our summer bucket list!
Summer can feel overwhelming for moms. You start the summer with big plans, get in the thick of camp carpool and beach trips, and suddenly, it’s back to school time!
To combat that and keep our excitement going, we use the Bucket List template to document all of our ideas and get organized. Building a solid Summer Schedule will also help!
Here’s what’s on our list for this summer…
pool time
We don’t have a backyard pool and the community private pool is pretty pricey, so we will be spending time at the public pools in our county or for a really fun day, we like to rent a private pool on Swimply. I get a ton of questions about how this works and essentially, it’s Airbnb for pools. We rent the pool by the hour and everything that is included is on the listing.
Here’s what we look for!
Dedicated bathroom for pool guests
Shaded / screened in area
Mini-fridge
Pool toys
Towels
Beach time
We head to North Carolina every year. The water is warm and the beaches are clean and uncrowded. It’s a perfect fit for our family. If you’re still looking for your beach this summer, check out our Budget Beach blog post. If you want to come with us to OBX, here’s our comprehensive guide to the different regions / towns.
We usually rent a house or condo and have a long list of our must-have features. Here’s our guide to finding the perfect beach rental.
Here’s our fav beach activities:
Shell hunting
Visiting the local lighthouses
Morning walks
Enjoying local seafood
Reading
Hiking
We love a summer hike when it’s not too hot. We live near the Appalachian Trail and C&O canal, both of which have tons of kid-friendly hikes. Here’s what I look for on kid-friendly hikes:
Distance of less than 2 miles.
Limited elevation changes.
Listing as “easy” (but sometimes that’s deceiving!)
Easy parking
Water feature
gardening & cooking with in-season produce
Summer is a huge season for our produce in Maryland. We grow some things ourselves and for anything we are missing, can head down to the local farmers’ market for more. I am so excited for all of our tomatoes to come in! I make pasta sauce and can it so it lasts all year. Zucchini, basil, and berries are also high on my list!
zoos & aquariums
We live equidistant from DC and Baltimore and that means that we have incredible Zoo and Aquarium options! We just went to the Maryland Zoo, which I’ll be sharing soon, and we have been regulars at the DC Zoo forever. We also just got our Baltimore Aquarium membership re-upped so we can spend hot, buggy days in the AC learning about marine life.
Expect lots of zoo and aquarium content from me soon!
Casual summer fun
Not everything has to be big. There will also be a lot of smores, popsicles, backyard sprinkler time, library summer challenges and family walks too!
Whether you’re staying home and rediscovering your own town or traveling somewhere new, the moments kids remember most are usually the ones filled with connection, flexibility, and joy.
The best family summers aren’t about doing the most.
They’re about being together — consistently, intentionally, and with a little sense of adventure.