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This big bucket list of mini-adventures for kids is a brilliant resource to use when planning fun activities or need some inspiration.
With 48 prompts of creative ideas, this free printable checklist provides you with a variety of ways to enjoy indoor and outdoor fun with kids. My boys and I have been using these ideas to boost our homeschool fun, rainy days, screen-free activities, and more.
I'm sharing my tips for making the most of these mini-adventures plus suggestions for mapping out all of this fun. Find out more and get your free bucket list today!
RELATED: Want more ideas and inspiration for fun activities for kids? Use our FREE printable list with 40+ ways to boost creativity!
Never Run Out of Fun Ideas for Kids!
Do you want to help your kids enjoy creative activities? Maybe you'd like a bunch of ideas for screen-free time? Perhaps you're tired of hearing "I'm bored! There's nothing to do!"?
Well, this free printable Big Bucket List of Mini-Adventures for Kids (plus tips on cool ways to plan and enjoy) is a perfect solution for all of those things and more!
I've always tried to encourage my boys to use their imagination, try new things, and have hands-on fun. As a child (especially during summer break), I was usually outside of my home. I was lucky to live in a neighborhood with many kids around my age. We explored the woods (I grew up in the middle of the Pine Barrens in New Jersey), rode our bikes, played night tag, and had all sorts of adventures.
I have so many incredible memories from that time period. And learned so many incredible life lessons that helped me develop growth mindset skills and more.
Our family currently lives in a very rural farming area. My boys don't have quite the same type of opportunities for playing in the woods or running around with neighborhood kids. They can, however, have their own types of adventures to enjoy and cherish for years to come.
In an effort to work smarter, not harder (and avoid the dread "I'm bored!), I decided that a bucket list of mini-adventures would provide inspiration for planning activities throughout the summer and entire year!
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What Are Mini-Adventures for Kids?
Wondering what I mean by mini-adventures? Great question!
To me, mini-adventures are fun activities that our children can do at home, in your neighborhood, or on a field trip. These types of adventures present your kids with a variety of experiences. These adventures promote:
- Exploration
- Creativity
- Wonder
- Growth mindset skills (like resilience and self-awareness)
- Imagination
- Collaboration
- Self-expression
- Hobbies and interests
In our experiences, you get out of a mini-adventure what you put into it. When you approach the activity and plans with an open mind and willingness to try new things, you'll find the adventure much more enjoyable.
Learn More About This Free Printable Big Bucket List of Mini-Adventures
This free printable big bucket list of mini-adventures for kids includes 2 pages (plus cover and terms of use page).
There are 48 prompts that range from ideas for in your home to suggestions for day trips.
The prompts provide simple starts for your adventures. Customize your adventures to best meet the needs of your kids and family.
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How to Plan and Enjoy Your Mini-Adventures
As much as I love to let my boys be spontaneous and go with the flow, those types of scenarios aren't always possible. With 5 boys to manage and coordinate, it's not always feasible to drop our plans for a day trip or camping in the backyard.
I recommend that you pick a quiet time to sit down and go over these ideas for mini-adventures with your kids. Read through each idea and discuss the basic concept and how you can customize for your family.
Highlight your favorites. I had each boy pick a different highlighter color so we couldn't easily pick out who liked what. Of course, you can print out multiple copies of this bucket list so each child has one!
You can randomly pick a mini-adventure based on the day and what your schedule permits. If you prefer to have a specific plan, number the ideas from 1-10 (or however many you'd like to try).
My boys and I used our free printable Harry Potter undated planning pages to map out their adventures.
48+ Mini-Adventures for Kids
Curious about what activities are featured on this bucket list? Cool! I like to know what a printable contains prior to getting and using. Here are the ideas:
- Build a fort out of blankets and pillows.
- Have a picnic in the backyard or at a local park. An indoor picnic is a blast, too!
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt and collect items like leaves, rocks, and flowers. Use our free nature walk scavenger hunts for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.
- Camp out in the backyard and stargaze. Use our free printable constellation cards, too!
- Visit a nearby farm and pet the animals.
- Go on a bike ride and explore a new neighborhood.
- Have a movie marathon with popcorn and homemade snacks.
- Bake cookies or cupcakes together.
- Create your own mini-garden with potted plants or herbs.
- Have a DIY art day with painting, drawing, or crafting. Perler bead crafts are fantastic, too!
- Go on a hike and discover hidden trails or scenic spots.
- Have a water balloon fight on a hot day.
- Visit a local library and pick out new books to read together.
- Set up a lemonade stand and sell drinks to neighbors.
- Go on a bug hunt (or minibeasts scavenger hunt) and observe in their natural habitat.
- Have a themed dress-up day and put on a play or fashion show.
- Go to a nearby beach or lake and build sandcastles or skip rocks.
- Plant a tree or flowers in your yard or a community garden.
- Visit a nearby museum or zoo and learn about new things.
- Have a backyard campfire with s'mores and storytelling.
- Create a treasure hunt with clues leading to hidden treasures around your home or yard.
- Have a day dedicated to learning about a new culture through food, music, and activities.
- Vist a local farmer's market and pick out fresh fruits and vegetables to try.
- Build and decorate birdhouses or bird feeders for your yard.
- Have a watercolor painting session outdoors, capturing the beauty of nature.
- Visit a nearby playground and challenge each other to see who can go highest on the swings or slide the fastest.
- Make homemade playdough and have a sculpting competition. Cloud dough is awesome, too!
- Go on a photography walk and take pictures of interesting things you see along the way. Use our free printable photo challenges for spring, summer, fall, and winter.
- Set up a mini-Olympics in your backyard with simple games like potato sack races and hula hoop contests.
- Have a "backwards day" where you do everything in reverse, like having dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner.
- Volunteer together at a local charity or community event.
- Explore a nearby creek or stream and look for fish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures.
- Host a family talent show where everyone gets to showcase their unique skills.
- Create a time capsule with items that represent your family and bury it in the backyard to open in the future.
- Go on a train or bus ride to a nearby town and explore new sights and sounds.
- Have a DIY science experiment day with simple projects like making slime or erupting volcanoes.
- Visit a nearby arboretum or botanical garden and learn about different plant species.
- Have a day of random acts of kindness, like leaving positive notes for strangers or helping a neighbor with chores.
- Create a DIY obstacle course in the backyard and see who can complete it the fastest.
- Take a day trip to a nearby historical site or landmark and learn about its significance.
- Have a backyard campout with storytelling and shadow puppets.
- Create a time capsule (about your favorite hobbies or interests, like Super Mario, Pokemon, or Minecraft) and bury it in a secret spot.
- Make homemade popsicles with fresh fruit juice or yogurt.
- Go on a neighborhood photo safari, capturing interesting sights and scenes.
- Have a "color hunt" where you search for objects of different colors around your home or neighborhood.
- Build a mini-golf course using household items and have a tournament.
- Host a teddy bear picnic in the backyard with snacks and games.
- Set up a DIY mini bowling alley using empty bottles and a ball. You can also use our free printable Star Wars toilet paper roll figures for bowling fun!
Get Your Free Big Bucket List Of Fun Mini-Adventures For Kids
High five! I think it's totally awesome that you want to help your kids be creative, use their imaginations, and explore the world around them!
This free printable big bucket list of mini-adventures for kids includes 2 pages (plus cover and terms of use page) with 48 prompts.
Print as many of these bucket lists as you need to enjoy with your students at home, in the classroom, and at the library. Please share this post with your friends!
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