Get ready for a summer full of faith, fun, and unforgettable family moments! From splashy water games to backyard relays, glowing night adventures to picnic-style Bible stories, these activities turn everyday play into meaningful moments with God. Kids won’t just hear about love, joy, peace, and patience—they’ll run, laugh, share, and experience them firsthand.

Whether you’re racing through a “Fruit of the Spirit” field day, hunting for treasures in a faith scavenger hunt, or gathering around snacks to talk about how God provides (hello, loaves and fishes!), every activity is designed to be simple, interactive, and full of purpose.

So grab some snacks, head outside, and make this a season where your family grows closer—not just to each other, but to God.

10 Outdoor Summer Activities to Grow Kids Faith

Here are some outdoor summer activities that intentionally grow kids’ faith—not just fun, but spiritually formative in simple, memorable ways. Also consider adding on some summer scripture memorization challenges.

1.Living Water Splash Party

Let the kids pick some fun water games and activities. Maybe even invite some friends or neighbors who need to hear the good news!

Games Ideas:

• Water balloon toss, sponge relay, sprinkler tag

Faith Focus:

• John 7:37–38 — Jesus is the Living Water
• Quick question: What does water do for our bodies? What does Jesus do for our souls?

2. Prayer & Reflection Hike

Pick a fun, scenic, or family favorite hiking spot. Pause along the way for these reflections:

Stop 1: Praise God for His creation. Ask: What do you see and hear around you?

Stop 2: Pray for others. Ask: Who needs God’s peace and rest right now?

Stop 3: Ask God for help in something. Ask: What has been weighing on your heart or mind lately?

Stop 4: End with silence to listen. Ask: What is God communicating to me?

3. Grill & Gratitude

Let the whole family plan a meal for grilling and eating outside.

Games Ideas:

• Play backyard games (cornhole, frisbee, relay races).
• Between rounds, each person shares one thing they’re thankful for.
• Have a gratitude prompt questions in a jar.

Faith Focus:

• Read Psalm 107:1 — “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…”
• Talk about how gratitude shifts our perspective.
• Have a time of prayer thanking God for all He’s done for your family.

4. Loaves & Fishes Family Picnic

Read or summarize Jesus feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1–14)

Activity Idea:

• Give each person a small portion of food (like 2 crackers + a few goldfish).
• Ask: Does this feel like enough for a full meal? How do you think the boy felt giving his lunch away?
• Then explain how Jesus multiplied what was given.

Meal Ideas: Fish sticks and chips OR chicken nuggets and goldfish

5. Campfire Stories of Faith

Set up a cozy campfire environment with chairs, blankets, and s’mores. Consider starting out with a few praise and worship songs.

Ask the following questions:

• Where have you seen God at work this week?
• How has God reminded you of His love this week?
• What problem or struggle has God helped you with this week?
• Has anyone share the gospel with another person this week?

6. Creative Expression

Option 1: Set up art easels with water colors or with canvas and paints for older kids. Another option would be a folding table with paint supplies set up.

Have the kids paint a landscape, animal, or flowers or trees. As they paint, talk about God as Creator.

Option 2: Set up a simple outdoor theater and have the kids re-enact their favorite Bible stories.

Option 3: Make some fun outdoor art. Flower crowns or necklaces, use sticks and leafs to paste a picture on paper, or draw with chalk. As you create, read Genesis 1.

7. Star-Gazing & God’s Promises Night

Lay outside on a blanket or the trampoline and look at the stars in the night sky. Reflect on how big God is—and how He still knows us personally.

Talk about God’s promise to Abraham. (Genesis 15:5)

Also, consider downloading a star charting app and looking for the stars and constellations together. How many can you find?

8. Light in the Darkness

Here is another summer night time outdoor activity idea.

Games Ideas:

• Flashlight tag.
• Glow stick hide-and-seek.
• Get a jar and catch fireflies.

Faith Focus:

• Matthew 5:14–16 — “You are the light of the world”
• End with: Where can we shine this week?
• Check out this full lesson on Matthew 5:16 here.

9. Faith Scavenger Hunt

This one is easy to do in your own backyard, on a walk, or in the park.

Game:
Create clues tied to Scripture themes:

• Find something that represents strength. (rock)
• Find something that grows. (plant)
• Find something that shines. (sunlight)
• Find something that is beautiful. (flower, bird)

Faith Focus:

• Connect each item to who God is.
• End with a short prayer thanking God for who is to us.

10. Fruit of the Spirit Field Day

Based on Galatians 5:22–23.

Games Ideas:
1. LOVE – “Fill the Bucket Relay”

Game:

• Each team has an empty bucket
• Players run to collect cups of water and pour into teammates’ buckets
• BUT they can only succeed if they encourage each other the whole time

Point: Love is shown in action and words

2. JOY – “Balloon Burst Laugh Game”

Game:

• Tie balloons to ankles
• Try to pop others’ balloons while protecting your own
• Add a twist: you must keep smiling or laughing the whole time

Point: Joy isn’t based on winning—it’s a heart posture

3. PEACE – “Pass the Calm”

Game:

• Sit in a circle and pass a water balloon slowly
• If it drops, restart
• Add challenges (one hand, eyes closed, quiet only)

Point: Peace comes when we slow down and trust

4. PATIENCE – “Wait for It…”

Game:

• Each child gets a treat (like a small candy or snack)
• If they wait a set time without eating it, they get a bigger reward

Point: Waiting is hard, but it brings greater reward

5. KINDNESS – “Secret Kindness Mission”

Game:

• Each person draws a name
• Throughout the event, secretly do kind things for that person

Reveal at the end:

• Guess who showed kindness

Point: Kindness doesn’t need attention

6. GOODNESS – “Right Choice Obstacle Course”

Game:

• Set up stations with quick scenarios:
  • “You see someone fall—what do you do?”
  • “You find money—what’s the right choice?”
• Kids act it out before moving on

Point: Doing what’s right, even when it’s hard

7. FAITHFULNESS – “Stick With Your Team”

Game:

• Three-legged race or partner challenges
• Teams must stay connected the entire time

Point: Faithfulness means sticking with others and not giving up

8. GENTLENESS – “Don’t Break It”

Game:

• Carry fragile items (egg, cracker, or full cup of water) through a course
• No rushing allowed

Point: Strength under control

9. SELF-CONTROL – “Freeze & Focus”

Game:

• Play music and dance
• When it stops, freeze instantly
• Add funny distractions while they try not to move

Point: Controlling our actions even when it’s hard

Faith Focus:

• Talk about how the Spirit grows these in us as we obey and follow Jesus.

Snack:

• Fruit-themed snacks (fruit salad, smoothies, popsicles, fruit snacks)

More Faith-filled Fun for Families:

Cheap and Fun Family Activities

Spring Activities that Teach Kids about God

Advice to Moms from Kids (Try asking these questions to your kids and read these funny answers for some laughs.)