Summer can be the best and worst thing! For many people it is a change in routine and that can be good or bad. For me, routine is a blessing. I thrive with routine and consistency. When I am out of routine and out of the norm then sometimes, I become lazy and complacent. This is where the Summer Bucket List started about six years ago.
Every summer I sit down and make a checklist of things that we are going to experience over the summer. Now listen, I am not trying to break the bank or overextend myself, so I am very selective on what I put down for this list. For one thing, I think through the summer and experiences that we are already going to have and make sure and put those down. If we had already scheduled a beach vacation, then going to the beach and playing in the ocean were definitely on the list. If I knew we were going to a local water park, then that was on the list.
The kids did not know most of these things were already scheduled so when they saw the list then they were super excited. I also put a lot of things on the list that we already do in the summer, but this way they become a special event instead of a routine day. Going for bike rides, cooking smores, and going swimming are just a few of our routine things that are always on the list.
This list always adds excitement for our kids, but also helps me stay out of a rut of complacency. It helps me keep a gauge on the summer to make sure that I am providing some memorable moments for my kids! There are many examples of things you can put on your bucket list that you can find online. You can even sort by age ranges and gender.
Our Summer Bucket List has become a tradition that helps us make memories without providing much stress! It allows the kids to see all the fun things we are doing when they begin to complain about the boring times of summer break. Use a simple list to provide some direction and some excitement to your summer plans!
