Every summer I make a list of things I want to do - from the simplest of things like catching fireflies with my youngest to those that require more planning like taking road trips throughout New England. It's easy to fall into the daily routine of mundaneness, even in summertime. There are a few things that make the list every year that I never seem to be able to get to and yet I write them down none the less... One day I will get to these things... One day I will! I also leave room at the bottom for the things I hadn't written but have done. It's good fun to look back at the list at the end of the season. For those with kids headed off to college, and for those with young kids these lists can also help with planning. Why not include the whole family and see what ideas everyone else contributes. Feel free to use my list for inspiration and build your own from there.

1. Make ice cream from scratch - using salt, ice + cream or an ice cream ball
2. Make s'mores 
3. Have a picnic dinner on the beach
4. Wake up early and watch the sunrise from the beach (lake, etc) 
5. Go paddleboarding
6. Go kayaking
7. Learn to surf
8. Learn to sail
9. Discover new ice cream shops 
10. Start a visual journal with either photos or illustrations
11. Discover new outdoor restaurants
12. Start a quest for the best Lobster rolls 
13. Make your own dill pickles
14. Bake a loaf of strawberry bread for your neighbor (or keep it for yourself!)
15. Play mini golf
16. Go horseback riding (take a lesson!)
17. Go ice skating
18. Have a Christmas Party in July 
19. Visit a local vineyard
20. Visit a local brewery
21. Visit a local distillery
22. Go to a fair 
23. Go to an amusement park
24. Go waterskiing
25. Go inner tubing on a lake or lazy river
26. Climb a ropes course and go ziplining
27. Take a nap on the porch
28. Make Sun tea
29. Go to a flea market
30. Picnic at an outdoor concert
31. Search for sea glass or shells 
32. Have a movie marathon on a hot, steamy or rainy weekend 
33. Start a container garden
34. Go on a ferry or boat ride 
35. Rent a convertible
36. Make a "tape" with your favorite songs of the summer
37. Visit a museum
38. Explore a new town
39. Stay at a local hotel for the perfect "staycation"
40. Go to the farmer's market and make lunch or dinner with only local ingredients
41. Visit a local botanical garden
42. Host an outdoor movie night - (great for kids of all ages!)
43. Create an obstacle course in your backyard (great for kids)
44. Go on a hike
45. Find local attractions you haven't been to and visit a few of them
46. Make fresh Lemonade
47. Create a scavenger hunt (great for kids)
48. Host a Make your Own Sundae Party (great for kids and teens)
49. Pick your own strawberries
50. Pick your own blueberries  
51. Bake a pie using your freshly picked berries
52. Make your own strawberry jam (It's so much easier than you'd think!)
53. Visit a local carnival
54. Make your own pickles
55. Wash a car or have teens host a car wash
56. Set up a lemonade stand with your children 
57. Visit a waterpark
58. Have a water balloon fight
59. Have a sponge ball fight
60. Tie-dye some old T-shirts, sheets or pillow cases
61. REVERSE tie-dye some stained shirts. The results are amazing!!
62. Peruse a bookstore
63. Peruse your local library
64. Unplug for a couple of hours and lose yourself in a good book
65. Take a floral arranging class
66. Take a watercolor class
67. Learn calligraphy
68. Have breakfast on the beach
69. Sit on the porch and watch a thunderstorm
70. Go stargazing - be on the lookout for shooting stars
71. Plan a family road trip
72. Have a Christmas in July party, with decorations, music and all!
73. Swim or go in a hot tub in a heavy summer rain (without thunder and lightning!)
74. Perform a random act of kindness
75. Create an inspiration board or book
76. Learn something new
77. Try a new sport or form of exercise 
78. Create an obstacle course in a swimming pool
79. Go skinny dipping at midnight
80. Make your own fringe jeans or shorts