20 Family Summer Bucket List Ideas
Summer is an exciting time of year as school goes on break and families can take advantage of the sunny weather and go on trips together. I remember summer being my favorite time of year as a child because I’d be able to sleep in longer, play with my friends and go swimming. Some of the simplest things were the most enjoyable memories. Isn’t that the beauty of childhood?
Now, I know as parents that summer doesn’t always sound that easy and exciting. Our children have been in school almost all year long and now we need to figure out a new day-to-day for them. Sometimes this comes as a stress or a challenge, especially as our children get older and their hobbies and interests change.
However, I heard one mom say this to a group of moms in a room once and it forever changed my perspective. She said, we only have 18 summers with our children so cherish the time we have with them.
That phrase that stood out to me was so simple, yet so profound. I have 18 summers to go swimming at the pool with my kids. 18 summers to go on family vacations, camping, and impromptu beach trips. Suddenly, putting a cap on my seemingly endless summers to come made it feel like my time left to enjoy my kids while in the prime of their childhood would not last as long as I had assumed it would.
Having this new found perspective, I’d like to spend summers with my children with more intention than with haste. I’d like to do more things we actually enjoy as a family and less classes and busyness just to fill up our schedules. I look back at my summers as a child and yes I did attend church retreats and activities, and occasional academic class here or there, but most of my summers consisted of down time and being able to play outdoors with the neighborhood kids. I hope that my kids will come to love the simplicity of summers and remember the fond moments that we were just being a family, living life together.
Instead of inundating you with more summer camps, academic programs, and classes that are available this summer, I have created a family summer bucket list to hopefully inspire you with ideas for you to spend some plain ‘ol quality time with your family. Some ideas are personal family favorites and others are ones that we’d love to try as our kids get older.
Here is a list of 20 Family Summer Bucket List Ideas to make this the start of the best summers yet!
Go out weekly for family ice cream night
Take a boat ride at your local lake or beach
Try a sunrise bike ride or hike
Rent a bounce house or waterside for the backyard
Plan a backyard movie night
Go for a night walk around the neighborhood
Watch fireworks (or play with fireworks) on July 4th
Visit your local zoo or aquarium
Plan a fun water day (sprinklers, water balloons, splash pad, etc.)
Go to a drive-in movie theater
Rent a telescope and do stargazing in the backyard
Take a train ride to another part of town
Create pen pals with a friend and send letters throughout the summer
Go berry or melon picking at a local farm
For more family friendly activities, check out: Spring Activities to do at Home.
