50 Things to Do This Summer

Savvy editor's note: This post was inspired by the delightful "60 Days of Summer" list at Sassy Sites. She has a great craft to go along with her list, too. Be sure to take a look!

We look forward to summer with the kids so much all year long. There are all kinds of things we want to do with them that we don't have time for ordinarily. Once summer's here, though, the days can start whipping by, filled with camps and play dates and errands and... more of the usual. That's when a good list can help. What do we want to do this summer? What do we really want to experience with our children during their precious summer days? Lest the time pass us unwittingly by, we sat down with our kids and made a list. We hope you'll borrow it, share it, revise it, and improve on it as much as you like. And most of all, we hope you and your little ones have the summer you want to have.

  1. Go to the beach ( )

  2. Have a backyard campout ( )

  3. Build a fort ( )

  4. Fly a kite ( )

  5. Go to a drive-in movie ( )

  6. Write a story ( )

  7. Have a picnic ( )

  8. Have a pajama day ( )

  9. Plant flowers ( )

  10. Make a magazine collage ( )

  11. Make homemade lemonade ( )

  12. Play a board game ( )

  13. Work on a new sport ( )

  14. Build a model ( )

  15. Collect seashells ( )

  16. Melt crayons ( )

  17. Have lunch at work with dad ( )

  18. Make a fancy cake ( )

  19. Visit the cemetery ( )

  20. Go on a hike ( )

  21. Play miniature golf ( )

  22. Paint our own pottery ( )

  23. Have a cousin party ( )

  24. Do a big puzzle ( )

  25. Slip-n-slide in the backyard ( )

  26. Chalk the walk ( )

  27. Watch fireworks ( )

  28. Go fishing ( )

  29. Make a fancy dinner ( )

  30. Write a poem ( )

  31. Spend a day at the museum ( )

  32. Bead bracelets ( )

  33. Build sandcastles ( )

  34. Make a movie ( )

  35. Tell ghost stories ( )

  36. Skip stones at a river ( )

  37. Go on a scavenger hunt ( )

  38. Eat at a new restaurant ( )

  39. Go to a new park ( )

  40. Get a haircut ( )

  41. Buy school clothes and supplies ( )

  42. Press flowers ( )

  43. Keep a summer journal ( )

  44. Work on learning to scooter/bike/roller-blade ( )

  45. Visit relatives and old friends ( )

  46. Spend time on a farm ( )

  47. Pick fresh fruits and/or veggies ( )

  48. Try new recipes ( )

  49. Read an entire book series ( )

  50. Make art out-of-doors ( )

What's on your list?

More from The Savvy Source:

• Our favorite toys for having fun during these beautiful summer days.

• Six reasons why we love our local children's theaters.

• Find great deals on educational toys with our Savings & Raising offers.

What is your child learning right now? Take our quiz and find out!