15 Summer Bucket List Items For Families, Because You're Running Out Of Ideas

My daughter Claire is kind of obsessed with berries — like, eat-an-entire-carton-in-one-sitting obsessed. So we've made it a tradition to take her to a local farm where she can pick blueberries, strawberries, and even peaches when the various fruits are in season. Try Googling "pick your own [insert fruit/vegetable here here]" to find a local farm that allows you and your kids to harvest your own produce.

Head to the park, a local trail, or even your backyard to do a bit of exploring with your kiddos. Try setting up a scavenger hunt (e.g. find a butterfly, spot a pine tree) or playing a sensory game with them where they name things that they smell, hear, see, and feel around them. It's a great way to get kids having fun while doing a bit of learning.

One of my absolute favorite things we've recently done with Claire is take her on a "trip" to our very own city. My husband Dan and I got a room in a hotel that is literally eight miles from our house and made an adventure out of dinner, ice cream, walking around downtown, and going to a museum. It led us to make a goal to explore more of our city, and even take advantage of nearby ones in Ohio and West Virginia (we live in Pittsburgh). Pull out a map and see what might surprise you and your kids, then make a day of it.

Nostalgic games are kind of the best. Teach your kids how to play hopscotch, jump rope, and other fun tag games from your childhood. (Remember Ghost In The Graveyard?). Not only will they love them, but you're bound to have a blast, too.

It seems simple enough, but it's not always easy to get the whole crew together, especially as your kids get older. Plan a family ride, whether it's a daytime event or evening trip around the block, and enjoy the summer views.

Makerspaces are kind of amazing and they are a great way to get kids interested in designing, developing, constructing, and even coding. Do a quick Google search for a kid-friendly makerspace in your area or check out the makerspace directory to find one that will work for you and your crew.

Even if you don't head out into the great unknown and opt for a setup in your backyard, camping with kids can be a fun adventure and a great way to explore nature. Plus, you can bet there will be s'mores.

You're really never to young to learn the value of giving back, right? Sign up for local volunteer opportunities with your kids and help them to discover why helping others — people, animals, the Earth — is all kinds of awesome.

As long as you stash some mosquito repellent in your bag, then you should be good-to-go for a fun night at the drive-in. If you don't have a local option, then search for parks that offer big screen showings of popular kids movies — our theater recently showed The Lion King — or consider creating your own outdoor movie fun with a projector and a bare wall.

Sure, buying popsicles is certainly a sign that summer has arrived. But making your own popsicles means summer has arrived and you're a cool mom. There are a number of recipes and DIY methods on the Internet, including this one from Gemma Stafford of Big Bolder Baking. All you need is a popsicle mold (you can also use a disposable drinking cup) and a few ingredients, like fruit or ice cream.

Search for an easy DIY lemonade recipe, then help your kids host a lemonade stand. They'll love it — and so will your neighbors.

Rainy summer days happen, meaning it's a great time to visit a local museum or nature center. Many of them offer family admission and children under 2 can often get in for free, so be sure to do a bit of research before you go. Many museums and centers offer interactive options for kids that add a bit of learning to the experience.

Oh, how I loved fairies when I was a child and everything that went along with them. And my grandmother indulged my whimsical notions, telling me stories about fairies who lived in her garden or made their homes in tiny openings in tall oak trees. That's why I was pretty jazzed when DIY fairy gardens became a thing, giving me an excuse to play magic with my little gal. Create one in your backyard and don't forget a sprinkle of fairy dust to go along with it.

If there was ever a time to go fly a kite, it's on a breezy, blue-skied summer day. Snag a relatively cheap one on Amazon (most are around $10) and take your kids to a park to watch it float in the sky.

My mom bought Claire the Backyard Safari Company's pollinator garden a few weeks ago and it was the perfect day-at-home project for getting her outdoors to learn about insects, like honeybees. If your little one doesn't like the idea of honeybees, then consider a butterfly garden instead.