Whether you homeschool or not, I think a summer bucket list is a great idea for summer fun and learning. [Note: a summer bucket list is a list of activities your family wants to do before the summer ends.]
Without an intentional focus on choosing some summer activities, it’s too easy to feel a bit aimless and lost during summer vacation. I’m all for unstructured time to dream and create … you can even add ideas and time for that in your bucket list (for example, “Lie in the grass and look at the clouds”)!
It’s great if you have a bucket list of activities your whole family can enjoy. If you wish, you could also have a special bucket list for your toddler or preschooler.
Remember, a summer bucket list is supposed to be fun … maybe you “win” if you don’t actually accomplish everything! You can choose a format for your bucket list or activity list that gives you the amount of control over the activity for the day that you wish. For little control but more suspense, draw the activity from slips of paper with an activity written on each one. Use a format like an activity calendar or grab bag if you’d like more control.
Some Great Ideas for Creating a Summer Bucket List or Activity List
Summer Bucket List 2011 from Little Wonders’ Days (using an actual bucket – includes suggested activities) and Summer Bucket Ideas (more suggested activities from around the blogosphere)
Summer Bucket List (also using a bucket) from Montessori 3-6 Homeschool
Summer Bucket List Activity from Thrifty NW Mom
Summer Bucket List Banner from Fakin’ It
Summer Activity Jars and Grab Bags (with printable ideas) from The Crafting Chicks
The Family Fun Sack from Oopsey Daisy
Doorway into Summer from The Artful Parent
Jar of Fun from the Daily Digi
Get Organized for Summer Learning (learning space and learning options) from Imagination Soup
Summer Boredom Jar from I’m Bored, Let’s Make Something
“Mom, I’m Bored” Jar from Somewhat Simple
Activity Calendars (an option for an activity a day instead of a standard bucket list) from Quirky Momma
Bucket Lists from Around the Blogosphere
Summer Bucket List Party and Summer Bucket List Posts from Little Wonders’ Days
Summer Bucket List for a Toddler and Five Simple Tips for Summer Time Learning from Teach Preschool
Summer Bucket List Activity from Thrifty NW Mom (has a blank Summer Bucket Activity Sheet)
Share Your Summer Bucket List Posts and Ideas
There are also summer bucket list posts and ideas in our Living Montessori Now Community!
Thanks to the Flickr Creative Commons photographers for the adorable photos of babies in buckets! Photo Credits:
My Nephew 004 by Dabe Murphy
Tin Bucket Baby 2 by Charlotte Morrall
A Child and Her Bucket by Chandra Marsono
Beach Baby by Turkinator
Linked with All Year Round Blog Carnival: Summer.
I'm Deb Chitwood. My header photo models are my children, Christina, at 1 1/2, my son, Will, at 3, and Christina again at 16. Christina is now 22, and Will is 27. Please see the 
Thanks for such a nice blog mention, Deb. I love the round up of ideas you found. I haven’t seen some of them and it’s so nice to get more fun ideas.
Kelly
My pleasure – and thanks for your kind comment, Kelly! I love your summer bucket list posts and link-ups at Little Wonders’ Days!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
The pictures was to cute! Loved the article as well. We homeschool year around however we normally try to do our “funnest” stuff in summer! Our days are more relaxed of course!
Kayla recently posted..Last Mini Mester of the Year Week 36
Thanks, Kayla! I really enjoyed the photos, too – love Flickr Creative Commons! We did a bit of year-round homeschooling. Summer is definitely a good time to do the “funnest” stuff! Have a great summer!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
this is a lot of fun! lots of ideas, thanks for sharing.
kathryn
http://www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com
http://www.thebusybeefamileee.blogspot.com
Thanks so much Kathryn! Have a great weekend!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
Honestly those photos are so incredibly CUTE!
sheila recently posted..Just 30 minutes
Thanks, Sheila! I had so much fun finding them in Flickr Creative Commons! It’s nice that those photographers help us bloggers!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
What commenting system do you use ? I use wp thread comment (or something like that) but it doesn’t always work when I send replies. Your system is great. What is it? lol
sheila recently posted..Just 30 minutes
I tried a number of comment systems, Sheila. I LOVE the one I’m using now. I use the Comment Reply Notification plugin so that every response I write is
automatically emailed to the commenter.
After installing and activating the plugin, you have to go to the Settings at the left of the dashboard. Comment Reply Notification should show up there. Open that up, and under “Email notify the parent commenter when his comment was replied,” you just have to click “Commenter choose to do so (default checked).” Then as long as you click on the “reply” closest underneath the comment you’re responding to, your response will automatically be sent to your commenter!
I also like the CommentLuv plugin. I use it to give a link to the commenter’s last post (it automatically shows up when they type in their URL). Let me know if you have any more questions! Have a great weekend!
Deb recently posted..How to Create a Summer Bucket List for Your Family
Oooo got your comment loud and clear, thanks!!!Yes, I use WP thread comment or comment thread whatever it’s called and I do find that every once in awhile it fails. I might try your system out, so thanks for the info!!
sheila recently posted..Just 30 minutes
I had tried that too, Sheila. I switched when it stopped working after an update. I’ve never had any problems with Comment Reply Notification (at least none that I know of)!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
I love these photos!! What a great list of summer bucket list links! Everyone will have plenty of ideas for sure to keep them busy this summer!
