Do You Have A Summer Bucket List?

Summer has just started, but I'm already worried about it being over. The time goes by way too fast.

I know I think I have all the time in the world to hit some of our family fun ideas or invite friends over but suddenly you look at the calendar and it's booked up. I don't know if this has happened to you but I've been bummed in the past when I didn’t get the kids to the Zoo, or get tickets to a popular kids concert, or get the bikes out enough to justify the space they take up in the garage. Summer was over and we missed out on some opportunities to enjoy it. 

Well, never again! Last summer our family started a Family Summer Fun Plan or a Summer Bucket List and it has made planning and scheduling our family fun a whole lot easier. We turned the planning into a family project and here’s how you can do it too:

Pick a night and when you sit down for dinner, go around the table and ask everyone in the family what they would like to do for fun that summer. Have someone write down all of the ideas. Then vote on the Top 10 ideas for your family to do together.

(If this gets too heated or causes hurt feelings amongst younger siblings, put all of the ideas into a hat and pull the first 10. While someone might still be miffed that their idea didn’t make it, at least it’s fair!)

Now, grab the family calendar and plan which days you’ll schedule each activity. Here's a blank planning calendar to print out and hang in the kitchen, if you need one. If any work needs to be done ahead of time like buying tickets, making reservations, or inviting friends over, assign the responsibilities to family members so everyone is working together.

You’ll get more buy-in from the kids, Mom won’t be the only one planning everything, and you won’t miss any important activities. If your kids are still too young, Mom and Dad will just have to divide and conquer.

Now you're ready to have some fun together. To get your Summer Bucket List going, check out my post on 51 Summer Family Fun Ideas.

These ideas are designed for families with kids of all ages. However, the list is not exhaustive. I'd love to hear from you.

What's on your Summer Bucket List? What are some of your favorite things to do with the family in the summer?

You Might Also Like:

10 Ways to Have Fun Outside This Summer

Get the Kids Off the Couch and Host a Backyard Summer Olympics

Tips for a Perfect Backyard Campout

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Sue Kirchner is a family fun coach, kids party planner, and weekly contributor to Patch.com. Sue and her family fun ideas have been featured on TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs, as well as her own family fun site ChocolateCakeMoments.com.