Summer holidays are upon us! But what do we do about those days when it feels like a real slog to get through? Here are some fun ideas for you and your children to keep boredom at bay and Christ at the center during the holiday weeks.

1. Bible Memory Activities

The Hidden in My Heart Scripture Memory Bible is a great way for kids to memorize Scripture through song. One hundred core Bible verses have been set to music by renowned children’s author and songwriter Stephen Elkins. These one hundred songs include a variety of musical genres and are available in the New Living Translation, New International Version, and King James Version; and all songs are free with the purchase of the Bible.

The website hiddeninmyheartbible.com has FREE interactive downloads to help memorize ten of the most beloved verses in the Bible. These include songs, coloring pages, devotionals, and games. Here are a few ways you can to use these resources to have fun and remember God’s Word!

Bible Memory Dance Party: Download the free Bible memory songs. Then play them as you dance around the house. You can turn this into a Bible Freeze Dance game where you pause the music sporadically and everyone has to freeze in their current position. See who can hold their pose the longest!

Bible Game Challenge: Download the ten Bible memory activities and see who can complete them the fastest and still get them all correct. Then take the memory verses and create your own games. See if family members can beat the quiz master.

Coloring Contest: Use the free coloring pages and color the verse line-art. Have a coloring contest, and consider posting the entries on social media to see whose pages get the most votes.

2. We’ve Got Talent Videos

Whether you want to be a superstar or hide behind a camera, you can have a fun family activity making Bible-memory song videos. There are several different ways to do this. Pick a song, memorize it together, and then record the performance as a family. Make it into a contest. Have every member of the family pick a different song to memorize and perform. Tape the performances then post them on social media. Encourage friends and family to choose which video they like best. You don’t sing? Video the dance party, lip sync, or just have fun displaying your family’s unique talents.

3. Family Devotional Time

One of the best parts about summer break is the chance to step out of the normal, hectic schedule and spend time together. Included in the free downloads are samples of the Hidden in My Heart Scripture Memory Bible’s Core 100 devotional section. This includes memory verses in three translations, a short devotional about how to apply the verse to daily life, and a prayer. It’s a great way to come together as a family and grow closer to each other and God by hiding his Word in our hearts.

4. Go for a fun nature walk.

Use this opportunity to teach your kids about God’s abundant goodness and creation.

CRAFT: Make “binoculars” out of two empty toilet paper rolls:

* Glue or tape the rolls together.

* Punch holes on the outside edges of each roll at one end, threading in yarn to make a neck strap.

* Let your children decorate the binoculars.

* Take a walk and use the new binoculars to look at God’s beautiful world!

5. Stargaze.

Look up information about the constellations on the Internet or at your local library. Then drive to an open area away from city lights to see if you can spot the constellations in the night sky. This is a great way to talk about Genesis and how God formed the earth, the sky, and the entire universe!

Genesis 1:14-18 describes this process:

Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

6. Host a drive-in movie night in your driveway.

Grab some cardboard boxes that are big enough for kids to sit in. Then round up your kids and their friends. Have them decorate the boxes to look like cars. When the sun gets low in the sky, project a kid-friendly Christian movie onto your garage door or onto a sheet hanging from the garage. The kids can view the movie while sitting in their “cars” in the driveway. Serve popcorn, juice boxes, and other snacks. You can also do this inside if you have the space.

7. Go to the library.

If you want to get out of the house and are looking for fun, indoor activities, many libraries offer wonderful free programs for the whole family throughout the summer.

Ask your kids which Christianity-themed books they would like to check out then read the books together before bed.

8. Thank You Notes

Discuss the important people in your children’s lives. Think grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, classmates, friends, teachers, coaches, neighbors, and pastors. Guide your children in writing good old-fashioned letters to each one (you remember, the kind with a real envelope, mailing address, and stamp!). Kids can share a favorite memory, retell a holiday or special event spent together, or simply express appreciation. How much would you appreciate receiving a note like this?! You can download free printable stationary for kids here.

9. Serve at a local shelter or charity.

Opportunities abound to help at local food banks, retirement homes, or donation centers. Have a discussion with your kids about the needs of others that are often taken for granted: food, clothing, shelter, blankets, toys, books. Serve with your kids as a reminder of our daily blessings. Make a monthly appointment, and let this remind each person to be thankful to God all year round!

10. Have a family fun night dedicated to performing random acts of kindness.

This one takes some planning, but it is a fun way to share the joy of being kind and receiving nothing in return as a family. There are lots of ideas on the internet, but let your kids be part of the brainstorming and planning. They will learn as much from the planning as from doing the activities. You might be surprised at their ideas.

Examples:

Anonymously pay for someone else’s meal (in the drive-through or at a restaurant).

Tape a bunch of quarters to the inside of a washing machine at the laundromat with a note (this load is on me!). This also works at parking meters if you have access.

Bring sandwiches and Gatorade or coffee to a homeless person.

Leave money in your favorite book at a bookstore with a note, “I love this book. Buy it for yourself and enjoy!”

For more inspiration, check out The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional!

However you chose to spend the summer, we hope you celebrate good times with your family and make life-long memories!

For a limited time*, find parenting resources and books for kids for up to 30% off HERE>>

*7/2-7/29/2018