Before the summer got away from us, The Man and I sat down and made a list of all the things we wanted to enjoy this summer. Here are some ideas that I hope you might enjoy doing with your family. :) Hope you have a summer filled with sunshine, laughter & popsicles!
SUMMER 2011 BUCKET LIST:
1. SPEND TIME TOGETHER
Last Friday, we road the Metra downtown Chicago, ate out at a little diner, and walked all over, exploring the city. The kids played in the city splash parks, we looked at boats and road a water taxi. :) uber-fun!
2. GO KAYAKING
We have kayaks, but you can also rent them. What a fun way to get close to the water, if you don't own a boat. :) They are easy for even beginners to use (look for "Ocean Kayaks" - they are the ones that are open on top and have broad bottoms, so they don't tip.) They were so easy to use, my son (who was 6 at the time) paddled his little sister around.
3. GO TO A DRIVE-IN
Cars 2 is coming out this month...I hope it lands at our drive-in! A drive-in is a perfect option...and we enjoy snuggling into the back of our SUV with some home made chocolate chip cookies &/or popcorn. Check your drive-in's website for pricing. Easy summer fun!
4. MUSEUM FREE DAYS
Most large cities offer free days during the summer. It's easy if you just google your cities name, museum free days. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry yesterday :) Next week we are going to attempt to go to the Field Museum, Swedish American Museum and Shedd's Aquarium! eeek! Am I crazy?? YES.
5. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Take advantage of this for your kids. Many churches have programs during the month of June, usually two hours in length for a week. They do crafts, singing, learn Bible lessons...all while having a blast with friends. (Usually only costs $20 per child)
6. FREE MOVIES IN THE PARK
Bring a blanket, a picnic lunch (or just snacks), bug spray and watch a fun flick, in the outdoors! Almost every city offers these free of charge. Great activity for the kids - begins at dusk.
7. KID'S FREE EVENTS
So many communities offer super fun kid's events during the summer (to help all of us parents out!), which is great...since we aren't in school, we are busying ourselves with all the fun activities offered to us. Our community offers different programs every Monday night at our band shell. We plan on attending each one!
8. PARTICIPATE IN THE CARDBOARD BOAT REGATTA
Great activity for you and your kids to make together (we plan on asking some neighbors as well! :)
9. GO TO U-Pick FARMS
A Nationwide Guide to U Pick Farms
My husband makes fun of me, but it was so nice to have pounds of fresh blueberries in the freezer in the middle of winter. :) So much tastier than the stuff in the stores.
10. GO CAMPING
Camping is not something I would normally want to do, to be honest with you. But, with kids, it is so enjoyable. You unplug from all the distractions and just take some time to explore, sing songs, and have fun together. Things that have made camping fun for us: Bring bikes, hula hoops, balls, art projects, water guns/balloons. Plan a scavenger hunt. Go fishing or boating.
Take advantage of the slower season and take time to make this a "family summer".
Lots of love!
Kristen
SUMMER 2011 BUCKET LIST:
1. SPEND TIME TOGETHER
Last Friday, we road the Metra downtown Chicago, ate out at a little diner, and walked all over, exploring the city. The kids played in the city splash parks, we looked at boats and road a water taxi. :) uber-fun!
 |
| Biz & Bella on the train on the way downtown Chicago |
2. GO KAYAKING
We have kayaks, but you can also rent them. What a fun way to get close to the water, if you don't own a boat. :) They are easy for even beginners to use (look for "Ocean Kayaks" - they are the ones that are open on top and have broad bottoms, so they don't tip.) They were so easy to use, my son (who was 6 at the time) paddled his little sister around.
 |
| Kayaks are easy to maneuver - even I paddled around with two kids on it...no problem! So fun! |
Cars 2 is coming out this month...I hope it lands at our drive-in! A drive-in is a perfect option...and we enjoy snuggling into the back of our SUV with some home made chocolate chip cookies &/or popcorn. Check your drive-in's website for pricing. Easy summer fun!
 |
| Cascade Drive In, West Chicago, IL |
Most large cities offer free days during the summer. It's easy if you just google your cities name, museum free days. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry yesterday :) Next week we are going to attempt to go to the Field Museum, Swedish American Museum and Shedd's Aquarium! eeek! Am I crazy?? YES.
 |
| Eric, Israel & Bella in the entrance hall of the Museum of Science & Industry |
Take advantage of this for your kids. Many churches have programs during the month of June, usually two hours in length for a week. They do crafts, singing, learn Bible lessons...all while having a blast with friends. (Usually only costs $20 per child)
6. FREE MOVIES IN THE PARK
Bring a blanket, a picnic lunch (or just snacks), bug spray and watch a fun flick, in the outdoors! Almost every city offers these free of charge. Great activity for the kids - begins at dusk.
 |
| (Despicable Me and Yogi Bear on the agenda!) |
So many communities offer super fun kid's events during the summer (to help all of us parents out!), which is great...since we aren't in school, we are busying ourselves with all the fun activities offered to us. Our community offers different programs every Monday night at our band shell. We plan on attending each one!
8. PARTICIPATE IN THE CARDBOARD BOAT REGATTA
Great activity for you and your kids to make together (we plan on asking some neighbors as well! :)
 |
| Yep, that's a real boat (made from cardboard)! They also had an APE crawl up the side of the "Empire State Building"! |
9. GO TO U-Pick FARMS
A Nationwide Guide to U Pick Farms
My husband makes fun of me, but it was so nice to have pounds of fresh blueberries in the freezer in the middle of winter. :) So much tastier than the stuff in the stores.
 |
| It was so hot...the reason for no shirts! :) Enough blueberries to last a year! whoo-hoo!! |
Camping is not something I would normally want to do, to be honest with you. But, with kids, it is so enjoyable. You unplug from all the distractions and just take some time to explore, sing songs, and have fun together. Things that have made camping fun for us: Bring bikes, hula hoops, balls, art projects, water guns/balloons. Plan a scavenger hunt. Go fishing or boating.
 |
| Bella at hula hoop contest at last year's camp out :) |
Lots of love!
Kristen
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