Don’t think you need a summer bucket list? Here’s why you really do…

I get it, maybe you are a self-proclaimed “slacker mom” who hates Pinterest, or maybe you are just channeling your inner 80s mom, but either way, you don’t do summer bucket lists.

Or maybe you are so overwhelmed and can’t even consider adding one more thing to your already overflowing list of things “to-do” that a summer bucket list hasn’t even crossed your mind.

Whatever your reasons, you can use these summer bucket list ideas for impromptu activities anytime you need to pry the screens out of your children’s hands for a few hours. LOL

But first, let’s talk about WHY you need a summer bucket list.

Five reasons why you need a summer bucket list of fun summer activities for kids:

1. A goal not written down is only a wish. (paraphrase of Steve Maraboli) Instead of wishing for certain things to happen this summer, increase the likelihood of it happening by including them on your bucket list.

2. Tackling an item on your bucket list can be a great antidote to fix the children’s “I’m bored” whining. (FYI, if your kids like to say “I’m bored,” here’s a list of 105 things of What to do when the kids say “I’m bored“)

3. A bucket list will help you be intentional in your time spent with your family. Don’t just settle for doing whatever you normally do, be purposeful in how you spend your time together. Make a plan and follow through. Planning simple and casual outings with friends can really be helpful when you need the motivation to not reschedule for “some other time”.

4. Summer goes by so quickly. You don’t want to look back and say, “gosh, I don’t really know what we did all summer, but it sure seemed like we were always busy.” If you’ve already done all of the items on the list below, check out Coffee and Carpool’s Summer Kindness Bucket List

5. If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money.–Abigail Van Buren

Family fun doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable. In fact, it’s usually the simple, free things that make the most profound memories.

With a bucket list, you’ll have a permanent record of all the fun things your family enjoyed.

Well, some of them might not turn out as you planned, like the picture above when the kids all got soaking wet two hours from home–but we will always remember playing in the creek that day!

If your tweens and teens think they are too old for a summer bucket list, check out this list of Summer Activities for Teens instead.

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Here are some fun summer activities for kids ideas to add to your Summer Bucket List:

1. Go to the zoo (our local zoo is free).
2. Play in the sprinkler
3. Go swimming or play in a creek
4. Play the Drip, Drip, Drop water game
5. Have a family board game night
6. Make duct tape boats and float them in the creek. Not sure how to make a duct tape boat? Check out these instructions from Julie Measures
7. Go on a family bike ride
8. Plan to stay up extra late after dark and play some of these Outdoor Night Games for Kids
9. Camp in the backyard
10. Make homemade ice cream Read a book while lying on a blanket in the yard or in a hammock
11. Watch fireworks
12. Play in the rain (as long as there isn’t any lightning)
13. Complete a Summer Reading Program, or use this Summer Reading Challenge Printable
14. Build a fire in the fire-pit and roast hot dogs and eat s’ mores. Don’t have a fire-pit? You could build one as a project for the kids (it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive–we built our first one by stacking some leftover bricks we found) or use the grill at a local park.
15. Have a water balloon fight or try these re-usable water balloons that don’t require “filling”
16. Go to the drive-in movies
17. Make root beer floats
18. Build a blanket fort
19. Make homemade popsicles
20. Go bowling (Many places have free bowling in the summer for kids through the Kids Bowl Free program)
21. Build a sandcastle with this DIY sandy beach cloud dough
22. Play badminton
23. Have a movie marathon (inside if it’s too hot outside) or have an outdoor movie night.
24. Play croquet
25. Go on an ice cream or frozen yogurt run
26. Catch lightning bugs
27. Go to the cheap late morning/afternoon movies
28. Try one of these new ball games for kids

There are Two Versions of Our Free Summer Bucket List Printable of Summer Activities for Kids

Would you rather write your own summer bucket list? Use our printable Fill-in-the-Blank Summer Bucket list form.

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