Summer Activities that Help Your Kids Grow Close to Jesus
Summer brings a change of pace for many families. School schedules disappear, vacations fill the calendar, and kids suddenly have more free time than they know what to do with. While summer is a great season for fun and rest, it can also be one of the best opportunities to intentionally help your children grow in their faith.
The good news is that helping kids learn about Jesus doesn’t require a complicated plan. Small, consistent moments often have the greatest impact. Whether your family is brand new to faith or has been following Jesus for years, here are practical ways to make this summer one that strengthens your child’s relationship with God.
Start with a Family Devotional
One of the easiest ways to keep Jesus at the center of your summer is by creating a simple devotional rhythm.
At Discover Church, one of our favorite resources for families is 5-Minute Family Devotional: Kid-Friendly Devotions for Growing with God by Brittany Rust. In just a few minutes each day, families can read a short devotional, discuss a biblical truth, and pray together. In fact, if you are a new family at Discover, we give you the devotional at check-in!
There are also many other devotionals that are designed for the stage of reading and engagement your kids are in. There are teen devotionals, girls only ones, boy only ones, and ones for the whole family to enjoy. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is consistency.
Try reading a devotion:
During breakfast
Before bedtime
After dinner
While traveling on vacation
Or even find an audio one for in the car!
Five minutes a day can lead to meaningful conversations about faith that continue long after summer ends.
Find a Local Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Vacation Bible School remains one of the most effective ways to help kids engage with the Bible in a fun and memorable environment.
Many churches offer VBS programs that are either free or at a low cost throughout the summer that include:
Bible lessons
Worship
Games
Crafts
Small groups
Friendships
For many adults, some of their earliest memories of learning about Jesus happened at VBS.
Even if your family doesn’t regularly attend a church, summer is a great time to explore local programs and give your kids an opportunity to learn more about God alongside other children.
Search for “Vacation Bible School near me” or check with churches in your area to see what opportunities are available.
Create a Summer Gratitude Wall
Gratitude helps children recognize God’s goodness in everyday life.
Choose a wall, poster board, or section of your refrigerator and stock it with colorful Post-it Notes. Every day, encourage each family member to write down one thing they’re thankful for.
Some days the answers may be simple:
My dog
Ice cream
Swimming lessons
Other days they may be deeper:
A friend who encouraged me
God answered my prayer
Time with family
By the end of summer, you’ll have a visual reminder of God’s faithfulness and blessings throughout the season.
Why Gratitude Matters
Research consistently shows that gratitude improves emotional well-being, but Scripture taught that truth long before modern studies existed.
When children learn to notice God’s goodness, they begin developing a faith that sees His hand at work in everyday life.
Have a Family Movie Night with Faith-Based Films
Movie nights create opportunities for conversations that might not happen otherwise.
One great option this summer is David, available on Netflix this summer. The story introduces kids to one of the Bible’s most well-known figures while creating natural opportunities to discuss courage, faith, obedience, and God’s purpose.
After the movie, ask questions like:
What stood out to you?
What did David trust God for?
What can we learn from his story?
Other faith-based movies and shows can provide similar opportunities for meaningful family discussions. If you have older kids, consider beginning the series, The Chosen.
The goal isn’t simply entertainment. It’s helping kids connect biblical truths to real life.
Paint Scripture Rocks
This activity combines creativity with Scripture memorization.
Purchase smooth rocks from a craft store or collect them during a family outing. Using paint markers, write:
Bible verses
Names of God
Attributes of God
Encouraging truths from Scripture
Examples include:
God is Faithful
God is Good
God is With Me
Joshua 1:9
Psalm 23
Kids can place the rocks in their rooms, gardens, or around the neighborhood as reminders of God’s truth.
Make It a Family Challenge
Choose one verse each week and encourage everyone to memorize it together. Make posters and write the verse out, or use post-it notes with each word. Make it a game with nerf guns, and when one of the words is hit, take it away and see if they can keep reciting the verse with the missing word. Repeat until all the words are gone!
When kids repeatedly see Scripture around them, it becomes easier for God’s Word to stay in their hearts.
Turn Nature Walks into God Walks
Summer is the perfect time to get outside. Instead of simply taking a walk, challenge your children to look for things that reveal God’s creativity and design. Ask questions like:
What does this teach us about God?
What is your favorite thing God created today?
How do you see God’s beauty around you?
Bring a journal and allow kids to sketch, write observations, or record prayers.
Creation often becomes one of the simplest ways for children to develop awe and appreciation for their Creator.
Serve Someone Together
One of the best ways to help children understand the heart of Jesus is to serve others.
Look for simple opportunities such as:
Baking cookies for neighbors
Writing encouragement cards
Helping an elderly family member
Volunteering at a local outreach event
Donating toys or clothes (And share God’s heart with this too! Read Acts 2:42-47 together)
Children learn that following Jesus isn’t just about what we know. It’s also about how we love people. Service helps faith move from information to action.
Build a Family Prayer Jar
Prayer becomes more meaningful when children can see God answer prayers over time. Place slips of paper and a jar somewhere visible in your home. Whenever someone has a prayer request, write it down and place it in the jar.
Throughout the summer, pull requests out and pray together. When prayers are answered, celebrate them. Kids begin learning that prayer isn’t simply talking about God. Prayer is talking with God and trusting Him to work.
Listen to Worship Music Together
What children listen to often shapes what they remember. Create a summer worship playlist on Spotify or Apple Music and play it:
In the car
During breakfast
Around the house
On road trips
Many children learn biblical truths through music long before they can explain theology. Some of our favorite worship songs have kid covers, so your kids can be singing the same songs you sing on Sunday morning.
Songs become powerful reminders of God’s character and promises.
Make Sunday Church a Summer Priority
Summer schedules can quickly become packed with sports, vacations, and activities. While occasional travel is part of life, families often underestimate the impact of consistent church attendance.
When children regularly attend church, they gain:
Biblical teaching
Christian friendships
Positive role models
Spiritual habits
A deeper understanding of God’s Word
Church becomes a place where faith is reinforced week after week. If you’re looking for a new church home, come and check out Discover Church — we exist to help you and your family win at what matters most!
Why Discover Kids Matters
At Discover Church, we believe kids aren’t the future church—they’re an important part of the church today.
That’s why Discover Kids is intentionally designed for children from birth through 5th grade. Every Sunday, kids experience age-appropriate Bible teaching, engaging activities, worship, games, and opportunities to build friendships. More importantly, they learn who Jesus is and how much He loves them.
Many adults can trace their faith journey back to a Sunday School teacher, children’s ministry volunteer, or church experience that helped them understand God’s love at an early age. Those moments matter.
The seeds planted during childhood often produce fruit for decades to come.
The Goal Isn’t Perfection
If reading this list feels overwhelming, remember this: you do not need to do everything. Choose one or two ideas and start there. The most impactful spiritual moments often happen through ordinary conversations, simple prayers, family traditions, and consistent habits.
This summer, give your kids opportunities to encounter Jesus in everyday life.
Years from now, they may not remember every vacation, sports camp, or summer activity. But they will remember the moments that helped them discover who God is, how much He loves them, and what it means to follow Him.
And that’s a summer worth investing in.
*Discover Church is a new life-giving church in San Marcos, CA, meeting at Mission Hills High School. Our mission is to help you follow Jesus, find community, and discover your purpose so you and your family can win at what matters most. Plan your visit this Sunday
