Our Summer Bucket List

Each year in the weeks before school lets out, my kids and I sit down and write our summer bucket list.  I saw this idea on pinterest and thought it would be a fun tradition to start with my kids.  See… I am the mom who loves summer vacation.  Summer is MY time with my kids. I look forward to summertime and our unstructured, unscheduled time together.   This is the only time of year I don’t have to share my kids with school, after-school activities, sports, homework, etc.  My children are now 10 and 7, and I can’t help but to think  that we only really have 8 summers left before my oldest is 18 and off to college!  So I want to make every moment of these precious summers count.

Now let me get back to the list… Each of us get to choose ten or so things we want to do during summer vacation.  Of course, we have more than our share of visits to Chuck’e Cheese, and that is why I get to make my list too. ( I have to keep things balanced and sane right?!)  The items on the list can literally be anything.  Nothing is too big or too small to not make the list.  The best part about having this are for the days when we are bored and driving each other crazy. It is so nice to  take a look at the list and find something to cross off.  By the end of summer we usually have done at least 80% of the things on our list, which is actually pretty full-filling in a crazy sort of way.

Here are 12 of our favorite bucket list activities!

1. Fishing– This is a good one since there is a little pond on the trail behind our subdivision.  If I am really feeling adventurous we will head to the ocean and fish from the pier.
2. Hiking – Hiking is great because it gets us out into nature and it tires out the kiddos (and momma!)
3. Movies – These are especially good for those hot days.  And who doesn’t love a good summer blockbuster?!
4. Putt Putt Golf– A classic activity that never goes out of style.
5. Beach Day– We are so lucky to live close the the ocean.  But, lake beaches are just as fun!
6. Amusement Park– This can be really anything like a local carnival or boardwalk, to a full blown trip to Disneyland!
7. Trip to the City or a Museum– It’s always good to fit in a cultural experience.
8. Fruit Picking– Nothing beats freshly picked fruit! Picking fruit with my grandparents is still one of my fondest memories from my childhood.
9. Camping– Even if we can’t fit in a real camping trip, it’s still fun to pitch a tent in the back yard.
10. Family Bike Ride– This is always a good one to do on a whim.
11. Pool Day– Who doesn’t love going to the pool?  My kids are fish, they could spend everyday in the water.
12. Spontaneous road trip– This is always a fun one.  Just start driving and see where you end up.

Well, there you have it!  These are just a few of our summer favorites.  I would love to hear some of the great things that top your summer bucket lists!

Michelle

I’m a Bay Area mom with midwestern roots. Born and raised in Indiana, I have always had an affinity for travel, adventure and the arts.  Before my days of playdates and homework, I worked as a television host, reporter, producer, and actress in Los Angeles.

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