Ideas to maximize a family’s fun Summer Bucket List

Great summers don’t just happen. You have to plan them and I’m going to tell you how.

What’s a Summer Bucket List?

It’s a list of things you want to do before it’s time to toss the beach pails back into the closet.

Get the whole family involved and make a list of the things you’ve always wanted to do but never seem to have the time. Then grab your calendar and make a plan.

You and your family will enjoy checking items off your Summer Bucket List.

A word of warning: Don’t be over-zealous in your planning. Choose a couple of easy things to do each week with a few more involved items thoughtfully scheduled each month.

This is especially important if you have children because they get disappointed if you promise more than you can deliver.

You can add more if time, budget and energy permits.

Most things on your list should be simple one-hour activities like: play a board game, roast marshmallows, ride bikes, do a craft, build a blanket fort, blow bubbles, or make lemonade.

Some things on your list may take several hours: make homemade ice cream, plan a picnic, or get out the camera and go on a photo safari.

Include a few full-day adventures: tour an historical attraction, visit a local orchard to pick fruit then make pies or jam with it. Plan a slumber party or tackle a fun household project.

Some local activities to put on your list:

Visit The Master Gardeners Farmers Market for local produce and other handmade items; located at the corner of Postal Road and Highway 160 every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Gather friends and go see a FREE Movie in the Park on Saturday evenings through July 25 at dusk at Ian Deutch Park. Bring a blanket, some folding chairs and don’t forget the popcorn.

Learn about our National Parks online at www.nps.gov. We’re close to Death Valley and the Old Spanish National Historic Trail. Also close by is Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, check here -www.fws.gov/refuge/Ash_Meadows/ for more information.

Go to Vegas, baby! Take advantage of coupon books and internet bargains intended to lure in tourists. Nobody says tourists can’t live just over the hump!

Planning a vacation this summer? Get the whole family involved to research the heck out of your destination to find some off-the-beaten-track escapades to enjoy. Search for locals’ favorite restaurants or look up “weird history” along your way.

As you plan your bucket list include a few service projects because nothing feels better than helping people.

You could make cookies and surprise your neighbors. Or volunteer at the church or charity of your choice.

As we sit here with the whole summer before us it’s important to remember August will be here in the blink of an eye and your children will never be this young again.

Ever.

Intentionally plan for fun, learning and relaxation and you’ll have the most glorious summer. Ever.

Frugal Family Fun contributed by Patti Diamond from Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! www.divasonadime.com Join us on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom.