How to Give Your Kids a 90s Summer

If you have been on social media over the past six months and have school-aged kids, you’ve probably heard the trend of giving your kids a “90s summer.”

I was born in 1989, so my peak childhood years were in the 90s, and let me tell you—it was the best. Slow summer mornings hanging out with my sisters, running barefoot around the neighborhood, endless bike rides to friends’ houses, swimming at the pool, and our favorite activity of all: trips to the local convenience store for a Jones Soda and a treat.

Life has changed and evolved, and raising kids in this generation is not always easy. Social media is everywhere, schedules are packed, and it often feels like there is pressure to do more, be more, and sign up for more.

I am a big believer in “to each their own” when it comes to parenting. Whether you’re for or against screen time, cell phones, added sugar, sleepovers, or playdates, there are plenty of opinions out there. But I think there are a few things most parents can agree on: we want to raise kind, independent kids and do everything we can to give them a loving and happy home.

I think that’s where the idea of a “90s summer” comes from. It’s not about pretending it’s 1995 again. It’s about creating space for kids to be kids. Spending free time outside with neighborhood friends, swimming at the pool, making up games, playing tag, catching lightning bugs, or organizing a neighborhood game of Ghost in the Graveyard. It’s about bringing back a little of the joy, imagination, and innocence that made summer feel magical.

So take these ideas or leave them. Every family is different and every season of life looks different. But if giving your kids a “90s summer” sounds like something you’d like to try, here are a few things I’m focusing on this year.

1. Let Them Be Bored

This one is hard.

The second I hear, “Mom, I’m bored,” my instinct is to jump in and find something for my kids to do. But this summer I’m trying something different: letting them be bored.

Boredom forces kids to use their imagination. It pushes them to create, explore, problem-solve, and entertain themselves. Some of the best childhood memories start with having absolutely nothing to do.

As my mom’s famous response always was, “Well, I have plenty of chores for you to do.” Somehow that motivated my sisters and me to find something else very quickly.

2. Limit Screen Time (When You Can)

Rainy days will happen. Heat waves will happen. Life happens.

This isn’t about eliminating screens completely. It’s about creating opportunities for something else to happen first.

This summer I’m stocking up on board games, craft supplies, library books, sidewalk chalk, and backyard activities. Some days screen time will win, and that’s okay. We’ll just try again the next day.

Progress over perfection.

3. Pick a Few Summer Adventures

I have three kids, and my two oldest are old enough to help choose one big adventure they’d like to do this summer.

It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Maybe it’s visiting a state park, going camping, spending a day at a water park, exploring a new town, or finally trying that activity they’ve been talking about all year.

Giving kids something to look forward to creates excitement and helps make summer feel special.

4. Give Them a Little Independence

One of the best parts of growing up in the 90s was learning independence. We rode our bikes everywhere, knocked on friends’ doors, and figured things out as we went. While times have changed, there are still opportunities to help our kids build confidence and responsibility.

Let them pack their own pool bag. Help make lunch. Walk the dog. Run into the library to return books. Take ownership of small tasks.

Those little moments of independence add up and help raise capable, confident kids.

5. Say Yes to the Mess

Some of the best summer memories involve getting dirty.

Mud pies. Water balloon fights. Slip-and-slides. Backyard campouts. Homemade lemonade stands. Sprinklers running all afternoon.

None of it is particularly tidy, but that’s kind of the point.

This summer I’m trying to remind myself that memories are usually worth a little extra laundry.

6. Create Simple Summer Traditions

The things kids remember most are often the simplest.

Friday night popsicle walks. Pancake breakfasts. Weekly library trips. Family movie nights in the backyard. Ice cream after swim lessons.

Traditions don’t have to be Pinterest-worthy or expensive. They just have to happen often enough that your kids begin to expect and look forward to them.

7. Put the Phones Away Too

This one may be more for us parents than the kids.

It’s hard to encourage a screen-free summer when we’re constantly checking our own devices.

I know I can be better about putting my phone down during bike rides, pool days, and evenings in the backyard. The dishes can wait. The emails can wait. Social media can wait.

Summer is short, and these years go by incredibly fast.

8. Let Them Make the Memories

Not every day needs to be planned.

In fact, some of my favorite memories from childhood weren’t vacations or major events. They were random afternoons with my sisters, riding bikes, making up games, and laughing until our stomachs hurt.

Kids don’t need a perfectly curated summer. They need time, freedom, imagination, and the opportunity to create memories of their own.

Will my kids have a perfectly screen-free, carefree 90s summer? Absolutely not.

Life looks different today, and that’s okay.

But if we can slow down a little, embrace boredom, spend more time outside, and create space for adventure and imagination, maybe we can give our kids a small taste of the childhood so many of us remember so fondly.

And maybe, just maybe, we’ll enjoy it just as much as they do.