Who doesn’t want summer fun? Summer is almost here! Warmer days, more sunshine, and flowers make this a season worth savouring.
In Alberta, our summer lasts four months (if we’re fortunate enough). I don’t want to waste one second of our sunshine, so I try to have a plan for the summer. I like to be as organized and prepared as I can for the hot summer days!
From activities, to recipes, to bug spray… look no further! I’m sharing all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your summer.
Are you ready for this heat wave?! Let’s go!
The summer goes by too quickly! Get prepared and make the most of the season with this list! Click To Tweet
SUMMER FOOD
1- I don’t like cooking during the summer months, so I often take some time to assemble a list of my favourite oven-free menu items. Some of my favourites include “make your own salad”, bacon and tomato sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, and smoothies!
2- Inspect your BBQ, blender, popsicle makers, and any other food prep items. If anything needs to be repaired or replaced, do so as soon as possible.
3- Plan batch cooking and baking for the cold, rainy days! Also use the rainy days to assemble some freezer meals that can be warmed up in the microwave on warm days.
SUMMER CLOTHING
1- Dig your summer clothes out of storage and wash everything.
2- Stash away your fall and winter clothing (if you haven’t already done so)!
3- Purchase summer clothing items which no longer fit or are in bad repair.
SUMMER HEALTH
1- With all the mosquito-borne illnesses, make sure you’re stocked up on mosquito repellent. This post shares many tips on how to keep the mosquitoes away (and also features a natural mosquito repellent recipe)!
2- Check all your sunscreens to make sure they haven’t expired. Make sure you purchase the safest sunscreen for your family. EWG releases a safe sunscreen list annually, but you can always use their website to search the safety rating of your current sunscreen.
3- Make sure your family’s water bottles are in good repair.
4- Check that everyone has an adequate sunhat. Avoid ball caps if possible (because they don’t cover enough of the face and leave the ears exposed).
our summer bucket list
WHAT TO DO THIS SUMMER
1- Spend some time researching what you want to do with your children this summer. Make a list of activities, trips, etc. If you need some ideas, check out my list of free activities that are family-friendly!
2- Record festivals, special events, and free activities on your calendar so you don’t miss out on fun outings in your community.
3- If you’re hoping to take a summer vacation, itemize what needs to be done… and when.
4- Stock up on summer fun essentials such as:
- water blasters
- bubbles
- sidewalk chalk
- skipping ropes
- marbles
- hula hoops
SUMMER FUN IN THE BACKYARD
1- Prep your backyard for summer fun. My article Backyard Playspaces for Children to Love has many fun and exciting yard ideas!
2- If you haven’t planned (or planted) your garden yet, then make sure to start as soon as possible, especially if your gardening season is short.
3- Make sure your garden hose and tools are in good repair.
Do you need some more summer tips, recipes, ideas, or suggestions? I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to everything summer! Follow it here for frequent updates!
The summer can feel short. Don’t let the season fly past you! I’m certain that with some preparation and planning, this can be your best summer yet!
Liked this post? I invite you to pin it!
SHARE WITH OTHERS
I am loving your tips, some of them I will be incorporating into our summer as well. We’ve been having summer like weather for the past month and I’ve already purchased the watermelons (perfect summer food), have started doing foods where I’m not slaving over a stove and getting the backyard ready. :)
Summer-like weather is my kind of weather!
I love watermelon… I have mine with just a tiny sprinkling of salt. *wink*
Summer is my favorite time of the year and we have been preparing for weeks now. Finally today is just around 80 degrees and sunny. So thanks for the extra tips and seriously just in time. Happy Tuesday now!! xoxo <3
I love fall more than summer but I definitely enjoy this season a lot! I can’t wait for all the summer adventures to begin!
The health one is important. They are saying this will be our worst year for ticks.. and mosquitoes are already out. Actually, both are.
Summer is my favorite time of year. I’m a summer baby and so is Scarlet. She’ll be doing a lot of camp that Des isn’t old enough for, so I need a lot of essentials for my days with him!
We don’t have too many issues with ticks – thank goodness – but our mosquitoes are ALWAYS bad. Ugh – I hate those little vampires!
I know you’re a summer lover… I can just imagine the fun in the sun you’re drumming up for this year.
This is SO helpful, Jennifer! We have three more days of school left, and I haven’t even thought through the details of our summer activities yet except for swim season long course for Cass.
Pinned for my next ‘task list’ I need to do ASAP!
I’m already enjoy the trickle of summer into our lives. We’ve spent some days at the lake and today I read some Shakespeare under a tree to them… and it was sweetly divine (until the mosquitoes found us)! lol
Thanks for pinning!