What’s on your summer fun checklist?
Spontaneity is great, but it never hurts to have a bit of a plan, especially with kids.
When the weather starts to get warmer, and the school year comes to a close, I like to make a list of activities that I use as a blueprint for summer fun. It gives the summer a bit of structure, while still allowing flexibility and freedom in our daily schedules.
At the beginning of summer, my three boys and I put together a summer checklist. We choose 50 things we want to do throughout the summer, print the list, pop it in a dollar store frame, and check off the items as we complete them. The items included on our list have changed as my boys have gotten older but working our way through a summer checklist is still a cherished tradition in our home.
My family’s summer checklist always has 50 items on it, but your family can include any number of activities. It’s supposed to be fun (not stressful), so plan accordingly.
When choosing items for your list, pick things that are easy, inexpensive and enjoyable for the whole family. Make sure to include simple summer pleasures such as playing with sparklers, swimming, camping, visiting parks and beaches, singing around a campfire, going geo-caching, hiking, stargazing, having dance parties and/ or singing karaoke.
You can also shake things up by moving indoor activities outdoors.
For example, read a book outside or plan an outdoor movie night. Cuddling up under the stars with popcorn and a movie projected onto a white sheet is an enjoyable way to spend a summer evening with family and friends.
Don’t forget to include summer themed food on your checklist. An outdoor picnic or barbecue is a seasonal staple but buying a meal from a local food truck or restaurant is fun too. You can also include things like eat donuts hanging from a string (with no hands), make a homemade ice cream cake or milkshakes, decorate a cake or bake cookies, roast marshmallows and make s’mores, and/or try a new food or recipe. One of our favourite summer checklist items is the ice cream stand challenge, where we try to visit at least five different ice cream stands in July and August.
Of course, getting creative is a fantastic way to keep children’s brains active during their time away from school. We always include crafting, rock painting and postcard/letter writing on our list.
A few other fun activities to consider adding to your checklist are to have a theme day (gift cards day is one of our favourites), organize a drawer, do a good deed, raise money for charity, have a one-on-one date with mom or dad, and/or go on a road trip.
The final item on our list is always have ice cream for supper. We fill our dinner table with ice cream, cookies, brownies, candy, chocolate and caramel sauce and whipped cream. Then, every family member creates their own delicious masterpiece. It’s a delightful way to celebrate the end of summer and the completion of our checklist.
A summer checklist really is a wonderful blueprint for fun this season. No one says they’re bored when there is a list of adventures waiting to be completed and enjoyed. I hope I’ve given you a few new ideas for summer fun and you make lasting memories with the people you love.