Monday, June 23, 2014

Summer Bucket List, Portland Style

Summer is here!  Towards the end of every school year, my students ask for ideas on activities they can do during the summer.  As an English teacher, I always suggest, "Read a book!"  This year, I wanted to offer them something a bit more.  A friend of mine told me about this idea to create a summer bucket list (a.k.a. summer "to do" list).  The items put on your list do not have to cost a thing, but your summer bucket list will definitely set the mood for a fun, adventurous summer.

So, here's the task... Create a summer bucket list and enjoy everything Oregon has to offer.

Ready?  Set.  Go.

What will you put on your Summer Bucket List?

Summer Bucket List Ideas

  1. Read a book.
  2. Go on a hike.
  3. Visit a farmer's market.
  4. Write a story.
  5. Make s'mores.
  6. Tie dye a t-shirt.
  7. Go on a picnic.
  8. Join a summer reading program.
  9. Camp in the backyard.
  10. Make homemade ice cream.
  11. Plant a container garden.
  12. Go fishing.
  13. Make giant bubbles.
  14. Feed the ducks.
  15. Go roller-skating.
  16. Make a Slip 'n Slide.
  17. Build a sandcastle.
  18. Play mini golf.
  19. Go for a bike ride.
  20. Learn a new board game.
  21. Go swimming.
  22. Make friendship bracelets.
  23. Make paper airplanes.
  24. Go to the county/state fair.
  25. State a water balloon fight.
  26. Make root beer floats.
  27. Go to the rodeo.
  28. Have a sleepover with friends.
  29. Go to a drive-in movie.
  30. Visit the zoo.
  31. Watch fireworks.
  32. Build a birdhouse.
  33. Fly a kite.
  34. Go geocaching.
  35. Make sidewalk chalk.
  36. Jump on a trampoline.
  37. Play at the park.
  38. Catch bugs.
  39. Go bowling.
  40. Go on a scavenger hunt.
  41. Make a lemonade stand.
  42. Brave the rides at OAKS Park.
  43. Run through the sprinkler.
  44. Finger-paint a masterpiece. 
  45. Play Ultimate Frisbee.
  46. Go camping.
  47. Pick your own raspberries.
  48. Make a time capsule.
  49. Take photos.
  50. Make a summer album.

Here's our 2014 Bucket List!

I'm not sure how we'll handle "spy-training lessons."  Any ideas?

This list is completely random and wonderful.  Bucket List items do not all have to be day-long events that cost millions of dollars.  Make sure you include local summer reading programs, free/discounted community events, crafts, activities/games, and science experiments.  Luckily for Portland-area folks, I've done the hard part for you.  Those of you who do not live near Portland or in Oregon, use the items listed as a jumping off point for your research on local summer activities.  I'm sure there are a ton of local activities or wonderful crafts, activities, and/or science experiments that I left of the list.  Please leave your additions in the comments.



Join a Summer Reading Program

To join a summer reading program, just visit your local library and sign up.

Once enrolled in a summer reading program, follow these tips to find your next favorite book:

Summer Activities Near PDX (date specific)

There are so many fun activities in the Portland-metro area during the summer.  Check out my list and view additional staycation ideas from Frugal Living Northwest.

June 20th - June 22nd

Kruger's Farm Summer Concert Series
Every Thursday at 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival
June 28-29th

July 1st-5th

Molalla Buckeroo, 91st Annual Molalla Buckeroo
July 2nd-5th

Friday, July 18-20th
The 19th annual Sand in the City brings the beach to the Pioneer Courthouse Square for 3 days of sand castles, competitions and free family fun!

