Create Your Summer Bucket List

Summertime means more free time for kids and plenty of sunshine and warm weather to do things that cannot be done the rest of the year. Stop summer boredom before it happens by having a family “Summer Bucket List” handy for kids to select activities from. There are a ton of websites with ideas to get you started on your family’s own summer activity list. Click here for a great PDF with a ton of fun ideas. Make sure to tailor your list to your family’s taste and what is available in the Puget Sound area. Some suggestions for fun, kid-friendly activities to add to your list:

• Hike to a waterfall
• Play a musical instrument in front of others
• Plant an herb garden and use it for cooking
• Attend an outdoor concert
• Play flashlight tag

Keep it Attainable 

Keep your family’s summer bucket list attainable by setting realistic parameters for distance, cost, and availability of the activities. While flying to Australia to pet a kangaroo may not be a reasonable summer 2021 goal for your family, perhaps you could plan a visit to a nearby zoo to see kangaroos in person.

Put the List Up for All to See

Keep summer activities and priorities top of mind by posting the list for all to see in a prominent place in the home. Use brightly colored paper, markers, glitter, or paint…whatever kids want to do to make the list-making a fun activity. Alternatively, ditch the paper altogether and write the bucket list activities on rocks or clothespins. As you complete an activity, move the list item from one container to the next. At the end of the summer, you will have fun looking through all the items in your “completed” container.

Make it Social

Build accountability and inspire others by sharing your summer bucket list activities on social media with friends, family, and neighbors. At the beginning of the summer, post your list and make sure to include a photo of each summer activity as you complete it. Create a hashtag unique to your family so you can search out photos later or compile them into a summer activity video log. We would love to see your summer bucket lists! Share your lists with us on social media, @TenTrails, and tag us when posting your summer activity photos. www.TenTrails.com 360.369.4043

Explore our Beautiful State by Taking a Scenic Drive this Summer

Chuckanut Drive 

View the only place where the Cascade Mountains meet the sea on Chuckanut Drive! This 24-mile, curvy route follows along sandstone cliffs and offers spectacular views of the Puget Sound. Stop off on your drive to explore the must-see Oyster Dome hike followed by a meal of freshly-shucked oysters at the outdoor picnic tables at Taylor Shellfish Farm. (insert photo Oyster Dome hike views)

North Cascades Highway 

State Route 20, more commonly known as the North Cascades Highway, is the northernmost route across the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington. This scenic byway offers travelers a wide array of beautiful vistas and is part of the Cascade Loop, a 400-mile driving tour through the Cascades. This route is only open seasonally due to snow and avalanche conditions, so take advantage of the drive while it is open for the summer season!

White Pass Scenic Byway 

Take a tour from west to east across the Cascades on the nationally recognized White Pass Scenic Byway. Aside from stunning views of the Cascades, the byway offers access to Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. There are also many recreational opportunities to take part in at stops on the byway including hiking fishing, camping and more! Be sure to check camp and park websites prior to visiting to make sure facilities are open.

Olympic National Park Loop

The Highway 101 Olympic National Park Loop covers more than 300 miles and offers stunning views and access to some of the state’s most popular attractions like Sol Duc Hot Springs, the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park and Lake Crescent.

Whidbey Scenic Isle Way

This gorgeous 54-mile byway begins with a trip over the breathtaking Deception Pass Bridge and spans the length of Whidbey Island. Along the way, drivers will spot plenty of deer and wildlife, access to many beaches, and a glimpse of the Naval Air Station on the island. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043