Listen, mama friends. Every June, I used to create these Pinterest-perfect summer bucket lists with 47 ambitious activities that required craft supplies I didn’t have, destinations two hours away, and the organizational skills of a military general. By August, we’d crossed off maybe three things, and I’d be drowning in mom guilt that I didn’t make the most of our time together.
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE FAMILY SUMMER BUCKET LIST
and our tampa florida version of our family summer bucket list
This year? We’re doing things differently. We’re making a summer bucket list that actually works for real families with real schedules, real budgets, and real kids who sometimes just want to lie upside down on the couch (and honestly, same).
The Secret to a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete
Here’s what I’ve learned after years of summer planning “fails”: the magic number is one big thing and two little things per week. That’s it. No more, no less. One adventure that gets everyone excited, and two simple activities that can happen in your pajamas if necessary.
Your Starter Summer Bucket List (Pick & Choose!)
Big Adventures (One Per Week – Mix and Match)
- Beach day with a twist – Try a different beach each time, or add sandcastle competitions
- Camping in your backyard – S’mores, flashlight tag, sleeping under the stars
- Visit a local farmers market – Let each kid pick something new to try
- Pool party day – Invite friends, make it a potluck, add water games
- Explore a new park or nature trail – Pack a picnic and make it an expedition
- Visit a museum or aquarium – Many have summer discounts or free days
- Outdoor movie night – Projector in the backyard or drive-in theater
- Day trip adventure – State parks, springs, or that town you always drive past
- For us mountain-bound families: Waterfall hunting in NC – because nothing beats that mountain magic… AND we’ve got the perfect place to stay when you’re in the mountains here! 😉
Little Adventures (Two Per Week – Low Effort, High Joy)
- Sidewalk chalk art contest – Theme it: favorite animals, dream vacation, family portraits
- Library treasure hunt – Summer reading programs are gold
- Backyard water day – Sprinklers, water balloons, slip-n-slide (or just the hose)
- Cooking experiment – Let kids pick a recipe and lead the kitchen chaos
- Art project afternoon – Paper plate crafts, rock painting, friendship bracelets
- Game tournament – Board games, card games, or make up your own
- Read-aloud marathon – Pick a series and read together outside
- Nature scavenger hunt – Different lists for different ages
- Dance party cleaning – Turn chores into dance competitions
- Photo walk around the neighborhood – Give kids disposable cameras or let them use your phone
- Plant something together – Herbs, flowers, or vegetables
- Bike ride or neighborhood walk – Explore streets you’ve never been down
- DIY spa day – Face masks, nail painting, relaxation
- Build a fort – Indoor or outdoor, cardboard boxes or blankets
- Have a picnic – In your backyard, at a park, or even indoors on a rainy day
The Tampa Bay Special List (Because We’re Blessed with Amazing Local Spots)
- Busch Gardens adventure – Season passes make this affordable
- Explore Tampa Riverwalk – Rent bikes or just walk and playground hop
- Visit Florida Aquarium – Resident discounts are your friend
- Kayaking at Weedon Island or Weeki Wachee – Nature and adventure combined
- Beach hopping – Clearwater, St. Pete, Indian Rocks – each has its own vibe
- Ybor City exploration – History, food, and family-friendly during the day
- Lowry Park Zoo day – Another season pass winner
- Curtis Hixon Park – Splash pad and downtown views
- Fossil hunting at Shark Tooth Beach (Venice) – Free treasure hunting!
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium – A great place for kids to learn about rescue, rehab, & release
- Sparkman Wharf – Walk around, eat some goodies, bowling, live music, watch a movie on the lawn
Your Realistic Summer Calendar Template (This is just an example)
June – Easing Into Summer Mode
- Week 1: Backyard camping + sidewalk chalk + library visit
- Week 2: Beach day + cooking experiment + art project
- Week 3: New park exploration + game tournament + nature hunt
- Week 4: Pool party + photo walk + read-aloud start
July – Peak Summer Fun
- Week 1: Museum day + dance cleaning party + plant something
- Week 2: Day trip adventure + DIY spa day + bike ride
- Week 3: Mountain week in Andrews – Waterfall hunting + hiking + s’mores
- Week 4: Outdoor movie night + fort building + picnic day
August – Savoring the Last Weeks
- Week 1: Farmers market + cooking experiment + friendship bracelet making
- Week 2: Different beach + scavenger hunt + family game day
- Week 3: Neighborhood exploration + art project + library finale
- Week 4: Bucket list review party + photo book making + plan next year
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE FAMILY SUMMER BUCKET LIST
and our tampa florida version of our family summer bucket list
The Mom Survival Tips That Actually Matter
Budget Reality Check: Not everything costs money. Some of our best memories cost exactly zero dollars. A Tuesday afternoon water fight in the backyard can be just as magical as an expensive theme park day.
Weather Backup Plans: Living in Florida means afternoon thunderstorms. Have indoor alternatives ready: that fort you can build in the living room, the art supplies tucked away, the stack of library books waiting for a rainy day.
Lower Your Standards (Seriously): The goal isn’t Instagram-worthy moments. It’s connection, laughter, and getting everyone off screens for a bit. If your nature scavenger hunt turns into the kids arguing about who found the best stick, that still counts as success.
Let Kids Choose: Give each child one week where they pick the big adventure and one little activity. You’ll be surprised what they come up with, and they’ll be more excited about plans they helped make.
Document the Simple Stuff: Yes, take photos of the big adventures, but also snap pictures of Tuesday morning pancake making, the way they concentrate during art time, or how they look reading together on the porch. These quiet moments are the real treasures.
Making It Work for Your Family
Remember, this list isn’t a test you have to pass. It’s a menu of possibilities. Some weeks you’ll nail all three activities. Some weeks you’ll barely manage one. Some weeks you’ll accidentally create the most amazing memory while doing absolutely nothing you planned.
The real magic happens when you stop trying to create perfect summer moments and start noticing the perfect moments that happen naturally. Like when your teenager actually laughs at your dad joke during a car ride to nowhere special. Or when your toddler discovers they can make rainbow bubbles with the garden hose. Or when everyone groans at the same time during family game night because someone just played the most ridiculous word in Scrabble.
This summer, let’s make lists we can actually complete, create memories without the pressure, and give ourselves permission to call a successful day one where everyone was fed, loved, and maybe got a little grass stain on their clothes.
Now go grab some paper (or open your notes app – we’re not judging) and start making your own realistic summer bucket list. Your future self will thank you when August rolls around and you realize you actually did all the things you hoped to do.
What’s on your family’s summer bucket list? Share in the comments – I’m always looking for new ideas that don’t require a PhD in event planning! 😉
Check out our Free Summer Rules Digital Download!
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