Five Days of Summer: What We Learned
Steffani Baty
7/21/20263 min read
Last week, we took on our Five Days of Summer Challenge! My goal was simple: find fun, easy ways to connect with the kids, break up the routine, and make the most of summer vacation. I wanted to show that creating meaningful memories doesn’t have to involve expensive vacations or elaborate plans.
Over the course of the week, we laughed together, explored our community, learned a few lessons, and made memories that I know we’ll all look back on for years to come.
Day 1: A Trip to the Petting Zoo
Our first adventure took us to a local petting zoo, and it was an absolute blast.
The kids loved getting up close with all the animals, feeding them, and learning how to interact with them respectfully. One of the biggest highlights was seeing a zebra and a camel! None of us expected that, and the excitement on the kids’ faces when they spotted the zebra was priceless.
Beyond the fun, experiences like this help children develop an appreciation for animals and the natural world. They learn that animals deserve kindness and respect, and that caring for our environment matters.
Day 2: Painting Party & Movie Night
If I had to pick a favorite day, this would probably be it.
We slowed life down. I set up a simple painting station outside, turned on some music, and let everyone create whatever they wanted. There wasn’t a schedule to follow or anywhere we had to be. We simply painted, laughed, and talked.
What surprised me most wasn’t the artwork but it was the conversations. We talked about school, friends, future vacations, fun family adventures we want to take, and all kinds of little things that probably wouldn’t have come up if we had been rushing from one activity to the next. It reminded me how important it is to simply slow down and be present.
That evening, we finished the day with a cozy movie night. Blankets, pillows, snacks, and a good movie made for the perfect ending to a relaxing day.
Day 3: Exploring Our Community
One of my favorite discoveries this summer has been looking for local events happening nearby.
Whether it’s a farmers market, community festival, or another family-friendly event, getting out into your community is such a fun way to try something new and support local organizations at the same time.
Day 4: Fair Day
The fair was definitely an adventure and probably the biggest learning experience of the week.
Some of the kids absolutely loved the rides and couldn’t wait to try everything. One of the children, however, felt much more nervous and eventually became overwhelmed.
Instead of trying to force the experience, we reminded them that it’s okay to be scared sometimes. Not everyone enjoys the same things, and that’s perfectly okay.
The adults simply took turns. One stayed with the child who preferred to sit out while the other went on rides with the more adventurous kids. Everyone still felt included, and the pressure disappeared.
By the end of the evening, we were all enjoying slushies, funnel cakes, hot dogs, and all of those classic fair treats.
Was it the healthiest dinner? Definitely not! But that’s part of the magic of the fair. It’s one special night where you enjoy the treats you don’t normally eat, soak in the lights, laugh together, and simply enjoy being together.
Day 5: Pool Day
Our original plan was to host Backyard Olympics, but after hearing the kids ask to go swimming all week, we decided to change our plans.
Honestly… it was the perfect decision. We packed plenty of snacks (which turned out to be a lifesaver because everyone was starving!), spent the afternoon swimming, playing games, relaxing in the sunshine, and simply enjoying each other’s company.
Sometimes the best family days are the ones that happen with no expectations at all.
What This Week Taught Me
If this challenge taught me anything, it’s that meaningful memories don’t have to be extravagant. Children don’t necessarily remember how much money you spent.
They remember laughing so hard their stomach hurt. They remember feeling included. They remember the conversations, the adventures, and the moments where everyone simply enjoyed being together.
You don’t have to plan expensive vacations or fill every day with elaborate activities to make summer special. Some of our favorite memories this week came from slowing down, getting outside, trying something new, and simply spending intentional time together.
If you’re looking for ways to make this summer memorable, my encouragement is this: don’t worry about making it perfect. Focus on making it meaningful. Those are the memories that last the longest.