It’s June. Time to bust out the flip flops, sunglasses, and shorts. Dreams of beach days and barbecues are now upon us!

But before we know it, it’ll be July. Then August.

Soon the leaves will give way to color and summer will have turned into fall.

It happens every year.

In a few short months I will find myself wondering, Where did my summer go?

Don’t let summer get away from you this year. Create a summer bucket list the whole family can enjoy! Plan fun-filled activities this summer so that when it’s over you’ll be full of memories instead of regrets.

It’s Fun for Everyone

Don’t spend your summer as the family chauffeur, running around from one activity to the next. The goal is to be together. You’re a family, remember?

Do things together.

Your kids won’t necessarily remember all those soccer camps, swim lessons, and music classes they did alone. But they will remember all the activities you do together as a family.

Instead of being the one to plan everything, get everyone involved! Have a family pow-wow to creatively brainstorm some fun activities to do together. Let your kids come up with ideas and ways they would like to spend their time this summer. Get input from everyone and make sure your bucket list has a wide variety that suits every personality represented!

Don’t have kids? Your family of two is still a family.

Besides, we all know you are just a kid at heart. Creating a summer list of fun is still just as vital and important in your marriage! Maybe ever more so! As adults we can get so bogged down with “to-do’s” that we forget to have a little fun once in awhile. Come up with some creative things to do just the two of you that will  make your summer all the more enjoyable!

It Keeps You Sane

A summer bucket list gives everyone something to look forward to. Consider placing your list in a visible, high-traffic area. Plan one or two fun activities a week or something small each day. Knowing you have a fun activity or adventure ahead creates excitement. It also helps you keep your sanity when your kids whine about being bored. Coming up with activities ahead of time will also protect you against the dang-it-now-what-are-we-going-to-do scenario.

It Builds Togetherness

Both of my parents were teachers when I was a kid. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized my parents were home every summer. That means that all five of us were together all day, every day.

But you know what? We had a blast. And we grew a lot closer.

My childhood is filled with memories of backyard family baseball, bike rides to get ice cream, walks to the library, catching fireflies, and pizza and movie night in the living room. Those memories were great because we made them together. It built unity. Our time together in the summer built camaraderie. That bond we created over shared activities is what brought us closer and kept together when times got tough.

Need some ideas? Here is a look at our list of family fun this summer!

Summer Bucket List Ideas:

• Kayaking
• Beach Day
• Bike ride to the local ice cream parlor
• Book reading while lounging on the patio
• Visit the Zoo
• Picnic in the Park
• Jet-skiing
• Evening walks
• Game night
• Backyard Barbecue
• Water gun fight
• Archery practice
• Homemade Ice Cream Sundaes
• Drive-In Theater Movie Night
• Hiking
• Plant a garden
• Local Farmer’s Market
• Catch Fireflies
• Watermelon seed spitting contest
• Watch the Fireworks (4th of July)
• Pool Day
• Driveway Basketball
• Lawn games (bocce ball, crochet, badminton, etc)
• Miniature Golf

Why do you need a summer bucket list?

So that you can use your time wisely.

So you can build family unity.

So you can have fun activities to look forward to.

So you can be together.

The summer may be short but the memories you make will last a lifetime!