Summer: The Child In All Of Us

Nostalgic Summers

June 5th, 2026

Summer  is all about the feeling of freedom, of smelling the chlorine in the pool, of knowing that you don’t have anywhere to be. Or do you? Summers can be a hard mix of planned weekend outings, vacations, and nothing to do at the same time. This change in schedule is another change in seasons that we are left to navigate, with or without a map. Some have their entire summer mapped out, right down to the detail and time. Others have nothing planned, go without a map, let the wind take them where it may, and would prefer it that way. Kids, on the other hand, need some guidance on what to do to keep busy during the summer without losing everything they learned last school year.

While summers can get busy, it makes me stop and think about what summers felt like when I was a kid, and how it felt to be bored and free at the same time. I enjoyed the idea of being able to read a book outside for hours without anything else to do or think about, to be able to spend time with family and help my Grandpa with outdoor chores. The smell of sunscreen and wet grass with the sprinkler on, the one time per summer I convinced my Dad to put up the inflatable pool, washing cars in the driveway, or just sitting in the backyard with a popsicle. All these bring back nostalgic memories, and I’m sure we all have those memories of summer that bring tears to the eyes and fond memories of the heart. The things we did, things we probably weren’t supposed to do, and the times spent with loved ones that are closest to our hearts.

So what if we recreated those summers from our childhood this summer? Who says that those have to stay memories; why can’t we recreate them or make new ones based on the foundations created by our childhood summers? Even though we may not be the same age as when we first experienced these memories, we can still enjoy the idea of the same activities, and in a new light with a new perspective. If you have kids, this would be especially fun; to show them what it was like to be their age in a different decade. Whatever stage of life you’re in, you can recrate your childhood summer by adding in simple activities into the mix.

For example, let’s say your favorite summer memory or activity was to sit outside in a beach chair and enjoy your favorite snack from childhood. Well, then grab a beach chair, find a comfortable place to sit, recreate the favorite snack, maybe add your own adult personal flair, and voila! Favorite summer memory, recreated. It may not be the same, but that’s the beauty of it; you’re in a different stage of life, but still have the ability to enjoy the season of summer. Still able to find different ways to enjoy your favorite activities or memories.

Another example could be that your favorite memory was to throw a ball back and forth with your siblings or parents in the backyard. It may not be possible to perfectly recreate this memory, but you add a different spin to it and “play” ball with someone else, and bring out the child in all of us. One of my favorite summer memories was playing badminton in the backyard, so my goal this summer is to set up a badminton net and play, recreating one of my favorite summer memories.

Bringing out your inner child is one of the best and healthiest things you can do; it creates that carefree feeling that we are constantly searching for in adulthood. Summer has a way of bringing out that inner child in us, of reminding us to stop and enjoy, to play the game, to have that popsicle in the backyard, and to live life to the fullest. It doesn’t have to be expensive to have a good time; it didn’t matter to us as kids how much money it cost to put on the best party, but instead it was about the popsicle dripping down our chins; the way the water felt in the pool as we swam; the laughter that ensued the minute someone got water up their nose. It doesn’t have to cost much time or money to enjoy summer if you think like your inner child. Think about what was important and fun as a child in the summer, what made that summer memory so special, and use that as your inspiration to enjoy this summer. So, pull up that beach chair, make your favorite childhood snack, roll your windows down, and enjoy summer!

~Alyson Winn-Lagergren~