The school year's done, backpacks are emptied (or stuffed in the closet!), and summer is officially here! The first week of summer is the perfect time to take a collective breath, celebrate your kids’ accomplishments, and shift into a more relaxed rhythm. Here are seven family-friendly ways to welcome summer around the Palo Alto area!
1. Do a Summer Reset: The “Undo School” Ritual
Before jumping into full vacation mode, take an hour to close out the school year together. Empty out and clean backpacks and lunchboxes, sharpen pencils for next year, recycle old papers, and pick a few favorite schoolwork pieces to save. Have each family member share one thing they’re proud of from the year and one thing they’re excited about for summer. Toss in a load of laundry with those mystery-smelling sweatshirts and lunch bags, then mark the transition with a fun treat—like ice cream or a trip to the park.
2. Explore a New-to-You Park or Nature Trail
There’s no better way to reset than getting outside. Try a walk at Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto, ride scooters and explore the playground at Mitchell Park, or bring a nature journal to Shoup Park in Los Altos. A small adventure close to home still feels big to a 7-year-old.
3. Treat Yourselves to a Summer Kick-Off Breakfast
Mark the moment with pancakes! Head to a kid-favorite breakfast spot like Stacks in Menlo Park, or enjoy a relaxed morning with homemade waffles and music in your pajamas. Either way, a celebratory breakfast lets kids know summer is special—and begins with syrup.
4. Set Up a Backyard (or Living Room) Campout
Pitch a tent, roast marshmallows over a fire pit (or in the oven), and tell silly stories under the stars (or fairy lights!). If you want to try the real thing, book a night at Huddart Park’s group campgrounds in Woodside. A change of scene, even close to home, is the kind of magic kids remember.
5. Cool Down With a Splash Pad Visit
Pack a picnic and head to Red Morton Park in Redwood City or the inclusive Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto—both have water play areas perfect for younger kids. Bring extra towels, sunscreen, and enough snacks to last well past lunch.
6. Create a Summer Memory Jar
Decorate a mason jar and have each family member write down one fun thing they want to do this summer. Each week, pull a note from the jar and make it happen. From visiting Lemos Farm to feeding the flamingos at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, this jar could be your roadmap to an unforgettable summer.
7. Unplug and Enjoy a Lazy Day
Let one day be intentionally uneventful. Stay in pajamas, build a living room fort, watch a favorite movie, or check out a stack of books from Mitchell Park Library or Redwood City Library. After the buzz of the school year, the gift of a slow day might be exactly what everyone needs.
