It’s officially the first day of summer and I have your summer intentional to-do list ready just for you! Think of this as a go to list for all things fun and exciting as you and your family plan out adventures during these summer months. A curated list of things to do during summer to bring more joy, life and laughter to your heart! Specifically, 10 things for you and your family to do this summer to enjoy the season and each other.

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Summer Intentional Living – Exactly What To Put on Your Summer To-Do List

Summer can be a bit chaotic depending on the schedules and the juggles so many of us navigate. Especially as moms, as teachers, as enthusiasts of life. And it is for that reason, I am so excited to share with you this very special intentional to-do list. A curated list of fun for your summer.

It’s been a while since I’ve given a fun list of things to do for an intentional to-do list. More recently, my editions of the intentional to-do list series have focused on how to unlock more from your heart. However, this list is focused on FUN. Simple and easy FUN things you and the whole family can do this summer to make the most of your time during the summer months.

Your Summer Intentional To-Do List – 10 Things To Do This Summer

This is going to be fun! A quick little spark of inspiration and joy for how to make the most of this summer. 10 things! 10 things on this list. Specifically, 10 ideas of things for you to do this summer. Only 10 because I don’t want to overwhelm you. Nor, do I want you to feel stressed out about this.

Truly, I want you to actually be able to do them and enjoy them. And I believe doing these things are going to spark joy and excitement and make some incredible memories for your heart.

Summer Intentional To-Do List Freebie

Now let’s have some fun. I created a free summer intentional to-do list. Download it, save it to your phone, and share it on your Instagram stories. Lets celebrate sweet summer together! Tag @thebestdaypodcast on Instagram. As you check things off your summer to-do list, we can celebrate together. This beautiful, fun season of summer. Ready to dive into our summer intentional to-do list? Sharing with you 10, super easy, cost-free ideas of things to do this summer.

Summer To-Do List #1 – Read a book outside

The very first thing on our summer to-do list is to read a book outside. Find some time where you can spend it outdoors reading a book. Now, of course, I prefer a fun location. I prefer to read by the beach or by the pool. As long as I’m not on motherhood duty, of course! I also love the beauty and simplicity of reading outside at night.

We recently refreshed our back deck with some new pillows, a rug and cushions for our outdoor furniture. Our back deck overlooks this really beautiful tree lined view and gorgeous view of the sky. When the sun sets and its cooler temperatures, it’s such a relaxing place to sit and read. I encourage you to do the same! Find the joy in reading. Get lost in a story, swept up in the anticipation of what will happen next. I am always a big fan of a good thriller or romance novel.

On the other hand, if fiction books are not your thing, I have a list of books inspirational and motivational books to read this year. You can find that on my 2023 book list. In order to have a fun and relaxing summer, take time to read a book outside!

Summer To-Do List #2 – Shop at a local farmer’s market

The next item on our summer to-do list is to shop at a local farmer’s market. This is something we have made a priority this summer, and I am just in love with the local food and supporting the local agricultural community. There’s a small farmer’s market directly down the street from us at a local church. It is absolutely delicious and I have had so much fun cooking different vegetables during these summer nights.

Therefore, giving you this super fun idea to shop at a local’s farmer’s market this summer. Simply Google local farmer’s markets near me, and I guarantee that you will find something. This is such a fun way to connect and give back to the local economy. As well as eat delicious food.

#3 – Explore a local town

The third item on the summer to-do list is to explore a local town. Especially where I live, there’s a lot of hidden gyms in super sweet downtown areas of small southern cities. It’s so fun to explore and walk around and find hidden treasures. As well as see the city from a different lens. I encourage you to do the same this summer.

Find a town that maybe you don’t often visit or a local small town that you haven’t spent a lot of time in. Or maybe the last time you’ve been there was when you were a child and you want to go back and make new memories. Explore a local town, find a fun place to get lunch, walk around the shops. I guarantee you there’s a place to play somewhere outdoors. Find a local town to explore this summer.

Search for Local Trips Near You

This is something that I always enjoy searching on Google. The best small towns near me, or the best small towns for a day trip near your major city. See what’s close to you and make a day trip out of it. It’s always so fun to find a sense of adventure, and it doesn’t have to be this extraordinary thing, nor does it have to cost a lot of money. There’s so many hidden gems, so much fun to be had.

I encourage you to do it. Also, if you start going through Google and Googling all these super fun travel ideas and tips and local adventures near you. We all know how Google works and the algorithm of all things internet. You will start seeing a bunch of different websites pointing you to other fun travel ideas and local adventures. This is something that I strongly encourage because it brings a little fun and spark to your life. Also, it’s not really expensive either.

#4 – Plant flowers

Next on our summer to-do list, truly brings my heart joy and that is to plant flowers. I know it’s the heat of summer, but you can definitely make some annuals work or even try some summer heat perennials. It’s so fun to connect with the earth and to try to make something grow. For the first time ever this summer, our front yard plants are still alive, and this has never happened before now.

We’ve lived in our home for almost nine years, and we are always killing plants, not by choice, but just by our wonderful talent of gardening. Now, I will say all of this has to do with my son because he’s obsessed with the sprinkler, obsessed with the hose, and obsessed with watering the plants. Sure enough, our flowers look amazing and I am so thankful that he is so excited to water the plants.

