At the start of Summer 2025, we created our very first family summer bucket list, and it quickly became one of my favorite traditions. In fact, I already know it’s something we’ll do every year from now on.

We sat down together as a family and let the kids dream up all the things they wanted to do during the summer (within reason, of course!). I purchased an editable bucket list printable on Etsy that included 50 spots to fill in, along with little checkboxes so we could mark each activity off as we completed it.

Since we already had a few trips planned, we added things like "visit a new state" and "go tubing" to the list because we knew those adventures were coming. But some of our favorite ideas came straight from the kids, things we never would have thought to add ourselves.

What I loved most was how useful the list became throughout the summer. On rainy afternoons, scorching hot days, or those moments when everyone was bored and asking, “What should we do today?” we could simply pull out the bucket list and choose an activity together. It turned ordinary days into memories and gave us so many fun experiences we might have otherwise skipped.

Looking back, this simple bucket list ended up being one of the best things we did all summer.

Shop Summer Bucket List

Why a Summer Bucket List Works for Families

• Gives kids ownership of summer plans

• Reduces "I'm bored" complaints

• Encourages family time

• Creates anticipation and excitement

• Helps balance screen time with activities

• Makes summer memories more intentional

How We Created Our Family Summer Bucket List

1. Gather everyone together.

2. Let each child suggest ideas.

3. Mix free activities with special outings.

4. Add any planned vacations or events.

5. Print and display the list somewhere visible.

6. Check off activities as you complete them.

Summer Bucket List Ideas for Kids

• Visit a playground (we picked 10-12 playgrounds for the summer)

• Have a picnic

• Catch fireflies

• Make homemade popsicles

• Camp in the backyard

• Visit a zoo

• Fly a kite

• Have a water balloon fight

• Go berry picking

• Build a fort

• Make sidewalk chalk art

• Visit a splash pad

• Watch a sunset

• Go fishing

• Paint rocks

• Have a movie night outdoors

Where We Kept Our Bucket List

We hung ours on the refrigerator where everyone could see it. Seeing those empty checkboxes slowly fill up throughout the summer became almost as fun as the activities themselves.

Our Favorite Bucket List Activities

A few activities quickly became family favorites. One of the biggest hits was visiting 12 different parks, which pushed us to explore new playgrounds and parks instead of always going to our usual spots. The kids also loved making fun desserts and immediately asked to add that to this year's list again. Our local library's summer reading program was another must-repeat activity that kept them excited about reading all summer long. And of course, picnics, s'mores, and camping remain staples on our bucket list every year. They're simple, inexpensive, and always create some of our favorite family memories.

If you want to make some fun desserts, check out my Visual Recipe Cards For Kids: Fun Summer Recipes blog post for some fun ideas!

Summer doesn't have to be packed with expensive vacations or elaborate plans to be memorable. Some of our favorite moments came from simple activities we completed together from our bucket list. If you're looking for a way to be more intentional with your family this summer, I can't recommend creating a summer bucket list enough.

Kid and Play is a brand-new indoor play center in Peoria, Illinois designed for kids to climb, run, explore, and burn off energy in a safe indoor environment. The space features large playground structures, slides, climbing areas, arcade games, and interactive play experiences geared toward younger children and elementary-aged kids.

What stood out most to us was how much there was for kids to do. My kids immediately took off exploring and stayed busy the entire visit. It's a great option for rainy days, hot summer afternoons, or long winter months in Illinois. The good news is there is no time limit on how long you can play. Once you pay, you can play all day!

Kid and Play also offers birthday parties, food and drinks, daily admission passes, and monthly memberships for families who plan to visit regularly.

Play Areas by Age

One thing I really appreciated about Kid and Play was how the play areas are divided by age group. Instead of one giant overwhelming space, they created separate areas designed for different stages and activity levels.

Little Play (0–2 years)
A softer toddler-focused area designed for younger kids to safely explore and play.

Big Play (2–6 years)
This section felt perfect for preschool and younger elementary-aged kids with climbing structures, slides, and interactive play.

Mega Play (4–13 years)
The largest and most active area with bigger climbing zones and obstacle-style play for older kids.

As a parent, I liked that younger kids weren’t constantly getting run over by bigger kids, and each of my kids was able to find an area that fit their age and comfort level really well.