Gresham Art Festival (formally known as the Gresham Art Walk)
Saturday, July 19th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

July 18-20th in Sherwood, Oregon

July 25-26th

July 25th:  Ghostbusters (PG)
August 8th:  The Princess Bride (PG)
August 15th:  Jurassic Park (PG-13)
August 29th:  Frozen (PG)

August 12-17th, Canby, Oregon

August 22nd - September 1st 2014


Other Local Activities (not date specific)


Take a Hike.  Take a hike and explore Oregon in all its glory.  Forest Park (easy), Eastbank Esplanade (easy), Silver Falls (easy), Mirror Lake (easy), Multnomah Falls (easy/moderate), and Saddle Mountain (strenuous) are some favorites.  Visit Every Trail for a list of more wonderful hikes in Oregon.

Play at the Park.  Portland has some amazing parks.  Be a kid (or channel your inner child) and just play.  A few Portland favorites include...
Visit a Local Farmer's Market.  Most communities have a farmer's market on Saturday mornings.  Buy local produce.  Eat from local vendors.  Support local artists.

Pick Fruit, Veggies, and Flowers at a U-Pick Farm.  PickYourOwn.org is an excellent resource for finding local u-pick farms.

Play a Round of Disc Golf.  Grab a disc at your local sporting goods store and head on over to McIver State Park to play a game of Disc Golf on the 27-hole course.

Portland Saturday Market.  Open every weekend March - Christmas. 

Get lost in Powell's City of Books.  Visit the largest new and used bookstore in the world!  Get lost in the store (it takes up an entire city block) or attend one of the many author events.  Powell's is located at 1005 W Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97209. 

Watch Shakespeare in the Park.  Watch the Portland Actors Ensemble live theater for free at various outdoor locations throughout the city. 

 Explore Hands-On Science at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).  $2 first Sunday of each month.

Get wild at the Oregon Zoo.  $4 second Tuesday of each month.

Portland Art Museum.  Free - fourth Friday of every month 5-8pm, always ages 17 and under.  First full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders.

Portland Children's Museum.  Free - first Friday of every month 4-8pm, first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders.

Oaks Amusement Park & Roller Rink.  Located at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202. 

Northwest Children's Theater & School.  Located at 1819 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209. 

Portland Aquarium.  16323 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie, OR 97267

Portland Walking Tours.  Get to know your city with Portland Walking Tours.  Sign up for the Best of Portland, Underground Portland, or various other tours. 

North Clackamas Aquatic Park.  Located at 7300 SE Harmony Road, Milwaukie, OR 97222. 

Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant.  Located at 29111 SW Town Center Loop W, Wilsonville, OR 97070. 

Philip Foster Farm.  Located at 29912 SE Hwy 211, Eagle Creek, OR 97022.  Open 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday from June 21st - August 30th. 

Pacific Northwest Live Steamers.  Ride and learn about trains at Pacific Northwest Live Steamers.  The park features 3,899 feet of 7 1/2 inch track that loops around a picnic area.  No fee is collected at the entrance of the train, but donations are graciously accepted.  Open Sundays 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., May 4th through October 26th 2014.  Located at 31803 S Shady Dell Road, Molalla, OR 97038.

Home Depot Kids Workshops.  FREE Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of each month.

Jo-Ann Fabric Kids' Camp.  Sign up for a class in sewing, cake decorating, and/or knitting. 

Al's Garden Center Kids Club.  $5 per participant to cover the cost of materials.  Registration is required.

 

Activities Outside of the Portland-Metro Area:

 

Enchanted Forest Theme Park.  8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392. 

99W Drive-In.  Load up your car with your fiends (and your radio) and head to Newberg for a drive-in movie.   This is my all-time favorite thing to do in the summer!

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.  500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128.  Anyone under 5 years old gets in FREE.   

Mt. Hood Advenutre Park at Skibowl.  With over 20 attractions including the alpine slide, zip line, and Kiddy Karts, you're sure to have a great time at Mt. Hood Adventure Park. 

Fort Stevens State Park.  Fort Stevens was once the primary military defense at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Stay and camp or just visit for the day.  

The Goonies House.  Hey you guuys!!!  Visit The Goonies' House (a.k.a. Flavel House) during your next visit to Astoria.  Make sure you visit the North Head Lighthouse, Columbia River Maritime Museum, and sure sure to launch a wood glider from the Astoria Column as well. 

