It’s officially summer in our house! We’ve been busy with some summer activities already…visiting the zoo, backyard water play, and “painting” the driveway with chalk paint. Get your Summer Bucket List for Kids ready, and you’ll always have a fun idea ready to go!
Summer Bucket List Printable
Last year, I created this fun and mostly free summer bucket list. It includes service projects, at-home activities, outings, and some treats. Click the link to go to the original post and download the free printable!
We checked off the majority of the items last summer. If Hurricane Harvey hadn’t hit Houston, we would have made even more progress. But it’s nice having some items we didn’t accomplish last summer to work on this summer.
Summer Bucket List for Kids – New Activities
If you’re looking for additional ideas or to add some variety to last year’s list, these are also making my list…
Quiet Activities by Days of the Week
To keep things fresh during our afternoon quiet time, I thought it might be helpful this year to assign an activity we already have on hand to each day of the week.
- Monday – sensory bin
- Tuesday – Play-doh
- Wednesday – watercolor painting
- Thursday – puzzles
- Friday – Perler bead art
For the sensory bin, I bought a long and low clear lidded plastic bin, added beans (you could also use dry pasta, rice, oatmeal, etc.) and some toys, scoops, and cups. Here’s our sensory bin for Easter with items from the Dollar Tree. Add some measuring spoons and cups and other containers for endless fun.
Local Reading Programs
You might be surprised at how many local places offer prizes for kids reading books over the summer. As expected, our local libraries both have programs. For Houston folks, check out the reading program at both the Houston Public Library and Harris County Public Library (stay tuned for their reading program info).
Some book stores have reading programs with freebies like Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, and Half-Price Books.
H-E-B (Texas grocery store) also has a summer reading program where you can earn a free t-shirt.
Water Beads
Put some water beads in a sensory bin or water table, add water, and watch them grow. Kids will love the awesome sensory experience. There are lots of great activity ideas to do with water beads, too. I’m excited to buy water beads for the summer!
Make Chalk Paint
Use up those random pieces of sidewalk chalk by turning them into chalk paint. I’m pretty sure my kids would love hammering the pieces of chalk into dust!
You can also skip the hammering and buy the chalk powder. Just pour into a cup, mix with some water, and use paint brushes from Dollar Tree.
What are you most looking forward to doing with your kids this summer? What’s on your summer bucket list for kids?