15 Summer Bucket List Ideas for the whole Family

May is ending and you are now probably thinking about your Summer Bucket List.

Summer is by far my favorite season, especially that I live in North America. Goodbye Cold Days and Hello Sunny Days!

Last year, I had my baby in August. Obviously, my summer was totally different. That means I didn’t do much as I used to as I was busy preparing for my baby’s arrival and it was more focused on safety and prenatal exercises.

As I am a first-time mom, I thought of asking other bloggers what their Summer Bucket Lists are. You’ll never know, you can also grab some of their ideas for the whole family! Make a bucket list and strike things off this season and make the most of summer!

WATER SPLASH PARK

“I live in New York, so it seems that summer is both short-lived and a time to be super intentional about fitting in all the seasonal fun.”

“One activity we do every year is a visit to our local water park, Splish Splash Long Island. We pick a weekday at the end of June to visit when it’s nice and warm, but the park is not overrun with the weekend or camp group crowd. We always arrive right when the park opens, and stay until it closes!”

“My kids are 7 and 10, so it’s been fun to see how each summer they are just that little bit taller (or braver) to ride bigger and scarier slides! I’m more of a lazy river girl myself, but I do love this tradition and can’t wait to go this summer!” 

by Harmony Skillman, a travel blogger at Momma To Go and a vacation consultant for Paradise Travel. When not at the beach or out for a run, she can be found planning her next adventure!

ROCK CLIMBING

“Indoor rock climbing is a great family activity at any time of the year, and in the summer, you can also take it outdoors.”

“In the rock-climbing gym, kids as young as 4 can safely have fun on the bouldering wall. There are no ropes and they do not have to climb high. And if they fall the padded mats, ensure they don’t get hurt. “

“Having a parent or older sibling gives the child more confidence and is a great way to bond. Older kids and adults are welcome to boulder, but if you want a little more action, take it to the high wall.”

“If new to climbing, a guide will team you up in 2’s or 3’s and teach you the safe ways to use the ropes. Then you can climb as high as you want. As you get better, you can try more technical skills such as lead or speed climbing.”

“Finally, for those that want some fresh air, outdoor climbing is the answer. All the climbing you can do indoors can be done outdoors. Be sure to get a guide if inexperienced, drink plenty of water, and bring some energy snacks, because you will definitely get a workout.”

by Bert of Survival Fitness Plan– creator of the Survival Fitness Plan, an informational blog focusing on SERE training for civilians.

PARK HOPPING

Photo by michael podger on Unsplash

“On Fridays, we try to go to different parks that we do not visit often. It gives us a chance to explore and try new things. Sometimes we take a picnic with us and spend the afternoon eating, playing, and exploring.”

“Last summer, we meandered over to Siloam Springs. I am hoping for more hiking/exploring this summer.”

by Stefanie of Raising Rural– in mid-life, raising small kids in a small town. Determined to show that “small town” doesn’t equal “small life”; her blog pays homage to those who choose rural scapes over city skylines. 

BUILD A GARDEN & FAMILY TRIP

Photo by Chloe Si on Unsplash

“This is a great way to spend time with each other while also giving your children a sense of responsibility. After the garden is built, the seeds still need to be watered and, eventually, pruned. This is a great responsibility to give children of all ages.

“No back yard? You can easily have a small herb garden or window garden indoors!”

“Every May we also go on a family camping trip. This should be on everyone’s summer bucket list. Although it’s hot and dirty (I’m a bit of a germaphobe), the kids have an amazing time and, honestly, so do I! The boy’s cousins come with us sometimes, who are girls, and they have a blast too.”

“Camping is for everyone!”

“Roasting marshmallows at night is a must. You can bring yard games, bikes, swimsuits, and so much more to keep everyone entertained. Don’t forget light for the campsite at night, bug spray, and sunscreen. Also, pack more snacks than you think you will need.”

Being outside makes the kiddos hungry! Every few months the boys ask when we can go camping again. It’s something they anticipate all year!”

by Mallory of Mom of W.A.R, Hear my Roar– a 30-year-old wife, Mom, Ph.D. student, employee, and blogger. She has two handsome little boys, ages 4 and 6. Her goal is to provide a place for moms of all kinds to share, vent, learn, and laugh. 

