Summer Activities for Seniors and Families in Fresno, CA

With the summer bringing things like grandkids being home from school for vacation, and many adults taking vacation time off work, summer is the perfect season for families to gather and spend time with their older, retired relatives. And there’s no end to the great bonding opportunities for families to share with their loved ones.

Ice cream and summer go hand in hand. The cold treat of a nice frosty ice cream cone is one of the best ways to beat the summer heat while enjoying a tasty dessert. While it may seem like a simple idea, the humble ice cream parlor can make for a great and memorable family experience. Almost every child under the sun loves ice cream, so sitting down and sharing some with grandkids or grand-nieces and nephews can be a great opportunity to capture a moment and share some bonding time.

Many cities now have local ice cream shops that carry more than just the standard flavors and can offer an interesting and unique culinary experience. And if you’re not feeling adventurous, there’s always the old standby ice cream shops where you can stick to your old favorites.

The beach is always another classic summer option. Whether taking a trip out to the Pacific ocean to enjoy the sandy beaches and seawater, or a shorter trip out to a lake or a river, there’s going to be plenty of opportunity for everyone to have a great time with tons of activities to enjoy beyond just swimming. Make sure to be mindful of health. Many medications can cause sensitivity to sunlight and heat, so take the adequate precautions of providing shade and hydration.

Summer is a great time to have fun indoors as well, to keep out of the sun and heat. Sometimes the perfect thing to do for a hot summer night is a movie night. Try inviting the family over for a multigenerational movie night and share classic movies with the younger generation that they may not have any way to be exposed to before now. You can also look through local event pages to try and find outdoor movie nights for an evening of cinema under the night sky. There’s also the option of finding drive-in movie theaters nearby to bring a touch of nostalgia to the event.

Another great way to pass the time is with a good book. You could join a book club, work with some family or friends to form a reading list, or take a trip to a book store or a library and see what interests you. Libraries are also a great place to head to on hot summer days, to pass by the time in a comfortable, air conditioned environment reading without running up your own electric bill. Reading is also a great way to keep your brain active and engaged, which can help to keep your cognitive abilities strong and sharp into old age. And for seniors with sensory issues, there are plenty of workarounds such as large print books, e-readers with adjustable font size, magnifiers, book holders, and audiobooks.