Creating a Summer Bucket List

Are you wondering how you’re going to keep your kids entertained all summer long? Doing so can feel like a full time job, and sometimes you simply run out of ideas. To prevent those days when you just don’t know how you’re going to keep the boredom at bay, try sitting down with your kids now to create a summer bucket list.

A bucket list is most effective when children are able to contribute to the list themselves. Not only will they feel a sense of ownership and pride they’ll also be more excited about tackling each of the items if they suit their unique interests.

Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. That’s why we’ve compiled a short list of ideas to spark your imagination and inspire you and your children to try new things this summer.

Tackling Your Bucket List Day by Day

One way to add an element of surprise to each day of summer is to write each bucket list item on a small piece of paper and put it into a jar. Every day, your child can reach in to grab a slip of paper and see what activity awaits them.

You can also make this routine stick by encouraging them to create a Summer Bucket List Journal chronicling each day’s adventures. They can add pictures, drawings, and brief descriptions of what they learned that day and the experiences they want to remember most.

Ready to get started on that bucket list? Here are some ideas to get your child’s creative juices flowing.

Plant a Garden

This hands-on activity doubles as a science project. Your child will learn how to take care of plants and can even enjoy the magic of growing their own food if you choose to plant vegetables. They can also make a day-by-day update of the garden part of their Bucket List Journal. Check out this website on kids gardening.

Make Homemade Jam

As a kid-friendly food, jam may already be a permanent item on your weekly shopping list. Why not get your children involved in making it from scratch? Whipping up a batch of jam in the kitchen is relatively simple, and your kids can take charge by selecting their favorite fruit and designing labels for the jars. Here’s a great jam recipe to get you started.

Make Pet Rocks

All this activity takes is some rocks, paint, and a big imagination! If you have glue, string, and googly eyes on hand, even better. Your children can have fun creating personalities for the rocks and designing facial features to fit. Get all the info you need on rock painting here.

Film a Short Movie

With free editing software and a smart phone camera, it’s easier than ever to make a short movie without a ton of know-how. From coming up with a dramatic or comedic scenario to writing a script, putting costumes together, and directing the filming process, your kids can put their creative talents to work to produce a masterpiece. Short on ideas or inspiration, do a quick YouTube search on ‘kids videos’ or ‘kids videos for kids’.

Head out for a Picnic

Going for a picnic doesn’t require much in the way of materials, but it sure is fun! Kids can take the lead by packing up sandwiches and drinks and selecting a grassy area to enjoy their meal. This can even be a weekly adventure where you choose a new park to visit each week.

Start a Water Balloon Fight

Water balloons are cheap, but the amount of fun they offer is priceless. Having a pack on hand can take away summer boredom in an instant. One of our favorite tricks is this device that makes the blowing up stage a lot faster.

Make a Blanket Fort

Some parents dread blanket forts because it can feel like they turn the whole house into a kids’ kingdom. Allow your children to enjoy the thrill of building blanket forts without causing you additional stress by limiting them to a very specific area of the house and implementing a strict clean-up time.

Create a Time Capsule

Children can capture their childhood memories in a time capsule by filling a mason jar with a letter to their future selves, small toys, movie tickets, memorabilia, and more. They can also use this as an opportunity to create a list of goals for the year and to later see what they’re able to accomplish. Not only is this a fun activity for this summer, but it can also bring plenty of joy in the years ahead whenever your child rediscovers it. Here’s some time capsule ideas to get you started.

With a bucket list to take on, kids can get excited about each and every day of summer. By the time the season’s over and it’s time to go back to the classroom, they’ll have created lasting memories of new experiences that they can look back on all year long.