How many summer bucket lists have you pinned to the fridge intending to check every activity off the list? Summer is almost in full swing and you probably have one on your fridge right now. But can I be honest for a second? Even with the very best intentions (and so much planning), I have failed every. Single. Summer. It doesn’t feel good. I see other families living their best summer lives soaking in every second and I’m just... failing. We cross off maybe one or two activities and it just sits there glaring at me every time I walk to the fridge. That’s when the mom guilt sets in and that quote about only getting 17 summers with your kids starts playing on repeat in my head... can you relate?

Well, I want to challenge you to kick that old bucket list mentality to the curb. I have (finally) found the key to a successful summer bucket list. Ready for it... just write your own! I want to inspire you to add in more summer activities that fit your family vision and light you up with excitement! This summer we will be saying, “No, thanks!” to generic activities that don’t make us jump for joy. The best part… you will be able to photograph your family in their most authentic way and capture images that everyone will cherish for a lifetime.

Below are a few ideas to get you started. Start with just a few favorites for each category and add more if you need to. I like to keep our list short and simple; just including the things we truly love about the season. Remember, there aren't any rules - this is just for you and your unique family.

A Nature Adventure

This is a group that could probably have its own mini bucket list. Long summer days make it the best time of the year to get out, soak up the sun and enjoy the abundance of the season. Some of our favorite nature adventures include camping (even just in the backyard), early morning hikes, making wildflower crowns, pressing wildflowers, picking fruit, scavenger or mini beast hunts, and finding shapes in the clouds. For those of your that spend a lot of time outdoors already try starting a nature journal or collect treasures for a summer artifact display at home.

Something Inside

I love a good outdoor adventure but there's nothing better than staying in with lots of snacks and snuggly sweats! Summer is the perfect time to play the floor is lava, make a blanket fort, or host a movie marathon. Is anyone up for a never-ending game of Monopoly? Visiting a local science center, or museum is a great (and cool) way to pass an afternoon. Be sure to take lots of trips to the library or do something adventurous like indoor rock climbing! My kids have also expressed interest in painting their own pottery, baking bread, and canning jam.

I know what you’re thinking… and i’m here to tell you “Don’t let that museum light scare you!” Try and get a few shots and if they end up looking awful… hit the delete button and go back and try again! I am certain your kids will be thrilled!

Water Fun

Some favorite water activities include visiting a new lake, river, or local stream - even just to dip your toes in the cool fresh water. Make some water balloons (filling, tossing, and cleaning up will pass an entire afternoon)! Grab a friend and head to a water park, community pool, or splash pad. Water tables or buckets of cool water are great for little ones or those of you that live in small spaces or apartments. Setting up the sprinkler or homemade slip and slide is always a hit. I think it goes without saying but please be sure to take all necessary safety precautions and have fun WITH your kiddos this summer! Yes, that means putting on that swimsuit and taking a ride down the slip and slide WITH your kiddos!

Eat All of the Summer Snacks

This deserves its own mini bucket list in my opinion because summertime has the very best goodies! What screams “we’re having the best summer ever” more than sticky popsicle lips, drippy ice cream cones, and ketchup-kissed cheeks? So, what’s your favorite? Root beer floats? Fresh squeezed lemonade? Gooey s’mores? Corn roasted over the campfire?

Balancing a camera and an ice cream cone can get sketchy… so break out your tripod and get in the frame with your kids! And please don’t over think it… who cares if you miss focus or chop everyones limbs from the frame. These are YOUR memories and they don’t need to be perfect. Just get in the frame!

Just Keep it Simple

I’ll be honest... letting your kids be bored during the summer is a gift. If yours are anything like mine they will whine and complain for a while but eventually, creativity will follow boredom and they will invent a new game that keeps them busy for hours. It’s amazing. Some simple activities my kids have enjoyed (and happen to photograph beautifully): packing a picnic, sidewalk chalk, riding bikes until sunset, watermelon seed spitting, blowing bubbles, flying a kite, and climbing trees.

Get Outside

I am sure you will have this one covered many times over but if you need a little jump start... here are a few activities we have on our list this Summer: visit a carnival or fair, baseball game (complete with hot dogs and lots of bubblegum blowing to pass the time) and visiting a local farm or farmer’s market. Mini golf and star gazing are also on our list this year. I hope this goes without saying, but here’s a reminder just in case… please photograph your family even in the full sun. I know it’s scary at first… but do it anyways. I will leave you with one tip that my friend told me (thanks, Liz!) that helped ease into full sun shooting and that is… get low!

Mama’s Hobby

Teach your kids a thing or two about your favorite hobby or pastime! Letting your kid see you in YOUR element is powerful in SO many ways. Them witnessing you engrossed in your passion will surely inspire them to follow their own hearts and curiosity. If you’re like many mamas and haven’t explored your hobby in years let this be the summer you rediscover your passion! I mean… has there ever been a better time to finally grab a roll of film and dust off your old 35mm?

Get Crafty

This is one of those that can be as simple or complex as you like. Plan a craft you have had your eyes on or pull together a big ol' box of open-ended craft items and let their imaginations go wild. Some of our favorite projects include: putting stickers on literally anything, stringing beaded necklaces, and painting sun catchers. If you are feeling extra wild try tie-dye or help paint their room a new bold color!

Bold, colorful and MESSY images are just what you need to step outside your own comfort zone : )

Kids Day!

Let each of your kiddo’s plan what their best day ever would look like. Ask them: what will we do, what will we eat and why? Give them some parameters of course such as timing, budget, distance, etc.

These would be the perfect images to print and give to your kids to display in their room. I believe every kid needs a classic pinboard to display their favorite photos and keepsakes.

Get Nostalgic

Treat your kids to your favorite summertime memory from your own childhood. I have many memories from the good old days but a few activities I have shared with my kiddos include: picking blackberries, playing card games, painting on an easel, and hosting tea parties complete with tiny sandwiches and lots of sugar cubes. My ultimate childhood memory to recreate would be hanging a tire swing for my kids to enjoy all summer.

This is the perfect time to try out a new preset and play around with some different edits.

Summer Only Fun

This is one of my favorites! Treat your kiddos to do something they only get to enjoy in the summertime! I remember as a kid my mom wouldn’t let me wear bright colored nail polish to school... but summer break was fair game! I still remember my very first color choices... light yellow and baby blue (rotating of course). So, go on and let your kiddo rock some temporary tattoos, stay up 30 minutes later than normal, or have popsicles for breakfast. Letting them buzz a mohawk or chalk their hair a fun color would make an incredible childhood memory.

Well, there is is! Maybe you check every activity from your list, or it takes an entire year to complete or perhaps it falls into that little crack next to the fridge never to be seen again. No matter what happens I hope you are inspired to live YOUR best summer life and capture some incredible images.

Now, go have fun with your family and make some amazing memories!

xo Carley

Anna Carley McCaughan is the mama behind Our Girlie Little Life based out of Austin, TX. Before becoming a photographer, Carley was the right hand woman of a children's boutique where she wore many hats. In her free time, you can find her planning shoots, editing and shopping small. The way she captures her daughters is so beautiful and we can’t get enough!

Unraveled Academy is an online learning platform designed for photographers at every stage of their creative journey! We are the community you’ve been searching for!

Come on home