Put the family bucket list on the calendar!
Summer can feel like it flies by in a flash, but here’s a way to slow it down just enough to savor memories and soak in fun.
Professional organizer Jen Martin, with Reset Your Nest, shared an approach that totally works in her home, and she has a feeling it might work in yours as well.
Combining Two Powerful Rituals
Jen’s method brings together two familiar family tools: the calendar and the summer bucket list. While each is useful on its own, Jen believes they’re even more powerful when combined. “In the summer, I love to have a calendar that shows everything they can look forward to over the course of the summer,” she explained.
Kick Things Off With a Family Meeting
At the start of summer, Jen gathers her kids for a family meeting to brainstorm fun ideas. “Everyone gets a chance to have their say,” she noted. The kids write their ideas directly on the list, complete with misspellings and cute handwriting. This makes the list feel personal and fun.
Color-Coding for Clarity
While the kids jot down their bucket list items, Jen adds structure by color-coding the calendar. “Each kid has a different color and then we have a unique color just for family activities,” she explained. This helps everyone know what’s coming up and builds excitement.
“They really reference this every day,” she said. “They come to me and say, ‘I have Quilt Camp this week… I’m so excited.’”
Why Scheduling Fun Works
Some might think it’s overly structured to “schedule fun,” but Jen sees it differently. “There’s something about… the anticipation,” she said. Presenting fun in a visible, organized way helps kids grab onto the excitement and gives summer a sense of rhythm and intention.
Reflecting on the Memories
At the end of summer, Jen’s family holds a back-to-school celebration where they reflect on the memories they’ve made. “We reflect, spend time looking at the list and really appreciating the memories we made,” she said. It’s a way to recognize the fun and send it off, helping to avoid that common fall feeling of “what did we do?”
Jen offers her printable calendar and bucket list for free, here.
Find more advice from Jen at resetyournest.com, or on Instagram, @reset_your_nest.
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