The Message in the Yard

Through planting flowers in our yard, it also has reminded me how important it’s for me just for my own self, my heart. I feel a whole different sense of purpose when I am outside watering plants or pulling up weeds. It’s almost like a spiritual connection, tending to the earth or tending the ground. It’s a reminder of life, the renewal of life, and it always has some therapeutic work for me. There is always something more for me when I garden.

And I believe there’s more for you as well. So take time this summer to plant flowers. If you have little kids, go to a local nursery. It’s so much fun to walk through plants, maybe let your children pick out a plant. And work together to help nurture and tend to the plant. Such a beautiful message of working together to keep something alive. Therefore, plant flowers this summer.

Summer To-Do List #5 – Go for snow cones

Fifth on our summer to-do list, go for snow cones. There are a lot of really fun snow cone shops near us and this is definitely an item straight from our family’s summer to-do list. Go on a snow cone date and enjoy the sweet treats of life. I fully believe it’s so important during summer too celebrate the little things and to get a little messy and have those delicious sweet treats that are just so yummy and tasty. Definitely a sure way to make the most of time this summer.

Summer To-Do List #6 – Declutter One Room in Your Home

The sixth item on our summer to-do list requires a little bit of work. However, you are going to be so thankful you did. This summer, declutter one room in your home. For some, summers mean more time at home. That’s definitely the case over here. When I spend that time at home, it’s very easy to look around and see all the clutter and the mess. Therefore, take the time to declutter one room in your home this summer.

Take time to think through, “do I really need these things?” Or, “when’s the last time that I’ve actually used this item?” Find the spaces that have a little too much going on and work to bring more order to them. All so that you can function a little more clearly and think more clearly. To feel a lot more at peace with that organized space. Therefore, strongly encourage you this summer to take one room and declutter it.

Now, if that task is a lot for you, pick a closet instead. Or maybe a set of drawers. It doesn’t have to be a room. Technically, a closet in my mind, counts as a room. When it comes to a list of things to declutter, pick the smallest space you can declutter. It feels awesome, and you’re going to feel so proud of yourself for doing something that can help you live in a more functional place.

Summer To-Do List #7 – Invite Friends Over for a Cookout

Number seven on your summer to-do list, invite friends over for a cookout. Community is so important. I believe having people in your home is super important. What better way than to have a summer cookout with some of your friends. Enjoy yummy food, play outside, and spend quality time together.

We recently just did this. We went over to a good friends’ house this past weekend for a cookout. Our sons are the same age. They played in the sprinkler and we had delicious food and it was just so good to be together and to spend time together. To simply enjoy each other’s time and company. Therefore, add that to your summer to-do list, to invite friends over for a cookout to have fun by enjoying a meal with other people.

#8 – Play tourist in your own city

Number eight, play tourist in your own city. Think to yourself, what if I didn’t live where I live and I was coming in town to visit for a weekend?What would we do? Where would we eat? What sites would we see? Where would we go? We get so used to living where we live, that we take for granted all of the amazing restaurants and coffee shops and parks near us. We forget about all the fun adventures that are right outside of our door. So challenge yourself this summer to find a day, an afternoon, a weekend, and play tourist in your own city. Plan out a schedule of things to do and go and do it, and have so much fun along the way.

#9 – Explore local parks

Ninth on our summer to-do list, explore local parks. Find your local parks and explore them all. Go for a walk, play outside, have a picnic. Simply, spend time enjoying the outdoors and the community in which you live in. Enjoy spending time together. I have a list on my phone of parks for my son and I to play at during our summer break. Truthfully, this entire summer to-do list came from that list on the notes app on my phone. But we are going to explore all the local parks in the area and have playdates. I encourage you to do the same. Explore local parks, have fun, enjoy that time outside.

Summer To-Do List #10 – Explore local coffee shops

Finally, number ten of the summer to-do list, visit local coffee shops. I love a local coffee shop. I love the small town feel and I love supporting the local economy.Additionally, I love the different cups and mugs and shops and all the treats that each local coffee shop can provide. Therefore, make a point to visit different coffee shops and make it a date. I love going on coffee shop dates with my son. Find time to explore your local community. Enjoy different coffee shops, be outside, and just make the most of how you spend your time this summer.

Things To Do This Summer to Live a More Intentional Life

There you have it, the ten things to put on your summer to-do list. To make the most of your life this summer and to spend the moments that matter the most, with the people who matter the most! 

1. Read a book outside
2. Shop at a local farmer’s market
3. Explore a local town
4. Plant flowers
5. Go for snow cones
6. Declutter one room in your home
7. Invite friends over for a cookout
8. Play tourist in your own city
9. Explore local parks
10. Explore local coffee shops

Well, there you have it, your complete summer intentional to-do list. 10 things to do this summer in order to live a more intentional and fun life. Hoping you have a fantastic summer full of love, adventure, and finding joy in the little things. I hope you have the best day friends and the best week. Truly wishing and praying that this week is a week of abundance and life and joy for you and your heart!