Do you write a summer bucket list? The summer holidays are well and truly upon us. Whilst we wait for the seasons to catch up that is! Whether the prospect of the next six weeks fills you with joy or fear (or a heady mixture of both, which I suspect is in us all) there is one thing that is for sure, school is out for summer.
One of our favourite, and simple, ways to kick off the summer holidays for our family is the good old summer bucket list. It’s an activity that still, after all these years (7 to be precise) raises a smile and is discussed with enthusiasm.
Compiling the summer bucket list is a perfect way to remind us all that the ordinary moments can be made special and really truly are what the children get the most out of year after year. You only have to compare all the previous summers and the activities that they shout with gusto to add again and again to see. Joyously they’re not always the ones that cost the most (or any) money.
Lessons Learnt
What I have learnt in my years of being a parent of a school child is that the first few days (dare I say even a week) is better spent in slow motion. In our house at least, it takes some time to adjust. To recalibrate both being in each others company all the time to being in charge of our own schedule and just from being utterly exhausted from the year and the madness that is the last few weeks before school breaks up.
We’ve previously gone on holiday straight away or at least full throttle into friends and days out wanting to ‘make the most’ out of our time. With varying degrees of success I have to say. So this year, with a 13 & 9 year old I am really leaning into the slower pace and hoping that it does in fact result in a much more relaxed and joyful start where I do not have to remind them that we all actually do like each other and that it’s ok not to have the last word!
Wish me luck there but with a later family holiday this year where we go away the last week of the six, we have plenty of time to keep pace.
So without further ado, here goes
Family Summer Bucket List 2024
- Toast Marshmallows
- Wild Swimming
- Fruit Picking
- Chalk Art
- Read Together
- Baking
- Star Gaze
- Family Games Night
- Picnic
- Make Afternoon Tea
- Water Fight
- Explore A New UK Beach
- Unplugged Day
- Ice Skating
- Make Mocktails
- Find A Four Leaf Clover
- Make Sushi
- DIY
- Pyjama Day
- Playdate
- New National Trust
- Paddle Boarding
- Swim
- Karaoke
- Day Out With Friends
- Choreograph A Dance
- Walk A Chicken – a rather niche one but we have chickens now and a chicken harness…don’t ask!
- Home Spa Day
- Golf
- Movie ‘Set Up’
- Go Climbing
- Paint
- Make Ice Cream
- Dance Party
- Outdoor Games
- Visit A New Country
- See A Waterfall
- New Library Books
- Watch The Sunrise
- Watch The Sunset
- Make Sushi
- Bike Ride
- Spot Shapes In Clouds
- Garden Camping
- Skim Stones
- Peak District Walk
- BBQ or Pizza Oven Night
HAVE FUN
Ultimately this is the most important. We want to have fun, relax, recoup and just be together.
Our list not only takes up this little space on the internet but is also written on a3 card and stuck to the wall for us all to see, call it inspiration or call it something to point to when you hear the words “I’m bored” or the ultimate “we never do ANYTHING” which invariably slips out now and again!
Either way with slightly older children I am all too aware that these long summer days all together are numbered and whilst I am by no means a ‘cherish every moment’ parent (because honestly, some moments are best forgotten and we don’t need that kind of pressure) I DO enjoy the slow mornings, the late nights and the expanse of empty time which allows me time to be present and get to know my ever changing children when they’re not consumed with school and extra curriculars.
We have managed some strawberry picking at Canalside Farm and an only *slightly* windy beach trip!
Disclaimers!
Of course nothing is perfect, it’s all a juggle, I sacrifice alot to be present, Eddy works for all of the summer except our family holiday and we certainly won’t get all of this list completed. That’s not what it’s there for. Which is especially true this year when we would usually have ticked some off even before they break up but with the rain insisting on more main character vibes to start the summer than the supporting role it is begrudgingly awarded we’ve had a slower start to proceedings.
Nevertheless it is simply a way to cherish the ordinary and *hopefully* make their childhood just a little more magic. I guess only time will tell on that one.
Summer 2024.
Lets Do This.
I want to join you in walking a chicken!!
Haha it’s a random one for sure. It’s going to be so much fun. Roma has been asking since we got them in April!