Every year my family puts together a summer checklist of 50 of our favourite summer activities, and we spend our vacation checking items off the list. When my kids were small, we had a lot of simple crafts and low effort activities on our list... but as my boys got older, we started adding more sophisticated adventures. Below, you will find a FREE printable version of our 2021 summer checklist, as well as some really helpful links.
To download our 2021 checklist: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.
Then, check out the links below for more helpful hints, tutorials, recipes, and ideas.
1) Celebrate Canada Day - Don't forget to plan a BBQ and a red and white dessert buffet. Full bellies make for happy tweens and teens!
2) Watch fireworks or play with sparklers - You're never too old for sparklers!
3) Have an outdoor picnic or BBQ - I highly recommend trying grilled donuts too. You can find the recipe here.
4) Swim in a pool, at a lake, or in the ocean - Try visiting a new location (or bringing along a paddle board or snorkeling gear) for added fun.
5) Buy a meal from a food truck or local restaurant - A take out picnic is a lot of fun... and there are no dishes to clean up. Win... win!
6) Paint a rock and leave it on a trail for someone to find - Painting rocks is fun for all ages. Search online for simple designs or check out the ones we made here.
7) Read a book outside - Reading outside is a wonderful (mom-approved) activity. You can find some great recommendations for older kids here.
8) Have a water fight or NERF gun battle - You are never too old for a good water fight on a hot day!
9) Have a movie night outside or go to a drive in
10) Do an “at home” escape room or play a boardgame outside - You can use store-bought games, or you can make your own inexpensive outdoor games like we did here.
11) Eat donuts from a string (with no hands) - My boys have been enjoying this activity since they were little, and they still think it's hilarious. I don't think they'll ever let me leave this activity off our summer list!
12) Have a “one on one” date with mom (kid’s choice… under $20 and 2 hours) - It doesn't need to be fancy. It's really about the time spent together. A lunch date and a walk is a fantastic option.
13) Have a “one on one” date with dad (kid’s choice… under $20 and 2 hours) - Again... it doesn't need to be fancy... it's about the time spent together. My boys enjoy a trip to the driving range or a round of mini golf with their dad.
14) Make a craft (design a t-shirt, personalize a water bottle, or have a "paint night" - Crafts aren't just for young kids. The key is to provide older kids with more sophisticated craft materials. If you need inspiration, check out my top craft ideas for tweens and teens here.
15) Plant something and watch it grow - My boys and I planted a garden all there favourite fruit and vegetable snacks... but planting flowers is fun too. You can even make this adorable planter using the tutorial you can find here.
16) Get ice cream in PJs - Drive throughs are OK!
17) Play catch, basketball or street hockey
18) Make homemade ice cream or make milkshakes - This is a fun way to get older kids into the kitchen. They'll love all the recipes here.
19) Go for a bike ride - My boys learned to ride bikes at an early age, and it's still one of their favourite activities. Older kids will enjoy packing a lunch and going on a long ride... or experimenting with riding on rougher terrain.
20) Decorate a cake or bake cookies - Allowing older kids to experiment in the kitchen is fun... but it also helps teach them an important life skill. Check out some of my family's favourite recipes for sweet treats here.
21) Spend time at a cottage, beach or park
22) Do a science experiment - Science experiments are fun and educational... the perfect way to spend a rainy summer afternoon. Find OVER 15 science experiments here.
23) Sing around a campfire
24) Go geo-caching
26) Play chocolate bar BINGO (like regular BINGO, but with chocolate bar prizes) - You can do it for your family, or you can invite some friends to join in the fun.
27) Play golf or mini golf
28) Learn a “trick shot” or magic trick - You should check out a few examples below.
29) Try a new food or a new recipe
30) Have a theme day ("spend our gift cards" day is a fun one)
31) Camp at a campground, in the backyard or in the living room
32) Have a PJ day - We started PJ days whem my kids were small, but there really is no age limit. Who doesn't want to spend a rainy summer day in their PJs, watching movies, and eating popcorn?
34) Make a video and post it on YouTube or Tic Tok
35) Fly a kite
36) Have a dance party or sing karaoke
37) Go on a scavenger hunt - A simple scavenger hunt is a great way to get the kids outside and running around. Check out the one I put together for my boys here.
38) Organize a drawer, closet or room - Kids can learn the joy of being able to find their favourite shirt... and what could be better than that? lol
39) Play with water balloons - Everyone loves a water balloon on a hot day. There really is no age limit on water balloon fun.
40) Do a good deed or raise money for charity - A good deed is it's own reward, and kids will love the feeling they get from doing something to help others. Yard sales and lemonade stands are great options, but kids can use whatever talents they have.
41) Go on a road trip to another city or town
42) Go on a hike or go for a walk in the rain - Try a new trail or try to find a waterfall.
43) Roast marshmallows, make s'mores or cook a different campfire treat - You can find some of our favourite treats here.
44) Write and mail a letter or postcard - Writing old fashioned letters is becoming a lost art, so it's a great activity for kids.
45) Visit at least 5 different ice cream stands - The last couple of years, we have done an "ice cream stand challenge", and it's been a lot of fun. Summer and ice cream are the perfect match.
46) Go stargazing - Lay a blanket on the ground, stare up at the sky, and try and find constellations and shooting stars. It's a simple activity... and the perfect way to spend a quiet summer evening.
47) Pick your own
48) Pick your own
49) Pick your own
Creating and completing a summer checklist really is one of my favourite family traditions.
Does your family have a summer checklist? Are you planning to print mine? If you feel like 50 items is a lot, you can just choose your 10 or 20 of your favourites. Have fun!
♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
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