Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to soak up family fun, make memories, and strengthen those unbreakable bonds. To help you maximise the season, we’ve created a Personalised Summer Bucket Checklist for Families. It includes two options so you can fully tailor your summer adventures, and bring a splash of colour and fun into your life at the same time.
What are we offering you?
There are only two sheets within this set – but that brings with it a whole world of ideas! We already have a summer bucket list, and with this set of sheets you can create your own fun personalised checklist of activities to inspire you over the summer months as a family.
The two sheets include:
- Blank Sheet: Get creative and jot down either your own unique ideas, or use our bucket list to give you 100 awesome idea. Whatever you want to do, whether it’s a wild, wacky goal or something close to your heart, this blank template lets your family dream big.
- Pre-Filled Sheet: Not sure where to start? Don’t worry – we have you covered here too. We’ve filled part of the list on the second page with some ideas for you to kick off your summer plans. It features amazing ideas like these favorites of ours:
- Go camping,
- Visit a beach,
- Have a picnic,
- Organize a BBQ,
- Visit an amusement park,
- Explore a nature trail,
- Host a movie night, and
- Have a game night.
The activities aren’t just about checking off a list — they’re about creating opportunities for love, laughter, and connection. Here’s how you can turn those ideas into meaningful bonding moments for you and your family:
- Go camping: Leave the gadgets behind. Sit under the stars, share your favorite family stories, or toast marshmallows by the fire.
- Visit a beach: Build an epic sandcastle together, brave the waves as a team, or collect seashells for a memento of your day.
- Have a picnic: Prep together in the kitchen, then enjoy a lovely meal while sharing your favorite memories or dreams for the future.
- Organize a BBQ: Invite friends, play garden games, and celebrate the summer sun. Encourage teamwork by splitting up set-up and cooking roles.
- Visit an amusement park: Play cheerleaders for each other on thrilling rides and capture the magic with plenty of photos. We have some wonderful inspiration for Disney World for you on site.
- Explore a nature trail: Make it an adventure—hunt for hidden treasures like cool leaves or unique rocks, or simply enjoy a chat in beautiful surroundings. What not check out our nature scavenger hunt if you have time?
- Host a movie night: Family favorites or a new blockbuster? Pop the corn, pile up pillows, and wind down with your favorite film.
- Game night: Bring out the board games or video games. Friendly competition and a lot of laughs are guaranteed. We have a perfect article to help host the perfect games night, plus some amazing ideas for the best board games to use too.
These activities foster collaboration, patience, and joy—key ingredients for closer family connections.
Don’t forget that though it is important to get out and be active with the kids while you can – that is IS possible to overdo it. Make sure that you focus on balancing activities, with time for relaxation. Ensuring that positive mental health is also part of the agenda this summer.
How to prioritise positive mental health while keeping busy
Yes, the summer can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming if we try and stretch ourselves keeping the kids busy. Here are some key thoughts to help maintain that focus on being active, while also looking after you and your family:
- Don’t overbook: It’s tempting to fill every moment, but leave space for rest and spontaneity. A relaxed day can be just as fun!
- Stay hydrated and active: Fun in the sun works better when you’re energised and hydrated. Keep water bottles stocked and take breaks for snacks.
- Maintain routines (With flexibility): Late bedtimes are a summer treat, but too much change can create stress, particularly for neurodivergent children. Keep some routines in place for kids’ comfort.
- Use mindfulness and gratitude practices: Teach kids to appreciate the little moments. Try simple practices like asking, “What was the best part of today?” before bed. We have some gratitude and positivity ideas on the site, so why not check them out?
- Screen-free zones: Designate areas or times, like during meals or outings, for face-to-face conversations without screens.
- Share responsibilities and include the kids: Whether it’s planning the bucket list or prepping for activities, involve everyone. They’ll feel valued and part of the team if you do.
With these ideas and tips, you’re armed to make this summer unforgettable, meaningful, and filled with joy for the whole family. So, grab that checklist and start planning today!
We hope that the summer bucket checklist article is ready to roll: Let us know if there’s anything else you need help with. Download the checklists using the button and the image below.
Why not check out some of these other summer printables as well?
Summer printables on KiddyCharts
Here are some more summer ideas for you to check out on the KiddyCharts site, from beaches to bucket lists!
Try these from another site too:
Summer activity ideas from the Internet
Ideas for summer fun from my fellow parenting site owners - check these out as well as doing all the fun themed ideas above as well.
Make & Do A Summer Memory Book
A gorgeous memory books from Daisies and Pie with a very cute sunshine theme. Simple to make and loads of fun to fill!
Simple Summer Sensory Activity
Sensory play is a great idea for the summer, particularly in the garden, involving water, sand and anything else you fancy. Check these ideas out.
Paper Plate Sun Craft
Summer activities wouldn't be complete without a paper plate craft - so check this one out.
Thanks for joining us – we hope you will be back again.
Helen
Helen Neale
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, website editor and a qualified counsellor with experience of working with both children and adults.She is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists, with her own private practise. She also freelances with her local Mind organisation.Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, use those grey cells at the same time, and supplement her counselling income.KiddyCharts has reach of over 680k across socials and the site. The site works with big family brands to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. She is a specialist counsellor for neurodivergent individuals and brings this expertise to her resources and the site. She is also an ADHDer herself.KiddyCharts gives 51%+ profits to charities, focused on supporting mental health and a community in TanzaniaHelen has also worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!