Deborah recently posted..Summer bucket list for a toddler
Thanks for your kind comment, Deborah! It was fun finding the photos and links! I just added the link to your latest post with tips for summer time learning (loved it)!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
new follower! i hope you come to check out my blog as well. have a great weekend!
http://mamaspassions.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-hop-friday-weekend.html
Cassondra recently posted..Review & Giveaway Posh Pipsqueak – US
Thanks, Cassondra! I’ll be visiting your blog tomorrow. I hope you’re having a great weekend, too!:)
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
Great ideas! I shared the banner of Summer Bucket List Posts on my blog…
Palmy recently posted..A scuola in Europa- la Francia
Thanks, Palmy! It’s great that you’re participating in the summer bucket list event – you always have great ideas!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
Thanks for linking up to the summertime fun party and helping spread the word!
Little Wonders’ Days recently posted..Summertime Fun Party
Thanks so much for hosting the summertime fun party, Kelly! It’ll be great to see what everyone comes up with this summer!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
We have a bucket list too! It has been really fun: http://littlehomeschoolblessings.blogspot.com/2011/06/snapshot-summer-week-1.html
Bethany recently posted..Snapshot Summer- Week 1
Thanks, Bethany! It looks like you had a wonderful week! I appreciate you sharing your great ideas for summer fun!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
That is quite a list of linkes!
Phyllis recently posted..Homemade Ice Cream in a Homemade Ice Cream Maker
Thanks, Phyllis! So many great ideas out there for summer fun! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
This is awesome, thanks! And, thanks for the Imagination Soup mention.
My pleasure, Melissa! And thanks for your kind words!
Deb recently posted..We Teach – Free Summertime Learning eBook!
What a great way to give each other support and ideas to find and do fun activities with our kids this summer.
My kids and I are going to work on a list today! I think we’ll make weekly activity lists and try to accomplish 3 a week. If we don’t get then all done we’ll move to the next week.
Just this morning I thought about making a rock and stick sundial. We’ll have to wait for the sun to come out. It’s been rainy and cold in Montana.
Michelle Breum recently posted..Free Online Stories
Thanks, Michelle! It is wonderful that parents can support each other online, isn’t it?! Your plan sounds great! I grew up in South Dakota, and I’ve been hearing about all the rainy, cold weather there this year, too. I’m lucky to be living in sunny Colorado now!
Deb recently posted..Resources for a World Travel Unit Study
Who can resist a baby in a bucket? One of my favorite times of capturing photos was taking pics of my twin grandchildren — each in their own bucket as wee ones. Now you’ve made me want to go track those down!
Let’s keep each other motivated and see what’s gotten accomplished by summer’s end!
Thanks for your comment, Debbie! Two babies in buckets – now that’s just too cute! Have a wonderful summer!
Deb recently posted..Resources for a World Travel Unit Study
Thanks for linking this post up Deb! It’s full of wonderful ideas and information.
Kelly at Little Wonders’ Days recently posted..Summer Bucket List Features
Thanks, Kelly! Even though I don’t have kids at home any longer, I’m having fun planning summer activities for when I do get to see my kids!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Beach Language Activities at PreK + K Sharing
Can’t wait to start our own bucket list!
OneMommy recently posted..10 Things That Made Me Smile This Week
Thanks for your comment, OneMommy! I love bucket lists … have fun!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Beach Language Activities at PreK + K Sharing
My son really wanted to try swimming and taekwondo this summer, he got to do the latter!
I also told him kumon would be fun so he was game and he always enjoys summer school.
The only thing left to do is go to a local ocean park which he greatly enjoyed before.(dropping by from blogfrog by the way, see you around)
Anne recently posted..Some Misbehaving Children May Suffer From A Mental Disorder (Really?)
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Anne! It sounds like you have a great summer planned!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Beach Language Activities at PreK + K Sharing
Awesome! We started our list last night. It’s shaping up to be an ambitious summer!
Sara R. recently posted..Books This Week: May 18
Thanks for your comment, Sara! It’s great that you’re planning already! Have fun!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Beach Language Activities at PreK + K Sharing
Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful ideas and summer bucket list inspiration with the Summer Carnival.
I’ve featured your post here: http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/all-year-round-week-fourteen-7-ways-to.html
sunnymama recently posted..All Year Round week fifteen: 7 Summer Ideas for Children
Thanks so much for your kind comment! Thanks for hosting the awesome Summer Carnival and for featuring my post, too!
Deb recently posted..Montessori-Inspired Gardening Unit and Flower, Plant & Garden Blog Hop
I also have a summer bucket list with linky, feel free to drop by and add your post!
http://www.momsbookshelf.com/2012/05/2012-summer-bucket-list-family-fun.html
Have a Great Summer
Miranda Sherman recently posted..Super Dad Father’s Day Giveaway
Thanks, Miranda! I added my post. I hope you have a great summer, too!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Help Your Child Develop Concentration
Those photos are just adorable!! And what a round-up of lists – I like the balance between ideas and strategies for creating a list. We’re linked up at Little Wonders Days and here’s our other idea post for summer lists: http://www.kcedventures.com/blog/ways-to-be-a-cool-parent-this-summer-activities-for-kids-things-to-do-with-kids
Jacquie recently posted..How to Organize Your Family’s Summer Schedule
Thanks, Jacquie! I love the photos, too … it’s awesome that they were shared through Flickr Creative Commons! Have a wonderful summer!
Deb recently posted..Montessori Monday – Help Your Child Develop Concentration
Hi Deb
The secret over here in the uk is to make sure everything you put on your list can be done whatever the weather. unfortunatly we can never guarantee for the sun to shine when it should.
Love the pics there great
thanks lee
lee recently posted..Top 10 – Bucket List Ideas