Hey girl, today let’s chat about the best activities you have to have on your family summer bucket list.
Summer is almost here and if you are anything like me, you want to fit in as many experiences as possible with your kids. Girl, start making a family summer bucket list.
As a mom of 4 kids who are 7, 9, 11, and 13, we love creating a summer bucket list every spring and seeing just how many items we can get crossed off.
We are going to go over so many amazing adventures that you can add to your family summer bucket list to make this summer the most memorable one yet.
Girl, I would love to hear what you already have lined up to do with your kids this summer and if you add anything to it from the ideas below.
Let’s jump into the best family summer bucket list to make sure you are making the most of the summertime with your kids.
Get out there Mama, because your kids will never say “Remember that time we just stayed home and did our normal routine?” Build those memories.
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Best Family Summer Bucket List
1. Go to the Beach
The first thing that comes to mind for the summer is going to a beach. This could be at a lake, river, or even the ocean depending on where you live.
Time seems to just melt away at the beach and you kids will have a blast.
Don’t be shy about getting in the water with them, they want you to!
2. Build a Sand Castle
Whether you do this at the beach or in your backyard sandbox, build a sand castle and make it epic.
These sand toys will help with that!
Fortunately, my husband built my kids an epic, and I mean massive, sandbox in our backyard and my kids love getting creative in it.
3. Have a Picnic
I can hear you, oh it is so much easier to just have a normal meal at home and I know it is. But put that picnic together.
It doesn’t even have to be anything fancy. Sandwiches and fruit are more than enough.
I have been using this soft-sided cooler for the past few summers and it has more than enough room to hold food for a family of 6, drinks included. It folds up fairly flat for storage, a huge plus!
4. Water Fun
Beat the heat with some water fun.
Your kids can run through a sprinkler in your yard, have a water fight with these amazing water blasters, or you can take them to a splash pad, swimming pool, or water park.
There are lots of options here!
5. Eat Ice Cream
Another way you can beat the heat is by having an ice cream treat.
You can take your kids out for ice cream. My kids always want to do this.
But girl, going out for ice cream is getting a bit expensive, especially for a family of 6. However, there are a few ways around this.
You can buy ice cream and toppings from the store and eat it at home or you can make your own ice cream with this ice cream maker.
If you have never had homemade ice cream, girl you are in for a treat and will never want it any other way.
6. Outdoor Movie Night
Just don’t forget the bug spray!
Our neighbors have been hosting this for the last few summers now and the kids are bananas over it.
They use this outside movie projector. You can play movies right from your phone.
7. Star Gaze
Another thing you can do in the dark with your kids is some star gazing. Ask them to try and find a constellation or 2.
If you are lucky, you will even see some shooting stars.
8. Camping
Whether in your backyard or at a campsite, your kids will have a blast camping.
9. Have a Campfire
Campfires are not just for nighttime.
If you have little ones who should be in bed, start your campfire in the afternoon and give them a chance to roast some hot dogs or make s’mores.
10. Go Fishing
Take your kids fishing.
It teaches patience and to enjoy nature as well.
Yes, girls can love it too. You should see my daughter’s tackle box – it is so colorful.
That is my youngest in the picture. When I was tucking him in that night he told me it was the best day of his life.
11. Go Boating
Owning a boat can be expensive, but did you know you can save some money and rent boats?
You have to check it out, your kiddos will have so much fun going on a boat ride.
We are lucky enough to own a boat and our kids want to go on it as much as they can during the summer.
12. Visit the Zoo
Take your kids to the zoo. They will have so much fun looking at all the animals.
Look into a zoo family membership. We have one, and if we go twice, it is more than paid for.
I love it since we don’t have to cram everything in and have cranky kids by the end.
13. Watch a Baseball Game
Take your kids to a local baseball game. It is America’s past time after all. And local games are way cheaper than going to a pro game.
14. Blow Bubbles
If your kids are younger than 7, bubbles are a must. But don’t be surprised if you have older kids who join in.
15. Fly Kites
Find a big open grassy place and fly a kite or 2.
Even if there isn’t that much breeze, my kids will run around trying to keep their kites in the air.
16. Ride Bikes
Whether it is up and down your street or discovering new bike paths, go for a bike ride. It is a fabulous way to get fresh air and exercise.
17. Go on a Nature Hike
And speaking of fresh air, if it is easier than biking – take your kids on a nature walk.
