The Lazy Mom Guide To 90s Summer Fun

Alessandra | Posted on May 12, 2025 |

Because you deserve to enjoy summer too (without losing your mind!) Let’s dive into how a “lazy mom” summer might end up being the best summer ever.

Lazy summer days are coming but let’s get one thing straight right away: “lazy mom” doesn’t mean unloving or uninterested. It just means you are done glorifying exhaustion and being a cruise ship director. It means you are ditching the color-coded summer schedule that looks like a Pinterest board exploded. And most importantly, it means you’re choosing joy, sanity, and simplicity over stress. Because it’s SUMMER!

This summer (and every summer) I’m all about low-lift, high-fun vibes. We’re not overcomplicating things, we’re not running ourselves ragged with back-to-back activities, and we’re definitely not signing up for 16 themed camp days that require costume coordination. This is the Lazy Mom Summer Fun Guide because you can make magical memories with your kids without doing the most. Ready to have a great summer the lazy way? Let’s dive in!

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☀️ First Things First: Let Go of the Summer Guilt

There’s a lot of pressure out there for moms to turn summer into an 11-week highlight reel. But you know what? Your kids don’t need perfection and they don’t need constant activities. They really just need your presence. And a little boredom! They don’t care if your backyard water day includes fancy inflatables or just a hose and a plastic bucket. They want to laugh with you, be silly, and feel free.

So take the pressure off yourself! You’re not running a summer camp. You’re raising humans and they are only little once and they just want to have fun! That’s important too.

🍉 Lazy Mom Summer Essentials (Your Sanity-Saving Starter Pack)

Let’s talk lazy mom summer gear. Here are some items that actually make sense to keep your kids happy and entertained without requiring a week of prep or a second mortgage. You don’t necessarily need these things, but they can be fun backyard additions if you have the time, space, and extra money. Remember the hose is a totally legit way to cool off and popsicles never hurt anyone.

1. A cheap kiddie pool or splash pad

Backyard water fun is gold and will make you feel like you’re raising ’90s kids. Plus, no driving is required, there are no lines, and no public restrooms. Just normal water play and lots of giggles!

2. Sidewalk chalk + bubbles

Chalk and bubbles require zero effort and that’s a win for me, because it still offers maximum fun. Here’s a bonus: kids can use chalk for obstacle courses, hopscotch, or “drawing roads” for their scooters. You really can’t go wrong.

3. Snacks. Always snacks

Summer time is a time for endless snacks probably to make up for the lack of eating kids do during the school here. Some fun snack ideas include frozen grapes, popsicles made with juice, or popcorn mixed with M&Ms. Switch up the snacks this summer so no one gets bored of the same things.

4. A solid rotation of “lazy day” activities

A lazy mom summer requires lazy day activities of course. Think library runs, scavenger hunts in the backyard, a “quiet time” playlist on Spotify, or good old fashioned coloring books.

5. A “boredom box”

Ok, I’m all about kids being bored and figuring out their own fun, but sometimes hearing “I’m bored” for the 5,000th time will drive any mom bonkers. That’s where a boredom box can come in! Fill it with random toys your kids don’t use often, ready-to-do crafts, or books you rotate weekly. You might be surprised how handy this comes in to keep your kids engaged so you can sneak in a little break.

🍦 Lazy Mom Summer Fun Ideas (That Don’t Require a Spreadsheet)

Below is the heart of the Lazy Mom Summer Fun Guide! These are activities that require little-to-no prep, are low-cost or free, and give you major mom points without major burnout. Make sure to let me know which ones you’ll choose in the comment section below!

1. Pajama Days Are Summer Days Too

Once a week declare an all-day pajama party because why not?! Watch movies, read books, let them build forts, eat breakfast for dinner, and chill. No one has to get dressed. Ever. And that’s a beautiful thing, especially on a rainy day or a too-hot-to-go-outside day!

2. Themed Snack Days

Pick a theme, something like, blue food day, rainbow snack day, or dip everything day and run with it. Let your kids help come up with snack ideas. You might get some weird combos, but hey, it’s summer and you might find they eat something different.

