Summer bucket list {free printable}

I love summertime. Summer is the time to really enjoy our freedom, be spontaneous, and do things we just don’t have the time to do as much of during the school year. Having more time with my kids is such a great thing, but it can also be challenging to keep them busy as the summer goes on, once the excitement of being out of school has rubbed off.  Summer boredom can definitely occur at our house, and every year I try to put different plans in place to help prevent it, including a summer bucket list!

summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com

In addition to set activities that are written on the calendar, the bucket list includes activities that are for the most part ones that we can just pick up and do, without a lot of planning or effort ahead of time.  This gives my kids something to look forward to every day–after chores are done in the morning. I love it because it gives our summer a little more structure, while keeping some spontaneity at the same time. These activities aren’t expensive or fancy, and many of them are things we do all year round, but something about doing them in the summertime makes them seem extra special!

summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com

To keep track of our list, this year I did something a little different than past years.  I created tags with 30 or so boredom busters along with  things my kids really wanted to do this summer, then printed them out on cardstock, and punched them out with a 2 inch circle punch. I punched a small hole at the top, then slid the tags on a silver book ring.  Then I HAD to add a little ribbon.  ☺  I love how small it is–it doesn’t take up a lot of room, and I can hang it in on our calendar in the kitchen for easy access.

summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com

So…what are some things on our bucket list? 

A few of these things are specific to where we live, like the trolley and waterway fountains, but most of them are ordinary activities that can become extraordinary when you make it an “event”.

summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com

-Put up the pool in the backyard

-Go to the beach

-Bake cookies

-Meet Dad for lunch

-Ride the trolley

-Ride the carousel

-Play in the waterway fountains

-Feed the ducks

-Visit a museum

-Go bowling (www.kidsbowlfree.com)

-Family move night with concession stand (more on this later)

-Play outdoor night games (Kick the Can, anyone?)

-Go to the $1 movie

-Build a fort

-Have a pillow fight

-Plan board games

-Invite friends over for an ice cream party

-Go to the pool

-Put on a play or concert

-Visit the library

-Read stories together

-Have a water fight

-Sidewalk chalk!

-Play water games

-Run through the sprinklers

-Have a watermelon seed-spitting contest

-Go to storytime

-Individual lunch dates (a tag for each child)

 Kids will take turn choosing the activity, as a bonus for earning our “two thumbs up” award the night before, and everyone will get a turn!  School has been out a week now, and I’m looking forward to introducing the completed bucket list in the morning!

summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com

I’ve included the printable tags for you to use, which include all of the activities listed above (except the ones specific to us), plus a bunch of blank ones, so you can add your own!

Download your free tags here!

Here are a few of the blank ones as jpg, images if you’d like to add text.  Just right click and save to your computer, then upload it in picmonkey.com.  You can add any text you like, then save to your computer.  Insert it into Word as a picture, re-size as necessary (mine are 2 inches), then print and cut!!!

summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com summer bucket list | oldsaltfarm.com

Happy Summer!!!

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