Build a sandcastle.
Make s’mores.
Run a lemonade stand.
There are so many quintessential summer experiences that we want our kids to have. But in the rush of activities or the drone of the ordinary, we can forget about them. Or we do some of them by rote, not recognizing how we’re making memories for our kids, not realizing that these “old” experiences can be “new” to them given the right approach. And if we have multiple children we might not always notice that the “been there. done that.” for our older kids is a first time deal for the younger.
How to keep it fresh every summer? Make a summer bucket list. You probably already have a calendar full of activities and trips – why not see how those coincide with your family’s ideas of summer “must do’s” or “must see’s.” If you’ll pepper your once-in-a-lifetime list with plenty of ordinary-made-fresh (like s’mores and sandcastles), each day of your summer can be one on which you check something off and make another memory.
For an idea of what a great summer bucket list looks like, check out the 2013 Butler Family Summer Bucket List.
And if you’ve been overwhelmed by the idea of creating a lifelong bucket list for yourself or your family, a summer-only list is the perfect way to start. It’s also the perfect time to start.
