Slowing down, logging off, and bringing back the kind of childhood that just felt different.
Remember waking up, grabbing a bowl of cereal, and disappearing from home until the street lights came on? Cool Beans! Now here we are as parents and caregivers, living in this nostalgic in-between. We remember life before everything was at our fingertips, we lived through the excitement of it all becoming new, and now we’re watching it evolve faster than ever. It makes sense that we feel both nostalgic and curious, and maybe even a little determined to recreate some of that magic for our kids, just with a bit more intention!
Let’s be honest, summer really did feel different back then. And it wasn’t just in our heads. Before packed calendars and constant notifications, summer had a rhythm. Long days outside. Unplanned play. The kind of boredom that somehow turned into the best ideas. A sense of independence that grew quietly, without being micromanaged. Looking back on our own summers as children, it is fun to consider how we can bring some of that perfectly imperfect to our current lives, with the children in our care.
If you asked our parents, they’d probably smile and say the same. It wasn’t perfect, but it mattered.
What Made a “90’s Summer” Feel So Different?
It wasn’t just the absence of technology, but the presence of something else. Our summers of the 90’s were all that and a bag of chips!
- Unstructured time: This allowed imagination to take over. Parents did not give a list of things to do if we could not think of something on our own. They let us figure it out and run with it. This is where the magic happens!
- Neighborhood play: We built social skills on our own. This is how friendships were made… organically, loudly, and usually barefoot. Word. While times may feel different now, we can still recreate that spirit with park meetups or relaxed playdates where kids have space to just be kids without constant direction.
- Independence: Perhaps we can all agree that in some moments, we were handed more independence than we were ready for as kids. Setting boundaries around being present, but not providing input, can be a happy medium.
- Less oversight, more trust: Have discussions with your children about areas in which they feel ready for more autonomy and space. Where do they feel that they already trust themselves? Can we make room to honor this?
- Being outside for hours: Sun on your skin, time slowing down, and hours walking around the neighborhood. A full day outside just hits different.
Today’s children are growing up in a very different world. But that doesn’t mean those elements are out of reach. They just ask us to be a little more intentional… and maybe a little more willing to loosen our grip and let childhood unfold.
Bringing Back the Feeling (Without Ignoring Reality)
We’re not trying to rewind the clock to the 90’s, and truthfully, some things are better left there! We have come a long way in many areas that benefit families and children! We can hold onto those things while recreating the parts that supported connection, creativity, and confidence. Here are some of our top tips to recreate the 90’s summer feel in 2026.
- Protect Unstructured Time
Not every hour needs a plan. In fact, some of the most meaningful moments come from the absence of one. Also, bring awareness to how this feels for you. Are you uncomfortable with the unstructured time? If so, how can you hold back your need to do and not project this onto children? Maybe we all can benefit from a 90’s summer!
Let kids be bored.
Let them create their own games.
Let the day unfold.
Find the beauty in where this leads! That’s where independence begins.
- Create “Low-Tech” Windows
Screens are part of modern life, but they don’t have to define summer.
Creating some structure and boundaries is when and how screens will be used this summer. Create a family contract where terms are agreed upon. How can you also decrease your tech as parents and caregivers? Here are some fun ideas:
- Screen-free mornings
- Outdoor-first afternoons
- Tech-free family evenings a few times a week with board games
- Meals outside or picnics in the park
Many times, when we remove screens and experience the world, we are able to see clearly what we can gain by putting the tablet or phone down!
- Bring Back Simple Rituals
The magic of summer often lived in the small, repeatable things. Here are a few of our favorite 90’s summer staples!
- Popsicles after playing outside
- Library visits each week
- Bike rides or evening walks
- Music playing through open windows
- Beach days at the ocean or a lake
- Water play in the yard
These rituals create rhythm and give children something to look forward to. They also stand the test of time! Booyah!
- Encourage Age-Appropriate Independence
Children are often capable of more than we give them credit for, and they will have thoughts around this if you are open and ask.
Depending on age, this might look like:
- Preparing simple snacks or meals
- Managing their own “summer project.”
- Navigating social plans with light guidance (we love landlines such as the Tin Can)
- Taking ownership of small responsibilities and chores around the house, like putting away laundry, loading the dishwasher, or helping with grocery shopping for the week.
Confidence builds through doing and adapting based on outcomes. Let them learn through the process. We promise, it will lead to more independence and peaceful moments for parents and caregivers down the road.
- Rethink What “Productive” Means
A successful summer doesn’t have to be academically focused, filled with trips, or optimized every moment with amazing activities. Here are some friendly reminders:
Reading on a blanket in the backyard counts. Building something messy and imperfect counts.
Spending hours outside doing “nothing” counts. Sitting and having engaged conversations where our child talks, leads, and you actively listen, without giving advice, is gold. Growth happens when we create space without judgment or fixing.
Where Support Comes In
Here’s the honest part: many parents want this kind of summer, but don’t have the time or bandwidth to create it alone. That’s where the right support can make a meaningful difference.
An engaged, attuned, and supportive caregiver can:
- Facilitate outdoor play and open-ended creative activities
- Hold boundaries around screens, while being kind, yet firm, and create accountability with empowerment
- Create a gentle structure or rhythms while preserving freedom and the spirit of spontaneity
- Support social and emotional development in real time with awareness around safety in our modern-day age
- No over-scheduling, but guiding the day flow with intention.
A Different Kind of Summer
A 90’s summer wasn’t about doing more. It was about having the space to be, to explore, to imagine, to connect, to grow, to come back to the school year with a reset and fun stories to share with friends that were all our own! While the world has changed, that need hasn’t.
So here’s your friendly little throwback reminder from Educated Nannies: this summer doesn’t have to be perfectly planned to be da bomb. There will always be time for more if you decide that is what you want. There will always be more screens, more camps, more activities, but they will never be this age and this stage again. Make space for this moment now! Let them be little. Let them rival in what an unhurried 90’s summer really feels like. Give them the chance to pass down this feeling to other children one day if they choose. Let’s give our children a little 90’s magic, together!
