free summer bucket list printable: have a magical 90s summer

you know we love the freedom of a fill-in-the-blank seasonal bucket list. if your vibe is to go big, do it. if it's to keep it simple, that's great too. you do you.

for this summer though, we're going nostalgic. think 90s summers. bare feet, no plans, and a freezer full of ice pops. 

so if you're feeling the need to share the magic of your childhood summers with your own kids, we've pulled together some bucket list ideas that are a millennial mom's dream.

ready to join in? sign up below for instant access to our freebie library and print your copy today. let's do this!

the makings of a magical 90s summer

the magic of a 90s summer was never about doing a lot of things. in fact, it was quite the opposite. it was about having a lot of time with nothing to do. beautiful expanses of nothing. and all that nothing becomes a big something. bike rides and books in the grass. crafts that occupied the dining table for days. friends who just came over. hours spent watching clouds and looking for four leaf clovers.

so, when we make our bucket list, that's the energy we're bringing. even if, as moms, we still have to do a little planning... 

• nostalgic crafts to keep their hands busy
• getting outside because that's where the magic lives
• developing life skills the old fashioned way
• embracing the boredom — yes, really

summer bucket list ideas for nostalgic crafts

my childhood was defined by crafts. all of them. there is no better way to pass a too-hot afternoon than with your favorite craft supplies.

• make friendship bracelets the alphabet bead bracelets have been going strong around here for a while, but this summer we're breaking out the embroidery floss and safety pinning them to our jeans.  
• create a fortune teller or a cootie catcher or a chatterbox...whatever you call it, it's a staple of a 90s childhood. with just a piece of paper and a handful of markers you can make a magical device that will tell you what kind of house you'll live in or job you'll have... we've even put our oh, little wren twist on this one with our set of 4 printable versions.
• press flowers between a book, under a brick, or in one of our cute presses. i still find clovers between the pages of my favorite childhood books. pressing flowers then becomes a craft within a craft and you can make bookmarks, cards and more from your pressed flowers.
• make something epic with cardboard we're always here for a free craft, and giant pieces of cardboard are one of the best craft supplies. go nuts, make a medieval fortress, a set of racecars, a whole zoo of animals.

summer bucket list ideas for getting outside

the 90s were outside. full stop. no one was coming in until the street lights came on and even then it was negotiable. here are a few ways to get your kids out the door and keep them there.

• run through the sprinkler no pool? no problem. a sprinkler and a hot afternoon is all you need. bonus points for setting it up in the front yard where the neighbors might join in.
• do all the things with sidewalk chalk hopscotch, a full neighborhood mural, a racetrack for bikes, a pictorial representation of the solar system (our go to), a stuffy-sized mansion. chalk is one of those supplies that has no wrong answers.
• read a whole book outside not a chapter. a whole book. find a spot in the grass or a shady porch and let the afternoon disappear into it.
• catch fireflies at dusk there is nothing more magical than a summer evening full of fireflies. grab a jar, head outside after dinner, and stay out way past when you meant to.

summer bucket list ideas for developing life skills

one of the best things about 90s summers was that the kids were capable (or at least we thought we were). we were out there figuring things out, making messes, and learning without even knowing it. here are a few ways to bring that energy back.

• clean something emphasis on the something. anything! my favorite version of this as a kid was washing my parents' car. whether it's inside or outside, find a cleaning task that hasn't been mastered yet. laundry anyone?
• cook something again, anything. feed yourself. start with a grilled cheese or brownies from a box, and then move on to scrambled eggs or taco dinner. let the kitchen be theirs this summer.
• figure something out how to pump on a swing without being pushed. how to whistle. how to tie a knot. pick one thing and don't help them until they ask. this is the good stuff.
• put it in writing write a silly poem, outline your first novel, mail a letter to a faraway friend. start small with our coloring postcards — just color, write a short note, and send it on its way. they'll learn to address mail, strengthen their handwriting, and build a real relationship. score!

summer bucket list ideas for embracing boredom

here's the thing about boredom — it's not a problem to solve. it's the whole point. some of the best summers happen in the in-between moments, when there's nothing on the schedule and nowhere to be. lean into it. now putting boredom on a bucket list may seem counter to the point, but i'm going to do it anyway.

• learn a yo-yo trick walk the dog? done. around the world? let's go. rock the baby? watch this. grab a yo-yo and see how many tricks your kids can master this summer. 
• grab a jump rope alone or with friends, the jump rope is one of those classics that never gets old. remember the joy of double dutch with your besties? there's a reason it's still around.
• touch some grass literally. lie down in it. look for four leaf clovers. follow a bug and see where it goes. watch an ant carry something twice its size. the backyard is a whole world if you slow down enough to see it.
• just be no agenda. no device. sit on the porch and watch the neighborhood. lie in a hammock. let the afternoon get long and slow. this is the magic we're chasing.

print your free summer bucket list

our free fill-in-the-blank summer bucket list is waiting for you in our subscriber freebie library—along with all of our seasonal bucket lists and other family-friendly printables. enter your email below and it lands straight in your inbox.

print it. fill it in. and let the 90s summer begin.