By Amber Kuipers 
Summer vacation is one of the most anticipated times of the year but can also be one of the most stressful. If you are anything like me, it’s a constant bombardment of “I’m hungry,” “I’m bored,” “What are we doing now?” And when my social media is overflowing with everyone’s Pinterest-worthy summer bucket lists, summer camps, summer vacations, and all the incredible memory building, I feel like I’m depriving my children of a magical summer.
But what if you are working? Or on a budget? Or you don’t have access to a city full of adventures? Your kids aren’t super flexible. They don’t like all the things. You are doing it alone. But you still feel all the pressure.
Over the last few years, I’ve made a summer bucket list with my kids. We hang it in a visible space and check it off as we complete activities. We don’t always complete them all. We often add quite a few. A lot of them are random. And free. But it helps on those days when I don’t have the energy to think of things to do. And it allows me to try to plan the things we really do want to do.
My kids are at the magic age of 7, 9, and 10. No naps. No diapers. We can all ride the same rides or are capable of walking for more than 10 minutes. But . . . it also means they no longer get in places for free or at a reduced rate. Suddenly outings are insanely expensive. They are too old for hours spent at the splash pad or playgrounds. They will happily play video games all day inside, but I want them outside.
This past year I was going through some old childhood photos and realized some of my best summer memories had nothing to do with big fancy experiences. My parents didn’t entertain me all summer, making sure I wasn’t bored and had magical moments of fun. We went on long bike rides. I read sitting up in a tree. We explored woods and parks and got scrapes and bruises. We spent long hot days at the beach.
And guess what? Those things barely cost a thing. My mom didn’t document every second. She didn’t share with all her friends. She didn’t feel all the pressure we feel to have a carefully curated summer. She did what she could with what she had.
So here’s a list of 8 things to do this summer when your kids are mid childhood. And you’re on a budget. And you don’t have the time or energy to make a super exciting bucket list. These are tried and true things my family loves.
Books, books, books. Whether you take advantage of a library program, borrow, or buy, you can spend hours reading. It’s even more fun when you are outside or at the beach. Find or build creative reading spaces. Have a goal of the number of books read. You can find books on every topic so take advantage!
Put a tent outside. It always amazes me how throwing up a tent outside changes everything. Suddenly my kids are playing games, reading, and playing endlessly in it. They don’t even need to sleep in it—although who doesn’t love a backyard sleepover?
Park adventure. Maybe your kids are too old to go to the park. But why not have a park-hopping adventure day? Spend a certain amount of time at each park, but travel to a whole bunch in one day. Stop for a picnic at one. Rate each park. Make a map of them. Have an activity everyone needs to do at each park. Make it a game.
Biking goal. Do your kids love to bike? Make a goal of how many miles you want to bike over the summer. You can buy a cheap tracker or use your phone. See if you can reach it by the end of the summer. Pick a number of new trails you need to try. I’ve found that telling my kids if we reach it, we can get ice cream is a good incentive for them on the days that they are bored.
Library programs. Guys, libraries offer incredible free programs all summer long! Take advantage! Even if it’s every once in a while, it’s an activity you can do. Maybe you’ll pick up more books on the way. But it’s a great way to connect at the same time. Often libraries will have public boards advertising all kinds of summer events and fun.
Communal outdoor game. We love having a pickup soccer, baseball, or soccer game with friends. We throw it out there to a whole bunch of people, and whoever shows up plays. The great thing about soccer or baseball is that pretty much everyone of every skill level can play. It can be as casual or intense as you’d like. And you don’t even need a real field.
Do things with other people. A splash pad, a park, a beach, a conservation area are all better with other people. I find this one is a big win because if you invite the right group of people your kids have friends and so do you! Suddenly your backyard is a fun place again because there are others to share it with.
Pick an event that YOU want to do. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Maybe it’s just visiting your favorite park or ice cream shop. Maybe it’s a meal you want or a friend you want to visit. But I find it makes a big difference when I feel like I also get a chance to enjoy the summer even if it’s in a small way.
So take the pressure off having this elaborate summer. Make it work for you and your family. Give them the chance to be bored and create their own memories. It’s worth it, I promise.
by Jackie Semmens 
by Amanda Nelson 
