Looking for a way to make your summer vacation memorable? Don't let those limited days together as a family drag by. Here's the perfect way to entertain your brood this summer by creating both a way to come up with fun ideas and boredom-busting activities, then providing a way to save those memories. Ready? Grab the following simple materials, and make your family's own summer "bucket list" keepsake box.
Required craft materials:
- large empty shoe box
- chalkboard paint
- chalk
- acrylic painting supplies
- scrapbook paper
- scissors
- glue
- optional: seashells, summer-themed decorations, sequins, collage materials, stamps
How to make your summer "bucket list" keepsake box:
1. Trim any tags off your shoebox. In a ventilated area, paint or spray the lid of your shoebox with chalkboard paint, then let dry.
2. Cover the outside (and inside, if desired) of the rest of the shoebox with decorations in a summer theme. Use acrylic paint in shades of bright green, yellow, or light blue, or let your kids paint (or collage, or stamp) sunflowers, beach scenes, surfboards, campfires, or any other summer scenes on the box. If you'd rather, cover the box by cutting summer-themed scrapbook paper to fit each side of the shoebox, then gluing each piece into place.
3. Add decorations to your box, such as seashells, foam craft items, or other summer-themed items.
4. On the dried chalkboard-painted lid, use thin chalk to write "The [Your Last Name] Family's Summer Bucket List." With your family, brainstorm ideas for every fun event or activity you'd like to do this summer, then write these in chalk on the lid, under the title. Ideas can be as simple as making s'mores or homemade lemonade, to bigger activities such as camping in the backyard, visiting an amusement park or playing beach volleyball. Write as many or as few goals as you'd like to accomplish this summer - your family can choose one activity a day, three a week, or whatever suits you.
5. As your family completes activities, take photos of the activity, save ticket stubs, receipts or postcards, or collect memorabilia such as seashells or souvenirs, and place them in your keepsake box with the date you completed the activity. At the end of summer, you'll have a summer "time capsule" with your keepsake box, including memories of all your summer family fun.
After the summer ends, try making this a tradition with a "fall bucket list", "winter bucket list" and more, planning family activities (and making memories) each season of the year.
More from this contributor:
- 10 kid-friendly ways to celebrate "American Artist Appreciation Month" this August
