It isn’t necessarily things you want your children to do, parenting bucket lists are the lists you make of the memories you want to create with your kids. They grow quickly and raising tiny humans should include memorable moments. It’s okay as parents to have ideas in mind of what you want to remember when you are older. So create a bucket list, here are some ideas to get you started!
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I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a “bucket list” person. I don’t like feeling as though things are looming over my head. But when it comes to my children, there are things I want to do before they grow up. Things that, for lack of a better way to say it, are on a bucket list.
I don’t have them written down, but they are in my head and as I raise my boys, I seek times when I can do these things with them. In some ways it’s selfish, because these are things I want to accomplish but in the process, I hope to make memories with my children so that when they grow, they remember a family that was filled with love and time spent with them!
Bucket List Ideas for Parents
Explore with a one-year-old (or two or three-year-old)
Maybe not all three ages at once but separately or with a few at a time. Get down at their level, pick up pine cones, pick dandelions, make footprints in the snow, and do the little things that children love to do. God created them with minds full of curiosity, they likely won’t remember their days of exploring but you will.
So go outside, to a forest, an open field, by a pond, somewhere that the imagination is free to roam (as well as your feet). Join them in their world of discovery, crouch down at their level to see the world from their perspective, you won’t regret it.
Have your baby fall asleep on you
This likely will happen if you have babies but the joy of it cannot be understated. When they feel safe and comfortable and allow themselves to drift off into sleep, snuggling into your warm embrace, enjoy it. Savour it because they will grow and won’t be so still when you try to snuggle with them.
Better yet, make it a bucket list for every child you have 💜
Teach them a life skill (or a few life skills)
Seek ways to make memories with your children. Slow down, enjoy the moment and enjoy who God is making them into!
So much of parenting is teaching or helping children master everyday things. Crawling, walking, potty training, washing their hands, sharing toys and so on. Then we send them off to school with a sigh of relief and sometimes forget the joy of furthering their education with other life skills!
Teach them how to cook or bake a family favourite recipe. Teach them how to use a hammer or screwdriver to build something. Teach them how to sew. Teach them how to knit or crochet. Teach them how to take something apart and put it back together. Teach them how to read and follow instructions (!!!)
Teach them a real, honest-to-goodness thing. Maybe learn something new with them, take a class together or ask a friend or family member to show you something new!
Take time with them one on one
If you have an only child this isn’t going to be as critical but when you have multiples, make an effort to take time with them alone. Get to know them as individuals, ask questions, and create a book about each child with answers to the questions to share with them when they are older. But take time with them one on one. Let them know that they are special and worthy of individual attention from time to time.
Go on a road trip
There’s something about sitting in a car for hours at a time, looking out the window, eating sandwiches and snacks for lunch while being lulled by the moving tires. Then upon reaching your destination feeling thoroughly satisfied at having survived the long car ride. It builds character and it makes good memories.
Nowadays people go on expensive all-inclusive vacations that I’m sure are incredibly fun, but a good old-fashioned road trip is something that cannot be recreated. Leave the ipads at home, pack the story books and the silly car games, go somewhere for the weekend and teach your children to enjoy the beauty of changing landscapes from a vehicle!
Check out my devotional “Consider the Wildflowers” to help you unwind and grow closer to God as a mom! Available on Amazon.
Have family traditions everyone enjoys
Sometimes we do things year after year because it’s just what we’ve always done. If no one enjoys it, then why do it?
Sometimes we do things year after year because one or two people enjoy it. That’s okay! But seek out family traditions that everyone looks forward to. Simple things like watching a specific Christmas movie every year. Or always having a special meal for Valentine’s Day, something abnormal like appetizers for dinner or only red foods. Or having a monthly game night (make it a weekly game night if your kids are really into it!)
Want a fun game for game night? We love “Taco vs Burrito,” It’s a family favourite!
Create a family recipe book with stories
This is something that is on my “I want to do this” list but I don’t know if it’ll happen. I tried starting it, but was interrupted!
The idea of keeping favourite recipes in one place is not only practical, it can create a memory for when your children are grown. Right now I need a handy dandy notebook with foods my children will eat (taco pasta, soup, stir fry…) but I hope to add anecdotes about these recipes and the little people who enjoy them. Then one day I can reread what I said and be reminded of the little boys who sat at my kitchen table, making silly faces at each other and putting food in their mouths!
Memorize scripture with them
I’ll be honest, I’m terrible at memorizing scripture! My kids are better at it than I am, but there is an element of fun when learning verses together. Starting it at random and having them finish it, like it’s a secret language you speak together.
Make it fun. Maybe set a goal for yourselves, if you accomplish a certain amount of verses you’ll go out for ice cream! Even young children can learn simple verses like “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Grab these free scripture cards to start learning verses together!
Take pictures
Fill your phone with pictures. You can go through and delete things later but sharing memories through photos not only helps you remember, it creates a space to remember things with your children!
Make Your Own Bucket List Ideas
Every family is different. Every child is different. These are just a few ideas I have for my own family, and I am sure I will come up with more. Take what you like, use it, write it down if it helps and seek to connect with your children in a meaningful way. That’s the ultimate goal.
God didn’t give us instruction manuals for parenting but He did give us ways to connect and make memories with our children. He also reminds us that there is a time for everything, so while we have our children we need to make the most of it. Slow down so you can remember who your little person is right now and watch as God builds them into the person He needs them to be!
Go make a bucket list, written on your heart or paper and fill your family with lasting memories of love, joy and fun!
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