There is something magical about summer.  I don’t even have kids in school yet, but I still look forward to all the excitement of summer.  I love being able to play outside and see more neighbors outdoors.  Basically, as soon as the weather starts to warm up (aka the very first sign of Spring), I start thinking about our summer bucket list.  

At the start, summer seems endless, but you know just like I do that if you don’t actually make plans and put things on the calendar, it goes by SO quickly.  We try to do at least one “adventure” per week and sometimes more depending on the weather, opportunities, or nap times.  Sometimes our adventures are a quick trip to the playground or library.  But, other times we pack up the car and head a little bit farther away to spend a full morning at the museum.  It just depends.

So today, I’m sharing our summer bucket list for this year plus a few quick tips to help you create your own summer bucket list for your family.

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Summer Bucket List for Families

I tried to keep this list really practical and do-able for families like ours with young kids in tow.  These are all things that we really enjoy, or that I think the boys will really enjoy this year and I’m hoping to be able to get to quite a few of these with our family this year!

Library Story Time

We have been doing this year-round since before Little was a year old and I’m sure that this has helped play a large role in his love of reading and books.  Many local libraries have weekly story time activities for babies through elementary kids.  Check your local library’s calendar to see what’s going on.  You might even be able to join a reading challenge and let your children earn prizes by checking out and reading library books at home!

Visit the Beach

The beach screams summer to me.  And while I don’t really love being out in the hottest parts of the day, I do love a good walk on the beach in the early morning or evening.  Now that we have little ones, it’s fun to teach then some of the beach games we used to play – like running away from the waves when they crash on the shore, searching for shells, and building castles!

One note to this, because not everyone can get to the coast for a day trip – don’t forget that lakes have beaches too!  Check your local lakes for recreational spots nearby!

Build a Sandcastle

Along the lines of going to the beach, make sure you get some fun sand buckets and practice building castles!  Or entire kingdoms if you’re feeling particularly ambitious!

Pick Strawberries

Summer is the time for fresh berries and fruit and what better way to get them than by spending a morning picking them yourself!  We try to make at least one annual trip to our local strawberry farm for picking berries then head home to make some delicious strawberry treat (I’m hoping to make a trifle or shortcakes this year!)

Picking your own fruit is a fun way to teach kids about where our food comes from and let them have some fun outdoors, too!

Play Outside

If nothing else, use summer to make an intentional effort to get outside!  I always tell Hubs that playing outside is the best way to keep the house clean in the summer.

Color with Chalk

Nothing like a bucket of rainbow chalk on a lazy afternoon.  It’s cheap, it’s easy, and it’s versatile.  Draw pictures or create games – it’s sure to be a good time!

Attend a Local Event

Check your town’s events calendar to find fun things for families going on throughout the summer.  Many cities will have street festivals, parades, or other events throughout the summer – often that are free to public!

Watch a Parade

The 4th of July is the PERFECT time to find a local (or non-local, if you prefer) time to find a parade!  OR, if there isn’t a parade nearby, make your own!  Have kids decorate their bikes, wagons, or scooters and have a kids’ parade!

Have a Cookout

You can do this with your family or invite over some neighbors or friends.  Have a pot-luck and let everyone bring something to share!

Watch Fireworks

So many fun memories can be made sitting together on a picnic blanket watching fireworks.  We only do this on July 4th because I’m not brave enough to set off our own fireworks.

Eat Cotton Candy

Nothing in the world screams summer carnival to me more than a bright pink or blue stick of cotton candy.

Plant a Garden

Or plant a flower.  Plant anything.  Planting a garden with your kids is a great opportunity to talk to them about how seeds grow and to help them learn responsibility as they can work with you to do various garden chores such as watering, picking weeds, and harvesting their own vegetables or enjoying pretty blooms.

Run in Sprinklers

Don’t have a swimming pool nearby?  Put on your swimsuits and run outside in the back yard with the sprinklers!  I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter the source of water so much, most kids LOVE playing in the water during the summer!  And bonus, you can water your lawn at the same time!

Splash in Puddles

Head out after a nice afternoon rain with some boots and take a splash in puddles.  Or take a walk down the sidewalk on a “puddle hunt” and see how many puddles you can find!

Try a New Recipe

My guy loves to help me in the kitchen.  Find an easy, kid friendly recipe that you can make with your little ones this summer and the practice working in the kitchen together!

Watch Airplanes

If you live near an airport, this is especially easy and if not, maybe you have airplanes fly by from time to time.  See how many airplanes you see flying over throughout the summer.  Keep a running tally nearby.

