Summer with young kids can feel a little like juggling popsicles, pool toys, and endless snack requests—all while trying to savor the sunshine yourself! If you’re already wondering how you’ll make it through without losing your mind (or your sunscreen), take a deep breath, mama.
I’m choosing to believe that a stress-free summer with kids is possible, and it doesn’t require a magic wand—just a little planning, a whole lot of grace, and a willingness to embrace the beautiful, messy moments.
Let’s dive into some simple ways to create a season full of joy, connection, and memories you’ll actually want to remember.
If you’re believing for your best summer yet with your kids just like me, here are some helpful tools and inspiration for the days ahead!
Looking for some extra summer planning help? Grab our Ultimate Summer Planner Bundle right here!
Encouragement for the mom heading into summer break
If you’re feeling anxious about summer break, how you’ll keep the kids entertained and how you’ll get everything done, here are 4 important things to remember.
1. You don’t have to be everything—just be present.
It’s easy to feel pressure to be the perfect planner, entertainer, and spiritual guide. But your kids don’t need a Pinterest-perfect summer—they just need you. The simple moments—snuggles on the couch, a walk around the block, or popsicles in the backyard—are where connection grows.
2. God will meet you in the messy middle.
Summer can be loud, chaotic, and unpredictable—but none of that is outside of God’s reach. His grace doesn’t take a vacation. Invite Him into your daily moments—whether you’re folding laundry, breaking up sibling squabbles, or watching fireworks. He delights in walking this season with you.
3. Boredom is not a bad thing.
I will admit that so many times I have tried to save my kids from feeling “bored.” But boredom is not a bad thing! In fact, leaving space for quiet, creativity and exploration is one of the best possible gifts that we can give to our kids. Even when it’s uncomfortable, it’s okay to sometimes choose to embrace the boredom.
4. You’re sowing seeds, even when it feels slow.
Every prayer whispered, every gentle correction, every story read and scraped knee kissed—it all matters. You may not see the harvest right away, but God is using your love and faithfulness to grow something beautiful in your children’s hearts.
How to make a summer plan for your kids
Looking for ways to fill the long hot days other than just sitting at the pool? Here are some great tools to help you make a real summer plan for your family.
- Gather some inspiration: Find some fun ideas and activities that your family might want to do throughout this summer. We’ve got some great lists HERE, HERE and HERE!
- Create your bucket list: Grab our free Summer Bucket List printable and jot down all of your favorite ideas and activities.
- Start planning: Next, download our free Summer Calendar in the MomLife Library to plot out your big activities and plans. Make sure every week has a standard empty day, a free activity, and a larger outing. (This doesn’t have to cost a lot – it can be even be grabbing a sundae to share at your favorite ice cream spot!)
- Don’t forget the important stuff: Be sure to fill in any holidays, birthdays, scheduled vacations and camps on your summer calendar.
- Design your ideal day: Are you a mom working from home, or simply have a hard time going with the flow like me? Use our Daily Summer Schedule to lay out what a typical day schedule includes: time for art, chores, screens, quiet time, outside time, learning time, etc.
- Bring on the chores: Speaking of chores, summer is the perfect time to establish some new chore routines around the house. Our Chore Chart by Age can help!
While laying out a plan like this doesn’t guarantee a stress-free summer, it will help you AND your kids to know what to expect each day and have something to look forward to.
Lay out your daily schedule and calendar and post it somewhere that your kids can see (with photos if necessary!) I’ve also found that it sometimes helps to have a quick family meeting in the morning to share the schedule and expectations for each day.
Bible Verses for the Summer With Kids
The reality is we’re humans. So there will be times of burnout, and maybe even some times where we wish our kids would just hurry up and get back to school!
Here are 7 summer Bible verses for moms that are perfect for us parents to keep in our hearts through the summer chaos and sweetness:
1. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
➔ A killer reminder that the work you’re doing matters, even when you’re tired.
2. Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
➔ Perfect for starting each day with a spirit of gratitude and joy, no matter how messy it gets.
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
➔ On those days when you feel worn thin, His grace covers everything.
4. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
➔ A comforting verse that shows God’s tender heart specifically toward mamas.
5. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
➔ When the schedule gets packed and the patience runs thin, His peace is always available.
6. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
➔ Great for those moments when plans change, chaos erupts, and you need to lean fully into His plan.
7. Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
➔ A beautiful invitation to rest in Jesus—essential for summer days that feel extra heavy.
Even when it doesn’t feel like it, you are doing beautiful, important work, mama. Keep going with joy and grace!
So here’s to a summer that’s a little lighter, a little sweeter, and a whole lot more joyful. Remember, mama—you don’t have to do it perfectly to make it wonderful. With a little flexibility, a lot of laughter, and God’s grace filling in the gaps, this just might be your best summer yet!