There are lots of state parks and walking paths near us and my kids love to go on nature walks to see what they can find.
18. Visit a Playground
Playgrounds are so great for kids of all ages. They especially love it when you play too.
It is even better if the playground has swings.
My daughter has no problem enjoying playgrounds with her younger brothers.
19. Read Outside
Just because it is summer, don’t let your kids stop reading. Have the whole family take a book outside for a lazy afternoon of reading.
If you want to get crazy, create a summer reading challenge for your kids. Try just 20 minutes a day and don’t forget to offer some epic prizes.
Visit your public library to keep your kids engaged in reading, and maybe cool off on those really hot summer days.
20. Sidewalk Chalk
Bust out the sidewalk chalk and make your driveway and walkways extra colorful.
Try making a sensory path as a challenge. You can have your kiddo doing hopscotch, a silly dance, and even squats on your sensory path.
My kids and I have taken sidewalk chalk on walks and they have made pictures or messages on friend’s driveways. Such a fun thing to find😊.
21. Puddle Hunt
After it rains, go on a puddle hunt.
Mama, let your kiddo splash right through it. The clothes will wash and your kiddo can take a bath. It will be the best time!
22. Science Experiments
Try science experiments. Let your kiddo help set up and make a hypothesis just like a real scientist. He will be begging for more.
I previously was a home daycare provider and during the summer we would do a science experiment at least once a week. The kids always told me it was their favorite day.
23. Play
Play ball, frisbee, or tag, it doesn’t matter, just get out in the yard and play with your kiddo. They want you there, I can promise you that.
24. Research Something New
On those rainy days, or if it is just too dang hot, jump on the computer and research something new.
We have discovered cool facts about Disney, how ice cream is made, and even new places we want to visit.
25. Visit Some Place New
Speaking of visiting somewhere new, get that on your list.
There are so many wacky things that you could go and see like Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in Northern Minnesota or Wall Drug in South Dakota.
Or it could be something closer like a neighboring town.
26. Visit a National Park
National Parks are on our bucket list this year. Well, one anyway. They are so much fun to explore and have some spectacular views.
27. Do a Scavenger Hunt
Go for a walk or a drive and have a list of items to see. This is such an easy scavenger hunt!
If your kids are younger then pick items like colors, numbers, and shapes.
But if your kids are older then you have to make the scavenger hunt tough.
28. Visit a Theme Park
If your kids are old enough, go to a theme park and hit up all the rides.
How are you with roller coasters? Girl, I used to be the person who just couldn’t get enough but since I had kids, I can barely even watch them without my stomach doing a little flip.
29. Mini Golfing
Take your kids mini golfing and they will have a blast.
I used to go when I was younger and loved it.
We have not done this yet with our kids but I am on the hunt to find one close to us.
30. Have a Cookout
Invite friends and family over for a backyard cookout.
Get all the yard games out or have water fun of some kind to keep all the kids active.
What is your favorite food at a cookout? Let me know in the comments below. I can never pass up a good brat or burger.
31. Go to a Car Race
2 summers ago, we went to an amateur car race track not knowing quite what to expect and our kids went bananas over it. Maybe it was the racing school buses at the end that they loved so much.
Either way, it was such a hit that they put it back on our bucket list for this summer.
32. Go to the County Fair
What is summertime without visiting the local county fair?
This is on our list every single year and my kids refuse to miss it.
My husband loves to people-watch and I am right there with him.
What is your favorite fair food? I love deep-fried cheese curds.
33. Plant a Garden
Do you have enough space in your yard for a garden? Plant one and have your kiddo help take care of it.
34. Visit a Museum
There are museums everywhere and if your kiddo is interested in something, check one out.
One of my boys loves World War II planes. So, we plan to check out 2 museums about that this summer.
35. Go to an Air Show
And while we are talking about planes, go to an air show. Your kiddo will be amazed.
Don’t forget ear protection and sunscreen since they can be loud and directly in the sun.
36. Explore a Cave
Cool off with your kids on a cave tour. There is so much to learn about and explore in caves.
37. See Fireworks
And last but not least (and one of my favorites) see a fireworks show.
My kids are always amazed when they get to watch fireworks and I am right there with them.
This post was all about the best family summer bucket list.
Let me know what you plan to put on your family summer bucket list.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.