6 Fun Ideas to Keep Families Connected This Summer

Summer in Kids Ministry can feel like a juggling act. Families are traveling, schedules are shifting, and church attendance becomes less predictable. But the good news? Summer also offers unique opportunities to keep families connected to their faith and to your ministry, even when they’re away from the building. 

Here are some practical ways Kids Ministers can help families stay engaged and growing together during the summer months: 

1. Send Home Simple, Weekly Devotions 

Create a set of short, engaging devotionals families can do together—at the breakfast table, in the car, or before bedtime. Keep it simple and flexible. Consider a printable or digital format, and include discussion questions, a short prayer, and maybe even a fun activity suggestion. One great way to do this is by utilizing the Activity Pages or Take Home Cards that come with many of our curriculum solutions! 

Additionally, you can utilize these printable Bible verse coloring pages. These are a simple way to engage with families and keep scripture on the top of their mind!  

2. Create a “Summer Family Challenge” 

Invite families to participate in a fun summer challenge and take time to celebrate God in the small moments at home and in your community. Offer fun incentives like small prizes. Allow time during worship or small groups for kids to share their challenge updates. Highlight the challenge in your newsletter or on social media. Print and share the challenge below to use in your Kids Ministry! 

3. Make It Easy to Stay in the Loop 

Use text reminders, a church app, or a social media group to keep families informed and encouraged. Share short video devotionals, event reminders, or even fun “summer check-ins” or “get-to-know-you” posts from your ministry team.  

4. Equip Parents for Faith Conversations on the Go 

Provide parents with conversation starters they can use in the car, at the beach, or around a campfire. Send these conversation starter cards to families as a downloadable PDF, post them on Instagram, or print them as cards for families to keep in the car.  

5. Host One or Two “Drop-In” Events 

Since weekly attendance may fluctuate, consider hosting a few relaxed, come-as-you-can events—like a park playdate, popsicle party, or family movie night. These offer connection points without requiring a big commitment.  

6. Celebrate What Families Are Doing 

Summer might not be the time for perfect attendance, but it can be a season full of faith moments. Celebrate the creative ways families are growing spiritually—whether it’s through travel, rest, or service. Invite them to share photos or stories of where they’ve taken their faith this summer—maybe they did a devotion on a mountain hike or prayed together in the car before a road trip. These can become powerful testimonies when shared with your church community. 

Kids Ministry doesn’t pause during summer, it just shifts. By offering flexible, grace-filled opportunities for spiritual growth, you’re reminding families that God is with them wherever they go. And that’s a message worth packing in every suitcase.