There’s nothing that screams SUMMER BREAK louder than kids whining that they’re bored. My kids were not excited for school to end and my oldest has taken it upon herself to start planning outings – day at the park, a visit to the splashpad.. She was then excited to learn that I created a bucket list of things for us to do this summer – simple things that will make the break feel more like a break, rather than a long weekend in front of the t.v. Quick, side not though: I don’t think you need to fill each day with some sort of special activity. Its okay to let kids get a little bored, and let them come up with their own ways to keep themselves occupied.
Here is our list! Most of these things are meant to be done as a family, aside from the the camps and VBS (Vacation Bible School) in which the kids would be going off on their own. Download a FREE printable of this list at the end of this post.
- Go to the splashpad – a lot of the times these are free!
- Go to the local pool – maybe this is just the local pool in your neighborhood or community. Even if you have your own pool at home, a day out at the local pool could feel like you’re on a mini vacation.
- Hike a nearby state park – If there isn’t a state park close enough, look for nature preserves or trails.
- Have a picnic next to a lake or creek – pack a lunch and a blanket and find a shady spot next to a small body of water.
- Make homemade popsicles – look up some recipes and make them together. My favorite are smoothies frozen in popsicle trays.
- Have a water balloon fight – but first, everyone promises to help clean up the balloon scraps at the end!
- Visit the zoo – with so many things to see, pick a few exhibits, or spend the whole day seeing everything.
- Tie-dye shirts – this activity is best done outside, which is why we wait until the warmer summer months to do it.
- Swim at a nearby beach or lake – we live in the Midwest, so there’s not many beaches, but plenty of lakes. Just research whether swimming is permitted in certain areas.
- Have a summer scavenger hunt – look butterflies, flowers, birds, and whatever else is part of your landscape during the summer.
- Check out local summer camps – try the community center and even local schools that might host nature or sports camps during the summer
- Attend Vacation Bible School – check local churches for VBS offerings, which are usually free and great for fellowship
- Visit a local farmer’s market – pick up some fresh produce, baked goods, or handmade items, and support your local community of farmers and makers
- Run around in the rain – a simple joy, and summer means its usually warm enough to get wet in the rain.
- Have a water gun fight – hide behind things in your backyard and try not to get wet. Parents, get in on this too!
- Come up with outdoor water activities or games – set out tubs of water, filled with toys and cups for pouring. Have kids bring out water-safe toys, like plastic animals and Barbies to play with in water.
- Visit the local library – include reading in your summer plans. Check for summer programs at the library.
- Play in the sprinkler – kind of like playing in the rain, but when there’s no rain in the forecast!
- Watch or shoot off fireworks – see if your community or nearby towns host fireworks displays for the 4th of July, or stock up on your own!
- Wash the car in swimsuits – its not a chore if you’re wearing a swimsuit!
- Build a fire and make s’mores – if you don’t have the ability to at your own home, check if nearby parks have firepit areas.
- Have a craft day – cut, glue, paint… make something together!
- Act out your favorite story – gather household items and turn your favorite story into a play you can act out in the backyard.
- Build an indoor or outdoor fort – chairs, blankets, boxes… use your imagination.
- Create an ice cream bar for dessert – put out all the toppings and have everyone make their own ice cream bowl.
- Pick a bouquet of wildflowers – pick whatever is growing in the backyard or a local park and put it in a pretty vase.
- Play family mini golf – a golf game even the littles can be a part of.
- Paint rocks and leave them for others to find – paint quotes, verses, or pictures and leave them in parking lots, parks, trails, etc.
- Create a family sidewalk chalk artwork – let everyone help and cover the driveway or a walkway.
- Take a day trip to the nearest big city and be a tourist – even if you live in the city, bring along a camera and take fun family pictures at various touristy spots.
There are so many summer bucket list lists out there! What are some things you love to do during the summer?
FREE DOWNLOAD of list HERE
