Summer Bucket List

Summer is just around the corner, and we don’t want to miss a second of it! We scratched our brains and made a list of everything we could think of that would be fun to do this summer. We organized the list by places to go, fun things around the house, and scheduled events. Feel free to download a copy and customize for your family.

Print and post in a common place to cross off activities as you go!

Boredom Busters

My kids aren’t so subtle when they are starting to get bored. As soon as they start hanging on my leg or begging for an early snack, I have to quickly redirect before it becomes an epidemic. Sometimes it’s hard to think of something FUN on the spot, so posted inside of the pantry door is a list of “Boredom Busters” that we have accumulated over time. We started with a list of blank spaces to add ideas as we go.

Every family has their own idea of fun, so you can download the blank form here, print, post your list, and start adding your own “boredom busters.” Everyone in the family can add ideas and check back for something to do on a “boring” day.

To get some ideas flowing…here are a few examples that we have posted on our list right now (keep in mind we have toddlers):

• run laps outside (really, they love this)
• blow bubbles (dish soap and water if you don’t have bubble solution)
• finger paint outside
• play with play dough (using kitchen utensils)
• decorate something with stickers (ex. empty milk jug)
• sort a basket of toys by color, shape, size, etc.
• music using kitchen supplies (ex. wooden spoons, mixing bowls, tupperware, etc.)
• obstacle course using couch cushions and anything else fun to climb
• puppet show (can setup a sheet and use stuffed animals, socks, or of course puppets)
• treasure hunt (give them each a bag and send them looking for “something blue” or something that has a letter “A”, whoever collects the most wins!)
• play inside / decorate cardboard boxes
• sort laundry (socks, shirts, pants, etc.) – kids love “helping”

Happy boredom busting!

Weekly Meal Planner

When I go to the grocery store I have exactly the amount of time that it takes my kids to finish the free cookie from the bakery, to get everything on my shopping list. Every shopping trip disaster has been the result of me trying to wing it without a list. So I guess my kids have unintentionally trained me to take the 15 minutes every Sunday night to plan the meals for the week, and make that darn shopping list.

A shopping list requires preparation and planning, so I like to start by planning the meals for the week to figure out what I will need for each meal. For the past few years I’ve used this document to plan the weekday breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Each meal has three slots to ensure I cover; fruits/vegetables, grains/dairy, and a protein. I save each weeks to reference if I’m ever dry on ideas for meals in the future.

You can download a blank version of this document here. Post it on the fridge Sunday night and everyone will be bouncing at the fridge to see what they can look forward to that week.