Summer brings with it the opportunity to create lasting family memories. School is out and the weather is warm, it’s time for some quality time with your family! Here are five fun summer activities that will create lasting family memories your kids will look back on for years to come.

1. Family Reunion

Family gatherings provide the chance to learn about your roots and bond with extended family. It can help to answer questions for children about their family origins and heritage. And while you can certainly hold a family reunion at any time of year, summer is one of the most popular times for such gatherings. Great weather gives you the ability to meet in a park or in someone’s back yard, saving money on renting a space. Plus, it enables you to serve food picnic style and enjoy games that include water balloons, water guns, and even swimming.

2. Kite Flying

The beauty of this activity lies in its simplicity. People have been flying kites for hundreds of years. It does not require the use of electronics or any other expensive equipment. And despite what your big brother may have told you when you were five, it does not require any special skills. Any one of any age can do it. What’s more, you can extend this activity by first building the kites yourself. Imagine the pride you will instill in your children by taking them to the park or the beach to fly kites that they built themselves!

3. Camp Out

Even if you are not into camping, it is one of those things that you have to do at least once in your life, even if it is disastrous. In fact, some of the best memories are made when things do not go as planned. Every camp out must include pitching a tent and building a campfire (and s’mores!). Other activities you can try include fishing, hiking and swimming. Whatever you do on your camp out, nothing can compare to spending an evening under the open stars.

4. Painting Rocks

This one may sound silly, but don’t write it off just yet. It’s a great way not just to make memories, but to make keep sakes that will remind you of that memory over and over. This is a lot of fun for kids as it allows them to get messy and be creative– two of their favorite things. Also, because it is summer, you can take this activity out doors– sparing you the indoor clean-up. They can paint their rocks to look like bugs, lizards, flowers, etc. and then place them all over the yard. Every time you see one of your special rocks, you will remember the fun you all had painting them.

5. Outdoor Movie Night

You can watch movies anytime, but it isn’t all the time that you can watch them under the stars. Hang a sheet, pull out your multi-media projector (or wheel out the TV), make up a big batch of popcorn, and set out the lawn chairs and blankets and you are ready to go. Pick a family friendly movie for the kids or enjoy a great date night film with someone special. You can even invite friends for a bigger event.

Create some lasting family memories with these ideas, then share about your experience in the comments!