Hard to believe but the unofficial start of summer is upon us. It’s the season of ice cream and bike rides and, ah shit, how long until school starts back up? The truth is, summer can feel a bit stressful. It’s the season of fun, after all. And that reputation comes with a certain list of demands. Days on the calendar need to be filled with exciting activities for kids that make the beautiful weather worthwhile all while your work schedule remains largely the same.

But the one truth about summer is it’s often over before you know it. And — because what are parents if not memory makers for their kids? — it’s important to enjoy the time in whatever way you can before the cool weather arrives. To spend a lot of time outside. To eat good food. To teach the kids how to catch a Frisbee, skip a stone, or spend a lazy afternoon in the sun (doing nothing is an art, after all).

Here, you’ll find some summer suggestions — recipes to make, games to play, and trips to consider. We hope it gets you excited for the season and inspires you to start your own summer traditions, whatever they may be.