Visit the Farmer’s Market

Many cities (or even shopping centers) have regular farmers’ markets during the summer months!  This is another thing to look out for on your town’s events calendar.  It’s a great way to allow kids to help you with grocery shopping and making healthy choices.  It also gives children the opportunity to meet local farmers and to learn about where our food actually comes from.

Make Ice Cream / Have an Ice Cream Sundae

Don’t have an ice cream maker?  No problem.  Try this no-churn strawberry ice cream recipe!  And if you don’t have time to make your own ice cream, pick a date for a fun family ice cream sundae party!  Get all the toppings and create your own sundae bar to cool down on a hot summer afternoon.

Or if ice cream isn’t your thing, grab some fresh fruit and make some homemade popsicles instead!

Take a Nature Walk

This is another way to get up and moving this summer!  See what you can find on your walk – sticks, rocks, flowers, even different kinds of wildlife – birds, bugs, frogs, etc.

Meet a New Neighbor

People are more likely to be out and about during the warmer months – so take advantage!  Go for a walk around the neighborhood and say hello to someone you haven’t met before!  It’s good to make new friends in the neighborhood.

Visit a Museum

Take a day trip to a nearby museum for a day full of learning and fun!  Or just make a morning of it and have a special lunch after.

Press Flowers

Preserve some of the flowers from your outdoor adventures by pressing them.  You can even get flower pressing kits that make the job easier!

Blow Bubbles

Bubbles are cheap and easy and keep kids occupied for long stretches!  The perfect play idea for outside.

Watch an Outdoor Movie

Check your local listings to see if there are any outdoor movies playing – this makes for a fun and memorable family movie night.  No movies playing near you?  Hang up a white sheet in your back yard and use a projector to make your very own outdoor movie theater!

Play at the Playground

Another easy one – take a trip to your local playground and spend the morning climbing, sliding, swinging, and exploring!

Visit a Zoo or Farm

If your children are anything like mine, anything with animals is always a big hit!  Take a day trip to a nearby zoo or a local farm.  Be sure to check ahead of time to see if your children will be able to pet and/or feed the animals so you know what to expect.

Make a Bird Feeder

Building a bird feeder is another great way to learn about and interact with nature!  You can easily make one at home with just a few supplies!

Have a Picnic

Picnics are a great way to make an ordinary meal extra special!  Grab a blanket and take your lunch outdoors!  Be sure to pick something that isn’t messy and that can easily fit into containers – think sandwiches, fruit, crackers.

Learn a New Game

Introduce a new board game or outdoor game to your kids this summer.  Maybe it’s a game that’s new to everyone, or maybe a game that you played as a child.

Additionally, challenge your child to create a new game themselves and then let them teach you!

Build a Fort

Finally, forts are always a hit and are a great rainy day activity!  Spread out blankets across your furniture, pull in some cardboard boxes and pillows and turn your kitchen or living room or playroom into a special fort!

How to Create a Summer Bucket List for Your Family

So this is our bucket list for the summer.  I’m really hoping to get to check many of these things off this year!

But, maybe there are things that you’d add or take out of this list for your own family.  Below are 5 tips to help you create your own summer bucket list.

Think about what activities your family already enjoys

Brainstorm about what things your family already enjoys doing.  Do you prefer being indoors or outdoors?  Are you more adventurous or do you like relaxed and laid back activities?  Maybe you like a little of both. You only want things on your bucket list that you will enjoy.

Think about what is around you

What events, venues, or natural resources are close by?  These will be things that will be easy to do without tons of extra planning.  What playgrounds are nearby? Libraries?  Beaches, lakes, trails?  Taking stock of what’s easily accessible will make it simple to add things to your list.

Think about what plans you already have

Let’s be honest.  The summer (just like every season) goes by too quickly.  The weekends fill up FAST!  Before you start adding things on your list – take a look at the plans that your family already has – any vacations, weddings, family events.

Make Your List

Next, start making your list.  Write down the things that you want to do.  You’re WAY more likely to get to the things you’re hoping to if you write them done.

Mark Your Calendar

And finally, mark your calendar!  You certainly don’t need to put everything on the calendar weeks in advance.  But take sometime at the beginning of each week to decide what you might like to do each week.  Maybe you’ll go to the playground and the library one week.  And the museum the next.

And of course, you don’t have to do any of this.  My goal is always to give you ideas of fun ways that you can be intentional with your family and kids to make memories and spend quality time together learning, laughing, and playing.

But, rest is important too.  And if you tend to be busy busy busy like so many of us, maybe add  a rest day on your bucket list!  That’s totally fine, too!

What are your plans for this summer?  How do you plan on being intentional about family time during this season?

Don’t forget to download your FREE Printable Summer Bucket List here!