Life in Boston

Boston Moms Blog Summer Bucket List {with Printable}

May 26, 2015

Summer is coming!

We didn’t think it was ever going to come either. In just a few short weeks summer will officially begin and so will all of the fun! We’ve put together a list to keep you going all summer. Everything from day trips, to delicious things to eat, to easy at home activities the whole family will love. Get out and have fun!

Don’t forget to print out the list below and stick it on the fridge. Check off every activity you do…we dare you to do it all!

Fun at Home

Have a sleepover outside under the stars
Build a campfire and cook dinner
Go through your pictures and do some photo projects like a family yearbook
Swim in an inflatable pool in your yard or run through the sprinklers
Decorate the sidewalk with chalk, blow bubbles, set up an obstacle course-just get outside!
Make bubbles and experiment with different sizes and shapes
Make Play dough
Have a date day with each of your kids
Have a water balloon fight
Watch the sun set

Summer Fun Out & About

Go for a ride on the world famous Swan Boats. Say hi to the ducks and swans in the water
Check out an event or just go hang on the Lawn on D. Play ping pong, catch a concert or just swing
Go see fireworks! Whether they are for 4th of July or just to celebrate summer, lay out a blanket and watch the sky
Fly a kite at Castle Island. Have some ice cream while you’re there
Cheer for the Red Sox. There are many themed and specialty games to have even more fun at
Go to a theme game with the Lowell Spinners
Take a ride on a merry go round at the Public Garden or on the Greenway. Splash in the frog pong or in the fountains after taking a spin.
Take a Duck Tour. Quack at everyone you pass by and get ready for splash down!
Take a cruise! There are day cruises around the islands, night cruises and specialty cruises-something for everyone
Head up to Gloucester and spend the day at Wingaersheek Beach
Learn to sail, canoe or kayak at the beach or on the Charles
Enjoy the Summer Series at The Street. Sit outside for dinner and enjoy a new activity every week.
Learn to swim-there are so many great programs in the area!
Going tubing, water skiing or stand up paddleboarding.
Go to a Fourth of July parade
Explore on of the many “outside malls” in the area
Spend the day shopping on Newbury Street
Tour the grounds at the deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum
Visit an indoor playground
Go trampolining
Test your inner daredevil and fly on the trapeze
Go play 18 holes
Get some worms and go fishing

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Eat lots of fresh corn on the cob. Get it from your local farm stand!
Have a picnic dinner-in the park or even your own backyard, watch the sunset, catch some fireflies and enjoy a glass of cold white wine
Get outside and grill. Whether it’s burgers or vegetables, cooking and dining al fresco is a blast
Get ice cream from the ice cream truck. Nothing like a Choco Taco for nostalgia
Check out all of the local, family owned ice cream shops. Try to visit as many as you can
Make popsicles or ice cream at home. Use juice or create your own concoctions for a sweet treat
Make S’mores over a fire pit. Yours, a friends or a local restaurant!
Head to Kimball Farm for ice cream and lots of family friendly activities
Enjoy rainbow cookies, cannolis or another delicious treats while strolling through the North End
Check out a Farmer’s Market. There are markets every day of the week all over the area!
Join a CSA. Get creative with your grilling!
Grab your girlfriends or your significant other and enjoy a cocktail on a rooftop on the Waterfront
Plant a garden. Take care of it all summer, watch it grow and eat the fruits (and veggies) of you labor. If you don’t have space for a garden, go pick your own berries, flowers or tomatoes (Ward’s Berry Farm is a favorite)
Walk to your local ice cream shop and head to the playground with your cones

Culture & Education

Get outside and learn at the Arnold Arboretum. Check out all of the flowers and learn a little
Go Whale watching. Don’t forget your sea sickness medicine!
Check out a street festival. There are so many throughout the summer celebrating different events and cultures.
Go to a drive in movie. Check out a new movie outside on the big screen
Listen to a concert at the Natick Summer Concert Series
Celebrate the 4th of July at Harborfest. There are over 200 events to enjoy!
Enjoy the outside movies at Patriot Place. Make a night of it and do some shopping too!
Explore and connect with nature at the Seacoast Science Center
Honor the U.S. Coast Coard at the Yankee Homecoming in Newburyport
Check out the music, vendors and artists at the Byfield Music Festival

Moving and Grooving

Go Mini golfing. Keep score and get competitive-winner gets ice cream
Spend the day at the beach and collect shells. Don’t forget your sunscreen
Visit a Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and take a hike. Visit the animals, pack a picnic and work up a sweat
Go to summer camp. Check out our guide for specialty, day and sleepaway camps
Check out a local amusement park. Six Flags and Canobie Lake Park have rides and entertainment for everyone
Head to the Cape and take the bike path to Woods Hole

Community and Giving Back

Get local friends together for a lemonade stand. Donate the profits to a favorite charity
Make a new friend! There are so many places to meet someone new
Support the Jimmy Fund, and eat tons of ice cream at the Scooper Bowl. See how many cups of ice cream you can stack up
Spend the day cleaning up a local park
Get the neighborhood together for a yard sale and donate the proceeds to your community
Visit your library and explore new books and genres
Plant a garden for everyone to enjoy