Today is the first day of summer break from school for my kids so we took some time to create this year's Summer Bucket List!
For the past several years, we've used this simple Summer Bucket List template with great success. It helps us narrow down ideas and plan activities month by month, making the whole season feel more manageable. Breaking it into smaller chunks keeps summer from becoming overwhelming, and over the years (check out our lists from 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013), it has not only created countless great memories but also sparked several family traditions we now look forward to year after year.
So what’s on the list for this summer? Let’s dive in!
This year, we’re excited to explore more of our home state, Iowa. We're planning to:
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Ride the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad — it has been years since we last went and we can’t wait to go again with one of my grandmas. Maybe we'll try the Rail Explores Bikes someday too!
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Finally ride the Fenelon Elevator in Dubuque — it’s been on our list for a while, but the timing has never worked out… until now!
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Visit different Silos & Smokestacks sites — as a trustee of the organization, I’m looking forward to exploring more of the partner sites in the northeast corner of the state. Here are a few sites I have visited this past year: Hartman Reserve, Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, and the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum.
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Be tourists in our own backyard — with our schedule quickly filling up with various activities and responsibilities, staying close to home while having fun just makes sense.
Our biggest summer adventure? We’re going to Alaska!
Last year, we made a list of places we wanted to take our kids while we still had all four at home. Since it’s been 10 years since our last Alaska vacation, we’re heading back — and this time, we’re doing it by cruise! It’ll be the first cruise our kids have ever been on, and one thing they’re especially excited about is taking a new family photo. They’ve been saying for a couple of years now that they look way too little in our most recent family picture, so they’re eager to take advantage of the cruise photographers for an updated one.
Of course, we’re also sticking with some of our favorite summer traditions:
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Swimming at the pool
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Beach days
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Camping and yurting
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Plenty of ice cream (especially in June for National Dairy Month!)
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VBS (and having our annual Cousin Weekend)
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Our local Franklin County Fair and Iowa State Fair
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Hosting our annual sweet corn party with our farm landlords
We hope this summer brings your family joy, connection, and plenty of fun! What’s on your summer bucket list?
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