Don’t miss a single thing! 35 Summer Bucket List ideas for family fun in Greater Portland!

It never fails. Every August 20th or so I start crying in my soup about all the stuff I *wanted* to do during the summer but *just didn’t get to it*. For that matter, what exactly *did* I do?

This summer is going to be different. I’m making a Bucket List. We’re going to do so much, and have so much fun, the kids will be begging to be bored again. Ha!

When creating and using your Bucket List, there are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration. Such as…

#1 Make a ridiculously large list

When you compile your bucket list, include anything and everything you might like to do at some point during the summer, even if you know you couldn’t possibly get to them all. You never know— you may refer to the list on a day when you have only a couple hours, or it’s raining, or you also have the neighbors’ kids, or NO kids (see #2). A big list will give you plenty of options.

#2 Include parent-only activities on the list, too

Who says kids should have all the fun? Be sure to add some activities that you and your spouse/friend/family/dog would be interested in doing. Personally, going to the beach ALONE with an iced coffee and a good book is truly my idea of paradise. Besides, Nana needs some QT time with the kids.

#3 Get the kids involved, but don’t let them dictate

Sometimes I mistakenly get my kids too involved with a decision and it ends up biting me in the rear because even though we’ll choose something fun to do, they didn’t agree with the day’s choice and are complete stinkers the whole way there. You know the game. Instead, have the kids help you compile the initial list; then on your “activity” day, YOU choose three options (based on cost, weather, your patience level, etc.) to draw randomly out of hat. No arguments. Done.

Ok, go! Low on ideas for family activities? Here, steal a few of ours.

1. Catch a flick at the Saco Drive-In Theater!
2. Canoe Tours at Scarborough Marsh
3. Hit up the local Farmer’s Market yum!
4. Go on a Whale Watch
5. Visit to the Lobster Shack
6. Camping trip (You don’t have to go far, there are campgrounds as close as Freeport, ME!)
7. OR pitch a tent in the backyard!
8. Ride part of the Eastern Trail!
9. Summer Movie Series at Buglight Park (Thursdays in July)
10. July 4th Fireworks in Portland, set to music by the Portland Symphony Orchestra!
11. Bust out the lawn sprinkler and watch the kids go nuts.
12. Yarmouth Clam Festival (July)
13. Take a ferry and ride bikes around Peaks Island
14. Help the kids set up a lemonade stand.
15. S’mores. Often.
16. Attend at least one of LLBean’s cool events at their Summer in the Park series
17. Make homemade fruity popsicles.
18. Pick-your-own (whatever’s in season!) peaches, berries, ya.
19. Ice Cream & Sunset Trolley Rides at the Seashore Trolley Museum! (not happening 2016)
20. Funtown Splashtown, ‘nough said
21. Hot day in July? Go ice skating!
22. Spend a cool, sunny morning searching for sea glass.
23. Mini-Golf
24. Go see Circus Smirkus, the coolest circus performed by kids (August)
25. Portland Chamber Music Fesival’s annual Children’s Concert, free! (August)
26. Take your little ones to one of the City of Portland’s splash pads
27. Go see a Seadogs baseball game (especially family-friendly are their Kids Club games!)
28. Build a sandcastle that your kids can be proud of (don’t forget the moat).
29. Maine Wildlife Park
30. River swimming at Dundee Park!
31. Dinnertime picnic outdoors.
32. Discover the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (its worth the trip – especially for their summertime Fairy Fridays!)
33. Have Hot Fudge & Banana Splits for dinner (not only limited to summer)

What’s on your Bucket List? Share with us some new ideas in the comments below!