Summer Bucket List

Summer in Seattle is the best; even for those of us who survive with Zero outdoor space! Ample parks, beaches, free events and access to oodles of family friendly resources make up for the lack of a yard. So in no particular order, here is our family's 2015 Summer in the City list:

1. Berry Picking! Last year's strawberry haul was pretty epic and I think we used the last bag of frozen berries only a few weeks ago. Strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are on the list this year.

2. Lots of Reading. Seattle Public Library gets heavy use from our family all year round, but especially in the summer months. I am bribing incentivizing my older kids with $1 per book  (has to be at the reading level for their grade next year). At the end of last summer,  we took all our "Book Money" to the toy store and they got to see literacy in action!

3. Outdoor Movies at Seattle Center

4. KEXP concerts at the Mural Amphitheatre. Free music every Friday in August.

5. Beaches. Some of our favorites are Discovery beach (dynamic Sound views and a few seal sightings), Mount Baker beach (near home, sand, grass & SHADE)  and the beaches on Clarke Beach on Mercer Island (super clean, bathrooms and good for young swimmers). This year we would love to add some new ones to the mix….Matthews Beach and Lake Sammamish. 


6. Picnic dinners in the park

7. Homemade popsicles (grown up versions too!)

8. Summer Camps through the parks department

9. Wine on the Lake Washington docks

10. Sewing projects with Grandma

11. Three kid friendly hikes/ outings to the woods


12. Salt Water pool in West Seattle

13. Lunch time concerts in the park

14. Family vacation with Auntie Laurie


15. We don't do many festivals anymore…my aversion to crazy + expensive means that we try stick to the smaller events. But we always try to make The Dragon Festivall in the International District. It's really one of the best summer events in the city and the food alone is worth the effort.

16. At least one trip to our Farmer's Market for summer ripe fruit.

Let the festivities begin!