My children’s childhood experience is already so different than my own. With siblings 12, 15 and 16 years older than me I grew up virtually an only-child, with all the attention of my parents and a lot of free time to play by myself. My own children, in contrast, are each 3.5 years apart and long for their own space (my daughters share a room) and one-on-one time with us.
That’s not the only difference. When I was a kid, we built a house across the street from the park (my parent’s say that was a factor in their choice, I think they just liked having an open field as a view!) Whatever the motive, that park was where I spent a significant part of my childhood, along with the entire neighborhood where I’d bike for hours. As many of us can recall, we only had to come home once the street lights came on back then.
If you too have realized a huge difference between your childhood and that of your children, watch this powerful video from Nature Valley. I know, videos are everywhere and we’re all busy (I don’t watch the majority that come across my Facebook feed) but I encourage you to stop for a moment and watch this one (it’s that powerful!)
Wow. What did you think after watching it? I had a mix of emotions. First, it made me miss my dad terribly (he passed away last summer) as I reminisced about all our summers as a kid. We went camping every summer and those are some of my best childhood memories with my parents. Next, the video was like a kick to the stomach thinking about how much outdoor activities my kids are missing out on because they’re inside behind a screen. My mom friends and I often commiserate on this topic, yet we can’t seem to get the focus or initiative to do something about it.
The #RediscoverNature campaign from Nature Valley aims to help. After watching the video with your family, it’s the perfect time to have a conversation about this summer. What are some outdoor activities you can do together as a family, or what are some things the kids really want to do this summer outdoors. Download and print your own Summer Bucket List and then fill it in as a family. Looking for inspiration? The NatureValley.ca website has activity ideas and even a park finder in your area (I love this because of #2 on our list!)
Our Summer Bucket List covers items I can manage. We had hoped to go camping (for the first time as a family of five!) a week ago but the forest fires in Saskatchewan made the air quality too poor. So, we’re going to switch it up and aim to sleep in a tent, whether that happens at a campsite or in our backyard this summer! We have a local beach that we haven’t been to since we moved back to Regina this year, and I’ve been wanting to do a city park tour with the kids that we started last summer. If you live in a larger center, you should try it too! Simply ask friends for their favorite neighbourhood park, or go for a drive. If you see a park that looks fun, plant yourselves there for a few hours (I recommend a coffee/water and good book for mom!)
Here’s your own Summer Bucket List to get started (right click to save and print)!
It is a very powerful video. It is great that companies are putting those videos out there. I played outside as a child or so my did my kids.
As many family road trips as possible
Love this idea. We have made a list too this year!
As a child, growing up in the country we were outdoors all day. My daughter grew up, in the city (as an only child) and spent most of her hours indoors. Both her father and I were at work all day, but she did enjoy time outdoors at her baby sitters’ house. We did enjoy a lot of road trips when she was younger and still plan on doing day trips on summer weekends.
Great article 🙂
love the idea but no list in this house.
Summer bucketlist – buy a new home because we need more space asap!
Going to the cabin and a fishing trip
This is a great thing to do with your kids, write everything down at the beginning of summer and work your way down the list!!
losing 10lbs is on my summer bucket list. wooo!
I want to go on a hot air balloon
I want to be a part of the cure for SMA
I strive to make sure my son enjoys the outdoors as much as I do. Unfortunately he does a little too much in the summer and its hard to get him inside and ready for bed!
Camping at Sandbanks!
We’ve always gone to the same places over and over again. We decided to go to Pelee Island for a change, and we’re going soon.
Going camping (REAL camping!) is on my bucket list and I WILL be doing that this summer.. otherwise a few day trips are in store 🙂
I’d love to go on a proper kayak/camping trip with people who know what they’re doing :0
camping, hiking, swimming, bike rides, FUN!
What a fun idea to do a summer bucket list. I will ask my kids what they would want on theirs!
for our summer bucket list, since we live in Toronto, we want to catch as much PanAm / ParaPan action as possible. we’ve been to a few events and are going to the closing ceremonies. We also want to teach our daughter how to ride her bike, and want our son to learn programming. both are well on their way 🙂
Romantic weekend away with my husband is on my bucket list
We are going to Montreal for a weekend.
I want to have as many family road trips as possible , Great giveaway !
Picking wild Saskatoon berries and baking my grandmother’s recipe for Saskatoon berry pie!
going camping to our mountains.
On our bucket list this summer is to visit the Britannia mine museum up in squamish BC
I try to visit as many new parks as possible in the summer around the city, but we’ve been hanging out a lot at the community park. Our many thing is I’ve rearranged my schedule to have 3 days off so maybe I can make some short camping trips happen! 😀
I really want to take some of my grandkids Whale Watching!
1. Go camping at York Lake (10 minute drive from Yorkton)
2. Go fishing at Lake of the Prairies
3. Visit with family and friends.
I think it would be a fabulous idea to ask everyone what they really enjoy and write the ideas down and do them! We want to go camping as a family for a couple of weeks so that’s definitely happening among other things.