Summer Bucket List

I've been seeing Summer Bucket Lists on my Pinterest suggestions. So Here is MY Summer bucket list with some links and language suggestions.

Places to go:

Zoo-

I've mentioned the zoo in my other summer activities post. You can work on identifying familiar animals. You can work on first/then, "First we'll see the lion then we'll see the bears." You can make a visual schedule for the animals in your zoo or like a scavenger hunt. I like to print and laminate the map so kids can see what's there and draw on it to map out our route to animals they want to see.

New park-

We often visit the same parks, usually nearby, but the summer is a perfect time to go check out some new parks. Different parks have different things on them. The change in parks can help them learn new skills with new obstacles to explore. They might meet some new friends too. When I nannied we often would check out new parks, then sometimes those new parks became our favorites.

Fishing-

Fishing is big with my boyfriend's family. Not everyone would like fishing for real fish so a fishing game can be fun too. You can work on "fish, Ready set go, got it." Some fishing games work on colors and counting. My little guy is working on reeling in the fish.

Outdoor Movie-

This activity might not have as much language in it but I feel like summer is about making memories. I loved taking my oldest to the drive-in we had around her but now it's gone. There are tons of movie screens and projectors you could even do it in your backyard.

Storytime-

I'm always suggesting Storytimes to all my families. They get to see same-age peers, books are always good, and it can help little ones that will be going to preschool used to circle times and sitting. Libraries have storytimes but for summer some park districts are doing special storytimes at parks or downtown. Check out their Facebook or website for more information.

Hike-

Getting outside is always fun. Going for a hike sounds like fun. Nature is beautiful. Hopefully, you have a place to hike and see all the sensory. You can talk about the animals you see or collect rocks or leaves. Just talk about what you see. We go to the local Arboretum often and walk all around.

Pick Berries-

Going berry picking will be a good summer memory but can also work on counting, and fine motor skills of picking the berries. You can name the berries if it's somewhere with different kinds.

Farmers Market-

I'm a sucker for a good farmer's market. You can find good, local produce. Letting the kids pick something at the farmer's market can help them to try new foods. They can name foods. Sometimes there are entertainers there as well.

Beach-

The beach is a whole sensory experience all in itself. You can dig a hole in the sand, and splash in the water. You can work on words like "Dig, scoop, dump, splash." You can try to find shells on the beach and count them.

Parade-

We went to our first parade for Memorial Day. My little guy didn't get candy but the older kids enjoyed that. They get to see all the fire trucks and different things. You can name the things that are going by.

Things to Make:

I guess I'm a "Scrunchy Mom" I prefer making some things rather than buying it with dyes and stuff in it. I wasn't always this way but now I like to make things that I could easily buy. These activities are also good for following directions, and identifying familiar foods or items. They make cool, taste-safe, things as well. Again making memories. Also maybe making some messes. If you've seen my Instagram lately we are getting into cooking right now. My little guy wants to help me with everything and always be attached to me to watch me do things.

Homemade popsicles-

Here's a recipe for Fruit and Veggie Popsicles

Ice Cream-

Here's a recipe to make a Mason Jar Ice Cream. I can't have diary so I'll be using coconut milk instead of heavy whipping cream.

Pizza-

Pizzas are the perfect little things to customize for each kid. You can make simple English muffin pizzas or make your own little crusts. This to me seems like an individual pizzas kind of thing, especially if you have more than one child. Set up some sauce and toppings and let them be free.

Playdough-

I like to make playdough sometimes too. Making it makes it taste-safe and you know everything that's in it. Here's a recipe for a No-cook and no cream of tartar playdough

Slime-

It may go against my Scrunchy Mom status but I found Jello has a Slime kit you can get. It's again taste-safe.It's a great sensory activity. It's kind of a one-time use kind of thing. After a bit it gets weird. We used the green one and I think there is also purple unicorn or something. Here's a recipe for Pudding Slime. I think we will be trying this out. I'm all about taste-safe options. On Pinterest there are tons of recipes for slime that uses non-food items like glue and contact solution.

Things to do at home:

Garden-

We are currently growing two little gardens one in the ground with zucchini, yellow squash, acorn squash, and tomatoes. Another in a raised garden bed with jalapenos, bell peppers and cucumbers. We have some window boxes with herbs and flowers. My little guy loves to help water, even though he may water more of himself than the garden. He comes over to check on the plants with me every day and soon we will be picking veggies. If you have a picky eater, you may get them to eat veggies if you can grow them. Or you can just grow some grass in a little cup. You can name the veggies, and count them. It's fun to watch them grow.

Play Bubbles-

We love bubbles. We've already gone through one bubble machine. We have a big one at home and a little one at Grandma and Grandpa's. Bubbles are just fun. They work on early developing sounds "pop, bubble, more."

FingerPaint-

I love sensory activities. They can make pictures for the Grandparents, identify colors and have a whole sensory experience. If you don't like messes inside, outside is a great place to finger paint. Then just rinse the kids down with the hose.

Draw with sidewalk chalk

Sidewalk chalk is fun for adults and kids. You can work on imitating actions by drawing lines or shapes.

Play in a water table

We got a new water table and it's so much fun. There are tons of water table ideas like putting pompoms in it or little mechanical fish. We have pompoms to go in it this week possibly. We have been working on scooping and dumping the cups.

Have a water balloon fight

Reusable water balloons are sitting in my Amazon cart. I feel like it's a better option for us. I don't like the broken balloons all over. It also can be tons of fun over and over again. Even if we don't throw it at people, they will be fun to throw at targets or the fence.

Roast marshmallows

Roasting marshmallows to me is a summer must. It's all about making memories, sitting around a campfire and chatting. Hopefully, it's something we can do this summer but it's harder with a toddler. We may need to do some indoor smores.