Our Back-to-School Bucket List
Every parent knows that the smallest moments make the biggest impact. Spend hours planning the perfect birthday party? Your kids will remember the red balloon. Spend hours at the pool? Your kids will remember how funny it was to run away while you tried to put sunscreen on them.
Before school starts back and our days become draped in to-do lists, sporting events, and early wake-up calls, spend some time enjoying the last days of summer with your kids and making core memories.
We’ve started the bucket list for you but encourage you to ask your kids what they’d like to put on the list.
If you don’t have children, or they’re off making memories with their own kids, we recommend this list as an ode to your inner child and a celebration of the end of Summer.
Catch a lightning bug on an evening walk or bike ride along the I&M Canal.
This classic game (played long before tiny glass smartphones demanded our attention) takes a lot of patience and swift moves but the magic makes it worth it. Bring along an old mason jar and walk along the canal catching lightning bugs or use your binoculars to see birds back in their nest.
The I & M Canal also offers mule-pulled boat tours through late October which are great for families of all ages, historians, photographers, and nature lovers.
Make S’Mores at Camp Bullfrog
You don’t have to stay all night if pitching a tent or spending a night in a cabin isn’t your thing but you should reserve a campsite for the day to sit down and make this camper classic: s’more. Don’t just stick to grahams, chocolate, and marshmallows: bring along your favorite peanut butter cups, jams, and candies to host a S’more building competition! Read our full guide on 5 reasons you should go camping here.
Enjoy Ice Cream for Dinner at Creamery
While we love ice cream all year round in Lemont, there is nothing like enjoying a cone or your favorite sundae on a park bench while watching the sunset. Pack up the car or walk over and enjoy ice cream at the Creamery for dinner. There are many places to grab a more traditional bite to eat after you’re done but we think one night of soft serve and M&Ms won’t hurt anyone.
Trade the Tea Parties for a Pizza Party at Wooden Paddle
Wooden Paddle believes in sharing and so do we. With so many amazing toppings, appetizers, and sides - you’ll want to come with a good friend who enjoys trying new things. We think this is the perfect stop before back to school to get your kids sharing pizza and their thoughts about the new school year.
Enjoy a 1:1 date night with each of your kids at Digs on Canal and dream up what awaits in the next school year.
We all know that good grades are the goal but take it a step further by creating a vision board for the school year. What do they want to achieve in their activities? What kinds of friends do they want to attract? How do they hope they’ll grow in the next year? Bring along some old pictures, markers, and paper while you wait for your food to arrive. The patio tables at Digs on Canal are the perfect spot for dreaming up what’s next.
Push your limits at The Forge with ziplining, climbing, or a game of laser tag.
Get everyone laughing and competing when you sign up for an adventure at The Forge. Make a day of it and grab lunch at The Foundry or one of the amazing restaurants in Lemont Downtown.
Learn about the history of Lemont Downtown at the Museum.
Bring some cool facts about your town back to school with you. The Lemont Area Historical Society has been preserving history of the village since it was founded and you’ll find loads of artificats and inside stories. We’re sure you’ll get a bit of extra credit if you return with some pictures or a small report to show your teacher.
Take pictures or short videos on your iPhone or iPad Downtown and turn them into a storybook presented after dinner.
This is something for the older kids and the most creative. Imagine and create a storyboard over breakfast outlining their tale then grab a camera and start shooting! Bring props if you need them and create a superhero fantasy or fairytale romance using Lemont Downtown as the backdrop.
Attend a creative class or activity at That Girl + Co.
Fall is coming! Sign up for a chunky blanket class at That Girl + Co or host a private party to celebrate returning to school. It makes an amazing teacher gift!
Finally, once we’re back to school, plan something for you!
It is no small feat getting your children through the summer - keeping the entertained with activities, camps, crafts, and tons of trips to the park. Choose a place to meet up with other parents, caregivers, and somebody’s grown up after that first bell rings to celebrate a job well done.
