Summer has a way of slipping by if you’re not careful. One minute school’s out, and the next you’re buying back to school clothes and wondering where the time went. You have good intentions to spend more outdoor time as a family, but between busy schedules, screen time, and the heat, it’s easy to fall into an indoor routine.
If you want to make the most of the season, you need a plan. Here’s how to get your family outdoors more this summer – without forcing it, fighting about it, or needing to pack for an all-day excursion every time.
Make the Backyard More Inviting
If your goal is to get everyone outside more often, it helps if the backyard actually pulls people out. That doesn’t mean you need to install a pool or build a full playground, but it does mean thinking about what would make the space more fun and usable.
A few comfortable chairs, some shade, and a table for snacks can go a long way. Add a hammock, a soccer net, a fire pit, or even just a few strings of lights, and suddenly the space feels less like “a yard” and more like a destination.
If you’re not sure where to start, ask your kids. You might be surprised by how simple their suggestions are.
Build an Outdoor Kitchen
One of the best ways to get outside more often is to cook and eat outdoors. This starts with building an outdoor kitchen if you don’t already have one.
That might sound intimidating, but an outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be elaborate. Even a good grill, a prep surface, and a little storage can change the way you use your space. Add a small fridge or sink if you want to level up. A modular outdoor kitchen is a great way to build a beautiful kitchen without too much legwork.
Create Simple Outdoor Routines
You don’t need to plan a full-on hike or day trip to get outside. Some of the best habits are the smallest ones. Take your morning coffee on the porch. Water the garden with your kids after dinner. Do story time under a tree instead of in the living room.
Build these into your day the way you would brushing teeth or making the bed. If you treat outdoor time like a luxury, it’ll always get pushed aside. If you treat it like a rhythm, it becomes second nature.
Keep balls, chalk, bikes, or bubbles within easy reach so no one has to ask, “What are we supposed to do out here?” Give your kids freedom to explore the space, get dirty, and entertain themselves. They’ll do the rest.
Plan Screen-Free Blocks of Time
It’s easy to say “less screen time,” but hard to enforce unless you offer an alternative. Try setting a couple of specific windows each day where screens are off and outdoor time is on the table. Maybe it’s the first hour after breakfast, or 5 to 7 p.m. when the sun starts to drop.
Let your kids know this is non-negotiable. At first, they might resist. But once the routine settles in, you’ll find that boredom turns into curiosity and playtime.
Make Outdoor Time Plans With Other Families
Sometimes, the best motivator for getting outside is other people. When your kids know their friends are going to be at the park, they’re a lot more willing to trade the tablet for sunscreen.
Organize a weekly park playdate, a bike ride around the neighborhood, or a rotating backyard dinner with a few families. Just make sure to keep it low-pressure – no need to cook for a crowd or plan elaborate games. The goal is to be together, outside, regularly. This rhythm will start to feel really natural over time.
Let Go of the “Perfect” Plan
A picture-perfect picnic in nature or Instagram-worthy backyard isn’t necessary for making great memories. Some of the best summer moments come from the messy, spontaneous, unplanned stuff – popsicles dripping down elbows, a sprinkler soaking your jeans, or kids making up rules for a game you don’t understand.
Our best piece of advice? Just open the door, walk outside, and see what happens. Your family won’t remember how tidy the porch was or whether the meal was photogenic. They’ll remember how it felt to be out there with you.
Make Outdoor Time Your Family’s Default
Getting your family outdoors more this summer is all about going with the flow and rolling with proverbial punches. It just takes a shift in mindset. When you start making outside your go-to space – for meals, play, conversation, and downtime – everything else starts to follow. Sometimes, the best version of summer is just a backyard with the people you love most.