Thoughtfully Designed Play Spaces

One thing that really impressed me about Kid and Play was how well they used the space. It feels like there is something fun tucked into every corner. As the kids climbed through the play structures, they kept discovering little swings, hidden spots to sit, climbing features, and small interactive areas built throughout the fort-style setup.

Instead of just having a few slides and open areas, the entire space feels thoughtfully designed to keep kids exploring. Whether they were climbing above, crawling underneath, or weaving through the structures, there always seemed to be another little feature waiting to be discovered. It made the whole place feel much bigger and more immersive than I expected.

Some of My Kids’ Favorite Features

One of my kids’ favorite spots at Kid and Play was the tubing slide where kids pull their own tube to the top before racing down. They went down it over and over again all morning.

They also loved the hanging ball swings suspended over the giant bouncy net area. It gave them a place to climb, bounce, swing, and just play!

Another highlight was the giant light-up tunnel slide that drops into the ball pit. The glowing lights inside made it feel extra fun and of course the ball pit at the bottom was a huge hit too. The slide is pretty fast too which surprised us all the first time they went down!

Arcade Games and Snack Options

In addition to the playground areas, Kid and Play also has a small arcade section with a mix of kid-friendly games.

There’s also a small café area called Wild Bites Café where families can order snacks, drinks, and a few quick meal options. The menu is fairly simple but convenient if you plan to stay awhile. They offered things like:

• pretzels

• nachos

• pizza

• chicken strips and fries

• slushies

• Dippin’ Dots

Pricing overall felt pretty comparable to what you’d expect at most indoor play places or entertainment centers. The arcade games and food are optional, so you can easily just pay for admission and spend your time in the playground areas if you want to keep the visit more budget friendly.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was really impressed with Kid and Play. Between the age-divided play areas, creative use of space, and the variety of activities throughout the playground, it felt like there was always something new for the kids to discover.

My kids stayed busy the entire visit and were already asking when we could come back before we even left. If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity in the Peoria area, especially for rainy days, winter months, or hot summer afternoons, this is definitely a place worth checking out for families with young kids.

For more information about Kid and Play, including hours, pricing, memberships, and birthday party information, visit their website: Kid and Play

Have you ever stood in the kitchen at 4:30 wondering what on earth you’re going to make for dinner?

That was us.

Instead of scrolling recipes or defaulting to the same old meals, we decided to try something completely different — and it turned into one of our favorite family memories.

We called it Dinner Draw, a simple game that helps families decide what’s for dinner in a fun and creative way.

Quick Steps for Playing Dinner Draw

1. Write down dinner categories on pieces of paper (drink, main dish, sides, dessert).

2. Have each family member draw one category.

3. Go to the grocery store and choose items for your category.

4. Meet back at the checkout to reveal the full dinner.

5. Everyone helps cook their category at home.

Our Experience

Before heading to the store, we each wrote down one dinner category on separate pieces of paper.

Since there are five of us, each person drew one category at random. That was the fun part because nobody knew what they’d get. If you have additional family members you can add an appetizer or you could have kids pair up with one card.

We split up boys and girls once we got to the grocery store.

My daughter and I drew Main Dish and one Side, so we wandered the aisles brainstorming ideas. The boys were in charge of the Drink, Dessert, and the other Side.

We also decided that you had to commit to whatever you chose. No coordinating. No texting. No checking what the other team picked to try to make the meal "go together".

We all met back up at the cash register to reveal what dinner would be that night.

What We Ended Up With

Here’s what our Dinner Draw produced:

• Main Dish: Sub sandwiches

• Side: Pringles and pickles

• Side: Pomegranate seeds, blueberries, and dragon fruit

• Dessert: Oreo cake

• Drink: Root beer

It was hands-down one of the most fun grocery trips we’ve had as a family!

The Best Part: Everyone Helped Cook

When we got home, the fun didn’t stop.

Part of Dinner Draw is that you help make whatever category you picked.

My daughter drew Main Dish, so she helped make the gondolas. She was in charge of assembling them and making sure everything was just right.

My son drew Side, which meant he helped wash and cut the fruit for our fruit salad. He was especially excited about the dragon fruit. He thought it looked so neat at the store, which is exactly why he picked it.

And honestly, that’s what made this dinner so special.

We had never cut a dragon fruit before. None of us had tried one. But because he had the freedom to choose something fun and different, we all learned together. It’s probably not something we would have grabbed on a normal grocery run. But walking through the store with full creative freedom made it feel like an adventure.

Why We Loved It

What made Dinner Draw so special wasn’t the food, it was the anticipation.

