By late summer, even enthusiastic families can feel worn down. The novelty has faded, temperatures are still in the triple digits and parents are running out of ways to make the final weeks before school feel fun.
Gretchen Seeck and Missy Stern, the Phoenix-based moms and co-hosts behind The Nut Farm Podcast, know the feeling. Their advice is simple: Stop trying to create the perfect summer and do something memorable together.
“By the end of summer, everyone is tired,” Seeck says. “The kids are bored, the parents are out of ideas and somehow you still feel like you should be doing more. That pressure can suck the fun right out of it.”
Their end-of-summer guide spotlights some of their families’ favorite escapes.
Pokémon is having another moment
Pokémon cards have surged back into family life, giving kids a reason to organize collections, trade and connect with other collectors.
“Pokémon is an easy win because the kids are already into it,” Stern says. “You do not have to know every character or understand why one card is apparently worth more than your first car. Take them to a shop, give them a budget and let them show you what they love.”
You can search online for local Pokemon events for fans of all ages, too.
Go fishing under the pines
Woods Canyon Lake is one of Seeck and Stern’s favorite Arizona escapes. Located on the Mogollon Rim east of Payson, the lake offers fishing, paddling, hiking and camping beneath the pines.
“The kids might be completely invested or lose interest after 10 minutes,” Seeck says. “Either way, you are outside together, making food, telling stories and figuring out how to sleep in a tent without everyone touching each other.”
Pick Rocky Point over California
For a beach trip, Seeck recommends Rocky Point, or Puerto Peñasco, on the Sea of Cortez. The Sonora town offers beaches, seafood, fishing and water activities within driving distance of Phoenix.
“California can be amazing, but the longer drive, gas and hotel get expensive fast,” Seeck said. “Rocky Point gives the kids the beach vacation they want without making the adults feel like they need a second mortgage.”
Families should review current travel requirements before crossing the border.
Trade the pool for the river
Stern recently visited Parker, where the Colorado River means boating, fishing, swimming and long days on the water.
Bullhead City offers another river getaway about three and a half hours from Phoenix. Families can boat or swim, then cross to Laughlin, Nevada, for dinner and entertainment.
“A river trip has its own personality,” Stern says. “Everyone is wet, someone is always looking for a towel and you stop worrying about whether the day is going according to plan.”
Bullhead City offers another river getaway about three and a half hours from Phoenix. Families can boat or swim, then cross to Laughlin, Nevada, for dinner and entertainment.
“You can spend the day on the water and then go across the river for dinner,” she continues. “It feels like you went much farther away than you actually did.”
Find cold water in Oak Creek Canyon
When the Valley heat starts to feel personal, Seeck’s family heads toward Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. It works as a day trip or overnight escape, with places to wade, picnic and explore. Slide Rock State Park offers swimming and a natural sandstone slide.
“You get out of the car, feel the cooler air and immediately remember that Arizona is not one giant parking lot in July,” Seeck says. “The water is cold enough to make everyone yell, which is half the fun.”
Slow down in Greer
Greer is another Seeck family favorite, with lakes, cool weather and a small-town feel. The White Mountains community offers fishing, hiking, camping and summer evenings that may call for a sweatshirt.
“Greer feels like permission to slow down,” Seeck said. “You can fish, walk by the river, sit outside and let the kids entertain themselves. Not every vacation needs an hourly agenda.”
Chase a waterfall or head underground
Near Payson, Water Wheel is one of Stern’s favorite outings, with water, rock scrambling and plenty of adventure.
“Water Wheel is one of those places where the kids feel like they discovered something,” Stern says.
Families should check weather and conditions before visiting, especially during monsoon season, when water levels can change quickly.
Stern has also explored Lava River Cave north of Flagstaff. The mile-long tube is dark, cool and rocky, so visitors should bring sturdy shoes, layers and reliable lights. “The second you tell a kid you are going into a lava tunnel, they are interested,” Stern says. “It is dark, strange and just challenging enough to make everyone feel proud when they come back out.”
Let go of the perfect-summer fantasy
The final weeks can be difficult for parents who feel they have not done enough. Social media adds pressure with elaborate vacations and seemingly delighted children.
“You are watching everyone else’s best moments while living through your own snack requests, sibling fights and plans that fell apart,” Seeck says. “But nobody is posting the part where everyone cried in the parking lot.”
Stern said parents should not try to fix burnout with another packed weekend. “Maybe everyone needs a slow morning,” she notes. “Maybe you cancel something. Maybe you go get ice cream and call it a day.”
“Make it easy. Make it fun,” Seeck says. “Let the imperfect parts count too. That is usually the part everyone talks about later anyway. The mess becomes the story.”
