The summer months are a fun time of the year because kids are out of school – which frees up their time to take family vacations or long weekend trips, the weather is nicer – naturally, you want to be outside more often, and it’s a time to promote rest, relaxation, regrowth, and recharge.
Planning a week-long family vacation is one of the ways to enjoy life this summer, but what about the other 10-12 weeks and weekends during summer? Not to mention, you probably have a full-time job that you can’t forget about 😉
Planning ahead makes a huge difference in creating an enjoyable quality of life. Planning your summer activities (even if it’s just weekends) will make those few months more gratifying for you and your family.
Here is a list of 5 simple steps to take so you can enjoy life this summer…
1.Create a summer bucket list
I love this summer bucket list from Busy Budgeter – so much that I printed it and hung on our command center 🙂 Creating a bucket list of your own is great for those days where you can’t think of anything to do while also helping you plan the next few months in advance.
A few other suggestions are:
- Go for a bike ride
- Go for a walk
- Visit the park
- Catch fireflies
- Bake something
- Cook something
- Open a lemonade stand
- Take a trip to the library
- Go to the beach
- Go to the lake
- Host an outdoor movie night
- Visit a petting zoo/farm
- Go fishing
- Go crabbing
- Make outdoor crafts
- Host a block party
- Go to a water park
- Watch the sun rise or set
- Go to an amusement park
- Go on a staycation
There are a few things on our bucket list that we do every summer like visit underground caverns (in Virginia, we have Luray Caverns), get lost in an outdoor maze, go jet skiing or boating at the lake and go to a kid-friendly spray-ground.
2. Take the ideas from your bucket list and add to your calendar
Don’t forget to schedule already planned parties/events/activities to on your calendar as well. Your summer schedule should be looking pretty full after brainstorming your bucket list.
3. Have fun like a kid again
Let your inner kid come out… we all still have one in there somewhere 😉 Let go, have fun and laugh! Play with your kids. I love water gun battles with my kids – this is as simple as a trip to the dollar store for a few water guns and then it’s on! We all have fun (and get exercise at the same time). Put on that bathing suit and get in the pool. Don’t be afraid to be seen or get your hair wet, you can wash it later! Stop caring about what other people think – it’s your life and your happy summer time 🙂
4. Take a vacation from your electronics
Think of a vacation away from electronics like you are going off-grid. You don’t have to take away all electronics, maybe just put away the mobile devices or take a social media vacation. You can commit to one day a week with no electronics or commit to an entire week. Whatever works for you, just remember that we all should unplug every now and then.
5. Start summer traditions
Everyone likes something to look forward to and creating a summer tradition gives your family something to look forward to every summer. Many families create summer traditions during the major summer holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Some families head to the same beach every Memorial Day or maybe you host a neighborhood block party for July 4th. Start summer traditions that will create a positive family culture.
Enjoy life this summer by following these 5 simple steps…
Brainstorm ideas for a summer bucket list with activities that you would like to do then schedule those activities on your summer calendars. Relax and have fun by letting your inner kid come out. Put the electronics away for an extended period of time. Start a tradition this summer so you can continue a positive culture for next summer. If you are a work-at-home parent, I highly recommend checking out Summer Sanity Savers for the Work at Home Mom. The eBook includes meal planning, daily planning printables along with recommended reading and movies for your kids this summer!
If you are taking a family trip with little ones, be sure to print my free Ultimate Summer Vacation Packing List for families with little ones!
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