9 Old-Fashioned Things That Made Childhood Summers So Good

Summer is nearly upon us here in South Carolina, and with three little ones of my own, my mind easily drifts back to the carefree months of my own childhood.

In those days, the world seemed much bigger than it does now. A whole day could be spent exploring a single backyard, and a whole summer spent squeezing every bit of fun out of a single small town.

The smaller the world got, the bigger our imaginations grew. We didn’t have cell phones or video games constantly stimulating our minds, so we made up our own rules, and our own games, and let our creativity run free.

Those lazy, unhurried summer days left a mark on me. Even now, decades later, I look back at those memories with a fond nostalgia. I get the sense that something was lost as we progressed as a society, but I’m hopeful that with intentionality I can pass along the best parts of those old-fashion summers to my own children.

Here’s a glimpse into the unforgettable elements that made my childhood summers so special.

Being Unreachable

The downside of our phones keeping us “always available” is that it’s a lot harder to achieve that old-fashioned summer feeling of being “off the grid” and disconnected from the larger world. Ironically, it’s rarely an emergency that interrupts our days— just the slow drip of notifications that invite our minds to wander away from the present moment. The solution is simple: leave your phone behind and explore the world on foot or in a slow moving car.

The Feeling of Boredom

In the 21st century, boredom has become as rare as rubies. Just think of the vast number of screens and devices we have at our disposal— all designed to entertain and distract us at the first hint of boredom. Well, I think we’ve lost something. Kids need boredom. They need to be stretched and made to exercise their own imaginations. Like a muscle, this part of our brain only grows with use.

Going Barefoot

Some days, growing up, I would get out of bed and go the entire day without putting on a pair of shoes. And besides maybe taking a bath at night, I certainly didn’t comb my hair or put on a fresh change of clothes. I love this sense of casualness and informality that came with summer and leaving behind the rules and conventions of polite society for a few months.

Unstructured Play

My kids are still a little young for too many organized activities in the summer. But I’m afraid the world has already changed from my childhood when rarely had an adult around. We were free to make our own choices and direct our own play. Without a coach or choreographer in charge, we learned to resolve our own disputes and be our own fun. I think kids today would do well to experience the occasional chaos of being on their own without any older, wiser heads around.

Running Through the Sprinkler

There was no pool in my backyard growing up— and no community pool within walking distance. Instead, we cranked the sprinkler and made the most of the convenience of running water. With just a little imagination, the sprinkler became a source of endless fun and enjoyment when the days grew hot. It’s too bad so many kids today see this as boring when compared to their screens.

Long Afternoons

Compared to the rest of the year which was busy with school and sports and a full schedule of church activities, summers felt long and unhurried. I’m sure there were times when I felt a twinge of boredom, but looking back now, the extended time without a schedule feels like such a luxury. The natural world and my own interests became my default mode of entertainment. I’m certain this time was good for my soul and played a role in my becoming a person interested in more than just “achievements” and the next great thrill.

Going to Bed in Your Swimsuit

I remember lying in bed at night, trying to fall asleep after an exciting day of play. I loved the feeling of my warm, slightly sun-burned skin against the thin layer of my swimsuit. It was a reminder of the fun I had had, and the promise of more fun to come. In a few hours I’d be up again, thirsty for the day before me. The only care or responsibility in the world was to get one more day of exploration and fun before the summer slipped away and back to school arrived.

Not Knowing What Day It Was

At a certain point, the days of summer began to blur together. After a few weeks of sunny, carefree play, I would even lose track of what day of the week it was or how many days until the weekend. For kids today, who can instantly check the date and time on any number of screens, this may be hard to imagine. But it was a reality that I now look back at with a mixture of nostalgia and longing.

Exploring Nature

My family didn’t take extravagant or exotic vacations. But one thing I remember is driving to one of the many local state parks and spending a whole day there with friends. We’d have a picnic lunch and go for a swim, and the rest of the time we’d be left to our own devices— hiking the trails, exploring the woods, catching frogs and bugs, and passing the hours. In hindsight, I think this put in me a love of nature that has been a lifelong source of joy and happiness.

In a world that seems increasingly complex and fast-paced, I hope you’ll take inspiration from my experiences and infuse your own children’s lives (and maybe even your own) with a bit of the slowness and wonder from the not-so-distant past.