If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen people talking about bringing back the “’90s summer.” While the decade may be long gone, the idea behind it is something many parents are embracing: a slower, simpler summer filled with imagination, outdoor play, and making memories together. And while summer break may be quickly nearing the end, there’s still plenty of time to unplug and bring in some of what most of us grew up knowing.
Think back to summers spent riding bikes until the streetlights came on, running through the sprinkler, building forts, playing outside in the rain, making friendship bracelets, and knocking on a friend’s door to see if they could come outside. Those moments didn’t require elaborate plans or expensive outings, just a little creativity and a lot of fresh air.
The good news? Our kids can enjoy that same kind of summer today! Mine have been doing a lot more of it this summer than in previous summers, and it’s been so much fun not only to watch but also to be a part of. Nothing says summertime like seeing your kids make potions out of twigs and wild berries, collecting bugs, or whispering on the walkie-talkies from all corners of the yard (who’s with me?!).
Here are a few easy ways to create your own ’90s-inspired summer right here in Jacksonville:
Get Outside
Whether it’s a bike ride around the neighborhood, a walk through one of Jacksonville’s many parks, or an afternoon with sidewalk chalk and bubbles in the driveway, spending time outdoors is one of the easiest ways to capture that carefree summer feeling.
My daughter started a Bug Club with a few friends at the beginning of the summer, and it’s been so fun seeing them explore and learn while having so much fun!
Bring Back Classic Summer Fun
Some activities never go out of style. Try:
- Making and trading friendship bracelets
- Water balloon games
- Jump rope competitions
- Backyard obstacle courses
- Sprinkler afternoons
- Simple, hassle-free lemonade stands
- Make interactive, classic treats like Jell-O Jigglers
- Have a putt-putt and ice cream outing
- Gather the neighbors for a game of street baseball, basketball game, or a round of evening laser tag
- Card games or board games on the porch (or together at the dining table if it’s too hot out)
- Freeze pops or homemade ice cream after dinner. You may be surprised how quickly your kids become just as excited about these simple activities as they do the latest app or video game. Roblox who?!
Visit Your Local Library
Summer reading programs are a tradition for a reason. Let your child choose books that spark their imagination, participate in library events, and discover new adventures between the pages. I always get so giddy when I see how excited my 9-year-old gets when we walk into the library! She could stay for hours and still want to stay longer.
Leave Room for Unstructured Play
There’s just something so wonderful about sitting in the driveway with a glass of wine watching your kid and the neighbors laugh and play in the [empty] street barefoot on a summer night. One of the biggest differences between childhood then and now is how scheduled our days have become. Instead of planning every hour, leave a little room for boredom. It’s often in those unscripted moments that kids invent games, build forts, create art, or dream up backyard adventures. (No, seriously. I haven’t had dining chairs all summer because they’ve been holding up sheets in the living room kid-made fort.)
Make It a Family Challenge
Pick one day this week to have a “’90s Summer Day.” Put the devices away for a few hours and see where the day takes you. Ride bikes, pack a picnic, play outside, make something with your hands, and finish the evening with popsicles on the porch.
The goal isn’t to recreate the past perfectly. It’s about slowing down and enjoying the present, bringing some of those nostalgic feelings with you.
As parents, we’re often searching for ways to make summer memorable. The truth is, many of the moments our children will remember most won’t come from expensive vacations or elaborate plans. They’ll remember laughing in the sprinkler, racing down the sidewalk, building blanket forts, and spending uninterrupted time together. I know that’s what I remember most from my childhood, and why it’s so important to me to create similar moments with my own kids.
Sometimes, the best summer memories are also the simplest.
I promise we really did smile a lot and have so much fun! 😆
