Summer Planning Tips

After the New Year, it seems like everyone is looking forward to the warm, carefree days of summer.  And after a year-long global pandemic, you might be bursting at the seams to get out of the house!  With summer quickly approaching, it’s time to plan out those fabulous 4 months so you can make sure it’s a summer to remember.  So let’s go over a few easy summer planning tips that will help you plan for a memorable summer with your family!

step #1 consider a summer bucket list

Before you get started planning out the warmest months of the year, you may want to work on a summer bucket list for you and your family.

This is something that I’ve done for the past two years since my youngest two are growing up so fast.

Start by brainstorming a list of all the fun things you would like to do with your family before the summer is over.  Then go over the ideas with your spouse and kids to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

From there, you have a few different options.

I like to have all of our bucket list ideas printed on a large poster board at an office supply store.  Last year it came out to be about $15.

We kept it on our fridge and crossed off items as we completed them.  It was a nice, subtle way to remind my kids that they were going to have plenty of time for fun, even if some of our afternoons were boring and uneventful.

You may notice our bucket list includes no major travel. That goes to show that you can still have an eventful summer right in your hometown!

Another idea I recommend is to use Trello for your summer bucket list.

I really like using Trello because you can attach images or add all kinds of information like hours of operation, phone numbers, and other miscellaneous details.

You can add each bucket list activity to a “card” and move each card around as needed.

In the screenshot below, you’ll see that I have each activity on a separate list. 

Since my board is for personal use, I used a couple of images from Google to depict some of the activities we want to do.

Under the Baseball Game list, I attached a link to our local team’s schedule and I listed the different promotional activities they have each day of the week.

When you’re planning your week, you can check your Trello Board and easily decide what you want to do.

Or you can always keep a simple list of summer activities on your refrigerator!

step #2 plan non-negotiables

Start by adding school registration deadlines and tax-free weekend dates to your planner or calendar so you don’t forget.

From there, schedule large family events or other non-negotiable activities.  

Next, focus on extracurricular activities like dance and music lessons.  Knowing which days of the week will be booked will help you plan for the rest of your summer accordingly.

Then, schedule vacations and weekend getaways.

step #3 plan holidays & local events

Next, book summer camps, reading programs at the library and fun holidays your family would like to participate in.

You can also spend some time researching when fairs and festivals will be happening near you.  Make a note on the calendar so you don’t forget about them before it’s too late.

Finally, schedule playdates, BBQ’s, and pool parties with friends.

step #4 consider one screen-free day per week

Once you have all of your activities planned, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how many nights a week you’ll be home with your family.

If your summer is going to be extra busy, consider having a screen-free day once a week.  Use that time to enjoy the summer with your family.

You can play in the sprinklers, cook dinner on the grill, catch fireflies, ride bikes, or watch the sunset.

Summer goes by so fast, so use your time wisely and remember to have fun!.

final thoughts

Life is so busy, it’s easy to get caught up in the school year and the day-to-day activities that take up the bulk of our time.

And before you know it, it’s the fourth of July and you’ve been sitting around the house with your kids for the last month. 😔

You can avoid all that by getting a head start on your summer plans!

It’s never too early to start planning! So start doing a little research, have a meeting with your family, and make a list of the things you’d like to do this summer.

Then plan for them appropriately!

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