Much-anticipated social events, from casual gatherings to grand graduations, have been put on hold due to the current circumstances. The list of impacted summer plans includes pool outings, summer camps, festivals, and even Independence Day celebrations. This reality is indeed disheartening as it disrupts the joy and comfort we draw from such occasions.
However, no matter how bleak the current state of affairs might seem, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. In certain regions, restrictions are more severe than others, but the effect has been universally felt. It’s true that social distancing measures, as essential as they are, have also cast a shadow over family summer plans.
But here’s a silver lining. Consider curating a personal summer bucket list in line with social distancing rules. The ongoing situation does not mean a suspension of fun, family time, or making unforgettable memories. All that’s required is to tap into your creative side and step away from traditional norms.
Take a glance at this ultimate family-friendly, social distancing summer bucket list.
Embrace Nature: Walking and hiking are available activities that offer vitamin D boosting benefit. Local hiking trails or parks that adhere to social distancing rules might be open to quench your thirst for adventure. Plan for a picnic in a state park, as they are often free and let you escape the confines of home without breaking the bank.
Cycle Away: Cycling remains my favorite outdoor pursuit involving my family. My key focus will be discovering new trails this summer while improving my stamina for increased distances. It might be slow progress, but worth aiming for in the coming months.
Sports Time: Despite the inability to attend live sports events or send your children to summer camps, don’t let your spirits down. Engage in your preferred outdoor sports with the family. It might differ from the regular experience but it promises fun-fueled memories than simply languishing indoors. Enjoy basketball with your family if you have an outdoor hoop or indulge in a game of soccer in an open field. Recently, I’ve started playing badminton in our yard, a fun and refreshing workout.
Water Day: Even with localized pool facilities suspended, you can recreate a water theme park at home. Plastic wraps can be used to create your personalized slip-n-slide or simply turn the sprinkler on for non-stop fun. Cheap water toys and water guns can be readily found at dollar stores.
Challenge of Persistence: Ever attempted a 1,000-piece puzzle before? Order one online and embark on a fun-filled challenge this summer. It will stimulate mental activity and infuse a novel element in your family night ritual.
Book Club: This is the summer I’ll miss being part of the kids’ reading club at our library. My son was looking forward to joining, and I was planning to increase my reading. Various online platforms offer tools to set up or discover digital book clubs, an excellent alternative solution.
Yard Work: Gardening can be an engaging and rewarding family project. If you’ve always wanted an herb garden or needed some landscaping work around the house, use this summer opportunity to make it happen.
Weekly Game Night: An indispensable item on your summer bucket list ought to be a weekly game night. Choose from the multitude of board games accumulated over the years or innovate with card games or games like charades and hangman.
Virtual Camp: Some summer camps are considering reopening with strict health and safety protocols. In the absence of physical summer camp availability, try enrolling your children in a virtual summer camp. Varsity Tutors offers a variety of online summer camp options for various age groups.
Backyard Camping: Family camping has always been a summer tradition. This year, the back yard might be the site, but the fun quotient remains unchanged. Alternatively, some campgrounds may still be open, operating under social distancing norms. Worst-case scenario, set up your tent in your backyard and enjoy some outdoor cooking.
Outdoor Landmarks: If your area boasts outdoor landmarks, consider them as potential sites for an exhilarating scavenger hunt. Gather information swiftly and see who emerges as the winner.
Homemade Ice cream: Summer and ice cream form the ideal match. Take the opportunity to try out fun recipes for homemade ice cream or popsicles, discovering your family’s favorite flavors.
What are your summer plans?
