As kids count down the days until summer, parents are beginning to look for fresh ways to make memories over the summer break. If you’re one of those who’s trying to plan ahead, look no further! Here’s a list of fun, wholesome activities for families with kids of all ages.
Audio Dramas to Inspire Imagination
If you’ve never listened to an audio drama before, your family is in for a treat! The experience of listening to a high-quality audio drama is like watching a movie, complete with great actors and soundtrack. However, the experience is more interactive because instead of watching images on a screen, you are visualizing the action in your imagination as you listen to a breathtaking story.
I listened to a lot of audio dramas as a kid, and the good news is that there are new ones created every year! Here are just a few recommendations to try out:
1. The Chronicles of Narnia (Focus on the Family Radio Theatre)
Hands-down, this is my favorite audio drama series. Focus on the Family created audio drama versions of C.S. Lewis’ seven Chronicles of Narnia books, where children stumble into the enchanted world of Narnia and are forever changed by their adventures. Although these fantasy stories are intended for children, adults can enjoy them just as much because of the deep messages about facing life with courage, integrity, and forgiveness of others and self. This series provides hours and hours of fun, so it’s great for road trips!
2. Welcome to Hope Springs (Augustine Institute)
Easily accessible on YouTube, “Welcome to Hope Springs” is a new release made for middle-schoolers. During the opening of Hope Springs’ revamped historic train depot, a group of kids stumbles across two mysteries. First, someone has stolen important historical artifacts from the facility. As if that isn’t enough, why is the old telegraph office receiving messages purporting to be from a different era? Kids will enjoy the humor and suspense of Season 1, and the good news is, there is more to come!
3. Brother Francis: The Barefoot Saint of Assisi (Augustine Institute)
The adventurous story of St. Francis of Assisi is brought to life through this award-winning audio drama. I first listened to it as a teenager and could not get enough of it. In my opinion, the St. Francis story is presented in a way that is deeply inspiring without coming across as preachy. If your parish subscribes to Formed, your family can listen for free!
Growing In Faith Through the Big Screen
Looking for some faith-filled movies and shows to enjoy this summer? Here are some recommendations for families with kids in a variety of age ranges!
1. Chime Travelers (2026-)
First, for the little ones: the brand-new TV show Chime Travelers is a fun and entertaining way to learn about the saints. The two main characters, siblings Patrick and Katie, not only get to time-travel to meet the saints, but the saints’ stories are directly tied to the relatable struggles these kids are going through in the present day. The episodes are short and fun, and they can be accessed through Formed or Hallow.
2. I Can Only Imagine (2018)
When I watched I Can Only Imagine in the movie theater as a teenager, I was completely blown away. I had grown up listening to MercyMe’s hit song, for which the movie is named, but I never knew the real-life story that inspired it.
The film portrays the relationship between singer Bart Millard and his father, who was physically abusive, and the inspiring true story of how faith can truly work miracles in families. The reason that I Can Only Imagine is such a genuinely fantastic movie is that it doesn’t gloss over the challenge to forgive. The emotion in this movie is hard-earned. It’s definitely worth a watch but is best for families with older teens and young adults, since the movie does include intense content such as physical abuse.
3. The Baxters (2024)
The issue with a lot of faith-based content nowadays is that it can come across as preachy or just not entertaining. This is definitely not the case with The Baxters, a three-season Amazon family drama that is never predictable and always deeply moving. The show includes mature content, so it’s up to parents to discern whether this would be appropriate to watch with their older teens or their young adult children. However, this show is a beautiful portrait of a contemporary Christian family struggling to stay united in the midst of heartbreak.
Great Books for Reading Out Loud
One of the best things my mom did for me when I was a kid was reading aloud to me.
From those nostalgic nights of snuggling up and listening to stories unfold, I discovered my love for reading, which led me to want to write my own stories one day. Reading books together fed my imagination and was also great for boosting reading and listening comprehension skills.
As someone who has taught writing at the university level, I have to say that students who demonstrate good reading comprehension stand out from the crowd. (In fact, when my sister was applying for medical school, one of the schools she found online said that they pay more attention to the MCAT reading comprehension section than they do on the science sections!)
This summer, I challenge you to read out loud as a family, even if it’s just once a week. Not only is it good intellectually, but it can be a great bonding experience!
Some classics that make for great story-time fun include:
1. Heidi by Johanna Spyri
This sweet classic is perfect for girls in elementary school and early middle school. This story follows the adventure of young Heidi, an orphan who moves to her grandfather’s home in the Swiss Alps and who teaches everyone around her the life-changing power of showing love to others.
2. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Young Anne Shirley is one of those larger-than-life characters who seems more like a friend than a figment of the imagination! L.M. Montgomery’s beloved classic is perfect for girls of all ages, who will laugh out loud at Anne’s crazy misadventures as the young orphan strives to find a home in Prince Edward Island, Canada. As a bonus, Focus on the Family Radio Theatre also has a great audio drama version of the book!
3. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Full of cutthroat pirates, sea-faring adventure, and treasure-hunting, Treasure Island truly is a great book for reading aloud. Boys of all ages in particular will enjoy this action-packed story for its suspenseful twists and turns!
4. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Boys who enjoy learning about history and battles will be huge fans of this wonderful classic, set in the American Revolutionary War. Teenaged Johnny Tremain is an arrogant apprentice silversmith living in Boston when a terrible tragedy, as well as the chaos of war, turn his whole world upside down. Because the story is action-packed and easy to follow, this is perfect for reading out loud!
I hope that you’ll pick a few of these wonderful stories to accompany your summer fun. Make this summer break unforgettable by engaging in audio dramas, films, and books that will bring your family closer together and make your imaginations soar!
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
