Making Scripture Study FUN During These Summer Days -

Making Scripture Study FUN During These Summer Days

Cue the berry picking outings, firefly chases, and hammock naps because summer is here! While your kids may be thinking of cannonballs and popsicles, there’s also a sweet and sacred opportunity to weave something timeless into their break: a daily dose of scripture study that’s anything but boring.

The WHY of it all…

Berry picking, and other summer outings, are not the only thing you kids are needing. The importance of teaching eternal truths within your home is beyond measure. In fact, it’s a sacred obligation. And what better time than summer, when the days are long and the moments are sweet. And if we ever wonder whether it really matters, Jesus answered it simply:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” – John 5:39

When we read as a family—curled up on the porch, in the car on road trips, or around the kitchen table during breakfast—something sacred begins to grow. A love for truth and happiness. A deeper connection in our families. A desire to be more like the Savior.

“As families read and ponder the scriptures, they will want to become more like the Savior and will find greater happiness and peace in their lives.” -Family Guidebook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

And no, it doesn’t have to be fancy or perfect. Sometimes we read half a verse before someone spills their juice. But even then, the Spirit is there. The effort matters. The words linger. Their hearts begin to understand when consistency, truth, and memorable moments all intertwine. As we consistently invite the scriptures into our summer days, we invite Him in too. And that is when true happiness begins to take root—in the ordinary, beautiful, sun-drenched moments of family life.

Scripture time can actually be fun?

No eye-rolls? No slouch-on-the-couch? No monotone reading? Nope, not with these giggle-filled, paint-smudged, dance-worthy, scripture study ideas.

When referring to the scriptures, Joseph Smith said, “He who reads it oftenest will like it best.” —Joseph Smith

But how do we help our kids like the scriptures, especially when summer days are slow and the natural rhythm of routine is thrown out of whack? Let’s dive into a swirl of ideas that bring the scriptures alive, because when the Word of God is paired with joy, laughter, and creativity, something spiritually memorable happens.

Let’s dive into ideas…

Pick out your favorites from the list. Try a few ideas this summer, or all of them. You could even turn some into summertime traditions!

Art Journaling: Encourage your family to illustrate or draw scenes from the scriptures.
Comic Strips: Let them turn scripture stories into their own comics or digital animations.
Crafts: Build something from the scriptures—like the armor of God from cardboard or the walls of Jericho from blocks.
Make a Splash: Read the scriptures by a pool. Every time a certain word or name is said, everyone must jump into the water. Mix it up by assigning each person a different name. Don’t have a pool? Use a sprinkler or water balloons.
Buzzer: Set a timer as a family member reads the scriptures. When the timer goes off, they have to quickly toss the scriptures to someone else. Then the next person’s timer begins. Set random times so the reader never quite knows when their time will be up.
Scripture Charades: Act out scripture stories in teams and compete for the most correct answers.
Skits: Use costumes or puppets to retell the scripture story.
TikTok-style reenactments: Pull out the phones and study scriptures with a modern twist.
Music: Set up a shared family playlist of gospel music or scripture songs
Outdoor Studies: Take your study to the backyard, park, or beach. Bring scriptures and snacks.
Scripture Challenge: Memorize a scripture each week. Discuss your favorite part of that scripture as a family.
Tracker: Keep a Scripture Goal Tracker with stickers or rewards. Once the family has collectively hit the goal together, celebrate in a fun way!
On Air: Create a short family podcast or news report summarizing a scripture story or sharing a testimony. Upload your creation to the Family Tree Memories App as a gem for future generations to discover.
Trivia: Compete with “Who Said It?” quotes from prophets and scriptures.
LEGO Scripture Stories: Let kids build scenes from scripture with LEGOs. Take photos of their creations and send them to The Friend Magazine. Don’t have Legos? Use play-dough, wooden blocks, or pipe cleaners.
Scripture Mad Libs: Write down scripture verses where key words are left blank. Let the kids fill in silly words, then compare them to the actual verse.
Fill in the Blank: Read a verse of scripture and exclude one word. Have your family guess which word has been left out.
Vision Boards: Time to break out the old magazines, scissors, and poster board. Have everyone create a vision board inspired by a favorite scripture or spiritual goal for the summer.
Would You Rather: Pose questions like “Would you rather build an ark or part the Red Sea?”
Scripture Cooking: Make food inspired by scripture (e.g., honeycomb for John the Baptist, unleavened bread, fish & loaves). Read the related story while cooking or eating.
Scripture Nature Walk: Assign a scripture for the day. Go for a walk and find things that relate to the verse.
Graffiti Wall: Hang a poster board or use chalk on the sidewalk. Every day after scripture study, add a word, verse, or doodle expressing what touched your heart.
Mystery Verse Box: Each day, pull a mystery scripture verse from a decorated box. Use it as the study focus for the day.
Let the Kids Take the Wheel: Have them plan and lead the study, complete with an opening/closing prayer, snacks, theme music, and maybe a quiz show at the end. Let them show you how fun it can be.

The sweetest part of summer.

I previously thought that a trip to the farm to fill up a bucket of plump berries was the sweetest part of summer, but oh was I wrong. When we treat scripture study like a chance to laugh together, our kids begin to see scriptures for what they truly are: a living, breathing conversation with a loving God. This summer, let the Word of God be the sweetest part of your family’s day, right up there with melted s’mores and late-night star gazing. After all, the ever-so-important scripture study, when mixed with creativity and love, becomes not just another task but a summer memory your kids will cherish long after the fireflies fade.