The Dog Days of Summer
As a Washington, D.C. family and newborn photographer, I spend lots of time with children. My own three kids are grown now, but summer was always a savored season—a time to slow all the way down, stay up late, eat too much ice cream, and delight in the simple joys of childhood.
It wasn’t about elaborate vacations or bucket list-level adventures. It was about chasing fireflies barefoot in the backyard. Picking wildflowers. Eating popsicles that melted faster than you could lick. The little things that somehow always end up being the big things.
And even now, through the lens of my camera, I get to witness families soaking up those moments. No rush. No pressure. Just summer magic.
Screen-Free Summer Fun
In reminiscing on those slower, sandier, sun-soaked days, I’ve pulled together a list of screen-free activities to enjoy with your kids this summer. Think of it as a reminder that childhood doesn’t need to be curated or scheduled. Sometimes, all you need is a popsicle, a puddle, and a little imagination.
While I can’t promise to stop time, I can promise this list will help you and your busy family pause and savor the season.
Your Summer Simplicity List:
Stay up late, catch fireflies, and watch them glow.
No bedtime, no agenda—just wonder.
Jump in puddles after a storm.
Embrace the mess. Towels are washable.
Do a backwards dinner and eat dessert first.
Because life’s too short not to have cake before spaghetti.
Take a nap after a pool day.
And if you don’t have a pool? No problem! Here’s a list of public pools in the D.C. area:
- DC Department of Parks and Recreation Pools
- Montgomery County Pools
- Northern Virginia Parks and Pools
Hit the National Zoo early in the day.
(Pro tip: that’s when the animals are most active—and the crowds are lighter!)
Find an ice cream truck and grab a treat—yes, you too, Mom.
Let the sticky hands and ice cream mustaches happen. It’s part of the charm.
Let your kids create a recipe.
It might be half cereal, half ketchup… but watching their creativity unfold? Priceless.
Make flower crowns with dandelions.
Bonus: you’re weeding your yard and crafting.
Go to your local library storytime.
Here are a few D.C. area favorites:
On a rainy day, stay in your PJs and play board games or do puzzles.
Put on some music, make hot cocoa, and let the coziness take over.
Go to Glen Echo Park and ride the carousel.
Or catch a show at the Puppet Co. Playhouse—it’s a childhood favorite for a reason.
Summer goes by quickly. And while splash pads and beach trips are great, there’s something about good, old-fashioned, screen-free and low-cost fun that helps you actually feel the summer. These are the things that ground us. The slow, sweet moments we’ll remember years from now when the house is quiet again.
Want Even More Local Ideas?
Here are a few tried-and-true summer resources for families in Washington, D.C. and surrounding suburbs:
Print them out. Circle a few. Keep your plans loose and your shoes optional.
Bucket List for Families from DC Moms
U-Pick Produce and Farms from DC Moms
Best DC Playgrounds from DC Moms
Print one out. Let your kids choose a few. Keep things flexible and fun. The goal isn’t to check everything off—it’s to stay present while you’re doing it.
One More Thing to Add to the List?
If you’ve been meaning to schedule family photos but keep putting it off for “when things slow down”… summer might just be the perfect time. Your kids are home, the pace is a little lighter, and the memories you’re making are worth saving.
And if you want to add an in-home session to your list of screen-free summer fun, I know just the photographer.
Reach out here and let’s make it happen.
Here’s to a summer that’s simple, sweet, and full of the kind of moments that last.
Natasha Sewell is a family and newborn photographer plus a photographer educator and mentor. She captures family’s joyful chaos in the place they are most comfortable – home. Natasha serves Washington, DC and surrounding areas and specializes in maternity, baby, and family photography.
