This is going to be an unforgettable summer! Here is the ultimate family bucket list for homeschool families.
Being a homeschool family might mean your summers include some facet of education, possibly in funner and more relaxed ways. Here is the perfect summer bucket list that will make your “break” unforgettable and still carry value to your homeschool journey.
Do you want to have an unforgettable summer break? Here is the ultimate bucket list for homeschool families who want to arrive into a new school year carrying value from their summer break!
An Unforgettable and Educational Summer Bucket List for Homeschool Families
Make Summer vision boards
Pull out old magazines, buy some new ones, and use images from online to create your family’s Summer Vision Board, Your heart will swoon as your children’s desires fuel their imaginations. Print out your “bucket list” and have the kids search for images that best capture their vision of the summer ahead!
This will not only excite but it will inspire your homeschooler to think deeply about what he or she wants to gain over the summer. What values do you want to delve into over the next three months? Create the perfect vision board using images and words.
Visit an aquarium
A simple Google search, “aquariums near me” will uncover local gems or places to visit in a city nearest you. Aquariums are fun for the whole family and are perfect for a one day Unit studies in science. Have your kids complete an age appropriate task for them display what they learned at the aquarium.
I find it best to prepare your homeschoolers before hand to have a mindset of learning and thoughtfulness. Other wise the day ends up being moment by moment enjoyment- which is also perfectly fitting if that’s your intention. Aquariums are a perfect educational adventure for your summer bucket list!
Go on a camping trip or sleep outside
Camping will instill memories of hard work, slow living, and appreciating the great outdoors. Camping is an event that will build character and create lifelong memories. Ask anyone if they have forgotten their camping experiences and the answer will always be, “no!”
Even if in the backyard, sleeping under the stars does something for a person. Camping is also very budget friendly. This is an absolute a must for your bucket list this summer!
Google campsites near me to find the best options near you. Many campsites have cabin options as well as camping gear rentals. This is a great option so you don’t have to invest in camping gear that also takes up a ton of storage.
Bonus: Make it a phone free time. Disconnect from the world and reconnect with your kids this summer.
Participate in two charitable events
Something we might be too busy for in the thick of our school year is making it out into our communities.
There are a wealth of lessons to be learned as we step out of our comfort zones and reach toward those in need. Every town has groups and organizations that could use a helping hand.
Make it a bucket list item this summer to participate in at least two charitable events. This is sure to make your summer unforgettable and is one of my favorite things on the list so far.
Your children will never forget the times they help people less fortunate than themselves.
5k or mud run
Having your family do a 5k together will be a great way to get exercise and learn healthy habits like self discipline. Fitness is something a lot of homeschoolers don’t get enough of. Be intentional to incorporate healthy and active life-style routines into your family’s life.
If a 5k isn’t available near you, create your own fitness goals and set a challenge at the end of the summer to work toward. Consider getting your homeschoolers fitness journals of their own to track their personal goals and progress.
Have a beach or lake day
If you are lucky enough to live within a few hours driving distance to a beach or lake, take full advantage of it this summer!
Being near the water makes Summer feel legitimate. See if any family or friends would like to make a little trip out of it. Renting an AirB&B can cut costs when sharing a house with other people.
There are likely absolutely gorgeous lakes near you that the whole family is sure to enjoy! Many times they also have campsites nearby so you can mark two items in one trip.
Fun idea: Buy disposable cameras and make a scrap book of your beach adventures together.
Visit your nearest amusement park
A very fun excuse to “study” physics is to check out amusement parks near you. Have kids study up on Newton’s Laws of Motions before heading out to enjoy participating in them!
Listen to a podcast on the subject on the drive there and watch these deep discoveries come to life for your children.
Visiting an amusement park can absolutely be educational this summer, so don’t leave this one off your bucket lists!
Try 4 new ethnic restaurants
Trying a new food might be more significant than you think. Exposing your homeschoolers to other cultures is often very meaningful when done with food. Ethnic food can bring us face to face with a culture in a very authentic way,
Choose four different cultures that spark your interest and bring your whole family into an experience with it over dinner. Before trying the restaurant, watch a few Youtube videos on the county or grab a relevant library book. You’d be amazed at how much this little bucket list item will expand your students minds into other cultures.
Look up important people in history from said culture and dive into a biography over the meal. This is a perfect way to “hide” learning into something very fun and rememorable!
Pinterest-Thrift a back to school outfit
Having a new outfit makes even the littlest of us feel more confident. If you want a small, cute, and practical way to boost your child’s excitement over the coming school year, give them the opportunity to thrift a new school outfit.
Have them find something they like on Pinterest and attempt to recreate it using thrifted items. Give them a budget to teach them money management and frugality.
Having something to look forward to will make summer’s end less melancholy and slightly more exciting. This is a great way to connect with your child this summer via shopping and exploring their personal sense of style.
Watch fireworks and do a unit study on Independence Day
Fireworks on the 4th of July should invoke feelings of patriotism and freedom. Independence day is the perfect opportunity to teach your homeschooler all about this significant moment in America’s history.
Give your students a writing prompt on freedom. Have them reflect on the freedoms they enjoy. This is an education item for your bucket list that should not be left out!
Have a “Reading Day” (save for a rainy day)
Rain hitting the windows, hot tea sitting in delicate tea cups, soft classical music gliding throughout the house, and a living room filled with blankets, pillows, and quiet reading children.
No, this is not a dream. This is Reading Day!
Make Reading Day part of your homeschoolers Summer Bucket list tradition.
Go grocery shopping with your kids and have them pick out all the fun foods they want, just like you do for movie night- Expect this time its for Reading Day.
A love for reading has to be nurtured and cultivated. This simple idea will instill into your homeschoolers that reading is enjoyable, relaxing and extremely fulfilling.
