Home Better Living Positive Living10 Simple Summer Pleasures for Family Fun

10 Simple Summer Pleasures for Family Fun

by Brett Leveridge

It's the simple pleasures—fireflies, going barefoot, a ice-cold glass of lemonade—that make summer such a special time of the year. Here are some of our favorite joys of the summer season; why not tell us about yours?

grid view
slide view

list view
slide view

grid view
list view

A family of four strolls the beach as the summer sun sets on the horizon.

A day at the beach

For many, summer means the beach, but if a sandy shore is out of reach for you, a trip to a nearby lake or even a nice, long splash in a pool can do the trick.

Two adorable little girls operate a lemonade stand on a warm summer day.

A tumbler of ice-cold lemonade

Sure, you can enjoy this refreshing drink year-round if you wish, but it'll never taste better than it does on a warm summer day.

Fireflies

No summer evening is complete without just a touch of magic, and few things in life are more magical than watching the fireflies come out just after dusk.

Row after row of families in cars enjoy a movie at their local drive-in.

Outdoor movies

It's hard to beat a summer night at the drive-in, but if there's not one near you, no worries: Many cities and town offer al fresco screenings of family-friendly motion pictures in municipal parks, so grab a blanket and go!

Barefoot children lie on their backs in the grass on warm, sunny summer day.

Going barefoot

The last day of school has long meant the first day of going barefoot. Kids everywhere look forward to kicking off those shoes and enjoying the feeling of turf or sand between their toes.

Falling stars

Nothing sparks the imagination of kids of all ages like spotting a falling star streaking across a summer sky that's ablaze with twinkling lights.

A vintage fan stirring up a breeze at Grandma's house

Electric fans

The refeshing whir of a fan is one of the treasured sounds of summer, and few kids can resist leaning in (but not too close!) to hear their voice made gravelly by the rotating blades.

Hand-cranked ice cream

No self-respecting youngster would ever say no to ice cream, even the store-bought variety, but there's something very special about homemade ice cream that's been hand-cranked in a bin full of ice and rock salt. Make ours peach, please!

A father shows his daughter how to putt on a mini-golf course as Mom and brother look on.

Miniature golf

Nothing tops miniature golf for a fun and affordable summer outing for the family. There aren't as many of these courses around as there once were, but that's all the more reason to treasure those that are still going strong.

A wooden swing sways in the dappled sunlight of a porch.

Porch swings

This old-fashioned form of relaxation is among the simplest of summer's pleasures, but one of the most indelible ones, too. Anyone who's ever watched the sun go down, listened to one of Grandpa's stories or held the hand of someone special while swinging in a porch swing will never forget it.

A father plays catch with his son in the back yard.

Playing catch

Tossing a baseball or softball in the backyard can make for the best kind of quality time between a parent and child. No rules, no competition, just a gentle back-and-forth that has a way of opening the doors of communication.

A huge flash of lightning appears behind an inviting rural home, lit from within.

Lightning storms

Fourth of July celebrations are great, but nothing tops Nature's own fireworks on a warm summer night. Watching these atmospheric pyrotechnics inspires a special kind of awe.

Puffy clouds in a bright blue sky hover over a beckoning highway that stretches into the distance.

Road trips

The romance of loading up the car and heading for the horizon holds an allure for just about all of us, whether we yearn for a family vacation or a solo journey. There's an awful lot of country out there, and it just wouldn't be summer if you didn't hit the road to see at least a small part of it.

Locally grown tomatoes and squash are the featured wares at this roadside produce stand.

Roadside produce stands

Pulling over while traveling a country road to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the very people who grew them is a special delight of the summer season.