About a month ago, it seemed summer would never arrive and spring was just a phantom season.? Fast forward a few weeks later, and true to Midwestern tradition, we are now bringing the heat and humidity we are known for.? As the kids settle into a weekly non-school routine and days at the pool seem to run on auto-pilot, it won?t be long before the whining and nagging begins.? ?I?m bored? or ?there?s nothing to do? don?t have to become commonplace conversation around the breakfast table.? There?s more to do than you ever knew across Kansas City and we?ve compiled a hearty list of summer bucket list items for your household to enjoy and discover.? Whether you pick one daily item from the list or use the suggestions as a rewards system for good behavior, there?s never a shortage of things to see and do in KC!? Some are tried and true faves and others are unique and quirky newbies?.all are fun and affordable!
1. Pick a local farm near the metro and go berry picking; then, take home your loot and make some homemade jam to give to a neighbor.
2. Grab a GPS unit and go scouting for geocaches across the region.? Did you know there are hundreds of thousands of geocaches in Kansas City?
3. Go camping in your own backyard!? Make smores in the firepit or microwave and catch fireflies (and release).
4. Visit the local farmer?s market to purchase fresh ingredients to make tonight?s dinner.
5. Enjoy a corn dog and cotton candy at the county fair.
6. Take a walking tour of a quaint downtown square.? Grab a scoop of ice-cream!
7. Visit the cool airplane structure downtown at the Roasterie?.then, take the tour of the facility!
8. Head to the Nerman Contemporary Museum of Art for an inspiring and creative afternoon.
9. Develop a new family tradition ? ours is Friday Family Pizza Night!? Each Friday, we make pizzas, grill pizzas, take-out or dine in at local pizza establishments.? It?s really fun to visit new places or create artisan pizzas at home.
10. Pick a new place to watch fireworks this year.? Watching along a river or across a lake is a beautiful place to start?the reflection over the water is amazing!
11. in an outdoor summer concert!? Grab your lawn chairs, blankets, cooler and camera.
12. Pick a project from Pinterest and make it with your kiddos.? Here?s our pick this year:? http://pinterest.com/pin/157344580702939589/
13. Make home-made ice-cream!
14. Create a mural on your driveway in sidewalk chalk.
15. Map out your next family road-trip.? Call the local CVB for maps, guides and brochures and then plot your route on a map!
16. Ride the camel at the Kids Discovery Barn, fly over Africa on the Sky Safari or watch the sea lions sun bathe at the Kansas City Zoo.
17. Join the summer reading program at your local library ? reading is year-round!
18. Create a spa night at home with pedicures, facials and aromatherapy!
19. Break out the board games and unplug from tech gadgets for a traditional family game night.
20. Create a scrapbook of summer memories and let the kids help put the pages together.? Then, scan the pages to make 2014 calendars for loved ones over the holidays.
21. Make time every single day for activity?.morning walks, swimming, indoor cardio if it?s too hot!? No matter what?every single day for 30 minutes ? chart your progress together!
22. Create a scavenger hunt for your yard or neighborhood.
23. Visit the fountains across KC?snap pics of the kids posing like the sculptures.
24. Head out to the ballpark for a day at the stadium and cheer on your favorite team!? Get there early for some player autographs!
25. Check out Worlds of Fun after 4 pm?it?s cheaper and cool to hit the rides at night!
26. Have a garage sale to get rid of clutter and clean out the closets, basement, attic and garage.? Let the kids host a lemonade and cookie stand during the sale.
27. Ask a friend to take a family photo shoot?the outdoors are prettier in the summer!
28. Volunteer at an animal shelter, nature center or nonprofit organization that your family deems important.
28. Plant a patio garden?from flowers to herbs to tomatoes and peppers, kids will love to watch the plants grow and thrive.
30. Hand-write notes and cards to loved ones and relatives who live far away once a week or create a family/household blog to share online.
31. Visit a historic attraction (there are tons of FREE ones across the metro).? Talk about what you learned over dinner that evening.
32. Coordinate a family reunion?.here in KC!? Let the kids help in planning everything from invitations to host location to menu and games.
33. Go fishing!? Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day on the water.? Catch and release if he?s not a keeper.
34. Check out Regal Cinema $1 movie packs.? Every week (Tues & Wed), they?ll be playing a non-new release for $1.00 admission.
35. If the budget allows, take the whole fam to see and do KC.? Visit a local attraction, take in a theme park, dine on some yummy KC BBQ and then stay overnight at a hotel (with a pool).? Staycations are fun and affordable.
36. Start a new activity like biking the trails.? The metro region has thousands of miles of paved and hike-worthy paths for you to discover and explore.
37. Visit a ?made in KC? factory or assembly line for a tour and maybe even some samples.
38. Visit the Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence.? Teach the kids about the Truman era and Presidency.
39. When the heat will not let up, seek indoor playtime by bowling, lazer tag, arcades or bounce houses across KC.
40. Cook together.? Pick out a new weekly recipe that the whole family can create and enjoy together.? Some evening, just for fun, make nothing but dessert for dinner!? Your kids will think you?re crazy, but also the best mom on the block.
41. Visit your local fire station and deliver home-made popsicles or other fun summer treat!
42. Introduce the family to music.? There are music stores across KC that offer ?touch a tune? or sample instrument days.? Give them the gift of music at an early age!
43. Surprise a home-bound neighbor by taking over lunch and lemonade.
44. Create a ?flat Stanley? project.? Trace your kiddos on a large sheet of thicker paper, let them decorate and send themselves around the world seeking artifacts and return messages.? Track the flat?s locations on a map posted in their room.
45. Discover a new park every week and have a picnic lunch there!
46. Pick a family-friendly 5K run/walk and enter together.? Decorate t-shirts or hats and tackle your first regulation race as a crew.
47. Learn how to fold the U.S. flag for the 4th of July.? Besides the typical fireworks fun, you?ll be proud when your children know and can exhibit proper flag etiquette.
48. Dine on the deck as often as possible.? Talk about the best parts of your day around the dinner table.
49. Let your kids pick one perfect day where the itinerary is theirs!? Give them a budget and boundaries and see what they come up with for the day?s activity.
50. Keep www.kcdestinations.com bookmarked so you can stay in-the-know about all of the cool events and happenings across KC this summer!
~Karen
Karen Crane is the Executive Director of the Merriam Visitors Bureau.
Source: http://www.kcdestinations.com/blog/?p=222
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