Although summer doesn’t “officially” start until later this month, I mean come on, it’s SUMMER!!! The temperatures are soaring, the sun is shining, and I even saw my first firefly last weekend – aww! (Northwesterners, are we still sure fireflies don’t exist where you live?!)
This is the first summer Lincoln’s been truly excited and anxious to get out and about everyday (the first thing he asks after waking up is, “what are we doing today?“) That said, I want to make each day count because when we’re tucking him into bed at night he asks, “what was your favorite part of the day?” and when we turn the question back on him, there’s nothing more satisfying than hearing him say whatever fun thing we did that day was (vs, I don’t know, watching Mickey’s Three Musketeers, for instance. ?)
Thanks to some insanely amazing May weather, we’ve already had a chance to fill our days and weekends with summery activities like making popsicles, going to the pool, attending a baseball game, grilling any chance we get, taking long walks, attempting to fish, running through the sprinkler, and visiting the Farmer’s Market.
Oh, and teaching Lincoln the virtues of cleanliness (aka adding a couple squirts of soap into his water table as it filled it up then watching him play independently with the suds for an hour. YES!)
Although we’ve already got a running start there’s still so much to do, so I thought I’d write a Summer Bucket List so we don’t find ourselves turning to each other every morning or Friday night and asking, “what should we do today/this weekend?” Some of the activities are specific to the Central Iowa area, but I know you’ll get some good ideas for where you live, too.
Oh, and don’t miss the last bucket list item! ?
Additionally I created a FREE Summer Bucket List printable so you and your friends and family can write out your own bucket list to tackle this summer!
Click here to view/print the Summer Bucket List printable OR right click this link then choose “Save Link As…” to download the printable to your device.
2016 Summer Bucket List
- Attend a summer concert
- Play mini golf
- Visit Reimen Gardens
- Find a Sunday night tradition
- Catch fireflies with Lincoln
- Take a “babymoon” weekend with Ben
- Visit a trail outside our neighborhood
- Go to the pool 1x week
- Ride the Union Park Carousel
- Read 3 books (at least!)
- Go to a baseball game
- CATCH. A. FISH.
- Visit the Omaha Zoo
- Visit Living History Farms
- Have a picnic
- See a movie at the theater
- Shop the Valley Junction Farmers Market
- Go camping
- Walk around the Iowa State University campus
- Go boating/kayaking/paddle boating
- Go to Deuling Pianos
- Get a slushie at the Dairy Stripe
- Go berry picking
- Attend the Art Festival
- Go on at least 3 date nights with Ben
- Make a 4th of July Craft
- Walk the High Trestle Bridge Trail in the evening
- Visit Effigy Mounds
- Teach Lincoln to ride a trike (Lord, help me!)
- Attend the Indianola National Balloon Classic
- Go to Sunday Tunes at Summerset Winery
- Visit the Jester Park Natural Playscape
- Go bowling
- Take a family vacation
- Visit the zoo
- Attend the (one and only) Iowa State Fair
- Creek walk at The Ledges
- Go to a 4th of July Parade
- Roast hot dogs over a bonfire
- Choose a name for our little…BOY! Yes, yes, yes – baby #2 is another boy and we are so excited that Lincoln is going to have a little brother!! With so many gents in both Ben’s and my family, we figured it was more likely than a girl, and we’re just so excited. Growing up with two brothers, and raising Lincoln so far, I just feel like I know boys. Although three against one? I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me! ;)
Tell me, what summer bucket list items and events did I miss? How do YOU celebrate summer?
Yay, another boy! I have two boys as well and it’s been so fun seeing my 3 year old love on his little brother (who’s now 8 months). Being outnumbered isn’t bad at all, you’ll just be the Queen of the Castle. ;-) Love the summer bucket list too!
That’s how I’m looking at it too and Ben’s good at teaching little boys to love on their Mama!
I would say check out the Science Center of Iowa. Amazing stuff to do!
We love SCI – perfect for those sweltering summer days!
Kristin, when you go to Effigy Mounds, In the area very close there is also Pikes Peak (Iowa, who knew?) absolutely beautiful, with hiking trails. Also in the area is Spook Cave (not spooky). Lincoln would love it. Also make a stop at Eagles Landing Winery!
Ah, great tip, thank you Kris! I’ve heard of Pikes Peak but had no idea it was close to Effigy. Definitely will make a big day of everything in that area!
