What is Summer of Connection?

Summer of Connection is an invitation to slow down, be present, and intentionally reconnect with God, ourselves, and the people around us. In a world full of distractions, constant noise, and endless scrolling, we believe there is something powerful about setting our phones aside and creating space for what matters most.

By choosing intentional moments of connection — spiritually, relationally, and personally — we believe our hearts are renewed, our relationships grow stronger, and our awareness of God deepens. Whether around the dinner table, on a walk, during prayer, or through simple shared experiences, these moments have the power to transform us.

Our hope is that this summer becomes more than a season of activity, but a season of presence. We hope you’ll join us and discover what happens when we choose to truly be here, together.

Summer of Connection Bingo

Join in the fun by creating and completing your own bingo card with your family. Write original ideas or grab inspiration from the list below.

As an added bonus, if you complete your family bingo card and turn it in by August 30th, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win fun prizes! (But we know the REAL prize is the fruit of connection you’ll experience!)

200 Connection Ideas

Family & Connection

  • FaceTime family members

  • Reconnect with old friends

  • Grandparents story

  • Game night

  • Family dance party

  • Talent show

  • Date night

  • Dinner party

  • BBQ

  • Family dinner - no phones

  • Interview grandparents on video

  • Family trivia night

  • Family awards night

  • Write encouragement letters to each other

  • Family karaoke night

  • “Yes Day” for the kids

  • Progressive dinner with friends

  • Host brunch at home

  • Neighborhood potluck

  • Family photo night

  • Create a family time capsule

  • Learn everyone’s favorite childhood memory

  • Celebrate random holidays together

  • Family movie marathon

  • Cook a meal together start to finish

  • Parent/kid coffee date

  • Family vision night

  • Write and perform a family skit or play

Outdoor Fun & Adventure

  • Go on a picnic

  • Create a backyard Olympics

  • Sidewalk chalk messages

  • Make daisy chains

  • Set up a sprinkler

  • Water balloon fight

  • Kickball game

  • Blow bubbles

  • Have a scavenger hunt

  • Pickleball tournament

  • Pick up basketball

  • Kayaking/paddleboarding

  • Build a fort

  • Rock climbing

  • Hike

  • Sunset chasing

  • Day trip - zoo, beach, mtns

  • Lake day

  • Watch fireworks

  • Fire & s’mores

  • Bike ride

  • Mini golf

  • Go for a walk

  • Camping

  • Go fishing

  • Outdoor movie night

  • Nature bingo

  • Geocaching

  • Frisbee golf

  • Fly kites

  • Visit a waterfall

  • Outdoor obstacle course

  • Sunrise breakfast hike

  • Hammock day at the park

  • Backyard camping

  • Float the river

  • Nature photography challenge

  • Soccer match

  • Roller skating/blading

  • Snow cone stand at home

  • Outdoor worship night

  • Family field day

  • Explore a new trail

  • Paddleboat ride

  • Botanical garden visit

  • Mud pie kitchen for kids

  • Porch lemonade afternoon

Food & Home Experiences

  • Cook something new

  • Make homemade ice cream

  • Visit a farmers market

  • Try a new restaurant

  • Try a new coffee shop

  • Visit food pod

  • Wash the car

  • Berry picking

  • Backyard refresh

  • Homemade pizza night

  • Taco bar night

  • Breakfast-for-dinner night

  • Make homemade popsicles

  • Learn latte art

  • Try international cuisine week

  • Family bake-off

  • DIY smoothie bar

  • Garden-to-table dinner

  • Declutter one room together

  • Rearrange a room for fun

  • Make homemade bread

  • Create a signature family dessert

  • Tea party

  • Charcuterie board night

  • Fancy dinner at home

  • Backyard brunch

  • Make freezer meals together

  • Create a family recipe book

Creative & Hands-On

  • Do a puzzle

  • Make playdough

  • Art night

  • Start a journal

  • Plant a garden/flowers

  • Create a 100 dreams list

  • Create family declaration

  • Identity cards

  • Paint flower pots

  • Tie-dye shirts

  • Build LEGO challenges

  • Scrapbook memories

  • Vision board night

  • DIY bird feeders

  • Paint rocks with encouraging messages

  • Learn calligraphy

  • Candle-making

  • Family poetry night

  • Create a gratitude jar

  • Make homemade cards

  • Sew or knit something simple

  • Build a fairy garden

  • Learn origami

  • Make friendship bracelets

  • Create a family crest/logo

  • Decorate cookies or cupcakes

  • Start a family photo album

  • Learn a new skill together (painting, guitar, baking, etc.)

Travel & Exploration

  • Go to a pool

  • Go to an amusement park

  • Explore Portland

  • Drive-in movie

  • Overnight/weekend getaway

  • Plan family vacation

  • Explore a small town nearby

  • Staycation challenge

  • Visit a lighthouse

  • Ferry ride adventure

  • Hotel night in the city

  • Airbnb cabin getaway

  • Museum day

  • Explore local bookstores

  • Ride public transit somewhere new

  • Create a “tourist in your city” day

  • Scenic train ride

  • Visit a historical site

  • Weekend road trip

  • Try a new neighborhood each month

  • Explore hidden coffee shops

  • Visit a lavender farm or orchard

  • Food truck crawl

  • State park passport challenge

Service & Purpose

  • Family closet clean out

  • Family service project

  • Make blessing bags for homeless outreach

  • Write thank-you notes to teachers/pastors

  • Deliver cookies to neighbors

  • Volunteer at a food bank

  • Sponsor a child together

  • Donate toys/books

  • Neighborhood cleanup walk

  • Plant flowers for someone elderly

  • Pray for neighbors by name

  • Pay for someone’s coffee

  • Serve at church together

  • Visit a nursing home

  • Encourage first responders

  • Create care packages

  • Foster generosity challenge

  • Collect school supplies for families

Faith & Spiritual Growth

  • Make a worship playlist

  • Pray as family

  • Read a book

  • Start a journal

  • Complete a reading plan

  • Write family prayer points

  • Choose a family devotional

  • Scripture memory challenge

  • Family communion night

  • Prayer walk around neighborhood

  • Worship in the backyard

  • Share testimonies

  • Study one Bible character together

  • Gratitude prayers at dinner

  • Bless each child individually before bed

  • Create a family prayer wall

  • Listen to a sermon together

  • Morning worship outside

  • Read Psalms aloud together

  • Fast from screens for a day

  • Create faith goals for the year

  • Write prayers in a shared journal

  • Choose a monthly family verse

  • Serve someone anonymously

  • Bible trivia night

  • Read missionary stories together