miss new posts.
9. Make church a priority.
   Guard Sunday worship. Don’t let summer activities or kids’ sports crowd out the gathering of God’s people.
10. Invite a friend to church.
    Summer is a natural time to extend an invitation to neighbors or friends who may not normally attend.
11. Create a summer playlist.
    Make a playlist of worship songs and family favorites to play throughout the house. It’s a simple way to keep your home filled with joy.
12. Memorize Scripture.Take the summer to work on memorizing a longer passage. Consider Philippians 2:1-11, Colossians 3, Hebrews 11, or Matthew 5.
13. Host a summer book club.
    Invite neighbors or church friends to read a book together and gather for discussion and fellowship. (Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney & Trusting God by Jerry Bridges are two of my favorite picks.)
14. Read a few solid Christian books personally.
    Set a goal to read 2-3 rich Christian books over the summer. (You’ll find plenty of recommendations on the blog and in my Amazon shop.)
15. Meet with a sister in the faith.
    Choose a book to read together and meet up regularly—over coffee or at the park while your children play. (Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes is a good one to go through with a friend.)
16. Keep gospel resources handy.
    Stock your car, purse, or diaper bag with gospel tracts and solid Christian materials. Living Waters still carries some of my personal favorites.
17. Teach your children the gospel.
    Simply walk through it with them or even read a good book together – The Gospel Made Clear to Children by Jennifer Adams is one of my favorites to recommend.
18. Take family walks together.
    A simple after-dinner walk is a sweet way to move, connect, and enjoy creation.
19. Eat dinner outdoors.
    Plan more backyard picnics or casual meals outside to soak up the summer evenings.
20. Play outdoor games together.
    Pull out those classic games from your own childhood: tag, four square, hopscotch, jump rope, flying a kit. Teach your kids and grandkids and enjoy the laughter together.
21. Plan simple summer meals.
    Make a list of your favorite seasonal meals and incorporate them into your meal plans: watermelon, corn on the cob, homemade ice cream, grilled burgers—the simple tastes of summer. If you’re looking for a bit of extra help, I’ve shared some of my favorite tips and simple strategies in this post on Simple Summertime Meal Planning Tips.
22. Pray together as a family.
    Make family prayer a regular rhythm—whether every night or a few times a week. Sundays can be a special set-apart time for prayer together.
23. Practice hospitality.
    Invite a family over after church for a simple lunch or snack, or plan a picnic at a local park to fellowship together.
24. Enjoy God’s creation.
    Visit your local or state parks or nature centers to hike, camp, picnic, or simply enjoy a peaceful walk.
25. Reach out to your neighbors.
    Host an ice cream social or casual coffee and dessert gathering to connect and build relationships.
26. Serve together as a family.
    Look for ways to serve others—whether through your church, a local nursing home, or simply offering practical help to fellow church members. (See EP 142: Simple Steps To Ministry As We Go About Our Normal Days.)
27. Bless another family.
    Offer to watch children for a church family so the parents can have a quiet evening, a date night, or some needed rest.
28. Write a handwritten note.
    Send a card or letter to someone you’ve lost touch with. A simple handwritten note can be such an unexpected blessing.
29. Tackle a lingering home project.
    Use those extra daylight hours to work on projects you’ve been putting off—whether organizing, cleaning, or decluttering. Turn on an audiobook, make a cup of tea, and get started.
30. Simply sit and enjoy God’s goodness.
    Take time to sit outside with no agenda—just to rest, reflect, and rejoice in God’s creation and His great love for you.

Closing Thoughts:

Since we’re talking summer, if you’re looking for a bit of extra help with planning meals during these warmer months, I have a helpful post called Simple Summertime Meal Planning Tips you may want to check out.

And if you’re looking for even more summertime encouragement, I also have a Summer Fun Category here that has a few more summer posts, ideas, and resources to encourage you.

And don’t forget — if you’d like even more simple summertime ideas, my free Summertime Planning Guide is available for you in the Free Resource Library. It’s filled with additional encouragement and practical ideas to help you make the most of this sweet season.

I’ve shared just a handful of ideas with the hope of encouraging us all to be more intentional with our time this summer. Every season is a gift from the Lord—including these warm, sun-filled days. Let’s use this time to grow in our walk with Him, care well for those He’s placed in our lives, and enjoy the simple joys of summer.

What would you add to this list?

I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.