3. Water Play Without the Hassle

You don’t need a pool pass or some pricey membership to the country club pool. You can set up, buckets and cups, sponges for “sponge tag,” or water balloon “basketball” into a laundry bin to cool off on a hot day. This is minimal effort for you and tons of splashy fun for your kids.

4. Library Adventures

Most local libraries have free summer reading programs, events, and crafts. It’s a great place to hang out for kids of all ages in the summertime. Bonus: it’s air-conditioned. Super bonus: it counts as educational! It’s a win all around, plus it gets you out of the house for a bit so you can pass some time.

5. Nature Walk Bingo

Print out (or sketch) a basic bingo board of things like “bird,” “ant,” “yellow flower,” and “cloud shaped like something weird.” Walk your neighborhood or a local trail and see what you can find. First person to get a bingo gets bragging rights and then everyone gets ice cream. Because it’s summer. 😉

6. Reverse Chores Day

Let the kids be your boss for a few hours (or a few minutes, whatever you can handle.) Allow them to assign you silly chores like “sing a song while folding laundry” or “draw a picture of a unicorn.” It will be seriously ridiculous and ridiculously fun! Plus it’s actually a great way to connect with your kids and deal with summer power struggles.

7. Dollar Store Toy Challenge

Give each of your kids $5 at the dollar store. Let them pick whatever toy or craft they want, then spend the afternoon playing with whatever wild thing they chose. Somehow, those dollar store glow sticks hit different in summer.

8. DIY Drive-In Movie Night

This is so much fun on a hot summer’s night! Set up a laptop or portable screen in your backyard, throw down blankets, and pop some popcorn. You get an instant backyard drive-in movie theater and lots of great memories!

9. “Yes” Day…ish

If you’ve ever wanted to try a “yes day” but also didn’t want to commit to a full day, I get it! And guess what? You don’t have to commit to the whole day. But maybe a “Yes Hour” could be fun? Or a “Yes Afternoon?” Just let your kids know the ground rules. Then let them choose a few things, within reason of course, and embrace the chaos for a little bit.

10. Nap Time Quiet Hour (for Everyone)

A little quiet time never hurt anyone. Even if your kids are past napping, create a sacred hour of quiet time every day. Audiobooks, puzzles, coloring, or “resting” in their bedrooms will allow decompression time for them and you, which is super important during the summer when everyone is together all the time!

🧃Snack & Lunch Hacks for Lazy Summer Moms

Do you feel like you’re feeding your kids 57 times a day in the summer? Same and no thanks. Here are a few ways to keep them fed without losing your mind this summer.

Snack bins: Pre-load a basket in the fridge and pantry with mom-approved grab-and-go options.
“Snack plates” as meals: This could mean chopped fruit, cheese, crackers, nuts, and whatever else you have put into a muffin tin or tray. It looks fancy and fun but also only takes 2 minutes to put together.
DIY sandwich bar: Put out bread, PB&J, ham, turkey, and let them make their own lunch. Independence = win-win.
Frozen meals: These can be a lifesaver in the summer. Prep a few freezer burritos or quesadillas on a good day, and reap the rewards later.

🙃 When All Else Fails, Embrace the Chaos

Being home all summer with your kids can be tough sometimes. Everyone will be at each other’s throats at some point and there will be meltdowns. There will be messes. There will be “I’m boooored!” whines even after you’ve done three activities in a row. That’s life and it’s ok. It doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong, that’s honestly just summer with kids.

Make sure to take breaks. Hide in the bathroom if you need to. Let your kids watch a show so you can drink your iced coffee in peace. Lazy moms know that rest is part of the rhythm and they don’t feel guilty about it!

🧡 Lazy Moms Raise Happy Kids

Your kids aren’t going to remember whether you DIY’ed a pirate treasure hunt or just let them run through the sprinkler in their clothes. They’ll remember you being there and how you laughed with them. How you said yes to popsicles before dinner. How summer felt good, not overwhelming and hectic.

Lazy doesn’t mean apathetic. Lazy means strategic. It means protecting your peace so you can actually enjoy this fleeting season with your kids, not just for them.

So here’s to slow mornings, sun-warmed cheeks, and nights where nobody remembers what time it is. Here’s to lazy moms everywhere who are making summer magic on their own terms. Cheers!

Want more low-effort motherhood hacks, mindset shifts, and fun routines?

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