Summer: The Prime Time to Connect with Families in Your KidMin

Summer is a prime time to connect with families.

I know what you’re thinking.

“But they don’t come to church as often.”
“They’re out of town more.”
“I feel like we barely see our families in the summer!”

Exactly. That’s why summer is the ultimate opportunity to connect with families.

It may seem counterintuitive, especially when the rest of the church seems to hit pause until the fall. But when attendance gets sporadic and the normal rhythms fade, we’re handed a unique opportunity: the chance to reach families outside of our (and their) usual routines.

Summer offers built-in moments for memory-making, creativity, and connection. And if we approach it intentionally, we can make a big impact on our families—even if we don’t see them every Sunday.

Here’s why (and a few ideas for how):

1. Families spend more time together. With school out and schedules a little lighter, families have more unstructured time together. That means more chances for at-home discipleship, spontaneous conversations, and shared experiences that can point back to Jesus.
2. Parents are looking for things to do. Whether it’s “I’m bored!” from the kids or “What are we going to do today?” from the parents, families are hungry for meaningful, screen-free activities. What if your ministry filled that gap?
3. You get to train and empower parents. When church attendance dips, you get to remind families that they are the primary spiritual leaders in their kids’ lives. Equip them with simple, easy-to-use resources that they can use anytime, anywhere.
4. You can try new things. Summer can be a “safe space” for trying something fresh! Host a popsicle party in the park, send out a weekly family devotion by text, or create a summer challenge that families complete together. Think outside the box and change things up this summer.
5. Kids can get more involved. With more flexibility in their schedules, kids can step into new roles. Let them help lead a song during a midweek event, be part of a skit, or join a summer serve day. Summer gives space for leadership development and hands-on learning.

So rather than lamenting the low reach we may feel on Sunday mornings in summer, let’s reframe our thinking, get creative, and find ways to equip families for at-home discipleship!

Summer isn’t a setback. It’s a springboard.
Not a pause. It’s a pivot.
Not a break. It’s a blessing.

So get creative. Lean into the slower pace. And use the summer months to equip, engage, and encourage families in new and meaningful ways, whether they’re in the pews or on the beach.

Need some ideas to get started? Try:

• A Summer Family Discipleship resource with weekly or daily activities
• Monthly themed family nights (think water games, movie nights, or a “serve together” event)
• A simple and fun Bible Summer reading plan for kids and parents
• Postcard mailings from your ministry team just to say, “We miss you and we’re praying for you!”

Summer may not look the same as the rest of the year. But that might just be what makes it so powerful.

Explore all of our summer resources here.