We’re dying to visit the Omaha Zoo too – just waiting for it to finish being renovated :)
Congratulations to you, Ben and Lincoln! He will be an awesome big brother!
hey kristin! when you visit the Omaha Zoo, you should eat lunch at Block 16, downtown. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!
Ooo, ok!! Thanks for the rec – I don’t know anything about the Omaha dining scene!
we have some great restaurants in Omaha….i also love the twisted cork–the food is amazing. for breakfast–you can’t go wrong with the culprit cafe downtown or wheatfields (downtown or midtown). The Bohemian Cafe is closing for good in September which is SOOOOO SAD, but you should dine there before it is gone forever. ONE LAST suggestion is to go to South Omaha for tacos-Taqueria Tiaquana is my favorite. OH WAIT, one more last suggestion–we have three great indian placed in town: The Jaipur, Kurry Xpress, and Mother India–i’ve tried them all! :)
have fun in Omaha!!
When you hit up Effigy Mounds – continue a little further South (15 minutes) to McGregor, IA to hike Pike’s Peak. Beautiful hike with an overlook of the Mississippi River.
Sounds awesome, Becca, we’ll definitely do that!
What a cute printable! and yay for a boy :D that looks like a list that little Lincoln will love!
Thanks, Brittany! We can’t wait!
AHHHHHH! Trickery!!! That was a good one, and totally took me off guard, haha! CONGRATS!!!
Hehehehe, thanks Cara!
Yay for summer, yay for bucket lists, and yay for another boy!!! Boys are the best, but I suppose I’m not impartial. ;)
BaHA!
Yay!!!! Congrats on boy #2??
#boymom
Thank you, Erin!
Love this! And congratulations on boy #2! I have 2 boys and a girl and coming from a house full of girls (no brothers..my poor father) I was clueless about boys but they are 12 and 14 now and it’s been a blast experiencing “boy life”. Oh and P.S. Dairy Stripe in Adel is now Billy’s Ice Cream Shoppe (new ownership) but they still have slushies! :)
DARN! I was already sad it wasn’t the same Dairy Stripe as when I was a kid – I’m so nostalgic. Oh well, will check out the new one regardless!
I’ve been a reader for a long, long time and it’s so exciting to see your family grow! My sister recently had twin boys, and even though your two aren’t twins, two boys are just so much fun and so cute to see together. Congratulations to you and your (growing) family!
Thank you so much, L! And congrats to you too, being an Aunt is the best!
Congratulations Kristin! I have two little boys (almost 5 & 2) and although my house is loud and sometimes crazy I love having boys! The little conversations they have, games they play, and trouble they get into together is priceless. I’m so excited for you!
Thank you, Brianna! Let the craziness begin! ;)
Congratulations!! Brothers will be so much fun! I have a girl and a boy and am due around when you are with our third (surprise) baby. While we’d of course be happy with either I find myself hoping for a boy to have brothers close in age. I hope you’re feeling well!
Ahh, that is so exciting – congrats, Katie!! Feeling really good in the second tri “honeymoon” phase – I hope you are too!
Congrats on a baby brother for Lincoln! Thanks so much for sharing your news w/ us. :) This is a great bucket list, too!
Thank you, Julie!
Iowa State Fair! I knew it would be on the list, it will be one mine, too.
*on
Heck yeah – can’t wait. Let the countdown begin!
AWW another BOY!! I have a son (who will be 7 in August…what? how did this happen *sobbing!) and they are SO much fun! Congratulations to you, Ben, and Lincoln! We need to make a bucket list for the summer, in fact, I think we will start tonight!
Seriously, I just can’t even with how fast they grow up. We just potty trained Lincoln and it’s just blowing my mind that he’s at that point already. SOB!
Talk about timing – my family and I just made a “Summer Fun Checklist” last night, and I could have used this list for some fresh ideas! I live so close to the Omaha Zoo, so since we’re there about every other week, it didn’t make it on my list. But definitely come prepared for the new Splash Pad that opened in the zoo. They have a quick change area, so bring some dry clothes!
We can’t wait to check it out!
Awwwwww…so excited for you (as I anxiously awaited to hear what you’re having!?). I had my 2nd girl last year and loved the idea of giving my daughter a sister…so how cool to be having BROTHERS! If he’s as cute as Lincoln, you’re in (more) heart-melting trouble?
And I JUST was thinking about making a summer bucket list (a feat for my “Fall loving heart!”), so THANK YOU!
Hahaha, yes, tis the season!! Hope you guys get good use out of it! :)