Family Summer Bucket List Ideas

Are you ready to sail into summer? This year we have decided to put together some cool Family Summer Bucket List ideas and I am thrilled to share them with you! After the disastrous summer of 2020 we now know that nothing in this world is guaranteed. Playgrounds can be closed, playdates with friends – not possible, and travel can be allowed in a 7 miles radius only…

But we sure all hope that Summer 2021 will be better. And the truth is: it can be as good as we make it ourselves! Last year when it was clear that summer was going to suck for everybody I used all my insider knowledge of local attractions and hidden gems and came up with a list of creative ideas for staycation in Bay Area. It became super popular overnight with busy parents who were at a loss what to do with their kids for the whole summer. It had Covid-19 appropriate family summer bucket list ideas, which are, in fact, fun and educational activities for ANY summer in Bay Area.

This year, hoping that more activities will be available for kids, I created an extended Family Summer Bucket List. My Summer Bucket List has a tiny bit of a California flare because it has a couple of activities specific to California (for example: tidepooling, hiking in the redwoods) but the rest 20+ ideas are universal, no matter where you live. And those California activities can be easily substituted for your local activities. No redwoods, no problem – take a hike in your local forest, I am sure it is awesome!

But why does anyone need a family summer bucket list? Because summer is short and if we don’t travel long distance and stay at home we tend to get bogged down with our day-to-day routines: work, household chores, etc. And then we typically end the summer with: “I couldn’t believe it is over!” “I wish I did… (went, tried, etc.)” This family summer bucket list serves as a reminder of things that make summer fun for the whole family and ensures that your kids are not stuck at home with screens and gadgets but are busy creating memories of a lifetime.

You can get a FREE printable PDF copy of my Family Summer Bucket List ideas at the end of this article.

My family summer bucket list consists of things that our family loves to do and has several themes: camping, water related activities, food preparation, outdoor exercising, etc. Lots of these activities already became our long standing traditions. And that is another great use of a summer bucket list – creating family traditions that will hopefully be passed through generations.

Here are some California highlights from my blog to match the specific ideas on my summer bucket list to help you easily plan the bucket list activities:

Family friendly campgrounds reviews (California specific)

Sailing in San Francisco Bay (no sailing options where you live? substitute kayaking, stand up paddle boarding or any other water sport)

Kayaking Elkhorn Slough

Yuba River swimming holes

Best places to see redwoods near San Francisco

California flower fields, flower reserves and botanical gardens

Nature scavenger hunt

My favorite books about travel and discovery (for kids and adults)

Best bird watching in Bay Area

Best day trips from San Francisco with kids

Also check out my fun video about fishing for kids:

How to use family summer bucket list

Print the list out, pin it on the most visible spot at home and cross out an activity each time you complete it. Strive to complete as many activities as possible till the end of kids’ summer vacation. To make it even more fun, turn it into a friendly competition with another family or families. 🙂 Repeat next summer!

Please, share you favorite family summer bucket list ideas in the comments below! Let’s all have fun this summer!

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