The kids were excited.
Everyone had ownership.
It turned an ordinary Friday into something memorable.

We loved not knowing if everything would pair well. The unpredictability was part of the fun. And honestly, even the random combinations made it feel adventurous.

Why We’ll Definitely Do It Again

• Encourages teamwork

• Gets kids involved in decision-making

• Makes grocery shopping fun

• Breaks you out of a dinner rut

• Creates simple, meaningful family memories

Sometimes the best traditions aren’t planned. They’re born out of a “What are we even having tonight?” moment.

And this one is definitely here to stay in our house.

The Toniebox is a screen-free, interactive audio system made for kids. Instead of buttons or apps, children place a magnetic Tonie character on top of the box to start playing audio. Each Tonie represents a different story, music collection, or learning experience.

Kids can:

• Tap the sides to change tracks

• Tilt the box to fast-forward or rewind

• Remove the Tonie to stop playback

There’s no reading required, no menus to navigate, and no ads or internet distractions during play.

We have had a Toniebox for a few years now and our kids still love it. Our daughter listens to it just about every night right now! There are hundreds of different Tonies to choose from and the company is always coming out with more, so it is a toy that never gets old.

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Why We Love It

One of the biggest advantages of the Toniebox is how kid-independent it is. Once it’s set up, children can control everything themselves, which keeps us from constantly pressing buttons!

Other benefits include:

• Encourages imagination without visual stimulation

• Endless list of beloved characters

• Durable design that can handle drops and rough play

• Volume-limited for safety, with parental controls + a headphone jack (which is great for travel)

• Rechargeable battery that lasts several hours

• Great for quiet time, travel, and bedtime routines

It’s especially helpful for families trying to reduce screen time while still giving kids something fun and engaging.

Content Variety

Tonie characters cover a wide range of content:

• Classic children’s stories and fairy tales

• Popular kids’ characters and songs

• Educational and calming audio

• Music-only Tonies for background listening

• Custom “Creative Tonies” where parents can upload their own audio

This variety makes it easy to grow with your child. Toddlers may enjoy songs and short stories, while older kids can listen to longer narratives or educational content.

Perfect for Bedtime and Quiet Play

One of the most popular uses for the Toniebox is bedtime. Kids can listen to a familiar story or calming music while winding down, often helping them fall asleep independently. It’s also great for quiet playtime, rest breaks, or when parents need a few uninterrupted minutes.

Because kids physically interact with the box and characters, it feels more like a toy than a device, which makes it easier to say yes to.

Any Downsides?

The main consideration for families is cost. While the Toniebox starter set includes a few characters, additional Tonies are purchased separately. That said, we've found the value worthwhile given how often the box is used and how long it lasts.

Another thing to note is that audio content must be downloaded during setup using Wi-Fi, but once downloaded, Tonies can be played offline.

Did you know…?

• Many local libraries have Tonies available to borrow! You can check these out to take with you on an upcoming trip, switch up a bedtime routine, or try out a new Tonie character before you buy it.

• Creative Tonies provide unlimited creative freedom! Each of our kids have their own, which we've added some of their favorite songs along with "adventure stories" that my husband recorded with them over the years.

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Toniebox 2

The Toniebox 2 is the latest version featuring support for interactive games and activities, which adds a new layer of engagement beyond just listening. The box also features a light ring that glows along with content and functions as a visual cue during interactive play. You’ll find convenient enhancements like USB-C charging, expanded storage (about 32 GB), and smart features like a sleep timer with light and a sunrise alarm to support routines like bedtime.

All existing Tonies figurines are compatible with the new Toniebox 2, so families who already own characters can continue using them while enjoying the added features of this updated model.

Overall, the Toniebox 2 offers a richer, more interactive audio experience for kids without screens, making it an excellent choice for families looking for imaginative play, storytelling, and screen-free entertainment at home or on the go.

Shop the Toniebox 1 on Amazon

Shop the Toniebox 2 on Amazon

Final Thoughts

The Toniebox is a thoughtfully designed, screen-free alternative that encourages listening, imagination, and independent play. It’s easy for kids to use, calming for parents, and versatile enough to become part of everyday family life. Whether you’re looking for a bedtime companion, a travel-friendly entertainment option, or a way to cut back on screens, the Toniebox is a strong investment for families with young children.

If you’re building a collection of intentional, kid-friendly products for your home, the Toniebox is one that truly earns its place.