Summer brings long days, warm weather, and a break from the school routine—making it the perfect time to engage families and children with your community brand. With a little creativity, summer can become a season of connection, learning, and fun that reinforces your brand values in meaningful ways. Here are some ways to bring your brand to life for families during the break.

Partner with the Library

Just because school’s out doesn’t mean learning has to stop. Collaborate with your local library to create a summer reading challenge or book club inspired by your brand’s values. If your brand is centered on high achievement and excellence, assign a book about a famous athlete, scientist, or local hero who persevered and succeeded. If your brand is rooted in community and kindness, choose stories that highlight neighborly acts and shared goals. A branded bookmark for each participant is a small but memorable way to keep the brand top of mind.

Activate Parks & Recreation Spaces

Summer is a time for play—and your community’s parks and rec programs offer a natural place to engage kids with the brand. Align existing summer camps or sports leagues with branded themes or incentives. Consider handing out branded medals or badges to participants who reach milestones or demonstrate sportsmanship. Beyond organized programs, look for ways to incorporate brand-inspired signage or games into playgrounds and public spaces, so that every park visit becomes a brand experience.

Host a Community Art Project

Let kids bring the brand to life through creativity. Organize an arts and crafts festival where children can submit original paintings, poems, or photos that reflect the spirit of the brand. Showcase their work at City Hall, the local library, or a downtown gallery space. For a more permanent touch, invite youth to help create a public art installation—perhaps by adding their handprint to a mural or placing a tile in a community mosaic. For a lower-maintenance option, designate an area for chalk art that changes weekly, offering a rotating reflection of local pride and imagination.

Coordinate Volunteer Opportunities

Summer is also a great time to instill values of service and citizenship. Launch youth-friendly volunteer projects that are fun and impactful. Organize a community cleanup day with parent and staff chaperones or invite kids to host lemonade stands to raise funds for local nonprofits. These activities not only build character, but they also reinforce the idea that your brand stands for something bigger—shared responsibility, kindness, and pride in place.

Celebrate Community History

Introduce children to your community’s roots with an interactive event at City Hall or a local museum. Invite longtime residents to share stories, family heirlooms, or historic photographs that help bring the past to life. Then flip the script and ask kids how they envision the community in the future—what they hope to see in 10, 30, or even 50 years. These intergenerational exchanges can be inspiring for everyone involved and help bridge the past, present, and future of your brand story.

Launch a Social Media Challenge

Not every engagement needs a physical gathering. A family-friendly social media campaign can be an easy, accessible way to build brand visibility and community connection. Create a summer hashtag and prompt families to share photos or reflections. Themes like “What I Learned This Summer,” “My Favorite Summer Spot,” or “Our Summer Adventure” encourage storytelling and participation. Feature selected posts on your official accounts to celebrate community involvement and keep the momentum going.

Summertime offers a golden opportunity to weave your brand into the daily lives of families in fun, enriching ways. Whether through books, art, parks, or storytelling, these experiences foster a deeper connection between young residents and the place they call home. When kids and families see themselves reflected in your brand—and become part of its story—you build lasting community pride and a sense of belonging.