Tillamook Cheese Factory.  4175 Highway 101 North, Tillamook, OR 97141. 

Twilight Filming Locations.  Create your own Twilight tour!  Eat breakfast at the Carver Cafe in Carver, Oregon (on highway 224 on the way to Estacada) and then head up the Columbia River Gorge to visit Crown Point and Multnomah Falls.  

Oregon Coast Aquarium.  2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport, Oregon. 

Wildlife Safari.  1790 Safari Road, Winston, Oregon 97496.  Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 


Craft Ideas

  1. Tie Dye and Old White Shirt @ Instructables.  
  2. Duct Tape Crafts @ by Stephanie Lynn
  3. Paper Movies:  Flip Book @ Martha Stewart
  4. Rock Crafts @ Martha Stewart
  5. Hand-Dipped Candles @ Education.com
  6. Sun Prints @ Paint Cut Paste
  7. Bird Feeders @ PBS Parents
  8. Tin-Can Wind Chimes @ All You
  9. Pendulum Painting @ One Inch World
  10. Rain Painting @ Elsie Marley
  11. Craft Stick Bracelets @ MollyMoo
  12. Contact Paper Mandalas @ Pickle Bums
  13. Sandpaper Printed T-Shirt @ Alpha Mom
  14. Blank Book for Writing Stories @ Courtney Scrabeck
  15. Muffin Tin Crayons @ Our Best Bites
  16. Shaving Cream Art + Activities @ Play Create Explore

Games and Activities

  1. Giant Outdoor Board Games @ Apartments Therapy
  2. Paper Plate Ring Toss @ Education.com
  3. Shoe Box Banjo @ Martha Stewart
  4. Homemade Sidewalk Chalk @ Martha Stewart
  5. Exploding Chalk Paint Art @ Growing a Jeweled Rose
  6. Playdough Recipe @ Moms Who Thing
  7. Sock Bubbles @ Houseing a Forest
  8. Decorate a Colorful Kite @ Better Homes and Gardens
  9. Giant Bubble Wand @ Clean.
  10. Pop Bottle Sprinkler @ Simply Rebekah
  11. DIY Marble Bowling Game @ Frugal Fun for Boys
  12. Pool Noodle Backyard Obstacle Course @ Learn Play Imagine
  13. Kids' Car Wash Sprinkler @ Lowe's
  14. Sponge Ball @ It's Overflowing
  15. DIY Carnival Games @ Perfect Parties
  16. Ice Excavating Activity for Kids @ Gluesticks

Science Activities

  1. Make a Bouncing Polymer Ball @ About.com
  2. Marshmallow Catapults @ It's Always Autumn
  3. Patriotic Flowers for the 4th of July @ The Artful Parent
  4. Harvesting Seeds @ Buzz Mills
  5. Magic Tree @ We Made That
  6. Gak Recipe @ We Made That
  7. DIY Balloon Car @ (cool) progeny
  8. Beans in CD Case Experiment @ Art Projects for Kids
  9. Grass Head Creatures @ Ordinary Life Magic
  10. Ice Cream in a Baggie @ 2 Little Hooligans
  11. Sunflower Sundial @ Nurture Store
  12. DIY Toy Hot Air Balloon @ Book House Crafts
  13. Magnet Painting @ Let's Explore
  14. Alka-Seltzer Rockets @ Playful Learning
  15. Ants + Colored Sugar Water Experiement @ mpm Ideas
  16. Make Butter @ PBS Kids

This is how summer vacation should be!

As you can see, there are a million things to do during the summer.  Plan a weekened, day, or afternoon adventure for little to no money.  Watch the deal sites, like GroupOn, Living Social, or Portland Perks for the more expensive activities and events. 

Go make your Summer Bucket List now and play all summer long!

Put your Summer Bucket List ideas in the comments below.

Happy Summer!


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