Spending quality time with my family is so important to me. One of the wishes Cameron and I have for our kids is a fun, joy-filled, and unforgettable childhood. The warm weather, longer days, and free time create the perfect backdrop for endless summer activities my kids will hopefully cherish for years to come. We have a few activities we like to bring out that are fun for the whole family. Some of our core memories are from the quality time shared during these activities. In case you’re looking for some ideas yourself, below are four family-friendly summer activities everyone can enjoy!

1.A Trip to the Zoo: One of our favorite things to do in Music City is to go to the Nashville Zoo! Cameron and I grew up here and have been going to the zoo for as long as we can remember. Along with the park itself, our toddler loves the Jungle Gym. They’ve also included an awesome feature called Promise Park, which is a new section within the Jungle Gym that allows kids with all abilities to play side-by-side. This section includes modified swings, slides, zip lines, and climbing structures. Remy would stay here all day if we let him!

2. Backyard Movie Night: A twist on a classic idea. It’s easy to plan and the kids will surely enjoy it. Remy is all about superheroes lately, so we select a few options in that category and let him make the final pick. We grab plenty of blankets, pillows, and snacks. Then we set up a projector to play the movie on the side of the house. An alternative solution is bringing your free-standing TV or laptop outside. It’s a great way to enjoy a warm summer evening under the stars. Movie night indoors is always an option too! We love building a fort with Remy and filling it with all the pillows and blankets.

3. Outdoor Games: This is an easy afternoon activity you can do in your backyard or at the park. Grab some balls, frisbees, or other outdoor games like jump rope or chalk for hopscotch. When it’s an extra hot day, we bring out the Unicorn Splash Pad. You also can’t go wrong with a swing or fort. Remy is obsessed with his fort built by Firefly Forts. He also loves his sandbox. Try burying some small toys in the sandbox and then let your kiddo dig them up. Dinosaurs are one of Remy’s favorites, so we bought him some small dino toys to uncover in the sand. This always entertains him!

4. Exploring Nature: If your child is anything like ours, you know how fascinated they are with animals and wildlife. Remy always ends up digging up little earthworms and watching turtles or birds whenever we take him to the park or in the yard. We like to go on family adventures whenever possible, so Radnor Lake is one of our go-to spots in Nashville. It has a great walking trail with views of the lake. Remy has so much fun exploring here!