I am really excited to be writing my first official Summer Bucket List. One of the reasons I’m doing this is a bit sappy, but I’m a little sad that Keyan’s starting kindergarten in September so I want this summer before he begins school to be really fun and full of amazing memories. I grew up in Vancouver and did so many fun things with my parents and siblings and I want to share that with my family now. (At the end there’s a great summer giveaway for the whole family!) So here goes…

1. Waterslides – My parent’s used to take us to the watersides all the time when we were young and we used to have a blast! And now I want to take my kids and introduce them to all the fun that watersides have to offer.

2. Backyard Tent – Last year I saw this wonderful and simple idea from Mama Papa Bubba of making a backyard tent for the kids to enjoy and I hope to try it out this year. Imagine how much fun that would be!

3. Beaches – There are so many great local beaches and this summer we want to visit as many as possible and take advantage of the beautiful weather and locations we have in this wonderful city.

4. Scavenger Hunt – Last year I put together a Nature Scavenger Hunt for the kids and they had so much fun, that this year I want to do it again, but I want to make it just a little harder.
5. Capilano Suspension Bridge – Sometimes you just have to be a tourist in your own town and we are going to be just that and visit the suspension bridge. I haven’t been in countless years but I do have great memories. I think it would be a great adventure for the kids.

6. Biking the Seawall – We also want to rent bikes and ride around the Stanley Park Seawall. Can you believe in all my years of living in Vancouver, I have never done that?! No time like the present to remedy that.

7. Parks & Spray pads – Each week we are going to visit a new park or spray pad. It’s a great way to explore new places and have new adventures.

8. Take Public Transportation – We’ve always walked where we want to go or we’ve taken the car. This summer I want to take the kids on the bus, skytrain and sea bus, just for fun.

9. Reading – The kids have always loved books and this summer we are going to take up the challenge of reading at least four books everyday, more if they want 🙂
10. Mini-Vacation – And last but not least, I want to start a family tradition where every summer we take a short 3-4 day family vacation somewhere we can drive to and have a quick family getaway.

To kick off the start of summer, I’m also giving away some fun things for the whole family. First off, I went out and got a bunch of things that’ll help make summer fun for your kids on inside and outside days. I’ve also been saving up some swag that I got, most recently from an event that I attended at Coquitlam Centre and a shopping party I went to at Joe Fresh and I’m giving it to you! And a little something for that iPhone owner in your life.

Kids Summer Fun Pack:
– beach ball, bucket and shovel and blowing bubbles
– kids baking kit and necklace making kit
– sidewalk chalk and a colour your own flower pot
– books
– catching game and your own mini-golf station

Mom’s Summer Fun Pack:
– The Body Shop shower gel and shower cream
– H&M floral scarf and hair clips
– Coquitlam Centre mirror compact, wine corkscrew and cork
– Lush bath clay
– John Frieda shampoo, conditioner and lightening spray
– Joe Fresh Lipstick
– Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (not pictured)

Something for Dad:
I don’t want to leave out Dad, so here’s a really cool device that’ll make you hands-free with your Iphone in the car. It’s called a ClipSee and it’s the perfect solution when you need to talk while driving. It clips right on to your seatbelt, it amplifies speaker sound by approximately 3X and the home button access and finger guides lets you make and receive hands-free calls while staying focused on the road and your driving. This is actually perfect not only for Dad, but anyone who has an iPhone.

To enter, all you have to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below. This contest is only open to residents of Greater Vancouver.

a Rafflecopter giveaway