LOCAL POOL

Photo by riffaay Firmansyah on Unsplash

“Summer is an amazing time for the kids. There are so many activities to do, and it is sometimes hard to decide what’s best.”

“Visiting a local pool or splash pad is always a hit with kids of all ages. Water and sun in the summer is the perfect combination for kids to have fun and play. Pools offer kids an opportunity to learn how to swim, play around with their friends and experience water during warm months.”

“Splash pads are great for small children who may not know how to swim yet.  Both are great locations to host birthday parties and other events for kids during the summer.”

by Diana from The Elusive Family, a Worldwide Family Travel and Adventure site. She is a wife and a mom of 2 and they have traveled to five continents and nearly 30 countries. They provide insider tips on traveling with small children across multiple continents.

ESCAPE ROOMS

“One of our favorite family activities is doing Escape Rooms. It’s an interactive room full of puzzles, where you have 60 minutes to figure out how to “escape”. Each room has a different story that goes with it, so you can do multiple rooms and never have the same experience.”

“Escape Rooms are great for adults and older kids, but there are rooms out there now great for the younger kids as well.”

“If you do it as a family, all ages will enjoy if you let the kids help and walk them through some of the puzzles. It’s a great way for family interaction and working together as a team. We definitely recommend booking one for your family to try!”

by Sara from OurKindofCrazy Blog- a newly engaged couple who enjoy traveling the world, seeking adventure and enjoying their everyday craziness.  They are all about living life to the fullest and making every moment count. 

CAMPING

Photo by Samuel Chenard on Unsplash

“One of the best family activities in the summer is surely to go away for a night or two under the stars on a family camping trip. It is the perfect, low cost, opportunity to experience the great outdoors together as a family. Everything becomes more memorable and more of an adventure, even cooking and washing up!”

“Having a tent often allows you to stay in more remote and beautiful places than you would otherwise be able to stay and you can enjoy walks straight from your ‘doorstep’, or let the kids run around the campsite making new friends.”

by Chris of More Life in your Days, a family website that will give you the confidence and tools you need to embark on your own adventures.

They provide practical tips and advice to help you live your travel aspirations and provide ideas and recommendations for products that can help your travels run smoothly

Now that you got some ideas from other bloggers, I’d like to share to you additional Summer Bucket List Ideas from my own little family.

JOIN A MARATHON

I am so excited to share that this Summer Bucket List idea has been ticked off! We did it last Sunday at the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon.

Last year, we did the Spartan Race and since I am 100 percent sure that I’m not able to do it this time with a baby, I decided to challenge myself and join a marathon!

This time, my husband didn’t join us as he did one on New Year’s Eve. He was our photographer as Mom and Baby got the full energy to participate! Who would have thought I can still join the challenge and finished in 50 minutes while pushing a stroller?

VISIT THE BEACH

It’s not uncommon that you’ll not connect summer with the beach. As hotter days are coming, the entire family gets excited to be in the water and do fun activities water-related.

From Kayaking, Parasailing to riding a Jetski, each one gets to experience the thrill and excitement! Make sure to make Safety a Priority. If you’re not a fan of water adventures, a dip in the water or sailing the boat is truly something to look forward.

VISIT A FARM

Photo by Stephen Andrews on Unsplash

One of the places that I really want to visit this summer is the Saskatoon Farm, just in Alberta. I’ve been longing to go there and now that the weather is great and they have lots of events going on, we can definitely check it out.

Their restaurant serves homemade Mexican and Western cuisine 9-4 daily. We can go for breakfast or a late lunch, and they have you covered.

They also host different events such as bread making classes and even yoga classes!

You can find greenhouses full of plants, a giftshop full of treasures, a 100 seat restaurant with a covered outdoor patio, a seasonal farmer’s market full of local & organic food, an annual U-pick for Saskatoon Berries and Sour Cherries and so much more.

SUMMER DAY CAMPS

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

One thing you can do for the whole family is to participate in Summer Day Camps. Usually, it runs for 6-8 weeks and a variety of activities are planned out mostly outdoors.

