Summer Bucket List

When my boys were little, we lived near St. Louis.  Every summer a small group of us would plan fun field trips for moms and kids.  Once a week we would visit places most of us had never been or didn't know even existed. We toured  professional sports sites, visited the Bowling Hall of Fame (really!) and over the course of several summers really toured the city. It was great fun.

My point?  and I do have one...you don't have to live near a metropolitan area to find activities for you and your family to enjoy this summer.  With gas prices near four dollars a gallon, the 'stay-cation' is still a popular choice for families on a budget (and that includes me!) Part of your summer is going to be running kids to and from camps plus sitting in a lawn chair with a diet soda and bad nachos and cheese watching ball games.  Make sure some of your summer includes fun activities with friends and family.  Start making some memories with your child!

Here is a list of ideas to get you started---

1.  Visit a public swimming pool in neighboring town
2.  Ride on the Spirit of Peoria http://www.spiritofpeoria.com/
3.  Visit a zoo-Peoria, Bloomington or Springfield
4.  Have a backyard camp out before it gets to hot
5.  Attend area festivals and carnivals
6.  Look for free local band concerts
7.  Attend a Peoria Chiefs game
http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t443
8.  Visit Wildlife Prarie Park
 http://www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org/
9.  Visit Forest Park Nature Center
http://www.peoriaparks.org/forest-park-nature-center
10. Visit an ethnic grocery store
11.  Head down to the Peoria riverfront in swimsuits and run through the fountains...probably just the kids should wear their swimsuits
12. Have a Pajama Day, Park Day, I'm Board Day and Templeton Day.  Huh???  Check out this past post---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/07/survivor.html
13. Visit the Bass Pro Shop
14. The Woodford County and Marshall County Conservation parks are along Illinois Route 26 north of Spring Bay
15.  Ideas for taking the kids to the Farmer's Market
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/06/farmers-market.html
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2011/05/farmers-market-2011.html
16. The K'Nex exhibit opens June 2nd at Lakeview Museum
 http://www.lakeview-museum.org/
17. The Children's Discovery Museum in Normal is less than an hour away
http://www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net/
18. Splashdown is a must at least once
19.  Have as much ice cream as you can over the summer
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-scream-you-scream-we-all.html
20. Enjoy a train ride, mini golf or an outdoor movie at Didley's Place
http://www.didleysplace.com/