Summer Checklist 2017 (free printable)

Every year, my boys and I put together a summer checklist of all the fun adventures we plan on completing during their break from school. Our list is filled with simple and inexpensive ideas, but this annual tradition has proven to be a valuable tool for building priceless childhood memories. Today, I am sharing our 2017 checklist (that you can download for free), including many links to additional info about the activities. We have 50 items on our list, but feel free to just choose 20, 30, or 40 of your favourites.


To download and print the summer checklist: right-click on the checklist below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo. I sent mine to my local copy store and printed it for $0.39. 


And... in case you need more info about the items on list, check out the helpful links below.

1) Celebrate Canada Day or the 4th of July



2) Watch fireworks or attend a parade
3) Have a teddy bear picnic


4) Go to a splash pad or swim in a pool
5) Host a "half sleepover"



6) Go to a farmer's market
7) Visit the library and read a book outside



8) Have a water fight
9) Go fishing or hiking
10) Have a family movie night outside



11) Eat donuts from a string (with no hands)


12) Pick out a toy or treat at the dollar store
13) Plant something and watch it grow



14) Visit a wildlife park, farm or zoo
15) Build a fort
16) Get ice cream in PJs (drive throughs are OK) 
17) Play baseball, soccer, golf or street hockey
18) Make ice cream or go to an ice cream stand




19) Go for a bike ride
20) Decorate a cake or bake cookies



21) Spend time at a cottage, beach or park
22) Do a science experiment



23) Play a board game



24) Go geo-caching



25) Have a "kids pick the meals" day
26) Play mini golf
27) See a play or visit a museum
28) Have a lemonade stand



29) Try a new food
30) Have a theme day (e.g. a pirate day or superhero day)



31) Camp in the backyard or living room



32) Have a PJ day
33) Build a large puzzle
34) Make a summer reading list or keep a summer journal
35) Fly a kite



36) Have a dance party in the living room
37) Go on a scavenger hunt



38) Build an obstacle course
39) Play with water balloons



40) Do a good deed or raise money for charity
41) Visit a new city or town
42) Play "tag"
43) Roast marshmallows or make a different campfire treat



44) Write and mail a letter or postcard
45) Run in a race
46) Make a craft


47) __________________________
48) __________________________
49) __________________________
50) HAVE ICE CREAM FOR SUPPER!



As you can see, there are blank spaces at the bottom of my checklist for you to add a few of your own activities/ideas. Or, you can create an entirely new list using the template below. Right-click on the template, save it to your computer, print it like a regular 8X10 photo, and add as many activities as you like!


This really is one of my favourite family traditions. It's always a lot of fun, and definitely something my boys look forward to each year.


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple and Fun Ways to Celebrate CANADA DAY

Canada Day is fast approaching, and it's always fun to mark the occasion with festive decor, crafts, activities, and treats. Today, I am sharing a fantastic collection of easy and inexpensive ideas for celebrating July 1st.


Don't forget to click the links for additional details.

Canada Day Photo Booth - Sometimes simple ideas are the best ones, and this photo booth is easy to make using dollar store supplies. Besides... doesn't everyone want an excuse to get adorable holiday pictures of their kids?


10 Minute Canada Day Wreath - You don't have to be crafty to make this simple Canada Day decor. All you need are a few inexpensive supplies and a glue gun.


Simple Red and White Canada Day Dessert Buffet - The elements of this buffet are simple and delicious... and the red and white colour scheme ties it all together.


Canada Day Sparklers - Protect little hands, and celebrate in style with this simple Canada Day celebration HACK.


Canada Day Banner - Create your own inexpensive and unique Canada Day decor with an old book, a cookie cutter, and a little creativity. 

You could also hang some store-bought red and white lights to create a festive outdoor atmosphere.



Canada Day Cake - For a simple Canada Day cake, use Froot Roll Ups cut out with cookie cutters. It's easy to do, and kids will love it!

Canada Day Hat and Flag - Kids can create their own flags and hats using crayons and card stock. They'll proudly show their pride wearing their own creations.


Canada Day Paper Fan (with template) - Kids can craft their own fan to show their pride and keep cool during Canada Day celebrations. Download the template, cut it out, colour it, and add a popsicle stick. Easy peasy!


Paper Plate Wreath - Kids can create glittery and fun Canada Day decor using tissue paper, a paper plate, and glitter. Draw a maple leaf in the centre of a paper plate, colour it, and trace it with glue and glitter. Then use glitter and 1-inch squares of scrunched up pieces of tissue paper to decorate the outside edges of the paper plate. Finish by adding a ribbon to hang the wreath.
Canada Day Ice Cream Sandwiches - Tasty treats don't have to be a lot of work. This no bake Canada Day treat is simple, festive and fun!



Paper Bag Beaver Puppet - Kids will love making this festive Canada Day craft. Start with a paper bag. Then, using card stock, draw and color ears, arms, teeth, a nose, a tail, and a maple leaf. Finish by gluing all the pieces (including two googly eyes) to the paper bag. Download the template here. AND... you can watch a step by step "how to" YouTube video here.


Aren't these fantastic ways to celebrate July 1st? I hope you try out some of these simple ideas and have a wonderful and fun-filled Canada Day!


Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)


You might also be interested in the fantastic Canada Day ideas here.

Canada Day Ice Cream HACK

A Canada Day celebration calls for a tasty and festive treat. Today, I am sharing a simple and fun ice cream HACK that is sure to impress your family and/or party guests. 


I made two versions of "dressed up" Canada Day ice cream sandwiches, and they were both big hits with my boys. The first one uses red sugar crystals (that are normally used for decorating cookies and cakes). I poured the crystals on a plate, and then I let my boys press the edges of their ice cream sandwiches into the sprinkles.
Cute, right? It's such a fun way to transform a store-bought treat into a red and white Canada Day dessert.


I also found some red and white M&Ms at the dollar store that my boys used to make another version.


I put the M&Ms on a plate, and my boys pressed the candies into the sides of the sandwiches.


Naturally, my boys each had to try both versions... and none of them were unable to pick a favourite. I have to agree... both of these ice cream sandwiches are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for celebrating Canada Day.

Enjoy!


Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 minute Canada Day Wreath

Today, I am sharing a simple tutorial for a Canada Day wreath you can make in less than 10 minutes. I actually think you can make this wreath in 5 minutes, but I wanted to be conservative for anyone who feels they aren't super-crafty. Seriously... anyone can make this festive Canada Day wreath in less than 10 minutes. Wouldn't it be fabulous for celebrating Canada150?


This wreath is cute, easy to make... and cheap! I started with a plain/inexpensive grapevine wreath that I had in my craft room... but you can find these wreaths anywhere craft supplies are sold.


I made simple bunting using twine and old scraps of red and white felt. I cut the felt, and attached it to the twine with hot glue. Then, I attached the bunting to the wreath with hot glue.

Finally, I attached a mini hockey stick (that I purchased at the dollar store) to the wreath with hot glue. Simple, right?


This wreath is sure to impress your Canada Day party guests, and you don't have to tell them how simple it was to make!


You could also add some maple leafs if you wanted to take it a step further. If you make this Canada Day wreath, let me know how it turns out. Happy Canada Day!


Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss any of the fun....