This year, we are going to join the Mommy Connections Calgary Day Camps and we are so excited for it! We are currently enrolled in their Mom and Baby classes and so far, it’s been great as they offer different topics and resources from different speakers.

Activities include Mom and Baby Stroller Social, Baby Movement, Parachute and Play, Mom & Baby Bootcamp, Baby Picasso Art & Splash Pad Visit, and Mom & Baby Dance! They also do Scavenger Hunts for toddlers and so much more!

If you’re in Calgary and area, be sure to check it out at Mommy Connections Calgary. It’s good that Mom and Baby Fitness classes are also included nowadays. If not, check your local communities as for sure, there are a lot of programs being offered this summer.

HIKING

Photo by Jens Johnsson on Unsplash

This is by far, one of the activities that I missed since I had a baby. But not anymore! We are planning for some hikes this season!

Having a baby may be tough when it comes to preparation but it’s important to have a good plan when something comes up. I have an infant so it’s best to go for small and moderate hikes.

Of course, babywearing is a must! It’s good we currently have a 6 position hip seat carrier and he loves it!

I might need to get him a Baby Backpack Hiking carrier if we plan to go more often. I have to check out some travel tips for the baby and maybe I can grab and apply some information from it.

BIKING

Photo by Kay Liedl on Unsplash

My husband has been biking for a while now and he does it as an energy-boosting activity after a long week of work.

One of our Summer Bucket List is to go to Canmore or Banff and hit some trails. We will probably get a Baby Bike trailer/ jogger and we have it attached it to our bikes. This is something new to us and hopefully, it turns out great!

TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS

As we love traveling and road trips, we thought of going to the mountains this summer. We live in a city just close to the Canadian Rockies.

Thus, we are planning to spend some weekends at the mountains and we’re booked to see the Panorama, which we will be having a good view of beautiful landscapes and a pool is just there to splash around. Check out some activities to do on a long weekend here.

TRIP TO THE ZOO

Another Bucket List that has been ticked off is a trip to the Zoo.  This year, we purchased our membership at the Calgary Zoo wherein we will have unlimited visits for the entire year.

It is a home to nearly 1000 creatures making it a favorite family destination. It’s a great way to spend time with a baby especially that there are a lot of things that you can do.

From seeing the giant panda, the penguins, giraffes, lions, and the hippos, you will not feel bored being in the area.

Both parents and kids will have fun as and lots of exciting stuff are being offered such as Zoo Hacks, Penguin Keeper Chat, Tiger Training, Gorillas on the Line, Zoo Snacks, Grizzly Bear Training and Savannah Social. 

During your visit, you will witness and experience a variety of Animal Destinations. These are the Canadian Wilds, African Savannah, Destination Africa, Penguin Plunge, Pre-historic Park, Conservatory Garden, Land of Lemurs and the Panda Passage.  All of these attractions will surely make your visit worthwhile.

Aside from the major attractions, the Calgary Zoo offers activities and events such as the Daily Panda Breakfasts, Safari Brunch, Special Day events and Zoo Lights during the Winter time.   

Furthermore, other cool activities in the Zoo include Kids Camps, School Programs and Sleep overs.  They also host Birthday Parties for kids who love to have a unique theme for their special day!

That’s why don’t ever miss checking out the Calgary Zoo and place it in your bucket list. Read more of The Best Zoos to visit in the world here.

There you have it. I have listed 15 ideas to add to your Summer Bucket List. If you’re a Mom like me who had a baby during summer, check out some Postpartum activities to do with a Baby.

If you like this post, you might also want to check out:

1. How to spend Long Weekends with a baby
2. It’s never too late to try something new: the Benefits of Mom and Baby Ballet
3. 5 Postpartum Fitness Ideas for Mom and Baby

Lastly, if you need an Activity Planner and a Handbag Checklist, make sure to grab it so you’ll enjoy the fun and excitement with the family. It’s good to check items off and do a variety of activities with no hassle.

Remember, it’s all about having fun and making your summer memorable. Grab it for FREE!

Thoughts and ideas? For sure, there’s so much more to add in this Bucket List. Feel free to comment or share.

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