Does your family put together a Summer Bucket List? It’s one of my favorite things to do together at the start of summer. It’s a great way to make sure that everyone gets to pick one or two (or more) things that they REALLY REALLY REALLY want to do over the summer. I create the list and post it someplace where we can all see it and start checking them off one by one.
I love creating Summer Bucket Lists for a couple reasons…
- I love making lists and feeling the rush when I’ve accomplished something and therefore, get to cross off said item. {i know, I’m weird}
- It’s a great tool to ensure that family time is had over the summer.
- On those days when we have nothing planned and can’t think of something to do, we can just look to our handy, dandy Summer Bucket List, pick an adventure, and go! Almost like a Choose Your Adventure Book, but for summer!
- I think there is nothing worse than getting ready to go back to school and having one (or more) child sad because we never did what he REALLY wanted to do over the summer. His ONE thing. Then I feel like a failure. I mean, we had ALL summer and I couldn’t manage to do one special thing for him??? UGH! This way it’s all been put on the list and we can’t not see it!
- Lastly, I love it because at the end of summer it’s fun to stand back and look at it as a family and reminisce about all the fun adventures we had together.
This year our list is filled with a mixture of things that could be done in any city and things that we want to be sure to do and see around Washington DC.
Our List includes:
- Play Laser Tag
- Family Bike Rides
- Visit Mount Vernon
- Ice Skating on a Hot Day
- Visit Old Town Alexandria
- Road Trip to Annapolis
- Go Fishing
- Take a Train to NYC
- Visit Smithsonian National Zoo
- Attend a Nationals Baseball Game
- Eat at Clyde’s
- Complete the Library Reading Program
- Swim Length of Pool
- Have a Lemonade Stand
- Make Homemade Popsicles
- Make Homemade Ice Cream
- Go Sailing
- Visit the Spy Museum
- Visit the Ford Museum
- Road Trip to Monticello
- Play Putt Putt Golf
- Go see the New Minion Movie
Thinking about creating one? YOU SHOULD! Sit down together and ask each member of the family to name a few things they really want to do/experiene this summer. Then start the list. Be sure to think about places in or near your hometown that perhaps you haven’t been to in a long time or have never seen. It could include parks, museums, swimming holes, etc. Also think about experiences, both outdoor and indoor. We always include indoor things to do for days when it is WAY too hot or rainy. And also encourage your kiddos to think of something they’d like to learn. Maybe it’s a new sport (find a beginners camp), or craft (making friendship bracelets), or hobby (music lessons). Summer is a great time to let your kiddos experience new things without a huge commitment.
What’s on your Summer Bucket List? I’d love to hear all about yours! Do you live in and near Washington, DC? If so, what are some fun off-the-beaten-path things we should do?