Leading up to summer 2020, I was full of good intentions. I had recently taken an interest in bullet journaling and maintaining several different types of lists. I sat on my back deck and pulled out my journal excitedly to pen “100 Things to Do This Summer.” My mind blanked at #47 of this summer bucket list (see below). Yes, “eat food” is an entry. It’s good to set attainable goals, right?
Mainly, I wanted to remind myself to slow down and appreciate my favorite season, to enjoy the little things that have always made summer feel special, and to be present within myself and with my kids. Lists are advantageous for a lot of reasons. A summer bucket list is a to-do list of sorts, which means you’re more likely to complete the items you jot down because of the reminder. Additionally, if you deal with depression and anxiety like me, a list can lessen anxiety because you performed a brain dump and got things out of your mind. I’ve found it is also beneficial for easing depression in two different ways: 1.Having something to look forward to is valuable when you struggle with mental health. 2. If you’re in a slump, it’s easier to open up to your bucket list and pick an item to get you going than to come up with something on the fly.
Obviously, all this was pre-COVID, and I had no clue that my summer 2020 would be taken from me and the fam. I’m saddened when I look at the lack of check marks. However, I am more motivated than ever to charge ahead into summer 2021 with a list chock-full of beauty, fun, and pleasures. My family is more aware than ever of what we missed last summer, and we’re going to grip it and rip it this year.
Here are our local summertime musts for 2021:
- Picnic at Loose Park
- Go to Worlds of Fun
- Hike at Parkville Nature Sanctuary
- Try Ssong’s Hot Dogs
- Swim at The Bay Water Park
- Explore Santa Cali Gon Days
- Attend movie at B & B Theatres Twin Drive-in or Boulevard Drive-in
- Pick strawberries at Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch
- Go to Sand Cinema at Longview Lake Beach
- Do a paint party at Pinot’s Palette
- Minigolf at Cool Crest Family Fun Center
- Savor some delectable ice cream at The Golden Scoop
And here are all my nostalgia-inducing, more general ideas from my original 2020 summer bucket list:
- Picnic
- Make art with sidewalk chalk
- Volunteer (I’m a lasagna mama with Lasagna Love, check it out!)
- Read
- Go bowling
- Race (like 5 or 10k)
- Do yoga
- Bake
- Take pictures
- Explore a museum
- Eat ice cream
- Have a water balloon fight with the kids
- Go to the beach
- Go to an outdoor movie, a lot of cities host movies in the park
- Fly a kite
- Make popsicles
- Build a sand castle
- Go floating
- Look at the stars
- Go on a road trip
- Hike
- Host a game night
- Visit a zoo, either here in town or one that is a one-tank trip away
- Have a paint night
- Make a bonfire
- Watch fireworks
- Write poetry
- Sleep outside
- Have an emo day (more look than state of mind 😊)
- Deck the family out for a fun photo shoot
- Attend a concert
- Write a letter to your future self
- Dance in the rain
- Have a family dinner party
- Go for a bike ride
- Challenge! No TV day
- Have a date night with the kids…or significant other
- Trek to a theme park that isn’t Worlds of Fun
- Do a craft day
- Walk in a creek
- Host a work party
- Explore downtown day
- Swim
- Watch the sun rise
- Detail the car
- Catch fireflies (or lightning bugs, whatever you prefer to call them)
- and of course…Eat food!
Make your own list with my template here — or if you want my pre-made version, you can print or save my Summer 2021 Bucket List.
We’d love to hear what you are adding to your Kansas City Summer 2021 Bucket list!
