The school year has come to a close, the weather is warming up, and summer is making an appearance with long days and starry nights. But before you know it, these summer months will be gone. We don’t know about you, but we want to make the most of our summer while it’s here!
So here’s a fun bucket list of ideas to make your summer great (complete with a printable below for you to print, hang, and check off as you go):
- Make popsicles.
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat to cool you off in the sweltering summer heat? Make a few batches of these (or just get some good old-fashioned ice pops), and host a popsicle party! Invite your friends and neighbors over after dinner for a sweet treat, and ask them to bring nothing but their kids and lawn chairs. - Serve at VBS or host a Backyard Bible School.
Dropping the kids off for the better part of the day might feel like a sweet relief in these summer months. But what if you stepped out of your comfort zone and helped at VBS or hosted a Backyard Bible School? You might just find that helping kids know Jesus better over the summer is a blessing to you, too. - Go swimming and learn a new pool trick—a new stroke, a different dive, a fun game.
You’re never too old to have a little fun at the pool! Take the whole family to your local pool and create games and new strokes with your kids. See who can do your new move the best, or win the game the fastest! - Be a tourist in your hometown.
Pick a few local spots that you’ve never been to and go! Have you been to the local art museum? Seen the monuments? Tried the restaurants downtown? Now is your chance—no one has to know that you’re really a local. - Read!
See if your local library has a summer reading plan and sign up (many libraries have them for adults, too). If they don’t, start a book club with your friends! If you need some direction on where to start, here are some books that our team has been loving recently. - Plant an herb garden and cook a meal for friends with your bounty.
You don’t need a backyard for this one. Just plant some seeds in a pot on your porch or place in a windowsill and watch them grow! Then, invite your friends over for a delicious, homegrown meal. - Start an articles club.
Don’t have time to read entire books this summer? Create a shorter version of a book club with articles! This could be with neighborhood friends or a way to still get together with your small group in the summer months. - Learn a new skill.
What’s a skill that you’ve always wished you had? Want to be bilingual? Learn to paint? Start a blog? Devote some you-time to learning that skill! (We suggest hopping on YouTube for how-to videos to get you started.) - Host a barbecue for your neighbors.
What better way to enjoy old friends, or to meet new friends, than to host a barbecue? On a sunny evening, invite some neighbors over to enjoy dinner outside. Need some ideas to help you host? Check out this post.
How will you make the most of your summer?