Summer vacation is almost here, and kids are gearing up for weeks of fun and adventure. But as a parent, you may be wondering how to keep your kids engaged and entertained during the long break. Fear not! We’ve put together the ultimate summer bucket list for kids.
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Our summer bucket list for kids is packed with exciting activities and adventures that will make your child’s summer one to remember. Read on and plan a summer that will imprint in their core memory forever.
Have a Picnic in the Park
What’s better than spending a lazy summer day lounging in the park and enjoying a delicious picnic with your family? Pack a basket with sandwiches, fruit, and snacks, and head out to your local park. Choose a shady spot, spread out a blanket, and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the great outdoors. Encourage your kids to explore the park and play games like frisbee, catch or hide and seek
Make Popsicles
Cool off on a hot summer day with some homemade popsicles. This is a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen and teach them about healthy eating. You can make popsicles with different fruit juices, yogurt, or even coconut water. Let your kids get creative and come up with their own unique flavor combinations. Try freezing plastic spoons or lollypop sticks in the mixture to make them easier to eat.
Visit a Farmers’ Market
Your city’s farmers’ market is a treasure trove of fresh, locally-sourced produce, baked goods, and artisanal products. Plan a day with your kids to explore the market, sample some tasty treats and pick up some fresh fruits and veggies for dinner. Encourage your children to interact with vendors, and learn about the different produce and how its grown.
Go on a Nature Walk
Get your children outside and engaged with nature by going on a hike or nature walk. Research local trails, state parks, or nature reserves and choose a route that is age-appropriate and suits the fitness levels of everyone. Bring snacks and plenty of water, binoculars, a camera, and a notebook and encourage your kids to take notes or observe and sketch things they find in the nature. Make it into a scavenger hunt game by making a list of things they need to find along the way such as different types of flowers, birds or insects.
Organize a Bike Parade
Got bikes? Organize a neighborhood bike parade with your neighbors and friends. Kids can decorate their bikes with balloons, streamers, or homemade signs before parading through the streets. This is a great way to encourage kids to be creative while also getting some exercise and making new friends.
Have a Water Balloon Fight
Make the most of the summer heat with a water balloon fight. Fill up balloons with water and divide them into teams before launching an all-out war. Kids will love the excitement of dodging and launching water balloons while staying cool and refreshed. Just make sure to pick up any leftover balloons after the fight to protect the environment.
Make Your Own Story Box
Let your kids’ imagination run wild with their very own story box. All you need is a shoebox, construction paper, and some markers or paint. Cut a hole in the top of the box and decorate it with images or words that spark your child’s interest. Encourage your kids to fill the box with small objects that they can use to create stories and scenarios.
Plan a Backyard Camping Adventure
Who needs to leave home to go camping? Set up tents or teepees in the backyard and camp out under the stars. Encourage your kids to help set up camp, cook dinner on a camp stove or over a fire, and make s’mores for dessert. You can even tell scary stories around the campfire or play some games.
Create a Time Capsule
Capture your child’s memories of the summer with a time capsule. Gather items like pictures, artwork, postcards, tickets stubs, or other memorabilia and put them in a sealed container. Be sure to include a letter from each family member. Choose a date to open the time capsule in the future and let your kids reminisce about the fun times they had during the summer.
Host a Talent Show
Encourage your kids to showcase their talents by hosting a backyard talent show. Let your child’s creativity shine through music, dance, comedy, or magic. Invite neighbors or family members to be the judges. Make it more fun by having guests vote with their applause.
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Create an Art Masterpiece
Encourage your kids to get creative and make beautiful art pieces that can be displayed in your home. You can give them a theme or allow them to create whatever they want. Provide them with a range of different art supplies, such as watercolors, clay, paper, natural materials and allow them to experiment with different mediums. Make sure to display their work with pride when they are done.
Explore a New Neighborhood
Take a trip to a nearby neighborhood to explore its unique architecture, parks, shops, and restaurants. Choose an area that’s kid-friendly and walkable so that you can stop and explore the sights and sounds along the way. Pair this with some healthy competition by making it into a scavenger hunt game by giving them a list of items to find such as a specific building, a street performer or a statue.
Decorate a T-Shirt
Unleash your child’s creativity and let them design and decorate their own t-shirt. You can provide them with a plain white t-shirt and some fabric paints, markers, and glitter. Give them some inspiration or allow them to choose their own design. They can wear their custom-designed shirts with pride, and it can also be a fun and fashionable activity for parties or sleepovers.
Have a Movie Marathon
Make some popcorn, turn off the lights, and settle in for a movie marathon with your kids. Choose a theme, such as an actor, director, or genre, or let your kids choose their favorite movies. You can also make it a fun sleepover activity and watch movies all night. Don’t forget to add some fun snacks and drinks to make it even more special.
Go on a Geocaching Treasure Hunt
Geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt that uses GPS technology. Download the Geocaching app on your phone, and explore your local area and beyond to find hidden treasures. You can also add your own treasures and leave messages or clues for other players. This is a great way to get outdoors and explore while also having some fun with technology.
Make Homemade Lemonade
Quench your thirst on a hot summer day with some homemade lemonade. This is a fun and easy activity that your kids will love. Gather fresh lemons, sugar, and water, and let your kids do the squeezing and mixing. You can also experiment with different flavors, such as raspberry or peach, to create unique and refreshing drinks.
Visit a Beach or Lake
Take a day trip to a nearby beach or lake to enjoy some water activities. You can swim, sunbathe, build sandcastles, or have a picnic. Encourage your kids to explore their surroundings, collect seashells or rocks or play beach games like volleyball or frisbee.
Create a Family Vision Board
A family vision board is a fun and creative way to set goals and intentions for the summer and beyond. Cut out pictures and words from magazines or print them out from the internet, and paste them on a poster board. Each family member can contribute their own personal goals or intentions, such as trying new activities or spending more quality time together.
Host a Lemonade Stand
Let your kids be entrepreneurs for the day and set up a lemonade stand in your front yard. Encourage them to make their own signs and pricing, and invite neighbors and friends to stop by for a refreshing cup of lemonade. This can also be a fun way to teach your kids about money management and budgeting.
Create a Creative Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of fun and creative items or challenges and send your kids on a scavenger hunt. It can be in your backyard, your neighborhood or your town. They can look for items such as a particular flower, an old coin, or a street sign with a specific name. Challenge them to take creative photos and use their imagination to complete each task.
Make lasting memories with your ultimate summer bucket list for kids
Summer vacation is a wonderful time for kids to explore new hobbies, make friends, and create lasting memories with their families. With this ultimate summer bucket list for kids, you can be sure that your kids will stay engaged and entertained throughout the summer.
Go ahead and check off each item on this ultimate summer bucket list for kids one by one! Then, enjoy a well-deserved break before the new school year begins. Remember, it’s about making beautiful memories and having fun along the way.
Before you go... Looking for more adventures to make priceless memories with your kids? We've put together the ultimate bucket list of travel adventures for kids. Related: Bucket List for Kids: The Ultimate Unforgettable Travel Adventures