Family Fun | nine things to do with your teens this summer
Not being from Michigan, I quickly fell in love with Michigan summers; the beauty of the unsalted lake, beaches, sunsets, and long evenings! Who is with me?! We wanted to give you some ideas for engaging with your middle and high school students this summer.
Now, I am not a parent, but I can imagine there are times that you LOVE your students, but may not like them all the time. Maybe this summer can provide some space and time to find activities to enjoy your student and find out what they like, who their friends are, and vice versa!
Maybe while you’re on a boat or a walk or out for ice cream--you can share what life what like for you in high school (if you’re ready to go there). We frequently remind our small group leaders that it’s important that your students know that you enjoy them as people and have fun with them too. I was encouraged to share that same idea with you…that maybe this summer can be a time to just have fun with them.
Some of these ideas may already be on your list, or may be traditions already. As you browse this list, maybe there is just ONE that you try and see if you can sneak in this summer!
Campfire | Got a fire pit? Ask your student to pick a date to have their friends over. You provide the s’mores and snacks! Here are some fun s’more ideas (but you don’t have to be that fancy).
Picnic hike/walk | A couple of our staff favorites are Rosy Mound and Blandford Nature Center!
Do a devotional together | This could be reading together a couple mornings a week, listening to something on the way to swim practice, or maybe you could go through a book together during a weekend at the cottage! Check out Baker Book House for inspiration, ask a staff member, or check out the Bible App for short reading plans. On the app, you can all have the plan on your phone and join a plan together so you can see who has read that day.
Watch airplanes at the viewing park | Dream about where they are coming from or going to as you watch airplanes at the airport viewing park. There are picnic tables here too if you want to grab takeout or pack a picnic.
The beach | There is no wrong answer here—any beach is a good beach! Saugatuck, Holland, or Grand Haven—take your pick!
Host their friends--“be the cool house” | Got a pool? Movies? Board Games? A cool basement? A yard? Invite your student into planning a night with their friends or small group. They can have the run of the yard, ask them for a list of supplies and you can plan together.
Feed some animals at the zoo | A trip to Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park is so much more than a day at the zoo. Feed animals and go on a safari ride as a family. It’s sure to be a hit!
Zip lines and adventure courses | There are some COOL spots popping up around West Michigan for your family to try zip lines, ropes courses, and other activities to build your family’s team dynamic. Check out TreeRunner Adventure Park, Allegan Event, or Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park.
Community pools | Grand Rapids pools are open this summer and are sure to provide some fun in the sun for your family.
Whatever you end up doing, we hop you can create some space to spend intentional time with your teen this summer and have a little fun!
About the author:
Cori Olsson
Cori is the Campus Director for Lifeline Student Ministries at the Cascade Campus.