The school year is almost over for kids across the country, and while they’re looking forward to summer break, their experience is nothing like the ones a lot of us grew up having. Most kids today aren’t getting to slip-n-slide on a tarp in the grass or be barefoot all day and they’re definitely not spending their days screen-free.
But it’s possible to give our kids a magic-filled, free-range summer, even in 2025. “Southern Living” editors and fans say this is how to create that old school feeling this year, with no tablets or social media allowed.
- Chasing down the ice cream truck - As soon as you hear that little tune playing, it’s time to grab your wallet and run down the street.
- Making homemade treats - Dust off the ice cream maker or find the freezer popsicle trays and teach the kiddos how it’s done.
- Running through the sprinkler - That’s it, that’s the entire activity and it can be a blast. Your kids don’t need that blowup water obstacle course that’s on sale at Target, but will just get moldy after using it once. Just turn on the sprinkler and let them go.
- Washing the cars in the driveway - It’s literally good, clean fun and while the little ones might complain about having to do work, they’ll probably enjoy it more than they think.
- Throwing water balloons - Another way to cool off on a hot day, water balloon fights were a staple of old school summers.
- Catching bugs - All your kid needs is a jar and they’re ready to start catching lightning bugs, or fireflies, depending on where you’re from.
- Setting up a lemonade stand - In the right location with enough customers, this could make your kids some extra spending money. Turn it into a teaching moment by letting them figure out the cost of supplies and how much they profit, or just let them have some fun with it.
- Camping in the backyard - Even if they don’t actually sleep in the tent all night, it’s a classic old-fashioned summer activity.
- Building a fort - Whether it’s an outdoor one or one made of pillows in the living room, it’s another summer rite of passage that doesn’t cost anything and can be done anytime.
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