71 activities to do with kids this summer

When you have kids complaining about being bored it can be difficult to think of some fun activities to get them out of their funk. I like to create a "summer bucket list" to help avoid these moments with my three boys. This way I can plan ahead for fun things to do considering the weather and our schedules. It also keeps the entire family active and away from long hours in front of the television, computer, tablet and video games.

Here are some activities that you can choose from to help you create your own family summer bucket list (my boys favorites are #36 and #43):

1. Ride bikes on a Minnesota bike trail.
2. Fly a kite.
3. Visit the library.
4. Play mini golf.
5. Have a backyard dance party.
6. Play horseshoes or ring toss.
7. Go camping (even if it’s just in the back yard).
8. Visit a splash park.
9. Go swimming at one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes.
10. Go bowling.
11. Skip rocks.
12. Catch fire flies.
13. Spend the day at the Minnesota Zoo or Como Zoo.
14. Have a water balloon fight.
15. Build sandcastles.
16. Have a hula-hoop or jump rope contest.
17. Attend a local farmer’s market.
18. Pick berries.
19. Host a backyard game Olympics.
20. Explore a Minnesota park.
21. Blow bubbles.
22. Go puddle jumping (and maybe sing in the rain).
23. Run through a sprinkler.
24. Visit the local tourist attractions in your hometown.
25. Collect rocks and paint them.
26. Explore Minnesota wildlife on a nature walk.
27. Create an obstacle course.
28. Plant your own garden.
29. Play freeze tag.
30. Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
31. Go on a scavenger hunt.
32. Walk in a parade.
33. Play sponge bullseye on your driveway.
34. Visit a the Minnesota Children’s Museum or Science Museum.
35. Play beanbags (aka corn hole).
36. Visit multiple new parks or playgrounds.
37. Roll down a hill.
38. Go to the beach.
39. Build a fort.
40. Learn to canoe.
41. Try paddle boarding.
42. Take out a paddleboat.
43. Create sidewalk art with chalk.
44. Go to an amusement park.
45. Go to a Minnesota county fair.
46. Film a movie.
47. Tie-dye t-shirts.
48. Play bouche ball.
49. Jump in a bounce house.
50. Put on a play.
51. Feed ducks.
52. Participate in a race/fun run.
53. Play catch.
54. Hike a Minnesota trail.
55. Have a relay race.
56. Play hide and seek.
57. Jump on a trampoline.
58. Go to a waterpark.
59. Climb a tree.
60. Have a pillow fight.
61. Build a marshmallow shooter.
62. Have a potato sack race.
63. Play frisbee.
64. Wash a car.
65. Do yard work for an elderly neighbor.
66. Go geocaching.
67. Play basketball.
68. Play soccer.
69. Bird watch.
70. Volunteer at an animal shelter.
71. Tour a Minnesota cave or mine.