Denver is a seriously amazing place to raise a family. When my kids were little, we did all the must do family activities: parks, the zoo, museums. But as they got older I had a harder time figuring out the best family activities to do altogether. We started making summer “bucket” lists and involving our kids more in what we do during summer breaks and weekends and trips to restaurants. As it turns out, having big kids is even more fun than having littles. Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the past few years and some links to our favorite adventures.
- Make Lists: Some of my favorite experiences have happened courtesy of our summer bucket lists (we call our lists “Mandatory Fun…”). We’ve been to Mesa Verde, Bishop’s Castle, Eldorado Springs, St. Mary’s Glacier, several museums, new hikes, tried countless new restaurants, and even tried some new sports just because we had a list to reference. Don’t let precious family days pass you by just because you can’t figure out what to do!
- Involve your kids: Some of the most interesting additions to our summer lists have been suggested by my kids. I would not have decided to hike our favorite ski resort in the summer on my own, but we had an amazing time and I’m so grateful that they added it to our list. I like pulling up lists of must-dos from local magazines and letting them go through and choose their own must-try adventures.
- Have an open mind: Going to an indoor trampoline/ extreme sports training center was not my idea of a great way to spend my Thursday afternoon. But it was my son’s. And my daughter ended up loving it, too. And they played for several hours while I read an amazing book. Win/win.
- Be ready for adventure: A friend texts you one morning while you have a houseful of kids and the two of you decide you absolutely must go to The North Pole? Follow that impulse. You won’t ever regret adventures.
- Let them bring a friend: Especially if there will be rides you are less than enthused to go on. I’m looking at you, Round Up…
- Make it a challenge: We have ongoing personal missions in our household to: find the best pizza in Denver (current contender – Blue Pan), find the best ice cream in Denver (we can’t reach a consensus on this one, but Sweet Action’s Molasses Brown Bread and Ice Cream Riot’s Fruity Pebbles are tied in my book), and try restaurants from as many countries as possible. (We may enjoy eating a little bit in my house…) We’ve also extended this challenge to media. On one trip we listened to nothing but albums from Rolling Stone’s “Greatest Albums of All Time” list. My family is still pretty obsessed with Dark Side of the Moon and Pet Sounds thanks to those hours in the car. (On the other hand, attempting to listen to Kanye’s (brilliant, but awful graphic) Dark Twisted Fantasy ranks as most mortifying mother-son experience ever for both my son and I. So maybe do a quick preview before hitting play…)
- Enjoy the journey. Don’t get too bogged down with finishing your lists or rules: Constantly reminding myself of this one. I looked up my old lists to make this post and found so many we didn’t quite do. That’s okay too! One of my favorite memories of my kids is the summer they decided to learn how to play poker and finish all of The Office – #goals right?
- Make it fun for you, too: Bring a book and don’t feel badly for reading while they splash for hours in a frozen lake. Instagram your adventures to your heart’s content. Eat the ice cream. Ban devices so you can talk, or bring them all if that’s how you get peace in your car. Just like every other part of parenting there is no one right way to have fun.
Now Happy Summering! Get to it!
Fifty-two Daring 