Make sure they have a few good books prepared for Reading Day and try to actually read all day (at least until dinner time) With a few breaks for stretching, snacking, and thoughtful conversation, this is going to be one of your favorite bucket list memories!
Bake or cook for your neighbors
Pushing your kids, and potentially even yourself, out of your comfort zone will grow skills needed to be successful later in life. Business owners, entrepreneurs, and inventors all share something in common. They are willing to take risks.
Start taking small and safe “risks” this summer by doing something kind for your neighbor. Many of us have probably never spoken to our neighbor more than 5 words. Let’s break that cycle this summer!
Whether you make your neighbor a new recipe or an old family one- they are surely going to love the gesture and it will warm their hearts.
Ride horses
Riding a horse is a majestic experience that will make this summer completely unforgettable for your whole family! Google, “horse riding experiences near me.” The average cost is around $50 a person.
A mini unit study on the topic of farms or equestrian life would be fitting for this bucket list item. It’s always a beautiful thing to expose children to new animals. Many valuable lessons are waiting to be learned in a relationship with an animal.
If your little ones are too small for this riding experience, you can always visit a farm and have them feed, pet and enjoy seeing horses in person!
Check out local artists
An inspiration is waiting to happen when your little artist sees someone successfully displaying their art in your community!
Great connections are waiting to be made as well when you explore all the unique talent near you. Local artist love your support and are almost always willing to help others in their own journey of expression.
Shopping local art builds a sense of community and is also great for the economy. You can check out galleries near you and many times your library can help connect you with local artists as well.
Go to farmers markets
Farmers markets are also a huge support to local entrepreneurs and farmers. Shopping at farmers markets gets the family outside together in a leisurely and yummy way.
Teaching your kids how to compare prices, shop local, and eat healthy are just a few valuable lessons you will gain by adding this fun activity to your summer bucket list.
If you’re feeling extra motivated, you can even look into being a vendor at the market to sell baked goods or handmade items like jewelry or flower arrangements. This would be an immeasurably valuable experience for your entrepreneurs in training!
Mini golf
Mini golf is the cutest little activity to add to your summer bucket list!
Average prices are $8-15 per person depending on age. This is a cheap and easy way to get everybody outside and bonding over some good old fashioned mini golf. Make an ice cream stop after the games to cool off and extend the family time out of the house.
Your homeschoolers are going to love mini golf with the family so be sure to add this one to your summer bucket list!
Visit a local sporting event
There are tons of little league, soccer, and even equestrian competitions being help near you every summer! Take the whole family to your nearby park and watch a free game as the sun sets and the night cools.
Supporting local teams also build a sense of community. It’s great to expose your kids to sports competitions before letting them try their hand at it. Is this something they are interested in? Try connecting with the teammates and coaches to see what it’s really like.
Homeschool kids should be involved in some style of completion within their schooling career. Competition builds character that just isn’t learned anywhere else quiet like on the sports field.
Take family photos
This summer is the summer you will finally get those family photos taken and check it off your bucket list!
Book with a local photographer if it’s affordable, you will not regret it! On a stricter budget, see if a family member or friend can take a stab at it. These days with the quality of phone cameras, we all have the potential to get “the shot”.
For inspiration on what to wear to the photoshoot, hop on Pinterest and look over clothing aesthetics you prefer. Pictures can be taken at a local park, at your house or even a cute diner with a retro aesthetic. Getting these photos taken will be perfect to have come Christmas time as well.
Explore your town
Your town’s website will have a calendar filled with events happening all summer near you. Concerts, festivals, and parades are events that are usually free, fun, and memorable! This is a great way to add excitement to your summer in a budget friendly way.
Many times these events are great for your homeschooler to experience, as they expose them to fields they might find interest in.
Exploring all your town has to offer will enrich your lives and build nostalgia for your kids as they grow. Learn to love the place you live and explore all it has to offer!
Many times a great little vacation is actually in our own backyard! Look at local AirBnbs for unique overnight experiences.
Become “photographers”
If you have a camera lying around collecting dust, consider giving your kids the task of improving their creative eye this summer.
A fun and educational bucket list item is to learn to take professional level photos using the equipment you have. Have your kids google and find photographers that inspire them and mimic their approach until they discover their own.
As you check all your bucket list items off, have your child document each event with the camera. You’ll be amazed as your kids’ ability to capture beauty unfolds and their talents come shining through!
Memorize a full Psalm, poem, or short story
Choose a psalm, poem, or short story and task your kids with memorizing the entire thing to have ready to present at summers’ end.
Engaging your child’s memorization skills during the summer will keep their minds sharp and active. They can even write their own and memorize it, if they are wanting more of a challenge!
some great poets are…
- Christina Rosetti
- Robert Luis Stevenson
- Jane Taylor
Watch a movie outside or find a drive-in theater
As a kid, attending a drive in theater was un unforgettable experience. This item needs to be on your homeschooler’s summer bucket list!
Many times, drive in theaters play classic movies which could definitely be turned into a short history or arts lesson. This event will bring you family together in the most fun and relaxing way. If you don’t have a D.I.T. near you, consider investing in a projector this summer.
Watching movies outside is the sweetest childhood experience and should be felt by all homeschoolers at least once!
Our homeschoolers don’t need or want to stop learning just because it’s summer. Summer is a beautiful time of year that’s should be felt, enjoyed, and filled with the wonder and joy of learning!
Using this education summer bucket list will build memories that will last a lifetime, teach your children unconventional lessons that aren’t always learned in a classroom, and be completely unforgettable in the best way!
Enjoy your summer Happy Mamas!
An Educational Summer: The Ultimate Family Bucket List for Homeschoolers
