The summer holidays are the perfect time to tick off the things your family has wanted to do all year. Sit down together and ask your kids what interests them. What they would like to learn more about? What have you all always wanted to do as a family but never had time to? Jot the ideas down and go through the list. Narrow down the list based on priority, budget and time. Remember to schedule the different activities through the summer. This cuts down on hearing the refrain, ‘I am bored!’ from your child during the long holidays.
It’s a good idea to write the final list out on a piece of chart paper and pin it up where the family can see it. As you go through the activities tick them off one after the other.
Here are some ideas to get you started on creating your family’s Ultimate Summer Bucket List.
- Watch a movie at a drive-in theatre. If you don’t have one in your city set up a projector at home and create a mini theatre for your family. Don’t forget the popcorn!
- Spend the day at the zoo or aquarium. Many zoos and aquariums allow you to feed the animals or even spend the day learning from the staff and experts there. Check out what programs your local animal sanctuary has on offer.
- Organise a make-your-own pizza night or an exotic dosa dinner, where everyone can choose toppings and experiment. You can make this idea your own whatever your choice of cuisine, the only criteria being that the entire family has to participate in the cooking and eat dinner together.
- Does your city have a local interesting museum? Maybe a natural history one, or a museum dedicated to locomotives. Find out and take your kids to visit. It will be a fun learning experience for all.
- Spend more time outdoors. This could be in the form of a trek or a picnic. Take binoculars and drawing supplies. If you spot an exotic bird or find an interesting insect or flower, note it down or draw it. At the end of the day everyone can share and exchange notes on what they saw.
- Have a dance party at home. Decorate the room, invite friends over (both old and young), put on some fun music and dance the evening away. You burn calories and tire out the kids, all in one go.
- Learn something new as a family. This could be anything from origami or baking, to dance or magic. Find a class taught locally on something the entire family is interested in, and go for it.
- It’s important to teach your kids to value what they have and to help the less fortunate. Spend the day at retirement home, or volunteer as a family, at a financially strapped school. These are just some ways in which you can give back as a family.
The above are just suggestions. Make sure to put together a list that reflects you and your loved ones – have a mix of educational and fun activities, indoor and outdoor ones. This definitely has the potential of being the start of a great summer tradition for your family.