Yes, I know. The official start of summer is still more than a month away. But here in the south, warmer weather has arrived, school is winding down, and summer fun is beckoning, so I thought I’d publish this seasonal bucket list a little early so you can get a jumpstart on making memories with your kiddos while they have a break from classes and homework.
I highly recommend compiling a personalized list for your family of things you want to make sure you do before school starts back up in August. If you need some help brainstorming, you can start with this list of 50 Things to Do for Summer Fun and build from there:
50 Fun Activities for your Family to Enjoy this Summer:
Eat watermelon
To make it extra challenging, try racing to see who can devour a slice first with your hands behind your back!
Go swimming at a lake or pool
Do a flip off the diving board
Our sons love to stage diving board exhibitions and entertain us this way every summer.
Visit a children’s museum
And if you’ll be traveling this summer, you may want to become a member of your hometown museum in order to take advantage of reciprocal benefits on the road.
Sign up for a summer book club
If your local library doesn’t offer a summer reading program for kids, check out this list of local businesses who reward children for the time they spend reading: Summer Reading Rewards Programs
Go to a flea market
See who can find the best treasure within a given price range.
Have a cherry pit spitting contest
Queue up in a line and see who can spit their pit the furthest. My husband holds the record in our family with a distance of 39 feet. (If you top that, let me know in the comment section below. I promise to be duly impressed!)
Paint a picture
Tempera, water color, oil or acrylic, it doesn’t matter. Just grab a canvas or some card stock and let your creativity run wild.
Enjoy a staycation
You don’t have to travel very far to get away from your everyday routine.
Watch a meteor shower
Play “Capture the Flag”
Learn a new craft
Host an ice cream social
Invite the neighbors over to make sundaes. You provide the bowls of ice cream and ask your guests to bring their favorite toppings.
Go horseback riding
Have a shaving cream fight
I’m not sure which of our kids first came up with this brainstorm of an idea, but it has become a favorite family tradition — one we usually observe on the Fourth of July, or thereabouts.
Go to a waterpark
Don’t forget your beach towels and sunscreen!
Use bows & arrows for target practice
Watch a fireworks show
Another revered tradition for Independence Day. We sometimes bring a boom box and play John Phillips Sousa as we watch.
Race in canoes, kayaks or paddle boats
Enjoy nature & the great outdoors
For extra fun on your next family hike, try our Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Make a homemade piñata
Did you know diaper boxes make great piñata bases? We’ve turned those cardboard cubes into red brick houses, ribbon festooned packages, and even Spongebob Squarepants. They hold up well to even big kids trying to break them open and hold plenty of candy to feed a crowd.
Shoot hoops
Celebrate Cow Appreciation Day
For one day a year, you can dress like a cow and get free food from Chick-fil-A. Can’t beat that!
Do a few science experiments
Learn a new card game
Some of our family’s favorites include Uno, Spoons, and Snappy Dressers.
Write to a pen pal
Play putt putt golf
Compete in a 5K or triathlon
Make homemade popsicles
Play hopscotch
Go on a photo safari
We make this one easy with a free printable list that you can download here: Nature Photo Safari
Drink lots of cucumber water
Go blueberry picking
These are delicious straight out of the pail, but if you have any left over, you might enjoy using them to bake with. Follow these links to try out our favorite recipes for blueberry oat muffins and fresh fruit crumble.
Visit a splash pad
Play a game of volleyball
Watch the clouds
Take a picnic dinner to the park
Visit grandparents
Eat creme-filled donuts
Drink an all-fruit smoothie
Compete at Sudoku
Visit a garden or arboretum
Play zombie tag
Make a huge breakfast
Go for a bike ride
Practice math drills
Stage a water gun war
Shop for new school supplies
Send a postcard
Go Fishing
A Bucket List for Every Season
- 50 Things to Do for Summer Fun – Make the most of your break from school. Here are plenty of ideas to keep you busy through the warm weather months.
- 50 Fun Family Activities for FallBreak out the bulky sweaters and the pumpkin lattes! This list will help you make fun family memories when the trees lose their leaves and the air turns crisp.
- 50 Fun Christmas Activities – This list is specifically for celebrating Advent. Make your Christmas more merry and bright by adding some of these activities to your family calendar.
- 50 Fun Family Activities for Spring – Just the thing when you’ve been cooped up all winter. Lots of ideas here for enjoying some fresh air and sunshine!
- 50 Things to Do for Winter Fun – We don’t get much chance to walk through a winter wonderland here in the south, but there’s lots more fun to be had during this final season of the year.
- 50 Frugal Ideas for Family Fun – Don’t feel like fun has to cost an arm and a leg. Here’s 50 ways to make priceless memories on the cheap.
- 50 Wholesome, Quick & Easy Snack Ideas – And last comes a list for my more health-conscious readers. Keep your families well-fueled with these delicious, nutritious snack ideas.
- 50 Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors – Get up and get going. Here are 50 ways to make the most of your time outside.
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