With summer vacation right around the corner, I thought I’d post a reminder of this idea from last year.
You might consider sitting down with the kiddos and making a list of all the things you would like to do this summer.
The list can be whimsical, simple, complicated… whatever works for your family. The idea behind this is to make your summer a little more intentional because we all know the time just goes so fast when you have little ones.
I know I am a terrible procrastinator so things like this are helpful to me to live in the moment instead of putting things off until it is too late.
In our house, my oldest is starting Kindergarten in August so this summer is especially important to me. This is the last chance we have to plan things at the spur of the moment and to really enjoy my girls before school starts.
So we sat down a few weeks ago and started thinking of all those things we wanted to do but hadn’t made the time for. I included some bigger things- like a day trip to San Francisco and a lot of small things like making homemade fruit snacks and homemade playdoh.
I also tried to think of fun things from my childhood that my girls have not had a chance to do- like visiting an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
I included trips to the water park, planting a little garden, going to the movies to see Brave, visiting 3 new parks…. just whatever came to mind that might be fun for the entire family.
I also put in some of those things I have been putting off- like finishing a redecoration in my little girl’s room, taking new family pictures and so on… If you are stumped for ideas, consider being a tourist in your own city. We put a train ride and horse carriage ride on our chart because those are things that can be done downtown. I know I lived in Seattle for 8 years and went to the Space Needle a total of one time. Those are the types of activities that you might want to think about.
I did this on poster board and taped it up at Kid Central in the garage. Last year I posted the same concept with a chalkboard in the playroom.
You could also type up your list and keep it on the computer or print it out to put on the fridge. Whatever works for your family- and believe it or not we have already done several of the things I have on the list!
PS: In case you might be wondering, my 4 year old mentioned going to Chuck E Cheese…. repeatedly… and my 2 year old wanted bubbles… lots of bubbles… so that was their contribution to the list ;).
Brandy says
This is a great idea! I always start the summer with a ton of great ideas and then, before I know it, it is September and I haven’t done half the things I wanted to!
Amy says
Kid Central in the garage? Tell me more please! I need something like that!
Charlene says
Ok Amy. I will do a post 🙂
Sylvia says
I have a couple of suggestions for the old-fashioned ice cream parlor: Vic’s Ice Cream in Land Park and Gunther’s in Curtis Park. Not so near to you but you could do it when you take the kids to the train museum.
Nicole says
I love this idea. I am going to do it for sure. BTW ~ Vic’s Ice Cream is awesome!!!!
cathy says
This is a good idea. I’ll ask the kids during the next few weeks before last day of school. charlene, i live by san jose and was thinking of taking my kids to sacramento or davis for a day or weekend trip. what would you recommend? my kids are age 9 and 13. 9 year old just finished studying CA history in 4th grade so things related to the capitol or gold rush would be good.
Anne says
Thanks Charlene! Love this idea, starting my list right now:)
Anne says
Oh and Cathy, Sac has a free scavenger hunt in old town, its really fun. Can’t remember what website I found it on. A local radio station sponsers it and you even get a wooden nickel at the end that says “I completed the Old Sacramento scavenger hunt”
Amy says
@Cathy, Sutter’s Fort in downtown. I haven’t been there, so unfortunately I can’t tell you more, but google it. Have fun!
Mary says
Silly question really. ….do I cook the rice b4 letting it dry or buy alot of little bags of rice and use raw?