15 Summer Vacations Only ’90s Kids Will Remember
This article lists 15 summer vacations that ’90s kids experienced and still remember today.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
This list shares some of the best summer memories that kids in the ’90s experienced. It includes beach trips, camping, road trips, amusement parks, and backyard fun. Many of these moments were simple but unforgettable. These summer vacations bring back happy memories for anyone who grew up in the ’90s.
1. Family Beach Days with Real Kodak Moments
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Families packed up the car and headed to the beach with coolers, towels, and a big umbrella. Parents took lots of photos using film cameras, hoping the pictures would turn out well after developing. These beach days were full of sun, laughter, and real printed photos you could hold.
2. Guzzling Capri Suns by the Shore
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After swimming and running on the beach, nothing tasted better than a cold Capri Sun. The kids poked the straw through the shiny pouch and drank the sweet juice quickly. Sticky fingers and empty pouches were always part of the fun.
3. Sandcastle Competitions with Mom or Dad
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Building sandcastles was a big part of the day. Kids worked hard with little plastic shovels while parents helped shape tall towers and deep moats. The ocean always washed them away, but making them was the best part.
4. Sunburned Shoulders and SPF 8 Lotion
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Parents covered kids in thick, white sunscreen that never seemed to rub in. Even after all that, many kids still ended up with red, sunburned shoulders. The smell of sunscreen always meant summer was here.
5. Communal Picnics Under Colorful Umbrellas
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Families brought all kinds of food in plastic containers and shared it under bright beach umbrellas. There was always pasta salad, sandwiches, and lots of snacks. Seagulls tried to sneak food, and everyone laughed and talked together.
6. Racing Barefoot at Water’s Edge
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Kids loved running along the edge of the water, letting the waves chase their feet. The wet sand felt cool and soft under their toes. Everyone raced each other and splashed around, full of energy.
7. Beach Handstand Challenges with Siblings
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Siblings and friends dared each other to do handstands in the sand. Everyone tried to stay upside down the longest without falling. There was always lots of giggling and sand stuck in hair afterward.
8. Battling Over Beach Real Estate
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Families arrived early to grab the best spot near the water. They laid out towels, chairs, and umbrellas to save their place. Sometimes people walked through the middle by accident, but everyone still enjoyed the sunshine.
9. Sesame Place Field Trips with Classmates
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Trips to Sesame Place were exciting for young kids. Everyone got to meet their favorite characters like Elmo and Big Bird. There were fun rides, shows, and lots of chances to take pictures with friends.
10. Back-to-Back Tent Camping
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Families set up tents in the woods or by a lake. They told ghost stories by the fire, roasted marshmallows, and sang songs under the stars. With no phones or internet, it was all about spending time together.
11. Road-Trip Mix-Tape Soundtracks
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Long car rides meant listening to cassette tapes filled with favorite songs. Kids stared out the window while parents played everything from pop hits to old classics. The mix-tape soundtracks made every road trip more fun.
12. Lazy River Tubing Escapades
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Floating down a lazy river on big inflatable tubes was relaxing and fun. Kids sometimes jumped off to splash or build little sand forts on the shore. The slow current carried everyone downstream while they laughed and talked.
13. Candy-Colored Amusement Park Wonders
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Amusement parks were full of bright colors, fun rides, and tasty treats. Kids loved cotton candy, giant soft-serve cones, and spinning rides that made them dizzy. Every visit felt like a special adventure.
14. Backyard Pool Parties with Slip-’n’-Slides
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Backyard pools and plastic Slip-’n’-Slides turned summer days into water-filled fun. Kids ran and slid across the wet plastic, sometimes crashing into each other. Even the family dog often joined the splashing.
15. Marshmallow-Roasting Bonfire Nights
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At night, kids gathered around campfires to roast marshmallows. They told spooky stories and stared into the glowing flames. The smoky smell stayed on the clothes, making the memory last even longer.